The Sun.
London, England, 1860-04-09 00:00:00

: _

..•• • ' 1,:- -
• ._,- - •• ,
. _
:, ::‘,4::,
_.,..71....,a1.,......_acte,',
:.'7...,,,..1.;
~,..,,,..,:i..-
_._..,..,J,,H.,‘.,...i.1R. OiT . t i*.fi: 4::,
:...- 31 .
~
..1/41,.......• . .. . - '',. '
~,12?. 4, : Cr,
_4240 1 %
. .
,•'••.'
..1,;.,- :,
.• . 1 .
1
\'' • - l'Qek. / i"..:- 1* :• . ~
P:::Z:,-,,-,-"'-,..4 :' , ' -_, • 4 ~-;:''±'-e " ''''4'k., l--,..7
Ll' ~-,:-':ic ' --4)7:41',;',r ,r 41,4- - -'- ,—. . -
~; - .f•<l7 - ---7, „4'i->, , ,
it'am,,,.-4-4-77. , • .'")
- ,•
''''"---,,, -(4.1ja,•-7"': -<; i1(4;;.,,,-.4: -t-,'l,•''. • 4 --,/ ~, . ' 0 .0- -: '''mi 1 : •- - - ---- • , - . •
. _
-
A i OPI'4'l
1" ' ',..1.
1 ~...,
i, , r ,
...,:. . %
.., .
' t,
3,' . 4
v,
z....,..?
..
.1 :t.
~,b:

z

~~ ~
~. s~~.

PRICE 4D. STAMPED, sp.

pithy with this unlawful occupation. Far other
motives have influenced their course. The question
if suppression, under existing circumstances, pre-
sents, as I have already said, serious practical dif-
ficulties arising, outout of dangers to the freedom of the
-eas, and out of the extraordinary exertions of en-
terprising men well acquainted with the business,
and which are called into action by the enormous
profits which a successful adventure is sure to bring.
The British Government has been informed that this
Government entertains serious doubts of the effi-
ciency of the African squadrons which are employed
in the suppression of the slave trade in accomplish
ing this work. They cannot close the long line of
coast where it is most active, and the success which
has attended these efforts of prevention bears a
very unequal proportion to the expenditure of life
and treasure they have cost. But the President is
unwilling, notwithstanding these doubts, to with-
hold the cooperation of the United States from this
work of repression, and the serious appeal of the
itish Government is entitled to respectful atten-
tion. The President is prepared to adopt all pro-
per measures within the sphere of his constitutional
authority to prevent American vessels or citizens
from being engaged in the slave trade. But, while
giving this assurance, I am also instructed by the
Presi lent to express the confident hope that the
British Government may be able to secure at an
early day the complete fulfilment of its treaty
stipulations on this subject with the Government of
Spain. I cannot doubt that such a fulfilment
would go very far towards accomplishing the pur-
pose which both nations have in viewrof closing
the traffic in African slaves.
There are measures, too, which the British Go-
vernment can adopt in Africa, and which, it is be-
lieved, will materially contribute towards the
accomplishment of the object. In my letter to
Lord Napier, of April 10, 1858,1 made the sugges-
tion, and subsequent information has confirmed the
opinion then expressed. In the hope that it may
meet the attention of Lord Malmesbury, and may
lead to a favourable consideration of the proposition,
I transfer to this letter what I then said upon this
subject :

" But other means have been suggested by per-
sons Intimately acquainted with the slave coast,
and who have watched the slave trade operations,
and which offer encouraging prospects of success if
adopted. These suggestions relate to the extension
of the free colonial establishments in that region, so
as to create barriers at the most exposed points, and
also to the construction of small military posts or
block-houses, garrisoned from the acclimated popu-
lation, at or near the places to which the course of
the trade has been directed, and where the means
of interchange may be found."
So far as respects the action of the United States,
no additional legislation is deemed necessary. By
the treaty of Ghent, in 1814, and by the Ash-
burton treaty of 1842, their condemnation of the
slave trade is formally expressed, and its prosecu-
tion has been made a statutory offence, punishable
with death. They have maintained upon the coast
of Africa a larger force, it is believed, in proportion
to the extent of their navy, than any other power,
and this disparity will be still further increased as
soon as the additional measures directed by the
President are carried into effect. These measures
look to the employment of armed steamers upon
the African coast and in the Cuban waters, a de-
scription of forts far better adapted than sailing
vessels to the pursuit and capture of the rapid craft
which carry on this trade. The number of vessels
which may be detached upon this duty will depend
upon the state of the public service, but it is hoped
that two at least may be ordered to Africa and three
or more to Cuba. The Ashburton treaty requires
that each of the powers parties to it shall maintain
a squadron upon the coast of Africa carrying at least
80 guns ; but if, by mutual consent, the number of
guns were reduced, and small steam vessels substi-
uted for sailing vessels, the service would be much
more tilleiently performed, and the expense not in
crease d.

You are instructed to read this despatch to Lord
Mahnesbury, and should he desire it you may leave
a copy with him.—l am, sir, respectfully, your obe-
dient servant, LEWIS CASs.
George M. Dallas, Esq., &c.