The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1838-09-11

lihy YET he preserved through the ten-drlnking
propensities of England. When the Chinese
shall have once discovered that the most effectu-
al mode OF preventing the import of opium is to
prevent the export of tea, are they likely soon to
forget the lesson?
SHOCKING INCREASE OF THE SLAVE TRADE.
Lord Brougham, in recent speech in the
British Parliament, which does him infinite cred
it, made some startling statements concerning
the increase in this neiarious traffic. We quote
some appalling facts on this head below, which
ought to he known to the American people.
His Lordship complained that the "clumsy and
! prcposterous course which the civilized nations
had adopted, positively aggravated the evil.
The plan as agreed upon by England and a.
merica, and the other parties to the arrangement,
was to confine the RICH; ofcapturinG search
ing vessels OF the African coast to the United s.
and British cruisers, aud in order 10 quicken the
diligence of the commanders it was agreed that
they should not only share in the proceeds of
each vessel captured and condemned as prize,
but certain sum of money per head, and there
fore called head money, should be paid for
each slave taken.
The effect of this mode of compensation
proves TO be that cruisers make no attempt to
prevent slave vessels, known 10 he such, from
taking in cargoes of slaves but kept NJ n distance
until they put to sea, for the sake of the heud-
money The more slaves, of course the better
for the captor. Some instances of the horrid
consequences Of this course Were stated. The
sla yer, finding cruiser after her. the captain
begins TO Tighten his ship by throwing overheard
the heaviest OF the negroes. We quote some
heart string details
Men, women, and children were thus thrown
overheard without remorse and in numbers pro-
porlioned to the distance which the pursuing
ship might be gaining OH him. The slaves were
thrown overheard with the letters placed on
them before they were brought on honrd-fetters
which were considered necessary, first, for the
protection ofthe crew against multitudes Of the
slaves, and also to prevent attempts at suicide TO
which the slaves were ever ready to resort, if an
opportunity presented itself on their voyage.
Another object of the letters was, that when it
become necessary to throw parties overheard to
tighten the ship, they when cast in, fet-
tiers and ALL would have the less chance of es-
cape. To lesson that chance lights were
sometimes added,-for the negro, with the
Herculean strength which lie generally possess.
ed 81 from that facility OF swimming which gave
him a sort Of amphbous nature, could easily, if
left 10 his own unfettered eXerons, support
himself in the waves until the pursuing schooner
came, and il taken on board would prove u most
important witness against those who had torn
him from his native home; TO prevent this the
weights were added, which sunk him before aid
could arrive; but that was not the only mode of
tightening the vessel.
Sometimes three hu nan beings were packed
closely in cask, which being thrown over with
weights attached 10 il, and one SLAYER which
was pursued had, before she was captured,
thrown over II such casks, each closely packed
with human beings. In another instance two
slave ships which were chased Ind upwards Of
500 slaves OH board every one of whom meta
watery grave.--Let not their lordships imagine
that this fancy sketch. Ii was unhappily,
IA detail of facts which he received from II gal.
Ian, officers who was tor some time u COmmo-
dore on the Western African stution.-Bu he
l,I bo S1nrk
know this scene ofboolshcd and it stated
to him on the same good authority, that they
followed the sllve ship from the port, and the
track of that ship could be traced across The At.
an,ic by the blood of her murdered victims hur-
led nto the ocean to facilitate the escape of the
vessel from its pursners
OF the increase and audncious boIiness ofths
horrid trade we have the following testimony
He (Lord BrOughaln) knew that one lime
there were in one year, 1925, eghyfive slave
ships fitted out ut the Havanun, of which rs re-
turned safe to the liavnnlia. The number varied
from us to 700, this average giving %, 900 inn
ported into the Havana i'm the year 1896. Al
ter the dreadful treatment to which these slaves
were subjected and which he had detailed to
their lordships, and the risk which they RIM of
being thrown overheard in chase, there were,
horrible to relate, 500 in one vessel and $50 in
another. He did not speak vaguely when he
said that in single month, The month ofDe-
sells, Felicdade and the Ell Sincolo, two cargoes
OF slaves, the one 500, the other 7S0. In the
year 1887, $500 slaves were imported in the
principle settlement Of their friend and ally the
Emperor of Brazil. The greatest of all slave
dealers were the Brazians, the Spanish and the
Portuguese; and this country, and he might add
France also, with the full knowledge of the fact,
still continued qubbng with them about the
| construction Of treaties, aud endeavoring to OBJ
! tain from those courts the right to search the
ships, suffering all his time these dreadful enor
mites to he perpetrated, when they wonId not
allow for one hour common pirate 10 pollute
the great highway of the seas, even though the
flag OF the nations protected him.
Itoenty fue cents north Of Iemperdnce!--A few
days ago couple of FOSTERING youths, VINO had
been partakIng of Refreshments ut one OF the bar
rooms which for the good of the community, n
bound in the vicinity of Boston, drove up III a
stylish horse and gig, to the door of Temper