The native American., 1838-11-24

tle last winter ny young HeiHpei VI Hie oo-
ciety Of Friends. be deemed worthy of an inser-
ton in 1.-The Friend" il is at the disposal of the
editor: w.
Seventh Month, lih, 1888.
HAVANA, 1898.
At time when the a-engrossing subject of
slavery within our own borders occupies so large
share of the public mind, it may not be inap-
propriae to relate few facts drawn from per-
sonal observation during short soourn in the is
land Of Cuba, and if possible TO direct the atten-
ton of the phanlhrop!st from the vexatious and
delicate subject of an existing evil at home, to
the mere garng and increasing traffic in human
flesh. the source OF so much misery, the African
slave trade, which. it may not be generally known
to the disgrace Of the civilized world, is ut this
very moment carrying on to an alarming extent,
almost within sight of our own shores.
In the beautiful harbor of the Havana, the prac-
tised eve of the seaman detects at glance, from
amidst the large fleets of vessels from all c.arters
of the world, some half dozen or more splendid
brigantnes which, for elegance and symetry ofI
model, breadth of beam, and lighness of rig, are
unsurpassed by any vessels in the world, sharp
fore and aft, and lying low, they seem only to-
touch the water, and if a zephyr would put
them in motion. These beautiful vessels, which
do credit to the skill Of the architect, and, as was
informed, were Chiefly Dullt dl near DatlmOre,
are slavers,-decetful in appearance as the un-
ruffed bosom of the ocean on which they glide
their holds are the abodes of wrctchedncss, dis
ease and death. ..>
In the ports of this Island slavcrs are fitted out
openly and without moleshtion, lying almost side
by side with British, French, and American ves-
sells of war; they dare not molest them unless ta-
ken on the high seas, and in the very act of
carrying cargo. With the existence of slavery
in these Islands, or in the southern states of our
own confederacy, in making this communication,
| have nothing to do; on the contrary, can bear
frequent testimony to the lenient treatment of
slaves, and their apparent content on estates it
was my fortune to visit. L have generally found it
acknowledged an evil. but one for which it ap-
peared difficult to devise remedy; but that the
American government should remain idle, when
every year thousands upon thousands of the hu-
man family are carried into bondage, is most as
tonishing; while their brethren Of England, with
an example worthy of all praise, have for years
been working, and are even now Drawing climate
and disease almost alone, against the ne(arious
practice.
TO the British navy alone be the honor of af-
fording almost the only check to this inhuman
traffic. their vessels on the alert, both on
the African coast and in the West Indian seas; and
surely any thing will open the eyes of the Ame-
rican people, to the magnitude with which this
trade is carried on, the fact of four captures having
been made within six months on the southern coast
of this island, and the arrival in sigh, of this CITY,
and within four days Of each other, of two savers
with full cargoes of human beings ought to do it.
During the latter part of December, the Eliza Bel
lita' SLAYER was captured by H. M. ship 'Sappho,'
and carried into Port Royal, Jamaica, having on
board $50 unfortunate Africans, scarcely one of
them over fourteen years Of age! In the harbour
ofSt. Jago saw small clipper-built Guineaman,
that was informed had realized over two millions
of dollars in the slave trade; she was very fleet,
had been often pursued but never taken.
In company with an English naval officer,
made visit across the bay to several Of these YES
sels We were permitted to walk over them, but
no particular attention paid to US; on the con-
trarv, we were looked upon with suspicion, and
received short and unsatisfactory answers to our
questions; in general all attempts to enter into
conversation with those on board appeared use
less With one, however, were more sue
cessful; an old weather-beaten Spaniard was walk
ing the deck-although an old pirate his express
sion of countenance was fne,-taking seat under
the awning on the quarter deck, offering him a
bundle of cgarias, and lighting one ourselves, by
degrees induced him into conversation, and in
some horrid truths. He told us, that in four
voyages he had brought, in the vessel upon which
we then were, sixteen hundred human beings !;
his was fortunate vessel, and seldom lost more
than half a dozen Voyages once, however, he told
us he was not so lucky-a malignant disease
broke out on board soon after leaving the coast,
and of three hundred taken in Africa, but ninety
five were landed more dead than alive on the is
land
The material, such as hand cuffs, chains, and
even the lower decks are taken out, slowed in
pieces as cargo, and are fitted up on the coast of
Africa. We saw the apertures in the decks to
admit the air, and as we were leaving the brig in
our boat along side, the captain told us exulting-
w, that he knew we were officers of the British
sloop Of war, pointing to the "Champion," that
was riding at anchor at a little distance from u.s.
but, added he, ''you are welcome; yesterday
showed your captain meaning of the Champion)
all over my trim vessel have nothing to con-
ceal-you dare not touch me here, and once out
side, with an expressive shrug of the shoulders)
you may catch me if you can"
About league from the gates Of Havana, sit
uatcd delightfully."- upon gentle emncnce shaded
by groves of the palm and the cocoa, overlooking
the Paseo Tacon, and the governors Casadi Cam
po and gardens, is tienda or receptacle for newly