The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-08-01
THE DAILY UNION.
COM UNICAT 20 Ms.
For the Union
THE sLAvE-TRADE-RIG OF SEARCH.

the slave-trade and Of the right OF search, we shall
proceed with brief statement of what has been,
and in all human probability is now daily occurring
on the western coast of Africa, connected with the
slave-trade.
At the present time, with the exception of the
Gallinas, and the rivers Pongas, Nunez, and pos
sbly two or three others, there are no slave marts
or factories to the north and west of Cape Mount,
and from these comparatively very few slaves are
exported. We have heard Of one large cargo being
taken from the Ganas not far from Cape Mount,
few months since, in the face of several Eng
lish armed boats, which were not strong enough
to resist the force opposed to them The slave
dealers kept them in durance while they were trans
porting their slaves the vessel; nor would they al
low them to leave their station until the whole car
go had been shipped. They tainted them, and adj
vised them the next time they came In quest OF
SLAYER, to come strong enough to capture IT, and not
be compelled to be inactive spectators of such a
scene" This was said to be the ship Crawford,
which was afterwards pursued by her Britannia
Majestys brig Ferret, and escaped
These slave-dealers are very willing to encounter
almost any risk, in trade which yields them so
great profit; for they say that, if one vessel es-
capes out of four they realize sufficient return to
authorize them to continue it with advantage.
They also say, that as long as they can find a
market for their slaves, they will continue it, in
spite of all opposition TO it. Their only markets
now are the coast of Brazil the island Of Cuba,
and possibly Porto Rico.
From Cape Mount to Cape Palmas, which in
a,al he
American Colonization Society and by the Mary
land Colonization Society, we have Monrovia,
Simon, Grand Bassa, the Cesters, Settra Kroo,
Fishtown, &C., where there is not vestige of
barracoon nor has SLAYER been seen on that
part of the coast for many years. The settle
ment of these colonies by the colored race emil
grating from the United States, has completely
checked it. Slavery and the save-trade are only
remembered there as among the things that were
once. The former governors of these colonies
energetically drove off the SLAYER; and the pres
ent efficient governors of Liberia and Cape Pamas
still pursue the same course as did their predeces-
sors; and there is no fear Of relapse along that
part Of the coast where the free colored population
is daily increasing and gaming strength by the ar
rival of new emigrants from the United States, and
by the natural increase incident to settlement al
ready numbering several thousand inhabitants.
The principal slave marts are to the eastward of
Elmina, Cape Coast Castle, and Accrah, where the
English Dutch, and Danes have long since erected
large Notifications, and have few, very few, white
employees, who frequently relieved from their sta
tons by DEATH or by others being ordered in their
place. Relief by death is much the most frequent;
for, with very few exceptions, these persons die off
very rapidly The white person, who escapes death
after being on the west coast of Africa year, is so
shattered in constitution by the diseases of the eli
mate, that he is ever after burden to himself II
is painful to see the diseased appearance of those
whites who have been for any length of time the
coast.
From Accrah, in an easterly direction, the coast is
literally dotted with 'barracoons.n The pens can
be seen at the distance of eight or ten miles apart
sometimes nearer-at each of which is small set
Element, where one or two white men may reside in
the midst of population Of native Africans, who
partake of the profit and assist in the slave-rade.
At Fettah, the river st. Paul, Quitta, Porto Sc
gun, Whiddah, and, in fact, along the whole coast,
in the bights of Benin and Baffra, and even
more 10 the edStWuIu, sldNei Saii1ot So uiiilSs
for a cargo. And it very strange that,
with the number Of English cruisers and others
stationed along that part of the coast, single SLAYER
can escape detection An anecdote told of Governor
Hill, of Cape Coast Castle, successor of Governor
Maclean, shows how little these shareholders care
for any vessels of war Mr.. dc Souza, Portu-
guese, who has been more than forty years on the
coast of Africa, Ga exception to the general
rue,) and all this time engaged in this traffic, was
visited some time since by Governor Hill, who was
very Hospitality received, and invited to dinner AZ
ter the meal, Mr.. Souza asked the governor to
take little turn with him to his warehouses;
as he called them. They contained over eight
hundred slaves ready for market; and he was
only waiting for some vessels to carry them
off. The proprietor knew well that they could
not be touched while the coast, and felt no fears
on that score; but remarked, that, when shipped,
some might be captured, while some must reach
their destination, in spite of all the cruisers the
coast. Doubtless, at all the barracoons the same
bold and fearless open course is pursued
These settlements are usually designated by par
tcular flag which is constantly hoised. The actual
Stare vessels since the trade has been so closely
watched, carry any articles of traffic for the
purchase of slaves heavy, dull merchant vessel, is
usually employed to carry large cargo Of such arti-
cles as are received in payment for the slaves it is de-
posted at particular factory, already designated, and
set of signals agreed upon, duplicate of which
the vessel which carries away the slaves is supplied
with These latter vessels are purchased at a
high price, for their sailing properties, and sent to
the coast. As they approach, they make the given
signals: if no cruisers are in the way, and the an
swer is favorable, Ia favorable answer means that
they have supply rady,) they come to an anchor;
and, having their water and provisions already on
board, it takes but few hours to embark a full
cargo, by means Of number of large canoes, made
for the purpose, and always in readiness.
These shipments are generally made during the
night and by dawn of day the SLAYER is far away
on his return voyage. These savers are very
small and very fast sailers; and the slaves are liter.
ally crammed into hold not larger than would be
comfortable for one-tenth of the number to nhabit,