The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-05-08
From the Nautical Standard
THE AFRICAN SQUADRON.

The very extraordinary line Of conduct which
her majesty's ministry have been induced TO adopt,
in order to secure the majority against Mr. Hutt's
motion to the effect, "That an humble address be
presented To her majesty, praying that her majes-
ty will be pleased 10 direct that negotiations be
forthwith entered into for the purpose of releasing
this country from all treaty engagements with
foreign States. for maintaining armed vessels
the coast of Africa, suppress the traffic in slaves;
places the African question in avery different posi-
ton to that which il has hitherto occupied. For
mery it was regarded solely in the light of ques
tion of humanity, and, thus regarded, England
made the greatest sacrifices TO sweep away its hor-
rors from the face of the earth As a question Of
humanity, there could be difference Of opinion;
it was alike opposed 10 the law of God, To the pre-
ccpts Of humanity, and to the dictates of con-
science. But although all agreed in the expedi-
ency and duty of chasing this scourge of human
ity from out Of Christendom, yet were found diff
ercnces of opinion as to the eligible means Of
effectuating the object. One of these means, which
has now been largely adopted and quite sufficiently
long TO enable US TO form an accurate idea of the
effectiveness OF the measure, was the blockading
squadron; and upon this means recent inquirers
have pretty generally concentrated their attcn-
ton. In lS49, select committees was appointed 10
continue an inquiry undertaken by commit
tee appointed in the preceding year. to consider
the best means which Great Britain could adopt
for providing for the final extinction of the slave
trade, and such committee in due course reported
that long and large experience of attempts TO sup
press the slave trade by a naval force led to the
conclusion that 10 put down that trade by such
means is impracticable. And the committee fur
thcr reported that they were constrained 70 believe
that no modification OF the system OF force could
effect the suppression of the slave trade and that
they could not undertake the responsibility Of re-
commanding the continuance Of that system. The
same committee furthermore reported their opin-
ion that the aim Of Great Britain should be 10 re-
lease herself from such treaty engagements in re-
spect 10 the slave trade with other countries.
We have, therefore, at least one great fact which
places the merits of the question beyond reasonable
nd ali hev
have the fact that the African squadron, source Of
expense of life and treasure 10 the country
hausting alike the blood, energy, and wealth of
G. Great Britain, has not answered the purposes for
which il was designed; it has not extinguished the
scandalOus traffic in human fesh, IL has not
made any sensible approximation 10 that object;
and II the evidence given before the select commit
tee Of the House Of Commons is credible, there s
no reasonable hope that such end will be
obtained by the present means. We perfectly
well aware that there are persons 10 be found so
pertinacous of their opinions, that they would not
hesitate 10 characterize the laborious inquiry OF
tins committee OF doubtful authority--tbcre are
men To bc found who have interest IN sustaining
the African blockade, and who do not feel a large
amount Of compunction in oharacterizing that 20
be false which IL IL their individual interest TO
prove untrue Such men will, no doubt, plead
Tor the maintenance Of the existing blockade,
though the evidence which demonstrated its pre-
judicial influence the cause of humanity were
written ia sunbeams. The question Involved
ia the maintenance or abandonment vf the Afri-
can blockade Is simply its efficacy: an over
whclming amount Of evidence proves TO demon
stration that that efficacy has mot been attained;
it IL ascertaincd beyond reasonable doubt that
our cruisers have been unable ~ cast any substan-
tia cfeetual impediment in the way of the slave
trade, and that though We may occasionally inter
cept "A cargo OF slaves from Africa their way Ia
the market, yet the amount Of slaves imported has
been ascertained not To be affected by all any Of
expensive expedients. We have II therefore
sustained, by evidence which ~ above reprvach,
"A.
sure to no end, and that means adopted for the
destruction Of this traffic raise reasonable
hope Of success than would the engaging n man
with wooden leg 10 run after a bare, IN the vain
expectation that his perseyering progress would
ever Overtake it.
Il has been atterly found convenient TO those
who arc cnamored of the African blocksdo, TO al
lege that the agitation got up against "a was the
work Of some miscreants who dealt secretly in the
nhuman traffic Of the African trade and that
they we're only furthering their own selfish and
despicable interests In seeking To put down the
blockade a barrier To their gains. OF the utter
faschood Of such suggestions there be no bet
ter proof than the evidence Of Sir Charles Hothau.
given before The select committee evidence which
establishes in the most satisfactory manner that
the slave dealers actually more enriched by
blockade than otherwise, and that witbdrawalo ot
the African squadron would tend, In great inca
sure, 10 cast ruin upon large portion Of the pre-
sent traders. At present the trade - confined 90
few speculators, who can afford the risk which IL
necessarily incidental 20 tho trade in It's present
condition II is shown that the profits Of the trade
are such, that they will enable the spcculstor 20
clear gain OF G45 upon each slave. providing for
the risk OF losing cargo out OF three. II IL thus
manifest that the trade only successfully b.
carried on by men Of capital, and the only effect
produced by the blockading squadron ia simply 10
enhance the price of the slave. Our squadron
therefore, instead Of destroying the inhulnan trsf
nc Of the slave market, has SIMPLY opened new
field for the employment Of capital, aud - adding
little to the risk, has only made IL degree
profitable.
The principal features Of the'svidence before the
public show that there are two thousand one hun.
dred and ninety five miles Of coast available for the
exportation Of slaves, and yet that not more than
one hundred admit Of any practicable blockade;
and therefore, whenever the trafhc is stopped in
place IL ia forthwith transferred to another II
also appears that the tradic il alone regulated by
the commercial demand for slave labor, and that
hitherto sensible effect has been produced by the
labors Of the squadsn, The Brszilians have al
ways had exactly the number Of slaves which they