Weekly national intelligencer., 1850-06-08

his command was only one and half per cent,
and he avows the opinion that the African station
is more healthy than the West Indies. Indeed,
the mortality has been less there than in the fleet
in the East or West Indies.
The Anti.Slavery Society in England, whose
views are most strangely perverted, like those OF
many of their brethren in this country, are oppos-
ing the squadron, and insisting that since its Efforts
the mortality on board the slave ships has ncreas-
ed from fourteen to twenty-five per cent. This
statement, which had its origin with DR.. Clltte,
who appears to be identified in his interests with
the Brazilian slave-deaers, is clearly and absolute
ly disproved by Sir CHARLES HoTHAM, who shows,
in an authentic return, that of near l4,OOO slaves
captured during his command, the naorfdiity, up
to the date of adjudication, scas nine per cent;
and he estimates the mortality in those ressels
that escape at fire per cent.
independently of the positive check given by
the presence Of the English and American squad
rons on the African coast to the slave-rade, great
benefits are secured through their influence to legi-
innate trade, and to the cause Of African civliza-
ton. Thousands of native Africans find employ
ment on board of these ships; they acquire some
knowledge of our language, manners, and sensi-
ments they are impressed deeply by our opposi-
ton to the saye-trade; they cast aside many Of
their superstitions, and feel inspired with some de-
sres for higher and more civilized life. The
christian settlements and missionary stations which
begin to adorn that shore find security and derive
strength and influence from these squadrons. 1t is
fact of great interest that England has entered
into more than forty conventions with native Ari-
can chiefs for the suppression of the slave trade,
and probably the Republic of Liberia has made
similar arrangements with nearly as many more.
Without entering upon any discussion of the ques-
tions which the facts in this brief article might sug-
gest, l conclude with the following sentences from
Lieut.. Yule's pamphlet:
"The question is, not shall we commence crCsade
against tie slave trade, but shall the steps Of thirty
years. and recant all that have for that time been dnnng
into the ears Of Europe
Withdraw the squadron, and you bring dishono the
Of England by casting down in day the result Of all
her long and costly efforts for the redemption of Africa, and
throwing suspicion the sincerity of all her past endeavos
for the abolition of the slave trade you wipe off half the
stigma from the traffic you give evil bias to the already
waverng public feeling and you will speedily English
pita, if English ships and crews directly engaged in
slavery You WILL il rue shake of the charge OF Incon-
sistency in which the of ls46 involved country
only casting her weight entirely and consistently
into the scale of wrong by havng the price you will at
least double the number of slaves carried Brazil and in
the opinion Of high authority, you will extend without
bounds.
"Wi,hdraw the squadron and you throw The trade into
the hands hundreds of greedy competing petty specua-
tors with small and little capital increasing vastly
the horrors of the rade and inducing caaities incalcu-
liable.
Withdraw the squadron and the desire awakening
in Africa to be this vile traffic will be crushed and
such rush obtain slaves will follow that price will
be set on every mau head and human being will be SAFE
Your lawful trade will be struck down your missionaries
left alone the torrent will speak deaf ears, and be
expelled murdered the Republic Of Liberia growing
nucleus Of civilization for Africa will be destroyed the Bgh
BENIN Cape Verde cleared Of the nuisance viii
again be dakened by the vuureke presence of the SLAYER
the whole Of Western Africa will present Of cruelty
and devastation fearful contemplate all the progress
christianity, civilization, and will be annhilated
and the will become the Of the most degraded
negades and pirates Of Brazil and other nations The slave
trade will revive in the palm oil rivers, to the exclusion
legitimate trade the thousands of palmo carriers and labor
will instantly be kidnapped and carried board slave
sells after time the remaining natives will avoid the coast
they would the locality Of plague"
If interests SO vital and SO great are depending
upon the decision whether or not armed squadrons
shall continue upon the African coast, the subject
demands the earnest attention of all the friends o
humanity, and especially of the authorities of the
United States and Great Britain.