New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1850-08-14
s,enmship Lire 10 Africn.

The last Eceaiag Post contains letter
from Col. WV. II. maxwell Of our City,
dated London, 9th ult. from which we ex-
tract the following:
"some of tho best iriends here OF the system "0i
suppressDg the slave trade by the employment Of
ships of war Oh the cost Of Africa begin to despair
Of the plan, and now propose treaty with Brazil,
to limit the importation Of slaves within number
to be agreed upon and to be settled by the pee
tive governments The truth is, with all the ex.
pendture FOR ships Of war on the coast Of Africa the
slave.t trade increases, and the scheme has signay
failed. | predict, in two years the naval force VIII
be withdrawn from the African coast. Lord Pal
merston it is said, is now in treaty to buy up al the
Dsnsh stations on the African coast, near the Blight
of Benin and intends TO increase the military force
in that quarter. This looks like preparation for
the withdrawal Of the naval force. The new plan
Of incres sing the posts it is thought, will be more
effective in checking the Infamous traffic.
"The people OF the United States are not aware
how much the English trade to the coast Of Africa
has increased in the last ten years: and hence the
| intense anxiety of the English merchants and mao.
Bfacturers to extend their commerce into the m
fars.-- ef thst OVHtinSHt
AS The Post fails to intimate that Col.
Maxwell is in the pay of spectators, or
that the above paragraphs cover any dark
political intrigue, we shall venture to say
that they strike us as embOdying some use
full hints and timely suggestions. The pres
ent system of Slave-Trade Suppression is a
failure, and a very expensive one. 1t is
costing the Nations engaged in it, our own
inclusive, life and treasure, to little or no
purpose. The Slave-rader in his light,
sharp, handy clipper can outsal the Ma
tional cruisers employed on the Slave coast;
he is there but few days and darts away
before the climate has had time to do its
deadly Office on his crew he can run where
heavier vessels dare not and if he gets one
cargo Of slaves safely into Cuba or Brazil,
he can afford to scuttle his vessel next trip,
if hard chased. and still have made money.
There must be a change Of system. In
stead of keeping large Naval forces cruising
up and down the western cOastof Africa, in
quest of slayers who have only to avoid or
outsail the cruisers and their fortune is soon
made, the leading Christian Powers should
combine to take possession Of that coast,
Christianize and civilize it, and seal up its
whole extent against the Internal traihc
which has given it so infamous notOriety.
1t is far easier to deal with the slave-trad-
ers on the land than their customers or fac
tors on the water, and probably a less
amount than has been already expended in
keeping the Slaye-Trade about where it is
for the last thirty years would suffice, right
ly devoted, to extinguish it altogether.
That Treaty with Brazil, STIMULATING
for limitation Of her slave.trade, will prove
a farce, if ever negotiated; but Col. Max
well has the right idea Of the matter. The
Naval cOntingents Of the cooperating Powers
serve no good purpose; the Slave-Trade
goes on in spite Of them; and the true poll
cy becomes apparent-withdraw the fleets
and extend the posts but, above all, iu-
crease and extend the legitimate Commerce
between Christendom aud benightei Africa,
and cover her coasts with the arts, the in
dustry and the comforts Of civilized life.
While the British trade with Africa has so
largely increased within the last ten years
our own has barely increased at all, and is
all but imperceptible. Our commerce with
single West India Island many times ex-
ceeds that which We now maintain with the
entire African Continent. Yet the latter
might be extensive and lucrative, for Afri-
cas- surplus products are mainly such as we
want, while we can advantageously supply
nearly everything that she needs. Sheis now
mainly suppIed-perhaps to huudredth
part the exteut Of her naeds-ffOm Great