New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1851-01-21
AFRICAN SLAVE-TRADE.
Official Documents from the American nIinis-
ter to Brazil.


The documents communicated by the President
to the Senate on the 18th of December in rela'
ton TO the Traffic in Slaves in Brazil, under the
American Flag, have been made public. We
give brief statement of the origin of the troubles
and the result Of the Investigations instituted at
Rio Janeiro. The information was transmitted
70 the United States Government by the Ameri-
can Ministerial Rio Mr.. Tod from whose state.
ments it appears that the Infamous traffic is still
carried on to great extent.
Not less than $4,000 negroes have been import
ed into Brazil within the last year. Mere or less
of every cargo are murdered on the voyage, and
the survivors are too often used as mere beasts
of burden. By far the greater portion OF II Is car
ried on in vessels built in the United States and
under the flag of our country.
The American Consul at Rio, In the months OF
Nav and July, l847, took sundry dispositions, clear
" establishing the fact that the American brig
Senator proceeded to the coast OF Africa, IN the
month of December 1876, and brought to the coast
OF Brazil large cargo of negroes. The deposltons
represent scene OF cruelty and horror lndlscrl-
able.
In January, le4s, the American bark Laurens
was seized and sent to the Unlted states On the
9th of MAY, in the same year, the United States
vessel Allegheny arrived at Rio, to be used IN
making seizures, where there was evidence OF aa
intention 10 carry on the slave trade under our nag
On the 3Oth of September following, Mr.. Tod re-
commended the Government to recommend the
abolition of all trade, in American vessels, between
Brazil and the African coast. On the 24th OF July,
in the same year. Mr.. Tod issued a circular, ad-
dressed TO the American Consuls in Brazil, with a
view TO obtain the statistics OF the slave trade as
connected with American vessels. Onth lItn OF
January. ls49, after measures had been adopted to
stop the illegal traffic, Mr.. Tod still complained
that the American flag was still used by the he
gal traders in human flesh.
ON the sth of January 1850, Mr. Tod wrote to
the Secretary of State that fifty thousand Africans
are annually imported into Brazil, and sold as
slaves for life. One halfof this number are intro
duced through the facilities directly and Indirectly
afforded by the American flag
If the brazilian statutes upon the subject were
faithfully enforced, says Mr. Tod, the slave trade
could not continue. Unfortunately, however, those
clothed with their administration and execution,
with some honorable exceptions, connlye at the
traffic, and silently acqulesce In the VIOLATION OF
the laws they are sworn to uphold. w must the
head of the Government, and many OF the Aost
enlightened statesmen of the Empire are beley-
ed 70 consider the slave trade as inimical to the
true interests OF their country, greater number
nrofesa TO be honestly of the opinion that the well
fare of Brazil demands the continuance OF the
trade and after defending the traffic on the ground
of necessity, many proceed to contend that the
condition OF the African is Moderated when he
becomes Brazilian slave. However repugnant
TO the principles of sound political economy and
of enlightened humanity, these doctrines may be,
they are very generally entertained by the people
of Brazil When TO these Impressions Is added
the tremendous power OF the Prince, welded oy
those who reap the immediate profits OF the traffic
il NAV be inferred that the few who labor tor It's
suppression have very embarrassing obstacles TO
contend with.
In this unequal struggle between humanity and
patriotism on the one hand, and cupldlty and ina.
einary sefinterest on the other, the influence OF
the Jnited States flag is scarcely telt, except IN
support of the slave dealer-the seizures made by
American men-ofwar weighing as nothing In the
scale with the facilities which our colors afford IN
the transportation TO Africa Of slave goods, slave
crews and slave vessels.
MANY of our vessels have been seized ana sent
10 the United States for trial, on charge oil par
ticipating in the slave traffic but how seldom,
except when slaves have been absolutely iound
on board. has a condemnation taken place For
textures scarcely furnish exceptions to the gen
erAl rule Having its inception in distant land,
the crime remains unpublished, because conVic-
ton is in great measure dependent upon cnAin
of circumstantial evidence, and an intimate Iamli-
arity with the mode Of conducting the trade,
which are alone attainabe upon the spot "nere
the offense originated. -.;.;...;o0
Apart from the odium which the participation
Of onr FAC and our citizens in the trade brings
upon our country, 1t not nnire9uehIly IaPp o.s
that private parties IN the United ota.ss oeOo-o
sufferers. The case OF the bark Herald IL an IN
stance in point. Masters and mates o. sssses
are sometimes seduced into betrayal Oh INC ia