The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-01-18

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 an
On the 30th of September following, Mr.. Tod re-
commended the government 10 recommend the
abolition Of all trade, in American vessels, between
in the same year, Mr.. Tod issued circular, sd-
dressed 10 the American cOnsuls in Brazil, with a
view 70 obtain the statistics OF the slave trade, a.
connected with American vessels. On the llth of
January, l849, after measures had been adopted to
stop the illegal traffic. Mr.. Tod still complained
traders in human flesh.
On the eighth Of January, 1850, Mr.. Tod wrote
TO the Secretary of State that fifty thousand Afri-
cans are annually imported into Brazil, and sold as
slaves for life. One-half Of this number intro
duced through the faciilies directly and indirectly
afforded by the American flag. This belief is
founded upon my familiarity with the subject,
growing out of close entiOn 10 1t since my ar
rival in Rio de Janelro. The declaration is hu-
initiating one, aud nothing but a desire to awaken
action on the part of the legislative power Of our
country could induce me thus to make il.
II has been asserted at various times that the
imperial government was about to resort to strong
measures for the destruction OF this commerce.
Some months ago, reports OF this character were
more than usually PREVALENT bat, il any new steps
have been taken to arrest the trade, they have
proved entirely nugatory. A respectable Journal
Of this city, the C@neio Mercawtils, Of the 18th
ultmO, in referring TO the slave trade, and to the
reported determination of the government to sup
press 1t, held the following language
Singular circumstanceS-At the very time 1t ID
said the government is seriously engaged in sup
pressing the slave trade, the slave dealers are
boldest and most ostentatious, and the landing of
slaves is the most frequent and to the prn
cIpal ports of the coast. Official morality is mar
vellously advancing"
If The Brazilian statutes upon the subject were
faithfully enforced, the slave trade could not con-
hnue. Unfortunately, however, those clothed
with their administration and execution, with some
honorable exceptions, connive at the traffic, and
silently acquiesce in the violation OF the laws they
are sworn 10 uphold.
Whilst the head Of the government, and many of
the most enlightened statesmen OF the empire are
believed to consider the slave trade as nmca al to
The true interests of their country, greater number
rofess To be honestly OF the opinion that the vel
fare of Brszl demands the continuance of the
rade; and, after defending the traffic on the ground
OF necessity, many proceed to contend that the
conoion OF the African is Moderated when he
becomes Brazilian slave. However repugnant
10 the principles OF sound political economy, and OF
enlightened humanity, these doctrines may be,
hey are very. generally entertained by the people
OF Brazil. When to these Impressions is added the
tremendous power of the prince, welded by those
who reap the immediate profits of the traffic, it may
inferred that the few who labor for its suppress
SION have very embarrassing obstacles to contend
with
In this unequal struggle between humanity and
patriotism on The one hand, and cupidity and ina
glDaly elilnterest on the other the influence of
be United States flag Is scarcely felt, except in
rupI orr of the slave dealer-the seizures made by
American men-of war weighing nothing in the
scale with lne facilities which our colors afford ia
The transportation 10 Africa OF slave goods, slave
crews, ond slave vessels.
Many of our vessels have been seized and sent to
The United States tor trial, on charge OF partici
patilg III the slave traffic. but how seldom, ex-
cept when slaves have been absolutely found on
board, has condemnation taken place. ForfeiLures
cdrceiy furnish exceptions TO the general rule.
Having its inception IN distant land, the crime
!. mains uDpunshed, because Q conviction is ia
dtDeudelt a
-isnrial evidence, and intimate familiarity with
he mode OF conducting the trade, which are alone
"tlsinabe upon the spot where the offence origi-
nailed
Apart from the odium which the participation of
our flag and our citizens in the trade brings upon
our country, II not nnfrequently happens that pri-
waite parties in the United States become sufferers.
The case of The bark "Herald,' lately commune
Gated 10 the department of State, is an instance in
ponf Masters and mates of vessels are some
umes sesuced into a betrayal of the interests Of
Their employers, and become pirates IN the hope of
suddenly accumuating fortunes. Might not a re-
peution Of outrages similar to those which mark
he case Of the Herald, seriously endanger the
The French charge d'afiaires near this court in
formed me that he was instructed by his govern
nent 10 ascertain our laws upon the subject of the
lave trade; and he at the same time submitted in
~ning The following quesuons;-" What powers
DO The laws OF the United States confer upon their
agents upon the subject Of the slave trade! Have
hey power 10 prevent the transport TO Africa in
AMERICAN vessels OF merchandlst Qestlncd Tor the
traffic! Have they the power Of placing an EN-
barge upon vessels suspected of sailing for savesP
refer TO the request of Mr.. st. George, 10 this
place, only to show that other governments are be-
coming aroused TO the necessity OF adopting new
me asures 10 rid themselves from all connection
With This trade.
The painful socitude experience upon this
subject is my apology for having thus long tres
passed upon your valuable time. l could not
nave said less, consistently with my sense of duty
10 my country and to the cause of humanity.
could moi see our proud banner converted into
shield tor slave robbers and the sacred principle OF
us invoabiliry basey prostuted in the prosecution
IT This traffic, without once more invoking the
lIompt and energetic action Of my government in
he premises.
Nearly half century has elapsed since the Con-
sTess OF the United States prohibited the introduce
aon OF Africans as slaves into our country.
The wisdom and the justice OF that measure are
acknowledged by all classes OF our citizens re-
eardless Of their locality. The North and the
south, the East and the West, would rise as one
man TO crusb any attempt TO open our ports to the
importation OF African slaves. And does It not be-
come US, then, just nation, to prohibit our citi
LeDs from directly or indirectly assisting to burden
another people with what we would consider dire
curel Shall We suffer the influence Of our flag to
remain srray-d in opposition to the Brazilian pa
nots and phaBtbropiss who are struggling
against great odds for. the suppression OF the
Iade Or shall we not rather, by one summary
scis SECURE ourselves from the faint OF this
oirble business, that we may be enabled con-
sistebtly, and with moral power which would
he riessble to call upon the government Of Brazil
10 rise in it's might and crush the monster, at all
hazards, and AT any cost.
shall not speak Of the horrors of the slave trade,
~ The misery, Of the wars, OF the murders IT occa-
siohs neither shall hit the veil which conceals
he belsh torrents IN the middle passage-ortures,
compared with which the most cruel death known
% The law would be hailed as meroy's boon. But
do appeal to my government as II regards the OBJ
lIeaIou deyolvng upon II TO preserve the American
tscutcheon unssullltd, and the duty II owes TO
OeighhoTing nation TO cut us loose from all par
ucipauon IN thus most accursed traffic and again
repeat my conviction that this end only be ac-
comphsbed by the adoption OF the measures Z have
recommended. Hundreds ct thousands of Ameri-
can bosoms would be barred TO resent insult
,f'ered TO osr hlg by foreign foe; and shall we
hesitate To rescue that same glorisus banner from
the foul pollution OF the slayer's touch, when IL
may be done BY merely Looping of trade COM
psrsuvtly contsmptbe IN extent, bloodstained in
character, and IN which none but outlaws and the
Ahandnnt d my be pLssnmed 20 naIIIclnaie 2 :