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

sui for sea letter, passes the necessary exsmi-
nation, and obtains the sea letter. Tho slave
dealer then makes Kind Of stereotyped contract
ton OF 20 much money per month, tho said vessel
shall carry to any port ports in Africa such goods
as the charterer may choose to put on board, (f
cna 70 the s
10 q letter Of instructions from the nominal
owner to his captain, iii he be not master himselO
directing HIM, provided A B, whom he under
the sum Of dollars 10 sell nG ni% ~, I%s yesss
and take drafts on G d at Rio for the amount.
In case A b, who is the agent on the coast
Of ID, the owner at Rio, has a cargo of slaves
sell purchases it for the amount specified, and per-
haps goes through the form of drawing bills on the
owner here. All this transaction is gone through
with for the purpose Of being able to snow that all
functionary of the United States, either at home
or abroad. This pretended sale takes place at the
moment when the slaves are ready 10 be shipped
.he American captain and ms crew gong on shore
or Brazilian passengers, who were carried out from
Rio in her, all at once become the master and crew
Of the vessel Those of the American crew who
Of to s ns
slave vessels in order to get back at ALL There is
evidence on the records of the Consulate Of slaves
having started two or three times from the shore,
and the master and crew from their vessel in their
boat, carrying with them the flag and ships papers,
when, the parties becoming frightened, both parties
retroceded, the slaves were returned TO the Shore
and the American master and crew again went on
board the vessel, the stars and stripes were again
hoisted over her and kept flying until the cause of
alarm Gan English cruiser) had departed from the
coast, and the embarcation safely effected
know OF another Ease where an American cap
tam took on board slaves and landed them three
times, and was finally compelled 10 como away in
ballast. Both the captain and the vessel have
been in Rio since. The vessel was under Ameri-
can colors at the time.
You can have no desire to have me narrate TO
you al length the manner in which the slave trade
is carried on, or TO descant its horrors both
well known 10 you: and should the government OF
the United States wish for any further information
the subject, by directing the consul this port
10 send home copies of all the deposons aud ether
papers bearing on the subject which recorded
In his archives, mass Of information would be OBJ
tanned which would cause many blush for shame
and glow of indignation at the degradation to which
our flag is subjected in this slave traffic, and the aid
II affords to II.
In the list are included not only those vessels
which cleared openly for the coast, but also those
which cleared tor small ports in Brazil, at times
when some small American vessel was in harbor
which could be ordered by the commodore TO
pursue and capture her, and afterwards skunk into
some by. port, where they knew they were not
likely to be followed and there received their cargo,
even to The slave-decks, and then proceeded to
So, also, it includes those like the Laurens lately
condemned at New York, which Gle AIRED osten-
slbiy, believe, for Batavia and two whalers-
the whalers Fame and the Herald-both Of which
vessels, having been cleared for whaling
voyages, were afterwards, in accordance with
secret arrangements perfected in this city, con-
verted into slavers when they got 10 sea- and WERE
as understand, total losses TO their owners or in.
surers. AS the flag ship never cruises on such &C.
casons, her presence In The harbor excites but little
ALARM In justice TO myself, perhaps, l ought TO
add that have made il a rule to inform the coai-
mandipg officer OF our naval forces in the harbor
OF the intended sailing of every vessel believed
about being engaged in the slave trade, and the
grounds my belief. ] have good reason to think
that many OF the captures made have been in con-
sequence Of such information.
The whole number of slaves imported into the
province Of Rio de Janeiro, which comprises thus
Consulate, is estimated by Mr.. Hesketh, IL. M.
Consul, (who has better opportunities for nforma-
ton than any American consul can have,) for the
years 1876. 1S47 lSiS, and lSi9 have been about
dred. In this estimate of Mr. Heskerh fully con-
cur, considering 1t rather below than above the
mark. have no means of information as to the
whole number imported into Brazil.
The question now arises-Can the COVE rnmeRt of
the United States do anything to lessen this evil
think II can, and hrst by changing the character
OF the naval force upon this station The United
States naval force the Brazil station 10, aud ell
ways has been, very badly adapted to suppress the
slave trade. For that purpose we need small
steamers, and small sailing vessels, to run up and
down the coast as the commanding officer in chief
may direct and he should reside on shore at this
whole coast. The district embraced within the
United States naval Brazil station. tcrpsed, ex-
tends from north Of the equator 10 Cape Horn, and
am told il also nominally comprehends the south.
em part OF the west, and the greater part OF the
east coast of Africa.
Soon after arrived here, was applied TO to
grant sea letters. perceived at once, what has
since been too painfully verified, the great aid IL
would give to this slave traffic, and, after consulta
ton with Mr.. Wise, then United States Envoy Ex
traordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary al this
court declined to grant sea letters for any other
voyage than to the United States, where, upon the
ARRIVAL of the purchased vessel, her owner would
be obliged to procure register IN the usual man
ner Mr.. Wise sent me a very able and luminous
argument sustaining me in the views took Of thls
subject, which forwarded TO the State Depart
ment An answer was returned informing me that
II was my duty to grant sea letters. Since that in-
siruction was known. / have granted nineteen sea
to have gone to the coast of Africa, one went to
California, and the other cleared for the river Plata
but where she went TO l never knew. have
never grsnted sea letter except with the approba.
ton OF your predecessor or yourself OF the num-
Der OF applications rejected | have never kept
an account Every applicant was required 10 bring
himself most clearly within the puTvew Of the
law How severe and critical have been the ex-
smnations, you well know.
Furthermore, as there is no trade ia American
vessels between Brazil and the coast Ut hfrca but
what is directly or indirectly connected with the
slave trade, all commerce between rozIl aud at
iitd IN wi FSrccie bt pIohOttu Sntuil
any one deny the assertion that there IL no trade
IN American vessels between this country and the
coast except what is connected with the slave
trade, refer him TO the evidence furnished in the
cases OF the Laurens and Independence. Were
these suggestions adopted, you must be well aware
that not only the wole slave trade In our vessels
between Africa and Brazil would b. entirely brs-
ken up, but the slave trade ITSELF IN any vessels,
would receive a severe and sautary check; and no
people would rejoice more at such consumma.
ton than large proportion Of the ablest anu wsest
men this country affords. The deep affection which
is felt here for the people Of the United States
would be increased; our commercial aud friendly
relations would be drawn slii nearer together; our
national character would be elevated more tnaa ii
could be were we TO line this whole coast wan
line of-battle.ships and fngatee; much good and
evil would be done.
In concluding this communication, allow me sir,
to tender you INV thanks for the and you have ever
30 readily afforded In the execution Of my muufa-
nous and laborious duties az consul, aud tine un-
waverng Kindness you have ever extended to me
ae man.
With preat | am ypur eiieuex rpoat