Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1853-03-30
Correspondence Of tho Philadelphia North Americana
WASHINGTON, March Of


Correspondence Of the Philadelphia North Americana.
WAsHNGToN, March 81.
The object OF the resolution submitted yester-
day, by Mr.. Seward, is understood to be to get
before the public dispatches from eur Minister at
Brazil, r. s. Schenck. relative to the African
| Slave Trade, the inefficiency of our preventive
squadrons. and the impunity with which the ne
farious traffic is prosecuted under our flag
Schenck's friends say he has sent nearly thirty
dispatches to the State Department. without re-
ceiving an answer to of them. The following
is the substance OF his story:
In eighteen hundred and fifty one the African
save rade with Brazil became quite extinct, chief
" from the vigilance of British cruizers and the
Brazilian government. In the spring of eighteen
hundred and fifty two, Schenck addressed an
earnest despatch to the Department, representing
that there were evident indications of its revival
The difficulties iu the way of the importation of
slaves had doubled their price in the market
The panic among traders had subsidized, and they
were evidently preparing TO resume their slave
hunting voyages. He said that, under the exist
ing state OF things, no flag likely to be pros
tituted to the protection of slavers as our own,
because trafficers in humanity, traffcers in hui
man flesh, knew it gave them immunity from
search on the high seas by any except our own
naval police, aud we have no war vessels on pre-
ventive service, on the Brazilian coast suitable
for the purpose, and still less available as
guard againsta slavers approach to the Brazi lian
const where they find market
The squadron at Brazil consisted of the frgate
Congress, and the sloop of war Jane stown, both
too large and of too deep draft to follow savers
fearessly close in shore, and to behind islands,
into creeks, coves, and inlets where slavers take
in stores, land cargoes, or avoid pursuit. For
long time during the disturbances in the Plate
river, which drew the squadron there, the Amer
lean slavers had perfectly free run. The Bril-
fish squadrons have small swift steamers for the
service, one of which, with n single pivot gun is
worth whole fleet of large ships with batteries
of the heaviest metal. Such a vessel has been
asked for repeatedly by our Ministers in vain.-
! nlr. Schenck repeats the request earnestly
! The slave traders understand the inefficiency of
our preventive force, and therefore sail under
our flag Two fast sailing American vessels. the
"Carmarko" and "Mary Adeline." were fitted
out some time ago at Brazil, and smiled for Afri-
Gu. The Minister and Consul were we'll salts
fled oft their obj ect but could not get proof suf-
Gent to detan them. If our men of war had
been present, they would have overhauled and
searched the vessel but even then they would
probably not lave obtained proof sufficient to
condemn them under present laws. Investiga
tons concerning these vessels disclosed circum-
stances sufficiently suspicious to justify an arrest.
under the Brazilian law of her citizens whose
are7poweress.
Mr.. Schenck recommends the following reme>
dies:
First. The prohibition by law of all direct
trade in vessels of the United States, between
Brazil and the African coast. This would bs a
strong measure, but would not affect honest ira
ders as there is no direct trade between those
points which is not, directly or indirectly, con-
nected with tlls slave trade. Even if there were,
| unvapt to ho in
significant as compared with the good accomplish
ed. Horses and cattle have been imported late
ly from the Cape Of Good Hope to Rio Janeiro.
The slave traders, under pretext of intending to
import such cargo, provide large stores, water,
and other supplies for human freights. They
ship few horses; perhaps clear at the Cape OF
Good Hope for Brazi' after getting safely out.
they throw overheard the less valuable animals,
and proceed to convenient points to procure ne
groes, and then rsturn direct to the Brazilian
market. The prohibition of direct trade would
prevent these evasions.
Second. If this be objected to, then something
might be accomplished by prohibiting the expor-
aton from Brazil in American bottoms of arti-
cles suited only principally for the slave trade;
such as scarlet cloths, common guns. gunpowder,
rude musical Instruments, and gewgaws.
Third. The Government should prohibit the
granting of Consular sea letters to American YES
sells sold on the coast of Brazil or Africa for any
purpose except making a direct voyage home.
| Thiswould prevent sham transfers of vessels to
eYade the laws and get them into the slave trade
under the American flag.
Fourth If none of these measures be adop-
ted, Mr.. Schenck urges an immediate reorgan-
ization of our naval force, and makes eloquent
appeal that our national honor be vndcated, and
our duty to God and humanity be no longer out
ragged.