The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1853-05-02
AFRICAN SLAVE TRADE,

from MI. sCHtHEht tbC
q, Rio, TO Mr.. Webster, dated 2oth Ap'"' .''.'
in which he states, that this trade Is as o''SN
,s;, has ever been, in spite OF the aciiVe eAeI'
,:,s of the British squadron, and tnat II is
I'll, carried on in vessels sailing under The
American flag. He earnestly en'rea's imme-
=. .,,onton 10 the subject, and points out
.I waxs in which il may be prevented.
-, lie recommends the prohibition, by act
osCongress, of all direct trade IN vessels OF
=. Un;ted States, between Brazil, and the
western coast Of Africa. Under such law
sb;p.papers and clearances could not be OBJ
,aiued. as if for honest voyages, and TO serve
asa color for the transfer of vessels to be used
as slayers after their arrival on the African
coast. As there is, in point OF fact, no honest
trade between the two coasts, and as all that
EXISTS has reference either directly or Indirect
lv n the slave trade, he believes that the mea-
sure. though strong, could be productive Of no
serious injury to commerce. AS a proof OF the
readiness with which the slave.dealers seize
upon every pretext, he says that there having
been, Of late years, great importation OF hor-
ses from the Cape of Good Hope, they have
taken advantage of it TO clear for that country,
and obtain certain number of horses, which
they afterwards throw overheard, or otherwise
dispose of, TO make room for the intended car.
go of human beings. There is no doubt that
this measure would cut the mischief up by the
roots.
Cd. If the trade between the two coasts can
hal he recommends q
prohibition TO export certain classes OF specl-
fed articles suited only for the slave traffic.
The cargoes, for instance, OF two vessels
which sailed from Rio, few days before the
date of his letter, for the African coast, were
made up almost entirely of scarlet cloth, rude
musical instruments, knives, common guns,
gunpowder, etc., designed, evidently, for that
sort Of barter. He does not rely greatly, how
ever, on this kind of partial prohibition.
Sd. The third recommendation is more ef-
fective. 1t is that consular sea-letters be not
granted to American vessels sold on the coasts
of Brazil or Africa for any other voyage than
that home, or, as a still more effectual RENE
DIV, that all such sales be declared null and
void.
Should none of these enactments be adopt
ed, he earnestly prays that the American
squadron on the coast be put on better foot
ing. The ships of which it is at present
composed, are entirely Ineffective. They are
large frigates, or ships-of.t the line, and cannot
follow the pirates into the shallow waters Of
the creeks and inlets, whittier they take their
cargoes. A single light steamer, with pivot
gun, would do more than could be effected by
a hundred line.of.battle ships in such service
as that ind icated.
We trust that steps will be taken in pursu,
ance of these strong recommendations, to
crusk this Infamous traffic, and to vindicate
the honor of the American flag, which the
scoundrels who are engaged in it seem TO pros.
titute to their purposes, without the slightest
fear of punishment. Cuba and Brazil are now
the only hope of the slave dealers. In Cuba
the authorities connive at it, and the highest
functionaries, even the Queen of Spain her.
SELF are charged with participating in the pro-
fits. 1t was well understood that Concha,
who had rendered important services to his CO.
vernment, was dismissed because of his effort
to suppress it. There is no hope, therefore, as
long as Cuba shall continue under the govern
ment of Spain. But if the statement of Mr.
Schenck be correct, we alone are responsible
for the countenance of the traffic in BRAZIL
Our flag is always used for the purpose, and
as vessels which sail under it cannot be
searched by any but American men-of:war,
the chances of impunity in seas where our
naval force is so inefficient, are unusually
great. We hope the government will at once
despatch such Glass of vessels, and in such
numbers, as will sweep the seas clear ofthese
scoandrels.