The Camden weekly journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1853-1861, 1854-11-07
misrRllanRults.
Ex-Governor Cobb on the Slave Trade.

Citizen in the Charleston Standard with the spboned
editorial remark which expresses briefly our senti.
ments in regard to the letter of Mr. Cobb:
Though its views on the slave trade are not
in accordance with those Of the editors of this
paper, we, nevertheless, copy it as very prop
er exposition of the responsibilities ofthe North
in that matter:
RETREAT, Ga, Sept. 81, 1854
To tile Editor ofthe ". Y. Evangelist:
Sir-In your issue of the 18th ultimo. which
l did not see until a few days ago, there occur
some editorial remarks, founded on an extract
from the Daily Times, relating to the brig:
Grey Eagle, Capt Donald, to which propose
a brief reply. feel invited toths oursefrom
your saying, 1--WE should be glad to ask our
Southern friends what they think of the posi-.
bilty of such an eventY"-the revival of the
African slave trade.
Every true friend of the Union must deeply
deplore the circumstances which have resulted
in the diacerotion Of that fratcrnal regard which
should have continued to characterize the Amer
lean peoplesas one brotherhood, growing out
of domestic slavery. But whilst the absence
Of that feeling is matter of regret, it is no small
W uS VI Tic SOulu w hNo" Iudl
we are biameless. 1t is impossible for any
friend of the Union to point to single Instance
by which the South originated Il measure that
threatened the integrity OF the Uniou; or did
injustice to any ofits citizens. The South has
not only done all that it could do to add to our
national honor and greatness, but has Studlous-
ly abstained from every thing calculated to
disturb the domestic harmony. Nay more,
when the. South has had heaped upon it the
most disgusting and provoking abuse when it
has suffered the most wanton acts of in Justice
from the North, it has displayed forbearance
and patience which the people of the South
only can display. These are some 4f the sac
rifices which the South has heretofore made,
and is still making, for the sake of peace aud
the Union. Itrust'that this f"rbearance is not
to be put to stronger tests, for they might pro-
duce practical secession.
The brig Grey Eagle, so far as my informa-
ton goes Il get it from yours and other news
papers,) was owned at the North, was COM
inanded by a northern captain ard navigated
by northern crew. This brig went to Africa,
and, from some barracoon on the coast, pro.
cured a cargo of six hundred slaves it is ~ald,
and landed them on the island of Cuba. What
do you see in all this, sir, calculated to excite
your fears, or to justify your surmses, that the
South is about to revive the African slave
trade9 Southern men had no interest in this
brig. or her cargo, that know of. Pardon me
when say, it seems to me, that we OF the South
might ask with puch more proprety. a0hether
Northern men ever intended to rekaquish h's
tra6Se2
The history of the African slave trade shows
that before it was prohibited by law, the South
participated in it, SO far as the importation was
concerned, to very limited extent, and since
its its prohibition, not at all, that know of
The vessels engaged in the trade, were princi
pally, if not altogether, owned BY northern
isoftly-New England men, Northern men
brought the slaves to the South, and sold then
How these slaves were procured-how they
suffered in the middle and all other passages,
&c. &C., we of the South only know what his
tory relates. Whatever these suferingS may
have been, they form the amount OF northern
responsibility in the case. How the slaves have
been treated since they have become ours,
forms the amount of our responsibilities re.
sponsibility which we are by no means inclined
to exchange for yours were such thing pos
sible, and which we are not disposed to deny
or avoid.
Your inquiry is directed principally to the
African slave trade, although you discuss at
some length, and in the usual way, another
subiect-domestic slavery. You desire to
know what southern sentiment may be, as to
the revival of this trade-I will give that SEN
timent as | understand it, and think under
stand it well-Me South IS noao as 1t has ever
been since the trade became untaWfut utterly
opposed to its revival No doubt, Sir, it would
afford you much pleasure if the facts would
permit YOU to say as much for the North
Excuse me, Sir, it seems surprising that you
should entertain doubt, with regard to south
em sentiment on this subject With a coast
extending from Maryland to Texas. every ia
cility abundant and at hand, what is there no1
or has there been heretofore, to prevent the
South CARRYING on this trade, had it been SO
disposed9 And if dis inclined to the direct trade
with Africa, what is there now, or has there
been heretofore, 10 prevent an indirect trade, by
way Of Cubaa
On this subject, with regard to my native
State, Georgia. can be very exphcit-posl'
tive. You will perceive that the power of pro-
hibiting the African slave trade, is in the Fed
eral Constitution, but an implied power-pow
ers of this kind remain dormant until they are
put into exercise by legislation. Congress
passed an act in 1907, prohibiting this trade
after the first-of January, 1903. Ten years
before this period, that is. in l7Ss, Georgia in
cluded in her Constitution this article: "rhere
shall be no importation of slaves into this State
from Africa, or any foreign place, after the first