The true Democrat., 1855-01-17
rom the New York Evangelist. The Slave Trade in New York

It has often been said that the slave-trad was still carried on from New York, but as th charge has been of vague and general charac ter, It has attracted little attention. We are be- gnnlng to get light on the matter, There i now lylng Tn the Tombs in this city man wht mas been tired and found guilty of being en gagged Tn the slave-trade. This is said to bt the nrst conviction ever obtained under the law oy wnlch It was made piracy The testimony m the case was ample And though he pro. tested against his condemnation on the ground that ne IS foreigner, and not amenable to the la"S or the United States, he does not deny the iac5 of ms share in the business He speaks o It freely, and relates with unconcealcd exulta- ton the particulars of his wild and desperate career.
 We have chanced to see and talk with this noted captain in his prison. What he told us was not communicated in confidence, for he never saw us before, and did not know who we were lie spoke to us as an entire stranger All our conversation was through the grated door of hls cell. We made no attempt to gain hls confidence, or to draw out the secret histo- ry of hls life. He told his own story, not like criminal making confession, but rather with the freedom and pride of an old soldier relat- Ing hls battles Nor did he intimate wish that what he said should be kept private. h. deed, ne had boaSted to others of his deeds on the African coast. His disclosures therefore are public property. Some of these are so cu- rous as to be worth making known. Whether ne tells the truth, the world must judge. It is not very probable that man would make up story which implicated him in a capital crime. Besides hlS account Is consistent with itself it agrees With what was proved on the trial, and With the descriptions in Capt. Canot's book We believe, therefore, he has let out the truth
 New York;" says Capt Smith, |" is the chief port In the world for the slave-trade" He re- peated two or three times, "H as the greatest place an the Unaverse for H Neitherin Cuba, nor Tn the Brazlls, Is 1t carried on so extensively. Ships that convey slaves to the West Indies and South America, are fitted out from the United States. Now and then one sails from Philadelphia; more from Baltimore; and most of all from New York. This is our head quar- ters. My vessel was the brig Julia Moulted. 1 got her ln Boston, and brought her here, and sailed from this port direct for the coast of Af- rlca." But do you mean to say that this business is going on now?' "Yes, all the while Not so many vessels have been sent out this vear-perhaps not over tweenty. But last year there were probably thirty y-fve'
 Are there large shipping houses engaged in it.?
 Yes, can go down to South street. and gc into number of houses that help to fit out ships for the business. 1 don't know how fal they own vessels or receive the profits of the cargoes. 1 had rather not have American own CTS. 1 prefer Spanish or Portuguese But these houses know all about 1t. They know me. They see me sail out of port with a ship and come back a passenger. They sometimes ask me, "Captan where is your ship?'' With shrug. They knew what had become of her. When a cargo of slaves is landed, the vessel is often destroyed not to be witness against her of. fcers and crew.
 But how do you manage to get away with out exciting suspcion?' "Why, you see. we keep close, and get everything aboard, and dc not ask our papers until we are just ready tc sail. Then we go to the Custom House, and take our papers for Rio Janerio, St. Helena Cape de Verde Island, or any port you please it don't matter where-and instantly clear
 But If you were seized at that moment could the officers tel by searching the ship, that she was slaver?'
 "Oh, yes, they couldn't help knowing. Be- sides, they must suspect something from seeing such an almighty crew. My little brig carried about POO tons and could be manned by about four men. But had fourteen before the mast The moment of leaving port is the one of dan- ger. But we don't lose time. A steamer is kept ready, and we get under way immediate ly. Often two or three slavers leave at once We steam down the bay, and over the bar and and then the ocean is before us, and we set oul course for any charter we please'
 "But when you reach the African coast. are you not in danger from English ships of war?'
 "Oh, no we don't care for the English squad. ron. We run up the American tlag and if they come aboard, all we have to do Is to show oul American papers, and they have no right tc search us. So they growl and grumble, and gc off again.'
 "That may do very we'll when you are going in empty. But suppose you are coming out with a cargo of slaves on board?'
 "Even then we can get along we'll enough if the nggers will keep quiet. We put them all below deck, and nail down our hatches, and then present our papers. The officers have no right to go below. The only danger in this case is, that they will stay on board too long They often suspect the truth and hang about for an hour or two. By this time the niggers are stifed, and begin to make noise. Then the thing is out, and they seize the shp''
 "After that l suppose you are punished?'' "Oh no; we generally get off. You see, as we are Americans they must bringus to an Ameri- can port to be tried. But if they run the shir into port along the coast, they get one pound a head for every recaptured slave. So they generally prefer to let us go, and get their prize money"
 "How many slaves could you carry on you vessel?' "We took on board 664. We nigh have astowed away 800. If she had been go ing to the Brazils, we should have taken tha number. She would carry 750 with pleasure The boys and women we kept on the upper deck. But all the strong men-those giant Af ricans that might make us trouble-we put be low on the slave deck" "Dd you chain them or put on handcufE?" "No, never; they would die. We let them move about" "Are yo, very severe with them?' "We have to bt pretty strict at frst-for week or so, to make them feel that we are masters. Then we light en up for the rest of the voyage"
 "How do you pack them at nght?' "They lie down upon the deck, on their sides, body to body. There would not be room enough for al to lie on their backs.'
 "Did many die on the passage?' "Yes