Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1856-12-13
From the y. Y. journal Of Commerce. Nov. "a
THE SLAVE TRADE-A REMEDY PRO.
POSED.

We learn upon inquiry of the United States Dep
uty Marshals, that the fttingsou Of slavcrs from
this point continues. In fact, this business was
never prosecuted with grtater energy than at pres
ent. The occasional interpostion O: the legal au
thortics exercised 10 naItrt infuore vessels
suppresson 1t is seldom hat one or mrespecting
cannot he designated at the wharves, respecting
which there is evidence that she either is or has
been concerned in the traffic. and within the last
nine months three alleged slave cases OF the char
after referred to have been before our Courts re-
sultng in one instance, in confscaton. That such
is the fact is not surprising, when il is considered
thnt vessel must be procured in the United States
in order to secure tie protection # the t. s. fag,
which prohibits the right OF search, and that New
York, A. afiording the best facilities for fitting
slave ships, with the least liability of detection
necessarily becomes the centre of operations. Add
to this the strong appeal which this traffic presents
to man's cupidity, and the with which the
law is evaded.
| That large illegitimate trade with the coast of
Africa is carried from this port is very evident
for the number Of vessels annually fitted out here
is altogether disproportioned to the amount Of i'm
ports and exports, and quite sufficient to do the
whole business of the country in that direction
/ The manner of conducting this trade has under
gone some change within few months, which ii
is well to observe. Parties in Cuba desircus Of
fitting out SLAYER have no difficulty in procuring
agents in this city, through certain commercial
houses to negotiate for the charter of such craft
as may be deemed suitable for an African voyage
They como here with the requisite amount of funds
and readily effect charter, with proviso that the
vessel may be purchased, if desired, when she ar
rives at her destination Through the potent in
Huence Of said funds, it becomes the interest of all
concerned, even to the salmaker, caUlker, ship
wright and lointer TO say no more about the mat.
ter than is necessary; and, as regards the cargo
Judge Belts has ruled that its character as ordina-
rily made up, afford no evidence justifying the
vessels detention. The vessel therefore departs
with the United States flag at her peak, and prOp.
er person on board provided with blank papers,
the powers OF an attorney, &c, that If an ar
rangoment can be effected for procuring cargo of
negroes, the vessel is sold at large profit. and
her late owners in new-York are no longer respon-
sbe for her proceedings. Her flag will protect
her from interference by foreign cruisers, and our
own are not so numerous but they can commonly
be avoided The vessel is then run to Cuba, the
cargo discharged aud tho roocol burnod. Hu
manity has been outraged but princely fortune
has been acquired.
The question is renewed with still more earnest
ness-"Can the fitting out of slavers here be pre-
vented?" There are officers in the employ Of the
Government noted for their sagacity, and long OK
pcrience in connection with this sui ect, who nn-
swer that it can, by so amending the law relating
to the shipment OF crews, that vessels engaged in
the African trade ShaU tdi;e none JUt Amc,icdRs
Though such law might seem uniustly oppres-
sivo upon that branch Of commerce, the exigency
OF the case may AFFORD Il suincGnt Justification {;
and in fitting in the manner proposed the TWEEN
ty-ive OF thirty small vessels egitimately employ,
ed in this trade, no insuperabe difficulty can lie
presented. 1t is argued that African slave traders
invariably take foreign crews, mostly Portuguese
men who are not likely to be troubled with con-
scientious scruples, and whose of life ren.
ders ,hem difficult to find. whether wanted as Grim
inals or Witnesses Nor are they as likely 9TH
ers to disclose their participation in any Of these
transactions. Americans, and those Of other ma.
tioualitios could not easily be induced to engage
in sayetrading, except under false representations
and their deceivers would be liable to suffer for
their emerity, before Il tribunal Of justice. Crews
for slavers are not procured in the ordinary way,
bat picked up opportunity may offer There is
a man in the Fourth Ward who is reported to be
an extensive shipper Of crews for the African
coast; and another, shoemaker by trade, who
docs much Of the same kind OF business. II is
represented that no difficulty could arise in deter
mining either the nationality OF man the dos
tination Of Il vessal that the plan proposed is
cminently practicable, and that its adoption would
necessarily be followed by a suppression Of the
evils so rapidly increasing and SO loudly demand
ing remedy.