The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-07-14

of something better from the Niagara which is in
better hands
Our purpose at present is to call attention to
the recent performances Of the screw ships as in
augurating revolution in steam navigation.
The advantages OF this method of propulsion are
apparent, and the opponents Of the screw have
been demolished one by one, until they had no
leg to stand upon except the statement that pad
die ships were faster than propellers. This has
now been disproved, and every day adds new tes-
timony in favor Of the screw. We trust that our
builders, who have SO far produced the finest and
the fastest though not the safest ships in the world
will now be satisfied with their triumph far as
speed is concerned, and make an endeavor to imi-
tate our transatlantic rivals in providing for the
safety and stability Of their ships When the
screw system shall have a fair trial in an Ameri-
can ship we have no doubt that it will be found
equal to the paddle in point of speed and much
superior SO far as safety is concerned. The facts
eliminated by British experiments prove this be-
yond cavil. While such revolution is going on,
American mechanics should be found where they
always are in every good work-leading the van
The Slave Trade-F1tting out Vessels In the
Port Of New York.
Mr.. Secretary Marcy has laid before the Senate
a report in answer to resolution in reference to
the fitting out Of vessels in the ports Of the United
States, for the purpose of being engaged in the
slave trade. The Secretary gave the names of
six vessels sailing out of the port of New York;
but we are enabled to supply from authentic
sources the names of twenty-One vessels, eighteen
of which have left this port within the last three
years There are many others which are well
known to have embarked on shaving expeditions
as is admitted by letter from Mr.. Marcy to
Mr. McKeon, in August, 1S54-but as they have
not returned, they are supposed to have been des-
troyed at sea. 1t appears that the usual practice
is to equip vessels in this port for the apparent
purposes Of legitimate trade, but which carry
sufficient quantity Of planks to erect slave decks,
large number Of water casks and rice, and
other articles of food for cargo of negroes.
coast of Africa, the captain and crew abandon
their ship and set fire to her, in order to destroy
all traces of her unlawful engagement.
We have laws on the statute books prohibiting
the traffic in slaves, or the fitting out Of vessels
for that purpose. The following are the sections
Of the act
No citizen, other person, SHALL for himself or
Others either as master, factor owner, build, fit,
equip load otherwise prepare any vessel any place
within the United states for the purpose Of procuring
negro mulatto person ocolor, from any foreign
try TO be transported TO any place whatsoever to be
held TO service labor and such vessel built fitted
OUT equipped laden or otherwise prepared for such pur
pose her tackle apparel furniture and adng shall be
forfeited moety the United States and the other
to the Of the prosecutor and such vessel may be
seized prosecuted ana condemned IN any court Of the
United States having competent jurisdiction.
Every person so building, fitting out, equppng,
ing any such act to be done with intent TO employ SUCH
vessel in such trade or who shall in any wise be aiding
or abens therein shall on conviction forfeit and pay
thousand dollars moiey to the United States and
the other to the prosecutor and shall be imprisoned for
term not exceeding seven nor less than three years.
With the immense traffic that is set on foot in
our very midst, we would ask what has been
done to check its Turning to the records of the
United States Courts, we find that from 1S45 to
1854 there were but five cases of the violation of
this law Of which judicial notice has been taken,
and they were thus disposed of-Mansfeld and
Driscoll forfeited their recognizances Of Sd, 900
each; Captain Theodore Canot was held to an
swer in ls47, but nothing has ever been done in
his case since; Captain Jefferson turned States
evidence, and in the case Of Captain D. Mathew
a nolle proscqa was entered.
Since 1854 there have been thirty-two persons
indicted, and thirteen tried, Of whom one was con-
yieted and twelve acquitted; the indictments
against the other nineteen are so recent that they
have not yet been tried. Captain James Smith,
OF the brig Julia Moulton, was convicted of COM
handing that vessel and conveying cargo of
slaves on the Coast Of Africa-the penalty would
have been death; but a new trial was granted.
and the government subsequently consented to
plea Of guilty to a minor offence, and he was SEN
fenced to three years Imprisonment; r. L. Las
Gala YVES tried on charge Of fitting out the SLAYER
Horatio, and acquitted; Manuel Echevcria, fitting
out the Mary Jane Peck, acquitted E. valen-
tine, fitting out the Julia Moulton acquitted
Gaspard NJ De Cunha and eight Of the crew Of
the Falmouth, acquitted. There are still pend
ing charges against Bazillo De Cuna Reiss, Of the
firm Of Tiganeire, Reiss 4 Co., for fitting out the
Alcva; Henrieo DE Costa, Joseph p. De Cunha,
Patrcio De Castro, and thirteen Of the crew Of the
Braman, and two other parties not yet arrested.
The following vessels, with the exception Of the
Laurens, the Butterfly and the Catherine, sailed
out Of the port OF New York within the past
three years-thesc three schooners we're fitted
out some few years before that period
C7da. Name Fate.
Bark. .Niliandou. :. Destroyed at sea.
Brig Glenmorgan. ptured-condemned nj Boston.
Slenus .Captured-destroyed on the coast.
Bark. Iaurens Observation-Disclosures al " York
Schr Mary Jane Peck Captured by the Britisn-con-
demDed nj Sierra Leone.
Mary r smith. Captured by the Brazilans.
Butterfly ...... Observation-Disclosures IN " York.