The Washington union., 1857-05-02
THE oooLY AND SLAVE TRADE.
10 The Editor Of Ae Umon !.

10 the Editor Of he Union: rN
SIN Ny attention has been old b. a parasranL l.
your paper this morning. containing sonie iaformator
received by the State Department in relation to the ,,
and cody trade which, though undoubtedly true in n
statements as far as they ID, Is calculated 10 leave
wrong impression upon the public mind, il gives oD
individual facts instead of general view Of those iva
branches of traffic in human labor. | would thereCr
ntrude upon your space for word of explanation.
The trade in coolies and African slaves is carrielo
from Cuba at the present time with activity that b0,
not been surpassed in any former period The fact That
numbers of inferior and dissonant of men are lp
poured into that island is looked upon with great alarm
by the native statesmen Of Cuba, and their voices bav
been raised against il in every possible way for they h
eye that this increase in the numerical prepondeapo.
there of the inferior and mixed the white c
is pregnant with danger to the future wellbeng and
social security of the island But this very reason Lies
the foundation of the policy of Spain in stimulating e
Illegal trade with Africa one hand and the mwis,
traffic with China the other, because she believes
strengthens her hold upon the future destines Of the
island i must do the higher Spanish officers in Cuba
the Justice to acknowledge that do not believe they are
animated solely by merccnay love Of gain in their CON
niyance at the slave trade and their efforts TO increae
the importations Of coolies.
do not wish, however, that seemingly well founded
charge OF principal connivance in these trasnctons
should be laid upon my own countrymen when I have
reason to believe they do not merit it.
In relation to the cody trade learn from sources Of
very high character in Cuba that the agitation IN the s
Congress of the question of their legal conveyance
American ships has alarmed the parties in Havana pin.
cpally concerned in the matter, and that although A.
mngements for large mporations have been made Ma
orders for the charter Of ships for cr con, ey % have
hnpn wifi Y,rr opIt~
sively to the ports of England ii th.s have
to believe these parties haze deterpued avoid
as far as possible, the employment of sierqan slips
the carrying of coolies from China to ard to use A,
far as possible, English ships for that purpose
AS regards the slave trade with Africa Cuba Il ts
only country that carries it since the Emperor of Bra
z has stopped it in his lcninioes All INC efforts OF
England to stop, or even glinsh Tho trao were use
less until the government of Brazil determined that It
should and It did then cease so far AS that country
is concerned. This is fully Acknowledged by English au
thorities
The importation of Africans into Cuba being still con-
niyed at by the Spanish government there the trade
carried on in the following manner: Goods for the pr
chase of the slaves sent to thecoast Of Africa in M
traders from England The parties in Cuba Lay ny mado
all their preparations for the procuring OF the negos
then to this country ap1 PURCHASE vessel with
coast of Africa Nothing to ncupate the vessel in the
slave trade need be put board of her here and as the
seller of any article does not hold himself responsible nor
does the law for any it may be put to after he has de-
vered it, the slave trader finds difficulty in purchasing
the vessel though generally he has to pay pretty we'll for
her.
She departs for the coast with two passengers
only and if arrival there, the opportunity is favorable
for her escape, the transfer is at made and few
hours suoes to put board the negroes with rice and
water and she is OF Cor Cuba Ii there Is cruiser about
the purchaser finds abundant reasons TO delay the ey
cry Of the vessel He has not the money at hand TO make
the final payment, and the American captain naturally
refuses to give her up until he has got his money When
he gets this he leaves her with his papers and his crew.
and she soon departs with slaves but without papers
any kind for the the Atlantic II Is not sell
dom that some of the crew, tempted by high wages will
reshp for the homeward voyage The American captain
with his ships register and his money in his pocket
seeks another conveyance back
1t will be seen, therefore, that the cody trade Is now
principally In English hands, and the slave trade appa
rently in those of Americans do not well see how
legislation can prevent the delivery our vessels abroad
and it is my belief that only such action as will remove
the political reasons which sustain the cody and slave
trade in Cuba will eectually stop it, Our legal trade
with the coast of Africa is already large and profitable
and any impediments thrown in the way of our ships
there will give our competitions advantage Tho evil
can only be reached by stopping the convance Of tho
Spanish government at the landing of slaves in Cuba
The captaingeneral there is despotc officer can
be- and, should his orders from home direct him to do 80
he can stop the importation of slaves there
Very respectfully, your obedient servant
j. S. TfIRASHER
WASHINGTON, April 25, 1857. .