The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-04-01

Total. sea- ESQ
RICnpTe AVID INPlysR
Received for AGO negroes in market At $500
Total expenaes... ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. 1850
Total profits on cargo sl4o, $50
Which 10 equal to about $685. per negro.
The inducements which are held out to men with
capital and without principle, to engage in this bust
ness by the immense profits realized in IT, has led
comparatively large number Of our wealthy men,
and those who are anxious to become sudden
ly So TO embark in the slave trade. In fact, there
never was time, perhaps, when the trade was so
actively carried on at this port as IL is ut present.
rRBATIBs FOE TEE ABOLITION OF THE SLAVE TRADE.
The agitation commenced by the humanitarians
about the beginning of the nineteenth century,
began TO effect serious changes in the manner
Of carrying on the trade. Its early abolition by
the United States and England drove the citi-
zeus OF those two countries from the field, which
was taken possession of by the Portuguese and
Spanish, who at that time were establishing their
settlements on the coast Of Africa The unceasing
exertions which were made by France and Englsvf
and the treaties which have been entered into be
tween those Powers ard other nations, have had the
effect Of circumscIbirg more and more the scene of
this traffic Treaties we're eventually formed with
Brazil and Portugal abolishing 1t entirely, Spain
having entered into similar compact, which she
complied with 10 certain extent but the treaty has
never been fully carried out. The continued endea-
of England to have those treaties carried out,
according 70 their sprt and letter, have resulted in
wholly stopping the trade between Africa and the
Brszils, and the only countries which continue to
import negroes from Africa fer the purpose of sup
plying the demand for slave labor are the Spanish
islands Of Cuba and Porto Rico.
In 1885 new treaty was made between Spain and
England, by which the former country declared the
carrying on OF that traffic under her flag TO bs pira
cy, thus driving the Spanish flag entirely from the
trade. II was carried on for time under the flags
snA lstto ha~<. kn
tween England and those countries have led to the
almost complete exclusion Of ssvers from the pro-
lection which those flags gave them upon the ocean.
The treaties with Portugal are not SO definite and
strict a. with other countries, and hers Is the only
flag which is now used in the homeward passage
from Africa by slave ships. Yet the greater part
Of the voyages which are now made are made with.
out any flag or papers Of any kind The moment
coast they assume the character Of the Arabs Of the
osean. such being the condition of the traders on
their return voyage their only object is to secure
the delivery Of their vessels upon the coast OF Africa
without liability to capture before the slaves
are put on board. The energy with which the
people and government Of the United States have
maintained their Interpretation Of the right OF
search, preventing cruisers o. all nations
greatest margin to the African traders for the deliv
cry Of vessels upon the coast, and accordingly the
system that the trafic II at present pursued under
is what we now purpose TO describe.
VOYAGE TO AND FROM AFRICA.
A vessel which has seen some years of service, Of
good quality as sailer, and with fsir outfit, is
purchased in one Of the ports Of the United States
and contract made with the seller that he shall de-
liver her at a certain port on the African coast.
This he has legal right to do, under the Law as it
at present stands, as he Is legally supposed To
know nothing of the subsequent employment of the
- A..
vessel small quantity Of lumber is shpped, with
rice and provisions, and the means OF cooking for
large number Of people. The cooking apparatus
forms portion Of the indirect evidence Of an nten
ton TO engage In the slave trade; but though 10
may be a canse Of suspicion il has never proved
sufficient for conviction or condemnation. In add
ton TO this she il required to take on board, at
some quiet spot, large nomba OF water casks, 70
be filled upon the coass Of Africa for the purpose
Of supplying the negroes On the homewad passage.
These water cssks are generally held 70 be, in ~.
nection with the cooking arrangements, Sufficient 20
condemn the vessel upon charge Of intent TO en-
gage in the slave trade; and they are, therefore.
always taken on board Immediately before depar
ture from port, or perhaps the vessel touches al
some ANAL sutpert in the vicinity, and takes then
Ssr S Of New YORK. some Of them have touched
81 Greenpoint on the western shore OF Long Island
and received their water casks there, while sthers
have received them during thar passage through
the Sound-others again touching for that purpose
the little ports along the Sound and not a few re.
turn 70 the port for them having excuse prepared
in anticipation. The vessel Is provided with Der
regular papers for clearance, and having received
her casks, continues at once upon her voyage; 40 IL
will be that the suspicious eircum stances
nected with Der do not congregate around aer sil
all her papers have been issued by the Custom
House. sand she Is almost beyond the isrisdic-
ton Of the courts. The consequence is that
net one out Of twenty Of the vessels fitted out
in the United States for the coast Of Africa can be
brought within the power Of the law. Having
cleared the coast they pursue their voyage 10 Africa
counting upon the protection Of the American flag
TO secure them from search by British cruisers and
having escaped detection BY them, they are run into
Of the numerous river arms that characterize
the African coast Here they are enabled 10 load
twenty thirty, and even as far az forty miles from
the shore, and secure favorable opportunity for
departure, of which they are informed by their
lookouts and which they generally effect immediate
ly after the sailing Of the cruiser in her visit along
the shore.
The run 10 Cuba IN made, az we have already
stated, without papers Of any kind, the American
commander and crew having been let upon the