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

coast Of africa, from whence they find their way
me through Sierra Leone or Aonrovia. On arriy-
ng at Cubs the negroes are landed upon some IN
fequented spot, and generally with the knowledge
If the officers OF the government, who are in the
confidence Of the dealers. They are then imme
datey carried into the interior and distributed among
the plantations so that the large number of new nc
groes may not attract public attention. The vessel is
burned, or sometimes sent TO American port 10 get
papers, they may have succeeded In getting papers
for her in Spanish port; after which she is sent in
ballast to the United States, or in some instances TO
q port in Germany. During the voyage all evidence
of the traffic in which she has been concerned is de
stroyed; and if she succeeds in entering an Ameri
can port, she may be again fitted out and make an
other voyage. But the greater part Of the vessels
now used 10 these voyages are destroyed or abau-
doned by their owners; and this is the eason of
their seeking in the purchase of the vessel to obtain
one that has been some time In use.
The operation of getting up slave voyage 10
simple business transaction. The plan is arranged
in Cuba, the point OF landing selected, the officers OF
the government brought iAtO the business. unless,
indeed they are well known to be favorable to the
trade, 80 that their confidence csn be counted upon,
and sum Of money sufficient for the purchase OF
the vessel is RENTED to New York to some other
place in this country, with an order TO broker or
commission merchant to purchase suitable one and
send her out under the arrangements we have DE-
scribed, to the coast of Africa. As this trade
lies under a stigma in this country, those men who
are engaged in the Quitting of sayers make large
sums OF money by their exscti0ns- 1t is not unusual
which they have bought for SIX and the various
articles which constitute the outfit sold 10 the
Cuban slave trader in the same proportion, while,
according TO circumstances, there are numerous
other charges for hush-money given TO custom
house officers, district attorneys, United States mar
sbals, and many others Of the sharpers that are
supposed to hang around our ports ON the look ont
for such "fat iobsn We have heard OF case in which
sharp broker in this city, who has done very little
business for the past two year, has enabled to
live az rather fast rate and now owns abouse valued
at fifteen thousand dollars, clear OF mortgages and
which he is supposed to have made in the profitable
fitting ont Of two or at the most, three, vessels for
the Coast OF Africa. An)ther instance has been
told us which may be regarded as pretty fair illus
tration OF the characters in this city who are
indirectly engaged IN the traffic, and many OF
whom have made large fortunes througn
their connection With It. The congregation
of one of our fashionable churches up town had
resolved on raisiDg subscription for the purchase
of gift to their minister, to send him of to Eu
rope for the bronchitis; we don't know which, and
it is of little or no consequence. They had however,
resolved on raising subscription for his benefit,
and, on the day appointed, the plate was handed
terence to all earthly Objects and an utter abnega-
ton of worldly things that delightful to behold.
In it's rounds the plate was presented to two comfort
able reverend looking Christian gentlemen who stood
regarded as pillars Of the church. and who were ex
pected to be particularly liberal on this occasion.
The first to whom 1t was presented deposited fftv
dollar bill on the plate, and the second was about
that it was Q hundred instead of fifty dollar
note that he held in his hand. He hesitated,
and was in the act Of returning 1t to his pocket,
when his friend perceiviDg his hesitation, said
"Neyer mind Tom, it's only two black BIRDS, and
you'll soon make it up" The two black birds trans
lated, signifies two negroes, and the liberal and
pious member of the church was deeply interested
IN the slave traffic. The bill was deposited on the
plate among multitude of others, and at the end OF
the collection there sufficient subscribed to cure
the minister's bronchitis, or make him q handsome
present, or to support dozen starving families
through whole winter
Having made his arrangements to procure YES
sci in the United States, the Cuban slave trader
makes remittance to England and sends orders for
shipment to the coast OF Africa OF the goods neces
sary TO carry on the barter with the traders there
For this reason the outfit of the vessel contains
thing but the food and water for the return voyage of
the negroes and little lumber for the purpose OF
making O slave deck. The purchase OF the negroes Is
q different way. Cargoes are sent out from England
10 the slave factors and they also obtain portion
OF their supply OF cotton goods and shackles from
the British traders at Sierra Leone. When the
the most noted and successful of the African slave
traders, was in existence at Ganas Ri yer, short
dis AN: south OF Sierra Leone 1t was asserted
among the slave taders Of Cuba that cargoes OF his
Sierra Leone, and there condemned by the British
Courts, were resold to him ut his factory, 10
which they were brought by land by native traders,
and again reshipped within the period Of one month
10 him from the fact that they bore his brsnd-a
,apital "B !" the initial Of his own name-imme
1iately under the left nipple of the breast. This
brand was made by small punch Of iron, which
blister, which in couple of days would heal, leav
ng the initial letter neellibly marked upon the
lesh.
WHERE THE SLAVE FLEET rs FITTED OCT.
Vessels for the African slave trade have been At
ed out at Baltimore, New York, Bristol, r.. l., Bos'
on, and Portland, Me-; but New York is the favo-
lite point, because it is so much easier in the
rowd and rush and whirl Of business here to carry
N the operations silently. Another reason is T.
70 found in the fact that the people Of New York
rave not the same spirit Of inquiry rs TO the bust
less Of their neghbors, that distinguishes the nha.
plants Of smaller cities, like those Of Boston and
In regard TO the persons engaged in |
he outtting of those vessel they generally
men flow standing in our community, desperate sd-
venturers in the whh Of commercial life. Not unfre
luently the Cuban slave trader being forced to con
ide in this class OF peopIe, loses the whole invest
nent. Sometimes this Is effected by selling the |
vessel Of different point on the coast Of Africa |
rom that TO which she was ordered by the slave |
dealer, and where she Is sold to other parties, the
Captain taking the proceeds and coming here In the
same way as II he had delivered his ship 10 those !
for whom it was intended. No recovery can be |
obtained from these men, the law does not obi.
gate the execution Of an Illegal contract, and as
his contract TO deliver the vessel for o SLAYER |
on the coast Of Africa is not q legal one in |
he eye of the law, the slave trader has \
no remedy.
1his il the only risk that the Cuban slave trader
10 exposed TO from the duplcity Of agents; for il
sometimes happens that the captain 70 whom he has
entrusted the cargo for delivery in Cuba, where he
Is snxously waiting TO receive IT, carries II to Porto
Rico or 20 some other part Of the island of Cuba
hap that 10 which IL was destined, and there sells
Il on his own account. In this case there IL no |
legal recovery either. Yet, Notwithstanding the |
immunity which rascslity seems 10 have in this |
trade we must confess that 80 far as We have been
able TO ascertain instances OF rsscalty on the part
Of men 70 whom these asars are entrusted are ex-
ceedingly nfs and indeed more rare than in the or
iinary transactions of honest business-a fact we |
ian only sccosnt for on the suppostion that there
honor among thieves. |
IL In very seldom that SLAYER il fitted out in New
D,lca Oft thu culf norta thcv IA az. Il