The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-02-17

ard sert 10 the West Indies If the sole object is
10 benefit the Africans, why not send them back to
Africa? When taken by American cruisers, they
are sent to the free African colony of Liberia. 1t is
true that sort of stipulation is made that the cap
tred slaves thus sent to the West Indies are to be
provided with vessels, and sent back at the expira
ton of ten years to Africa. What could black man
do in Africa after ten years absence, in country
where he was prisoner of war, and had been sold
as slave, but starve or be killed by his country
men? Neither have we ever heard of an instance
in which captured slaves have been returned in YES
sells provided for them.
contract has been entered into by planters,
under the consent and auspices Of the French Go
vernon with the Messrs. Regis of Marseles, to con-
vey African emigrants to the French West India
islands of Gaudaloupe and Martinique. The first
ship with emigrants, which recently sailed has
since reached its destination. The emigrants were
not over crowded. and are said to have enjoyed
good health, only five deaths having occurred on
the voyage. Contrast this with the fate OF slave
ship recently reported on the south coast OF Africa
She had 800 slaves on board, and was run down
by British cruiser, and before she could be over
hauled 400 of the slaves were drowned
1t is a question of Importance to consider whether
any of our Southwestern States will deem it ex
pedient to authorize free African emigration. II 80
inclined, is there anything in the constitution and
laws of the United States to prevent it! Can
they, if disposed contract, like the French go
vernment, for the delivery of voluntary African
emigrants, and thus increase their force OF
African labor? These important questions they
must answer for themselves.
Slaves of ten 20 twelve years of age up
to an adult can be bought on the Congo
river at s25 to $50 per head and landed
in New Orleans or Texas for $50 more, making
the cost $50; but call it 800. At these rates
it would be found profitable operation to the
planter for ten years service of an African emf
grant. In one year his labor would repay his first
cost including his passage, and at the expiration OF
the term of service about $40 $50 per head would
return them to Liberia or to the place from which
they emigrated where, not having left as slaves
or prisoners of war, they would, by the friendly
aid of white settlers the coast be enabled to hire
and to employ themselves in agricultural or other
labor. Could the system be adopted by the South
ern States possessing the largest quantity OF
wild cotton and sugar lands, it would probably
be found to work well, both for the Africans and
the whites The system would, If carried out In
good faith put perpetual end to the slave trade
made cruel and inhuman by the manner in which it
is conducted through the vigilance Of vessels
of war supported by England and the United States
at a vast expenditure of treasure and life. In all
this parade of naval force on the African coast,
avowedly to put down the slave trade, there is
stupendous sham at the bottom of the whole scheme.
The old men and old women of Exeter Hall, with
the knd-hearted Quakers of England no doubt
most piously sincere; but are the prominent men,
bers of her Majestys government equally so? Are
the Birmingham ironmongers who sell old guns,
pistols knives beads and brass ewery for the Afri-
can slave trade equally so! Are the Manchester
spinners who sell cheap cotton fabrics in earnest
Are the dealers in Jamaica rum and in cheap to-
bacco sincere? Not at all. Who doubts but if the
chief Powers of Chrstendom desired to put stop to
the slave trade they could do it?
The United States should on this momentuous
question take up new, bold and decided position.
II should demand of Spain, Great Britain, France
and Portugal, the Powers Immediately interested
in the question the prompt, thorough and eiectual
suppression of the slave trade or that the frutless
attempt and consequent annoyance to legitimate
American commerce on the coast Of Africa should
be abandoned As party in the family of nations
| embraced in this question, we must demand OF Eng
land that she shall restore captured Africans back
to Africa as we do to Liberia. We must tell France
TO cease her Regis contracts. We should demand
that no additions of African labor shall be made to
European colonies or other settlements in the New
World, unless the United States be permitted TO
equal and full privileges in that respect. We must
tell Brazil that If you allow single cargo OF slaves
to be landed in your borders will blockade your
ports We must tell Spain that If you allow a single
slave vessel TO land slaves in port Of Cuba we will
| make war upon you and seize the island. In Gods
name, let us act the manly and open part
of nation, and not perform the low
and sneaking Office Of cats paw for
other Powers. The present position of the United
States in relation to the African slave trade Is both
degrading and humiliating, and has not received
that attention from government which its great
Importance demanded. We must proclaim 70 Eu
rope and to the world that we cannot be longer q
party 10 any sham on this great question
We cannot be idle spectators TO the fact that while
we keep up q squadron on the coast Of Africa tC
confine Africans TO Africa, England France, Spair
and Portugal are peopling tie New World with
fresh landed Africans at our very doors. Why
should we submit TO remain in such position, Il
our own qualification and receive the conte npt il
some cases of weak and corrupt governmental
The most speedy and cheap method TO put stof
to the slave trade would be to erect small forts OF
block houses-to be supplied with small gartons
Of free blacks II you will, under white officer
each to have a certain area Of jurisdiction
embracing the principal slave marts within
certain bounds. These small fortresses could
be erected at all the principal points on the
coast. including Bengues. the Congo river, Loan
! do. &C. which form the chief slave markets in
Africa The Portuguese authorities in Africa should
not be permitted TO add TO the domestic slavery
which exists In their settlements on the African
! coast. and should be compelled to cooperate faith
fully and sincerely in the suppression OF the slave
trade, or have their ports blockaded. Let the Eng
li-h be told TO pursue the same course in their owl
African settlements. The Portuguese authorities IN