Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-04-28
The Coolie Trade.

20 African laborcrs and the CoolIe trade
were trans mitt'd 10 the Senate on Friday,
| by the Pre5iient.
Among them is letter from MIR. Mason,
Minister to France, dated February 18th, in
which be relates a conversation with Cunt
| Walewski. Mr.. Mason inquired whether
there was any truth 10 the statements 10 the
English newspapers that French vessels
freighted with African emigrants would be
regarded by British cruisers as engaged IN
the African slave trade. Count Walewskl
replied ia the negative He said that there
bad been some communication between the
two governments on the subject, aud that
the British would not object TO the French
scheme, while the wants OF the British colo
MES were being supplied by the coo!ie trade.
Count Walewski urged that the plan was
adopted to secure African labor, which was
indispensab to their colonies; that the emf
grants were free, and were rescued generally
from impending immolstion; that, relieved
! from ignorance and heathenlsm OF the most
| degrading character. they would be human
lied and Chrstianized by being placed in
contact with the French colonIsts. 1t does
not appear whether any consideration is paid
| 70 the chiefs of the tribes for their captIves
or people. Mr. Mason nlers that there lie
! Nor Is the duration OF the term OF service eI-
| planned and IL remains TO he seen whether
! any OF the emigrants will serve their term
! or return to their country. Judging from
tie tone of the public press, and reason
| ins priai Mr. Mason feels conf ieut
that n future we will see the fanaticai de.
nunciations of American slavery greatly
! n ri
perhaps 10 England. He adds: 1t is quite
evident thar the conviction ls gaining
strength both in England and France, that
the oompulsyr ~ emancipation OF slaves IN their
tropical colonies, by the authority Of govern
ment, was political error committed--an
error IN ust TO the colonies, whose rights In
their property were destroyed, and TO tue
colonies by the annihilation Of the labor
which made them productive without secur'
ing any compromising benefit.
| There was also letter from MIR. Cass 10
Lord Napier, dated the III April. in which
the former says, that g system Of joint block
ade on the Coast of Africa, had been pursued
for some years, and the benefit it has pro-
duced, bears no reasonable proportion, he re-
grets to observe, to the expenditure OF lie
and treasure it has cost. But there is an,
other way of proceeding without dangers and
difficulties, and ineEcency, which beset a
! blockade and which Is sure 10 succeed II
adopted, aud pcrsevered in, and tha. is to
close the slave mart Of the world, or rather
the island Of Cuba, winch is now almost the
only region where the slave dealer can tind o
market |! these unfortunate victims cuaId
not be Sold they would not be bought 10
shut the ports OF Cuba to their entrance ls to
shut the ports of Africa to their departure;
and to effect this, nothing would seem to be
wanting but the cordial cooperation OF the
Spanish government.
The introduction of the slave trade into
this country is a fact which he MIR. Cass)
believes the present generation has not wit
messed. is understood that Spain has eu-
tered int engagements with Great Britain,
| If not with France also, that she will use her
best exertions to prevent the importation VI
slaves into her tominions. This pledgc, If
granted, has GOT rtnIniy been redeemed, a.
th Ugh il is difficult to believe that the SpaG-
ISL government would resist or neglect the
I'm remonstrance Of these two great powers,
or even Of Great Britain.
In reply to Lord Napier's remark about
! the habit OF vessels upon the coast OF Africa
to hoist the American flag as a protection
| against the British cruisers, and THAI this
precaution against the Britlsh cruisers does
not protect the SLAYER from Il visit, but ex
onerates her from search, Mr.. CIss says the
United States deny the right Of the crus-
ers OF any other nation whatever to enter
their vessels by force in tine # peace, end
to decide the broad inquiry Whether the
vessel is navigated according to aw, as
claimed by Eosland. Aud t. send her liz
at pleasure Tor trial cannot be submtte!
to 10y any independent nation without II j.
! nv and dishonOr.
In conclusion, Mr.. Casssays be is instruc Ell
! by the President to inform Lord Napier that,
while he i- determined to execute the treaty
of 1912 with fidelity and efficiency, he is not
prepared, under existing circumstances, to
enter into any new stlpulatlons on the sub
icct of the American slave trade.