The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-04-27
SECRETARY CASS TO LORD NAPIER
DEPARTMENT OF Scare,

ruin.
| SECRETARY CASS TO LORD NAPIER
DEPARTMENT OF ScAre,
| WASHINGTON, April 10, l>5s.i
| My loHD-Your several letters respecting the
| African slave trade have been received at this De
| paIiment; but have been prevented from answer
Ing them at earlier day by the pressure of other
duties, and by the difficulty of procuring inforla-
| ton not easily attanable, but necessary Tor their
proper consideration. They have been submitted to
the President, and am Instructed TO communicate
to your lordship his views Of the subjects they pre-
| sent for the determination Of this government.
While | concur with your lcrdlhp in the opinion
| that the efforts Of your government have been in-
creasing for the extinction Of this traffic. still
must he permitted 10 say that its hope of the hearty
| COOPERATION of the naval forces of the Uaited
| States might safely have been entert aimed without
| appealing 10 the example Of Great Britain. The
onleen of the navy of the United States need no
encomium from me, nor shall pronounce one upon
them. But I assure your lordship that when as
signed 10 the rk-ome task OF watching long, desc
late ard unhealthy coast, they will perform their
duty honorably and efficiently without needing any
other motive OF action bat that which sense of
duty inspires. Such devotion TO the service is a
part Of their character and of the history of their
country.
The United States have not been less anxious
than Great Britain for the determination OF
this commerce in enslaved Africans, and they
have given the most substantial proofs of this
disposition by acts both of legislation aud Of admin
istration II the American government was no. the
first, II was among the first, t. prohibit by legal
enactmeuts ard to prevent by severe punishment
tn, longer continuation OF this traffic which had be-
come repugnant to the opinions and feelings of the
age. Lord Brougham, in debate in the British
House OF LORDS when this subject was referred to-
honorably and truly remarked that FL. should be
! borne in mind That the United States al the very
earliest period they were enabled 20 d, 50 10y tue
federal Union, he'd adopted the abolition Of the
slave trace ard were ia fact the first 10 make IL
piracy for any Of IT, subjects & arr, il on
But the test method OF ofecting the object l. n
practical problem Of very difficult solution. The
obstacles n ~ way We're 80 first overlooked ~ The
sanguiIe artieipations which were INDUCED of lIn-
mediate success. Experience has come % test the
m gsUrCs proposed. aud they have been found made
uuate TO the extinction Oi the tvl much that
in the opinion OF your government IL present
activity d,mands increased eXcrt"ns on the par. OF
Il, Uul;sa States With view TO accomplish the OBJ
jet. Those eXortions. IL j. suggested shoald lie
directed o. the coast of Africa IN order TO rcudcr
the blockade more eaectual, and especially to tx
anime aud deal with We sCls bearing the American
hag aud suspc, ted of being engaged in this trade,
| thisS,tCm OF Joint blockade for some years and
| The bonC6t IL has produced bean no reasonable pro
ttTiien regret TO tny 10 The pxpendtur- OF lie aud
tir.tio has cost. But Tai. failure need not dis
tarflrt o. Hsxious hopes of Christend0m. There l.
81 ,i.el method Of proceeding without the dangers
and difficulties and inehiciency which beet block
ade aud which b. sure Co ~lccccdf adopted and rer-e-
vercd in and that stO close the slave marts Of the
world or rather Of the i-and of Cuba. which ]. now
almost the only region where the slave dealer can tind
q narl,t n these unfortunate victims could net be
HOY H. tslf fts ~
Cuba 10 hsir SniTarts a. shut he ports Of ffricI
10 Mtif departure: and 10 sfscf u.s nothing ,rond
"en 10 "a rdpfiHg bat hf ooTf'ia! 20 operation Of
Ut Spanish gOrtT1imenf. ThcCNample Of the United
State sufficient e. show that. however extensive
country may be. il can DC rendered inaccessible 20
Ne evil ny sound state OF pubic opinion. and by
! pid laws rigdly executed. The Introduction OF u
slave into this country l. Tact which believe The
| Ife-eut grberatiOn has not witnessed and Brazil
alec With her long line Of maritime frontier has sue
c,edsd by her legsl alton, and by the faithful execu
th Of t. in rrscung herself from the rcproach of
participating in this great crime a. well national as
individual and u l. due 10 the honorable course 81
tie Imperial government o. state that, on the appl
cstitn Of the United Sistcs. il has lent IT, Aid TO
wards prucuring evidence necessary Tor the conv'c
ton Of persons prosecuted in tAa county FOR the
offence 81 slave trading.
The conventional arrangements which exist
between Great Eritain and ffance and spain,
| tor their mutual cooperation IN the suppress
| sion Of the slave trade are very impertectly
| known 10 me. but il j. understood that :. lin
has entered into engagements with Treat brtii "
net with France also. that she viii use Der best ex
ortions to prevent the importation oi slaves into her
dominions. The pledge. IL gwen has certainly net
teen redeemed though il j. difficult 10 believe that
the spanish government would resist or neg ect the
! firm femOnstranCos Of these two great Powers, or
even of Great Britain alone. IL she alone has the
rieht hy treaty stipulation % demand of Spain the
faithful performance Of duties which she has vulun
| tarily ss-,m,d. Upon ne oO-Uss Of The spanish go
80 lmonf far nor, depcads Than upon The nOss r,go'~
| o. t.OSlgde ~ The ffttcan coast.
| Tic United Ststcs have no suggestions n make
rcsvtctnp the mo-t oXptdcnt N, t'ur,s TO adopt IA
! Africa with view 60 aid the operations Of the
| soladfDu- employed by our respective governments,
~ inst I'D them should the conviction ~ their IN
adceus to,fect The desired object induce the discon-
iruan,, Of Their services Bat other means have been
] suggested ~ rcr-0rs intimately acquainted with The
-layo coast. and Who have watched the slave trade
ujtf.ti'ns. and which pncr encouraging pr1spet Is
,i -t. -. u ad, ted. These ugycstions relate %
I the extension and Improvement u the free colonial
t.tl h- msut in thatrCguu, a. 20 create barriers
! "a the most exposed points and also Ia the con
i ,ifuctit ~ moll military posts or block houses,
r.rrisofsd from the scclim4t-d population, az or
ear tic places 20 hich tic cOurs Ol the trade has
,cn directed. and where The means of Interchange
/ have cen found.
Tletc,stiai,rs ~ the A.hburton treaty seem to
! lave ieet auiorg the few who clC5tCd Che iii dcy
/ al "A blockade Tor Tie Suppression ~ Ills trade
/ Their prov. i0ns. re- shown by thc niuil article Of
! tie u,aty. have been itikinsly confirmed by "a.
] CETtItuCt.--
ubet,ss nsvrhs,ardipg al er,rs which may be
mace tr tie coast e Affcs for scppre's' re tste
u.ce tie ischIes or carrying on ibsi Az al sVof
rs Ne vigilance q cruisers by the frsc1 ent u'' ' Is
srd cher uCats. az % sre1, 40 ne ~ fl'
| for tursu1g H. ~tHe a ms-ke, BE ',..1 'o'
tsves, - strong a. ha NE ds,f-i Sc ~
may oe is.s ceAyet ueies Al ~ 'e
10 ths u"a.y sgrse "a tley ~ mite IN al $50 rs
~. ,..,,.,s. 80 i,s?2-s-.. 80. 80 n