New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1858-05-07
THE FRENCH SLAVE TRADE. OR APP
PRENTICE SYSTEM.


published an account Of an interview between Count
Walewski, French Minister Of Foreign Affairs, and
J. Y. Mason, Envoy Extraordinary and Minister
Penipotentiary Of the United States at the Court Of
Napoleon III, held with immediate reference to the
African slave trade, or African Apprentice system,
which the French Government inaugurated several
months ago, and which is now being successfully car
ried on. The account referred to is embraced in an
official communication from Minister Mason to the
Secretary Of State Gen. Glass; and bears the date Of
February 10th, 1858.
Mr.. Mason had an interview with Count walewski
during the last week Of January, and asked him
directly whether there were any objections to his
being informed Of the exact character Of the meas
ures enforced by the French Government in regard
TO the importation into the French colonies Of ne
groes from Africa" The reply was in the negative
and Count Waewski proceeded to state very frankly
toquote the language of Mr.. Mason, that the
French colonies, particularly in the West Indies
languishng for want Of labor that negro labor
alone was adapted to tropical productions that the
French Government had devised system for the in
PRODUCTION from Africa of laborers under guards
which were intended to protect them as Tree emil.
grants that to supply these laborers they looked
mainly to prisoners taken by the tribes 10 their intes
tine wars who would, if not disposed Of accord
ing to the barbarous customs Of the country be put
to death that the arrangements in Africa, prior 70
the ebarkation, and for the disposition OF the emf
grants during the voyage, and AFTER their arrival IN
the colonies were entirely under the management Of
commissioners of the French Government that OBJ
legations were taken by them from the planters who
received the emigrans into service to bind them to
provide for the negroes during their term Of service
and secure 10 them the means OF returning to Africa
if they shall choose to do SO after its expiration
As the French are acknowledged to be first among
$50 ~
the official and unqualified acknowledgment, on the
part Of their Government, that they have initiated
and are now carrying on, an apprentice system SINH
lar to that proposed in the famous Louisiana "Afri
can Apprentice b Of the last Legislature, it seems
TO us the fact should be entitled to much weight and
consideration great truth is admitted by power
iul Government, which can neither be set aside nor
disposed Of by hppant denunciation nor fiimsy de-
camation.
The reasons given by the French Minister of For.
egn Affairs, in justification Of the policy of his
Government are plausible and strong, If not abso
lutey convincing. He states that the French colo
nies are languishing for want Of labor y that Afr
can labor is exclusively adapted to tropical product
ions that bis Government has devised system fol
the Introduction of such laborers, under suitable
guards and restrictions that the supply needed was
expected to be obtained by contracting for the prs
taken by the different tribes in their intestine
wars and that suitable arrangements had been made
for their requirement their embarkation their treat
ment during the voyage, and all things else deemed
necessary in the premises.
Count Walewski is evidently of the opinion that
the trade is right and ustthat the French colonies
viii be benefited and that the negroes will be bene
fitted at the same tme-and that humanity, philan-
thropy and profit, together with the wants of com.
aud III tha world alike combine 10 ins,ir the
=,
Proceeuins' ~ hAaeraai eAens "e ooihoiue IN
these views. There IS no doubt that the cause OF
philanthropy would be subserved by taking the ne
s,oa. N Afr.a from barbarian and cannibol,sn ana
!, 49,
esVHt'hB tuem " 'ne conuslon VI uSeiui human
beings None but insane, wicked Aboltionists, will
hive the unblushine impndence TO attempt to coutro
rart ia v,rt,, ~ ,;s ,,.o,s;t;or bor tho sotr,io
- s40 y s-'s ispS''s'S ~. - 'S.1''sD
OF the qaestioh rests upon GROUNDS OF expedency
The Government Of France has commenced 1t by intro
ducing Africans into their colonies, Whether this
,oovo,,ant Iii; ooera.. beneac;,lv ~ datrmertaII,
4, ,,as o,,,,,,as ~ ,.ha,har !, ,,,Ia
a., III sa,.,,a,,,.1,.. - ..,.s l.. ~ So,han,
$50. a,tora.har a.,a- ~ fn,,ra dstasna;,,n
m, 80 =. !. :. ~. ~,
a,,,,ar,non, Iii ~ ,os,o,sn, ;,,a,so "A
uron The West India colonies Of Franca am
tha, 4 ,,,l alavoto ,bo, 70 ,i,ob 20 aar;o,i,nro
ana commercial rco ,bat ,v gar onts,r ~
evoectotions u ne most sangnira wbetbar We :
,ha cou,h III des,,nsd - sus.r ,,a,oraIl fror, q,
.o,,nat;o b,s lilrsv 20 10 croate ear o,,r uboros
,;,,,, i, ~, iac, u -, 81 ,ha
os,r;,ton ~ lahor with which ~ naet n 4 n,ob
ls,,, o,,n,n,, events mus, solve
Thsn M MACON ooes ON - sov.