Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1858-01-09
THE AFRICAN SLAVE TRADE.

great degree of activity prevails at the pres.
ont time in this internal traffic on the African
coast, notwithstanding the efforts of the allied
feet of war vessels to break it NJ. Several sla-
yers have recently oeen captured, including soma
American craft. OF the capture of one of the
latter, the barGue VIM. G. Lewis, hailing from
New York hy the United States slooP-of war Dale,
IL correspondent of the Philadelphia Butictin gives
some interesting particulars. The Lewis it ap-
pears, was suspected by the officers OF the Dale.
from the fact o. her having been seized in New
York before sailing, although she seemed to be
guged in legitimate trade Her papers appeared
10 be correct, and her cargo corrcsponded to the
manifest. She remained an unusual length OF
time on the coast however, at very sickly ocali-
~ WITH Ia fact, every man down with fever, and
after she had discharged her cargo, brei exami-
nation determined her character. Says the
writer:
She carried an unusual amouu. of water casks,
which the manifest stated contained salt water for
ballast Gu examination, instead of containing
water, many were slowed full of slaves Tor other
casks in an enough casks TO hold 500 slaves
across the Atlantic. Then quantity OF iron was
found, of a very convenient size 10 make slave
irons of.-Besdes these evidences, there wss
scarcely man of her crew who ansN cred his de-
scriptiun ou the crew list. A close examination
of her log and other papers, that had not been
seen on the first visit, brought some very conclu-
sive evidence to light, her charter party which
contained no seal) provided for her having always
sufficient cargo for ballast, and forbid her going
more than ten miles up any river; these casks
were called ballast on her manifest, (which is
evidently forged J and she WAS found upwards OF
thirty miles up the Congo. Then the accounts OF
her captain and mate were very contradictory
Enough of evidence was found TO condemn Q
dozen slsvers, and | have doubt, abundance
more will leak out on the passage. l think tho
moral effect Of this capture will be very great.
These fellows have been very bold for the last year
or so. They bring out cargo to lull suspicion.
and the FIRST favorable moment leave the COAST
with a cargo Of negroes for the West Indies. Sup.
piled as they with fast vessels, 1t lie OF little
use for the kind of ships that sent out here to
give chase. One steamer would do more than the
whole combined squadron TO check this internal
traffic
Tie Lewis, it will be remembered, was brought
into Norfolk few days since, in charge of United
States officers.
The English it seems, have peculiar system OF
tactics for catching American slayers. Says the
same correspondents
The English have been very successful in cap
turing slavers for months back, but in every in
stance the prize was taken by a steamer the most
of their captures, too, have been American YES
sels but taken in way that would lead one to
suppose that their cupidity had to do with
their Efforts than their philanthropy. Here is one
instance few days since, nm English steamer
(.he Aict1, think, spoke the Clara B. Williams,
the latter being under American colors and papers.
There was doubt of her errand at all. but
clause in the Ashburt0n treaty torLiSs the vessels
of one nation from interfering with the vessels ef
the other; merely the American principle