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

The Washington correspondent of the New York
Journal Of Commerce, furnishes the following ex
tract from a letter written 10y an officer of the Uni
ted States sloop Of war Cumberland, on the coasI
of Afric!, the Goth Of last October:
ION our arrival herein St. Paul de Lonndo-
says the writer, we ascertained, contrary to ex.
pcctatiOns, founded upon what we had considered
most authentic sources, that tho slave trade had
been resumed with rcdoubled activity of late, and
that most of it was done by American vessels un.
der the American flag, and most, if not all. in
American built s~hips-Boston doing rather more
than her share of the business.
Within the last two or three weeks four captures
have been made by tho British squadron-two of
them, the Onward and tho brig Charles, were OF
Boston, with Boston marked on their sterns, and
provided with American registers, which had pro.
tected them about q month since; the barque
Splendid, also Of Boston, was captured by the
Portuguese government, for intraclion of the laws
as a SLAYER within her waters.
1t would seem that. if one in FIVE escape the
vigilance Of the cruisers, much profit is realized
By the concern.
1t would also seem that New York, Boston and
New Orleans furnish most Of the capital, while
New Orleans is the grand nucleus OF the outfit,
though many vessels get away from New York
direct for Africa"
In the case of the Boston brig "Charles." whicl,
had been repeatedly examined, and passed unmo-
les.eI, until ladened with slaves, when borne down
upon by o British steamer, and finding escape
hopeless, 'the captain madly ran her ashore, car
rying of some of the slaves, but sacrificing sever
al hundred, who were drowned" a portion only
of The slaves were rescued by the British vessel.
Dozens of American vessels are now on the coast
engaged in this TT ific-the river Congo being the
centre Of operations, hut every river and inlet
along this extensive coast abounds with its barra,
coons. The Cumberland was about to proceed to
tho deadly river, the Congo, but with little pros
peet of doing anything Of importance in compari'
son with the fast, light, swift British wal steamers.
The French are also actively engaged in the
slave trade, under the disguise Of the 'appreu-
t~iceship" system. A short time ago, one of the
American squadron fell in with q French vessel.
On demanding her papers, an officer advanced and
presented his commission as Il Lieutenant in the
French navy, which, at once, aud by itself, nation
allied his proceeding, which was avOwed To he the
purchase Of negroes in the Congo. The officer
stated that other vessels we're on the coast with
French agents. precisely as they are by the slave
agents; but, the French agents say that the negro
is freeman the moment bis feet touches q French
deck. lie then becomes an involuntary apprentice
for fifteen years. 1t is said that a collision is
threatened between the forces Of Portugal ard
Franco, in relation To this apprenticeship" matter,
England being at the bottom Of it. Portugal
claims sovereignty over much Of Africa, including
Congo river, and the Portuguese Governor has or
deIed the naval forces under his command to pro
coed to the Congo. and prevent the obtaining Of
negroes by the French contractors. The squad
ron has proceeded thithcr. This jurisdiction over
the Congo has never been conceded, however, by
either France or England; indeed the latter power
recently sent a force which compelled the Portu-
guese mariners, landed 1T Congo, to re-embark.