Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1858-05-08
Nusea 10 Mr.. Casa.
PARIS. February 10. 1853,

PARIS, February 10, 1858.
IN an in interview which l had the honor to have
with Count Walewski. Minister Of Foreign Affairs,
b the last W week of January, ! asked him if there
were any objections to my being informed OF the
precise character Of the measures adopted BY his
Majesty the Emperor's Government in regard to
the importation into the French colonies OF me-
gross from Africa. lie replied that there was not;
and proceeded to state very frankly that the
French Colonies, more particularly the west
Indies. were languishing for want OF
labor that negro labor alone was adapt
cd to the tropical productions that the French
Government had devised a system for the intro.
ductiuu from Africa Of laborers they looked main
ly to prisoners taken by the tribes in their intes-
tine wars, who would, il not SO disposed OF accor'
ding 10 the barbarous customs OF the country, the
pat to death that the arrangements in Africa,
prior to the embarkation. and for the disposition Of
tie emigrants during the voyage and after their
arrival in the colonies, were entirely under the
management Of commissioners OF the French
Government that OIL cations wero taken by
them from the planters who received the emigrants
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 it's expiration.
asked if there was AIRY truth in some state
ments which | had seen in the English newspa-
pers, that French vessels f~reighted with African
emigrauts would be regarded by British cruisers
as engaged in the African slave trade. His Ex-
cellency said no; that there had been some COM
munication between the two Governments, and the
British Government would not obj ect to the French
scheme, while tho wants Of the British colonies
were being supplied by the coolie trade. The
Minister urged that the plan adopted secured AZ
rican labor, which was indispensable to their COLI.
MES. Thus the emigrants were free, and were
rescued generally from impending immolation /;
that. relieved from ignorance and heathenism o!
the most degrading character, they will be human
;,ad and chr:af;oni1ad tv haipo claopd in contact
with the French colonists.
The conversation ended by the Minister'S assur-
ance that he would send me a written memorandum
in reply to my Inquiry. His promise be redeemed
by sending to me the papers which 1 herewith
transmit. There are some points on which Meth
or the conversation nor the written memorandum
give Information which | desired. II does not ap-
pear whether a consideration is paid to the chiefs
Of the tribes for their captives or people. | infer
that there is. 1t does not explain the duration OF
the term of service, and is remains to be seen
whether any Of the emigrants will survive the
term or return to their country.
Judging from the tone Of the public press, and
reasoning a priori, l feel quite confident that in fu-
ture we will see the f~anatical denunciation Of
American slavery greatly moderated, II not silenc.
ed, in France, perhaps in England.
The French eystem is the subject Of much dis
cussiou in the English and French journals. In
the Revue des Dsux Mondes. (which is the organ
OF the AbOliiiOnists, or "des Amis des Noirs,"
j ~ 6cFeTcit dttdCk0u u ooO u luz ltVNuC
Contem porairie", of which / send q copy here.
with. 1t is quite evident that a conviction is gain
ing strength both in England and France that in
the compulsory emancipation Of the slaves in their
tropical colonies BY authority Of Government a
grave political error has been committed-an error
unjust to the colonists whose rights of property
were destroyed, and to the colonies by the annihi-
lation of labor which made them productiye-with'
out securing any compensating benefit. 1t was
attributed to an abstract idea and now. to repair
the error in its politico. economical sense, measures
are resorted to which amount, essentially and
necessarily, to the restoration of slavery. whether
Of the coolies or the free emigran.s or the rebel
iious seeOys Of British Ihdia, far more objection
able than the regulated system of slave labor
which the present generation found established
and destroyed. 1t is q subject of so much interest
to .he United States that have thought it not
smiss to make this communication. 1t appears to
me that when the condition Of the native-born
slave of the United States, Intelligent, we'll cared
for, christaniLed, and happy. is contrasted with
that of the cooiie, or the African e~migrant, orthe
tran ported : Indian sepoy, the most fastid.
ious philanthropy will not hesitate to de
clare the advantage to be on our side; and
when enlightened Governments. at the head
of European civilization, nre seen, in a moment Of
fanaticism, to interfere with the rights Of property
and to destroy the labor of whole communities OF
an abstract notion. and so soon compelled by polit
ical necessities to resort to such measures to re
pair the wrong which they have done. all right
minded men with us will conclude that sit is bet
ter TO bear the ills VIC have than fly to others that
we know not or,
Extracts from Mr.. C0ss 10 Lord Napier, dated
Apra III, 1858, ia reference 10 the african star,
trade.
y But the best msthod of ~effecting the
object is O practical problem of very difficult solu
ton. The obstacles in it's way we're at first over
looked in the sanguine anticipations which were
INDUCED of immediate success. Experience has
come to test the measures proposed, aud they have
been found inadequate to the extinction OF the evil
so much 50 that, in the opinion Of your Govern.
ment, Its present activity" demands Increased
exsrtions on the part of the United States with a
view to accomplish the object. Those exertions.
it is suggested, should be directed to the coast OF
Africa, in order to render the blockade more effec'
tive, and especially to examine and deal with yes
sels bearing the American flag and suspected OF
being engaged in this trade, This system Of q
joint blockade has been pursued for some years,
and the benefit 1t has produced bears no reason.
able proportion, | regret to say. to the expenditure
OF life and treasure it has cost. But this kfail
ure need not discourage the anxious hope Of chris
tendon. There lie another way of proceeding
without the dangers and difficulties and ineficien
cy which beset q blockade. and which 10 sure Il
succeed. If adopted and persevered in ; and that i
20 close the slave mart of the world, or rather o.
the Island of Cuba. which is now almost the only
region where the slave-deaior can 6n6 a market
If these unfortunate victims could not be sold the,
would not be bought. To shut the ports of Cubs
to their entrance is TO shut the ports OF Africa t.
70 their departure. And to effect this nothing
would seem to be wanting but the cordial cooper
alton of the Spanish Government. The example
Of the United States ~ sufficient 10 show that,
howsser extensive . country may be, it can be
rendered inaccessible to this evil by q sound state
Of psblie opinion and by rigid laws rigidly execut-
I'd. The introduction Of a slave into this country
10 q fact which / Believe the present generation
has not Witnessed. Aud Brazil also. with her long
line Of maritime frontier, has succeeded. BY her
legislation and by faithful execution Of it, in res.
euing herself from the reproach Of participating
in this great crime. ns we'll national as individual ;
and it Is due to the honorable course Of the Imper.
ial Government to state that, on the application Of
the United States. it has Lent its aid towards pro.
curing evidence necessary for the conviction Of
Derssns prosecuted 10 this country fos the offence
sof sIssstssdips.