The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-09-05

TIE CoNGo QUESTION IN THE SoUTI-We pub
lish to-day another interesting letter from our
Charleston correspondent, and the correspon-
dence between the local and United States
authorities in regard to the disposition to be
made OF the negroes captured on board the
SLAYER Putnam; also an important despatch from
Washington.
II will be seen that an effort was made by the
Sheriff of Charleston to get possession Of the
negroes, under the plea that they had been
brought into the State in contravention Of It's
laws, and that under these laws II was hs duty
to seize and cell them. II seems that several
Of the nigger-loving chivalry OF South Carolina
were ready to make the necessary complaint to
the Sheriff Of the infraction OF the law, and that
he found legal advisers who informed him that
il WIS bis duty TO take the negroes into Gus
tody. The United States authorities got wind
of the movement, and, under orders from Wash
ington, prevented it, By promptly removing the
negroes from Castle PiDckncy TO Fort Sumpter.
Here they are several miles from Charleston
and vigilantly guarded. II is not alone In
Charleston that disposition II manifested TO
prevent the sending back OF these Africans. The
Richmond EaqirT, in an article which we
also reprint in another column, Is decidedly op-
posed 10 the return to Africa OF the three hun
dr,d fine, fat, healthy Congo negroes. II comes
out bluntly and square footed with the pro-
posal that upright aud highhanded men be
selected for their masters, aud by their reports
let the missions to Africa be fully tested.D
We do not see how the setting Of Quashee At
work In the rice fields of South Carolina il
going to test the question Of the mission TO
Africa, or how Il viii try "the capacity Of The
wild African" unless II be his capacity to grow
rice. This, we doubt not, would be fully de-
monstrated If he were set to work under the
skilled intelligence OF the white man, and
obliged, by some social or personal law, TO per-
form the labor But of all things In this world
that do not require demonstration the plaincst
are, that ouasheo can produce rice, sugar,
cotton, coffee and tobacco, II he viii work,
and that Quashee won't work unless he be
compelled TO. The true question 10 be
demonstrated in the disposal OF thi,
cargo Of fine, Cat, healthy Congo niggers
was, whether The Gre-eatcrs Of the soath or
ANt lhndiGA hbUUhDuletH Vi Tut NnFtA I0li1
impel the government 10 ignore the low IL .hc
present instance. The South looked upon II rot
only as good opportunity TO test the pract'c II
issue Of the re-opeuing Of tie slave trade, but
TO stimulate its psrtizsns with the view Of 500
az good niggers as ever grew rice, cotton ~
sugar, all In one lot, and to be had perhaps ~
$500 each. The fanatics Of tie North found r.
an occasion to rcsuscitate the old Niger agits
ton, over the dying out Of which they we're AZ
their wits end with despair.
There wse but enc course FOR the President to
pursue, namely To ful6l We law az Il stands;
and we are glad to see by q special telegraphic
despatch from Washingtof Vat be has deter
mined to adopt this course. The crew should
be tried at once, and have justice meted out 70
Them. The act Of Congress directs that tho ne
groes shall be returned TO Africa, and appro
PIRATES 100000 for that purpose. The Niagara
Is ordered to Charleston TO carry out this pro-
vision. II this had not been done there would
have been o sectional agitation in this whole