Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1858-04-30
TEE AFRICAN SLAVE TRADE.


Among The papers recently transmitted . the
Senate fom the President en- the subject Of African
slavery. and Afriesa and coolie laborsrs, is one
from Mr.. Mason, our Minister to France, dated
February 18th, in which be relates conversation
with Count Walewski. Mr.. MASON inquired whether
there vas any truth the statements in the English
newspapers that French vessels freighted with
African emigrsnts would be regarded BY British
cruisers IS engaged in the African slave trade. Count
WaleEsk replied nog that there had been some
communication between the two governments, and
that the British would not object to the French
scheme while the wants Of the British Colonies we're
being supplied BY BY the Coolie trade. Count VALE
Wsk urged that BY the plan adopted to secure Afr-
can labor, which is indispensable to their colonies,
the smigrsuts were free, and we're rescued generally
from impending immOlatiOn that, relieved from
ignorance and heathenism Of the most degrading
character they would be humansed aud ohrstainised
BY being placedin contact with the French ColOusts
Il does not appear whether consideration is to be
paid the chiefs Of tribes for their oapives the
people but Mr.. Mason infers there is. Nor is the
duration Of their service explained and it remains
to be whether any Of the emigrants Will serve
their term or return to their country Judging from
the tone of thepublo press and reasoning priori,
Mr.. MASON feels confident that in future We win see
fanatiosl denuneiation Of American slavery greatly
moderated, if not siIenosd IN France, perhaps in
England He adds that it is quite evident that the
conviction is gaining strength, both in England and
France. that the compulsory emancipation Of tbs
slaves in their tropical colonies BY authority Of their
governments was grave political errOr-sn error
unjust to the cOlonists, whose rights Of property
were destroyed and to the colonies by the annihila
ton of the labor which made them productive with
out securing any compromising benefit.
There is also letter from Secretary CAss to Lord
NEPmR, dated 10th april, in which the former says
that the joint blockade Of the Coast Of Africa has
been pursued some years, and the benefit it has
produced bears no reasonable proportion, he regrets
to Observe to the expenditure Of life and treasure it
has cost. But there is another way Of proceeding
without the dangers and difficulties, and iuefcieney
which beset blockade, aud which is sure to sue
ceed if adopted and perssvsred in; and that is to
close the slave mart of the world, or rather the
Island Of CuOa which is now almost the emily region
where the slave dealer can find a market If these
unfortunate victims could not be sold they would
not be bought To shut the ports Of Cuba to their
entrance is to shut the ports Of Africa to their
departure; and to effect this, nothing would
seem to be wanting but the cordial cooperation Of
the Spanish Government. The introduction Of the
slave into this country is q fact which Gen, CAss
believes the present generation had not Witnessed
Il is understood that Spain has entered into engage
ments with Great Britain, if not with France also
that she viii use her best exertions to prevent the
importation fslavesi her dOmnions This pledge
fgrauted has not certainly been redeemed, although
it is difficult to believe that the Spanish government
would resist or neglect the firm circumstances Of
these two great powers or even Of Great Britain
alone In reply to Lord NAPIER's remark about the
habit of vessels on the coast of Africa of hosting
the American flag IS protection against British
cruisers, and that this preosuuon does not protect
the SLAYER from a visit, but eKonerates her from
search, Gen CAss says the United States deny the
right Of the cruisers Of any other power whatever,
to enter their vessels by force in time Of peace, and
to decide the broad inquiry whether the vessel is
nsviRated according to law, as claimed by England,
and to send her in at pleasure for trial. cannot be
submitted to by any independent nation without in
Jury and dishonOr. In conclusion, Mr. CAss is in
struoted by the President to inform Lord NAPIER
that while he Cthe PresidenD is determined to exc
cute the treaty Of 1912, with fidelity aud efficiency,
he is not prepared, under existing circumstances
to enter into any new stipulaons the subject of
the African slave trade