The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-04-24
.rRraN EMIGRANTs AND TIE SLAVE
TRADE.

a, ao,, alliance with resolution Of that body, EN-
ling correspondence IN the possession OF the Depart
,f STATE relating to the importation OF African emf
, into the West Indies aud the revival OF the slave
"a. We present our readers with the annexed sum
mary which contains the more Important points o. TINS
correspondence
ra s,,osnQ i an extract of letter from Hon John
yM.son 10 Secretary Cas-, dated Paris, February 10,
1855:
r ON interview which had the honor to have with
nt Wal,wski Minister Of Foreign Affairs in the last
~ II January asked him II there were any obec-
tou TO my being informed OF the precise character oi the
,sre adopted by his Majesty the Emperor govern
, in regard to the importation into the French colo
is NJ negroes from Africa He replied that there was
not and proceeded to state very frankly that the French
Ionies particularly In the West Indies were languial-
ina, far want Of labor that negro labor alone was adapt
I 10 trnical productions that the French government
h5 d.vsed system FOR the introduction from Africa OF
Iahonrs under guards which were intended to protect
them as free eigants that, to supply these laborers,
they looked mainly To prisoners taken by the tribes m
their intestine wars who would il not 80 disposed OF,
oring 10 the barbarous customs Of the country, be
mt 10 death that the arrangements IN Africa prior to
,be ebarkaton and for the disposition Of the emgants
during the voyage and after their arrival IN the colonies
We're entirely uader the management Of commissioners of
tbe French government that obligations 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 to them the means OF
returning Africa ii they shall choose to do after its
expiration
II asked ii there was any truth in statements
which had SEEN in the English newspapers, TINT French
vessels lreightel with African emigans would be regard
al by British cruisers M engaged in the African slave
trade His excsllency said that there had been some
communication between the two governments and the
British government would not object to the French
scheme while the wants Of the British colonies be
ing supplied by the cooiic trade The minister urged that
the plan adopted secured African labor, which was ndis
penahe TO Their colonies that the emigants free,
and were rescued generally from impending immolaton
that relieved from ignorance and heathenisln Of the most
degrading character, they would be humaniz1i and
Chanized BY being placed in contact with the French
colonss The conversation ended by the minister
suranee that he would send written memorandum
in reply to my Inquiry This promise he redeemed by
sending TO me the papers which herewith transmit
There points which neither the conversation
nor the wittenmemorandum give Information which
desired IT dos not appear whether consideration is
paid To the chic of tribes for their captiyes people
infer that the H. 1t docs not explain the duration Of
the term of serice and 1t remains to be whether
any OF the emgnts viii survive the term return to
their country.
Judging from the tone Of the public press and
ing pror, feel nite confident that in future will
the fanatica lennncatons Of American slavery great
g moderated il lot slenced in France perhaps in Eng
land
Ihe French sstem is the subject Of much discussion
in the English and French Journals In the Rsue ds
Dsax Kois which is the organ OF the abotionists
M An d Aoirs il is severely attacked, and also in the
heW Contemporaries of which send copy herewith. 1t
quite evident that conviction is gaining strength both
England and Fance that in the compulsory emanci
patton Of the slaves in their tropical colonies by author
! W OF governments grave political error has been com
mitedan error Unjust to the coonists whose rights Of
property were destroyed and to the colonies by the ami
lation Of the Labor which made them productive with
out securing any csmpensating benefit 1t was tribute
10 an absfact idea and now to repair the In its
reserted To which
amount essentially and necessarily the restoration of
slavery, whether the coolies the free emgrants,
OF the rebcllious Rp0ys Of British India, far
objectionable than the regulated system Of slave la
Dor which the PRESENT generation found establish
ed and destroyed II 10 subject Of much
interest to the United States that have thought it
not amiss to make this communication 1t appears
70 me that when the condition Of the natvebon slave
o. The United Staes intelligent, well cared for,
ohissnzed and hsppy Is contracted with that OF the
oohe or the African emgrant the transported Indian
poy the most fstons philanthropy will not hesitate
70 declare the advantage to be side and when
goyelnmnts at the hoad Of European dvili
at,on are seen in moment OF fnaticsm, to interfere
WIN The rights Of property and to destroy the labor Of
Nhoe communities On an abstract notion, and are
soon compelled by Political necessities to resort to such
measures to repair which they have DONE all
Ehtminded men will US will conclude that st Is bet
r 70 bear the evils that have than fly to othera that
We know not Of
ass to Lord Napier dted April 10, 1885, in reference
tie suppression Of THE slave trade
experience has to test the measures proposed
u they have been found inadequate the extinction Of
e sV. so much so thai, in the opinion Of your govern
is present activity demands increased exertions
part OF the United States with view to accomplish
,n' ce)eet Those exe-ticns il il suggested, should
w,ec'fi TO the coast Of Africa, in order 10
uie oochade more cfactual, and especially to
n mime a and deal with vessels bearing the Amcri
aa. s, ana suspected Of being engaged in this
aug mus system Of Joint blockade has been
- W SOME years, and the benefit Il has produced
~. y, o reasonable proportion regret TO say, TO the
'''u'e o. life ard treasure It has coat But this
need not discourage the anxious hopes Of Chris-
: d., mere : another WAY Of proceeding without
Llools,S ana dihcnlties and ineicency which beset
and which is sure u succeed il Adopted and
severed m and that IL 10 close the slave mart of the
'' o' ni,heroi the island Of Cuba which il now almost
a, itgion where the slave dealer find market.
Mi maortnnatc victims could not he sold, they
-. ~ no' pe brought To shut the ports Of Cuba to
aace Is TO shut the ports Of Africa to their de-
-, ana 70 effect this nothing would secsn TO I've
s p"t we cordal cooperation Of the Spanish gov
The example Of the United States Il sufficient
NV mat however extensive country may be. 1t
~, ehueresi Inaccessible this evil by sound state
ran opinion, aud by rigid Laws. rigily exscnted The
oi a slave into the country II fact which be-
'ne Present generation has not witnessed And Brazil
"h Per long line Of maritime frontier, has sue
hi - her legislation and by the faithful execution
issuing herself from the rcprSach Of Pastiip~-
i ~ 'hs great crime we'll national individual
" que TO the honorable course Of The imperial gov
eiM TO state that on the application Of the Unitexl
-, y mas lent Its aid towards procuring evidence nc
y 'or me conviction of persons prosecuted in this
10y iot 'hc offence Of slave tradng The nuveution-
- 'sements which exist between Great Britain and
rnrs,a elaih Tor their mutual cooperation in the
fsoh OF the slave trade are very imperfectiv known
me bu u Is understood that Su.in has e,t,,i into ON,