New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1858-05-22

The recent activity of tie British cruisers on he
coast OF Cubs, and especially their s'oppage ana
questioning of vessels under the American nas'
wouli seem TO be explained and accounted for BY a
state ment contained in a letter Of Lord Napiers,
addressed to Mr. Coss, and bearing date the Fth
Of January lsst That statement. is that the late
expulsion Of the Cuba Slaye-Trade has been stlmu-
lated by the formation Of company IN CuDa
styled the Expedition Of Africa, the existence oil
which is openly avowed, which is supported by
house Of kLown wealth, and which has deliberately
adopted the use Of American vessels, and the EN-
ployment Of the American flag, for the purposes OF
this nefarOus commerce. 1t probably has been IN
order TO defeat this fraud upon them, as well as
upon us, that the British have Of late exercised 50
much scrutiny over the vessels in the ports and on
the coast Of Cuba, which, though apparently Amer
lean fair traders might really be, after all, the prop
erty and in the employ of this Expedition Of
Africa"
Considering that this piece Of infor nation was
communicated to Mr. Cass some four months ago.
it ID rather singular that ships Of our own have not
been sent to the coast Of Cuba to look after the
honor Of our flag, which stands at least quite as
much il need, as it seems 10 us, of being guarded
against the encroachments of the Cuban slave
traders as against those Of the British cruisers
From other previous statements msde by Lord
Napier 10 Nr. Cass, and which 90 fully to confirm,
by the enumeration of particular facts officially
ascertainej the current Tumoss OF the day, the
extent to which these Cuban slave-traders
carry their encroachments upon our fas and
our nationality is painfully apparent. The
vesitls engaged in this trade, by whomsoeyer
owned, whether foreign residents in this city or
colonial Spsniards and whether fitted out IN the
harbors of the United States or issuing fiom the
ports OF Cuba, have almost universally adopted tho
habit OF hosting the cOlOrs of the United States for
the purpose of sheltering themselves against the
searching of British cruisers. When boarded, the
master of the vessel claims the privilege of his flag;
and frequently exhibits American papers, forged or
obtained on false prete nses from the Custom House
authorities of the port from which he has sailed.
With these speciOus but fraudulent signs of nation
atty lie dees the British officer to raise the matches
under which are securely hidden the proofs of
meditsted crime. In some cases the master
OOts uOt outcl W cohCca HIo hciaiioua
purpose. With an American flag over his
head and American papers in his hand,
he ayows tho object of his voyage and points
scorniuly to the instruments and appliances OF the
trade-his mess kids, his slaye deck already laid,
lnd the other conyeniences OF an African cargo.
Hitherto it has been the custom where vessel
under the American flag has been found with slaves
on board, or exhibiting indubitabe signs of her in
tepton to engage in the SlayeTrade, for the British
officer to give the master the choice Of renquish-
ing his professions TO an American character, and
thus escaping with the forfeiture of ship and cargo,
or Of being sent into sn American port to take the
chance of being tried for his life. But the ground
recently taken by Mr. Secretary Cass, that Bnt'h
vessels have 10 tight under any circumstances to
undertake the enforcement of American laws,
would deprive the Britsh cruisers even OF this
chance, and would enable any vessel which had
contriyed, 10 matter by what means, 10 obtain an
American register, to set the whole British navy at
defiance, matter how lagranty caught in the act
of slave trading. II is not TO be supposed that Mr.
Cass has started this doctrine with the deliberate
design Of converting the American flag into cover
Tor slave tfdUers, hd I'm the hltnllOn 10 IdAc Inc
Cuban Expedition Of Africa into partnership
with ourselves as to the use Of our flag and the
protection it affords, but that such is the direct
tendency, and that such will De the practical opera
tion of this doctrine, 1t requires but half an eye to
See There is, indeed but one way of escaping this
result ana that is ourselves 10 take IN hand that
abuse of our flag, our name and our national char
ac.er and that enforcement of our laws against the
Slay. Trade as 10 which Mr. Cass objects TO British
intcrfr renee The slsye.traders st this moment
very hard pushed, and if they can be cut off from
the ports of Cuba-which now affords them their
sole remsinipg market-the business must be
speedily annihilated Mr. Cas and our Govern
melt certainly ought to avoid the appearance OF
stepping forth at this moment to the rescue of the
traders and Of starting new points of maritime
law, as if for the very purpose of enabling them
10 set the British cruisers at defiance.
IL