Arkansas true Democrat., 1859-03-23
The French and English Slave Trade

ScarceiV an EnSllSn IOuTnal or maya zine that we have seen lately, has not had someting in it concerning the proposed re- opening of the slave trade as advocated by some of the presses in this country. Even the French press has been pleased to char acterize it as inhuman, unholly, and with like terms. But the English have scarcly language strong enough in which to eX press their adherence of 1t. 1t is called hideous," "henious,' damnable," /" ga disgusting traffic" "" a monstrous scheme. .' Yet it is fact beyond doubt or dispute, that while John Bull was thus throwing up his hands and rolling up his eyes in holy horror, and while Johnny Crapean was shrugging his shoulders and rattling his r r's, both these worthies were actually en. gagged in the slave trade.
 In England it is called the apprentice system,'' or |" importation of coolies." In France it is learned '' the transportation of emigrants.' A cargo of wild Africans is taken to one of the English Islands and the negroes landed. They are then ap- prenticed for the term of fourteen years, to a planter who takes them to the interior. It must be borne in mind that the appren tice is unable to speak the language; is ignorant of the nature of the contract and is not consulted in any of these arrange ments. The fourteen years expire only when the negro becomes too old to work; but this is seldom the case, for their mas ters usually work them to death before that time Even if they were freed at the ex piration of the fourteen years, 1t IS evident that the best part of their lives are gone and the planter is only happy to get rid of the burden of providing for them in their old age Of all forms of slavery this is certainly the most oppressive, the most cruel, unrelieved by any bright side to it, of any of which we have ever read The safeguards thrown around the institution of slavery here; the ample protection of life and from undue severity afforded ser wants and the incentives to make them happy and comfortable, are entirely want ing under the English apprentice system. Vast numbers die; at least one-fourth com init suicide, and the mortality among them, arising, in part, from cruel treatment is ap palling. Yet English ships go to and fro with these miserable beings and the En- glish meet at Exeter Hall and denounce slavery in the United States. Harriet Beecher Stowe is feasted and Uncle Toms Cabin is read in England, while English ships are hunding negroes on the coast of Africa to make apprentices of them. But, it is argued that 1t is not slavery, because these apprentices are not bought from the native slave dealers in Africa. Worse and worse. From the Gambia to the Sherbo on tbe coast of Africa, where the tribes are comparatively free, they cannot be induced to emigrate upon any terms, and If not bought, they are kidnapped. So much for English hypocrisy.
 The French Emperor lately ordered a commission to enquire whether the sys- tenn of obtaining negroes on the coast of Africa. as " African Emigrants," was not the slave trade in disguise, as was charged by other powers. The commission of course, reported that 1t was not. For six or eight years the exportation of negroes from the eastern coast of Africa to the French sugar colonies has been carried on. One company in Africa contracted with the French government to supply 10000 ne groes. The Isle of Bourbon has received 17,000; French Guiana, Martineque and Guadeloupe, each 1000. That these were free emigrants was false, for on the coast where these negroes are obtained there are no free negroes-they are all slaves, sold from tribe to tribe or to dealers When the French vessel, the Regina Coeli, was captured, the negroes were bound together with cords, and with manacles on their wristsand ankles. Rather peculiar situa- ton for " free emigrants'! Itwas in proof that the major part of them had been bought from the Ney chiefs and Prince I Mamma, at ten dollars head, half cash and l half merchandise.