Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1860-07-27
sacriacina eur Commerce 20 Suppress the
sInve-trade,

bfltihh eiOOp-Ot-WM bhVyuch 10 ah hiuo't"
ton of the suicidal effects of our slave-trade
policy. The brig sailed from New York for
the African Coast, but went ashore near St.
George, Bermuda, in fog Wreckers came
to her assistance and she was got of and
taken TO a proper anchorage. While the
master and mate were on shore settling with
the wreckers, the Virginidn was boarded by
Lieutenant from the SkiRJaek, who, in the
absence of the master and mate, proceeded to
search the vessel, on alleged suspicion that
she was a saver'
The LieutenanL noted in the Vrginidn's
log book, that 'having noticed several articles
IN the hold, leading TO the suspicion that she
might be engaged in the slave trade he placed
an officer and guard on board" The next
day he boarded the brig again and made the
following notation in her log book.
"Seyen A. M.--Returned on board this YES
sci, where found the mate, but no captain
or papers, those being on shore at st. Georges
the salvers being about TO navigate the vessel
into that port, / directed the guard to assist
therein; while proceeding thitber | examined
the papers at the United States acting Con-
sul's office, and, on seeing the captain, found
him unable to give any vouchers for the
legality of the purpose to which seventy
three water-casks, some with salt and some
with fresh water, were to be applied; the
captain then consenting to an examination
of his hold in presence of the United States
acting Consul, we again boarded the vessel
at about half-past ten A. NJ, and removed so
much OF the cargo as to certify myself that
the vessel had not the materials for slave
deck on board, nor did we meet with other
matter for suspicion beyond the presence OF
an unusually large quantity of stores and
provisions; also, as cargo much rice; but the
interior of the respective casks and packages
were not inspected, nor was any search made
for money or papers, and at half-past one p.
NJ, the vessel being then at anchor in st.
Georges Harbor, | removed the guard and
quilted the vessel.
~. MURRAY, Lie ut Com. H. B. NJ. s.
SkiPjGck.'
In the evening of the same day the Lieu
tenant boarded he.brig again and placed a
guard on board. Two days after the Captain
made written protest to the United States
Consul, demanding protection and redress,
aud resigning the command of the vessel
while she was detained. The Consul de-
clined TO receive the resignation Of any prop
erty or to incur any expense on the part OF
the Government for the Captain or crew
while the decision of Her Majesty's authorities
touching the legality of the voyage was
pending. s-l
Five days after the first seizure the Captain
wrote to the New York owner that the Lieu
tenant had Withdrawn his men, but he knew
not how long he should remain free from in
lrusion. In the meantime the salvers, who
at first had agreed to receive $500 for their
uervices, finding that it was a case of free
punder, put thebrig in the Admiralty Court,
which makes the detention, as well us the
claim, indefinite.
We call attention to the evidence on which
this voyage has been ruined. The Lieuten-
ant states that he found no vouchers for the
legality Of the purpose of seventy-nine water
casks, some with salt and some with fresh
water What vouchers could be found in
any case? Whalers bound for whaling
waters fill their oil casks with salt water.
Suppose the Skigjdck had overhauled one of
them, what vouchers would he have found
for the legality of the purpose of the casks
Vessels going to the West Indies carry
shocks for sugar casks, but no vouchers for
the legality of their purpose. The Virginia
was bound for the coast where palm oil is
the principal article Of commerce. II would
he as sensible to ask for vouchers for the
legality of purpose of empty gunnybags.
All the other evidence which the Lieuten-
ant alleges to prove that the vessel was a
slsyer, was an unusually large quantity of
stores and provisions, and "as cargo much
i
nor any unusual provision of cooking appa-
ratus, and the papers were all regular IN
short, with Just such cargo as was adapted
to the regular commerce with the coast, with
legal papers, and without Solitary suspicious
circumstance about her, this American vessel
was seized and her voyage ruined, as well as
her owner, unless he happens to be rich
enough to stand losses. Any small vessel
owner, or captain, sailing his own craft and
trading partly on credit, would be ruined by
such an operation.
Our nation boasts OF having made wal
against the British to resist the search of oul
vessels but now, if they will only allege
suspicion, they may not only search bu
make prizes of our vessels. We instigat
suspicion by making prize-money Of our owl
vessels for those who will suspect them. Wa
ever such an insane and suicidal practice sus
famed by any people? If it had resulted j
any good to humanity, it might be som
pslliation, but we doubt if any person wi
8eriously affirm that the attempt to suppre.
the slave-trade has resulted in any goo
That the trade is as hourishing as ever,
well known; our philanthropy has Great,
the horrors of the middle passage, and tn
is about all. q r
But our pretended remedy not only a
grsyates the evil now, but perpetuates
The slavc-trade will never stop but by L
growth of industry in Africa, which W
make laborers valuable at home This C
only be done by commerce and colonizatic
~ the latter we do not mean the sendi
Mck 6f fnegfoes to Africa, but the colonizati
of il by white men, introducing systema
eulfVhfdG fnd bbriagifg he/ nstives il
habits of regular labor. Commerce must
The forerunner and main support of this, butt
abrogatipn pf ALI rights Of prQpertykwh
i pefmittsd by The system for suppressi
the slave-trade, lis' fatal To- all legitimate CO
nhsrDs. 4lks i0nW , hiabtJh iuAAS
The trade with ] county destitAts of
tefnAl uonimhnieAtidhs aid bf 1hfge ma