Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1860-04-01
The AfrEcnn sinve Trade.

Recent letters from the African coast state that,
in consequence Of the great demand for slaves upon
the Island of Cuba, and the facilities for landing
them there, the ineficiency Of the American squad
in arresting vessels sailing under the American
flag engaged in the slave trade, and the rigid in
structions to the British cruisers forbidding them
to search vessels sailing under American colors, a
great impetus has been given to this traffic. cor
respondent Of the New York Times gives graphic
description Of the manner in which it is conduct
cd. The slave vessels nearly all set out from
the port Of New York with Spanish or Portuguese
supercargoes on board. They obtain clearance pa
pers under a pretence Of desire to embark in the
palm oil tradea traffic so limited that it could not
furnish legitimate employment to one-fifth Of the
vessels nominally engaged init The slavers gener
ally rely upon the American flag as their chief pro
lection, feeling confident that it will. in most in
stances, shield them from capture by the vigilan
British steamers cruising upon the coast and tina
they elude the pursuit Of the slow-sailing anC
comparatively small number of American vessels
of-war employed in watching their movements.
Upon the coast they have plenty Of active friends
and gympathizers, through whose aid cargOes o
slaves can readily be obtained at short notice, a
any point from which they desire to ship then
The extraordinary profits of the business form
most tempting prize to the eupidity Of those VIII
engage In it. and furnish them with every desirabl
facility for prosecuting it successfully that none
can secure. The estimated profit upon each slay
landed in Cuba is three hundred dollars, and as
cargo sometimes consists of from eight hundred
one thousand slaves, a single successful voyag
makes the fortune Of those who reap its profits.
Is believed that not more than one SLAYER out
sthree or four leaving the coast Of Africa is ca
tured.
The fact that the slave trade should still be co
tinued on an extensive scale, notwithstanding Il
millions Of money that have been expended by Il
United States and Great Britain in their efforts
suppress it. Is one Of the most startling and lamer
able proofs that could be given Of the ineticien'
of Government to check it. Our national respe
for our flag, which has become an inbred al
deeply-cherished sentiment, in consequence Of t
outrages committed upon American vessels
British cruisers many years ago, has proved Of il
mense practical advantage to the slavers, and
fact, become a sort Of shield for the slave trade.
The officers and crews Of the British vessels up
the coast Of Africa, too, while extremely vlgllant
the performance Of their duty, have, in reality
personal and pecuniary interest in the partial ST
cess Of the trade they are specially commissioned
destroy. When they capture slave vessel they
entitled to a premium Of s25 per head for ca
slave on board and when the cargo consists
eight hundred or one. thousand negroes, their pr
money amounts to a good round sum- The negro
thus captured are taken to the English West ln'
Islands and disposed Of there as apprentices 1oi
term Of years-thus meeting the same fate Il
would have awaited them if they had been sold
slaves for life to Cuban planters.
After SLAYER sets sail and chase Is given to !
by a british cruiser, both parties look upon
transaction as a desperate game, in which the pr
teal question involved is whether the profits sho
be reaped by the owners and crew Of the SLAYER
the planters of Cuba, or by the officers and men
the British cruisers, and the British planters
the West India Islands.