New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-07-24
TuK "BLACKBaRD LINR.o

Kate, now lying in the stream opposite Castle Gar
den. A long, low, black thing, with raking mssts
and heavy spars, capable of showing an immense
spread of canvas, she is the sort of vessel most
sought after by the piratical tradesmen who make
merchandise of the bodies of men. Built originally
for the South American trade, she has been in her
day reputable vessel; but, as is too often the
case with others of her sex whose vivacity and
GOOD looks are their best recommendation, she at
tracted the attention of men of the baser Sort and
was reduced to the shameless life she now follows.
But she carries in her looks the evidence of her
shame-for, though as beautiful as ever, her bear
ing is nsoent, and, when full dressed, there is an
extrayagance and latitude in her costume that be-
lopeeth not to modest female.
1t is several weeks, we do not remember how
mary since the royal yacht, which is kept for the
entertainment of Mr.. Collector of the Customs,
eondescended to be used in little matter of BUSH
ness, and overhauled this Kate as she was about
to proceed to sea. 1t is several days since the
Marshal said, in Court, that he could not positive
" decide as to the character of this vessel till he
had broken bulk and examined her cargo. Yet the
Kate still rides quietly at anchor in the stream,
much injured and slandered craft if she be not
guilty Of the charge against her, and striking in
stance of how the law may be Knocked If the charge
be true. We should not be Surprised to hear some
morning that a boat-load of men had boarded her
in the night, and that she had slipped her cables
and gone to sea- She would only need little start
to show very clean pair OF heels to Mr.. Colec-
tors yacht for she is said to be one of the fastest
vessels that ever foated. Indeed, she need not be
far outside Of Sandy Hook to be safe from pursuit,
for the Harriet Lane could not long be spared from
her port duties of cruising up the North River and
into other tranquil waters, with parties of pleasure.
The Senior Henrico da Costa, the supposed
owner of the Kate, has been once before in the
meshes of the law, ia this city, on charge of
saye.tradipg, and found no difficulty then in solv
ing bis difficulties by running away. Whether
after the Court has in his case settled the little
matter of bail TO its mind he will take precisely
the steps we suggest whether he will prefer the
less risky and more regular method Of giving bonds
for his ship, to be duly forfeited. or to be duly
found good for nothing, we will not predict. We
will predict however with the most cheerful alac
rity and mistaken confidence in our own powers
as q prophet, that the Senior da Costa will never
suffer- in this city, any punishment for his crimes
of piracy executed or contemplated, and that his
gallant bark, the Kate, will 60 to sea presently
with all her sails set and all her colors flying; and
that the Harriet Lane will observe her departure
with quiet equanimity, heightened by the refec-
ton that her leisure, and her equally elegant
amusements, are to be interiered with no longer
by the necessity Of watching so disreputable a
character as the Kate.
We gave, not long since, list Of undoubted
slavers which cleared from this port for Africa be-
tween the 1st of January and the lst of May. To
this we add for May aud June eight vessels more,
including the Kate, namely: the brig Storm King,
Lockhart, master, May 2; schooner josephine,
Garter, master, May IL; bark Cora, Latham,
master, May 10; bark Buckeye, Booth, master,
May 81; brig d. Webster, Brlisson, master, May
80; bark F, Deming, BrightmsD, master, June Is;
and schooner Maraquita, Burnett, master, June 10.
OF these, the Cora, Josephine, and Maraquita
have been stopped, and their carsoes discharged.
The evidence of their intentions was sufficient to
require bonds, though not considered sufficient to
authorize confsca ion. They have since gone to
sea. If these bonds are ever paid, the sum will
be very small per centage on the profit on cargo
Of negroes
This slave-trading is profitable business. 1t is
profitable at both ends; for it pays those well who
engage in it, al not badly those whose business it
is to stop it at the outset. Precisely how much
this latter class make, we have no means of know
ing, but undoubtedly their gains are considerable.
II is idle to suppose that these vessels get off with
out official connivance. All the methods adopted,
We do not know; but sometimes, it is said, where
no evidence has appeared against the vessel, a bag
or two of gold has disappeared from her cabin;
sometimes when, it was thought, the papers had
been seized that would certainly convict her, they
were found, when Opened-haying, in the mean
time been in possession of sworn officer OF the
law-to be mass of most innocent and uninterest
ing correspondence. Probably, where both par
ties understand their business, all public scandal
il avoided and the SLAYER slips out Of port quietly
and unlnolested.
Nor are the opportunities Ofturning penny con-
fined to the seizure Of vessels which are known 10
be slavers. The destination and purpose oil every
one Of them that clears from this port, bound Tor
Africa fer "csrgo of ebony" are as positively
known, in certain quarters, as that the Cunard
steamers take mails and passengers to Liverpool
weekly. The ladBg, provisioning, and equipment
Of this "blackbird line" differ from all other
ships; they are always cleared at the Custom
House by the master, or by some firm which at no
other time has either local hab,taliop VI oame.