Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1860-05-31
EDWARD EVERETT,
The African Slave Trade,

This nefarious trade, instead of coming T.,
an end with the advance of civilization and
religion, is absolutely on the increase, and
though it has been declared By nearly every
nation on the earth to be piracy, the penalty
OF which lis death, tn, number who engage in
it is multiplying. England, France and the
United States with Spain, have entered into
treaty siipnlGtions for its suppression and
keep feet on the coast of Africa to accom-
plish THE end, but all without effect.
Recently vessel escaped from New York
which was evidently fitted up for this diabol-
icai trade, and the other day the barque Cora
was seized at the Same port under suspicion
that she was about to engage in the same bus
iness. We have it also announced that the
United States ship Wyendotte has captured
tAe slave barque William, Capt. VIM. Wes-
ton. near the Isle Of Pines, with &C sEo of FIVE
hundred and fifty negroes ard also their ar.
rival at Key West.
The particulars give nov evidence Ct the
brutality of the traffic, and Of the undisguised
participation of the Spanish officials Of Cuba
in tie nefarious profits. 1t appears that
Cuban custom house officer WAS actually on
DO re- to receive the Captain Generals share
ofthe proceeds. Almost simultaneously with
this intelligence comes tho Presidents urgent
appeal to Congress for some immediate ac-
ton that will enable him to dispose of those
Wpat
Hildfre. The Philadelphia Inquirer says.
the rapid recurrence of such events must A.
waken serious reflection in tho public mind
on number Of points.
First, as to the heavy burden cast upon the
National Treasury by the existing plan of
stopping the slave trade, Second, tho fac.
that the slave TRADE, and consequently tine
aggre gate number Of persons enslaved, in
stead of decreasing, are a!armingIy on the in
crease. And third, tho additional fact that
the main stimulus and support of the barbar-
Gus traffic are given by the Spanish authori-
ties in the Island of Cuba. As these points
may hereafter require discussion in detail.
brit! glance at each will suffice for the prcs- |
ent.
The cost OF the government. Efforts 10 sup
press the slave trade is growing into great
magnitude by the frequent captures resulting
from the increased activity Of our little fleet
Of cruisers. Under the third section of the |
Act Of March, 1910, the officers and crew of |
any national vessel are entitled to twenty-five |
dollars for every negro rescued from SLAYER |
and delivered into tho hands OF the nearest |
United States Marshal. This is the first iton,. |
Then GENES the COS. Of maintenance while the |
negroes are in tie care of the United States |
and during their return to Africa making
the second item, which, for the ten hundred |
and fifty now at Key West, sums up S25 900
per month. After they are delivered into the
custody of government agent in their own
country, appointed for the purpose, under our
laws, the humane policy first adopted by Pres
iient Madison, requires that provision shall
be made for the support Of the liberated cap
one hundred and fifty dollars for every per-
son. The expense under the second aud third
of these heads, Of returning and supporting
Gle Two hundred and seventy -one negroes res
cued from the Echo last fall was about fifty
thousand dollars, without taking into account
any charge for the use of the steamer Niagara
which furnished the means Of transportation.
Il ia the Presidents opinion that the cargo Of
thaIFildtirc will cost for the same items over
one hundred thousand dollars The cargo of
the William being still. more numerous, will
Of course exceed that sum. Hence, the total
cuBs for prize money, and for support and
transportation Of the rescued Africans from
these three vessels, viii beconsiderably above
three hundred thousand dollars. If to this
is added the expense Of keeping up the Afri-
ear Squadron which last year consisted Of the
81. Louis, Cumberland, Vncennes, Dale and
Mcrion, it will be found that our total bill for
tbs suppression of the slave trade foots up
every year but litt!s short Of million. Should |
captures continue at the present rate of one
month the expense will reach tw, millions
~He iaStiSet 1uestiou tuh. EEiseS ueIo IN,
what adequate return is made for this heavy
outlay Of the public moneys7 tits true that
al occasional SLAYER is interc epted and the
rsg1oes returned to Africa, but whether to
meet the same fate again, or to be placed in
a better or worse condition Is not very clear.
But, however this may be, one thing lie GER
:aia, the slave trade is no. only not cxtin-
guishcd but 10 on the increase.
This brings US to the second point, which
is 80 plain as to require but little comment
From the frequent rumors of the fitting out
Of suspected slsvers on the N. York and New
England coasts, It is clear that not one in ten
ofthose actually. engaged in the trade 10 cap
.uye6, and II Is therefore equally clear that
The aggregate Of slaves is increased from this
source tens Of thousands every year. Here
Is practical field for the labors and energ %
4 or Antl-slsvsry philsntbropists afeld in