New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-03-03
IMPORTANT FROM AFRICA.
ALARMING INCREASE OF THE SLAVE-TRiDB.
STARTLING DEVELOPMENTS.
NECESSITY FOR IMMEDIATE ACTION.
From Our Own Correspondent
limited STATES SHIP PORTSMOUTH,.

III IL now elgnt montnh slnCS ILLS sup ict lno
United States as cruiser on the West Coast OF
Africa for the space Of two years, TO form part OF
the squadron there maintained, in accordance with
the treaty made by the United States with England,
providing for the keeping of a certain number OF
guns distributed along that coast, in our national
vessels, in order to suppress and finally extermnate
that most cruel, internal, and horrible traffic, the
sla7e-trade.
In the making OF treaty Of this kind, it is to
be supposed that it is meant to be something more
than dead letter; yet, it seems, frem the loose
and indeterminste nature of the Instructions given
to our naval officers, and the facility with which
vessels are cleared in the United States, even if
captured, that, on the part Of the United States,
it has been almost virtually imperative to the sup
preston OF the trade, beyond the mere presence OF
two or three ships occasionally at few points
along the coast.
Things have gone on in this way for years.
The trade has increased beyond measure; our flag
has been subject to continual annoyance and sur
yeillance from British cruisers because our ships
have not been near to attend to their duty to fulfill
their obligations, to board and examine American
ships, to take their nprizes, and TO keep in check
the overbearing spirit of English officers. Conse-
quently every thing 10 in confusion; there are no
united, harmonious cooperative efforts made to sup
press the trade and national reputation has suf
fered lamentaby in the eyes of England
The few months experience we have had on the
coast has not been altogether thrown away. II has
thoroughly coRr=ced u.s. that the whole Stare coast
zee may say lined ruth slaeers, oho generally
from Ner- York, cleared from the Custom House,
bringing all the appliances Of the trade nth them,
and maneuceriag about on the coast, under rariOus
pretenses and dsguises Of legal INDEPENDENTLY
under that most specious blind, The obtaining Of palm
OIL until, the facoraJIe moment haoiHg arrived, The
cargo IS shipped, and ttp hours .6Hds them out Of
danger, on the ray to the West Indies.
Much ignorance prevails at home in relation to the
true state of affairs the coast. The panl-Oa trade
is supposed 10 be in highly 1Ourshing condition. We
are told that the competition between English and
American merchants TO obtain possession of this trade
IL 80 great that they are almost ready to cut each
others throas in their eager desire another of
the coast and that is the policy OF England through
her navy TO annoy American vessels much that
they will not come for oil. This opinion is phoiy
fnlse.
In the first place, there fer English vessels
engaged in tbs oil trade Daring eight months, we
have seen but one, while il the same psrol we have
encountered dozens OF pretended American oil traders
The English officers know of but three English legal
traders the slave coast. Again. the vessels have
examined have generally been cleared from New-York
for period Of seven 10 nine months while, under IA
vorsble crcsmstances nearly two yearsor would
be required TO gil the large casks they have the oil
is obtained slowly, and in small quantities az a time.
AT the present time, too, oil s scarce and az AM
brz, to which point these vessels clear aacor for
fee hours aud then leare, there II 10 be had,
we were informed by merchants there. Moreover,
these vessels leave New-York with the holds filed
with acaer casks full Of fresh water under the pre-
tense Of carrying the water for ballast and on the
coast pumping cut the water and filing them with OIL
Now, oater casks and OF casks are two different
things and the legal traders have tod us that The oil
casks come out in slaves, put together here, and
previous 70 being flled with oil are whitewashed in
side and outside.
Ths being the case, and the modes OF Disgusting the
real objects of vessels coming 70 Africa being 30 va
rous and easy of attainment the only way to carry
out the full intent and spirit Of the treaty and really TO
suppress the slave.rade and something must be done,
things have arrived AT such pitch s the declaration
on the part OF the United States that any vessel found
on the Western Coast OF Africa under American col
ors carrying water oasks certain number, say
eight buckets over five SIX rice and hrina, salt OF
salt fish beyond certain fixed quantity, spoons gal
leys paDking, or lumber, shall be captured as law
ful prize and so considered to any United States veg
eel Of war 80 capturing without any mock trial at
some mort 10 the United States where tho immense
yed influence and interest Of these worst OF
pirates can clear any vesee found Will the slaves
aLsou:ely aboard OF her, and often do it then.
Tho vesseJs engaged in the trade, in addition TO
the abb. = named articles carry large quantities Of
calico prints, crockery, run, &c., with which to pay
for the slaves Being cleared with papers all correct
&C., and oftentimes Portuguese or Spanish super
cargo and foreign captain they make boldly for the
point OF the coas to which they are bound stay
few DAYS, and then proceed under cover OF trading,
from point to point alaye depot 70 slave depot along
she coast engage The cargo pay for H. and proceed to
sea, until The time agreed upon for picking up the
slaves On the night determined upon, they FAIL
cautiously yet boldly in anchor AM in two or three
hous are filed with negroes, whe carried of to-
them in canoes. The refractory ones are eappsd in
irons or AIDE drunk with and in hs srupeed con-
dition they are carried aboard slowed in a sitting pos
ture, with the knees drawn up ~ closely Tat they
can scarcely breathe, much less
Now their suierings tesome dreadful, horrible in
deed, human language is incapable Of describing or
ina inaton Of kechng even tie faint outline Of
dimly floating fancy of what their condition ishome
sick sea-tsk hslfsaved, naked, crying for air, for
water the strong killing the weak, dying in order
10 Il axe roon, the hold becomes perfect charnel-
house Of death and msery-a misery and anguish only
conceivable by those who have endured il. Ophthalmi
breaks ont; every new case s thrown overheard, I'M
der the upposi.on that the disease is contagious, and
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