Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1860-03-03
Gbe Anti 9Iourrp Br9Ir.
. From the Journal Of Commerce,
INCREASING ACTIVITY OF THE SLAVE
OF TRADE,

INCREASING ACTIVITY OF THE SLAVE
''a' TRADE.
In the nefurious slave-trade, Americans are par
,icipatint largely if not in direct venture, at
least 10 cooperation in selling aud equippiDg the
vesses EN- ployed. An American merchant Of this
city who is conversant with the subject, expresses
his conviction that vessels have been fitting out
constantly 10 New York, and more Of them during
the last year than before that some Of our busi--
ness arms in high repute and above suspicion, are
Intimately concerned that some of the facts in
regard to this matter are scarcely credible if they
has not leaked out incidentally while the case Of
the Wauderer was under investigation. Even in
that agran violation Of United States laws, south
ern men, it would appear, were not alone respon-
sble. In TRUTH by far the majority of all the
slavers leaving this country are fitted out in New
York and the esstefn states, though New Orleans
particularly does her share Of the business While
the truth of these allegations is not doubted, it
might be very difficult to adduce proof adequate
to secure criminal conviction. So similar are
the vessels employed in the legal as illegtimate
African :rade, as respects appearance, crew. car
go, &C., that rigid attempt to discriminate IN
the port of departure would affect alike the inno-
cent and the guilty, and all to purpose for 10
almost any supposable case, the evidences OF
y criminal preparation would easily Se sworn away.
But if difficulties thus formidable are encounter
ed in attempting to prevent the fitting out OF slav
ers in American ports, they are surpassed by the
obstacles with which cruisers have to contend in
seeking to effect the capere of these vessels on
t 9 highway of the ocean, The strong ground
taken by the United States government in relation
IL Ia
British cruisers to modest American shipping With
out first acquiring indubiaole evidence OF Its
true character, has led to the almost universal as
sumption Of the flag Of the United States by ves-
sells, of whatever nation engaged in the slave trad
Therefore in the absence Of suthclent United
STATES naval force tho coast OF Africa, moving
rapidly under steam propulsion, the refuge made
SO easily available has operated to encourage hd-
grant offences. American cruisers, too, need to
exercise extreme caution for unless detected with
cargo of slaves on board, the captured vessel is
almost escape in the courts, leaving the
United Sta,es naval Officers to annoying litigation
and no thanks for their pains. Almost within
fortnight we have had two illustrations Ia point.
; Our St. Helena correspondent (who is only eight
or ten davis sail from the West Coast, and well
informed;) wrote home under date Of October Goth.
stating that that the bark Emily, OF New York,
had been captured by the United States sloop
Portsmouth having on board "all the appurte-
nances necessary for the special ser7ice,' and
would shortly arrive in New York. The Emily
was soon in custody of the United States Marshal
but only last week she again called, under CIR
cumstances which made her liable to suspicion
On epauiring Of the United States Marshal at this
mort for an ex 2lanatiou we were Informed that
said vessel had been bonded, stipGllted for,
and discharged from custody" This dore, the
Mashal had no more control. Another case is that
OF the bark Orion, which was captured last April
off Congo river, by the United States sloop.ot-war
Marion having fitted out in this citT' as was
alleged, for the purpose of procuring slaves. She
was coudemn by no Ulited States District Court
1,but, within the lime allowed by law, the case was
o appealed to the United States Circuit Court
Pending a decision, the vessel was bonded for
her value, while in custody Of the United Stats
Marshal, and forthwith proceeded to sea. We
next hear Of her capture by Her Maestys steamer
a Pluto near LoandO with eight hundred and eighty
slaves on board. At present the United States
Marshal for New York has in custody the brig
Hooper, seized in this port awaiting trial. but. oi
course with results which may be easily antciPat-
ed Since the present Marshal was IN othc9 there
has not been a single condemnation and sale Ii
is not strange that, thus envroned with Obstacles
the United States authorities, naval and civil
should find the suppression of the slave trade an
" undertaking of the greatest difficulty.
-.,. Itis a circumstance offering some encourage
ment that the four light draught steamers detailed
by the Secretary the Navy to cruise on the coast
Of Guinea, entering the harbors and rivers where
. the slave-trafic was most carried on, had reached
their stations at last accounts and were likely to
send home many prizes. One vessel had already
been taken. But the most pressing want OF the
service is a commercial steamer plying regularly
along the West coast, encouraging the Legitimate
trade and conveying intelligence by which to reg
ulate the movements of the naval forces
!. Englap2 has found steamers thus employed to
be indispensable. United States Marshals should,
at all our ports, he required TO accept none but
valid bonds, Immediately colectabe, before sus-
-Pected vessels are discharged from custody. 9th
srwiss, the efforts of our cruisers are paraysd and
p, their apparent activity farce. There never was
q more favorable time for efficient action. Sayers
fud their principal source of supply in the ne gu
borhood Of the Congo river, aud their market in
tg Cuba. The field of action was never, until the
last few years, 20 restricted and accessible.
ii ',9 FREE NEGROES IN KENTUCKY
The Kentucky House of Representatives passed
K. h;l hu n vota of IT IN & nroViding for the remo-