The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1909-11-25
,p African Slave Trade In I845.

Ome American Vessels Engaged in It.
One was the Brig Kentucky, built in
Prospect.
sEARsPoRT, November 22nd. The New
ark Evangelist of August IA, 1S45, con-
drs letter from Rio Janeiro under
sts of March, 1S45, which gives a
,ry interesting account of the African
Ave trade Of that day, in which several
r,srcan vessels were engaged. Among
,en was the brig Kentucky of 200 tons,
Nit by the late Master John Carver in
aspect, now Searsport, in 1888. Capt.
eniamin Carver was her first command
alter she was commanded by Phineas
-~i.eton, End, and while under his COM
..~a she was sold to Willis & Hart of
. York, with Capt. George H. Doug
IS, as master. Her New York owners
rsr sold her to Manuel Pinto de Fonseca
. Portugal, who was engaged in the
8,e traffic. The Kentucky was finally
ftlred by a British man-of-war and
# N fire. The letter begins with a
,aration from Daniel Webster's Ply
5urh speech, in which he said of the
traffic: at is not fit that the land
the Pilgrims should bear the shame
GER" and continues as follows:
\ recent call upon the American
Ter to Brazil, Hon. Henry A. Wise
rginia, furnishes material in facts
ael for reflection, which feel dis
to lay before the readers of the
gelist, or anybody else that has
thereto. / found him In the fine
he has taken in the northwest part
city, long ways out of town, in
lburb called Eugenevolho. 1t is
Il ably located for the quiet and
in of an interesting family of six
rem, one of them little babe, born
l-azilian. They are busy enough in
IS and pastimes within the ample
-laded limits of their enclosure, yet
+ I'D but that the elder ones often sigh
# e society and scenes of home, and
themselves again there.
nough without a letter of introduce
met with courteous and atfable
ton from Mr.. Wise, and an imme
reply to all my inquiries concerning
slave trade in American bottoms,
was the object of my call. He
5een vigorously prosecuting an in
-tgation into this Infamous business
since he has been here, and it is his
nent, that no less than 1000 slaves
j been imported from Africa during
asst year, and 5000 since August last,
4merican bottoms. He grew eloquent,
,patiating upon the prostitution of
american flag to the slave trade, and
lis chief business while here had
.. 10 examine dispositions and papers,
make inquisition into the recent cases
njch American merchantmen had
engaged in this nefarious traffick,
transmit the proofs to Washington;
hat he had never worked harder in
fe before. He has a large folio vol
,. a good part of it closely written
H copies of the dispatches on this
ct to the Department of State, from
b he read extracts to show his views
it, and to make me acquainted with
rames and ownership of a number of
IS from the United States, that have
and still are prosecuting this infer
raffick.
comments herewith transmitted will
the nature, connections, and extent
lie African slave trade as it is, and
Tor some time been, unblushingly
led on by our citizens under our flag.
7as grown so bold and so bad as no
Eer to wear mask, even to those
reside here, and who are at all ac-
-suted with the trade between Brazil!
africa. Upon information showing
than probable grounds, | hesitated
advise our Consul, Mr.. Gordon, to
a-, the arrest of the master, mates,
rev of the brig Montevideo, and to
them in custody on board of the
s'1n sloop-of-war until he could eX-
into the case. The examination
roceeded to a great length, and |
given to it my personal attention
Tendance; and | must say, it has
9ped a combination of persons and
ans to carry on this Infamous traf-
o the utter disgrace of human ma
md to the dishonor of our flag and
-hree nations England, Brazil, and
uited States. y American Minister
Secretary of State.
expresses the opinion, that if the
of the United States knew the
to which this worst of piracies is
eted under their flag, and by yes
sunched and owned in their free
ern waters, a law would be passed
very next session of Congress,
ding all trade with the coast of
H. He says, moreover, that every
entious American ship-owner may
ven to understand, that if he sends
-ssel to this port, with instructions
mission to the captain to get her
cred for the coast of Africa, she
he sure to be engaged directly, or in
1tly, in the slave-trade; either as a
Ear to other slavers, or herself to
any the dreadful cargo of miserable
leans. American merchants here, to
n the American captains consign,
b Ningly aid ard abet the slave trade,
artering the vessels so consigned to
for the coast of Africa, at much
ger rate per month than can be got if
. -lsewhere: not, indeed, for anything
"a appears on the face of the charter
lrrs, to be engaged in the slave trade,
. not the less sure for that, on purpose
cOsecute the trade of blood.
1merican houses q repeat it, are the