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COLLECTION TITLE:

Elizabeth Donnan papers

COLLECTION ID NUMBER/CALL NUMBER

MS 184

ACCESSION NUMBER:

None

SERIES NUMBER:

I

BOX NUMBER:

1

FOLDER NUMBER:

2

YALE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY

MANUSCRIPTS AND ARCHIVES

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Manuscripts & Archives

Negroes imported. The following facts have been communicated from such authority as leaves us no room to doubt their authenticity. It is the common practice at New-Orleans to send an agent abroad to the West Indies, and even to Africa, to purchase a cargo of slaves. They are then brought to the United States for about one third what they can be purchased at here. So soon as the slave ship arrives off the coast of Africa, the agent leaves her, and goes in the most expeditious manner to New-Orleans, where he gives information to the proper authority, that a certain vessel is in the Mississippi River, said to be bound to New-Orleans, and having on board a certain number of negro slaves, contrary to the law of the United States. The vessel and cargo are libelled; and the slaves are sold at public vendue and purchased cheaply, by common consent, for account of the original importer. One half of the purchase money goes to the United States, and the other half to the informer, who, as before mentioned, is the agent of the owner of the slaves. Thus, after all expenses, negro slaves are imported at less than half what they would cost in the United States. In this way not less than 10,000 slaves have been imported into Louisiana in the year last past.

*Dem Press*.

> [A writer in the 'Federal Republican', who signs himself a _Citizen of New Orleans_, totally denies the preceding statements. He avers that only one sale has been made under the authority of the U. States; at which the negroes were sold from 1000 to 1300 dollars perhead! He also refers to the law of 1307 to prohibit the exportation of slaves, for much light on the subject as to the United States receiving one-half of the purchase money of slaves sold on account of importation.]

*Niles' Register*, XV. 269,

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We have, however, now to make a more pressing call for immediate
relief and aid. A few days since, the hon. Wm. H. Crawford, secretary
of the treasury, one of the vice presidents of the society, transmitted
to the board of managers an advertisement in a Georgia newspaper offering
for sale, on the 4th of May next, thirty or forty negroes, who had
been introduced into the state in violation of the law prohibiting
the slave trade. (1) The law of Georgia, directing these sales, passed
December 19th, 1817, may be found in the appendix to the second
annual report of the Society, p. 91, letter 1. By the third section
of that law, it is provided, " That if, previous to any sale of any
such persons of color, the society for colonizing the free persons
of color, within the United States, will undertake to transport
them to Africa, or any other foreign place, which they may procure as
a colony for free persons of color, at the sole expense of said
society, and shall likewise pay to his excellency the governor all
expenses incurred by the state since they have been captured and con-
demned, his excellency the governor is authorized and requested to
aid in promoting the benevolent views of said society in such a manner
as he may deem expedient."

The board unanimously determined to avail themselves of the
privilege contained in this law, and to send an agent to Georgia to
comply with the conditions, and to take charge of these unhappy vic-

Niles' Register, XVI. 166, May 1, 1819.

times of violence and fraud, for the purpose of returning them to their
native soil. Preparations are making, with the aid of the government, to
write for a safe asylum, (2) where they will be provided for and instructed till
the colony can be prepared for their reception. Providence has thus enlarged
the sphere of usefulness and the field of exertion for the society. The man-
agers are called to a more active duty, and an opportunity is thus given to
the public, in the commencement of our operations, to test the sincerity of
those expressions of detestation so frequently uttered against the slave trade,
and of those frequent expressions of sympathy for the abused and oppressed
Afri ans. The call is urgent, the occasion pressing, the time short; much is
to be done in a few days, or these unhappy beings will be beyond our reach.
It is supposed that about five thousand dollars may be required for this ob-
ject; and, as there is not time to make personal application to individuals,
it is requested that the auxiliary societies and individuals favorable to this
this object, will make immediate exertions to raise funds to enable the board
to comply with the conditions of the Georgia law. Money collected for this
purpose, and donations for the general object of the society, may be forwarded
to David English, cashier of the Union Bank of Georgetown, District of Columbia,
treasurer of the society.

We know that we commence our operations and make this call at a time
peculiarly embarrassing. Times and seasons are in the hands of Him who doeth
what seemeth to him right, and can overrule all to our good. He who giveth

for such objects, but lendeth to the Lord. We have followed what we believe
to be the openings of Providence. This time may be selected to try our faith,
and test out sincerity. The widow's mite was more acceptable than the costly
offerings of the great. Will not, then, the sacrifices now made in a proper spirit,
be more acceptable than the offerings from the overflowings of abundance?

By order of the board of managers,
E.B.Caldwell, Secretary.
Jno. Underwood, Recording secretary.

( Note 1.)

From the Georgia paper.
Sale of African Slaves.

On Tuesday, the 4th of May next, in the town of Milledgeville, will be ex-
posed to public sale, to the highest bidder, between thirty and forty prime
African slaves, which have been taken possession of by the state of Georgia,
in consequence of their having been introduced contrary to the laws of the
state, and of the U. States. Indisputable title will be made, and prompt pay-
ment required.

By order of the governor.
Charles Williamson, Agent.

( Note 2.)

George W.P. Custis, esq. of Arlington, the grandson of Mrs. Washington,
cheerfully offered the use of his island near Cape Charles, at the mouth of
the Chesapeake bay, and accompanied the offer with a refusal to accept any
compensation. It is called Smith's Island; and is happily adapted, and most
favorably located for the purpose; and has been selected by the president of
of the United States for the captured Africans till they can be sent to Africa.

Milledgeville, May 4th, 1819.

My dear sir: This day, which was to have been the day of bondage and
sorrow to the poor Africans on whose account I was sent to this place,
has been turned into a day of liberty and joy to them. At least, I
confidently hope that the arrangements we have made will eventuate this
happily, and that, before the year is ended, they will see their native
land and all which they love most on earth. The governor has postponed
the sale, and afforded me an opportunity of seeking among the humane and
generous of this southern country, the means of their redemption. I
enter upon this task tomorrow, by convening the citizens of this place
to form an auxiliary society. An attempt has been made to recover these
poor creatures into the hands of certain individuals who were concerned
either in their first capture, or in their purchase and introduction into
this state- but their is, I hope, nothing to fear from this combination
of avarice and oppression against the claims of justice and humanity. I
arrived here on Saturday evening, and on Sunday morning walked out to their
little encampment in the vicinity of the town to see them. As I ap-
proached their habitation I found them gathered round a good old man,
into whose care they had been given, and who was telling them that some
good people had sent me to prevent their sale, and carry them back to Africa.
I wish you could have been with me to have witnessed their joy; they crowded
around me and by turns took hold of my hands, and in broken English expressed
their gratitude. They at first (as the old man told me) would scarcely be-
lieve it; they had never heard of any such thing before, and it is no wonder
they should doubt it. Even the next day one of them said to him, " white
people never send negroes back to Africa; I never see my children again."
#

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Niles' Register, XVI. 233-234, May 29, 1819.

Manuscripts & Archives

The old man who had gained their confidence, asked them if he ever told them a lie, and this seemed to encourage their faith. A very strong attachment has grown up between them and him, and I have seen them shed teears while speaking to them about leaving him. He asked one, who seem-ed more overjoyed than the rest at the thought of going, " if he wanted to leave old Daniel, ( for that is his name) who had taken such good care of him, and given him so much good messes?" The poor fellow hung his head as if convicted of ingratitude, and then said " he did not want to leave him, but wanted home better;" and promised that " if he would go to Africa he would serve him two, three years, and give him too much good things."

Indeed, my dear friend, a few moments were sufficient to satisfy me that they were the children of the same God with ourselves, having the same infections, and capable of the same enjoyments. On their countenance I could see written these memorable words: " Am I not a man and a brother?" Some of them so strikingly resemble some of our American negroes, that I could have sworn I had seen them before, had I met them in another place or under different circumstances. Some of them have very sensible and amiable countenances, while others are vacant and unmeaning. They were captured in two parts from Angola and Fowah, and brought together at the Rio Pangos, from whence they were shipped. I learned the history of each one, and discovered that, so far from all being taken in war and sold, instead of being killed, as the advocates of the slave trade maintain, not one of these were prisoners of war, but most of them seized by wretches hired for the purpose, in the fields, on the road, or sleeping in their houses. They express, by word, and the dismal contortion of their faces,

the greatest horror at their treatment during the passage. Every
morning many were taken out of the hold dead, and thrown (as they
say) to be messes for the fish, and the rest could scarcely live
for the horrid smell of the ship. It was in this cargo, or the
one seized a short time before, and brought into Savannah, while
off our coast, they were reduced to the necessity of eating the
flesh
from their own arms, for the sustenance of life. In conversing with
such of them as had learned to speak the English tolerably well, I
found that they had been to Sierra Leone and Sherbro, and well
acquainted with those places. Many of them had seen Kissell,
and said he was a good man; and when I mentioned the name of Paul
Cuffee, half a dozen at least cried out yes! They seemed to know
and appreciate his character. One of the boys in the parcel can
write Arabic; and, I am told, in the other parcel which were sold,
there were several who must have been great men in their country,
and who had made considerable proficiency in such learning as might
be acquired by intercourse with the northern part of Africa. One of
them asked with great concern, if we would not send back those who
were sold last year, and seemed distressed at being told that it
would be impossible. A gentleman, who was present at their sale,
describes their parting to their several masters as a most afflict-
ing scene. When they bid each other farewell, never expecting to
meet again, they wept most bitterly, and plainly proved that the
feelings of nature were as strong in them as in any others. This is

a dreadful subject to write about, my dear friend, but it is
my duty to give you such a detail; we must know the extent of the
evil before we can apply a remedy.

The Africans whose release we are seeking will be left under
the care of the same good old man already mentioned, and whom I
cannot mention too often with commendation. God seems to have raised
him up to be the friend of these unfortunate race of beings; he is
never as happy as when in the midst of them, and they ever look up
to him as their best friend. He is universally beloved in this
place. You cannot mention his name, but each one exclaims, " Daniel
in the best man in the world, and the fittest person to manage these
poor captives." So much is he devoted to this cause, and so gen-
erous in his nature, that, though very poor, he said he would give
fifty dollars of his wages to the society. He will conduct them to
the ship, whenever they go onto Smith's Island, if they be ordered
there; indeed it would be impossible to get them willing to follow
any other person, for they confide in no other.

I have now given you all the necessary information about the
special object of my mission to this place. On Friday I set out
for Augusta, where I shall spend several days, thence to Savannah,
Beaufort, Charleston, Georgetown, Wilmington, and so on to Virginia.
It will be sometime in July before I reach home, even without any un-
expected delay.

With sincerity, I remain your friend,

William Mead.

E. B. Caldwell, esq.

Secretary American colonization society.

Slave Trade.

From the Boston Daily Advertiser.

At the circuit court of the United States, now in session in this town, before his honor judge Story, the associate judge, and his honor judge Davis, the district judge, came on for trial, on Thursday morning last, two indictments, viz/: one against Joseph Findley Smith, late of Baltimore, in the district of Maryland; the other against Adolph Lacoste, lately residing in the city of New York, wherein they were charged respectively, with violations of the act of Congress of April, 1818, prohibiting the slave trade.

These trials continued until Saturday evening, and resulted in the conviction of both prisoners; the jury having been prompt in their return of verdicts to that effect.

The prosecutions were conducted on the part of the United States, by George Blake, Esq., district attorney, and the defense by J. T. Austin, and Stephen Hooper, Esquires.

It appeared in the course of the evidence, that Smith was the master, and probably owner in part of one of the offending vessels, to wit: the schooner called the Plattsburg, ( the same vessel on board of which former piracies and murders were perpetrated by the four convicts who were executed last year), that this vessel was fitted out from Baltimore, and sailed from thence on a slaving voyage, under the commission of Smith, in December last; that the other offending vessel, to wit, a schooner

Niles' Register, XIX. 215-216, Dec. 2, 1820.

called the *Science*, was equipped and sailed from the port of New-York, under the command of the other defendant, *Lacoste*, in the course of the last autumn, and that both vessels were encountered in the month of April last, on the coast of Africa, while engaged in procurement of slaves, and taken possession of by the U.Sship of war *Cyane*, Trenchard, master, and sent for adjudication to the port of New-York. The crews of the vessels, consisting principally of foreigners, shipped at foreign ports, were immediately released from imprisonment and set at large, after the conviction of the above mentioned principal offenders. The court now stands adjourned to the 28th of the present month, at which time it is understood, that sentence will be pronounced upon the convicts.

The following documents are translations of papers found on captain *Lacoste*, and produced on the trial. We publish them for the purpose of showing the course of the trade in which he was engaged.

New-York, 31st Dec. 1819.

Mr. Francisco Mattheu, St. Johns, in Porto Rico;

Dear Sir: In consequence of the orders that I have received from my brother Don Pedro Malibran, of Trinity, in Cuba, I consign to you the American schooner *Science*, captain A. Lacoste, with a cargo of sundry articles, as per bill of lading and invoice, amounting to $ 2,896,59. Be so good immediately after the arrival of the *Science*, to effect the sale of her as well as of her cargo, in the name of Don Pedro Malibran, inhabitant of the port of Trinidad, in Cuba. You know that my brother was born in Cadiz, and is acknowledged at Trinidad, in Cuba, as a Spaniard; consequently, I imagine that

there will be no difficulty to make him owner of the schooner <u>Science</u>, and of her cargo. In effecting this charge, I request you <u>to give her the name of</u> <u>La Dichosa</u>, and to cause Don Juan Termison, to be acknowledged as her captain, who goes on board for the purpose of filling the office of <u>capitan de papel</u>, (nominal captain). Captain Lacoste has my orders to pursue his voyage and repair afterwards to Trinidad in Cuba. I rely on your attention <u>for accomplishing the</u> end of my desires, and I must recommend to you the greatest speed, wishing that <u>Dichosa</u> may be detained in your port, but very few days. You will have the goodness to make the disbursements which shall be necessary for this effect, and with the greatest economy, and you will debit them to me in our account current..................

E. Maliban

New-York, January 1, 1820.

Captain Adolphus Lacoste, on board the American schooner <u>Science</u>, destined for St. John of Porto Rico:

Dear Sir: The object of the present is to lay before you my instructions relative to the voyage which you have engaged to undertake together with me.

1st. It is agreed that you should repair directly from New-York to St. John de Porto Rico.

2d. On your arrival at the aforesaid port, you will deliver the letter enclosed to Don Francisco Mattheu, who is your consignee. If by chance this gentlemen should be absent, you would consign yourself to Don Jose Grau, or to Don Fernando Grupers, with whom I am connected in business and in friendship,

7th. Beside the general invoice of the cargo on board of the *Science*, I forward to you in a small box marked F. G. 48 watches of English manufacture, double cased, which I authorize you to exchange at the places where you are to take your cargo, either for gold dust or for elephants' teeth of a handsome quality. You must consider that those watches cost $10 each, and you must regulate yourself consequently, to make an exchange of them, which may be advantageous to me. For this small object, as well as for the transaction of all this operation, I refer myself absolutely to you, well persuaded as I am, that you can correspond to the confidence, which I repose in you- I doubt not but you deserve it.

8th. I cannot recommend to you too much the choice of the cargo which you go to seek, and I beg of you to give all your attention to it, and to act agreeably to my separate instructions, relative to the manner of trading in the countries where you are going. These instructions are given by a very experienced person, and it is important to follow them as much as will be possible for you.

9th. You will take care, in concert with your consignee at Porto Rico, to return me the register of the *Science* by the first opportunity for New-York, as well as the certificate proving the landing of merchandise entitled to draw-back - to this end I forward two copies of it to the consignee.

10th. Here follows the conditions of the voyage which you are going to undertake. I think you must have reason to be satisfied with them; as for myself I subscribe to them willingly. I allow $45 per month, to be reckoned from the day on which you have taken command of the *Science* until your arrival, and during your stay at Porto Rico; until your arrival at Trinidad, in Cuba,

with the _Dichosa_, $ 60 per month, with a privilege of four heads, which I authorize you to buy with a part of the cargo at your disposal; moreover three dollars per head delivered at Trinidad, in Cuba.

11th. There shall be allowed to the Spanish captain (Juan Martin) $ 50 per month as soon as he shall take the title of captain of the _Dichosa_, and until his arrival at Trinity, in Cuba; moreover, $ 2 per head until his arrival on the number of persons delivered to Don Pedro Malibán.

12th. There shall also be allowed to the mate (Haight) $ 40, to be reckoned from the day on which the _Science_ shall become Spanish property, moreover $ 2 per head as aforementioned for the Spanish captain.

13th. As for the rest of the crew who shall have embarked at Porto Rico, you must govern yourself according to the usage of the place for similar voyages.

14th. On your arrival at Porto Rico, you must procure about fifty shackles; in the barrel that you have on board the _Science_, there are only four and fifty pair hand cuffs. Let me hear from you on your arrival at Porto Rico as well as on your arrival at Trinidad, in Cuba. I wish you a prosperous voyage, and I entreat you to believe in my attachment.

E. Malibán, Malibán

I, the undersigned, translator of languages, do certify, that the foregoing translation from the French, is true.

F. Sales.

Boston, 27th October, 1820.