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Show 220 CUBA. granted under the Presidency of Monroe, that was found to be inconvenient, and led to a change of system on the part of America; and that had this mutual right been confined to certain limits near the African coast, no olljection would ever have been made to it. Such being the facts of the case, I would venture to suggest to thy calm consideration, whether within thes~ safe limits, the provision in question might not yet be conceded. There can be no doubt that such a measure, more than almost any other, would facilitate the suppression of the odious traffic. l entreat thee, to make use of the weight of thy own influence, in favor of the affirmative settlement of this essential point. Before I leave the subject of Cuba, I think it right to remark, that all persons who visit that island, must be aware of the distinction between the newly im· ported slaves, and those who have been born on the island, or have been long employed in the service of their masters. The former called Bozals, being illegally introduced, are not regarded by the laws of Spain, as the property of their holders. In the much agitated case of the Amistad, the decision of the local courts of Connecticut, against the delivering up of the slaves, was grounded, as I understood, on the fact that these persons were not Ladinos-i. e. trne Cuban slaves-but Bozals, who are no slaves at all, in the eye of the Spanish law. Now we are aware that an appeal has been made against that decision, to the Supreme Court of the Unitep States. I would remark, that should the decree be reversed, it would have the injurious effect of giving the sanction of the highest CUBA. 221 legal t.r ibunal of t.h is country' to tha t sh arne f ul traffic by whtch these _m iserable men were b rongh t m· to I. lle-gal bondage-.m to the cond. ition 0~1 -' Bozals· ,. an d t11 us the co-operatiOn of Amertcan citizens · · • ID promotmg that traffic, would be encouraged 'a nd co n fi nne(1. That so great a calamity may be 'tve t 1 b • c r ec, 1nnst e the earnest desire of all who wish well t o the cause of justice and humanity. I cannot satisfactorily conclude this letter without expressing my deep sorrow of heart, that the flag of the freest nation upon earth should be found, with such perfect impunity, and to so great an extent affording its broad shelter to the blackest of crime~ again~t the .liberties of mankind; and that so many Americans, m defiance of your own law, which treats the African slave-trade as piracy, should be taking an active part in promoting it and carrying it on. Thesl', I doubt not, are su~jects of lamentation to a multitude of enlightened and pious Americans, as well as to the friends of the cause in our own country. When this public feeling becomes more general and intense than it is at present, we may hope that adequate remedies will be applied. I am willing however to conf~ss my own ap.prehension, that we shall never enjoy the full and cordml co-operation of America, in our efforts to extinguish the African slave-trade until she . ' ts herself emancipated from her canker within-! mean slavery in all its branches, and more especially her own domestic traffic in the bodies and souls of men. I am, &c. &c. |