The Texas Sun. (Richmond, Tex.), Vol. 1, No. 8, Ed. 1 Saturday, March 3, 1855 Page: 1 of 4
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a. H. RAW LINGS fc CO.
THE TOOIÍ OF I¥0 1AX; THE SLATE OF !¥0 PARTY.
PUBLISHER
ntOFUEtOR«>
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VOLUME 1.
RICHMOND CITY, TEXAS, SATURDAY, MARCH 3, 1855.
NUMB
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:
Tho Two Mottoes.
Two young men were standing in tlic
coach office at Cernay, who had just taken
•places for Keysersberg. Both appeared
about twenty-four years old, but their fea-
tures presented a remarkable difference.—
The swarthy complexion, quick movement,
and impatience at the least delay or contra-
diction, betrayed at the first glance, the
southern origin of the smaller of the two.
Tip other, tall fair and ruddy, was a perfect
type of that mixed Alsatian race, where
French vivacity is tempered with German
good nature. At their feet were two small
trunks, marked with their cards of address.
Upon one was " Henry Fortin, Marscillais."
The four corners had this motto stamped up-
on them, "My Right." The other trank
had this inscription, " Joseph Mulzen, Stras-
burg," and his motto was " Charity."
The office keeper had just inscribed their
names npon the register, adding these last
words—with two portmanteaus; when Henry
Fortin called for them to be weighed. The
office keeper said that would be done at
Keysersberg, but the young gentleman say-
ing it would be a great inconvenience at
the moment of his arrival, insisted upon hav
ing it done now, declaring that he had a
right to demand it. The official thus press-
ed, became as obstinate as Fortin, and would
toot comply. Joseph Mulzen tried in vain
to make fortin understand they had scarcely
time to dine, and this dispute would deprive
them altogether, of the opportunity. But
true to his motto, the Marseillais never gave
up when he thought he was in the right;—
the misfortune was, he always thought so.
The altercation was becoming bitter, when
the office keeper becoming tired of the ob-
stinate young gentleman, abruptly left him
and went home. Henry made an effort to
keep the dispute up with another official,
but happily he spoke only German. He
therefore compelled to resign himself
follow hiscompaniuu to the iuü, although
in a very ill humor.
"God pardon me," he said, " but yon ase
enough to try a saint. You would net speak
a single word to assist me against that obsti-
nate foe."
"It appears to me," said Mulzen, laugh-
ing, "that be needed my assistance moie,
for you heaped up as many arguments as it'
you were engaged in a law suit where your
property and honor were both at stake."
"According to your reasons, then, it is
better not to maintain our rights?"
" When the right is not worth contending
for."
"Ah, there you are," interrupted Henry,
impatiently, " you are always ready to con-
cede everything. One must tread upon
your neck before you will think of defend-
ing yourself. Instead of looking upon the
world as a battle-field, where every one is
engaged with his enemies, you regard it as
a drawing room where kind acts and polite
courtesies are interchanged."
"Not that exactly," replied Mulzen, "but
rather as a great vessel, where every pas-
8W^6T owes to each other reciprocal kind-
nesses and benevolence. Every man is my
friend until he declares himself my enemy."
; V " And 1 look upon every man as my ea-
£my until he proves himself a friend," re-
pled the Marseillais. " This precaution has
.always been of service to me, and I engage
that you also, will have recourse to it at Key-
seesberg. We will find ourselves among
¿he other heirs of our nncle, who will not fall
to get the most they can from us. üut for
jny part, I am determined not to yield one
pot or tittle of my rights."
While the two gentremeu were thus con-
vening, they arrived at the White Horse
' v Inn. They entered a dining room wholly
unoccupied, but the end of one of the long
fables was prepared, and three covers laid
for the expected guests, by the hostess.—
> - -í £(enry Fortin ordered two more for Mulzen
atad himself.
" I beg you to excuse me sir," said the
hostess, " but you cannot be served in this
« Why not!" he demanded.
"Because the persons for whom we have
placed these covers requested to dine alone."
" Let them dine in their own room, then,"
isdely replied Henry. " This is the com-
mon dining room, and every traveller has a
right to enter and be served in it."
<• Of what Consequence is it whether we
dine in this room or another," said Mul-
zen.
" Why must these persons be preferred to
us ?" replied Henry.
"They came first," objected the land-
lady.
" So the first comer gives the law to yoiy
house ?" cried Fortín.
"We know these persons."
" For that reason yon prefer them to us?"
" The gentleman ought to know that when
a request is made"—
" Every traveller mnst submit."
" You can be served in another room."
"With the remnants of your favorite's
dinner, [suppose?"
The hostess appeared much hurt at his
unjust insinuations. " If the gentleman is
afraid of getting a bad dinner at the White
Horse, there are other hotels at Cernay
where he may be suited," said she. ,
14 That is precisely what I was thinking,"
quickly replied Fortin, taking his cap; and
paying no attention to Mulzen, who tried to
detain him, he rapidly disappeared. Mul-
zevpJ^new from experience that it was best
to leave his cousin to his ill humor, and on
such occasions, every effort to soothe him,
only increased his belligerent propensities;
he suffered him therefore to seek a dinner
elsewhere, and ordered dinner iu another
apartment. But at the moment he was leav-
ing, three persons entered the room—an old
lady with her niece, and a gentleman appa-
rently fifty years of age, who acted as thcir
prjtector. The hostess began relating what
had passed, when she stopped suddenly oil
seeing Mtdzen. He bowed to the company
and was retiring, when the old gentleman
detained him.
" I am very sorry, sir," said lie with great
affability, "for the al'e: cation which has ta-
kvu place. Iu requesting to dine alone, 1
only desired to shun those persons whose
boisterous manners and rude conversation
might frighten the ladies, and not to drive
travellers from the White Horse, as your
friend seems to have thought. I beg, there-
fore, you will remain and dine with us."
Joseph Mulzen wished to decline the in-
vitation, saving he was not at ail wounded
at what he thought a very necessary pre-
caution.
But Mr. Itosinan, such was his name, in-
sisted so amiably and benevolently upon it,
that he was ob'iged to accede.
The old lady, who seemed but little ac-
customed to traveling, seated herself oppo-
site Mulzen, accompanied by her niece, aud
as she did so uttered a melancholy groan.
"Arc you tired Charlotte?" asked Mr.
Rosman.
" To ask if I am tired," replied the old
lady, "after passing an entire day in a jolt-
ing coach, eating at irregular hours and run-
ning all kinds of danger, for I cannot com-
prehend why we were not upset, the coach
was always leaning from one side to the nth
er. Oh dear, dear, I would willingly bar-
ter a whole year of my life to be over the
' rest of this journey."
j " Fortunately that exchange is not in your
■ power," said the young lady, smiling affec-
tionately.
" Oh. yes, you can laugh," cried Madame
Cli.u.rIotte, iu a tone of -affected anger.—
j " Young ladies in these days fear nothing,
i They travel on railroads and steamboats,
, and 1 do believe if a line of balloons were
j established, they would mount them. It is
the revolution which has made them so bold.
Before the revolution the most fearless never
traveled, hut in a cart or upon an ass. Now
it is quite andther thing. I remember hear-
ing my dear mother say, she never traveled
but on foot."
" She never went beyond the principal
town of her canton, then," observed Mr.
Rosman.
" That did not prevent her from being a
worthy and happy woman," replied Madame
Charlotte. " When a bird lias built his nest
let hiin stay there; now the habit of being
always npon the highway, weakens ones
love for home and family, one can do without
it, his home is every where. It may be
ftiore beneficial for society in general, but it
makes every one less good and less happy."
"Come, come, Charlotte, send all travel-
ers to prison if you wish," replied Mr. Ros-
man gaily, "but I hope your prejudices will
not extend to this soup, taste it and you will
confess it could not be surpassed even at
Fontaine."
They talked thus in a familiar manner—
Joseph Mulzen at first kept a discreet si-
lence, but Mr. llosman addressed him sev-
eral times, and the conversation soon bccamc
general. At length the diligence was an-
nounced, .(Uil alt hastened to settle their ac-
counts and gaii the oaice. Arriving there,
Joseph perceived his coin-in running to the
jdace. The time which Mulzen had passed
at dinner, had been spent by Fortin in going
from inn to inn, without finding any thing
prepared, and at last he was compelled to
purchase at a stall a little fruit and seme
stale bread. As we may readily imagine, this
anchoritc's repast was not calculated to
sweeten his temper. Joseph perceived it,
and wisely foreborc to question him ; besides
they had begun to call the travelers' names
who were taking their places, when the of-
fice keeper perceived be had made a mis*-
take, and the coach was full without Fortin
aud Mulzen.
"Full!" replied Henry Fortin, "but I
have paid for a seat."
" I will reimburse the monev, sir."
" You will do no such thing. As soon as
you received the money, the contract was
closed between us. I have a right to go,
and I will." Saying so, he 6eized the wheel
and jumped up to the imperial, where he
found a vacant seat. The traveller who had
formerly occupied it, came that moment and
reclaimed it; but Henry Fortin declared no
one had a right to dismount bim, and if they
endeavored to compel him, he would resist
with all his might, and meet violence with
violence. Joseph Mulzen, in vain, remon-
strated witli him. The Marscillais was fu-
rious by the want of his dinner, and persist-
ed in his resolution.
"Let every one have his right!" cried he.
"That is my motto. Yours is Charity; be
charitable if you wish ; as for myself, I am
satisfied with simple justice; I have paid
for this place, it belongs to me, and this place
will I keep."
The dispossessed traveler objected to the
priority of possession ; but Fortin who was
a lawyer, replied by quotations from the
code. They remained thus for some time,
uttering violent threats and recriminations.
Madame Charlotte heard all from the coupe,
groaned in terror and began her tirades
against travelling in general, and coaches in
particular. At length Joseph, seeing the dis-
cussion becoming more envenomed, proposed
to the oliice keeper to order a cabriolet, in
which lie aud the deposed traveller would
take seats. The expedient was accepted by
the interested parties, atul the diligence set
forth.
It was in November and the air already
keen and damp, became fieezing as day de-
clined. Henry accustomed to the warm sun
of Provence, in vain buttoned his traveling
coat up to the chin ; he shivered like a leaf
under the cold night fog. Ilis face was
pinched aud blue with cold, his teeth chat-
tered, and soon a fieezing, drizzling rain was
blown by the wind full into his face, aud sat-
urated his clothes. His neighbor, shclteied
by an ample blanket coat, might have af-
forded him some protection, by giving him
a part of it, but he was a corpulent merchant
very tender of his own person, and very in-
different to the comfort of otheis. When
Henry Fortin refused to give up the place
lie had taken possession of, the fat man ap-
proved his determination, and declared that
" every body traveled on his own account,"
a principle which the young gentleman had
found, until now, perfectly reasonable, lie
was now reaping its application. After they
liad gone half the journey, the obese mei-
cliant peeped from under his warm cloak at
his neighbor and said-—
" You appear to be cold sir ?"
" I am wet to the bone," replied Fortin,
scarcely able to speak.
The corpulent traveler shook himself in
his cloak, as if to enjoy his own tomfortable
position the more thoroughly.
"It is very unwholesome to be wet,"said
he philosophically. " Another time I would
advise you to get a cloak like mine, it is
very warm and not dear."
This advice given, the fat man again bur-
ied himself iu its folds, and followed the os-
cillations of the coach iu luxurious indolence.
When they arrived at Keysersberg, night
l¡ad already long set in. Henry Fortin,
half dead with col'l, entered the inn kitchin,
in which a bright warn lire w as blazing, but
when he arrived at the fire place it was com-
pletely surrounded by travelers among whom
were Mulzen and the stranger whose scat
lie had taken. The cabriolet had brought
them by a shorter route, and they had been
at the inu more than an hour.
Seeing the miserable condition of his cou-
sin, Mutzia hastened to give him his chair.
As to the dispossessed traveler, he could not
withhold a burst of laughter.
"Parbleu," he cried, " I am under many
obligations to the gentleman for driving me
from the imperial, for without his usurpation
I should have been frozen in his place, in-
stead of being warm and comfortable in
mine."
Henry was too wretched to reply, and si-
lently took a seat before the fire to warm
his frozen limbs. When he had somewhat
recoveied he ordeied a chamber and bed,
but the fair was over at Keysersberg, aud
the house was consequently filled with peo-
ple, who would leave in the morning. Even
Joseph and his companion, although arriving
an hour sooner than the coach passet gers,
could obtain but one bed, which the former
had generously given up to the latter. How-
ever, after many inquiries and much seeking
a vacant bed was found in one of the cham-
bers, but the room was occupied by four
peddlars, who refused to let a sti anger enter,
llenry, true to the instinct of his nature,
aroused himself again to combat for his
right.
" Have they hired the chamber for them-
selves, exclusively 1" he inquired.
" No," replied the landlord.
Have you the right to dispose of the
vacant bed?"
" Undoubtedly."
"What reason do they assign for refusing
admittance to another ?"
"None, but all of them are strange, coarse
looking persous, and no one caies to have a
quarrel with them."
Henry arose quickly. " This is sheer
folly," he cried, "for my part I am deter-
mined not to pass a sleepless night because
some rude strangers have takeu a fancy to
monopolize all the beds in your inu—show
me the chamber, they shall listen to reason.
"Take care, Fortin," observed Mulzen,
"tliey are low, brutal men."
" And shall their vices give them the priv-
ilege of compelling us to sit up all night ?"
angrily demanded the Marseillais. " No!
parblen, I will sleep there iu spite of them."
He had taken his bat to follow* the iuu
keeper, when Mr. Rosman entered, aud hear-
ing the last words of the cousins, came to-
wards them and said with a frank, benevo-
lent air,
"I see, gentlemen, that you arc troubled
to find beds to-night."
" I shall not be very long," said Henry,
passing by him.
" One moment," said Mr. Rosman, "these
people may reply to your arguments with
improper language, aud you may find it diffi-
cult to convince them of your rights. Ac-
cept a bed with me—my chamber is but a
few steps from here, and I assure you it will
give me great pleasure to share my comfort-
able quarters with you."
Both the young gentlemen bowed and
thanked him, but iu a very different manner.
Mulzen was grateful and happy to accept of
his kindness—whilst Fortin was polite and
constrained. He had not forgotten that Mr.
Rosman liad been the first cause of his mea-
ger dinner at Cernay, from which his appe-
tite was still suffering.
"You are too obliging," said he in as gen-
tle toues as he could command, "but I do
not wish to incommode you. Besides, these
people need a lesson to teach them to respect
the rights of others. Good night, sir."
lie left and went to the room where the
pedlará were. Joseph, fearing something
unpleasant might occur, followed him—but
whether the pack bearers were awed by the
determined manner of the Marseillais, or re-
ally did not care for the intrusion, a few mut-
terings were the only expressions they gave
to their unwillingness, regardless of which,
Henry retired to bed.
Mulzen, satisfied with this state of affairs,
went back and followed Mr. Rosman, who
had been kind enough to wait'for him*. En-
tering the room, he found Madame Charlotte
and Miss Louise preparing tea before a fire
of pine burs. Mr. Rosman spoke to the ladies
in a low voice, and they welcomed the young
gentleman with uracil cordiality ; they iuvi-
tc(l*Ííiin to a seat at the table, whilst Louise
filled the cups. Madame Charlotte had not
recovered from her fatigue, and even iu her
comfortable arm chair, she imagined she felt
the jolting of the coach, and heard the rat-
tling of the wheels, in the soft babblings of
the tea-kettle. She enquired for the young
gentleman who had taken the imperial by
assault, at Cernay, and Mr. Rosman related
what had just occurred.
" Why, lie is at war with every body,"
said she, "and should be shunned as we
would a conflagration."
" It would be diilieult^however, to find a
more loyal heart than lie jioesesses," said
Josep Mulzen, "and he only follows his de-
vice—' Every one has his right.'"
" Whilst yours is' Charity.' Nay I heard
it all at Cernay," replied the old lady, smil-
ing at the astonished lock cf Mulzen.
Are you traveling together ?" asked Mr.
Rosman.
"Yes we are cousins, and came to Kcy-
serville to be present at the opening of a
will, which takes place to-morrow."
" A will," repeated Madame Charlotte,
eagerly.
"Yes, Madame, the will of our deceased
uncle, Dr. Ilarver."
The two ladies and Mr. Rosman looked at
each other in surprise. " So 'you arc rela-
tions of the doctor." sajd Mr. Rosman. look-
ing at Mulzen closely. "There could not
be a more fortunate occurrence, for I had
been his best friend and intimate companion
for many years."
This information served as an introduc-
tion to speak of the deceased. Mulzen had
never seen him, but had always that instinct-
ive affection which members of the same
family, although unknown, preserve for each
other.
The conversation was long and interest-
ing, and when the hour for retiring arrived,
it was evident that both parties would leave
an agreeable impression behind then .
Fatigue had prolonged Mulzcn's slumber
to an unusually late hour. When lie awoke
the sun was high, and lie hastily dressed
himself to seek his cousin, but he found him
in company with Mr. Rosman, and Madame
Charlotte and Louise soon made their ap-
pearance. When all were assembled, Mr.
Rosman, turning to the two young gentlemen
said,
"No one here is a stranger to the business
which brings you to Keysersbeig, my dear
sirs, for Madame Charlotte, my sister-in-law
and her niece, Louise Armand. whose guar-
dian I am, have both come to be present at
the opening of Dr. Ilasver's will, who was
their brother and uncle."
The young gentlemen bowed to the ladies
with surprise.
"I think it best," said Mr. Rosman,"that
we have the will opened here, since chance
has biought us all together."
llenrv assented, and they all took their
seats. The notary was just going to break
the seal when lie stopped—" This will is of
an old date," said he, "and during the last
months of his lile, Dr. Harver has several
times expressed his intention to ine of de-
stroying it, and allowing his heirs an equal
portion of his property. His sudden death
I imagine, alone prevented him from doing
so, and I have made the confession to satis-
fy mv conscience. I now ask of all the in-
terested parties if they are willing to set
aside the w ill, and abide by w hat 1 know to
have been the wishes of Dr. Harvey, before
any one knows whether be enriches, or im-
poverishes himself."
This most unexpected proposition was
followed by some moments of silence. Mul-
zen was- the first to break it.
" As for myself," said he in a modest tone,
"having no particular right to Dr. Ilarver's
benevolence, I cannot think 1 sacrifice any-
thing by consenting to au equal division,
aud wiliiugly give my consent,"
" I shall put no obstacle to it," said Mad-
ame Charlotte.
" And I consent in the name of my niece,"
said Mr. Rosman.
" Then," said the notary, turning to Hen-
ry, " it only remains with yon to decide."
The latter appeared somewhat embarrass-
ed. "Like my cousin," said he. " 1 have
no reason to expect anything in my favor;
but for that very reason, 1 should hesitate
to put it aside. Whatever were the wishes
of Dr. Harver, the will only is lawful, to set
it aside, is to attack at the saine time the
right of the testator, and that of the uuknown
legatees."
" Say no more," interrupted the notary.
" Unanimity alone could make my proposi-
tion legitimate. 'Let every one have his
right,' as the gentleman demands, and lis-
ten." He tore opeu the envelop, aud read
as follows:
" Of the four heirs who have a right to
iny property. I know but two; my sister,
Charlotte Revel, and my niece Louise Ar-
mand; their interests and wishes are the
same, aud in reality they form but one heir.
So on that side I have but one lien-. My
first intention was to give them all 1 pos-
sessed, but thinking that among my two
nephews one may be found equally worthy
of my wealth, the ditficulty is to know which
one. I cannot do it myself and knowing
the intelligence and tact of my niece Louise,
1 will eoniiiie in her judgment, and declare
that whoever of her two cousins, she shall
choose for a husband, 1 pronounce heir to
all I possess. • - Hakveu."
A long silence followed. The young peo-
ple were embarrassed, and Louise hung her
head in confusion.
" God forgive me! but the doctor has giv-
en my niece a very difficult task," said Ma-
dame Charlotte.
" Not so diiticr.lt as one would suppose,
sister," said Mr. Rosman, smiling. " 1 have
long known Ilarver's will, and consequently
inquired very diligently about these young
gentlemen. Ail that 1 have heard convinces
me, that whichever be the choice of Louise,
her choice w ill be secuied."
" Then mademoiselle, decide," replied the
notary; " as you run no risk, you have only
to follow your inclinations."
" I leave it to my aunt," murmured she,
throwing herself into Madame Charlotte's
arms.
" To me ?" cried she—" but you put me
in a very delicate situation, my dear—indeed
1 know not." 1'rommijcing these words,
she looked towards Mulzen. lieiiry per-
ceived it.
" Ah ! your choice is made," said he, with
animation, "and although it will cost me
many regrets, madante, 1 heartily approve
of it. Mademoiselle," added he, taking
Joseph by the hand aud conducting him to
Louise—" your aunt has made a w ise decis-
ion, my cousin is far my superior."
" Your act has just proved the contrary,"
said Madame Charlotte, affectionately, " but
we alieady know a little of Mr. Mulzen—
aud—stop—your noble candor met its the
truth."
"Tell it, tell it," said Fortin, hastily.
" Well then! his motto gives n¡e confi-
dence, whilst yours fills n¡e with fear, lie
promises indulgence, and you, only justice.
Alas! my dear sir, justice may suffice for
angels, but charity is needed for man!"
" Perhaps you arc right, niadame," said
Ileury in a meditative tone. " Facts seemed
to have accumulated by design to give mo
this lesson. The rigorous defence of my
rights has always turned agaimt me, whilst
the benevolence of my cousin has been profit-
able to him. Yes, Joseph's motto is much
more valuhle than mine, for it comes nearer
the law of God. Our blessed Saviour did not
say, 'Everyone has his right,' but 'Love
vour neighbor as vourself.'" S. S. C.
— © .
Columbus, Georgia.
The Slave Trade iu New Ycrk.
It has been said that tlic slave trade was
still carried on from New York, but as the
charge, has been of a vague and general
character, it has attracted little attention.—
We are beginning to get light on the matter.
There is now lying in the Tombs, in this
city, a man who has been tried and found
guilty of being engaged in the slave trade.
This is said to be the first conviction ever
obtained under the law by which it was
made piracy. The testimony iu the case
was ample. And though he protests against
his condemnation, on the ground that he is
a foreigner, and not amenable to the laws of
the United States, lie does not deny the
fact of his share in the business. He speaks
of it freely, and relates with unconcealed exul-
tation the particulars of his wild and despe-
rate career.
Wc have chanced to see and talk with
this noted captain in his prison. What he
told us was not communicated in confidence,
for he never saw us before, and did not know
who we were. He spoke to us as an entiie
stranger. All onr conversation v. as' through
O O
the grated door of his ceil. We made no
attempt to gain his confidence, or to draw-
out the scciet history of his life. He told
his own story, not like a criminal making a
confession, but ratltcr with the fieedom and
pride of a:i old soidier relating his battles.
Sordid he intimate awioh tliat what he said
should be kept private. Indeed, he had
boasted to others of his deeds on the African
coast. His disclosures, therefore, are pub-
lic property. Some of these are so curious
as to be worth making known. Whether lie
tells the truth, the world must judge. It is
rot veiy probable that a man would make
up a story which implicated him in a capital
crime. Besides, bis account is consistent
with itself; it agrees with what was proved
on the trial, and with the descriptions in
Captain Canot's book. We believe, there-
fore, that he has let out the truth.
"New York," says Captain Smith, "is
the chief port in the world for the slave
trade." He repeated two or three times,
" It is the greatest place in the universe for
it! Neither in Cuba nor in the Brazils is it
carried on so extensively. Ships that con-
vey slaves to the West Indies and South
America are fitted out front the United
States. Now and then one sails from Phil-
adelphia ; more from Baltimore; but most
cf all from New York. This is our lie ad-
quarters. My vessel was the brig Julia
Moulton. I got her in Boston, and brought
her here, and sailed from this port direct to
the coast of Africa." " But do you mean to
say that this business is going on now ?"
Yes, all the while. Not so many vessels
have been sent out this year—perhaps not
over twenty. But last year there were
probably thirty-five.
" Arc there large shipping-bouses engaged
in it ?" •• Yes, I can go down to South
street, and go into a number of bouses that
help to fit out sbi| s for the business. I don't
know how far they own the vessels or re-
ceive the profits of the cargoes. 1 bad rath-
er not have American owners; I prefer
Spaniards or Portuguese. But these bouses
know all about it. They know me. They
see me sail out of port with a ship, and come
back a passenger. They sometimes ask me,
'Captain, where is your ship?' [With a
shrug.] They know what lias become Of her
When a cargo of slavés islanded, the vessel
is often destroyed, not to be a witness against
her officers and crew."
" Bat bow do you manage to get away
without exciting suspicion I" " Why, you
see, we keep close, and get everything
aboard, and do not ask our papers' until wc
are just ready to sail. Then we go to the
custotu-house, and take out papers for Rio
Janeiro, St. Helena, Cape de Verde islands,
or auy port you please—it don't matter where
—ami instantly clear."
" líut if you were seized at that moment
could the officers tell, by searching the ship
that she was a shiver ?"
" Oh, yes, they couldn't help knowing.—
Besides, they must suspect something from
seeing such an almighty crew. My little
brig carried hut 200 tons, and could be man-
ned by four men. But I had fourteen before
the mast. The moment of leaving port is
the one of danger. But we don't lose time.
A steamer Is kept ready, and we get under
weigh immediately. Often two or three sla-
vers leave at once. Wc steam down the
bay, and over the bar, and then the ocean is
before us, and we set our course for any quar-
ter we please."
" But w hen you reach the African coa9t,
are you not iu great danger from British
idiips-of-war ?"
" Oh, no, we don't care for the English
squadron. We run up the American flag,
and if they come on board'all we have to do
is to show our American papers, aud they
have no right to search us. So they growl
and grumble and go off again."
" That may do very weil when you are
going in empty. But suppose you arc com-
ing out with a cargo of slaves on board I"
" Even then we get along well enough, if
the niggers w ill keep quiet. We put them
all below deck and nail down our hatches,
and then present our papers. Tlic officers
have no right to go below. The only dan-
ger in this case is, that they will stay on
board too long. They often suspect the
truth, and hang about for an hour or two.—
By this time the niggers arc stifled, and be-
gin to make a noise. Then the tiling is out
and then they seize the ship."
"After that I suppose you are pun-
ished."
"Oh, no, we generally get off. You see,
as v. e are Americans, they must bring us to
an American port to be tried. But if they
run the ^>hip into port along the coast, tlicy
get one pound a head for every recaptured
slave. So they generally prefer to let us
go, and get their prize-money."
" How many slaves could you carry on
your vessel" We took on board CG4.—
We might have stowed away S00. If she
had been going to the Brazils we should have
taken that number. She would carry 7ÓÜ
with pleasure. The boys and women we
kept on the upper deck. But all the strong
men—those giant Africans that might make
us trouble—wc pat below on the slave deck."
" Did you chain them, or put ou handcuffs ?"
"No, never; they would die. Wc let them
move about." " Are you ver}* severe with
them?" "We have to be pretty strict at
first—for a week or so—to make thcin feel
that we arc masters. Then we lighten up
for the rest of the voyage."
" How do you pack them at night ?"—
" They lay down upon the deck, oil their
sides, bod}' to body. There would not be
room enough for all to lie on their backs."
" Did many die on the passage ?" " ies,
1 lost a good many the last cruise—more
than ever before. Sometimes wc find them
dead when wc go below iu the morning.—
Then we throw them overboard."
" Aie the profits of the trade very large V'
" My brig cost $13,000 to fit her out com-
pletely. Mv last cargo to Cuba was worth
¿220,000. But it was seized by the late cap-
tain-general, Pezuela. He did more to break
up the slave trade than any one else. If he
had remained in office he wedd have ■tap-
ped it altogether. Bat now Concha is back
again, and it goes on as flourishing as
ever/'
" But I thought Concha was the graft w-
emy of the slave trade." " So he is hi
words. He talks a great deal, but Pénela
respected nothing. He seised the negroes
wherever he could find them, even on the^
plantations. By this he incurred the enstky
of the planters; and he would probably have
been assassinated if he had not been re*
called."
" Did you ever have fights with the Eng- j
lish ships ?" " Yes, once a ship-of-war chas-
ed two of us. We knocked the sticks out^
of her. We didn't stop to look after the ^
dead. At another time I Fas captured. It t
was in a dead cakn, and there was no chanco {
to get away. When I saw that we were^
gone, I went below and stove every cask ofj
water but one. The other ship was short, {
too. So we had both to put into the land to j
get water. They put on board of us a lieu-,
tenant and crew. But he did not know tho
coast, and, as we drew towards land, he had
to make me pilot threatening, at the same'
time, to shoot me if I ran her on shore. I(
took the helm, and rau her into an inlet.—1
No sooner had we passed the mouth than wo'
saw ou the banks the barracoons of the slave'
factors. They all knew me, and boats put'
off from shore. The lieutenant hailed them
in English, and told them to keep off. At
the same time I hailed them in Spanish, and,
told them the vessel was a prize. That,
night they came off in force and recaptured1
her. We put the lieutenant and his menin-(
to a boat, and sent them adrift, while I went, •
down the coast and took in a cargo o£
slaves, and carried them safely across the
oceau." (
'Why, Captain, this must be exciting
business."
His eyes flashed fire as he replied, " It's
splendid. It makes a man jump to think of
it! To be cutting away at the rate of eleven
knots an hour, with a ship in chase, and walk*
ir.g right away from her!"
That instant we saw in tho prisoner tha
rover of the seas, again standing on his deck*
with the huge bull of a ship-of-war looming
above the horizon. .
" But bow did you get canght at last 1"
" The mate betrayed me. I never liked
the man. He was scared. Hehadno heart.
You see it takes a man of a particular con-
stitution to engage in our business. When
once at sea with a slave cargo wc are in free
bottoms. We belong to no country. We
are under the protection of no law. We
must defend ourselves. A man must have
a great deal of nerve in such a situation,
when he is liable to be chased by ships-of-
war, or perhaps find* himself suddenly in the
midst of a whole fleet The mate onee
served me a trick for which I should have
been perfectly justified in shooting him dead.
We were running in between the islands
Martinique and Dominique, when suddenly
there shot out from behind tho land an Eng-
lish steamer. The mate thought it was a
ship-of-war, and so did I. He was frighten-
ed to death, and instantly turned the vessel
off her course. That was the very move-
ment to bring down the enemy in chase. I
saw the danger, and flew to the helm, and
put her back again, and we passed by in
safety."
" But are you not tired of this business t,'
" Why I didn't want to go out the last voy-
age. I tried to get another captain to take
charge of my ship. I wanted to stay at
home and get married. But good men in
our business arc scarce. And I had to go."
But the noble captain seemed ambitious
of a higher career. " What iI should like
best of all," said he, " would be to go priva-
teering. To command a merchant ship, and
to go lumbering along loaded down with -
freight—that I cannot bear. It kills me.—
But give me a well built clipper, with six
guns on a side, and a long Tom in the mid-
dle, and a letter of marque to range the
ocean, and 1 wouldn't call the President my
brother!"
Such was the substance of Captain Smith's
story. We allowed him to run on with his
exploits to see what stuff a slaver was made
of. Was there ever a more perverted na-
ture ?. Here is a man whose boast is in the
gigantic character and the success of his
villanies. His courage is to show his power
over the weak and defenceless; to crowd
hundreds of human beings into a close hold,
where one hundred and fifty die in a few
weeks ; and his greatest exultation to have
defied the laws of the whole civilized world!
But the most important reflection is on the
w eakness and negligence which permits this
traffic to go on unchecked. New York tha
chief port in the world for the slave trade!
Thirty-five slavers a year sailing down our
bay! Is this true ? If so, why are not
these vessels searched and seized ? On whom
rests the blame ? Do officers of government
connive at the traffic ? Or are they so blind
as not to see what passes under their eyes t
Or are they too weak or too indolent to en-
force their country's justice ?—Evangditt.
Wc have received the first number
of a paper called The Texas Sun, published
at Richmond, Texas. It is a large and
neatly printed paper, and edited with muck
ability. If any of our friends wish to obtain
all the news from the Star State, we advise
thnm to send ou after the Sun. Subscrip-
tion 62 50 per annum.—True.
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Rawlings, R. H. The Texas Sun. (Richmond, Tex.), Vol. 1, No. 8, Ed. 1 Saturday, March 3, 1855, newspaper, March 3, 1855; Richmond, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth180765/m1/1/?q=%22tex-fron%22: accessed June 20, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting The Dolph Briscoe Center for American History.