in mind will be surprised at the great indifference
of these officers to the continuing of the slave-trade; in fact, he will
be ready to learn that the laws of Congress upon the subject had become
a dead letter, and that the suspicion was well grounded that certain
officers of the Federal Government had actually connived at their
violation.

The number of persons engaged in the slave-trade, and the amount of
capital embarked in it, exceed our powers of calculation. The city of
New York has been until of late the principal port of the world for this
infamous commerce; although the cities of Portland and Boston are only
second to her in that distinction. Slave dealers added largely to the
wealth of our commercial metropolis; they contributed liberally to the
treasuries of political organizations, and their bank accounts were
largely depleted to carry elections in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and
Connecticut. It was natural for the leaders of the party which they had
aided, to accord to them, as an equivalent, many facilities for carrying
on their business. There is indeed no occasion for wonder at the
countenance and impunity long given to such auxiliaries. If a few of
them chanced to be of Knickerbocker stock, and to bear the talisman
which affords admission to the higher circles of Gothamite
respectability, it is only what might have been expected. There are such
men everywhere, even in the Tombs.

It requires no miraculous gift to be able to perceive why the late
administration at Washington was sensitive as to the visitation of
American vessels of doubtful character, by the officers of British
cruisers. There was no principle at stake; but the slave-dealing
interest had demanded as an immunity, that the piece of bunting known as
the American flag should be allowed to protect from scrutiny every
suspicious ship over which it should be raised. They had the power or
influence to command; and the administration obeyed.

The present administration appears to have awakened somewhat to this
subject. The principal appointments for the Atlantic ports were given to
men of anti-slavery proclivities. The new marshal of the southern
district of New York was of different material from his predecessors,
and fortunately he was no novice. He was familiar with the habits of the
men engaged in the slave trade; he was ambitious and eager to signalize
himself for efficiency. In three months he had seized nine vessels, and
arrested twenty-