clear of the harbor of New York.

The obtaining of a clearance at the custom-house was not a very
difficult matter. Slavers were never detained by any extraordinary
curiosity on the part of those having cognizance of their departure.
They had but to assume a transparent disguise, raise the American flag,
and keep up the show till they arrived at the intermediate port. Here
the national ensign was changed, the papers of the vessel were altered,
and necessary arrangements were made for receiving a cargo of slaves.

Factories or agencies are maintained on the African coast, where the
vessels obtain their living freight. The captains seldom go on shore
except for purpose of observation. Each vessel generally takes with her
from New York a Spaniard to transact the business. The complement being
obtained, it only remains to get away and beyond the cruisers. The
action of the Federal government, some years since, in relation to the
visitation of vessels, has been effectual in impairing the energy of the
British squadron, which has been maintained on the coast of Africa,
pursuant to the treaty of Washington. As for the American squadron, it
never co-operated heartily in the matter of suppressing the slave-trade;
and the vessels were generally absent for the purpose of obtaining coal,
or for repairs, whenever there was opportunity of making a capture.

But the capitalists of New York do not depend entirely upon these
precautions. Their vessels are occasionally taken; and then the men on
board must be protected, or they will disclose everything. Not only are
appliances used to make an examination result in a discharge, but a
corps of attorneys is kept under pay to defend those who fall within the
clutches of the law. The impunity which has attended these men is
notorious.

CAPTAIN LATHAM.

Some time ago the brig Cora was captured at sea and brought by a prize
crew to the port of New York. Her commander, Captain Latham, was
incarcerated in Eldridge-street jail. Hendrickson, the mate, was,
however, permitted to communicate to his friends on shore, who procured
a boat, pulled quietly to the side of the brig, received him on board,
and took him ashore. His clothing and other property were conveyed to
the office of the marshal, and he was not only permitted to go and take
them away, but to visit his acquaintances in Eldridge-street jail. It
was an easy matter to arrest him, but the marshal remarked to an
associate that he did