“It is not to be denied, and I boldly assert it, that the administration of the imperial government of Brazil, is forcibly constrained by its influences, and is deeply inculpated in its guilt. With that it would, at first sight, seem the United States have nothing to do; but an intimate and full knowledge of the subject informs us, that the only mode of carrying on that trade between Africa and Brazil, at present, involves our laws and our moral responsibilities, as directly and fully as it does those of this country itself. Our flag alone gives requisite protection against the right of visit, search, and seizure; and our citizens, in all the characters of owners, consignees, of agents, and of masters and crews of our vessels, are concerned in the business, and partake of the profits of the African slave-trade, to and from the ports of Brazil, as fully as the Brazilians themselves, and others in conjunction with whom they carry it on. In fact, without the aid of our own citizens and our flag, it could not be carried on with success at all.” To exhibit the state of the slave-trade prior to the equipment treaty in 1840, we have the following instances from parliamentary papers, and other British authority: “La Jeune Estelle, being chased by a British vessel, inclosed twelve negroes in casks, and threw them overboard.” “M. Oiseau, commander of _Le Louis_, a French vessel, in completing his cargo at Calaba, thrust the slaves into a narrow space _three feet high_, and closed the hatches. Next morning fifty were found dead. Oiseau coolly went ashore to purchase others to supply their place.” The following extract is from a report by Captain Hayes to the Admiralty, of a representation made to him respecting one of these vessels in 1832: