3d.  The fact that thousands of slaves, generally in the prime of life, are annually smuggled into the United States from Africa, Cuba, and elsewhere, makes it manifest that all inferences drawn from the increase of the slave population, which do not make large deductions, for constant importations, must be fallacious.  Mr. Middleton of South Carolina, in a speech in Congress in 1819, declared that “THIRTEEN THOUSAND AFRICANS ARE ANNUALLY SMUGGLED INTO THE SOUTHERN STATES.”  Mr. Mercer of Virginia, in a speech in Congress about the same time declared that “Cargoes,” of African slaves were smuggled into the South to a deplorable extent.

Mr. Wright, of Maryland, in a speech in Congress, estimated the number annually at FIFTEEN THOUSAND.  Miss Martineau, in her recent work, (Society in America,) informs us that a large slaveholder in Louisiana, assured her in 1835, that the annual importation of native Africans was from thirteen to fifteen thousand.

The President of the United States, in his message to Congress, December, 1837, says, “The large force under Commodore Dallas, (on the West India station,) has been most actively and efficiently employed in protecting our commerce, IN PREVENTING THE IMPORTATION OF SLAVES,” &c. &c.

The New Orleans Courier of 15th February, 1839, has these remarks: 

“It is believed that African negroes have been repeatedly introduced into the United States.  The number and the proximity of the Florida ports to the island of Cuba, make it no difficult matter; nor is our extended frontier on the Sabine and Red rivers, at all unfavorable to the smuggler.  Human laws have, in all countries and ages, been violated whenever the inducements to do so afforded hopes of great profit.

“The United States’ law against the importation of Africans, could it be strictly enforced, might in a few years give the sugar and cotton planters of Texas advantage over those of this state; as it would, we apprehend, enable the former, under a stable government, to furnish cotton and sugar at a lower price than we can do.  When giving publicity to such reflections as the subject seems to suggest, we protest against being considered advocates for any violation of the laws of our country.  Every good citizen must respect those laws, notwithstanding we may deem them likely to be evaded by men less scrupulous.”

That both the south and north swarm with men ‘less scrupulous,’ every one knows.

The Norfolk (Va.) Beacon, of June 8, 1837, has the following: 

“Slave Trade.—­Eight African negroes have been taken into custody, at Apalachicola, by the U.S.  Deputy Marshal, alleged to have been imported from Cuba, on board the schooner Emperor, Captain Cox.  Indictments for piracy, under the acts for the suppression of the slave trade, have been found against Captain Cox, and other parties implicated.  The negroes were bought in Cuba by a Frenchman named Malherbe, formerly a resident of Tallahassee, who was drowned soon after the arrival of the schooner.”