by the proper authorities at Havana, permitting the removal of these negroes from that port to Principe, in the same island.  This document is signed by General Espelata, Captain-General of Cuba, and countersigned by Martinez, one of the most extensive slave-traders in the known world.  This pass or license described the negroes as ladinos, a term used to designate Africans who have been long settled in Cuba.  It was proved, however, that they were Bozal negroes, that is, such as had been very lately introduced, and the testimony on both sides, on this point, established a fact that is but too notorious, that the slave trade to Cuba is openly carried on with the connivance, and even with the corrupt participation of the authorities.  One of the witnesses, D. Francis Bacon, gives the following account of the slave trade:—­

“Mr. Bacon stated that he left the coast of Africa on the 13th of July, 1839.  He knew a place called Dumbokoro [Lomboko] by the Spaniards:  it was an island in the river or lagoon of Gallinas.  There is a large slave factory or depot at this place, which is said to belong to the house of Martinez in Havana; there are also different establishments on different islands.  Mr. Bacon stated that he had seen American, Russian, Spanish, and Portuguese vessels at Gallinas.  The American flag was a complete shelter; no man-of-war daring to capture an American vessel.  The slave trade on that part of the coast is the universal business of the country, and by far the most profitable, and all engaged in it who could raise the means.  Extensive wars take place in Africa, for obtaining slaves from the vanquished.  Different towns and villages make war upon each other for this purpose.  Some are sold on account of their crimes, others for debts.  The slaves are all brought on to the coast by other blacks, and sold at the slave factories, as no white man dare penetrate into the interior.  Some of the blacks who have been educated at Sierra Leone, have been principal dealers in the slave trade.”

The decision of the District Court of Connecticut on this question of property, was to the effect that since their original introduction into Cuba was plainly illegal, they were free by the law of Spain, and of course could not be the property of Spanish subjects.

The subsequent proceedings were undertaken on behalf of the United States’ Government.  “The District Attorney, Mr. Holabird, filed his claim under Lieut.  Gedney’s libel, on two distinct grounds; one that these Africans had been claimed by the Government of Spain, and ought to be retained till the pleasure of the Executive might be known, as to that demand; and the other, that they should be held subject to the disposition of the President, to be re-transported to Africa, under the act of 1819.”  The Court finally decreed that the Africans should be delivered to the President of the United States, to be transported to Africa, there to be delivered to