Heading: (Cuba - Slavery)
Author:
Title: File of original documents relating to the sighting and pursuit by a British frigate of a Cuban steamship carrying African slaves - with an encrypted message from the British government
Place Published: Cuba
Publisher:
Date Published: 1864
Description:
Approx. 26 documents, some multiple pages, in ink, many signed by the originators, a number on printed telegraph forms ("Despacho telegráfico"). Various sizes, 33.5x23 cm (13¼x9") or smaller, sewn together with thread.
Significant archive revealing the diplomatic, and military, pressures being brought on Cuba by the British and other nations opposed to slavery and the slave trade, even as the United States, where importation of African slaves had been constitutionally banned since 1807, fought a bloody internecine conflict over the continuation of the institution. Documents in the archive refer to the Cuban steamship "Ciceron", sighted by the British frigate "Martha K. Lockwood," which was bound for Matananzas, Cuba, via New York. The British government - and the British Consul General, Joseph T. Crawford specifically - is opposed to slavery, and the first manuscript in this document group is written and signed by Crawford, and is addressed to the Captain General of Cuba, discussing the slaveship "Ciceron" sighting. Aboard the Ciceron was observed a "cargado de Negros Bozales," i.e. a cargo of hog-tied and muzzled slaves. Following the initial letter is an encrypted message from the British government to the Governor of Sagua, where the African slaves were to disembark. The latter statement is written in Spanish followed by the encrypted message that would almost certainly embellish on the statement, could it be read. There is a telegram that follows from the Governor of Sagua to the Captain General of Cuba, discussing with apparent surprise of the Governor in learning about the slave cargo of the ship in question. There is a series of statements and exchanges, concluded by the statement that the bozales need to be apprehended. An incredible tale of intrigue on the high seas involving two of the major European nations and a slave ship.

Some chipping, creasing and edge wear, a few tears, bleed-through of the ink; overall very good.