Chinese Slave Trade

In the April 18, 1856 Liberator includes an item from Atlas and the Journal of Commerce,  telling of “The Slave Trade in a New Form”, including a letter from Swotow, China.  It tells of a ship, about to sail, with 700 coolies on board; they are kidnapped, cost from $14 to $20 a man, and will sell for $250.  It indicates that one vessel involved in this trade is owned by  Howland and Aspinwall of New York, insured for sixty thousand dollars on Wall Street. The article asserts that the British government, in abolishing the African Slave Trade, has substituted for it this Coolie trade, and also includes a supposition that Northern men are engaged in this trade.

Be First to Comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *