[ Autographs ] SLAVE SMUGGLING An important A.L.S., 3pp. large 4to., Plaquemine, La., July 10, 1810, concerning the illegal importation ofslaves into the United States, banned by the Constitution after 1808.Lt. Lomax reports to William McKean, commander at New Orleans, noting in part: "...a schooner...under Spanish colors, entered at Port St. Philip...among the passengers...Two slaves...the laws of the U. Stateshaving prohibited the importation of slaves...I felt myself authorizedin seizing her...I therefore brought her to under the guns of the fort...Shortly after... received intimation that there was a third slave..smuggled on shore by one of the passengers. I...found the master and the slave secreted in the prairie ...obtained the slave, and gave the master permission to go...Captain Wilso ...took the boy as his property...I am convinced that you will take such steps as will rescuea fellow being from the oppression of a tyrant, and restore him to theenjoyment of his rights, to which he is entitled by the laws of his country ...". Very good.