2-888-014 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Brazilian Steam-Brig "Pacquete de Santos" captured by H.M. Steam-Sloop "Rifleman", 1850. Royal Navy ship pursuing a slaver 'known to have made several voyages from the Coast of Africa to the Brazils, conveying from 1000 to 1500 slaves each trip...on observing the Rifleman, [the Pacquete de Santos] altered her course, and made every effort to escape: a well-directed shot from the Rifleman's long gun...astonished the crew of the slaver, and brought her to; she was then boarded and searched...seized, and sent to St. Helena for adjudication, and there decreed to be condemned to her Majesty the Queen, for being engaged in the African Slave Trade...There can be no doubt that American vessels, and the protection afforded by their flag, have enabled the Brazilians to import vast numbers of slaves, as well as to baffle the [Royal Navy] squadrons...'. From "Illustrated London News", 1850.