THOMAS SAVAGE, Vice Consul General, to F. W. Seward, Assistant, March 5, 1864

Mr. Savage to Mr. F. W. Seward.

Sir: In reply to your despatch of the 5th ultimo, accompanying a copy of a note from Lord Lyons of the preceding date, I have to state that, not with standing the most diligent inquiries among my friends, I nave been unable to ascertain the name of the steamer that brought the large lot of African negroes (upwards of a thousand) captured by the Spanish authorities These negroes were landed in the district of Colon, on the south side of this island. The steamer had been originally English, came from England to Cadiz, where she was put under Spanish colors, fitted out for the slave trade, and cleared ostensibly for a lawful voyage to Fernando Po, a Spanish island on the coast of Africa.

The negroes were captured on shore by the lieutenant governor of the district, and I am confidentially informed that the steamer proceeded again to Africa for another load of the same kind, the necessary stores having been placed on board immediately on the discharge of her cargo. It is said that Don Julian Zulueta, Don Salvador Sania, Marquis of Marianao, the brigadier Garcia Munoz, and other prominent persons, among whom General Concha is mentioned, were interested in that expedition.

Several slave expeditions have been landed for the same parties, but two besides the above have been captured, one of about six hundred negroes, and the other of about two hundred, most of the cargo of this latter having been landed, and the vessel conveying them has the appearance of being English-built. Don Jose Carreras, a partner of Mr. S. Sania, has been for some time past in confinement, charged with being implicated in these violations of law. Should any further trustworthy information reach me I will not fail to transmit it at the earliest opportunity.

I am, sir, with great respect, your obedient servant,