Re: question 3. What you neglect to mention, Pea, was that it wasn't a ban on slave imports but only a two year suspension. Or that the most vocal supporters of the slave trade at the Constitutional convention was Charles Pinkney.
Re: question 6. Not entirely true. There is evidence that some slaves were brought in from Cuba on blockade runners. And an article in a recent edition of North & South magazine dealing with confederate privateers detailed two instances where black crewmen on Northern ships that were captured were left onboard when the ships were sent back to the confederacy, the intent being to sell them into slavery upon arrival. The only reason those two instances are mentioned is that in both cases the black crewman overpowered the prize crew and rescued the ship. It's probable that there were other cases where the ship did make it to the confederacy and the crewmen were sold.
Re: question 7. You should also mention that Mayor Fernando Wood's suggestion was so popular he was promptly voted out of office in the next election.
Re: question 9. Be fair, Pea. That statment, possibly apocryphal, has been attributed to Lincoln by different sources but none of them that I'm aware of indicate he said it to his cabinet.
You offer very weak arguments.
Re 2. There is firm evidence that slave labor was used.
Re 3. The vote happened. Your caveats and red herrings not withstanding.
Re 6. You re framed the question and used speculation...a non-rebuttal.
Re 7. I do not use non-sequiturs.
Re 9. Statement is well documented. Your Cabinet reference is a red herring.