THE AFRICAN REPOSITORY,

AND

COLONIAL JOURNAL.

Published semi-monthly, at $1 50 in advance, when sent by mail, or $200 if not paid till after the expiration of six months, or when delivered to subscribers in cities. VOL. XVIII.] WASHINGTON, NOVEMBER 15, 1841. [No. 22.

From late English papers, received from the European Correspondent of the National Intelligencer.

HOUSE OF LORDS, Monday, Sept. 20.

THE SLAVE TRADE.-Lord BROUGHAM said that he held in his hand a petition on a subject of the greatest possible importance; to which he begged to call the attention of the House. The petition came from the committee of the British and Foreign Anti-Slavery Society, and was signed by the chairman. Although he knew that the slave trade was carried on to a frightful extent, yet he had hoped that British subjects would have long since retired from all participation in it; but the statements in this petition would show that British capital and skill were still engaged in this infernal traffic. The petition stated that many mining companies were formed in this country which carried on their operations in Brazil and Cuba, working their mines by newly-imported slaves from Africa, who were illicitly purchased by the agents of these companies, although such agents well knew that the importation of slaves was illegal, contraband, and piratical. If British subjects, in a country where the slave trade was lawful according to the municipal law of that country, though domiciled there, should engage in the slave trade, then they were guilty of felony and piracy, and were liable to be convicted as pirates and felons in this country when seized, taken and tried; but if a British subject purchased a newly imported African, knowing that the African had been newly imported, then the question was whether that purchase amounted to an act of slave-trading, and if it did, then he would be liable to be sentenced to transportation for life. The petition then stated that in many instances officers in the army and navy, and persons holding civil appointments, had taken situations in connexion with these companies, and had acted as their agents in the purchase of slaves-that these companies, in addition to the large establishments which they had already formed, were about to extend them to countries where the slave trade was at present legally carried on, and that there were manufacturers who manufactured what were called" coast" goods in this country for the express purposes of the slave trade. With regard to this last point, as the law at present stood, he did not see how it could be considered illegal. The petition then stated that there were British subjects in Brazil and Cuba who sold British manufactures to persons well known traffickers in human bodies, and that these British subjects had frequently, if not a direct, an indirect interest in the slave trade by some conditional advantages which they derived from the traffic itself; but in all cases they ven

ded the goods knowing the human object to which they were to be applied. He held it to be illegal that a person should sell goods to a slave factory; not selling the goods out and out for a price, though knowing that they were to be applied in the slave trade, but selling the goods upon a bargain to be paid so much for them in proportion to the profit made by them in the slave trade, he was prepared to say was illegal and prohibited by law. All this could be proved by reports which had been made to Government on the subject of the slave trade. The petiti on also stated that shackles and fetters, employed either in the punishment or torture of slaves, formed part of the exports of this country to Brazil and Cuba. Though the parties knew how these goods would be used, yet, as they sold them out and out, he did not think that they came under the provisions of the slavetrade abolition act. The petitioners expressed their deep regret that British subjects had become the purchasers of estates both in Brazil and the Spanish colonies, and that they had stocked them with slaves. However this was to be lamented, yet he hardly knew that it was illegal. They also stated that vessels had been built in this country specially for the slave trade, and they had been covertly prepared for that traffic in British harbors. He (Lord B.) knew one instance in which a vessel had been so built and fitted up, as to leave no doubt that it was intended to be sent to the Havana, and from the Havana to the coast of Africa, to be engaged in the slave trade. The prayer of the petition. was, that the House would either extend the provisions of the 5th of Geo. IV., the act to consolidate the laws relative to the slave trade, so as to meet these cases, or that it would appoint a committee to inquire into these practices. He would take this opportunity to ask the noble Lord at the head of the Board of Trade whether he would have any objection to lay on the table the report of Dr. MADDEN, who had been for some time on the west coast of Africa, on this subject? The Earl of RIPON said he presumed that the report to which his noble and learned friend alluded was addressed to the Secretary for the Colonies, and therefore he was unprepared to say whether it could be laid on the table of the House; but he would make an inquiry, and communicate the result to his noble and learned friend. With respect to the other question, the carrying on of the slave trade by British subjects in the manner which the noble and learned Lord had described, he (Lord R.) should have thought that British subjects would have been, as they ought to be, the very last to dare to degrade their own character and the character of their country by any such proceedings. He had never before heard the statements which had been made by the noble and learned Lord, and he would fain hope that they were not true. His noble and learned friend said that he could establish his statement by proofs. Some of them, which were not within the actual provisions of the law, were however, so much within the moral view of the law, that undoubtedly they might render some alteration necessary. [Hear, hear.]

Lord BROUGHAM said that he knew the report was addressed to Lord JOHN RUSSELL. The statement which he made, he must add, was taken from the petition.

FIGHT WITH A SLAVER.-The Boston Courier of Saturday says: "Captain GOLDSMITH, of schooner Herald, arrived yesterday from Princess Island, Africa, reports that Her Majesty's sloop-of-war Iris, Captain TUCKER, touched at Princess Island about September 1st for water. A short time before, she had had an engagement with a large slaver in the Bight of Benin, and had been beaten off with several men killed and wounded, the commander among the latter.

EXTRACTS

From Instructions of the Executive Committee of the Board of Foreign Missions to the Rev. ROBERT W. SAWYER and his Wife, Missionaries to Africa.

One of the first sacrifices you are called to make, is to part from your friends and relatives, from father and mother, from brothers and sisters,from those in whose company you have lived so long that their endeared society, has, in a manner, become a part of your existence. This trial is so severe, so painful to flesh and blood, so desolating to the natural feelings of the heart, that many of God's professing people are unwilling to meet it. They cannot give up a beloved son,-they cannot thus part for life with a beloved daughter. But the cause of Christ requires this sacrifice, severe and painful as it is; and when the Saviour's glory is concerned, and the eternal interests of perishing men, these light afflictions which are but for a moment ought not to be even named.

By your own free choice, and with the approbation and sanction of the Executive Committee, Western Africa has been selected as the field of

your future labors. A beloved brother has just fallen in that field, and you have been appointed to supply his place. This circumstance throws a more than ordinary degree of solemnity over our present meeting. It is a serious thing to be thus baptized for the dead. But may we not hope that in as much as your appointment has been made, after much prayer to God for his direction, it will meet with his approbation.

Every field of missionary labour has obstacles to the efforts of the church, and discouragements peculiar to itself. In some," the man of sin opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God or is worshipped; so that he as God sittet in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God." In others, the exterminating spirit of the false prophet suspends the sword over every one that turns to the light. Others, again, are prevented by an ignorant despotism from hearing the truth; and, in others, is the influence of unhealthy climates. This last is the case with Western Africa, and this obstacle is a serious one. Every branch of the church which has engaged in missionary labours there, has found it so. In deciding, therefore, on what is duty, we are called to examine the subject in the light of God's word, and of his providence; and above all, to look to him for wisdom and direction.

The first question to be examined is, shall this field be abandoned,-the missionaries now there withdrawn, and the benighted inhabitants, excluded from the efforts of the church, be left to perish in ignorance and sin?

Let it be admitted, that to plant the church in Africa, will cause the death of some of God's servants. If we take the example of the apostles for our guidance, we will not find in this a sufficient reason for leaving the millions in this country in the unmolested possession of Satan. It cost STEPHEN and JAMES their lives to witness for the Saviour at Jerusalem; and PAUL was "ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord JESUS." In view of the bonds and afflictions which every where waited for him, he could say, "But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry which I have received of the Lord JESUS, to testify the gospel of the grace of God." It were easy to multiply examples of the sufferings of the apostles and first Christians, in their labors to build up the church. In no instance did the fear of death deter them from preaching the glorious gospel of the Son of God. They were influenced by his Spirit, and acted in view of his high and holy example.

"Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren."

There is a tendency in some minds, to draw an inference against the missionary work from the death of a missionary, which is not thought of in the death of a minister among the churches at home. But this position will not bear examination. Within a few months, how large has been the number of beloved brethren, most of them in the prime of life, who have been called home from their labours, yet no one infers from these dispensations of Divine providence, that it is not the duty of the church to use every means to supply their places. Nay, all agree, that for this purpose, increased efforts, and increased prayer to the Lord of the harvest, together with a deeper humility and repentance for her unfaithfulness becomes the special duty of the church in these seasons of rebuke and affliction. These principles apply in all their force to the death of our dear brethren in the foreign field; and the church is not at liberty to apply one rule of duty in regard to her ministers at home, and another rule to her ministers abroad. The word of God makes no such distinction; the field for her agency is the world. Although there be a risk to human life, in sending to benighted Africa the knowledge of the Saviour, his commission, the spirit that was in him, and the example of his apostles require it to be done. In thus engaging in the Lord's work, the church is not making experiments; she is but obeying the command of the Saviour; and if she persevere_in carrying out His commission, her success is just as certain as that her Redeemer rose from the dead. The redemption of Ethiopia, and her in-bringing to the fold of CHRIST are in the purpose of God; and her very name is mentioned in his glorious promise. "Ethiopia shall soon stretch out her hands to God." Ps. lxviii. 31. Now the word of God is explicit, that his purposes of love and mercy, and all his promises shall be fulfilled by the use of the appointed means. By the preaching of the gospel, all nations shall be brought to the knowledge of the Saviour; and Africa, though long oppressed, and trampled under foot, with her benighted and degraded people, shall, by the blessing of God, on this his appointed agency, be brought to the light and liberty of the children of God. As the constitution of colored men can endure the climate of Africa better than white men, the question may be asked, Why not commit the entire work to them? The answer to this is, that we have not got suitable and qualified men of this class to take the charge of this important work. If it be left to them, the efforts to bless this benighted people must for the present be postponed. Hence the absolute necessity of educated and qualified white men.

But although the agency of white men cannot at first be dispensed with, it is not required that the whole missionary work be done by them. On the contrary, there is so much that from the first can be done by qualified assistants, that even with an equal number of them the force of the mission would be doubled. Hence it is the part of wisdom to employ the agency of colored men, as far as their qualification will permit. At present, teachers and assistants of this class can be obtained, others of higher attainments, men of piety and zeal for this great work will in time be prepared, both in this country and among the natives, to take the burden of the missionary work in Africa on themselves; so that the blessings of the gospel will be carried to this benighted land chiefly by the agency of her own children.

The whole of the Western coast, from Sierra Leone to the Sinoe river, had long been the mart of the slave trade. First the British, and then the American colonies arrested its progress on large sections of the coast; but it was only within the last year that the slave factories at the Gallinas and New Cess were broken up. The whole country back of these colonies

has been the seat of this murderous traffic, which to a large extent still continues. The part of the coast lying between the Sinoe river and Cape Palmas, and occupied by the Kroos, the Grand Sesters, and the Grebos, has, for the most part, escaped this dreadful scourge. No missionary has ever resided among the Kroos, or the Grand Sesters on the coast, or any of the tribes behind them. The first station for the mission, must, from the state of the country, be on the coast. Every tribe in that region are most anxious to have missionaries to reside among them. The Kroos living on the coast claim to be first supplied before they will permit a station among their neighbors more inland, who are equally desirous of missionaries with themselves. In a short time, we hope to have another station on the highlands in the Waw country, leaving the station on the coast in the charge of the colored members of the mission. This point gained, we have good reason to believe that the health of our brethren will not suffer materially from the climate in the interior; and that we may then look forward to the permanent continuance of the mission without more than ordinary risk to the health and life of the brethren sent from among ourselves.

By our last accounts from Africa, the mission family now there had past safely through the first attack of fever, which is always the most dangerous, and which, in this instance, proved fatal to one of the brethren. The vessel that takes you out, carries also a house prepared to be set up, and large enough to accommodate two families. The vessel will touch at Cape Palmas, and it is arranged, that Mr. CANFIELD will proceed to the Kroo country, taking assistance with him to set up the house when the materials are landed. A boat will also be sent with you sufficiently large to run between the station and either of the colonies. It will most likely be best for you to remain at Cape Palmas until the building at Settra Kroo is ready to receive you, or even longer, if that be deemed best by yourself and the brethren there.

Whilst it is the duty of the church, and of all her judicatories, and her Board of Foreign Missions, as well as of all her missionaries, while laboring for the spread of the gospel, to mature the best plans for carry ing forward the work, it is equally the duty of all to contemplate with awe and reverence, and with deep humility, the Divine sovereignty, and to acknowledge in all things the overruling providence of God. Without his approval, every plan and council, however wise to human view, will be turned to foolishness and disappointment. It becomes us, then, to look to the word of God for direction, and to follow the example of his servants as therein recorded for our instruction. It is worthy of our imitation how frequently the apostle to the Gentiles, though commissioned by the Saviour himself, and living for his glory, and laboring more abundantly than all others, refers, in all his plans and purposes, to the will of the Lord. • I must by all means keep this feast that cometh in Jerusalem; but I will return again to you, if God will." Acts xviii. 21. 66 Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey, by the will of God, to come unto you." Rom. i 10. That I may come unto you with joy, by the will of God, and may with you be refreshed." Rom. But I will come to you shortly, it the Lord will.” 1 Cor. iv. "For I will not see you now by the way; but I trust to tarry a while with you, if the Lord permit." 1 Cor. xvi. 7. "And this will we do, if God permit." Heb. vi. 3.

xv. 32. 19.

66

Such also was the practice of the prophets. "And the king said unto Zadok, carry back the ark of God into the city; if I shall find favour in the eyes of the Lord, he will bring me again, and show me both it and his habitation But if he thus say, I have no delight in thee, behold, here am I, let him do me as seemeth good unto him." 2 San . xv. 25, 26.