presenting itself, a considerable number could easily be obtained for foreign export from the barracoons up the river Pongas, kept by the notorious Mrs. Lightbourne and a Mr. Faber, who, I understand, is her agent. The supply is procured from the Sherbro and its vicinity, and conveyed in canoes about the month of September, after the crops are sown. Slaving also goes on from the Sherbro with Millacore and Forecarrah, and frequent captures take place off Kent by the civil commandant, who is a most active man, and has been the means of rescuing many unfortunate human beings from slavery. Slaves are frequently sent from the Pongas to the Nunez; but I should imagine principally to be shipped as emigrants. The French have constructed a fort at the latter place. I also learn that slaves are taken along the coast from Bessaio by Portuguese, and the Sierra Leone river itself is constantly the scene of its operations; but owing to the exertions of his Excellency the Governor and his agents, repeated captures have been effected. As the Sherbro without doubt supplies the greatest quantity on this part of the station, I trust, when the timber trade in the Bagroo (one of its branches) is opened, it will materially lessen that barbarous traffic by finding honest labour for those who would otherwise be sold into slavery.

1

I am given to understand that vessels from the western ports make a practice of calling at Cape Palmas for the purpose of learning the movements of our cruizers; and, as this place is also frequently resorted to by English merchant vessels, sometimes to the extent of 200 annually, for the purpose of procuring kroomen, &c., I think it would be of great advantage to British interests if a consul or consular agent were appointed, as it would not only check the disturbances that have frequently occurred amongst the natives and our palm-oil traders, but also enable us to gain, through such authority, more accurate information of the actual presence on the coast of vessels suspected of being intended for employment in the slave trade. I do not think there is any slaving carried on in the Liberian territory. This concludes all the information I can give on the sybject of the slave trade in this division.

Bights Division.-In spite of the increased number of cruizers in this division, I regret to say the slave trade has flourished, three notorious vessels having got clear with large cargoes; but it exists, as formerly stated, principally in Dahomey's country, which is altogether given up to this illegal traffic to the injury of legitimate trade, which it has almost superseded. This increase has been caused by the large number of captures made by the King of Dahomey for the purpose of observing the barbarous custom on the anniversary of his late father's death, and which, I believe, has far exceeded in its atrocities anything of the kind. Although slaves are collected all along the coast from Elmina Chica, about ten miles to the eastward of Quittah, to Porto Novo on the eastern part of the Bights, still Great and Little Popo, Whydah, Jackin, and Delmina, are the principal shipping ports to which they are transported. Barracoons are not used so much as formerly, the slaves being scattered about among the houses so as to appear as domestic slaves. The slave traders are mostly settled at Whydah, which post ought always to be guarded by a cruizer; there is a Senor Modeiras said to be actively engaged in the slave trade at Ahgwey, and a Senor Limas, a Brazilian, living about a mile from Quittah Fort, who I hear has dealings with the Hanover.

As the value of an able-bodied, healthy slave, on the beach, is 90 dollars in hard cash, while on the south coast it is only 25 dollars, added to which

there is much greater risk in the Bights on account of the surf, canoes frequently capsizing with valuable cargoes on board. It is, therefore, quite evident that the slaver under American colours would only go to the most expensive market for some good reason, which is, the general absence of the United States' cruizers from that part of the coast, making, of course, their chance of a successful trip more certain. I have represented this to Flag-officer Inman, who, I hear, has sent a gunboat (Sumpter) to the Bights; but this is not enough to make any serious impression: there ought to be at least a squadron equal to ours, instead of the bulk of their cruizers being kept on the south coast. If this step was taken, I am sure the slave trade would be greatly lessened. Although the Constanzia would doubtless have got off the cameroons had she not been captured by the Alecto, still I do not think there is much to be apprehended from that neighbourhood while the palm-oil trade exists as at present.

The Bonny and Calabar are also free from such traffic, except, of course, in domestic slavery, which prevails more or less all over the coast. I now beg to draw your attention to the islands of Princes and St. Thomas, both of which I have reason to believe afford every assistance to slavers, which frequently put in for water and provisions, and I hear that at Princes slaves are even landed. The general disturbed state of the country for the past six months has, no doubt, been very advantageous to the increase of the slave trade in the Bights.

South Division. The export of slaves is very general; but I am, nevertheless, thankful to say it has received a serious check during the past six months, in consequence of the exertions made towards its suppression by the United States' squadron. Our cruizers, though very active, I regret to say have not been so successful in making captures as the Americans. The Congo and its neighbourhood contribute the greatest number of slaves, and Ponta de Lenha is, without doubt, the head-quarters on the coast. It is there that the dealers principally live, and make their arrangements. I have issued instructions to the senior officer to cause this place to be visited as often as possible, and the Congo constantly to have a cruizer guarding its entrance. The places from whence slaves are shipped to the northward of the Congo are as follows:-Point Piedras, Mayumba, Banda Point, Black Point, Landana, and Cabenda Bay, to the southward of the Congo; Cabeça de Cobra, and Mangue Grande; and the coast between Maella (called by the natives Macula) and Junna Bay. At Macula vessels can lay close in under the land in safety, and receive their cargoes of slaves with the greatest facility. There is rapid and frequent communication kept up between this part of the coast and Ponta de Lenha by means of runners and by water, there being a river to the northward of Ambrizette which communicates with the Congo, and is of sufficient water to enable boats of ten tons burden to enter this river; also a large number of canoes might lay concealed a few yards inside its mouth, with their cargoes of slaves in them, completely hid from view.

Many of the native boats, with Portuguese colours, I am convinced greatly assist the slavers in shipping; and it is considered presumptive evidence, when any number of them are collected in these localities, that a shipment is contemplated. In the neighbourhood of all the principal shipping places on the south coast there are considerable barracoons continually kept supplied with slaves, The slaves on board the Clara Windsor, captured by the Espoir, as shown in inclosure 2, were shipped by King Jack at Cabenda,

in spite of the treaty that exists. I shall, therefore, take steps for his being punished for his breach of faith, and threaten him with the serious displeasure of her Majesty's Government. While at Loango, in the Arrogant, I took the opportunity to cause the French emigration establishment to be visited by some of my officers, who report that they were well received by the governor, who made no objection to their going over the premises, which appeared to be well conducted, and that there were upwards of 300 free emigrants awaiting shipment. At St. Paul's de Loanda there is a great deal of domestic slavery, and I should not be surprised if slaves in small quantities were occasionally taken by the coasting boats to Ambrizette. I regret to inform you that the slave trade has, to a small extent, revived to the southward of the last-mentioned port, an American vessel having got off with 300 from Benguela, as shown in the accompanying return; and I also learn that the American vessels, fitted as whalers, had been trying to negotiate for slaves at Little Fish Bay, when, failing in this object, they proceeded to the southward of the limits of the station, where, no doubt, they were successful. While at Elephant Bay I had an opportunity of observing that slavery is carried on, on that part of the coast. There is a Portuguese resident who had several slaves, principally children, in irons, no doubt ready to be transferred to some other depôt, when a number could be got together. He informed me, however, that they were for domestic purposes. I have instructed the senior officer of the southern division to order a cruizer to visit these places occasionally. In concluding this report, I am thankful to say that the number of cruizers at my disposal has been increased by two during the last six months, the disposition of the squadron being at present as follows:- North Division--Torch (senior officer), Falcon; Bights Division-Alecto (senior officer), Ranger, Espoir, Bloodhound; South Division-Archer (senior officer), Prometheus, Wrangler, Sharpshooter.

SLAVE TRADE.

Correspondence with British Ministers and Agents in Foreign Countries, and with Foreign Ministers in England, relating to the Slave Trade, from January 1 to 31 December, 1861.

MUSCAT, ZANZIBAR.-Lieutenant Colonel Rigby on the 14th May, 1861, sent the following remarks relative to the slave trade which is carried on to so great an extent between the east coast of Africa and the coasts of Arabia and Persia :

During the last twenty years, the stoppage of this traffic has been an object of solicitude to her Majesty's Government: but from the experience I have acquired as to the extent to which it is still carried on, I can state with confidence that very little success has hitherto attended the endeavours of the British Government to put a stop to this revolting traffic, and that the treaties entered into for its suppression between her Majesty and the late Imaum of Muscat, have not been regarded in the very slightest degree by the Zanzibar authorities. In fact, I believe that the treaties have been considered a dead letter from the day they were concluded.

During the last few years, the export of slaves from the interior of Africa

to the Island of Zanzibar has been greatly on the increase; it is now carried on in a more organized manner, and has spread much further into the interior than formerly. The number of slaves annually imported into Zanzibar is now not less than 20,000; of these, probably one-half are retained on the island, and the remainder exported to foreign countries in violation of treaties. In addition to the above, several thousands of slaves are annually taken from the ports within the Portuguese dominions, and also from the River Lindy and the port of Keelwa to ports on the coast to the north of Zanzibar, whence they are afterwards taken to the Arabian

coast.

Until within the last few years, the vessels which carried the slaves from the east coast of Africa were not solely engaged in this traffic; each vessel took on board a few slaves in addition to its cargo; but at present from 100 to 200 slaves and upwards are shipped in one vessel, and it is made a distinct traffic; one Sooree vessel, captured recently by her Majesty's ship Sidon, had on board 273 slaves. When carried in such numbers on board Arab craft, the sufferings and mortality of the slaves are greatly augmented; it is stated that frequently one-half the number embarked die before arriving at their destination.

In the year 1840, the acting resident in the Persian Gulf reported to the secretary to Government, Bombay, that the number of slaves sold annually in the Gulf was estimated at 4000 to 5000, and that 100 vessels were employed in carrying slaves between Zanzibar and the shores of the Persian Gulf. I believe that so far from the subsequent treaties having had any effect in restricting this traffic, at the smallest computation 10,000 slaves are now taken north every year, and that upwards of 150 vessels are employed in carrying them. Of the 10,000 slaves thus exported, I believe that fully one-half are shipped in the harbour of Zanzibar, with the full knowledge of the authorities, by whom no notice whatever is taken of the breach of treaties which this traffic involves, unless urged by the British consul to do so.

The Honourable Sir J. Carnac, Governor of Bombay, recorded, in a minute dated the 5th of January, 1841, as follows:-"It would appear by our past engagements that, though the Imaum of Muscat and the Joasmee Chiefs have taken credit for having conformed to the wishes of the British Government, the slave trade prevails, in fact, in its pristine vigour within certain limits, and, as far as they are concerned, the value to us of their engagements has been rendered nugatory; and as much revenue has been derived (by the Imaum of Muscat, for example) from the traffic of slaves as he enjoyed when the slave trade did not engage our attention."

The Honourable Mr. Anderson also recorded, in a minute without date:-"I am assured that no effectual stop can be put to this traffic till the carrying away from Africa, on any pretence, slaves, either bought, kidnapped, or taken in war, is declared piracy, and the measures for capturing vessels so laden are more effectually entered upon. The great step is, to make it no longer a trade of any profit to the slave-dealer in the interior of Africa to bring to the coast slaves for sale. Until this is done, slaves will be brought down, and the terrible miseries of the trade continued." In a letter from Captain Hamerton to the secretary to the Government, Bombay, dated the 13th July, 1841, he estimates the number of slaves annually imported into the Islands of Pemba and Zanzibar from the coast of Africa at from 8000 to 10,000, a duty of 1 dollar per head being

paid to the customs-master. The import of slaves has more than doubled since that time, and the duty charged is now at 2 dollars per head. Captain Hamerton also stated as follows:-" In no part of the world is the misery and suffering these wretched slaves endure, whilst being brought here, and until they are sold, exceeded. They are in such a wretched state, from starvation and disease, that they are sometimes considered not worth landing, and are allowed to expire in the boats to save the dollar a-head duty." These remarks equally apply to the present state of this traffic. Arabs are more callous to the sufferings of slaves than to those of brute animals.

Captain Hamerton further reported, in a letter to the secretary to the Government, Bombay, dated the 2nd January, 1842, as follows:-"The Arabs from the Pirate Coast in the Persian Gulf yearly take a number of slaves by force from Zanzibar, yet the Imaum is unable to prevent them; he fears to do so. With respect to the suppression, or even the amelioration, of the slave trade which is carried on by the subjects of his highness. the Imaum and other chiefs of the coast of Africa, nothing can ever be effected by negotiation. The Imaum has not the power to interfere in this matter, even were he willing to do so, but he is not. Should Government determine to put a stop to the slave trade by sea, it can easily be done; but little or no assistance can be expected from the Imaum."

The state of the slave trade on the east coast of Africa twenty years ago, as described in the above extracts, has continued up to the present time, in spite of treaties, and of all the efforts of the British Government to put a stop to it. I believe that, with the exception of the Sultan himself, every Arab in Zanzibar is, and always has been, engaged in this traffic. that the Sultan's next brother, by name Abdool Wahab; his nephew, Sayyid Saood; his cousin, the nominal governor of the town, by name Sayyid Suleiman; the chiefs of the Shakshee tribe, and the chief Cazee of the town, were all engaged in supplying slaves to Spanish and French vessels. So little secrecy is observed, that vessels belonging to Somalis and Northern Arabs, lie at anchor and embark slaves just beneath the windows of the Sultan's palace. Unless a British cruizer happens to be in harbour, there is absolutely no check whatever to the illegal export of slaves. I know of one Somali vessel which, this year, embarked 150 slaves; and of another which was at anchor for three days after having embarked 160 slaves; and of a third vessel which embarked 141 slaves. I informed the Sultan of the last, and procured the re-landing of the slaves, and at my request his Highness has given to each of these slaves a certificate of emancipation.

One of the Arab vessels captured by her Majesty's ship Sidon, had shipped 67 slaves in the harbour of Mombass. I asked the Arab commander how he could have done so without the connivance of the authorities. He replied that he had not attempted any concealment, and that, whilst there, five other vessels had embarked slaves for the north; and that the governor of the place told them that they were doing no wrong, as the shipment of slaves was not forbidden by the Sultan. At Keelwa and Lamoo the slaves are also openly embarked; and from Keelwa alone eighteen large dhows, filled with slaves, have sailed north (to the Persian Gulf and Arabian coast) this season.

The first season after my arrival at Zanzibar, affairs were in a very unsettled state, owing to the expected invasion from Muscat, and therefore