This Vessel was not condemn

ed, but the Court decreed the
sale of the said Vessel and
cargo, as perishable articles,
on the 9th February, 1824, and
the proceeds thereof were or-
dered to be paid into the Re-

gistry:
The Court decreed that the

Slaves which were brought in
for adjudication in this Ves-
sel were not entitled to be
emancipated; they were how.
ever delivered over to the Co-

lonial Government.

Total in the Year 1824.
75 32 93 70 270
11 123 15 114

22 274
12

6 361 11 210 56 216 98 580 Total in the Year 1825.

(This Vessel was upset in a tor191

6 nado in the Bight of Benin,

and only 6 Slaves were saved. 68 50 22 40 18 130

The Court decreed that the

Slaves, to the number of 228,
3

were not entitled to emanci-
pation; they were, however,
delivered over to the Colonial
Government.

· (Continued.)

(Enclosure 3 B. continued. ) - List of Vessels Adjudicated in the Court of the British and Portuguese Mired Commission, sheuing

the Number of Slaves Captured, Emancipated, and Registered, from its Establishment to the 6th Day of February 1826.

97

(Enclosure 3 B. continued.)

396

1 147 104

WM. SMITH, Registrar to the Mixed Commissions.

No. 4.-J. T. Williams, Esq. to Mr. Sec. Canning.-(Rec. May 22.) Sir,

Sierra Leone, March 10, 1826. NOTWITHSTANDING the acknowledged zeal, vigilance, and activity, of His Majesty's Squadron on this Coast, and the unremitting assiduity of its Officers in the performance of their duty, to endeavour to check the illicit Traffick in Slaves; and, although His Majesty's Ships have lately captured more Vessels concerned in the prosecution of this detestable Trade, in a shorter space of time thau, 1 believe, at any former period, since the establishment of the Courts of Mixed Commission; still, and it is with a feeling of painful regret I state it, no great diminution appears to have been the consequence—it is still most flourishing.

of sixteen Vessels taken during the last nine months, seven had taken their Cargoes from Lagos, three from the River Calabar, two from Popo, and Parts adjacent thereto, all which Places are deep in the Bights of Benin and Biafra; and one from a Place called Manna, on the Windward Coast, and about 250 miles to leeward of this Colony: the Dutch Vessels Z and La Venus, were bound to the River Bonny, and the Bey intended taking her Cargo on board from the Gallinas.

It would therefore appear evident from these facts, that the Rivers in the Bights of Benin and Biafra, form the principal sources of this Trade; and which is carried on to a great extent under the Flags of Spain, France, Brazil and Holland; the latter, in most cases, being made the cover of French property.

Whilst Miscreants, so engaged, continue to foster by its means the worst feelings of the Native Africans, by so powerfully exciting their cupidity, it cannot be expected that any permanent, or extensive good, can be effected in ameliorating their condition, or extending the blessings of civilization. It is however, amidst all this evil, matter of congratulation, that in the neighbourhood of this Colony, there exists little, if any, remains of the Slave-trade. The River Sherbro' was, at one period, a principal Emporium for Slaves; but the policy of the late much-lamented Governor, Major-General Turner, gave a deep, and I hope a death blow, to any further proceedings of that nature there.

The Havannah is the only Port from which Vessels under the Spanish Flag clear out for Africa. Whether from the just remonstrances of the British Government, or otherwise, they now clear out, under the pretence of legitimate Commerce, for the Islands of St. Thomas and Princes; which Islands, from their contiguity to the Bights of Benin and Biafra, greatly facilitate the carrying their real object, that of Slaving, into effect.

It has also come to my knowledge, that such Vessels as get off the Coast with safety, land their Slaves at the back of the Island, and then return into the Port of The Havannah in ballast.