--G. Woollcombe May 15, 1824 334 7 196 50 63 1 327

ཙྪ།།༄ ྤ」Total.

61387 Total in the Year 1822.

Sierra Leone, February 23, 1826.

WM. SMITH, Registrar to the Mixed Commissions.

SIR,

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

Bahia is the principal Port from which Vessels under the Brazilian Flag are cleared out for a Slaving-voyage to Molembo; but, in every Case which has of late come before the Court of Mixed Commission for adjudication, it has been most satisfactorily proved, that their Cargoes had been shipped from Lagos: false Logs, and Journals of their Voyages, being regularly made out, as if from the Port they swear they came from, and this, of necessity, induces a system of prevarication, and of the grossest perjury.

The vigilance and activity of our Cruizers have been the means of making the Slavers extremely cautious in their proceedings. Until the day of departure, although every preparation for the reception of their Victims is made, not a Slave is embarked; and when that does take place, it is distressing to reflect on the number which is thus taken on board. The poor Wretches may literally be said to be stowed in bulk. The consequence is, (either from contagious disease getting among them, or the length of time before they arrive at their Place of destination, the Brazilian Vessels being generally very dull sailers,) that the number of deaths which occur, and the squalid, diseased and deplorable state of the Survivors, when landed, are shocking to humanity.

I purpose making the Cases under The Netherlands Flag, the subject of a Separate Despatch. I have, &c.

The Right Hon. George Canning.

J. T. WILLIAMS.

No. 5.—G. Rendall, Esq. to Mr. Sec". Canning.—(Rec. June 2, 1826.)
SIR,
Sierra Leone, November 10, 1825.

In consequence of the protracted illness of one Clerk, and the resignation of another, we were deprived of assistance during a period of three Months, and by the departure of one of these Individuals on leave to England, the Commissioners' Office was left without a Writer.

We were, therefore, induced to remove Mr. Bidwell from his Situation of First Clerk of the Registry, to do duty under the Commissioners, with leave to draw the full Salary of Second Writer; and we also engaged a young Gentleman (Mr. Bouverie) who had lately arrived from England as another Writer, with the half Salary of the First.

We sincerely hope, Sir, that these temporary arrangements will meet with your entire approbation. I have, &c. The Right Hon. George Canning.

G. RENDALL.

No. 6.-G. Rendall, Esq. to Mr. Sec". Canning.-(Received June 2.)
SIR,
Sierra Leone, January 10, 1826.
I HAVE the honour to enclose, herewith, Abstracts of the Proceed-
ings in the several Courts of Mixed Commission established in this
Colony, during the last Year.

с

There were three Cases adjudicated under the British and Spanish Mixed Commission, all of them deemed Cases for condemnation, and the number of Slaves emancipated amount to 579.

The number of Cases adjudicated under the British and Portuguese Mixed Commission was four, all which were condemned, and the number of Slaves emancipated amount to 1020.

There were three Cases adjudicated in the British and Netherlands Mixed Court of Justice; no Slaves were on board any of them at the time of capture; but (falling under the several designations in the Additional Article to the Treaty signed at Brussels, the 25th of January, 1823,) the Vessels and their Cargoes were condemned.

The total number of Cases adjudged during the past Year will thus be found to be 10, and the number of Slaves emancipated 1599. I have the honour to be, &c. The Right Hon. George Canning.

G. RENDALL.

(Enclosure 1.)-Abstract of Proceedings under the British and Spanish Mixed Commission at Sierra Leone, from the 1st of January 1825, to the 1st of January 1826.

(No. 1.) The Schooner Espanola, under Spanish Colours, Francisco Ramon Roderiguez, Master, was captured by His Majesty's Ship Atholl, commanded by Captain James A. Murray, off the river Gallinas, on the 7th of March 1825, in Latitude 5. 21. North, and Longitude 13 13. West, with 270 Slaves on board.

Part of the outward-bound Cargo of this Vessel was purchased at Charleston: viz. Tobacco, to the amount of 1200 dollars.

This vessel was condemned on the 19th of March 1825, and her Slaves were emancipated on the same day.

(No. 2.)-The Segunda Gallega, sailing under Spanish Colours, was captured by His Majesty's Ship Maidstone, Commodore Bullen, C. B. on the 29th of September 1825, in Latitude 6. 13. North, and Longitude 3. 18. East, with 285 Slaves on board.

The Court condemned this Vessel and emancipated her Slaves on the 23d of November 1825.

(No. 3.)-His Majesty's Ship Brazen, commanded by Captain Willes, detained the Schooner Clara, otherwise Clarita, Joze Morano, Master, sailing under Spanish Colours, off Cape Mesurado, in Latitude 5. 15. North, and Longitude 10. 30. West, on the 4th of November 1825, with 36 Slaves on board. These were emancipated, and the Vessel condemned on the 23d of November 1825.

GEO. RENDALL.