The Express.
London, England, 1861-08-12 00:00:00

WEST COAST OF AFRICA.

The news brought by the steamer Etbiope on
Saturday shows that the slave trade, so far from de-
creasing, is rapidly reviving, and that the illegal
traffic is carried on chiefly under the American flag.
At Porto Novo matters continued unsettled, and
the West African Herald gives the following de-
scription of the battle of Porto Novo :

It has already been recorded in] thief journal four months
ago, that the late Mr. Foote, her Majesty's consul at Lagoa.
went up to Porto Novo in the gunboat Brune, for the pur-
pose of negotiating with the king of that place. The king
having refused to accede to the terms of the treaty, and
treating the consul's message with contempt, Mr. Foote
caused a shot to be fired over the town. This having pro,
duped no effect, some shots were fired into the town, and
the Brune left the place. The Porto-Noviana, much elated
at the departure of the Brune, congratulated themselves,
and declared that if the versa came again they would have
her up on the beach, and convert her intoa.war-oanoe forth.
king. On the 26th of April hurt the consul went up with •
considerable force to recommence hostilities. Commodore
Edmondstone commanded in person. The force consisted of
her Majesty's ships Bloodhound, Brune, and the Fideliter.
The Bloodhound could not get further up the lagoon than
Beechy, so that the Brune and Fiduliter had it all to do
themselves. They were assisted by ten boats. The Porto-
NOViana mustered in large force on the backs of the
lagoon.

The following is from the native journal, Lee Irol in,
published at Abbeokuta :

" The expedition consisted of the Brune and Fideliter.
Each of these had attached to it a number of boats—ten, it
is stated. Four of these were armed with 24 and 12.
pounder howitzers, the remaining six were rocket boats.
The expedition reached the barrier above B•dsgry at four
p.m. on the afternoon of Thursday, and after two hours,
bard work pulling and hauling the sailors effected a narrow
panne, which was forced by the Fideliter. She was im.
mediately followed by the Brune, and thus in the space of
two hours and a half was overcome what it had taken the
Porto Nord= six weeks and more to prepare. Some Lo
coulees made a miserable attempt to save their reputation by
firing • few shots, but • rocket or two from the long 52 of
the Brune sent them flying up the river at their beat pace.
Next moron* at seven a.m. the flotilla bad reached Porto
Novo; and es soon as they came abreast of the town
• heavy musketry fire was opened upon them from
both aides of the river, which, however, waa not replied to
by the English for some little time. When once the boats
opened fire with rockets, shell, and shot, it was vigorous
and well directed, so much so that within an hour the
town was in flames, which gradually increased until they
rose high above the lofty trees that hitherto afforded the
inhabitants grateful shade. The iso canoes again took to
flight, and remained through the day far out of gunshot,
and watched the game of war in tolerable security. The
beats of the squadron were in two divisions, one under the
commodore, the second under Captain Raby, of ber Ma.
jesty's ship Alecto. Finding the town burning furiously is
their rear, the defenders of this den of infamy ran for the
beach, and advantage was taken of this by Captain Raby,
V.C., who was in hisgig with two meu, to land and spike •
gun—not, however, without being severely wounded by the
explosion of the gun during the act of spiking. Seeing that
the natives bad not plucked up courage to cut off this
party, permission was given to about 50 marines and blue
jacked to land, in order to set on fire some well-built houses
that bad hitherto withstood the rockets and flames.

"The landing was effected without molestation, and a
new quarter of the town wee hereby set fire to. It appears
that the warriors bad not up to this time retreated from the
town, for Captain A. T. Jones, 2nd West India Regiment,
encountered one standing in a doorway, whom he shot with
his revolver, and met a second, whom he was about also to
despatch, when his revolver missed fire, and had the native
rushed at him he must have cut him down before he could
draw his sword ; but, deeming prudence the better part of
valour, he took to his heels and hid himself.

"The town now being in this quarter thoroughly fired, at
11.30 the troops re-embarked, and returned to their ships
and dined. At 1 o'clock, being refreshed, and a fresh sup-
ply of ammunition served out, the boats of Captain Raby's
division formed in line abreast, and advanced within 15 yards
of the reeds horn whence the natives still kept up a brisk
fire from a point rather lower than where the gunboats had
anchored, and where it was subsequently discovered they
had an ambuscade. From this point it was found difficult
to dislodge them, until rockets and round shot found
out their weak point, and sent them flying in all
directions. Great havoc was committed in their retreating
ranks by the grape and canister of the boats, as well as the
well.directed shots of the marines. The opportunity was
DOW seized upon by Captains Raby and Jones to land and
spike a second gun and carry off their last flag. It was now
seen bow great had been the havoc inflicted upon the
enemy, by whose own account they admit their loss to be
1,000 killed and as many wounded. After this the firing
, became very weak and desultory, so the English amused
themselves by firing shot and shell at the principal houses
left standing. About f p.m. the gunboats and flotilla
steamed away for lagos and rejoined the squadron outside
the bar. The vessels composing it have since steamed off
in various directions. The loss on the aide of the English
was only one man killed and five slightly wounded."
The notorious slaver Storm King had again done
a clever stroke of businms, and bamboozled both
the American and British cruisers. This vessel,
which is reported to have made in three years
upwards of 2,000,000 dollars, went into Mango
Grande with a legal cargo on board, assuming a
trading cruise, but finding that there were slaves
to be obtained had thrown her cargo overboard,
shipped a large number of slaves, and got away
clear.

The steam-vessel Miramon (formerly Greenock)
had shipped a cargo of slaves at Kasinda in
four hours, using American, Spanish, and Portu-
guese colours to suit the cruisers she happened
to meet. Everything is done under the American
flag until the slaves are actually on board, so
that the two or three English cruisers have very
little chance to take prizes or check the trade.
In regard to trade on the coast, the natives
say that the present season is the best for oil
ever known.

The barque Warrior, of Bristol, Captain Johns,
=aher cables at Badagry and went on shore.
mid one hand drowned ; vessel a total wreck.
At the time of the accident there were eight vessels
at anchor close by (six of which were English), not
one of which lowered a boat or rendered the least
assistance.

The screw steamer Advance, in crossing the bar
at Lagos, was struck by a sea, which did her con-
siderable damage, broke one mau's leg, wounded
the engineer, and several others.
Her Majesty's ships Prometheus, Ranger, and
Buffalo were at Fernando Po, as were also the
United States ships San Jacinto and Sumpter.
Her Majesty's ship Dover was at Bathurst.
Among the passengers brought by the Ethiope
from Madeira was Lord and Lady Massareene.
The Falcou war sloop was at Cape Palmas, and
the Torch at Sierra Leone.

Tess FORESTERS. —The proceedings of the anneal
High Court of the Foresters termiustof on Setunley
at Deacon's-hall, Islington. About lOU delegates attended
from various parte of the United Kinzdom, and the sittings
of the court extended over several days, under the pron•
dewy of Mr. Foster, of the London United District. Va•
rious new regulations were discussed and adopted. and the
most satisfactory reports were received as to the progrenef
the society, which now contains more than 200,000 mem-
bers. Ti.h newly elected executive council were in-
stalled, end will commence their labours next week, at
Shrewsbury.
CHARITABLE BEQUEST/L-0B the death of Mrs.
Guy, of Chelmsford, the following munificent public be-
quests will take effect, in pursuance of the directions of the
benevolent testatrix :-3,0001. to be invested for the benefit
of St. John's Church, Moulsham ; 1,000/. for St. Mary's
Church, Chelmsford ; and ROO/., the income of which is to
be expended in coals or fuel for the poor of Chelmsford and
Mouleham, in equal moieties. Also the following legacies :-
2001., Chelmsford Charity School ; 2001., St. John a School,
Moulshum ; 1,0001., Essex Church and Chapel IWO%
Society ; 300/., Essex Clergy Charity ; 3101., Essex sea
Colchester Hospital ; GOO/., Asylum for Idiots at Fanwood/
5001., Wanstead Infant Orphan Asylum ; 4001., Societqrs
the Propagation of the Gospel ; 4001., Society for Promoting
ChrisAisn Knowledge; 2001., St. Ann's School. Brixton;
3001., Governesses' Society ; 3001., Benevolent Society. BY
the will of the late Mrs. Guy the sum of 8,0001. is directed
to be invested in the names of the rector of Chelmsford, the
incumbent of St. John's, Moulsbam, and four other trus-
tees, the income to be applied for the benefit of eight re.
spectable women, either widows or spinsters, none of them
being under the age of 50 years, who by some reverse of
fortune shall have become reduced in circumstances, and 'll.l
of whom must be members of the Church of England, aced
have resided in Chelmsford for 10 yaws, or be the widow or
child of some old inhabitant.