The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1824-05-12 00:00:00

AFRICAN INSTITUTIO:V.

Yesterday Meths commemoration of the 18th anniversary of tlis;
Institution ; a very numerous inciting of ladies and gentlemen
was mumbles' in the great loons of the Freemasons Tavern. to hear
the Reportof the Committee of the past year read, and the Reso-
lutions that were founded thereupon. Atone o'clock, the Marquis
at lAnsdown entered the room, accompanied by Lord Calt.impe,
Lord Hervey, Lord Euston, F. Buxton, Esq. Al. P., J. Butter.
wer.b, Esq. M.P., W. Smith, Esq. 31. P., D. Sykes, Esq. 31.1'.
The Marquis of LaWSnOWN was called to the Chair, who then
announced to the Company that theilkhealthof his Royal Highness
the Duke of Gloucester alone prevented his presence at that 3leet-
log. in the object of which he felt an deep and uneeatinglW in-
terest. The Noble Marquis said that he derived pride end saris.
faction in presiding our so respectable an assembly as was then
convened for the noble and benign purpmes of assisting in the total
sappression of that odious traffic designated the Slave Trade.
(Cheert).
Wet LIAM EVARS, Esq. M.P. then mad the Report of the
the Ceenmittee, from which the following are CXMIC!... The
Report was efeeedingly voluminous and interesting.
These importations are chiefly effected under the French and
•Portuguese flags; still, however, notwithstanding the risks attend-
ing it, and the penal inflictions denounced against it, the Spanish
ttay Is bond employed in this proscribed traffic, and in proportion
to the Rats the desperate audacity of the criminals appears to have
increased. They proceed strongly armed, to carry on their work of
r pilearid blood cn the coast, and some of them have not been
tapthred until after a severe conflict with the British boats, and
the lows of lives, by which they have incurred all the guilt of piracy.
" Tim records of the mixed commission-courts of Sierra Leone,
during the year 1822, exhibit six eases at Spanish ships condemned
for slavetrading. In addition to then the Sierra Lame Gazelle
spetifist several Spanish slave ships which had been detained by
his Majesty's critic's' in lad; anti several more, evidently the
tiroPerty of Spaniards, but which were ;protected from capture by
the french gag. (lima these eases is thus alluded to in the Si.:rra
1.6,111 rt;eratter of the llth of October, 1823 :
•• • In our last, we mentioned that a Spanish vessel under French
colonis WY purchasing slaves at Shebar. With the deepest feel.
ings ot.horrerr and plan, we now have to acquaint our readers that
We WI sines received information that her anchoring off slielpur
has been followed with the usual scenes of blood, inseparable from
suck a criminal traffic. The natives who reside about 40 miles in
the . interim (the Comas) being anxious to open a communication
• ith th ass, in order to receive rum, powder, or muskets on rosy
terse., have accordingly moved down in large numbers, carrying
tire and devastation with them. Eight villages have been burnt
MR destroyed; the peaceable inhabitants who did not perish in
theft/Axiom attacks bate been made slaves, and such as were fit for
maxima were bartered and stud to the European villain who cern-
meads the vessel, who styles himself sometinits Monsieur Jon_
quilt, at other times Don.' This person, it is added, has withM
eighteen months, by means of this nefarious association of the
French flag with Spanish interests, shipped off five cargoes front
tile same spot.
" 3. PORTUGAL.

During the year Inn, 13 Poitugurie slave-ships, having on!
bead "triads of LW() slaves, weir cendemned at Siam Leone
taro ateditig fot slaves north of the Line: aortae of the cases involved I
atrocities of the most revolting kind, and implicated in the guilt of
slam trading the' Portuguese functionaries on the coast of Africa of
the very lo4hcit clasi, and all of the eases afforded proofs of the'
mat repeei.eniible disregard. on the part of the Ittaailian Luthori-
Bats of the ebligadons of the treaties with this country. The
licences granted to these ships permitted them, while their deitina-
tion fins declared to be to Africa south of the Line, to visit SL
'fizetina Camevenns, Calabar, &e., which no motive could be as-
signed for their virifing, hut that of carrying on an illicit slave-
:..set Nay, the authorities in Brazil appear to have concurred
with the contrabandist in giving fictitious names to places north of
the Line, borrowed from places south of the Line, for the pur-
. p. te of deceiving the British callow' and the mixed commission
. . . . . . . .

•••The statue of 31oleolso, a place south of the Line, to whiir",
the Portognese slaveArade is still permitted, has been tranvferr_il
fur this profligate purpose to a place near Onim, in the Bight of
Benin. • •
the reemef one vas 4, the Condede Viii a Flora, taken with
,n• Mandrel sed ememy-two slaves on board, it was fully proved
• that she Govesuor al ileums was himself an interested participator
in thailiegalarsborkashia of skives, a certain number of the slaves
beipethis roperty, some of them being entered in the memoranda
os slopped and tateried from Ms official residence, as if all decency
wen end or fromithe reverement of the settlement.' Such is the
snow but most appropriate language of the Judge of the mixed
Commission•Goart. Tee esenstnations In this ease develope the
mat aumplioated tis..ue of fraudulent expedients Mr defeating the
ends ofijadeise.
r • The.Pertogneso schooner boat San Jose Xalaca, belonging so
• liody.of Princes island, the daughter of Gomez, formerly the Go.
verook aced still a• member of the governing junta of that island,
though only of the burthen of seven tons, was sent to Calaba for
alarm Thirty slaves had been purchased, and being put on board
thehoosit made-sail for Primes. But the voyage proved tedious,
provision boom so fail, md•the allowance was reduced to one ram
drily for two trims*. •• ism the provisions and water wholly
laded Taulbee, whisk and the whole must have shared their
tate hod not the weal got back to Calabar after having been six
weeks at sea.. The surviving, naves were in the most deplorable
state of emaciation and wretchedness. Nor was this to be wondered
ot. • far lossiLles their privations- they were manacled together, and
cooped up in a vessel of only seven tons burthen, having no shelter
but what could be afforded by the space between the water casks
and the deck; a space of seven incites.
" Our Government mode use of these various circumstances as
they;oecuatd, lamas upon Portugal, with an earnestness thatdoee
dielikhest aredit sto their zeal in the cause, the necessity of a more
rigorous enforcement of bee own laws, and of her treaties with this
country, but apparently with little effect. Some fresh articles in-
deed were at length agreed to, similar to those adopted by Spain
amt the Netbelands ferenlrgtog the power of cruisers, but these
have not yet been ratified.
"On the oipazatiod rßraid from the mother country, Mr.
Candi* loot no time its representing to the Portuguese Govern-
ment, that there meld now remain no pretence for reing entirely
to abolish the Slave trade. It had been prolonged by Portugal,
only teethe sake of Brael. and it now only remained to prohibit it
en*zry ottleethe Portuguese flag to the south, as well as to the
r.arth of the line. To this application, however, the most perem.
tory *valve was given, and a threat was even held out that if
Groh Britain shoed proceed on this principle, Portugal would at
~ace cbovida all her treaties with Great Britain as null and void ;
and theneceesity of continuing the traffic was maintained on a
ground which mull new had never been urged, or even heard of, ,
and which was unfounded in point of fact—namely, that the slave
trade was required for supplying, not Brazil, but its other African
zed A4fatie possessions with labourers.
" What conduct may hare been pursued by the Brazilian Go-
v emu+ mt On this subject does not appear, but undoubtedly that pass.
sued by Torte& is calculated to produce the most indignant feel.
:me in eery humane and liberal mind.
" In the year 1842, it appan that 28,246 slaves were imported
into Rio de Janeiro alone from the coast of Attica. The number
embarked had been 31,240, 8,484 having died on the passage. In
oar vessel. containing 492 dares, 194 had died ; in another, con.
lain» r 631, 213 had died ; in a third, containing 418, 214 had
died. &e.

number hyported into Bahia in the same year was up-
wards of 8,090.•
" 1. TRANCE.

e.jo " The t chirpier in thiscilaMiieus detail must be given, it
PI to be f to France. The remonstrances to that Power have
been 'Rymer: y and urgently, but unarailingly renewed by Mir
Clarks fitunry. MT Minster at Paris. A few extracts (rote these
remonstrances, while they prove the vigilance of our Government,
andel their Representative at Paris, will afford an instructive view
of the manner in which France has fulfilled her engagements.
_ _

" Aprif 7, Ifel.—A succession of fresh outragetre;ders it again
my duty to observe to your Excellency. that the pledge given to his
Brittneic• Majesty by the King of France for the effectual abolition
of :he slave trade, remains unredeemed.
" The official adviees received by his Britannic Majesty's Go-
v-rnment from Stem Leone, dated in January, prove that this de.
testable traffic still exists in full activity on the African coast, co-
vered and protected by the Nag of France.
" Theta seents,•Wdeed to be scarcely a spot on that *oast which
diaeLoot show MINS of die sieve trade, with all its attendant hoe.
roes ; for the arrival of a slave ship in any of the livers on the wind.
warteeast being the signal' or war between the natives, the ham.
leiwof-the weaker party arc bumt, and the miserable survivors car-
ried end sold to the slave termites.

k • •tsiticarly ascertained by inquiries made on the spot, aad on
the adjacent coast, by his Majesty's cruisers, that the number of
Mace cargoes taken out of the river Bonny in the preceding year,
amounted annually to 190 i and a similar return (rum the Malabar,
ter the like rerksd, made a total for that river alone of IG2.
w. 1 havesentived the express commands of the King, my mas-
ter, to eddies, to tie Cosvomment of his Most Christian Majesty,
en sirent retprosentation of these moat distressing facts, which, if
they prove anything, prove that wherever the French flag appear,
protection and impunity are ranted to the slave trader, and that
the abase of the laws enacted in France against this traffic, notsith.
hrest/ing the allegations of the party disposed to encourage the mis-
chief, afilird practical examples of the consequences which must
rcault tram this efd, by occasioning encroadiments on the territo-
ri‘n of friendly powers in Africa, and exciting bloody wars among
the natives.

" The magnitude of the evil must compel the French Govern-
ment row to detennine whether they will refuse to execute their en-
galvertents. and sit down under the imputation of being the power
to-whom 'lithos' interested is such a cause turn their eyes, as the
avowed protector of this commerce; or vindicate their character for
good faith and humanity in the eyes of the rest of the world, by
attiiibliating. their legislation to that of those countries which have
the greatest interest in maritime and colonial affairs.
"Similar remonstrances were subsequently made, and In garli-
c .Isr, the singular fact was pointed ont to the French Government,
oast mstwithstaseding ell the professions that had been made of a
desire to repress the slave Dade, the Commodore litauduit Da
• coaanandiag the French naval force on the ceast
Africa, had dr:lared that be had no instructions from his superiors,
which authorised him to seise any French vessels, though mani-
lady intended for the eine trade, which had not slaves actually a.
bawd. • 4'
• . • 04 6. TUE UNITED STATES.
"iit Las Am begone necessary to go at lemgth into the various
Degatioas which this Government had entered into with the 00-
verament of the United States, and which have at length so happily
'emanated in an agreement es.fotm a treaty, by which the high
oostracting parties shall mutually bind themselves to treat slave
trading by any of their subjects, under any flag, or in any part of
'0 world, as piracy. In order to facilitate such treaty, laws have

already bees panted in both countries, imposing the punishment of
Meant on the slave trade.
" It is, indeed, a most gratifying circumstance, as Mt. Canning
well observed, • that the two greatest maritime nations in the
"mild should so far cow premise tin it notion.il pride, as tc net to-
gether for the accomplishment of stieb mirpcse ; especially as
the realiration of this arrangement would probably not be the ter.
minationof its benefits.'"
At the Conclusion of the Report,
Lord CALTIIOIIIPE UM for the purpose of naming the first
, Resolution. He expressed the deepest concern, in which he felt
I assured that every one who heard hint participated, in finding front
the Report they had just heard read, that the traffic in slaves con.
firmed to exist to such a frightful extent, and to be carried on with
so much cruelty and oppression ; and more millet-hilly he was
grieved to hear that France was the principalearrier of this inhuntaa
merchandise. It was afflicting to see a country an abasing
and degrading herself; and a matter of deep regret to krmw
that such a polished and gallant nation as the French
might cross the Atlantic, to learn lessons of justice and
humanity. The stigma which the language of the report affixed
to that country was, he was sorry to observe, warranted by a state-
ment of the farts which had been brought home to her. It was
with concern that he saw the hopes blasted which lie had fro-Ay
cherished, of France lending her aid to put down such an abomin-
able, such a disgraceful pursuit ; but ha trusted that the exertions
of this country for the total extinction of that trade, would not be
relaxed, and that its influence would be used when; there was the
slightest probability of its being Atom's!. The colony of Sierra
Leone was a standing reproach to ail those who persevered in this
traffic, se it plainly shewcd what might be made of Africa, if pro-
per engines were employed to work with. The Noble Lord then
concluded with paying thigh tribute to di.: character of fir C.
Macarthy, whom he said he gready feared was lost to the progress
of this great achievement, except by his example.
Lord HERVEY sec wded the Resolution. He feared that be bad
obtruded himself on the company without ,onmessing sufficient in-
formation on the subject to render what he had to say of any value
to them, or if he haa possessed the infoneation, he lacked ability
to do justice to it. Ile could hardly feel himself justified, after
heating the statements contained in the report, in anticipating
' such a speedy regenerating of the morals of the Continental
Powers, ea would induce theta to join heartily with us in sup-
, ran ,rag this inhuman, this monstrous trade; yet it was our duty
to continue our efforts to implore them to come forward in the Yin.
dication of the right! of mankind, and in support of the laws of
God. The day had not long gone by—vet he thanked God that it
I had gone by, when this country was equally criminal with others,
in participating in such a traffic. The contrast that the present
scene exhibited, supported him in his hopes that other countries
might he brought rotund by our example. Ns.
D.Sra es,EN.M.P. moved the second Resolution. lie said that it
was the crown of glory of that Administration of which the Noble
' Chairman formed so eonspicuoun snot:lament. to pot an end to the
' deer trade in this country. His Noble Friends who had preset Mail
him had meat eloquently enlarged on all the topicia on which he
lad intended to address the assembly. The Honourable Geode-
man then briefly adverted aci the conduct of France on this guys-
lion, and of the little reliance that could be placed on any promises'
of support which she might give far the extermination of the
slave trade, and saying that Gallic and Panic faith might hence-
' forward contend foe the palm of priority.
I I • sear seconded the Resolution. He said, that he had
been soddenly called on to address the meeting, and he could not
refuse it, is his silence would not hate manifested the deep feelings
of interat with which he watched the success of the Society. if it
I were not for the existence of the Society, England, and consequently
Europe, would be in tenon:lce of tit: cruelties and persecutions
that desolated the unfortunate country of the poor African.—
' (Applause.)
' 31r. J. J. Grower (a member of the Society of Friends) moved
the third Resolutioc, observing, that it was with no small MlL-
deice and uneasiness that he put himself forward, in the absence of
others who would bare advocated so much better the cause of the
' Africans. The company had heard that the two greatest maritime
Powers in the world had united their (Obit* to suppress the slave
trade ; and it Wei a noble example to see such countries, sacrificing
all petty jealousies, to effect • deed inseparably connected with thug
benefit of the world at large. It was dis:reasing to our moral feel-
, .
Ingo to see their Catholic and moat Christian Majesties pot to
shame by the Iman of :Hewn sand the King of 3lndsgascai.
(Laughter.).
53r R. 11. Iwo 1.13 seconded the Reralution. Ile stated that die
country had nut yet learned the origin cf the Asbantee war. it had
I orientated in the endeavoure. of people, un the territory of the Kingi
lof the Ashantees, to continue the slave trade, representing
to him, that so long as the gnglish remained on his coast there
would be no security for his trade.
Lord Lawsoowie said, that as this was the last Resolution
which be could have the tumour of proposing m then, on amours
of his public avocations requiring his presence elswbere, lip would
beg leave to say a few words. lie remarked, that the next im-
portant step lo the abolition of the slave trade wan, the deelaration,
of such a trade being made equivalent to an act of piracy; as, he
conunded, that those who carried it on forfeited all claim to gib
rights of trim, and therefore they ought to be separated from them.
' Ile had heard with great smisfaction, of the accomplOitment of
their object, and he believed %hat this country would have promitl.
gutted such a declaration long ago, if it could have secured the co-
, operation of any other country ; this had now been done, sad he
hoped that it would be the means of extinguishing for ever the
seeds of dissension, as the two countries were united by it commu-
nity of religion, a community of language, and a community of
civilization. He had permitted himself to say much, as a balance
against the gloomy objects which the meeting had heard. He can.
eluded, by lamenting the absence of air. Mabel-fame, and the
causes that peoduced it, and announcing to the meeting that a Gen-
tleman of Me name of Hoar had sent a donation of lOU The
Noble Marquis then quitted the room, amidst the applauses of the
assembly.
Lord GAMNIEI was then called to the Chair, and shortly ad-
dressed the meeting.
Mr. F. BUXTON moved the fourth Resolution, in a speech of
sonic length, and with great fent oTiargument. Ile drew a very
humourons contrast between Memeduet of the Kings of France ,1
Spain, and Portugal, the Ida of Madagascar. It appeared,
that the latter Monarch had to the suppression of the slap,
in his dominions, on eon Won of being furnished, fbr himself;',
with a full dress coat with epaulettes, a cocked hat, and boots with I
tassels, and that 400 of his subject' should be lorovided with
troweers. The eastern dlouazeh adhered religiously to the terms
of his treaty.
The Rev. C. Cr If NC TIAN swonded the Resolution.
The Hon. B. Noel. moved the thanks of the tneetiag to the
Marquis of Lanialown and Lord Gambia, tor their conduct in the
Chair.
Lord OAMBI 1: a returned alter which the meeting dis-
.
periled.
A collection ass made at the doors.