The National Register.
London, England, 1818-02-15 00:00:00

TREATY WITH SPAIN

Lord CASTLEREAGH moved the Order of the Day for the
House going into a Committee to consider the Treaties en-
tered into with Spain, having fur its object the abolition of
the Slave Trade. (The Hunk having resolved itself iuto a
Committee), the Noble Lord observrd•that in considering the
Treitty now before the House, he should have to request Gen•
tlemen to look at the address voted to the House to the
Crown in the last Session, to the slate of the Slave Trade
then and at present; and here he could not but congratulate the
House and the country on the progress which had been made
in obtaining the great object—the abolition of this traffic
within the last few years ; and especially to the great stride
which had been made towards the object in the last year.
Now there was not a single nation, with the exception of
Portugal, which had not given up that branch ut trade ; and
Portugal nude retained it south of the line. Until the present
treaty was mitered into it was imposible the trade could be
rut an end to, since, through Spain, all other nations North
Of the Equator were supplied. Now that Spain bad been in•
duced to consent to this Treaty, the four:dation way laid fur
doing away the trade altogether, since from the date at which
this Treaty was to take place, namely, on the 20th of May,
1:420, no Slave 'frade could exist North of the Line, on any
pretence whatever ; and after that period, all which this
country would have to do, would be to attend to the trade as
carried on by Portugal South of the-Line. The Sov,:reigns
at the Congress of Vicuna bad done every thing in the a power
to put an end totally to this horrid traffic ; but they had not
entirely succeeded. It would lie in vain to attempt to con-
ceal that there had been up to this time, an illicit Slave
Trade carrying on on the Coast of Africa, and perhaps with
greater instances of cruelty, though not to such an extent as
formerly : with more crucify because the vessels engaged iu
it, front the nature of their traffic, were formed rather for
Tevistancc of Hight, than for the contort and convenience of
the unfortunate Wretches on board of them. He, however.

was convinced, that this illicit Trade was nut carried on with
the knowledge or sanction of any of the Governments of Eu-
rope, brit the contrary. France' in particular, had exerted
Lena to prevent it, and called on as for our aid an I assist-
ance. It was nut now, however, as in the time of war, in
our power to prevent the Trade to so great an extent, because
in time of war, we had a large extent of dominion
under our contrunl. Our interference, or that of
other Powers, effectually to pet an end to this traffic, must
be bottomed on a mutual confidence, and a consent that each
should have the power of exerting her endeavours to attain
That object. Whilst any tlag was to be considered as a pro-
tection, the Trade would still exist. To attain the end in
view as far as possible, in the precent Treaty it was agreed,
that under certain iegulations the ships of war of each Power
skint(' have the power of searching merchant ve.-sels, and to
detain them where they were contravening the law. But to
prevent vexatious detentions, it was provided that no ship
should 1:11 subject to detention, unit•As Slaves were ahsolutely
found on board. In inakiitg this arrangement, we did not

concede too much; since, he was sorry to say, that a very
treat portion of the illicit traffic at present going on, under
. •Latcver flag it might be carris d, was,in fiat, British. And
so. ,he law of Abolition was import-tot, the regulation of pre-
Was he was persuaded, equally, or even inure so.
o.b.iect of this Treaty was, as far as possible to pre-
d,.yir.cs or unpleasant circumstances arising trout
vent ..1> ;
~t the vessels of any Power by us, or our yes-
the dtic ; and to obtain that objeet, the es-
leis by an:' • „, iletl tribinad in each country hail been
tablisliment • 4 •o a • themes ot detentionw., old come fur de.
ti
*erection Isefor,. ~t t the pecuniary provisions of this
eision. With a e,, h j.,1 t,N contend, that the Go-
Treaty, he was Nit,
.4 to the Abolition on terms far
cerement had now et. e ked hem offered ot. for
more advantageous than , .1*• " 1,;7,
.todhoal Ivao.s a have been
eenild a
Ibisiw -oe n us
offer
mer occasions, where the te.'l6••
8.'140101. and a loan of Iti,ohlst‘ 'fills was a
wag wade under the sanction of a 'n,•.sCatia the late tie-
inillstoni al,ont the ssr•Ac of our Uses, 'le .loasti'll Govern-
co( ,ahro, and it was K. 1.11 difficulty that I. ,In: 'Ai the offer
tit ass brought pikantde to any UNDO.

;fit..