The Sun.
London, England, 1858-11-18 00:00:00

TWO WAYS

W ST

IPPINI

THE SLAVE

TRADE.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

SlR,—The preseht state of feeling with regard to
the slave trade seems to be favourable, for the dis-
cussion of the best means to be adopted for its
total abolition. The French Emperor has declared
that he is " not the man to revive the slave trade,"
and the Americans are by no means lukewarm in
the same cause.
In conversations that I have had with " both
parties" of the United States, North and South, a
feeling of bitter hostility to the principle of the
slave trade seems to exist. If there were no slaves
in America, the difficulties of this important ques-
tion would never have been urged.
But there are three millions of slaves in Ame-
rica, and the question in every one's mouth is—
" What are we to do with them ? How can we
give up these with safety to our own country ?"
And surely, sir, here is the great difUculty, and
one that calls for all the consideration we can
give it.
That the Government of America is in favour of
the suppression of the slave trade is evident from
the recent correspondence that has passed on the
subject between the President and our Minister at
Washington, and also from the speeches of their
most eminent men at the various public meetings
at which they have addressed their constituents.
The blockade of Cuba by a British squadron has
manifested this reaction in America, and the time
has arrived when strong measures may be re-
sorted to by the three most powerful countries in
the world—France, America, and England—for
effectually putting the last and only permanent.
check upon this nefarious traffic.
America has declared the slave trade to be piracy
by her laws, and the sentence of death has, I be-
lieve, on one occasion, been carried into execution
upon those taken,flagrante delicto.
An American slave captain dreads being taken
by his own countrymen, as a tremendous penalty,
20 years in the Penitentiary, would be the conse-
quence.
Thus far, then, we are united in the same cause.
France, in her treaties with this country, has
declared the slave trade to be " against the laws
of God and man." The present Emperor will not
depart from this bold expression of public feeling ;
consequently the policy of all three nations must
be the same, as freedom and prosperity go hand in
hand.

A convention between us will settle the matter
for ever, if we take our stand upon this against the
rest of the world combined.

Let France, America, and England declare the
slave trade to be piracy in the fullest acceptation
of the term. Let them establish courts of adjudi-
cation, without appeal, in different parts of the
slave trade coast ; and, upon the clearest proof
being shown of the slaver's guilt, let the captain,
chief mate, and every third man of the crew, be
kanged before the :court breaks up. There is to
be no appeal to a higher tribunal. The law is to
ba carried into effect so soon as judgment is passed.
This is a measure—a strong one I acknowledge
—that will stop the slave trade before a year has
passed over our heads, and the general feeling of
the civilised world will be in its favonr.
The other method that I propose for stopping the
slave trade is by a close blockade of the slave deal-
ing coasts.
Let England mad France take Western Africa,
and America deal with Cuba. Not a slave must be
shipped; and not a boat leave the shore (of Africa,
at least), without its being known and seen. I will
answer for the West Coast of Africa, and declare,
without fear of contradiction, that this blockade
can be accomplished.
I am ready to carry it into practice myself.
It will not be necessary to state here the details
of a system that has been found to succeed in years
gone by.
With all due consideration for the health and com-
fort of the British squadron, such a blockade can be
established as shall entirely overthrow the schemes
and the success of the slave dealers.
America will answer for Cuba by resorting to
similar measures. _

We must " not count the cost" for a few years.
I will pledge myself for its success in a much shorter
period than the British public can imagine.
I say, sir, that the three great nations of the
world combining together for such a purpose will
have the protection and support of that invisible
Power which watches over the destinies of this
country, and, indeed,- of all countries that use the
wealth, the strength and influence given to them
from abode, for purposes beneficial to the general
interests of the human race.
We are strong, we are rich, we are powerful, in
order that we may carry out the measures of Infi-
nite Wisdom, and perform that great part in the
history of the world and in the destinies of nations
which. He that rules supreme above us has pro-
nounced to be our duty.and. His pleasure.—l re-
main, sir, your faithful servant,
A. EARDLEY-WILMOT, Capt., R.N.
London, Nov. 13, 1858.

MORE COMPLICATIONS IN ST.

PANCRAS.

Yesterday, at the weekly meeting of the vestry
of St. Pancras considerable consternation was
created by a rumour that another of the rate col-
lectors had absconded, and that there were further
defalcations to a considerable amount.

Mr. Churchwarden Attenborough was in the
chair, and great excitement prevailed, the gallery
being crowded by ratepayers.
A report was presented from the finance commit-
tee containing a report from Mr. Plaw, the acting
vestry clerk, to the effect that on Monday afternoon
he received a note from the daughter of Mr. Arnell,
the collector of No. 6, or Somers-town ward, in-
forming him that she wished to see him immediately
as a draft for £l6 6s. 10d., given by Mr. North,
her father's broker, for rates he had received, had
been returned by the bankers,there not being suffi-
cient funds. She said she was induced to send for
him as her father was from home, and neither she
nor any of his family had seen him since 11 o'clock
on. Thursday morning last, when he went out, tell-
ing themhe should not return to dinner. The family
were in deep distress, and said they had made in-
quiry for him at all places they thought it likely
he would go to, but they had not succeeded in get-
ting any trace of him. She had made up his cash-
book, and paid his money into the bank, but was
still receiving money on behalf of the parish. On
his return to the Vestry-hall he met Mr. Ross, Mr.
Brettingham, and Mr. Austin, and Mr. Austin and
Mr. Ross accompanied him back to Mr. Arnell's,
and the books and papers of the parish were ordered
to be i emoved at once to the Vestry-hall, and the
moneys which Miss Arnell had. received, amount-
ing to £52 10s. 11d. and £1 Gs. 11d., were paid to
him, Mr. Plaw, and he had paid them into the
bank. In the evening they took the warrants away
from Mr. North, the broker, and called upon him
to pay the moneys he held into the hands of the
parish brokers.
Mr. DOUGLAS, in moving the reception of the
report, said this was a most mysterious affair, and
so far as the finance committee had yet ascertained,
they could not charge Mr. Arnell with being a de-
faulter to a single penny, but there were very
strong suspicions.
Mr. CRANE seconded the motion, and said the
parishes were much indebted to Messrs. Ross and
Austin for the promptitude with which they acted
in this matter. _ .

After Considerable -discussion, Mr. Ro-ss moved a
resolution to refer the matter to the finance com-
mittee to make arrangements for carrying out the
collection of No. 6 ward.
Mr. AUSTIN seconded the motion.
Mr. SIIEFFIELD moved, and Mr. PENFOLD se-
conded, an amendment, "That the office of collector
of No. 6 Ward be declared vacant, and that steps
be forthwith taken for filling up such vacancy."
On a division, the amendment was carried by a
majority of 40 to 30. The office was then declared
vacant.

After some further proceedings the board sepa-
rated.

COUNTRY CHEQUES.

The following plan has been resolved upon, by
the London bankers for the purpose of clearing
country cheques, and is expected to meet with
general concurrence: It is to be put into operation
next Monday :
" RULES FOR THE CONDUCT OF A CLEARING OF
COUNTRY CHEQUES IN LONDON.

" 1. A clearing to be held in the middle of each
day for the interchange among the London bankers,
of cheques on their correspondents in the country,
placed in their hands for collection.
2. Each London banker to remit for collection
to his country correspondents the cheques drawn
upon them, saying, Please say if we may debit you
for cheques enclosed.'
" 2. County bankers wishing to avail themselves
of this clearing to remit their country cheques to
their own London agent, to stamp across them their
own name and address and that of their London
agent.
" 4. Any country bank not intending to pay a
cheque sent to it for collection to return it direct
to the country bank, if any, whose name and ad-
dress is stamped across it.
" 5. Each country banker to write by return of
post to its London agent in reply, We credit you
£ for cheques forwarded to us for collectioa
in yours of .' Adding, in case of non-
payment of any such cheques, having deducted
for cheque returned to Messrs.
at and 4 returned to Memo. at •'