The Sun.
London, England, 1857-05-29 00:00:00

nobody feels greater horror with
than himself. Now, if Lean show
emcld have a direct teudency to
tradeSl•thiek he aill-be bound in
en- against his own motion cr
information with which the Lon. a. lan
as been furnished has led him into a complete error.
because it has induced him to assert that the act of 1845
is still in operation, and that in virtue of that law our
.-1! cruisers are daily stopping the coasters which trade along
;he shores of Brazil. In that assertion the hon. and
learned member is entirely mistaken. (Hear.) The
en,, operation of that act has, by mutual conaent, been sue-
Brazil
fur several years past. it has not been acted on ;
Brazil was declared to be piracy. I think it right on On ships are not intercepted under it ;it is, in short, up to .._
eseasion to state to the house what it no doubt the presee" nn -sd letter. (Hear.) The hon. and
is aware of, but the statement of which is necessary to learned meaaier w.. 'tolerably correct in the historical
the understanding of the observations which lam about recital he has given. In 1826 the government of
to make. Blom', sir, has a constitutional government; Brazil entered into a treaty not merely to make the
they have an emperor it is true but he is a constitutional slave trade piracy, but completely to abolish it within
monarch ; they have a legislature which makes laws for their dominions, and the discussions which have since
the community, and unless the laws are made by that le- arisen have not turned upon tee technical point of
gislature they are not binding upon the people of Brazilwhether or not the slave trade had been declared piracy,
I think it right in limine to make this statement. Shortly but on the greater point of whether the Government of
afi er 1826 a further treaty was entered into between this Brazil had exerted itself to put down the slave trade, an
country and Brazil, and by that convention there wat article of the treaty in which it had notoriously violated.
created a reciprocal power of search on the part of both its engagements. I think I should be insulting the house
countries. And in that cone ention there was power were Ito attempt to convince it that the slave trade is
given to either party to put an end to the treaty upon elle of the greatest crimes that ever disgraced human.
notice given. This went on for some years, but in 1844 nathre, demoralising to those who are engaged in it, and
that convention was put an end to on notice given, ruinous to the country in which it is carried on, and that
and the rights of search done away with. Thereupon England has in no respect done herself more honour than
Lord Aberdeen, then Fareign Minister under Sir It by her unwearied and persevering endeavour, ever since
Peel, introduced a bill into the other house, by which 1315, to put an end to that abominable crime. (Deers.)
power was given to British courts of justice to take into J We have a treaty on the subject with Portugal; and
consideration and adjudicate upon ships taken under the ashen Brazil separated, she took the treaty engagements
treaty of 1826. By the convention which was put an end by which Portugal was bound. Amongst them, the tree-
to there was a mixed commission, which was abolished by ties establishing mixed tribunals and giving mutual right
the abrogation of the treaty, and this act of Parliament of search ; but that treaty was of limited duration, and
was intended to supply the place of that cominresion.
when it ceased in Portugal it also ceased to have
But Lord Aberdeen, in introducing the bill, stated clearly any
and distinctly that under one of two circumstances its force in Brazil. This happened in 1839, when I hid
the honour to be in the Foreign-office, and we passed a
provisions vvou'd be put an end to. One was if the law similar to that of 1845. The consequence was that
stave trade were abolished and utterly abrogated in Bra- Portugal, which up to that time had refused to acknow-
al ; the otter, if another treaty between this country and ledge our new treaty engagements, did then renew, and
Brazil on the subject of the slave trade was entered into, in consequence of that the treaty act of 1839 was re-
Urn the declaration of independence in Brazil, great peeled. Tile difference between Brazil and Portugal was
difficulty and confusion arose in that country. In the that Portugal was an exporting while Brazil was an im-
year 1326 D. Pedro 1. abandoned his throne of Brazil porting country; and it is obvious that to the importing
in order to take that of Portugal. He came to Europe, and
left his son, a minor, and confusion reigned throughout country the trade must afford the greatest profit. Brazil
was invited to renew the treaty for the suppression of this
the great empire of Brazil. At that time there were at slave trade • and in consequence of leer retusal, the Go-
the head of the concerns of that country men of great vernment Of Sir R. Peel prevailed on Parliament to pass
capacity, who undertook the education of the son—the the act of 1845, which was an exact counterpart of the
Sono, sovereign Don Pedro 11. They so undertook that
act of 1839. Now, sir, was there a reason for that act I
elute:time as to make him a model enowareclenen• hntsecame
-Did -Braze/. eekentintie to carry on the slave trade when
desirous of carrying out the institutions a ligritzil. Ire' aware that she was bound tnnOno in innarventa boned t -.A.
did not desire to extend his power and dominion, bat to by treaty in 1826, and for years after the trade was car-
keep himself within the boundaries of his own kingdom. tied on to an enormous extent. The precise amount I
In fact, as I have said, he became a model constitutional am not able to specify, but it was from 50,000 to 70,000
monarch. But notwithstanding that, great difficulties annually ; and let any man imagine the amount of
y human misery that such a slave traffic must reproach.
lay in his path. Everybody must know that a country
claiming for itself independence, under the circumstances For every 1,000 slaves landed in Brazil 3,000 must have
in which Brazil was placed, must have a difficult task to
bean taken from their homes, one-third dying during the
pursue. Even the United States, accustomed as they march to the coast, and another third on the voyage to
were to our government and institutions, found a diffi- Brazil. The effect on Brazil was degrading and demo-
culty in forming a government for themselves. The ralising. The race was contaminated, and the people
people of Brazil found the same difficulty. Nothwith- depraved ; all the capital which should have been em-
standing this, they carried on their Government, and ployed in the development of the natural re: a trees of th •
from time to time they gained stability and established country being absorbed in this accursed traffic in the
good laws within the circle of their dominions. At the flesh and blood of man. Why, then, it may be asked,
time when they declared themselves independent, their wee it carried on ! It is true that many considerable
commerce was in a situation, not perhaps peculiar, men in the country opposed it, and looked upon it as a
but to which I must refer. Slavery was permitted national calamity ; but then there were the landowners
in Brazil, and the slave trade was carried on by Bra- whose estates were to be cultivated, all the authorities who
zilians between that country and Africa to a great ex- received bribes for connivance, and these two parties con-
tent ;so great indeed that alarm was created among the spired to set aside the laws of the country. The result wa s
people of Brazil. The importation of slaves was so the law of 1845—a law which was perfectly just, because
great that toe white population took fright, and public Brazil had broken all her treaty engagements. For 4or
opinion being against slavery, it was determined to put 5 years that law was left in abeyance, but in 1850, the
an end to it, In addition to this, circumstances con- Brazilian government having neglected repeated warnings
netted with trade had a great influence upon the mind they were told at last that the act would he put in force,
of the public Sugar had been the chief source of profit, and that our cruisers would take their slavers even in
but it the time to which I refer, it was discovered that their creeks and harbours, to be tried before British
coffee might be as advantageously cultivated, and with courts. A great outcry was raised about the national
less slave labour. As time wore on, the independence dignity and independence of Brazil—every sort of prin-
of the people of Brazil gained strength, and at length eiple was appealed to—and assurances were given that
there came to be an end of the slave trade in that coma effectual measures of repression would be taken by Braz'l
try. Am I not justified in saying this when the noble herself. In consequence of these representations the
lord himself stated that we might now consider that the English admiral and minister suspended the operation
slave trade was at an end in Brazil ? And so it has of the act, but the promise was not kept, and the act of
been, and is. They have even stretched the law and 1845 was put into operation. It was most effectual, but
driven slaveholders out of Brazil, some of whom have when it was found that the Brazilian government was in
some to Europe, while others have sought the more con- earnest in suppression, it was again suspended, and has
genial shores of Cuba and North America. I know continued suspended up to the present time. (Hear.)
that the noble lord has a strong feeling against the slave That act has not been repealed, because its existence is
trade. In that I sympathise with him, and if I thought a security ; but the hon. and learned member is entirely
any act of mine on the present occasion would go to mistaken in thinking that it is or has been for some years
favoar that trade in any one of its ramifications I woul i in active operation. But the hon. and learned member
not take that step. The hon. gentleman continued— says that our commerce is endangered by the treaty,
Under these circumstances, he thought that circum- and that the Brazilians are tempted to unite with
stances would justify the noble lord in repealing the act the United States. Why they are more dependent on
of 1845. .Tbey should remember that Brazils was a con- the United States than we are, seeing that from thence
stitutional kingdom, and the act of the executive unau- they get all the breadstuff; upon which they depend for
thorised by the legislature could not have the force of existence. For Brazil is a singular instance of au em-
law. When, therefore, Lord Aberdeen introduced the pire of vast extent, having every variety of soil, and
the act of 1845, he attacked the sovereignty of the capable of producing everything, but which is obliged to
people of Brazil, and it was only natural that they should get her daily bread from America, and the stones that
HONDURAS. resent such an attack. They had resented it, and had pave her streets-from Aberdeen, in Scotland. The hon.
Mr. DISRAELI gave notice that he should, to-
refused to enter into any treaty with us on any subject and learned member says that we annually export 12
until that act should be repealed.Bythat act English millions to Brazil, and if so, what could we do more ? I
• • •
morrow, put a question to the Government relative to
cruisers could go into the waters of Brazil, into do not think we should be better with a reciprocal treaty.
the non ratification of the treaty between this country
its creeks and harbours, cut out a ship winch they That treaty with Portugal limiting the duty on British
and the United States relative to Honduras. might deem a slaver, and subject her to be tried,
MILITARY SCHOOLS. goods was a great mistake, and all such treaties are, in
not by a mixed tribunal, but by one which was
Lord BURGHLEY asked the Under-Secretary for my opinion, against the soundest maxims of political eco-
wholly English. Now we were a commercial nation, nomy. Ido not think that the act of 1815 has the slightest
War, whether the Government would allow the sons of
having great commercial foes, amongst others the effect on our commerce with Brazil. It may be true that
those adjutants of militia who were retired officers of the
United states of America, which say to Bra"zil, "We the Emperor of Brazil and his ministers are anxious to
Line, to be admitted to the military schools on the same will admit ail your goods duty free, we are slaveholders suppress the slave trade, but it is not true that it has been
terms as the sons of officers of the army I
like yourselves ;we dominate in e north as you do in
Sir J. RAMSDEN said that if 'the officers to whom suppressed. The case to which the bon. and learned mem-
the south, and we are willing to enter into a treat
the noble lord referred had voluntarily retired on half-y her alluded is a case in point. There a cargo was landed
will then see Y
with
you. ou
and
defensive
pay, or received the difference, or sold their commission, offensive with the connivance of all the authorities of the pro-
they were not entitled to send their sons to the military whether or not it is possible to be beyond the control of vince, the governor absented himself, and every facility
schools the same as the officers in the army. England." Brazil, it was true, under her excellent mon- was given for the landing of the slaves. Our consul ex-
TORTURE IN INDIA, arch, had refused to yield to e blandishments of Arne- erted himself with great activity, but the natives who
Lord C. HAMILTON asked the President of the rice ; she had refused the treaty, but she also refused to assisted him were all imprisoned, while the importers of
Bond of Control, whether any investigations, as to the
,oouoro,l
01 sot
001,f
aoefn tletLisn to any3ra 2
itlrewaay
tzei with
ours:
nation
.w e
in
nepealed the Act
tlhissaymtohtaiotni! theit hon
would. andbe receivedlearn ed
the slaves were allowed to go unpunished. Well, then,
cue-
practice of torture in Bombay and Bengal, were insti-
tomers, taking from us to the valuaetleoef 12 member
with were
tilted by Government in 1854, similar to those which led t
acclamationo carry
r br yy
meetly. America offered to take her goods without tax,
to the Madras report of April 1855, and whether the re-
while our necessities obliged us to tax every article of her arehe
oandlvewnatiutriersfoira
an
United States and Brazil, who
salts of those investigations would be laid before Parlia-
preduce. Still, as the sole representative of monarchy and it wymild
bneg a
pronofotpbpaotrttbuineitketrotuoseelmudeeanotutrocrrueviseerrese,
went ? in America, Brazil was inclined rather for an alliance all its policy since 1815. The hon. and learned member
Mr. V. SMITH said that the commission was only
with England than for one with the United States. What says that Lord Aberdeen promised that when the slave
directed to enquire into those practices in the Madras be asked then of the House of Commons was to consider trade was suppressed, the act should be repealed. I
presidency, but Lwd Dalhousie having heard those our relations with Brazil, and no longer to leave them know nothing of that promise, which was only binding
practices prevailed in the Bombay and Bengal presides- exclusively in the hands of the executive. All IA asked on the Government by which it was made. But when.
cies, acted immediately under the authority of Perna-
them to do was to consider, not to determine anything. the hon. and learned member says that the slave trade
went, without waiting for another commission. The
Let them inquire into our relations with Brazil, and also has been put an end to, what security have we that it
Legislative Council of India intended to introduce penal
into the policy of repealiug the Act of 1845. He appealed may not revive, unless the vigilance of the British
clauses to prevent, if possible, the con tinuaoce of those
to the noble lard under whose control we had been carry' cruisers prevent it ? There has been a great mortality
practices in India, and he intended shortly to move for
in gon war with all the world. It was true we had now amongst the slaves in Brazil ; the planters want
all papers relative to the subject. peace with Russia, but we were at war in Persia and in as many as they can get, and they would purchase
CONSTABULARY.—IRELAND. China, and there was confusion in India. We might at to any extent witbout scruple. The Government has
Mr. HASSARD asked the Secretary of St ate for the any moment be at war in the Western quarter of the taken some steps to increase their free population, but
Home Department, if the Government intended in this I world, and therefore he asked the noble lord not to on' not so much as they might have done, and they have
session to carry out the determination expresses by the pose this inquiry, which might tend to preserve friendly made no exertion to turn their Indian population to
Chief Secretary for Ireland, on the 27th of February relations with a great American nation. He asked him account. But this will come in time. The capital now
last, "to introduce a bill for the redistribution of the to rely on the feeling which Brazil herself bad exhibited employed in the slave trade will be devoted to internal
constabulary force in Ireland amongst the several coun- as a determined enemy to the slave trade. Although improvements, and Brazil may in her higher regions
ties l" Brazil bad magnificent rivers, the chief communication come to raise sufficient corn for her own consumption.
Mr. FITZGERALD said that he considered the hon. between her different provinces was by sea, and if it was Her great rivers will be utilised, but in the meantime I
gentleman was wrong in his impression that the late necessary to remove a party of slaves from one province implore the house to do nothing to revive a traffic which
chief secretary promised to introduce a bill. When tbe to another, it must be done by sea. The vessels iu which is the greatest crime ever committed by the human race
present chief secretary resumed his seat in that house, this was done were constantly intercepted by our cruisers _ea crime our active exertions to repress which have
he hoped to be able to introduce such a bill. —who finding blacks an board, declared the vessel to be been rewarded by Providence with a greater amount of
SERVICE IN THE ARMY. a slaver, took her before the court and condemned her, prosperity than ever we experienced before. (Hear.) I
Sir J. TRELA.WNY asked the -Under Secretary for and thus the whole internal traffic of the country was entreat the house therefore—l entreat the hon. and
War, with reference to an order of the 10th Jan., 1857, interrupted. The coast line of Brazil eitended learned gentleman, who, I believe, is as sincerelyadverse
allowing soldiers made sergeants since that date to retain upwards of four thousand miles, and was in- to that ()rime as I, or any man who hears him—l en-
their previously earned good conduct money, whether it dented with various ports, between which there was treat him, and I entreat the house, not to take a step
was the intention of the war authorities that sergeants a constant traffic British ships constantly entered these that would be certain to be misunderstood by the people
created before the 10th day of January, 1857, and whose ports, and took possession of Brazilian ships under the of Brazil, and tend probably to the renewal of those
good conduct money ceased under regulations then very walla of the forts. He asked would they dare such evils which we have taken so much pains to put an end
in force on their becoming sergeants, should remain in a a procedure against a planter of the Chesapeake, would to. (Cheers.)
worse position than their brother non-commissioned they dare to enter the harbour of New Orleans for such
Mr. B. MOORE observed that the noble lord's
officers who, without merit, had served for shorter periods a purpose. (Hear.) If we did, America would at once
statement that the streets of Rio Janeiro were paved
in the rank of sergeants / be in arms, and we should be obliged at once to succumb.
Sir J. RAMSDEN said the hon, hart, must mean We should have to show ourselves, as we always had with the granite of Aberdeen, reminded him of the
made at the first opening of our trade with
the memorandum of the 16th, and not the 10th of Jan. done under the noble lord's administration, subservient
statements
that skates and warming-pans were ia
If he referred to it he would find that the allowance was to the strong and arrogant and overbearing to the weak. thatcountry,dem
i , whereas in those latitudes frost and cold
made to all sergeants now serving, independent of their Whenever a nation was able to defend itself we were its largo_
re *unknown. Aberdeen granite might pos-
date of serving. (Hear.) humble servant. (Hear, hear.) Compare our conduct weather we
have gene out to Rio, but it so it had been taken
to Brazil with that which we pursued towards Cuba. sibly ha
JOINT-STOCK BANKS.He (M Moore) acquainted
out as ballast. r. was well
Why did we not interfere with Cuba? The noble lord
Mr. HEADLAM asked the Vice President of thewiththe Brazils, and from his personal knowledge
knew very well why we dared not. He believed that
Board of Trade whether it was the intention of the Go- tbe noble lord would not do wrong if in this matter be of the people of that country he could say
that they were
vernment to introduce any measure during this sessionand he chid-
divested himself of responsibility and threw it on the most desirous to put down the slave trade, .
of Parliament to regulate the construction of Joint- House of Commons. It the House of Commons took it lenged the noble lord to give a single instance since
Stock Banks, and more especially to apply the principle in band right would he done, but if it was left in the 1850 of any Brazilian being taken in the act of trading
of limited liability to such establishments 1 hands of diplomatists, it would be left in the hands of in slaves. Nay more, . had been
the only slaver that
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said men who thought the power of England was best die- captured in the Brazilian waters for many years
d by the Brazilians themselves,
such a hill would be introduced. played in insolence and arrogance to the weak. (Hear) past had been captured by
regard to the slaver
HARBOURS IN SCOTLAND. He wished to mention the case of a ship which came to and not by our cruisers..
Weigh
who it turned out
d at Surinam, the pa .
Lord J. HAY asked the Secretary ot the Treasury Brazil with slaves unresisted by the British authority. capture
bad since been punished by the Bra-
when it was his intention to move for a committee of The Brazilians said that our authorities were connected
was
implicated nment. As showing that the feeling against
inquiry into the present state of the harbour of Wick, with what occurred, but however that might be 40 of the ziliangotrer
was
not confined to the government, he
and the other harbours of Scotland. slaves escaped. Subsequently, however, the Brazilians the traffic
mention that in the case of the Mary El
Mt. WILSON said that if he moved for a committee and the local authorities took possession ot the vessel,
mightbeth Smith, an American vessel, which attempted to run.
of inquiry it would not be confined to the harbour of but b, cause some of the elaves had escaped, the Brazilian
a cargo of slaves into the Brazils, she was driven from
Wick and the Scotch harbours, but to inquire generally I Government received a meet h ;ughty letter from Lord
ort after port by the Brazilian people, and was at length
into all the harbours of the United Kingdom. (Hear, Clarendon, although they condemned the vessel and eon- captured by a Brazilian cruiser at St. Male, for which
hear.) He intended shortly after the recess to move for fiscated all the runaway slaves. He looked upon alio
t service Mr. Jerningham had been directed by the British
such a committee, but be was afraid that their labours estrangement between England and Brazil as a graenad
Government to write a despatch thanking the Brazilian
could not be brought to aconclusion owing to theadvanced calamity. Brazil could supply us both with fOn
sugar authorities. In reference to the correspondence of the
state of the session. cotton, and thus render us independent of the
representatives of this country in their diplomatic inter-
by our
NEUCHATEL. States, a service which would be appreciatedo_ .
meries
course with the Brazilian Government, he must say that
In answer to a question from Mr. KiNNAIRD relative children's children. We were now the slavessinfsuAlted
we
a tone of Imperial insolence had been assumed, which
to the treaty between Prussia and the Swiss, having re- on account of the cotton crop. If we
weer, and at once had afforded to that Governmentjust cause of complaint;
ference to the Neuchatel question. thought of Lancashire and the cottoncbr p
her concluded by and upon 'this point, if upon no other, he thought some
Lord PAL!tIERSTON said that the treaty referred to succumbed. The hon. and learned momtake into consideration inquiry ought to be institu ed by the house. The bill of
had been accepted by both parties, It was actually I moving for a select committee to
ort thereon. 1845 was no doubt an interference with the sovereignty
signed by them a few days since, but it bad not yet our relations with Brazil and to P of the Brazils, and the Brazilian Government was con-
been ratified. The question might be considered as _se I cannot at the outset
Lord PALMERSTON ,
sequently justified inrefusing to enter into negotiations
satisfactorily settled. (Hear, hear.) . my surprise that a person wh i
o
wth us while we asserted the right to search and captur•
refrain from expressing
like the hon. and name
RELATIONS WITH BRAZIL, d gentleman must be supposed their vessels in their own waters, and adjudicate upon
Mr. ROEBUCK rose and said—My purpose on the • use attention to public affairs, and to them spot.
on the The atrocities committed by the Bn-
to have given 80 tiele cruisers under this is assumed power were such as h no in-
present occasion is to invite the house to resume A flinc'affairs both in the present and the near . ,
whom current dependent nation could permit. In °aeons an ,
t ce oneof our
tion which it has abdicated for some time past, It is to A cannot be unknown, should give his countenance
cruisers captured a packet boat, landed the passengers
undertake some part in the consideration of our foreign
topa the vulgar and unfounded insinuations which persons and crew, and set fire to the vessel, and this
on withintermtwof
relations—matters which have been for some time past
below bins have attempted to propagate—namely, that it days' of Rio. Was that treating
bea'auttael°pateticil) against terms of
wholly and exclusively under the supreme control of the
is the practice of England to bully the weak and to fist- equality, or would such a courhseto
ree.et
it ?
(atar.)
It
noble lord at the head of the Government. I repeat the
ter the strong. (Cheers.) Does not the hon. and learned nation thaotrwtaos sutrtodnogwenntohueg
in 1
-i poits of British got.ds into
house has abdicated this part of its functions. We have
member remember the time, in his life and mine, when twheeeßenraezflrs at 12:000,000E., and this statement, which had
seen the portentous incident of a war declared against
England stood alone against all Europe, and a more re'. been made by the hen. and learned gentleman,and re-echoed
this state, an expedition undertaken, a battle fought andnoble lord, only showed what a lamentable
cent period, when she undertook a great struggle with by tbe
peace declared, and this house wholly uninformed upon there was even on the part of the
on the greatest military power in the world, carrying it want of information.
the matter. Now, sir, I want ta; persuade the house this subject. The whole of the imports
Government on
a matter very different from that to which I have just into the very territory of that power I (Hear, hear.)
into the Brazils did not amount to more than 12,000,0004
referred, to re-undertake its functions. The subject to lam astonished that the hon. and learned member of which probably one-half were British goods. Tao
which I invite the attention of the house is our relations
should, for the purpose of argument, attempt to impose Brazils was the only constitutional sovereignty of South
forgive
with the empire of Brazil, and if the house will • and beyond that it was the only South Amen-
we, on the credulity of the house, and I assert that his theory America,
me, I will preface what I have to say by a very. short. that had kept faith with its creditors. It should
can state
account of what I believe to be the situation in which is directly opposed to the known historical facts of the therefore,to the moat friendly
be our policy, encourage
we stand with regard to the government of the Emperor. case. But the hon. and learned member made an ad-
relations with that country. With regard to the present
As far back as 1816 we entered into a treaty with the of
mission which I think entitles me to his support against ,overeign of the Brazos, he could confirm every word
empire of Brazil —shortly before it recovered its indepen
' his own Motion. (A. 1 h) He has said that he praise that had fallen from the •
laugh.) . boo and learned gentle.
dente--on the subject of the slave trade. By that treaty that i man. He knew him to be a good . man, truly desirons
the slave trade, and
the participation in the slave trade by my subject of # WOold do nothing to encourage

The, following private bills were further considered
and ordered to be read a third time :—Atlantic Tele-
graph Company, and Australian Agricultural Company
Bills.
The SPEAKER announced that the standing orders
had not been complied with in reference to the London
Gas Bill.