The Sun.
London, England, 1826-05-10 00:00:00

good treatment was secured under the direction of the gallant
Shomberg, and himself. As to the Madagascar slaves, the Edi-
tors of the Edinburgh Review had published an apology 'for the
remarks which they had addressed to him on the subject. He
strongly protested against the plan of confounding the Sey-
chelles with' the Mauritius. The Seychelles was an Archipe-
lago, 'consisting of many small islands, at least 1,000 miles dis-
tant from Mauritius—in fact as distant from the latter as Gibral-
tar was from Downing-street. It was therefore impossible for
bins in his government at Mauritius, without a,navy, or any re-
pressive force, to be responsible fur what was going on at Sey-
chelles ; and equally absurd was it to expect any such responsibi-
lity, as it would be to hold his Majesty's Government at home
responsible for acts committed at Gibraltar. The Honourable
Gentleman stated that 40,000 more slaves were registered than
existed at Mauritius. Now he (Sir R. Farquhar) had declared
last year that several debarkations of slaves bad taken place; their
number was not known, but he did not credit the statement, that
it amounted to 4,000. Still he admitted that several fraudulent
introductions of slaves had been effected. By. the tax-rolls, be
was aware that their number was 80,000, when the English took
possession of the island. In the year 1819, from 7 to 10,000 were
taken off by a cholera morbus ; but with that exception the slave
population was, stationary in point of numbers. The difference in
the price of sugar did not in fact touch the question at all; for
if due allowance were made for a depreciation of 35 per cent.,
which existed in the currency, at the time when he first assum-
ed the Government, it would be found that there was scarcely
any real alteration in the price. The fleet which a certain
Colonel was said to have mistaken for an invasion, turned out to
be nothing more than two small vessels, containing (not 2,000
but) about 150 slaves each--(Hear)—which ships were after-
wards prosecuted and condemned.—(Hear.)—The fact was, the
Colonel only offered his apprehensions as an excuse for his conduct
in entering the houses of others at a late hour of the night. From
the moment when the British flag flew in the Mauritius the Slave
Trade was abolished ;. but in the opinion which he had expressed
as to the rights of property residing in the French inhabitants,
he was borne out in the decision of the Admiralty Court at the.
Cape, and also by that of the High Court of Admiralty here.'
He begged to refer the Hon. Member to the statement of the
law officers of the Mauritius as to those points, and above all
to the deposition of Sir Lowry Cole. The Colonial Government
bad done every thing it could, but then there were parties who
were engaged in open hostility to the views of the Colonial
Government. There was a set of privateering fellows, who felt
that their interests were opposed to ours, and who made every
effort to counteract the resolutions. The Colonial Government
did not hesitaie to meet the question. But unfortunately the Go-
vernment of the Isle of Bourbon did not legalize our opinion as
respected that colony, and so legalize the trade. He hiniself bought
a schooner and other craft, for the purpose of putting it down,
until be received the order from the Admiralty. The grand mis-
take was, that it ought to be taken as the basis of the grand pro-
gressive principle. He would not hesitate to assert that these
measures, had the most important effect on slaves. The authorities
for the defence were in his mind as respectable as those called on
by the Hon. Mover. Some of the communications with which
the reform advocates were now armed, were found domiciliatki at
the Rampant Horse in the Borough.—(A laugh.)—lndeed part
of the communications he had had with 'Colonial Governments
had been made under very unpropitious circumstances. This
point of traffic was in fact ascertained to be the strong hold of the
French Trade in Slavery. The Hon. Member concluded by ob-
serving, that nothing could be more unfair than the attack made
on the Government of the Mauritius, and hoped that the House
would not acquiese in any thing which should in the least degree
involve the Colonial Government of that day.
Mr. W. HORTON defended at some length the conduct of
the Governor of the Mauritius. He begged to ask the Honour-
able Mover, if he believed the trade was carried on alter the
year 1820?
BUXTON.--,, I do; and I believe I can prove it at
tour bar." _ _ _ _

Mr. WILMOT HORTON resumed, and said he should be
glad to have the charge investigated thoroughly ; but he believed
this could not_ take place but on a thorough examination of the
question.
After a short reply from Mr. BUXTON, and a few words from
Dr. LUSHINGTON, . .

Mr. Secretary CANNING rose to state his acquiescence in
part of the motion of the Hon. Member, though he could not but
object strongly to the motion so far as it reflected on individual
character. As to the general object for obtaining information on
the subject of the Slave Trade, so far as it existed in Africa, in
despite of the present regulations, he must say that in candour he
could actiuiesce in the motion.—(Cheers.)
Mr. BROUGHAM observed the House had no option but to
proceed with the motion. In the Colonies of Bermuda he be-
lieved the Slave Trade was extirpated.
After a few words from Sir RoRERT FARQUHAR and Mr.
Burroti, the motion was carried, and a Committee appointed
accordingly.