The Statesman.
London, England, 1821-06-26 00:00:00

THE

. . _
pralie, commasiestod tie feet to the Praha bents-
west; het tilt onifAuswer mode to his tens the affidavit
of a Captain, who swore that he kite* nothing of the
Slave Trade, and that the Spoeitit lid other vessels
concerned in.it called tbesseivrs French, for the pur-
pose of casting the odious upon that canary. The
vessels sailed to their destiestion ; it happened that
in sore time after the Rodeor leis the coast of Africa,
a dreadful ophthalmia prevailed among the Slaves,
which was communicated to the crew, so that there
was but a single man who could see to guide the ves-
sel into port. There was but toe much reason to be-
lieve that many of the Slaves who became totally
blind, were thrown overboard as unproductive articles
of Merchandise, some were, however, conveyed to the
hospitals, and so singular and severe were the symp-
toms of the disease. that it became the subject of scien-
tific inquiry at the Ophthalmia Institution, at Paris.—
So notoriously was the trade carried on; yet it would
seem that the ►igilance of the French police could not
enable them to ascertain whether the Rodent carried
out Slaves at all. Such was the unpardonable remiss-
ness of the French Liovernment.--i■ the other case of

the Jenne Estelle, which was overtaken by a British
cruiser, there was reason to fear that many of the
Slaves had been throws overboard in casks, and many,
both men and women, were found stuffed into casks on
board, and almost expiring. They were discovered by
a British sailor, who overheard their feeble groans.
These facts were sufficient to prove that the nefarious
traffic was likely to continue, and even to extend with
aggravated cruelty, if some further attempt was not
made by this country. After quoting the dispatch of
Sir G. Collier, in corroboration of the success of the
Trade, he alluded to an advertisement in a French
newspaper, as an additional instance of its
notoriety. The Advertisement described a vessel
then fitting up for the coast of Africa. there to pur-
chase about 100 mules. Such was the flimsy pretext,
which was found sufficient, under the eye of an en-
liehtened Government, to carry on a trade which de-
solated one quarter of the Globe. Ile had much sae
tisfaction, however, in stating, that the Indian Go-
vernment had concluded a treaty two veers mg.', with
the Arabs, in which it stipulated fur the abolition of
the Slave Trade, and that the Arabs observed it
strictly. He was aware of the difficulty of making
suggestions that were likely to be beneficial : but he
thought this country had clearly a right to call upon
other countries, who proposed to join us in putting
down the traffic, but resisted a right of search, to
state by what means they proposed to carry their pur-
pose into effect. Abantloninz the principle of mutual
search, it might be worth while to consider whether
some modification could not he found which would re-
concile it to all parties. Fur instance, might nut the
presence of au officer from each country, on board the
searching vessel, to sanction the search of vessels from
the same country, reconcile all to the practice, with-
out compromising the right Another principle was
that of universal registry, and a 52.raist of freedom to
all whose births were not regist..red after a certain
time. It twat not on the gromol of humanity alone
that this trade was to he resisted it carried along
with it passions and habits Isligh'ing to the industry
of nations. In the hope that !Is; it Cords silts would
not remit their exertions for the accomplishment of so
desirable an object, and in order to invigorate the lis-
p .si,ion of Government, his Lordship concluded with
moving an Address to the King, stating the several
facts to which he had alluded in the cons se of I.is
speech, and praying that a representation might he
sent to the Court of France, calling for fresh penal
enactments against the pe..ssons concerned in the traffic.
Lord B.VI 'RST spoke in a low tone of voice, but
we unolersto.nl liim to say, that though he did not
agree i:nplicitly in every sentiment contained in the
Add:ess. he should give it his sup:tort. With respect
to the asiolotion of a Registry, as there was not the
same genet-AI dislike to the Stade among the people of
other toonntries which existed in this, it Wss Midi to
be feared that it would he evaded in many cases
I heir Lordships would easily understand why he slid
not follow she Noble Lord through 4.11 points of his
speech. 'I he con.lnet of other countries on the subject
vi as a matter of gre.st slelicaev. All he hoped or
eilllited it as, that their Lordships woald believe that
the tiovernment of this country load stone its duty, and
he would pro:nise them that no exertion should be
spared to give efftct to the abolition by every means
which Ministers could cotnnoanol.

Lord C.‘LTHOIt PE expre.sed 6i. Fat:sfaction at the
arowgl of the Noble Lord, and detilared himself
str.int;ly in favour of the motion.
The 'notion was then agreed to

°seem but the hisses, groans, and laughter with which
'die Worthy Baronet was greeted, rendered him totally_
inaudible.
lie. (lALIAWAT thought it right before the Hell com-
menced, to inform the Livery who .Mr. Alderman Bar-
rett was. He was a five pine: subscriber to the " Con-
stitutional Association." Now, the Court of KinN's
Bench had decided that a Member of this Association
was unfit to be a Juryman, and he would put it to the
Livery, whether a man, who was declared to be unfit to
serve us a Juryman, was a fit person to fill the high
office of Sheriff, whose duty it was to return Jurymen.
—(A ppla
After the Ause.)ldermen retired, the poll for Sheriffs com-
menced, and on the close the numbers were—

For Mr. Alderman Venable. . . 122
Far Mr. Crook . . . .
Mr. Alderman Garratt . . . 68
A Court of Aldermen was afterwards held, at which
Mr. Alderman Wood laid before the Court his appoint-
ment as &cam tamest* to the Lord Mayor, which was
read.

_
The summons from the Depnty Earl Marshal for the
attendance of the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, .Recorder
and Sheriffs to attend the ensuing Coronation, was also
laid before the Court and read.
Mr. Alderman Wool) laid before the Court two letters
the Lord Mayor had received from the Mayor of Oxford,
requesting., on behalf of the Mayor and Recorder of
Oxford, that they might be permitted to accompany the
Lord Mayor, &c. in the City's Water Barge on the en-
suing. Loronation, attended by eight citizens of Oxford,
which being read was complied with.
Richard Clark, Esq. was sworn into the office of
Chamberlain, and Messrs. (Within and Thodey in the
office of Bridge Masters.

LAW INTELLIGENCE.

COURT OF KM'S BENCH, Jv

RIVERS r. HEATH.

Mr. SCARLETT moved to set aside the verdict, on
the ground that it was against evidence. The plaintiff
had been employed by Heath, the engraver, to do
part of a plate, representing flogarth'allarch to Finch-
ley. He received 411. but claimed Mg. which the
Jury gave him.
_ _

31r: SCARLETV stated, in support of his motion
that the defendant had obtained evidence since the
trial, to prove the verdict was given for more work
thin the plaintiff had really done.—The ('m►rt granted
a rule on payment of costs.