Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1816-08-17
BRITISH PARLIAMENT.
HOUSE OF COMMONS, June IS.
ALGERINE PIRATES.


M Brougtam rose, in pursuance of
notice he had given, to move for the pro-
ducton of papers, respecting certain me-
quotations that had been entered into with
the Dey of Algiers. AS far as his infor-
NATION went, the treaty had been conclu-
dcd with the Dey by the Neapoltan and
Sardinlan Governments, the general pur-
port OF which had been the ransom of
certain captives at large sum for each
captive, and stipulation for the payment
OF an annual sum in future, on the promise
that no more captures should be made
1t had generally been believed that this
country had been party to this treaty; if
that had been the case-ifwe had sane
toned such treaty by joining tiff we
had any share iii the negociation-and.
above all, if Lord Exmouth. furnished with
such means as his feet afforded, did ne
gotlate, 1t was a stain on the character of
the country, and would be attended with
the most mischievous consequences. Such
negotiation amounted TO a sanction of all
the piracies and captures that had been
made, and of almost all that could be
made. inasmuch as the Dey was only bound
not to take the subjects of the two powers
with whom the stipulation has been entered
into. After all the cruelties that had been
committed, ransom was sanctioned by
Great Britain, and States, who had not
been parties to this treaty, were to be plum
dered without redress. Nor was this a
vain alarm for the consequence of the
treaty had been, that the Algcrines, dis
contented with the arrangements made by
their government, which they considered
as aorids'ng their natural right to plumber,
by excepting Naples and Sardinia from
their ravages, had been appcased by being
told that great space was yet left them,
and that they might prey on all Franks,
except the subjects of Naples and Sardi-
MIA. There had in consequence been an
increase of depreciation on the Roman and
Tuscan coasts. particularly the Roman, as
the naval force of Rome was inadequate
to offer resistance. In the ignorance in
which the House now stood as to the par
ticulars OF this treaty, he should only OBJ.
serve that we could not, with any consis-
tcncy, proceed session after session, to
discuss such questions as tended to the
abolition OF the African slave trade, while
we allowed another slave trade, equally
odlous, and ifpossible, attended with more
horrible consequences. to exist, as here the
barbarian was a slave trader, and civilized
nations the victims while in the other
case, the barbarian suffered perhaps less
OF civilized nation. 1t was unnecessary
tor him to dwell on the cruelties that were
exercised they were already but too
wei kHown : he had, however, but lately
read statement made by gallant naval
officer by the name of Croker. who had
witnessed the landing OF three huadred
prisoners. OF these, seventy died in a
fortnight, while the survivors were only
allowed one pound Of coarse bread a day,
with very small portion of water. They
were led out to labor in Common with the
mules, and like them were tortured by the
lash. At night 81 hammocks were stow
ed in one small room, the heat and stencil
Of which were intnerable Neither sex
nor age was spared by these pirates, ard
even chiliren were seized for some abon-
Unable purpose Neopolitan Lady of
distinction. carried of with eight children.
SIX of whom still survived, had lately been
seen by British officer. in the 18th wear
of her capacity. Could the house know
these things aud continue such a traffic ?
Would they not feel the highest indieua-
ton, and even remorse, that they had not
before put an end to such proceedings ?
The sanction which had been given them
by this treaty, was a sufficient ground for
calling on the noble lord for the production
OF these papers he therefore moved.
that an humble address be presented to
his x yai Highness the Prince Regent,
praying that there be laid before the house,
copies OF the trsaties entered into with the
Dey ct Algiers, under the sanction of the
british Admiral, aud also the correspon-
dence that had passed on the subject"
Lord Castlereagh said, that his Males
Tvs Government were only ia possession
OF part OF the documents moved for, a.