Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1841-10-28
SLAVERY IN BRITISH INDIA.


The influence which fanaticism combin,
with seli-interest and political aninosity ma
exercise over the minds of men, and even
intelligent men, is strictly exhibited by tn
course which British abolitionists pursue to
wards this country. They inveigh agains
the existence of slavery in the United States
they concentrate an unusual degree of solicit
tude upon us and our domestic concerns they
expend large amount Of superfluous sympa-
thy, to say nothing of money, in deploring
and in seeking to remove what they regard as
great evil among us; yet to the existence of
slavery in their own dominions, under their
own laws, and with their own knowledge and
consent, they seem strangely blind.
We find in the National Gazette some ex-
tracts from Report lately made by the "In-
dian Law Commissioners" to the Earl of
Auckland, the Governor General of India,
which has been ordered to be printed by the
House OF Commons. The following passages
from the Report exhibit but partially the ex-
tent OF slavery and the condition of the slaves
in Bengal, British India. and prove that the
existence OF the institution is recognised and
allowed by the Government. 1t will be seen
that slavery in British India is not an affair of
caste, or of subordination of classes, but that
1t consists i'll absolute possession of the per-
son. Concerning its extent the following
may give some information:
Slavery prevails more or less throughout the
whole OF these territories; the number of tho
slaves LIN some parts is considerable, a wealthy
reminder often possessing as many 1000 and
1t is stated that there 200 or $50 landholders
who possess that number each One of the wit
nesses examined is himself the owner of SO
slaves; in other districts the slaves are compare
lively few. In the northern, central and south
ern districts of Cuttack the proportion Of the
slaves to the free population is supposed to be as
= to 10, but this proportion is considered excess
sive.
''ln the city of Calcutta tho majority of the
Mahomadan, Portuguese, Armenian, Persee, and
Jew Inhabitants possess slaves. In the district
Of Bengal lying beyond the Ganges slavery pre-
walls to great extent. In Tipperah the slaves
are supposed to constitute one-fourth of the pop
ula'ion +; in Mymensingh all great reminders
have slaves In proportion to their wealth, who
are settled OF their estates one landholder, a
lady possesses l400 slaves of this description
even persons who live upon small salaries, such
as clerks and accountants have generally to
slaves"
In the Delhi territory the keeping of slaves is
stated to be almost entirely confined TO the city of
Delhi, though in all the surrounding independent
states; especially where the chiefs are Mahome-
dans 1t 10 more common.
With regard to the extent Of the masters do
minlon over his slaves we told that
''Slnves are both heritabe and transferable
property they may be mortgaged and let to
hire, and they can obtain emancipation only by
their owners consent, except in some special ca.
SEES. 1t appears to be the generally received o.
plnion that the earnings of slave belong of right
to his MASTER that he has no right to any portion
OF his own time wherein to work for his own be-
neht, and that he can hold no property ACQUIRED
In this condition against his master excepting
such things as his master himself may give him.
In practice, however, the master would not de-
prlve his slave OF any thing given him by anoth-
sT peasa1n hhf 9So BE af they 9&n
do possess property, which their death de-
scends to their heirs.
Manumission is said ODE extremely rare
SO rare that the slaves generally regard it as
unattainable, and ..when used they probably
do not desire it,
If the continuance of slavery in British In.
dia is found to be useful to the project of rais-
ing Cotton i'll that region for the supply of the
British market, there is no probability that
the national philanthropy will attempt to dis
turb it. Ii is not difficult to guage the depth
and breadth of British benevolence as it shows
Itself In Its modern exhibitions. But if the
philanthropists of that busting island will
confine their agtaions to their own doinin-
ions we shall have nothing to say to them in
the way of rebuke censure Their inter-
ference with our domestic affairs is, however,
most insolent and presumptuous; but even
that is less reprehensible than the unnatural
conduct of some citizens of this republic, who
scruple not TO unite with foreigners, and make
common cause with them against the institu-
tons Of their native country.
Baltimore american.
TRIAL OF 112 MEN FOR MURDER.