The southern press., 1852-03-06

slaves. i neSc OllcerS TepTeSeHt ~ w 10 oUou'
the most God-forsaken ragion on earth. An
owner of slaves could not be hired at any price
to buy plantation there. Besides, if he did,
he has got lawsuit on hand which will last
him for life. The territorial law of New Mexi.
CO, under the law of nations, and by the decision
Of our own courts is anti slavery; and that has
got to be got rid of before slavery can be kept
there. Nevertheless, tits a good enough Nor
gan to keep up excitement on"
British Intervention on the Coast Of Africa.
The English papers give the particulars of the
destruction Of the town Of Lagos on the African
coast by the British forces, and the substitution
ola new king of their own creation in place Of
the former, whom they have deposed.
A despatch from Commodore Bruce Comman-
der Of the squadron, dated on board the Pene-
lope, off Lagos, on the I'd of January, addressed
TO the Secretary of the Admiralty, says:
"The instructions of the Lords commission
ers Of the Admiralty, as far as respects Lagos,
have been most faithfully fulfilled, by the ex.
pulsion of the slave-dealng chief Kosoko, and
his people, the utter destruction of his town,
and the establishment of the friendly chief Aki-
toye, with his followers, in the seat of power at
Lagos.
.Their lordships are aware that Kosoko very
recently rejected the proffered friendship OF
England, and opposed, with fire and sword, the
approach of flag of truce proceeding to his
seat of government with Mr.. Consul Beecroft
who offered to negotiate and to advise with him
vi, therefore, determined to send strong and
we'll organised force to punish this refractory
chief, and having, through the energy and exer-
tons of Mr.. Beecroft, procured the attendance
of Akitoye, and nearly 500 Of his followers, near
| the scene of action, ready to take advantage of
clean sweep when we should make il, con.
certed measures with Captain Lewis l. Jones,
of the Sampson, and Captain Henry Lyster, of
this ship, who were both volunteers on the oc-
casion, and entrusted the detail and execution
of the service to Captain Jones, seconded by
Captain Lyster, and their lordships will see from
the accompanying reports the complete success
with which the enterprise has been crowned.
81 am at a loss to do justice to the chiyalrous
bearing and devoted bravery of these two off
GERS; Captain Jones, who, commanding the ex.
petition, was no less conspicuous for his gal
lantry and frmness than for his judgment and
energy; and Captain Lyster, who, finding him
self, by unavoidable circumstances, exposed in
the Teazer to be summarily destroyed by the
enemy's guns, made noble rush into the midst
ofarmed men on shore, and with his undaunted
followers, spiked the obnoxious guns, and turn
ed the fortune of the day at that point. 1t is to
be borne in mind that our people could expect
no quarter, nor did they get any"
A letter written by one who engaged in the
attack closes thus
@On the 28th, at dsybreak, the town was
found deserted, the enemy having left on the
other side of the island in their canoes. The
forces then landed and took possession 81
! guns were taken and destroyed, and Akitoye
| placed on the throne and all his men with him
and thus finishes the capture of Lagos, and with
it we HOPE the suppression of the slave-trade.
| A few deaths have taken place from fever. The
stockades consisted Of green cocoa-nut trees ;
henesSpey had no splnters. In each stockade
was hench, so that when shell was fred nj
them, they jumped in the trench, and hence e.-
capped danger Each stockade had a ditch to
communicate, 50 that they could reinforce or re-
treat at leisure. About ID feet from the shore,
in feet water, were a quantity of bamboo
stakes, so firmly driven in, and so secure, that
$50 lbs of gunpowder could not effect breach
and hence prevented any one from landing. Our
total force was about 400; the enemy from TO-.
900 10 10000.
This is the official statement made by the vic.
tors. Other statements, however, have been
made which put very different face on the
whole affair.
In the New York Times we find the follow
ing very different version Of the affair
Two or three weeks since we had intelligence
Of the forcible Intervention Of The English
squadron in the domestic affairs If the town OF
Lagos, on the coast Of Africa. The English, ms
our readers know, keep cruisers on the coast to
prevent the slave trade. Lagos is siIsated upon
a river at some considerable distance from the
sea. The English officers sent 10 the King a
request that be would permit the whole armed
force TO come in boats TO Lagos and consult with
him about suppression Of the slave traffic, in
which he was himself extensively engaged. He
declined, but said he would cheerfully consult
with them in the ordinary way-by a deputa.
ton. This did not suit their purposes, and they
accordingly attempted 10 force their way into
the royal presence. They embarked very large
force in their boats and started up the river, but
We're driven back by the multitude OF armed
natives who lined the banks and opposed their
advance.
BY the Franklin we have news Of the further
prosecution Of this negotiation A dispatch
from the Commodore OF the squadron announces
the expulsion Of the slave dealing chief Ko.
soko and his people, the utter destruction Of his
town, and the establishment OF the friendly chief
Akitoye, with his followers in the seat Of power
at lagos"
The dispatch goes on TO say:
sTheir lordships are aware that Kosoko very
recently rejected The preferred friendship Of Eng.
land, and opposed, with fire and sword the APP
proach Of flag Of truce proceeding TO his seat
Of government with Mr.. Consul Beecroft, who
offered TO negotiate and 10 advise with him."
As.we have already stated above, the chic
| Kosoko did not refuse TO negotiate with the
English, but expressly agreed TO receive a depu.
tation for that purpose. He only declined 10
allow them to ascend the river with their feet
and thus 10 place his town completely under
their guns. twas for this offence that the com
modore, as he proceeds to state in his official
dispatches sent up strong force to destroy this
rebeliious chief and set up another in his place
He first concerted measures with rival chieI
named Akitoye, who was stationed with some
500 Of his followers smear the scene Of action
/ so that he could take advantage az . cloan