Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1858-12-14
LETTER FROM Mr.. MASON TO Mr.. CA>S.
LE.ArioS oY THE UNITED STATES.
pur:. E..hr.r,- Ia L..


SIR: In IN interview which had the honor o.
have with Count Walcwsk. minister OF foreign NJ
fairs in the last week ri January, asked Inn Il
there were any objections L. my being informed IL
the precise character o the measure, adopted BY his
Majesty the Emperor. government in regard 10 the
importation into the French colonies Of negroes from
Africa. IIu replied tina; there was no:. and b. PRO-
cccdcl 20 state Very fr;ky that the French colonies.
particularly i'll the West Indies, were lansui-hins for
want of labor That negro labor alone was a,laltcd
70 tropical productions. the French government
hud devised system for the nroluctio; from Afr-
ca OF nborcrS under guard, which were intended 10
protect them free cmigrant- That TO supply these
iaborcrS thcy looked mainly to prisoners taken hy
the tribe, in their intestine wars, who would II not
10 ds,,o-cd OF. according - the har'aro,s custom,
OF the country. be put to death. Tha. the arrange
mcntS in Africa, prior to enharkatlon. and Tor the
disposition Of the cmigrans during the voyage ;'i'i
after their arrival in the colonies entirely under
the management; and control Of commissioners, oi
the French government; tina; obligation, were taken
! by them from the planters who received the ci;-
grants into service IL bind them n provide for the
negroes during their term Of service and secure 10
them the mean, OF returning TO Africa Il they shall
choose 10 do so, after its expiration.
! asked ii there was any truth i'll sonic statements
which mud seen in the Engllah newspapers. tii.,
| French vessels rcig GIFTED with African emigrart-
would be regarded by British cruisers ~ engaged in
the African Slave trade. lI:- eycccncy said No.
that there had been some communication between
| the two governments. and tho British g"vcrncilt
| would no; object to the French scheme while the
wants Of the British colonies were being supplied hy
the Coolic trade. The minister urged that the plan
adopted secured African labor which was indi>pen-
sable in their colones that the cnsrant> were free
and were rescued generally from impending iHnola-
ton: that relieved from ignorance and hcathcnism Of
the MOS; degrading character, they wo"d DC lHnail-
lied and christiaslzcd ty being placed IN contact
with the French colonists. The conversation ended
by the ministers ASSURANCE tina. lie would send me-
! a written memorandum i'll reply u my emlnry.-
This promise lie redeemed by sen'in, to me the pa
per- which | herewith transmit, There are some
points on which neither the conversation nor the
written memorandum give information which de-
sired 1t doe. not appear whether q consideration
is paid to the chief. OF tribes Tor their cp;:cs or
people infer that there is. 1t 'ioes not explain
the duration of the term Of service and II rcnaInt %
BIZ seen whether any Of the emgaat+ Will survive
the term or return 10 their country.
Judging from the tone Of the public pres. and
reasoning priori, feel qntc confident tha. in FL
ture We will see tho ianaiie denuncstion, Of Ane-
rc.,n slavery greaty moderated, if no. seneat, IN
France. perhaps in England.