The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1858-07-22
THE SLAVE TRADE.

IOr JndC OONSTlTUTlON.
THE SLAVE TRADE
The French on the Coast of Africa.
HOUSE OF Commons, June 10.
Viscount Gcderich asked the Under Secre.
tary of State for Foreign Affairs whether there
was any truth in the statement alleged in the
Times of the 18th of May to have been made
by Mr.. Mason, United States Minister to France,
that there bad been some communication be-
tween the Governments of England and France,
upon the subject of the expectation of negroes
from the west coast of African the course OF
which, her Majesty Government had informed
Count Walewski that they would not object to
the French scheme for that purpose, while the
wants of the British Colonies were being sup
piled by the Coolie trade?
Mr. S. Fitzgerald said the attention of the
Government was at once called to the statement
to which the honorable gentleman referred, and
grave misapprehension must have existed as to
the facts, on the part of Mr.. Mason. 1t was
true that there we're communications between
our Government and France in reference to
the scheme of free emigration, as it was term
ed but during the whole course of those COM
mupications, they were, on our side, rather ex-
pressions of regret that any such scheme should
have been originated, and still more as it was
persisted in, [hear, hear and certainly no con-
cessions ,cere at any time made, such as soere
described by Mr.. Mason, nor any admission
that such a course mould be proper. Hear,
hear
Mr.. C. Fortescue asked if the scheme was
still going on?
Mr.. S. Fitzgerald said the British Government
felt it their duty to point out strongly their OBJ
jections to the scheme, but they had no reason
to suppose that it was given up. His noble
friend at the head of the Foreign Department
had proposed to the French Government that
they should name a person, and we should
name person, to make inquiries on the spot,
and the French Government had assented to
that course. Hear, lear.
From the London Times, June IL.
Lord Goderich last evening asked the Under
Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether
there Was any truth in the statement that the
British Government had given its sanction to
the French scheme for the expectation of me-
groes from the west coast of Africa. The an
swer of Mr.. Fitzgerald was plain and precise.
He said that the communications of this coun.
try were expressions of regret that such a
scheme had been originated and persisted in,
and that the British Government had felt it
their duty to point out strongly their objections
to it. This statement comes opportunely at
present. 1t can no longer be doubted that the
project which has received the approval and
support of the French Government, and which
is now being carried out by French spectators,
is simply the slare trade disguised ander the
name OF industrial enterprise.
As it is becoming obvious that for the pro-
lection of the black race from forcibe abduc
ton and servitude we must trust to the moral
sense of France, America, and the other coun-
tries possessing territory between or near the
tropics, we give to the world narrative which
has reached rs, and which demonstrates clearly
the nature of the proceedings which the French
Government has sanctioned. We trust that,
when once such facts are known, the task of
those who demonstrate against the scheme will
be no longer difficult. We cannot claim to
prevent other nations emberking in the slave
trade, but it may be allowed to US to expose
any practices akin to it which are carried on
under q specious name--aname which, perhaps,
quiets the copsciences of many who have good
feeling enough to shrink from evil, but not
energy enough to track it to its haunts and
destroy it there.
The Ethiope, Captain Croft, steamer be-
longing to the West Africa Steam Company,
arrived at Monrovia, the capital of the settle.
ment of Liberia, on the l4th of April The
captain, ON landing, was informed by OK.
President Roberts that q Fsench vessel, the Re.
gina Coli, which had been for some weeks col.
iecting t" emigrants," under the new system, had
been the scene of fearful catastrophe. These
socalled emigr1nts had revolted during the
absence of the captain, purser, and few of
the crew, who, fortunately for themselves, had
gone on shore for o short time. The seamen
left on board, to the number of eleven, we're
murdered by the negroes the doctor alone was
spared and put on shore. The ignorant wretches,
after perpetrating this deed, had taken posses
SION of the vessel, and were known to be in the
neigborhood. of Cape Mount. Shortly after
Captain Croft received this information, there
came formal request from the French Consul
that the EAiope would, if possible, recapture
the vessel. The Ethiope set ont accordingly.
The Regina Cell was known to be we'll armed;
sbips conveying this class of emigrsnts are, it
aprears, we'll armed and Captain Croft made
every preparation. But, rightly believing that
ex President Roberts would exercise moral
influence on the blacks, that gentleman was re.
quested to accompany the expedition. At
nine o'clock the next morning they sighted the
Regina CeIi "quite manageable near the
Shore" "As we neared," says an ye.witness,
I've saw her decks crowded with people, who,
as soon a. they saw the British flag, hung out
q white shirt, and, the Ethiepe coming within
hailing distance, they made all possible dem
onstrations, by clapping their hands and cross
ing their arms, thus expressing their joy at
seeing British ship, and their readiness to
give themselves up" Mr.. Roberts went on
board and when the blacks heard they we're to
be taken to Monrovia, they danced and shouted
with delight. Mr.. Roberts, having heard the
account Of these people, expressed his opinion