The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-06-26
THE FRENCH EMIGRATION SCHEME

Lord Goerich last evening asked the Under Secretary
Of state Of Foreign Affairs whether there any truth
in the statement that tho British government had given
its sanction to the French scheme for the expectation OF
negroes from the west coast of Africa? The of
Mr Fitzgerald was plain and precise He said that the
communications Of this country expressions OF
gret that such scheme had been originated and persist
ed h and that the British government had felt 1t their
duty to point out strongly their objections to It, This
statenenE comes opportunely at present. 1t can
longer be doubted that the project which has received
the approval and support OF the French government and
which is being carried out by French speculaos is
simply the slave trade disguised undcr the Of in
dustral emigration. As It becoming obvious that for
the protection of the black from forcble abduction
and servitue N trust the moral sense Of France
America and the r countries possessing territory be-
tween the tropics, give to the world
tive which has reached u.s. and which demonstrates clear
y the nature Of the proceedings which the French gov
ernment has sanctioned We trust that when such
facts arc known, tho task Of those who rcmonstate
against the scheme will be no Longer difficult. We
cannot claim to prevent other nations embarking in
the slave trade, but It may be allowed to US to
pose any practices akin TO It which are carried
under specious name-a name which, perhaps, quiets
the consciences Of many who have good feeling enough
to shrink from evil, but not energy enough to track
IL to its haunts and destroy it there The Ethiope
Captain Croft steamer belonging TO the Weet Africa
Steam Company arrived at Monrova the capital OF the
settlement Of Liberia On tho l4th Of April The cap
tain, landing informed by ex-President Roberts
that French vessel the Regina Cli which had been
system had been the scene of fearful catastrophe
These so-clled emigrants had revoted during the ab
of the captain purser, and few Of the crew. who
fortunately for themselves had gone on shore for short
time. The seamen left board to the number of H.
were murdered by the negroes the doctor alone
spared and put Shore The ignorant wrctches after
perpctrating this deed had taken possession Of the
sci and known to be in the cighborhood of Cape
Mount Shortly after Captain Croft received this infor
I9atiop there case formal request from the French
consul that the Ethiope would, II possible recapturs
ths vessel. The Ethioe ~ out accordingly The Re
gina Crli known 70 b wal sxmad; chips convey
ing this class Of cnignts are 1t appears, well armed
and Capt Croft made every preparation. But rightly
believing that President Roberts would excsso moral
influence the blacks that gentleman requested to
accompany the expedition At the next morning
the shore - Az neared, J" says eyewitness,
1--WE her decks crowded with people, who,
they the British flag, hung out white shirt and
the Ethiope coming within hsing distance, they made
all possible demonstrations. BY clapping ths hands and
crossing their thus expressing their JOY at seeing
British ship and their readiness give themselves up
Mr.. Roberts went board, and whom the haacs heard
shouted with delight Mr.. Roberts, having heard tbs
account Of these people, exssssd hs opinion that all
the c~lsksmgsaum mssely slaves and had been
regularly bought shippsd, ard nsanaced just in the
regular way, practised the coast for many year
The account the negroes gave Of themselves leaves in
deed no doubt u the hct. The irons With which they
had been manacled board and many of them re-
taincd the marks their wrists and ankles They were
about z7O IN AL but 100 had la before the Ehiope fell
in with heip One u ths sn saia that the greater
part had been brought dewn from tho nri and bought
by the Freuchncn in tho usual way. Others had gone
on board faborss, he himself among ths nnbsr and
had bssn suddsnly sansa put n ron end suwod away
In the hoad By thcse means The cmianta obtain
cd who, but f6r thc nutiny, destined u ievelop
their facatss BY Sbnol With eivaatkon III tAe island
Of Reunion, la&c Bssben The account given by them
Of the massacre sef VA, that s arosc from tho cook