The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1858-07-29
ABOLITION OF SLAVERY IN PORTUGAL.

1
The Portuguese Government seems to be in
earnest about the abolition of Slavery within
its jurisdiction. For several years plan for
general emancipation has been in contempla-
ton, and now the King of Portugal has gone
to work in the matter with honesty and energy.
The following is one of the DEGREES of the
King: III b III Il 4't
"Art. l. The condition of Slavery is here
by abolished in the following territories of
the Province of Angola
ely In the district of Ambriz, from the
river Lifune 10 the river Zaire.
say In the territories Of Cabinda and
Molembo.
| "Art. 2. This law shall come into execution,
in the district of Ambriz, at the expiration of
| six months from the date of this publication in
the Boletini Official of Angola and in the
other territories mentioned in the preceding
article, six months from the establishment in
each, by the Government, of administrative and
military authorities.
"Art. 3. All legislative enactments to the
contrary are hereby revoked.
ave therefore command all the authorities
TO whom the knowledge and execution of the
above law appertains, to carry it out, and
cause it to be carried out and observed fully,
| as therein contained"
By another decree, all slaves who embark
upon Portuguese vessels become free upon
reaching any port of the kingdom, whether the
slaves of foreigners or not.
Instructions have also been given to the Gov
| ernor of Macao, "that Slavery may be con.
, sidered extinct at Macao, and that the few
individuals who are represented as slaves can
hardly be termed az such, inasmuch as they
remain voluntarily with their masters"
Another decree of the King provides:
cart. l. Tie children of female slaves born
in the Transmarine Provinces subse quently to
the publication of this law, shall be consider
ed free.
cart 2. The children of female slaves men.
toned in the preceding article are bound to
serve their mothers masters gratuitously up to
the age of twenty years.
"Art. 8. The owners of female slaves are
bound to provide for the board and education
of such children as are born of them subse.
quently to the publication oil this law, during
the whole period of their gratuitous service.
cart. A. The service of the children of
females, as specified in article two, shall cease
whenever the person having a right to such
service shall be compensated, either for the
cording to the said article, or for the expenses
incurred for board and education as provided
by the previous article.
az The Government in concert with the
Colonial Board, shall take such measures and
frame such regulations as may be found neces-
sary for determining the mode of compeusa
ton in such cases as may demand it, and with
reference to the local circumstances, and to the
different manners and customs.
"Art 5. In sales or transfer of female
slaves, either made by contract during life
time, by testamentary dispositions, or by right
of succession, the children of such slaves de.
clared free by virtue of this law, and not exceed
ing seven years of age, shall always accompany
their mothers.
cart. 6. The children of female slaves not
exceeding the age Of four years shall be delv.
cred up to their mothers when the latter OBJ
tain their liberty, provided they wish to take
them, and in that case the engagements con.
tanned in articles two and three. of this law
shall cease.
Art. Z. The owners of female slaves are
also bound to maintain the children of the
daughters of such slaves, provided that the
mothers respectively are entitled to their main
tenance, as specified in article three of this
law. This engagement, however, on the part
of the owners, shall cease as soon their right
to the gratuitous service of the mothers of such
children ceases.
"Art. 8. The Board of Guardians for slaves
shall see that the provisions of this law are
faithfully carried out.
cart. 9. The Government are hereby au
th6rized to create any establishments or asso-
Citations, and to make the necessary outlay, in
order to afford due protection to the children
of female slaves mentioned in article one, as
well as to the effect that this law may be fully
and promptly executed.
+" Art. 10. All legislative enactments to the
contrary are hereby revoked.
We therefore command all the authorities
to whom the knowledge and execution of the
said law may apply, to carry it out, and to
cause it to be carried out and observed as fully
as contained therein"
Here is country looked upon by most A mer.
cans as not more than half civilized, and under
the despotism of King, yet which, in its hu-
trodden, puts this Government and this great
nation to open shame.
What does this Government, which claims to
be the home of Freedom, care for the sufferings
of four millions of its people-for the wrongs
inflicted upon every sixth man and woman
throughout the Republic? Just nothing at all.
Yet Don Peter, "by grace of God " King of
Portug cares for the comparatively few slaves
in his kingdom, and stops to consider their
wrongs and provide fer the administration of
Justice. We may well learn q lesson from him.
MExIoo.-We are in danger of uarrel
with Mexico. Whether the Administration is
honest in the matter or not, it is very difficult
to tell. 1t is natural to suspect it of desire
to get into difficulties with that country, and no
doubt into popular war which would strength
en- Slavery in two ways-by the acquisition Of
slave territory, and by drawing the attention
of the people of the free States from the Sla-
very question at home. The Washington cor
respondent of the Philadelphia North Ameri-
can says: ffa.
"NothiHg appears to be settled or stable
here. On Wednesday it was determined to
sustain the great principles asserted by Mr..
Forsyth, in Mexico, resisting the extraordinary
tax, without adopting his opinions or theories.
And his instructions were prepared upon this
basis, recommending him to remain at his post
and keep quiet. On Thursday morning, Mr..
Garcia, one of the persons expelled from Mexi.
co for refusing payment Of the tax, and claim
ing to be an American citizen, arrived, bring.
ing dispatches from Mr.. Forsyth, which com.
pletely changed the purpose here. Forsyth
represents that the Zulosga Government can.
not stand q month that il is beset with foes
on all sides, and that life and property are
insecure, from an existing anarchy. Uuder
these circumstances, the Administration has
sent special messenger, Captain Henry, to
Movs suith cfs inns IA c1o fho