The New York herald., 1874-12-17
SLAVERY ON THE GOLD COAST.


SLAVERY ON THE GOLD COAST.
British Omcial Announc ement OF the
Suppression OF the slave Tramc
and OF Bondage-The Native Kings
and Chiefs Called TO Council In
Palaver Hall-The Household slaves
Placed Under English Protection
Danger or the Newly Liberated Free
mon Rushing Suddenly Toward Lib
From the London Times. Dec. 81
The African royal mail steamer Emins, J. S.
Rattray commander. has arrived in the Mersey
from the West Coast OF Africa with the mails, pas
sengers ana specie. palaver had been held at
Accra about the household slave question, ana the
natives had agreed that their slaves should be
under British protection in accordance with the
Governors proclamation.
The English 0overno,'s Address to the
Assembled Chiefs.
A meeting OF all the kings and chiefs OF the
western ana central positions OF the Gold Coast
was held at the Castle OF Cape Coast, in the Pala-
yer Hall, on the Sd day OF November, 1874, when
His Excellency Governor Strahan spoke as fol.
lows
KINGS AND CHIEPs-I am pleased TO meet you.
MOST OF y0I nave ,e been n od a o. me me
King Of the Netherlands. In times past there
were disputes between you. Il speak Of those
for ever and be at an end. Now, all or you are
under one nag, the lg Of England. Tne Queen
her people in England; but before doing SO will drst
speak Of what mas transpired IN your history and
existing between you ana her government Few
Of you, probably can remember how your coun-
me King ToseS
women and children taken captive to .Asnan-
s ss saa 70 sSs a. w
sent from England. You also know how ne
every conceivable manner. Though he lost
@ ID as the ee em
couatry, and Osai Totoo Quamina was forced TO
make peace, and you mad peace during the re-
what occurred during Q1acoe Duah's reign, though
you still stood III tear OF Asnantee ana Its might.
But At the beginning OF last year an army OF 40 600
Ashantees invaded your country under general
VINO was a member Of the royal family. This army
defeated and scattered your forces, and devas-
sword. This army attempted to attack the Eng
been easy Tor Her Majesty's land and sea forces
| here to have driven back the enemy, but your
country would have still been at their mercy. AS
your ioreiatners were scattered and troubled by
the AshanteeS so were you by Koflee Kalcal
Then the Queen sent out general with officers
| and an army composed OF some OF her land and
sea forces to deliver you from ruin. The General
attacked Ashantee on one side and another Cap
fought your battles for you. TINS force drove the
enemy out OF your country, followed them INTO
masse and burnt 1t, and forced the KING 10 sign .
treaty: In this wav you were relieved from defeat
out your sssstsnSe Her Majesty sent t. OUT s' these
| men In ships from England at cost ten times
greater than all the gold there IL in Asnantee,
men died IN battle and others lrom disease. Now.
why do tell you all this Is 1t to tell you that the
money she has expended for your Is it 10 tell you
that you must pay Tor your freedom from AshanreeS ?
You. You must do what you can ior yourselves as as
she can do no more 10 1t TO tell you that a. she
saved you m from your late danger that you are 70
she requires and expects from you Is obedience TO
her wishes and those Of her people in England.
your aid 10 putting an end TO . thing which she
and ner people aohor. TINS thing is against . law
change eee On you
the English people buy sheep. fowls and other live
Du no msa 70 p ana eaarsn TIE
buying and selling oislaves. either within or with
out the protecrorste. In any shape, degree or orm
and she WILL allow no person to be taken as pawn
Considerable smpSaslsj The Queen p desires s'i to
Ing, selling and pawnlne Of men % and women len and and
children II wrong. and no country where 1t exists
any OF your people from you; those OF them VINO
like TO work for and with and to assist you re.
mai main WITH you Il they are happy and continue to
change Will be forced upon you; but any person
who does not desire TO live with you on those
| Court. British or native, to return to you. The
Queen hopes to make you happy In many ways
right that should tell you distinctly tina. II you
desire her protection you must do as she wishes
a. she orders. This Is the Queens message. When
Tor palaver, question, hesitation or doubt; but
she expects obedience and assent. will only
| say that without the Queens money and troops
you would have been slaves OF a plocdthirsty
people. The Queen has paid great price Tor
| you would have been dragged nence to form .
portion OF the thousands VINO are decapitared and
your homes would have been homes iui OF misery
you al 70 join with me IN the prayer. 'dod save
Ny message ts delivered.
THR KINGS AND CHIEFS CONSULT AND REPLY.
The Governor ceased speaking. and Tor a short
time the chiefs were consulting among them.
selves wnat answer to give. when Ut last KIM
Ed0o OF Mankeasim solicited permission from Ilis
Excecncy to retire till the next day 50 that thev.
the kings might consult together ~ to the answer
they could give This, however. the Governor re.
| fused, and referred them to that portion or nj,
speecn or message wherein he had stated tnnt
when the Queen expressed her wishes Il remained
only for them 70 obey, out II they wished tt he
! would retire Tor q snort time and leave them 10
their delloerations. HIS Excellency then lett tile
hour the kings and chlcls informed him that
.'tney were willing to cease from buyinr or
selling slaves, but raised objection to the slaves
being permitted to go Tree II they chose without
there being any cause shown, and lik q wise RI
pawnY not being allowed" 800, -
After some discussion II was decided that no
slave could leave his or her master mistress ui-
less there was proof oI cruelty or maltreatment, /,
when such slave would be entitled to his or her
freedom. And the question OF pawns was settled
by the debtor being held liable Tor the amount
that the pawn had been given Ms aecuiity for, and
tnat the amount should be recovered on the pa wn
leaving.
This concluded tho meeting In the Castle. but
20 over 70 Oovsrnmspt House to drink long lie 10
Asr AAJesus