he considered that the Bill was susceptible of improvement; and he might refer particularly to one of the last clauses, which provided that the measure should not apply to the description of passengers generally known as cabin passengers.

He had had the misfortune to be a cabin passenger on board a vessel the greater part of which was appropriated to emigrants; and he might mention the plan which was adopted by the owners to evade the provisions of the Acts then in force to regulate the conveyance of emigrants. The part of the vessel appropriated to emigrants was under the main deck; and the after part of the ship was separated from the fore part by bulkheads of sufficient thickness to prevent the passage of bad air fore and aft. To make room for a greater number of passengers the whole of these bulkheads were removed, an entire communication was established throughout the vessel, and as many as eight men were introduced into one cabin as intermediate passengers. He considered, then, that unless very stringent provisions were adopted, interested parties would contrive to evade the provisions of the Bill; and he begged to suggest the propriety of altogether omitting the clause relating to cabin passengers.

Bill read a second time, and ordered to be referred to a Committee upstairs.

SHIPWRECKS ON THE SHETLAND

ISLANDS.

money levied by the Trinity-house and the Board of Northern Lights, Scotland, for the year 1847.

MR. HUME did not wonder the hon. Member should have thought it his duty to bring the subject before the House. It was one which deserved the attention of the Government. The construction of the Board at Trinity-house, and of the Commissioners of Northern Lights in Scotland, was most objectionable. The members were tradesmen, lawyers, or civilians of some other description, with hardly a sailor amongst them. But the whole system of lighting on our coasts, and of light dues levied on English and foreign ships, was objectionable. The United States never made any charge on account of lights, while we levied a charge on the ships of all nations. He hoped soon to see the mercantile navy of this country placed upon as respectable a footing as the navy of America or any other country. There ought to be a national board in England as in every other country, and one uniform system of lights established in England, Scotland, and Ireland.

The LORD ADVOCATE would not on the present occasion say anything as to the manner in which the lights on the coasts of this country ought to be managed; neither did he intend to offer any opposition to the production of the accounts asked for by the hon. Gentleman. He was quite sure that the Board of Northern Lights would stand the test of any inquiry which the House might think proper to institute. They had just finished a lighthouse on the highway between England and America, at an expense of nearly 100,000l., and they had expended every sixpence which they had in their possession. He did not mean to say that if they had funds, they should not build lighthouses; but at this moment all their funds were absorbed. The deficiency in their funds might be accounted for by the reduction which they had made in the dues re

MR. ANDERSON called the attention of the House to the numerous shipwrecks, with the extensive loss of life, which occasionally occurred off the Shetland Islands, and to the great deficiency of coast lights on those islands. By an extract from Lloyd's books it appeared that no less than fourteen shipwrecks occurred from between the end of December to the 12th of February on those islands, the crews of seven or eight of which perished altogether. There was only one light on the islands; at least two other lights were re-ceivable from shipping. quired. Why were they not erected? It Motion withdrawn. could not be for want of funds, for the Board of Northern Lights in Scotland levied a heavy charge on the shipping of the country for the purpose of maintaining lights on the coast, and they had a balance of upwards of 39,000l. in hand. The hon. Member expressed a hope that the Government would turn their attention to this subject, and concluded by moving for an abstract account of the amount of

House adjourned at a quarter before Twelve o'clock.

HOUSE OF LORDS,

Tuesday, February 22, 1848. MINUTES.] PETITIONS PRESENTED. From Okehampton,

and several other places, against the Admission of Jews into Parliament.-From Protestants of Cavan, and several other places in Ireland, against the National System of Education (Ireland).-From Dodbrook, and several other

places, for the Imposition of the Severest Penalties on all Roman Catholic Priests who shall Denounce Persons into the Existing State of Turnpike Trusts.-From Tessara (Roscommon), against further Concessions to Roman Catholics, and against the Law of Mortmain.-From Wolverhampton Board of Guardians, for the Enactment of Sanatory Measures.

from the Altar.-From Parish of Highworth, for Inquiry

THE SLAVE TRADE.

their opinions, and to share their views. It is, therefore, of great importance that no doubt should prevail on this subject, and that we and the country should know what are the real intentions of Her Majesty's Government upon this most important and interesting subject. Having been absent in a distant part of the The EARL of ABERDEEN said: My country at the meeting of the present Lords, I adverted yesterday to a return Parliament, I had not the advantage of recently laid on your Lordships' table, con- hearing my noble Friend, sitting on the taining an account of the number of deaths bench below me (Lord Stanley), on the which have taken place in, and the state first night of the Session; but he is reof health of, the squadron employed off ported to have made a declaration on that the coast of Africa in the suppression of occasion which he will forgive me for saying the slave trade during the last few years. was one that, in my opinion, he could not This return has been moved for, I know fully have considered. I have acted with not with what special object, but at all my noble Friend as a Colleague for several events it contains information which can- years, during which time, with one excepnot but be highly important and interest- tion-and certainly that was an important ing to your Lordships. At the same exception-I am not aware that we entime, however, before your Lordships can tertained any difference of opinion. Cerform any just opinion of the services of that tainly, in all matters connected with measquadron, and of the real character and sures for the abolition of the slave trade, condition of that force, you must have on which, from the nature of our offices, other information than that contained in we were necessarily brought into frequent the return I have alluded to. The cir- and close communication, not a shadow of cumstances connected with the squadron, difference ever existed between us. It have been subject to much misapprehen- was not, therefore, without some surprise sion in consequence of misrepresentation; that I was informed that my noble Friend and it is to remove this misapprehension had declared, that such was the impression that I have ventured to give notice of made on his mind by the accounts of the my intention to bring the matter under the consideration of the House. Among the various circumstances which have attended our recent commercial legislation, there is nothing which I have witnessed with more apprehension and concern than the partial change which appears to have taken place in the public mind on the subject of the abolition of the slave trade. I say "partial change," because I hope and believe that the great majority of the people of this country are as much disposed as ever to persevere in those laudable endeavours which have been made for the extinction of that odious traffic, and are resolved to adhere to that great object on account of which this country has hitherto, and justly, acquired the greatest credit and honour. Nevertheless, I hear suggestions made which a short time ago would never have been entertained or thought of for a single moment; and those suggestions are of the greater importance because they proceed from quarters which are supposed

I know not with what truth-to speak, more or less, the sentiments of Her Majesty's Government-to sympathise with

horrors of the middle passage, and so deeply did he feel the loss of life attending the extertions of our countrymen employed off the coast of Africa in the suppression of the slave trade, that he would willingly see the force so employed recalled. My noble Friend is perfectly well aware that the horrors of the middle passage have always been held out as a great inducement to permit the existence of the slave trade; and, no doubt, if the trade were permitted, the condition of those unhappy beings who are the subjects of it would be infinitely better than at present during the passage. Their condition would then be improved for the sake of their owners, who undoubtedly would treat them with more indulgent consideration than they can at present, consistently with a regard to the security of the slaves; for, as the chances of the capture of these slave vessels increase, precisely in the same proportion are the sufferings of these unhappy wretches augmented; and as these chances are lessened, so are their sufferings dimin ished. The only consolation we can have in executing these measures of suppression, is to know that the number of the

slaves subject to the ordeal of the middle | general information of the state of the passage is greatly diminished, and to hope squadron off the coast of Africa, that there that in no long time we may see a cessa- is nothing serious to be apprehended on tion of the slave traffic altogether. But the score of unhealthiness of the climate. with respect to the health of our squadron, Before the squadron was augmented to the there is no doubt that on this subject the present amount, I applied to officers the greatest exaggeration and misrepresenta- most experienced, and the best entitled to tions have taken place. Undoubtedly the give an opinion to carry weight with the climate and swamps on the coast of Africa Government, for information on the subare injurious to health and life; but with ject; and every one of them to a man dedue precaution the climate on the coast of clared that, with due precaution, no appreAfrica is not at all more unhealthy than hension need exist with respect to the any other tropical climate. The return on health of the squadron. It is true that an your Lordships' table shows that the loss unfortunate epidemic occurred on board of of life in the squadron has been exagger- a single vessel; but it was confined there, ated to a degree scarcely credible; and if and did not extend to other ships of the due precautions are taken, the amount of squadron; consequently, it could not be deaths occurring is not greater, as I have held that the squadron generally was unbefore stated, than might be expected in healthy because of that single instance of any other tropical climate. Taking the an epidemic prevailing in one vessel. Notyear 1847, if the last six months should withstanding all this, it may be said by prove not more fatal than the first six some that the squadron so employed has months (the returns for the latter period failed in its object-that it has failed to being the latest received), the loss in the diminish the extent of the slave-trade-and squadron in the course of the year would that we are making great sacrifices to exbe considerably less than two per cent tinguish it, but that the attempt is hopefor the year. This is not such a loss less. I venture to say that such is by no as should make the country abandon ef- means the case; that the system has been forts having so important an object in attended with great success; and that perview. I may mention that, from the ac- severance in proper measures for a short count of a vessel employed in this service, time would see it crowned with complete which has recently arrived in our ports, it success. I will endeavour to show your appears that the health of the squadron off Lordships in a few words the facts of the the coast of Africa is such as need not case. I shall, in the first place, move for give rise to uneasiness in any one. The an account of the captures made during the noble Earl here read the following ac- last three years. I am aware that the count, dated the 14th of November, from amount of the captures made affords no Portsmouth :criterion as to the diminution of the number of slaves carried to the slave-importing countries. It is possible that a large amount of captures might be made, whilst an equal thus the slave trade might be carried on, number of slavers might escape; and that and a considerable number of unhappy victims carried off to those countries where there is a market for them; on the other hand, with a very small number of captures it may be that there are a still less number of escapes. Therefore the positive number of captures is no certain test of the The loss of only one man through sickness extent to which the trade is or is not sucon board during a period of three years, cessfully carried on, or of the success atcan, I think, give rise to no great uneasi- tending the efforts of the force employed ness. Without due precaution being off the coast of Africa. But there is one taken, a similar loss might occur in the test which is quite infallible, and that is Channel; but if such sickness can be pre- the state of the slave markets to which these vented by due precautions, we have a slave vessels are directed. If you find that right to expect that they will be adopted. no slaves, or a greatly diminished number, Therefore, I contend, both from the re-arrive in those markets, it is perfectly clear turn on your Lordships' table, and from that the trade is successfully interrupted.

"The Waterwitch, 8, Commander T. Francis Birch, arrived at Spithead yesterday morning from the west coast of Africa station, where she

The

has been enaged in the suppression of the slavetrade, chiefly on the Kabenda station. The squadron generally were exceedingly healthy. cruisers had been very fortunate in captures in the Bight. The Contest had taken two recently in those waters. The Waterwitch has been especially vigilant in the search and capture of slavers, of whom she has taken twelve, and 1,060 slaves on board of them. The Waterwitch has been very healthy all the time she has been out, only having lost one man by sickness on board."

I would request your Lordships' attention | be made to stop those communications to an account of a recent state of the slave which are so well known to be favourable trade. I recollect when, from the other to the prosecution of the slave trade. I side of the House a few years ago, I think may just take the liberty to remind your in 1842, I made a statement, in which I Lordships that it was during the year 1844 certainly indulged in very sanguine hopes that the outlines of this plan were prepared; of the success of our endeavours for the and that it was brought into full activity suppression of the slave trade. I de- about the beginning of the year 1845. scribed the course of our proceedings, and On the 1st of January, 1846, the Slave augured from them the speedy termination Trade Commissioners at the Havannah of the slave trade. At that time General addressed a despatch to me, in which they Valdez was Governor General of Cuba. stated that during the preceding year not He adopted an entirely different course of more than six vessels had entered their policy from his predecessor, and in the ports, and that the number of slaves which short period of his government, instead of they contained did not exceed 1,300. They the average amount of the slaves imported stated that, in former years, many cargoes being 13,000, he had reduced it to 3,000. of slaves arrived, but that they had received That was in 1842. Unfortunately General no information during the past year leading Valdez was recalled, and was succeeded by them to suppose that more than one or two General O'Donnell, and in 1843 the im- had arrived; and they believed that their portation of slaves rose to 8,000, and in great and constant attention, rendered 1844 to 10,000. At the same time Brazil more effective by their residing on the also increased its import of slaves. Under spot, would have enabled them to be aware these circumstances, it appeared to me im- of the arrival of any such vessels, if any possible to trust to the co-operation of Spain there had been. The nearest approach and Brazil, and that it was absolutely ne- that they could make to an estimate of the cessary to make some new attempt to ar- average number of slaves imported, was rive at the successful suppression of the 1,300. This afforded great cause for satslave trade. Considering this matter, it isfaction, for as many as 1,300 had forappeared to me that if we could contrive merly been imported in the course of one to prevent the embarkation of slaves on the year; and even during the administration coast of Africa, we should of course at once of Governor Valdez, the number was not put an end to the slave trade; and that, as lower than 3,000. So much for the operaslaves did not rise from the sea, the chief tion of the squadron on the coast of Africa, point to which to direct our attention was as we can learn from the effect upon the that coast of Africa from which they were trade with Cuba. The receipt and perusal all exported. While attending to this of that despatch afforded me, I venture to subject, and endeavouring to see how this assure your Lordships, much satisfaction, might be made practicable, a paper was and induced me to entertain very sanguine put into my hands, the author of which is hopes of success. I now come to the next a most distinguished and gallant officer, year, 1846. On the 7th of October, 1846, well known to your Lordships and the the Slave Trade Commissioners in the country for the vigour and effect of his Havannah announced that in their monthly services on that very coast where the slave report they had already stated that no trade originates. In this paper the plan ships had arrived with slaves from the coast which I had only desired myself, was fully of Africa, nor had they any reason to bedetailed and developed in the most clear, lieve that any slavedealer, most of whom admirable, and practical manner. The were known, had entered into any negotiapaper was prepared by Captain Denman, tion for that purpose; the price of negroes who, learning that I had the same object had therefore risen to an enormous amount, in view, communicated it to me. It was and scarcely any purchases of slaves had submitted to some gallant officers, fully taken place. This despatch brings down competent to form a judgment on the sub- the history of matters connected with the ject; and they, after fully discussing the slave trade in that part of the world to the plan and its details, all concurred in opinion, end of the month of November, 1846; and that on the score of unhealthiness there from that despatch it appears that there existed no objection to its execution. There had not been a single importation of slaves is, as it appears to me, every reason for into Cuba during the year 1846. The adopting the plan of that gallant officer- Commissioners in their despatch then went every reason why the utmost efforts should on to state, that there had been various