perfectly indifferent whether they obeyed them or not, which I casually pointed out to him, when he replied, "It's no use, I'll give her up to you as a slaver, and choose the least of two evils;" also saying, if we had only waited five minutes longer the first time we boarded him on the 19th September, 1858, he would have given her up then, and we would have had a lot of money; and that, to use his own expression," he was damned sorry that he did not, now that he found out how the Spaniards had treated him." ་་ The captain voluntarily threw his papers and colours overboard, and which, on finding out, I waved to the Viper" for a boat and at 2.30 P.M. Lieutenant Hodgkinson came on board, when I delivered over to him a vessel, name unknown, the captain acknowledging he had no papers or colours, and claimed no nationality. Lieutenant Hodgkinson's boat's crew were then called on board, and the vessel's hatches were opened, and without any protest on the captain's part, when her slave-deck was discovered partially laid, and the remainder had evidently been hastily removed. The plank was all fitted for putting down, cleets fitted to her sides, so as to enable the cross-beams of the slave-deck to be put down, water in abundance, rice, beans, farinha; and no doubt could have been entertained as to the vessel's being illegal. This vessel was found to be very badly equipped, inasmuch that Lieutenant Hodgkinson ordered a survey to be held, when she was found to be old and leaky, especially at the topsides, and this the mate W. Peterson informed Lieutenant Hodgkinson, and she was condemned as unseaworthy and destroyed. Captain Anderson, on leaving the "Rufus Soulé" to go on board the "Viper," made the following remark (by this time it was nearly dark):-Ah, there's my niggers on the beach, and if it had not been for the rollers he would have shipped them the night before, and the " Viper or the "Viper's" boat would not have seen him during the short time which occurred in passing to and from the "Rufus Soulé." I, Alexander Thompson, Assistant Paymaster in charge of Her Majesty's steam-vessel " Viper," do hereby certify that the foregoing statement on the second occasion of meeting the "Rufus Soulé" is true; and I am willing, if required, to make oath to the same. (Signed) ALEXANDER THOMPSON, Signed and declared before me on board Her Majesty's ship "Viper," at St. Paul de Loanda, this 9th day of September, 1859. (Signed) W. N. W. HEWETT, Commander. "Viper," St. Paul de Loanda, September 8, 1859. AT daylight on the morning of the 11th October, being then in charge of the cutter of Her Majesty's ship "Viper," and cruizing off Banda Point for the suppression of the Slave Trade, I sighted a brigantine at anchor. I made towards her; when, on drawing near her, I observed her slip her cable and make all sail to the northward and westward, close-hauled off the land, viz., the port tack, beating to windward. I arrived on board after chasing for four hours, when I asked the following questions:-What was the name of the vessel? The captain answered Rufus Soulé," when I said, We boarded you before off Kilongo. He directly said No, and this was the first day he had made the land, and that he was bound for Fernando Po. I then said, You are a great deal out of your reckoning; when he replied, I don't know what part of the coast we are on, my chronometers are out of order. He asked me whereabouts he was: I told him about seven miles to the north of Banda Point. Before I left him he told me all his men were sick, and he did not know what he should do if it was not for the three passengers (Spaniards) that were on board. He then inquired where my ship was. I told him the "Viper" was some miles to the northward, but I expected her up in the course of the day. He told me he would endeavour to fall in with her. I then left the " Rufus Soulé" at 9 A.M.; close-hauled the cutter for Banda Point. When about four miles to windward of her I observed him back and stand to the southward in a direct opposite way, either to meet the "Viper," or make good his way for Fernando Po. I then anchored, when he shortly after crossed my bows about three miles ahead of the cutter, still going southward and standing for Banda Point. I weighed again in chase, and, at 1 P.M., I observed a steamer, which proved to be Her Majesty's ship "Viper," and I reported the proceedings of this vessel to Lieutenant and Commander Hodgkinson, who came on board from the "Rufus Soulé," which vessel he had just left. The captain of the "Rufus Soulé" further stated that he had been ninety-five days out, and that his passengers were for the Canary Islands. (Signed) CHARLES KEYS, Gunner, H.M.S." Viper." Signed and declared before me, on board Her Majesty's steam-vessel "Viper," at St. Paul de Loanda, this 9th September, 1859. W. N. W. HEWETT, Commander. (Signed) I HAVE the honour to report that on the morning of the 24th of September, 1859, being in latitude 6° 43′ south, and longitude 12° 10' east, a sail was seen from CLASS A. T the mast-head; the wind being very light, I lighted fires at 10.50 A.M., proceeding under steam at noon. Shortly afterwards the starboard boiler gave out so badly as to render it necessary to draw the fires; the other boiler, however, kept the engines moving, and by keeping all sail on the ship, the "Archer" gradually neared the chase, a brigantine showing no colours, standing away from the land. By sunset she was within range of the 68-pounder, and a few shot brought her to. On going on board I found her to be the " Eloisa," without papers, colours, or captain, with a slave-deck laid, slave coppers, and an extraordinary number of water-casks. This vessel, I believe, was partially fitted out in the Havana, but New Orleans appears to be the last port she left under American colours. I do not know what port she cleared for. The captain had landed in or near Ambrizette, and in that locality she would probably take in her slaves. I have sent her to St. Helena for adjudication, in the Vice-Admiralty Court, under charge of Mr. C. Blofield, boatswain, assisted in the navigation of the vessel by Mr. Thomas H. Johnson, naval instructor. 1 have landed the crew in the River Congo. I have, &c. Sir, Captain Courtenay to the Secretary to the Admiralty. "Archer," at Sea, September 24, 1859. I HAVE the honour to report, for the information of their Lordships, that on the morning of the 20th of September, 1859, being under sail, a vessel was observed at anchor off Ambrizette. I made sail to close her; on nearing 1 perceived she was a brigantine showing no colours. There were a number of canoes on the beach, and several hundred negroes on the shore close to the factories. 1 On approaching still nearer, I perceived the ship's boat going on shore full of men; I dispatched a boat with Lieutenant Thomas to board the vessel, and having run in as far as I judged prudent in the " Archer,” I anchored and went on board. I found the vessel deserted, no colours or papers, the name on the stern having been cut off, the slave-deck laid, water-casks full, coppers on board; in fact just on the point of shipping her cargo of slaves. From some memoranda found on board I discovered the vessel to be the "Lillie Mills," under the command of Captain Weeks. This vessel had cleared from the Havana under American colours, on the 20th of April, for St. Paul de Loanda; she has, I believe, been in the Congo, and been boarded by one of our cruizers. Captain Weeks commanded a brig called the "Braman" in 1857, of which we have had some information on this coast, I think she ran a cargo of slaves from some part of the African coast last year. Having seized the vessel, I dispatched her the same evening under the charge of Mr. Hamilton, midshipman, to St. Helena for adjudication in the Vice-Admiralty Court. Sir, No. 143. Commodore Wise to the Secretary to the Admiralty. "Vesuvius," St. Helena, October 22, 1859. I HAVE the honour to inclose, for the information of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, a copy of my letter to the Commander-in-chief, reporting having issued instructions for the ships of Her Majesty's squadron cordially co-operating with the cruizers of the United States by receiving their boats to examine American slavers, and also offering to tow the sailing ships of the squadron to the neighbourhood where American slavers are known to be cruizing. I have, &c. (Signed) CHAS. WISE. (Extract.) Inclosure 1 in No. 143. Commodore Wise to Rear-Admiral Sir F. Grey. "Vesuvius," St. Helena," October 22, 1859. I HAVE the honour to inclose, for your information, the copy of a letter I addressed to Commander Colhoun, of the United States' corvette of war "Portsmouth," expressing my satisfaction at receiving the intelligence of his having captured the American slaver "Emily," and acquainting him that Her Majesty's steam-ships on this coast were at his disposal, to tow his ship or boats, when he desired, to the neighbourhood where American slavers were known to be cruizing; also furnishing him with the description of thirty-eight slavers under the American flag, either now on the coast or shortly expected. I am most anxious to see a joint system of cruizing established between the two squadrons, and an exchange of boats. Once such a custom became known to the slave-dealers, the result would be that no vessel but those having unquestionably regular papers, and no slave-deck laid, would dare to hoist the American flag to a British man-of-war, knowing that her right to do so would be verified by a United States' naval officer; while vessels like the "Lillie Mills," and others with irregular American papers, would at once be captured without nationality, in preference to detention by an American cruizer. Sir, Inclosure 2 in No. 143. Commodore Wise to Commander Colhoun, U.S.N. "Vesuvius," off Cape St. Catharina, October 4, 1859. I HAVE received from Lieutenant Burton, commanding Her Majesty's steam-vessel "Triton," the gratifying intelligence of the capture by the United States' ship of war "Portsmouth," under your command, of the noted slaver "Emily," sailing under American colours. It affords me great satisfaction also to hear from Lieutenant Burton of your intention to check the prostitution of the American flag, and I have to assure you that Her Majesty's officers will have great pleasure in co-operating with you in any single way you may think fit to suggest the steamers especially are at your disposal to tow your vessel or boats to any portion of the coast where American slavers are known to be cruizing, and I have directed that you are kept informed of the proceedings of those vessels. I beg to inclose, for your information, the particulars of the slavers under American colours which are either now on the coast or may be daily expected, and I have to request that you will be good enough to communicate these particulars to your Commander-in-chief and the American cruizers generally. I have, &c. (Signed) CHAS. WISE. No. 144. Commodore Wise to the Secretary to the Admiralty. "Vesuvius," St. Helena, October 22, 1859. Sir, I DO myself the honour of forwarding, for the information of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, a copy of my letter to the Commander-in-chief, reporting on the Slave Trade as carried on between the 1st January and 30th September, observing that I make this Report before the usual time in consequence of my being on the point of giving up the command of the station. I have, &c. (Signed) Inclosure 1 in No. 144. Commodore Wise to Rear-Admiral Sir F. Grey. CHAS. WISE. (Extract.) "Vesuvius," at St. Helena, October 22, 1859. WHEN on the point of leaving the African Station, I consider it advisable to report to you on the Slave Trade as it now exists, confining myself to the period commencing the 1st of January and ending the 30th of September. To assure you of the most extensive scale upon which the Slave Trade is now conducted, I annex Returns by which you will observe that seventy slave-vessels, capable of conveying 46,900 slaves, have either arrived to the 30th September, or are now on their way to the African coast. Of the number which have arrived, I have much pleasure in reporting seventeen slavers, capable of conveying 10,550 slaves, as captured by Her Majesty's cruizers and those of the United States. I regret, however, to state that there is reason to believe that seventeen slavers, of a size that would convey 11,000 slaves, have escaped in the nine months ending the 30th of September. On this head I am, of course, in a great measure, dependent on rumour, and I fear that even a greater number of vessels have left the coast with cargoes of slaves. There remain thirty-six slavers, capable of conveying 25,350 slaves, yet to be accounted for as captured or escaped; of this number the following are now crnizing on the coast, but, being protected by the American flag, cannot be detained, although frequently fallen in with, viz. : All these vessels, except the "Cygnet” and “J. Harris," are on the South Coast. The eight vessels are daily expected to ship; it is very probable that there are twelve or fourteen thus cruizing along the coast. Bearing in mind the number of slavers which have already left the coast, the slavers actually on it, and the number expected, I cannot help thinking but that before the end of the year quite 20,000 slaves will have left the West Coast of Africa against about 11,000 in 1857 and 1858 respectively. Of the seventy vessels which have fitted out for the African Slave Trade during the nine months ending last July, I find fifty-one protected by the American flag, although seven of that number were subsequently ciptured without colours; of the remaining nineteen slavers, fourteen are supposed to have cleared out under the Spanish flag, one Sardinian, one Chilian, two Mexican, one Belgian, The vessels not protected by the American flag are, I am happy to say, captured, with but few exceptions, soon after arrival on the coast. I am fully convinced that if the slavers sailed under the flags of countries which have given to Great Britain the right of search and detention, the Slave Trade would soon be suppressed: confined as it now is to so small a portion of the coast, not one-tenth of such vessels could escape, while three-fourths of those under United States' colours ship with impunity. I hear with much pleasure that it is the intention of the United States' Government to station four steamers on the African coast to prevent the prostitution of their flag; but I regret to say they will fail in their object except American mercantile law is completely altered. So long as the laxity of the United States' Custom laws enables Spaniards to procure, through agents in America, any number of vessels that may be required fully furuished with American documents and a flag to protect them from capture by Her Majesty's cruizers, so long will United States' colours be made a cover to protect slavers until their cargo is received, when the second Spanish crew assume command, the Americans returning as passengers. Slave-equipments, such as coppers, plank, water-casks or shakes, and provisions, do not appear to be any indication of slave-trading with the American Government, for the manifest of every slaver arriving on the coast this year shows her equipment regularly entered. An American man-of-war meeting such a vessel, even if she was surrounded by launches full of slaves, could not capture her so long as her papers were correct, and corresponded with her cargo. In fact, American officers have only power to capture slavers under their colours when their papers are irregular, or with slaves on board. Being held pecuniarily responsible for their captures they are naturally most cautious in their proceedings, and for the one American slaver detained twenty would, probably, escape. When a detained vessel is brought to trial in the United States the first inquiry, is she American property? can never be answered, the ownership of American slavers being so cleverly wrapt up; the vessel may be condemned, but on being sold is invariably bought again by her former owners to be fitted out for the Slave Trade a second time, as in the case of the "Isla de Cuba," " Putnam," or " Echo," &c. The inability to prove American ownership is the reason the master and crew of slavers escape all punishment, and there is nothing to deter them from engaging in fresh expeditions. Bearing these facts in mind, I must firmly express my belief that except American mercantile law is changed, the United States' squadron will be unable to check the Slave Trade under their flag. To effect so desirable an object it should be made imperative that before American papers are issued, the real owners of the vessel should be clearly ascertained, and proved to be American citizens. Heavy bonds should be obtained for the legality of the voyage of every United States' vessel proceeding to the African coast, and the owner held responsible for any slave-trading transaction entered into by his ship. As it is the law of every European country, the United States' Government should direct that slave equipments, or a second crew of Spaniards, &c., or articles employed in the Slave Trade, should be considered legal proof to condemn an United States' vessel as a slaver, in the absence of the usual certificate proving that they were on board for legal commerce. The sale or transfer of American merchant-ships on the African Coast should be most strictly prohibited. By adopting such measures, in addition to a steam squadron on the coast, the American Government would soon protect their flag from abuse. In conclusion, the result of my experience on the Coast of Africa assures me that the Slave Trade north of the Line is fast becoming extinct, while south of the Line it has seldom been more prosperous and extensive; the Slave Trade may be said to confine itself to the limits of, from Cape St. Catherine to Ambrizette, a distance of about 400 miles. During the last nine months I know of but one shipment north of the Line-the " Tyrant” from Whydah in January last: one or two cargoes may have left the North Coast, and perhaps two more from the Bights, but I have no reason for believing such to be the case. Legal commerce in the Bights is making most encouraging strides, and the exports annually increasing: it is the means of gradually enriching and raising into position that portion of the population which formerly were exported, their services being now required to cultivate the ground. In fact, if the use of the American flag was only prevented, the Slave Trade north of the Line would rapidly become extinct, for all other vessels would immediately be captured. Inclosure 2 in No. 144. RETURN of Vessels which are said to have escaped with Slaves from January 1 to September 30, 1859. Seen shipping by merchants on shore. Not seen by cruizers. Boarded by "Conflict" and "Pluto." Not seen by cruizers; said to have been hid in the river. Boarded by "Vesuvius" in May, after landing her cargo for purchase of slaves. Are said to have sent down to Bahia Fonda, as a decoy, a schooner, captured About January 6, 1859 New York July 19, 1858. New Or- J. W. Reid. December 20, 1858. New J. J. Cobb January 1859. Cuba Annette Ditto March 5, 1859. New York C. II. Sampson Ditto Ditto Barque 350 Same as the R. M. Charl 900 Snake's Head, South January 2, 1859 ton Coast 350 Ximenes, Martinez, and 800 A little south of Cabinda. April 1859. Unknown Said to be American Schooner 400 Ditto January 1859 January 1 to September 30, 1859, said to have shipped thirteen slavers, capable of containing 8,500 slaves. The under-mentioned Vessels having cleared from the African coast, and not been heard of or seen since by any of the cruizers, have probably escaped with cargoes of slaves, if not otherwise November 1858. Havana Marius fallen in with. ... CHAS. WISE, Commodore, Senior Officer, West Coast of Africa. American ... ... Brig 200 Uncertain 600 Unknown December 13, 1858. Ha- Huntress ... Ditto Ditto 164 Ditto ... |