which was brought into the House of Commons, by Mr. Wilberforce, at the close of the last Session of Parliament, the provisions of which infringe upon the right claimed by the Colonial Houses of Assembly, of legislating for themselves in all matters of internal regulation: and before Great Britain and her Colonies are involved in a contest about a question of right, it is surely expedient that the grounds on which the exercise of that right is called for, should undergo the most deliberate and ample investigation.

Lastly, the controversy between Dr. Thorpe and the African Institution is entitled to considerable attention; not indeed so much with respect to the crimination, or justification, of the individuals who are the ostensible disputants; but as having brought to light valuable and important documents, that had long been withheld from the public; and as having led to a much clearer exposition, than was ever before given, of the views and objects of the leading members of that society, and of the measures they have adopted in order to carry them into effect. As frequent references to the proceedings of this body, who are now performing so distinguished a part on the theatre of public life, will be found in the course of the following pages, a short history of their establishment

appears a necessary introduction to the subsequent comments that will be made on their conduct.

A society, called the Sierra Leone Company, was formed in the year 1791, by a set of Gentlemen, who subscribed considerable sums of money, for the laudable purpose of extending the blessings of freedom and civilization to Africa. After struggling for sixteen years with the natural difficulties of the undertaking, and the unexpected casualties incident to a state of warfare, their funds were exhausted. They then applied to Parliament; who, actuated by the same benevolent motives as themselves, made it a national undertaking, reimbursed them in part the expence they had incurred; and Government, on assuming the management of Sierra Leone, continued to adopt the suggestions and recommendations of those members, who had before taken the lead in directing the affairs of that settlement. After the dissolution of the Sierra Leone Company, many Gentlemen, with the view of continuing their exertions for the objects to which they had so long directed their attention, formed a new society, called the African Institution. Among the members of that institution, are men of the most distinguished rank and unquestionable honour; and they

have ever been considered as a body whose zealous and disinterested labours in the cause of humanity, entitled them to public gratitude. Much surprise, therefore, was excited about the end of the year 1814, by the appearance of a pamphlet, written by Dr. Thorpe, Chief Justice of Sierra Leone, a gentleman whose residence there rendered his local knowledge indisputable, and whose high official station gave weight to his testimony, bringing forward various charges, both against the Directors of the Sierra Leone Company and the African Institution. This pamphlet was referred, by the directors of that institution, to the committee for Sierra Leone affairs; who in March last published a Report upon it, stating "the accusations to "be extremely loose and indefinite," and promising to proceed hereafter in a minute "examination of them, which must necessarily “take time, in proportion to the vagueness in "which most of Dr. Thorpe's statements are made;" but in the mean time "pointing out "and commenting upon, a few of the more prominent accusations."

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In the month of June last, this Special Report appeared; and its contents most clearly proved, what indeed no publication of Dr. Thorpe's could for a moment induce any candid mind to doubt, the laudable intentions which had led

to the establishment of the Sierra Leone Company and the African Institution. The Report also enters into a vindication of all their measures, the policy of some of which appears to be of a very questionable nature; and as a right understanding of them, is essential to the accomplishment of the great objects for which those institutions were formed, they offer an interesting field for inquiry and observation.

The first part of the Report relates to the transactions of the Sierra Leone Company; and represents the Colony, while under their management, to have been twice attacked by a combination of the surrounding natives; adding, that these attacks were partly brought on by the protection the company had afforded to fugitive slaves.* In a subsequent part of the Report, it is again stated, that "in point of fact, "all slaves who sought shelter in the Colony, "were protected to the utmost power of the "Governor and Council; nor has one instance "been discovered, of protection having been "refused to a slave who claimed it." On reading this statement, must not a doubt occur to every mind, whether such conduct was consistent, either with justice or policy? Had the Sierra Leone Company any right, so far to enforce the

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Abolition of the Slave Trade upon the subjects of other nations, as to deprive them of their property, by making that settlement a place of refuge and protection for fugitive slaves? The Legislature has lately given a practical answer to this question, by paying an indemnity to the Portuguese Government, for the value of their ships and cargoes employed in the Slave Trade, captured by our cruizers, and condemned at Sierra Leone. Indeed, the Report almost makes the same admission; for it says, "they could "not have invited the resort of fugitives to the Colony, without giving their neighbours what "would have seemed just cause of war against "them ;* and whether they invited them, or received and protected them when they came without invitation, made no difference whatever in the injury done to the aggrieved parties. In point of policy, this measure appears as exceptionable as it is in point of justice; for what could so effectually tend to frustrate every rational expectation of civilizing the natives of Africa, as adopting a line of conduct, which necessarily put an end to all friendly intercourse with them, and kept them in a constant state, either of secret enmity, or open warfare, with the new settlers?

Another plan pursued in Sierra Leone, very

* Page 47.