To some, this indirect modus probandi, as to an important fact, may appear far-fetched; but we are assured by those who are most conversant with the African trade generally, as well as with the Slave Trade and its operations in particular, that it is much more conclusive than, to those unacquainted with that peculiar trade, it would appear. As corroborative of other proofs, at least, it must certainly be regarded as very valuable. From returns with which we have been furnished by parties whose names, were we at liberty to mention them, would be a sufficient guarantee for their correctness, we have ascertained that the entire quantity of cotton goods manufactured in Lancashire, for the African trade (including the legitimate, as well as the Slave Trade), was, in the year 1836, as follows : Value of Manchester goods manufactured exclu. adapted only for that trade £150,000 £250,000 Thus showing an excess in the quantity of goods manufactured for the Slave Trade, over that intended for the legitimate trade, during the year 1836, of £100,000, or two-fifths of the whole amount. Calculating by the data already given, we shall find that the number of slaves to the purchase of which the above amount of goods (manufactured and exported in one year, 1836) was ade. quate, would amount to the large number of 187,500, a number which we have strong reason to believe, according to information derived from other sources, to be substantially correct. Assuming the data on which the merchants calculate to be correct, some considerable addition must be made to the number of 187,500. 1. Goods only suited for the Slave Trade are manufactured at Glasgow as well as in Lancashire. 2. Specie to a very considerable extent finds its way through Cuba and Brazil to Africa, and is there employed in the purchase of slaves. To the num ber then purchased with goods must be added the number purchased by money. 3. Ammunition and fire-arms to a large amount, and, like the goods, of a quality only fit for the Slave Trade, are sent from this country to Africa. The annual amount of such exports is stated in the Offi cial Tables,* No. 6, of 1836, to be 137,6981. This item alone would give an increase of 34,174. 4. The Americans also furnish Cuba and Brazil with arms, ammunition, and goods. 5. East Indian goods are also employed in the Slave Trade. men. It is superfluous to quote authority for the facts just enumerated, as they are notorious to commercial Thus, by the aid of this circumstantial evidence, of scarcely inferior value to direct and immediate proof, we show that the Slave Trade between Africa and the West cannot be less than 200,000, and probably reaches 250,000, annually imported. There is also another mode of looking at the same question, though under an aspect quite distinct. From an examination of the number of slaveships which left Brazil, Cuba, &c., in the year 1829,* as compared with the number captured in the same year, it appears that on the average, one in thirty, only, is taken; now, on the average of the years 1836 and 1837, we have 7538 negroes as the number captured, which being multiplied by 30, gives a total, 226,140. Thus, then, the estimate of 150,000 at which, on the authority, principally, of the British Commis * Tables of revenue, &c., published by authority of Parliament. † Mr. M'Queen communicated this to me, last year. sioners, I have myself arrived, with the number which perish on the passage,* make together an amount, which corresponds with, and is confirmed, 1st, by the actual observation of the Governor of Cape Coast Castle, coupled with other authorities, by which the number must amount to 200,000 2dly, by Mr. M'Queen's researches, by which the number must amount to 196,000 3dly, by the estimates founded on the quantity of goods exported for the Slave Trade, by which it must amount to, from 200 000 to 250,000 4thly, by a comparison between the proportion captured with those who escape, by which it must amount to 226,000 I have now to consider the MOHAMMEDAN SLAVE TRADE. Hitherto, I have confined my observations to the traffic across the Atlantic, from the east and west coasts of Africa; there is yet another drain upon this unhappy country, in the immense trade which is carried on for the supply of the Mohammedan markets of Morocco, Tunis, Tripoli, Egypt, Turkey, Persia, Arabia and the borders of Asia. This commerce comprises two distinct divisions, 1st, the maritime, the victims of which are shipped from the north-east coast, in Arab vessels, and 2d, the Desert, which is carried on, by means of caravans, to Barbary, Egypt, &c. * See Summary-Mortality, Middle Passage, р. 147. The maritime trade is principally conducted by the subjects of the Imaum of Muskat; and as this is a branch of our subject, heretofore but little known, I will make a few remarks as to its extent, the countries which it supplies, and the amount of its annual export. Captain Cogan, of the Indian Navy, who, from his frequent intercourse with the Imaum, and from having been his accredited agent in England, had the best opportunities of becoming acquainted with this Prince and his subjects, has informed me that the Imaum's African dominions extend from Cape Delgado, about 10° S. Lat., to the Rio dos Fuegos, under the Line ; and that formerly this coast was notorious, for its traffic in slaves, with Christians as well as Mohammedans; the River Lindy, and the Island of Zanzebar, being the principal marts for the supply of the Christian market. In 1822, a treaty was concluded by Captain Moresby, R. N., on behalf of the British Government, with the Imaum, by which the trade with Christian countries was declared abolished for ever, throughout his dominions and dependencies; but this arrangement, it must be remembered, does not in any way touch upon the Slave Trade carried on by the Imaum's subjects, with those of their own faith. By means of this reserved trade, slaves are exported to Zanzebar; to the ports on both sides of the Arabian Gulf: to the markets of Egypt, Cairo, and Alexandria; to the south part of Arabia; to both sides of the Persian Gulf; to the north-west coasts of India; to the island of Java, and to most of the Eastern islands. The vessels which convey these negroes are in general the property of Arabs, or other Mohammedan traders. Both Sir Alexander Johnston, who was long resident at Ceylon in a judicial situation, and Captain Cogan, have heard the number, thus exported, reckoned at 50,000 per annum; but Captain Cogan admits 20,000 to be the number legally exported from Africa, upon which the Imaum derives a revenue of so much per head; and he also admits that there is, besides, an illicit trade, by which 10,000 more may be smuggled every year. All travelers who have recently visited the chief seats of this traffic, agree in describing it as very considerable. "At Muskat," says Lieutenant Wellsted,* "about 4000 slaves of both sexes, and all ages, are disposed of annually." Captain Cook, (to whom I have already referred,) who returned, in 1838, from a trading voyage to the eastern coast of Africa, informs me, that he was at Zanzebar at several different periods, and that he always "found the slave-market held there daily, fully supplied. He could not ascertain the number annually sold, but slaves were constantly arriving in droves, of from 50 to one hundred each, and found a ready sale; they were chiefly," he understood, "purchased by Arab merchants, for the supply of Egypt, Abyssinia, Arabia, and the ports along the Arabian Gulf, to the markets of which countries hundreds were carried off and sold daily." Many, however, are kept in Zanzebar, where there * Wellsted's Travels in Arabia, &c., vol. i. p. 388. |