SIERRA LEONE. (General.) No. 1.—J. T. Williams, Esq. to Mr. Sec". Canning.—(Rec. April 24.) I HAVE the honour to acquaint you that I arrived at this Place on the 5th instant, and that I lost no time in proceeding to make the requisite arrangements, previous to entering on the functions of the Office which His Most Gracious Majesty has been pleased to entrust to me. On the 10th, I took the Oaths, in the form prescribed, before the Principal Magistrate, and in the presence of His Excellency MajorGeneral Turner, and the Members of the several Mixed Commissions. The various Despatches, of which I had the honour to be the bearer, were laid before His Majesty's Acting Commissioners, and, as they relate principally to circumstances of previous occurrence, I beg to refer you to their Despatches, for such information and explanation as may be deemed necessary. I am given to understand, that some delay has taken place in transmitting the Reports of the Cases of several Vessels adjudicated. I am also aware that this has been mainly owing to the multifarious duties which have occupied, and still continue to occupy, the time and attention of His Excellency the Governor, in carrying into effect matters which are highly important to the present interest, and which materially concern the future prosperity, of this Colony. Some difficulty has also arisen from the absence and sickness of Clerks attached to the Commissioners. I purpose having the honour again to address you in a few days, and to communicate such information as I have been able to acquire on the present state of the Slave-trade. I am duly impressed, Sir, with the great importance of the Trust which has been reposed in me; and it shall be my endeavour to prove, by the most strict and conscientious attention to the performance of the duties of my Office, rather than by any present professions, how very anxious I am to merit your approbation, and how highly I value the Charge which has been confided to me. I have the honour to be, &c. The Right Hon. George Canning. J. T. WILLIAMS. No. 2.-Mr. Secretary Canning to His Majesty's Commissioners. GENTLEMEN, Foreign Office, May 6, 1826. I HEREWITH transmit to you, for your information, four Copies of Papers, marked A. and B., relative to the Slave-trade, which have been presented to both Houses of Parliament by His Majesty's Command, in the course of the present Session. His Majesty's Commissioners. I am, &c. No. 3.-J. T. Williams, Esq. to Mr. See". Canning.-(Rec. May 22.) SIR, Sierra Leone, February 28, 1826. I HAVE the honour to inclose herewith, the Copy of a Letter addressed to me by the Commissioners of West African Enquiry, together with Copies of my Reply, and of the Documents with which they were furnished in accordance with their Application. I have the honour to be, &c. The Right Hon. George Canning. SIR, J. T. WILLIAMS. (Enclosure 1.)-Commissioners of West African Enquiry to J. T. Williams, Esq. Sierra Leone, February 14, 1826. WE request the favour of you to direct that we may be furnished, from the Records of the Mixed Commission Court, with a Statement shewing the number of Slaves (whether men, women, or children,) captured; the number adjudicated; and the number condemned at Sierra Leone, in each Year; from the earliest period for which the same can be made out. We have the honour to be, &c. J. T. Williams Esq. JAMES ROWAN. HENRY WELLINGTON, (Enclosure 2.)—J. T. Williams, Esq. to the Commissioners of West African Enquiry. GENTLEMEN, Sierra Leone, February 15, 1826. I HAVE to acknowledge the receipt of your Letter of yesterday's date, and in reply beg to acquaint you, that I have instructed the Registrar of the Courts of Mixed Commission to furnish you, as early as possible, with the Documents which you require. I have the honour to be, &c. Major J. Rowan, and H. Wellington, Esq. J. T. WILLIAMS. (Enclosure 3. A.)—W. Smith, Esq. to the Commissioners of West African Enquiry. GENTLEMEN, Sierra Leone, February 23, 1826. IN accordance with the directions of His Majesty's Judge of the Mixed Commissions, established at this Place for the prevention of the illicit Traffick in Slaves, I have the honour herewith to send you a Return of the number of Slaves captured, emancipated, and registered, with such other particulars concerning them, as appear by the Records in my Office, from the Establishment of the Courts of Mixed Commission up to the 6th day of February 1826, that being the date of the adjudication of the last Vessel. I have the honour to be, &c. Major J. Rowan, and H. Wellington, Esq. WILLIAM SMITH. (Enclosure 3 B.)-List of Vessels Adjudicated in the Court of the British and Netherlands Mixed Commission, shewing the Number of Slaves Captured, Emancipated, and Registered, from its Establishment to the 6th Day of February 1826. These 4 Vessels had no Slaves These Slaves having been put (Continued. |