Holland; that he purchased the Schooner Amable Claudina at Curaçao, of which he is the sole Owner, and half Owner of the Cargo, the other Moiety being the property of Jose Giovanni Zangroni, and of Chichiola Francischo, of Bordeaux; and that the said Schooner sails under a Licence from Paulus Roeloff Cantz' Laar, Governor of Curaçao, dated the 6th of October, 1824.

That the present voyage of the said Vessel commenced from Bordeaux, whence she was destined to La Guayra. He states "that it was his intention to go to La Guayra; but, when he got to Sea, he altered his mind, and came to the Coast of Africa." He first touched at Teneriffe, to repair some damage the Vessel's masts had sustained: but it must be here remarked, that one of the Mates (George Buglass) positively swears, that it was for the purpose of obtaining a greater number of men." Thence he proceeded direct to the Coast, anchored first at Popoe, professing it to be his intention to trade in palm-oil, ivory, &c. This the Mate aforesaid directly contradicts, and states it to be his belief" that the object was to procure Slaves." Not finding the success or facility he expected at this Place, he proceeded to Dutch Accra, where he says he landed Doubloons, to the value of 2000 Dollars, to exchange for Dollars; that having so landed this sum, be was unable to get the Dollars in return, but was forced to take Slaves to the number of 32. He acknowledges himself to be the Owner of the Slaves, but that it was not his intention to take them to the West Indies; and that he landed them at Popoe. The afore-named George Buglass, (and this is corroborated by other evidence,) on the contrary, declares," that the Slaves were only landed there (at Little Elmina, near to Popoe,) for security, three hostages having been taken on board for them, who were delivered up when the Slaves were demanded, and re-shipped by the Captors." The number they, and then, sent on board was 34, being two more than is stated by the Master.

On the 20th of January, a Claim, through a Proctor of the Court, on the part of Claudio Picaluga, was made for the restoration of the said Schooner, her apparel, tackle, and furniture, her cargo, and for the value of 32 Slaves, as the sole property of himself, a Naturalized Subject of His Majesty the King of The Netherlands, an Inhabitant of Curaçoa, and a Native of Genoa; and of two Naturalized Frenchmen, Natives of Old Spain, residing at Bordeaux, and as protected by the Treaty or Convention between His Britannick Majesty and His Majesty the King of The Netherlands, dated May 4, 1818; and for all costs, losses, charges, damages, demurrage, and expences, arising from the capture and detention of the said Vessel and her Cargo.

The 6th of February was fixed upon for the decision of the Court upon this Case; and, having deliberated with His Netherlands Majesty's Judge on all its points, and finding that her Licence, which is exactly in the same form as that of the Hoop, (granted by W. A. Von

Spengler,) on which Vessel I had lately the honour to report, having the same restricting Clause as to trading on the Coast of Africa; and also finding that her Passport and Custom-House Clearance from Bordeaux, her Muster. Roll, which is given under the Seal and Signature of the Dutch Consul, H. N. Houy, resident there; the Manifest of her Cargo, her Bills of Lading, all declaring her destination to be to La Guayra; and finding, that, instead of proceeding to such her Place of destination, she was found on the Coast of Africa, the only Place which her Licence forbade, with no other reason assigned by the Master of the said Vessel for such deviation than that, on going out to "Sea, he had changed his mind;" and it being further elicited, by the Examinations of the Master and other Persons belonging to the Schooner, that Slaves had actually been on board during this particular voyage;

The Court was unanimously of opinion, that the Vessel had evidently been engaged in a Traffick which was illegal, and therefore condemned the said Schooner Amable Claudina, and her Cargo, as lawful Prize to His Majesty's Ship Atholl, and the respective Governments.

It appearing that the Slaves, 34 in number, had been caused to be put on board at Little Elmina, near Popoe, by the instigation and influence of the Captors, a proceeding contrary to the Provisions of the Treaty, and to the Instructions of his Majesty's Government, the Court could not decree their Emancipation, but they were delivered over to the charge of the Government of this Colony. Sierra Leone, March 10, 1826.

J. T. WILLIAMS.

(Enclosure 2.)-The Governor of Elmina to The Netherlands Commissioner.-(Translation.)

SIR,

St. George de la Mina, November 14, 1825.

I TAKE the opportunity at hand to inform you, that on the 11th of this Month, there came to an anchor here, under The Netherlands Flag, the Schooner L'Amable Claudina, Claudio Picaluga Master, and finding, on examination, that her Papers were not in good order, and it appearing, out of several circumstances, that she was engaged in the illicit Traffick in Slaves, I found myself under the necessity of detaining the Vessel, and to declare her a Prize.

A few hours afterwards an English Man-of War arrived off here, and being without sufficient means to secure the Prize, I found myself constrained to give her up to the said English Man-of-War, in order to be brought before the Mixed Commission Court at Sierra Leone for trial.

In the mean time I inform you, that I sent one of my Officers, Mr. Vander Breggen Paauw, on board the Amable Claudina as PrizeMaster, by whom the said Vessel was given up to the before-mentioned

Man-of-War, together with the sum of 18,000f. which were found in the cabin, according to an accepted Receipt.

The just half of this Prize belongs to The Netherlands Government upon the Coast of Guinea; the other half becomes in favour of the English Man-of-War, the Atholl. So I trust to your zeal, that care shall be taken of the half of the money which was found on board the Amable Claudina, and more will probably be found in the said Vessel; also for the amount which the Amable Claudina and Cargo will produce at the Publick Auction.

And I expect the amount by the first convenient opportunity, that will belong to this Government on the Coast.

The Knight of the Order of the Belgic Lion, Major and Commander, A. T. of The Netherlands Possessions on the Coast of Guinea.

F. LAST.

P. S. All the Papers belonging to the Vessel are given into the hands of the English Captain, Murray. Mons. E. P. G. Bonnouvrié.

F. L.

(Enclosure 3.)-The Commanding Officer at Elmina to Capt. Murray. (Translation.)

SIR,

Elmina Castle, November 11, 1825. IN consequence of The Chevalier Last being very ill, the management of the Publick Service having devolved upon me, I have the honour to inform you that a Schooner, under Dutch Colours, came to anchor in these Roads this Morning, and that from her Papers and other circumstances, I have every reason to suspect she is engaged in the Slave-trade.

As it is no less my sincere wish, than it is my duty, to do all I can to put a stop to this detestable Traffick, I take the liberty to acquaint you herewith, hoping you will examine the Vessel. I have detained the Master and some of the Crew on shore, and shall do my utmost to prevent her escape from here. I have, &c.

I. C. VANDER BREGGEN PAAUW.

The Capt. of H. B. M. Ship-of-War,
Cape Coast Roads.

Second in Command.

(Enclosure 4.)—Affidavit of Captain Murray.

PERSONALLY appeared, James Arthur Murray, Esq. Captain of His Majesty's Ship Atholl, who, being duly sworn, maketh oath and saith, that the Letter hereunto annexed, dated "Elmina Castle, 11th November, 1825, signed J. C. Vander Breggen Paauw, Second in Command," and addressed to "The Captain of H. B. M. Ship-of-War, just arrived in Cape Coast Roads," was sent to this Deponent as Captain of the Ship-of-War just arrived in Cape Coast Roads, and is, as this Deponent verily believes, in the hand-writing of the said J. C. Vander

Breggen Paauw, Second in Command at Elmina Castle, and is now delivered up by this Deponent without any addition, alteration, or subduction whatever, except the Indorsement of " Letter from Elmina," written on the back. JAMES A. MURRAY. Sworn before me, at Free Town, Sierra Leone, this 11th day of Jan. 1826. WM. SMITH, Registrar.

(Enclosure 5.)-Affidavit of Lieutenant Caiger.

APPEARED personally, Herbert Caiger, Esq. First Lieutenant of His Majesty's Ship Atholl, Captain James Arthur Murray, who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, on the 12th day of November last, being off Elmina Castle, on the Western Coast of Africa, by order of the said Captain James Arthur Murray, he, this Deponent, boarded and took possession of The Netherlands Schooner Amable Claudina, whereof Claudio Picaluga was Master, by reason that the said Schooner was employed in the illegal Traffick in Slaves, contrary to the Additional Article of the Treaty entered into between His Britannick Majesty and His Majesty the King of The Netherlands. And this Deponent further saith, that, at the time of going on board the said Schooner Amable Claudina, the said Claudio Picaluga, the Master, was on shore, at Elmina Castle, with a Boat's Crew of 4 men; that the said Schooner was under the command and charge of the Chief Mate; that no Boat whatsoever from the shore had had any communication with the said Schooner, and that she was not in charge of any Officer or Person sent on board by the Commandant of Elmina Castle. Sworn before me, this 3d day of January, 1826.

WM. SMITH, Registrar.

H. CAIGER.

(Enclosure 6.)-Licence of the Amable Claudina.-(Translation.) Most Serene, Most Illustrious, Illustrious, High and Well Born, Well Born, Venerable, Estimable, Sapient, Prudent, Emperors, Kings, Republicks, Princes, Dukes, Counts, Barons, Burgomasters, Aldermen, Councillors, as also Judges, Officers, Justices, and Governors of all good Towns and Fortresses, who shall see these Presents, or shall hear them read, Greeting, WE, Paulus Roeloff, Cantz' Laar, Knight of the Order of The Netherlands Lion, Rear Admiral in the Service of His Majesty the King of The Netherlands, Governor of Curaçoa, and the Dependent Islands Bonaire and Aruba, and Commander-in-Chief of the Land and Sea Forces there stationed, &c. &c. &c. notify: that Claudio Picaluga, is Master of the Schooner, called Amable Claudina, of 50 tons burthen, belonging to himself, a Subject of His Majesty the King of The Netherlands, and Inhabitant of this Island: and, being desirous to give encouragement to the before named Master, we entreat all the above-mentioned, and every one of them, to whom the Master alluded

to shall come with his Vessel and the goods laden in her, to be pleased to give the before-named Master a friendly reception and proper treatment, allowing him in his passage, upon his paying the customary Tolls and Imposts, to navigate, pass, and frequent the Ports and Rivers, with the view of transacting his business, where and when he shall think proper, which favour we are willing to return.

Given under our hand and the Seal of the Government, at Curaçoa, the 6th of October, 1824, the 11th Year of His Majesty's Reign. To be in force for 12 Months for the purpose of Navigating all Seas, except those on the Coast of Guinea. CANTZ'LAAR.

By order of His Excellency,

WM. PRING.

(Indorsed.) Seen at Bordeaux, the 16th of August, 1825,

Consul for The Netherlands,

H. N. HOUY.

Seen the 10th September, 1825, Santa Cruz, in the Isle of Teneriffe, by

(Enclosure 7.)-Report of the Case of The Netherlands Brig Charles, Louis L'Oiseau, Master.

THIS Vessel arrived here on the 21st of January, 1826, having 243 Slaves on board, 265 having been captured in her, and 22 having died during the passage to Sierra Leone.

The Declaration of the Captor, Lieutenant John Chrystie, commanding His Majesty's Gun-Brig Conflict, sets forth, that, being up the River of Old Calabar, he seized and detained the Brig Charles, sailing under Dutch Colours, whereof Louis L'Oiseau, was Master, on the 19th day of December, 1825, by reason that the said Vessel was employed in the Traffick in Slaves, contrary to the Treaty entered into between His Majesty and His Majesty the King of The Netherlands.

On the 23d day of January, the Papers in this Case were duly filed, together with the Affidavit of Mr. Henry Pryce Deschamps, Admiralty Mate of His Majesty's Brig Conflict, and Prize-Master of the Charles, which states, that the Papers, Writings and Documents, marked from No. 16 to No. 20, inclusive, (being a set of French Papers for the said Brig under the name of L'Eugene,) were delivered up to him by the Master of the said Brig; that he examined a Writing-Desk, which he found concealed in the Cabin of the said Brig, and found secreted in a drawer thereof, the Papers, Writings, and Documents, (No. 1 to No. 15), being the Dutch Papers of the said Brig under the name of the Charles, although told by the Master at the time of his delivering up the first Papers that there were no others on board.

A Monition was prayed for and issued on the 28th January, citing the Parties interested in the Cause to appear.

The French Papers found on board this Vessel, call her L'Eugene, commanded by Louis Guion, belonging to M. Victor Rancé, of