December, reporting the steps which you have taken in order to draw the particular attention of Reshid Pasha and Ethem Pasha to the question of the Slave Trade carried on within the dominions of the Porte.

And I have to acquaint you that I entirely approve your Excellency's proceedings upon this affair, as well as the two notes which you addressed to Ethem Pasha on the 6th of December, explaining the measures of the British Government with regard to the Slave Trade, and urging that steps should be taken by the Ottoman Government upon the case of the slave-vessel lately captured in the Persian Gulf.

H.E. Lord Stratford de Redcliffe.

I am, &c.

CLARENDON.

No. 626.-Lord Stratford de Redcliffe to the Earl of Clarendon. (Received February 12.)

(Extract.)

Constantinople, January 31, 1857. THE Porte's official note declaring the final abolition of the negro Slave Trade, with a view to the extinction of slavery itself throughout the Sultan's dominions, with the temporary exception of the Hedjaz, on grounds of special necessity, has at length been placed in my hands. The delay, occasioned by fresh representations on my part respecting the Porte's obligation to punish existing offenders, and not to extend the periods of notice too far, has been attended with salutary results.

For my own part I cannot refrain from expressing my gratitude to Providence for having been permitted, under your Lordship's instructions, to contribute, as the humble instrument of Her Majesty's Government, to an act of such real and extensive benevolence.

Several weeks have to elapse before the measure so liberally announced will go into complete execution. Distance and long-established usage account for the delay, nor can it be denied that local prejudice renders it necessary to proceed with more than usual circumspection in that quarter. Care must at the same time be taken to prevent the exception from counteracting the effect of the whole measure. To this important object I propose to direct the special attention of the Consuls at Djedda, Hudideh, Moossul, and Alexandria.

Meanwhile, it is satisfactory to observe that the Porte has taken what I trust your Lordship will deem a proper decision respecting the slave-vessel captured in the Persian Gulf, and the Ottoman steam-frigate accused by Colonel Herman of having embarked slaves at Tripoli for this capital.

A translation of the Porte's note, and a copy of mine acknowledging its receipt, are inclosed herewith.

The Earl of Clarendon.

STRATFORD DE REDCLIFFE.

(Inclosure 1.)—Ethem Pasha to Lord Stratford de Redcliffe. (Translation.)

January 29, 1857.

I HAVE received the two notes dated the 6th and the 10th of December, 1856, addressed to me by your Excellency, respecting the Slave Trade. Your Lordship's observations on this subject are most just and appropriate, for these unfortunate black slaves while on their passage from remote parts of Africa to the coast, are exposed to all sorts of hardships and privations in the desert. A number of them thus perish, while the remainder, being transported suddenly from a hot climate to a cold one, suffer mostly from complaints of the chest, and other ills, and die at an early age. These are evils the contemplation of which wrings the hearts of well-thinking men, and causes them to apply themselves with all their might to seek the means for their total suppression.

The Sublime Porte is, in short, desirous of giving effect, as soon as possible, to a praiseworthy deed, so much in harmony with the dictates of humanity: indeed, as a preliminary to the acceptance of the principle of the abolition of negro slavery, the Sublime Porte had already, from time to time, addressed suitable instructions on this subject to some of the provinces; but, as these were found to be insufficient, the definitive resolution has been adopted of abolishing the negro Slave Trade altogether, and of severely punishing those acting contrary to this interdiction.

The definitive resolution adopted by His Imperial Majesty on this subject will naturally be communicated to the proper authorities. His Majesty's commands have been, therefore, sent to Egypt and Tripoli West to the following purport: that any black slaves arriving at the coast of Tripoli after the receipt of the Imperial firman to be sent there, are peremptorily not to be allowed to be sent for sale in any direction, while at the same time the slave-traders in the province, and those scattered about in the remote interior of Africa, are to receive prompt notification of the total abolition of the trade. Slavetraders, however, in any remote places, shall be granted a term of eight weeks, and should any black slaves arrive after the expiration of that period they shall not be permitted to be sold within the province, and the slave-traders who brought them shall be compelled to liberate them on the spot, and they shall be set free: as it would, however, imperil the lives of these unfortunate creatures to send them back to their own country, no measures shall be taken for that purpose; and as they would be equally reduced to destitution by

being abandoned to their own resources, they shall be located in proper quarters and provided with food.

Although the taking away the slaves from the traders, in the first instance, after the expiration of the established period, is a sort of punishment in itself, a proportionate punishment shall be inflicted on repetition of the offence; such offenders shall, therefore, be imprisoned during one year for the first offence, and an additional year's imprisonment shall be awarded for each repetition of such

offence.

Imperial orders will likewise be addressed to all the authorities on the coasts and the islands of the Mediterranean, and any slaves arriving after the receipt of such orders are not on any account to be allowed to be sent to another quarter: the slave-traders shall be obliged to set such slaves free; they shall be suitably located and provided with food. Imperial orders to the above purport shall be duly published; and as six weeks are sufficient for the promulgation in the Mediterranean of this prohibition, it shall be added that all vessels containing black slaves, arriving at the ports and "scalas" after the expiration of the above term shall be confiscated to the State, the captain imprisoned, and a report of the circumstance made to the capital.

All captains of ships of war cruizing in the Mediterranean are to preside constantly over the (execution of these orders), and they shall take possession on behalf of the State of any vessels which they may fall in with carrying negro slaves after the expiration of the aforesaid term, and send them to Constantinople, in conformity with the explicit instructions furnished to them.

Special orders have been addressed to the Governor-General of Bagdad, instructing him to grant a delay of three months for the Persian Gulf, owing to the distance of that sea, to promulgate the regulations established with regard to the negro slaves of Tripoli West and Egypt; and to send back to their country, by sea, any black slaves coming to that quarter, if it be easy to do so. Special orders have also been issued for putting the ships of war lying at Bussorah in proper condition; the vessels are to cruize in the proper directions so as to watch over the entire abolition of the Slave Trade; any vessel taken with slaves is to be seized on behalf of the State, the captain imprisoned, and a report of the case to be sent to Constantinople.

Looking to the delicacy of this subject as affecting the neighbourhood of the Hedjaz, it is necessarily exempted from this prohibition for the present. It will be impossible to compel those who, before the promulgation of this interdiction in the Imperial States, had, in pursuance of ancient custom, purchased negro slaves to liberate them. Henceforward no more negro slaves will be imported, and it [1856-57. XLVII.]

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is not the custom to prolong the servitude of slaves throughout the term of their lives; it is well known that they are usually liberated, sometimes within two or three years, and, at the latest, after eight or ten years' service. This part of the subject is, therefore, transitory, and must be passed over in silence.

The delivery up to the arsenal at Bussorah of a vessel carrying slaves, and taken by an English cruizer, calls for the thanks and acknowledgments of the Sublime Porte. The Governor-General of Bagdad has been instructed to take possession of the said vessel on behalf of the State, and to hand it over to the captain of the English cruizer for conveying to their country the slaves found on board of her.

The captain of the Messhaud, detained lately at Bengazi with slaves, as set forth in your Excellency's note dated the 10th January having committed an act of inhumanity, instructions have been sent to the Governor-General of Tripoli for his punishment, as well as the punishment of those among the authorities who have acted in contravention of the Government orders, according to their faults, and for the immediate liberation of the slaves found on board that vessel, without reference to the period established, in consideration of the sufferings undergone by them.

With reference to the steam-vessel Shadi, if it should be ascertained that she took negro slaves on board, the captain of her shall be duly punished.

Such, my Lord, is the broad resolution newly adopted by the Sublime Porte, in all sincerity (of purpose), and the several measures of detail consequent upon it, will, no doubt, be duly appreciated by her sincere ally the Government of Great Britain.

It is by His Imperial Majesty's commands that I now communicate them to your Excellency, and I avail, &c. H.E. Lord Stratford de Redcliffe.

ETHEM PASHA.

(Inclosure 2.)-Lord Stratford de Redcliffe to Ethem Pasha. Constantinople, January 31, 1857. THE Undersigned has the honour to acknowledge the receipt of the official note which his Excellency Ethem Pasha has addressed to him under date of the 29th January, 1857.

The Porte in thus announcing its deliberate resolution to abolish completely the negro Slave Trade, with the view of putting an end even to slavery itself at an early period throughout the Sultan's dominions, has acquired an additional title to the cordial notice of the Governments and nations of civilized Europe, and to none more than to those whom I have the honour to represent.

The Undersigned abstains on this occasion from touching on the particulars of the note, whether they tend to heighten its general

effect, or to limit for a time its complete operation. He will take the earliest opportunity of forwarding it to England, and cannot but anticipate the satisfaction which, with very little exceptions, it can hardly fail to afford to his Government.

Ethem Pasha.

The Undersigned, &c.

STRATFORD DE REDCLIFFE.

No. 627.-The Earl of Clarendon to Lord Stratford de Redcliffe. MY LORD, Foreign Office, February 13, 1857. I HAVE received your Excellency's despatch of the 31st ultimo, inclosing a translation of the official note which has been addressed to you by the Ottoman Minister for Foreign Affairs, announcing the determination of the Porte to abolish the negro Slave Trade, with a view to the extinction of slavery throughout the Sultan's dominions.

Your Excellency will take the means which you may think most expedient for making known to the Sultan the extreme gratification which this measure of humanity and wisdom has afforded to the Queen; and you will convey to the Ministers by whom the measure was recommended to the approval of their Sovereign the cordial thanks of Her Majesty's Government.

Her Majesty's Government entirely approve the ability and perseverance with which your Excellency has applied yourself to the task of obtaining the suppression of the Slave Trade and of slavery in the Turkish dominions.

I have also to state that I approve the instructions which you propose to address to the British Consuls at Djedda, Hudideh, Moossul, and Alexandria, respecting the Slave Trade in Arabia. Those officers should be careful in reporting to your Excellency the manner in which the local authorities carry out the benevolent intentions of the Sultan. I am, &c.

H.E. Lord Stratford de Redcliffe.

CLARENDON,

UNITED STATES.

No. 683.—Mr. Lumley to the Earl of Clarendon.-(Rec. Dec. 15.) (Extract.) Washington, November 30, 1856.

I HAVE the honour to inclose herewith to your Lordship a public document emanating from the chief magistrate of one of the sovereign and independent States of this Union, recommending the legalization of the Slave Trade.

It is the Message of Governor Adams addressed to the Legislature of South Carolina, on the occasion of their meeting at Columbia on the 24th instant.