from their friends, are represented by eye-witnesses to be perfectly frightful, such, indeed, as to make the hardest heart bleed.

Among the Pagan and Mahommedan, and nominal Christian nations of Asia and Africa, with but few exceptions, slavery, in one or other of its forms prevails, and a most extensive slave-trade is connected with it. It is not, however, confined to Africans: the natives of the more temperate as well as the more tropical climes are its victims. The Caucasian, as well as the negro race, are in great demand. In the Kingdom of Bokhara, it is said there are upwards of 200,000 Persians in slavery.

In northern Europe absolute slavery does not exist to any great extent, but in its modified form of serfage it is frightfully prevalent. It is estimated that in the Russian, Austrian, and Prussian dominions, including Poland, there are not less than from seventy to eighty millions of human beings in this degraded state.

The Committee are not without hope, however, that the influence of British example in America, Africa, and Asia will be found to operate most powerfully in breaking down the various forms of bondage which have so long oppressed and degraded mankind.

THE SLAVE-TRADE.

This execrable traffic still continues to desolate and degrade Africa. Its activity is unabated. Not all the efforts made by the British government, seconded by other powers, have affected to any considerable degree, if at all, this gigantic evil. The demand for slaves in Brazil and the Spanish colonies increases with the demand made by foreign countries for their productions. Such being the case, the slave-traders, who are usually men of wealth, offer the greatest inducements to the worst class of maritime adventurers to aid them in carrying it on. The enormous profits they derive from a single successful voyage, compensates them for many failures. Besides which, the authorities of these countries either openly or covertly connive at their transactions; and the subordinates in office, receiving their accustomed fees, allow them to land their cargoes of human beings without molestation or hindrance of any kind.

With respect to the extent and activity of this infamous traffic her majesty's commissioners at Sierra Leone, in their last published annual report, say, "During the last year (1843), just ended, we have heard of numerous cargoes of slaves having been shipped at Bissao, Rio Pongas, and Gallinas; and within the last six weeks the brig Volador actually embarked 600 slaves at Sherbro', nearly adjoining this colony." "Last week we learned that a large brig, armed with six guns, succeeded in getting away with 1000 slaves on board from the neighbourhood of Whydah." The number of slavers condemned during the same year in the mixed commission courts at this settlement was thirteen, of which eleven were Brazilian, one Portuguese, and one Spanish. With the exception of two all were equipment cases. In these two the number of slaves found on board at the time of capture was 830. From private sources of information the committee learn that there were brought before the Mixed Commission Courts at Sierra Leone in 1844, 27 slavers, nine of which were captured with 2,523 slaves on board. During the year 1845, the number of slavers condemned by these courts was 36, having on board upwards of 6,000 slaves, and there yet remained 6 which had been captured, for adjudication.

The committee further learn, that, from the beginning of April, 1844, to the middle of May, 1845, the squadron of cruisers stationed on the western coast of Africa captured 59 slavers, thirteen of which had on board upwards of 4,500 slaves. In tracing the history of these slavers, the committee find that one of them had been captured and condemned eight times, one seven times, two six times, three five times, seven four times, twelve three times, eleven twice, twenty-one once, and respecting one no particulars are given. This striking fact shows clearly that the slave-dealers have agents residing at the seats of the Mixed Commission Courts, particularly Sierra Leone, who regularly purchase such of the slavers as cannot be destroyed under treaty; and as regularly send them forth to carry on anew the dreadful traffic. The committee deem it highly probable that many of these vessels are used as decoys to attract the attention of the British cruisers, while he real slavers, taking advantage of their being thus employed, run nto the slave haunts, load their cargoes, and sail off to Cuba and Brazil.

But the Committee have not only these proofs of the great activity of the slave-trade. The British consul residing at Boa Vista, Cape

de Verds, directs the attention of her Majesty's government to the fact that it is carried on extensively at the Portuguese settlements of Bissao and Cacheo; and Captain Foote, in an official report observes, "the whole coast claimed by the Portuguese government is interspersed with barracoons full of slaves, under the immediate management of Portuguese subjects, who fly the Portuguese flag thereon, and pay a certain tribute to the chiefs for their sanction and protection ;" and he adds, "I may here be permitted to remark that the treaty with Portugal, as it respects this coast, has had no beneficial effect; the only alteration being to change the Portuguese flag in the slave vessels to the Brazilian, to evade the punishment decreed by the treaty.”

The whole of the correspondence of her Majesty's commissioners at the Havana for the year 1844, confirm the fact of extensive importations of slaves. In one of their monthly reports, after giving the names of certain vessels which had sailed direct from the Havana for Africa, "showing that the trade continues unabated," they say, "Besides these we understand that a very great number have lately sailed from the neighbouring coasts, and other parts of the island; we are credibly assured, not fewer than fourteen, of which a large proportion have been despatched from Santiago de Cuba;" and they add, "During the month, we regret to have to state, that we hear of many vessels having arrived from the coast of Africa, though we cannot learn all the particulars we could wish, from the degree of constraint under which this community is now held." The number of slaves imported into Cuba in 1843, the commissioners estimate at about 12,000, though they confess their inability to give an exact account from the mystery cast over all the transactions of the slave-dealers. In the years 1844 and 1845, the number of slaves imported must have been considerably greater, though the actual extent of the trade can never, for the reasons already given, be fully known.

In adverting to the bad faith of the Spanish government, and to the participation of the highest functionaries in the Spanish colonies in the slave-trade, the commissioners say :-" Under the treaty of 1817, no vessel was to be allowed to enter here after the 30th of October, 1820; and Lord Castlereagh's remonstrances on one having been allowed to enter on the 6th of November, "seven days after the expiration of the period," were as urgent as any that can be made now, when twenty-four years have expired, and the same practices are continued. (See Slave-trade Papers for 1821, class B. p. 162.) All however hitherto have been of no avail, and it only left us to hope that your lordship's efforts may be attended with better success." In another place they justly observe:"Spain has unfortunately proved that no government there can be relied on for the fulfilment of the treaty; and acting as she has done in total disregard of its obligations, it needs little more to nullify it altogether."

Here then we have the melancholy result of all the diplomacy, sacrifices, and labours of Great Britain to put an end to the Spanish slave-trade. In spite of treaties, in spite of cruizers, in spite of remonstrance upon remonstrance, the Spanish colonies have, during the last quarter of a century, been filled with African slaves; and fresh supplies of these unhappy beings are still poured in to meet fresh demands created by the mortality which decimates them, and the active demands of commerce.

[And the case is even worse in relation to Brazil. In the report of her Majesty's commissioners, stationed at Rio de Janeiro, on the state of the slave-trade for 1843, they say "We have been assured that nearly 40,000 have been landed within these provinces in the period. This sudden augmentation during the past year is attributable to the continued encouragement and protection afforded by the Brazilian administration to all slaving adventures. The greater number of slave-ships which have effected the landing of their cargoes, have escaped our vigilant observations in consequence of the novel system recently followed by the slave-dealers, which has proved eminently prosperous."

The reports of the consular agents at Bahia and Pernambuco confirm those of Rio de Janeiro, as to the activity of the slavetrade. The consul at Bahia, writing to Lord Aberdeen, under date Sept. 30, 1844, says, "Your lordship will perceive that nearly 3,000 slaves have been landed in this vicinity during the last three months, besides others, of whom accounts may not have reached the consulate." The perfect impunity with which the slave-trade is permitted to be carried on in every part of the empire of Brazil is so notorious, as to have convinced the British functionaries residing in that empire, of the utter uselessness of confiding in the good faith, humanity, or honour of its government. The Africans,

introduced since the year 1830, form probably one-third of the whole slave population of the country.

The stimulus to this dreadful trade is its profits. What they are may be gathered from the following extract of a despatch addressed by the British minister residing at Rio to Lord Aberdeen, dated 18th May, 1844, viz: "It is my belief, my Lord, that this increased activity on the part of the pursuers of this nefarious trade will not be relaxed; that however decided the success that may wait on the new system resorted to by her majesty's government, these individuals will not be wanting on their part in exertions still greater, nor hesitate one moment more at incurring any description of risk. The safe return here of one venture alone, with a full cargo of slaves, out of six despatched to the coast, countervails all the loss suffered by capture of the remainder."

With respect to the eastern coast of Africa, it is clear from the reports of her majesty's commissioners at the Cape of Good Hope, that the slave-trade is carried on with great vigour. Slave barracoons are found, both to the north and south of Quillemane, in each of which from 200 to 300 slaves are sometimes kept ready for shipment on the arrival of slavers from Brazil. The river Macuse was, however, by the latest accounts, the principal point of embarkation. The governor of Quillemane is reported to have received not less than 60,000 dollars in fourteen months in fees, for permission to ship slaves from the district under his jurisdiction. The commissioners further state that in a period of about ten months, eighteen vessels had been captured for being engaged in the slave-trade, and brought to the Cape of Good Hope for adjudication.

The committee scarcely need add the fact, that the usual amount of horrors characterize the slave-trade; that the slaves are jammed within the spaces between decks, in which they can barely move, exposed to a fœtid atmosphere, in which they can scarely breathe; oftentimes a prey to the most terrible diseases, without any circumstance to alleviate their misery; and subjected, except in a few rare cases, to a mortality which is perfectly frightful to contemplate. Every year's experience convinces the committee that it is in the abolition of slavery alone that any reasonable hope can be indulged of the extinction of the slave-trade; and they would add, that it is their firm conviction, arising out of long and painful experience, that this enormous evil can never be overcome by means of an armed force. They would, therefore, hope that the energies both of the government and of the country may be henceforth directed to the universal extirpation of slavery by those means which are of a purely moral and pacific character.

HOME OPERATIONS.

This is the first anniversary of the society at which the committee have been able to congratulate its members, their fellow-countrymen, and the world, on the glorious fact, that in no part of the British empire can a single human being be now legally held as a slave, and that its most remote dependencies are as sacred to freedom as Great Britain itself. By an official communication from the late colonial secretary, Lord Stanley, the committee are informed that "an ordinance was enacted by the Legislative Council of Ceylon, in the month of December last (1844), to provide for the total abolition of slavery in Ceylon, and that the ordinance has been confirmed and allowed by the Queen."

Thus has terminated one department of philanthropic labour in complete success; and whether its results be viewed in relation to the millions of human beings who have been emancipated; or the influence which it must necessarily exert on the nations of the earth in promoting the liberty, the civilization, and the happiness of their people, there is abundant cause for gratitude to Almighty God, who has crowned the efforts of his servants with success; as well as abundant encouragement to persevere in this work of Christian philanthropy, until the common brotherhood of man shall be universally acknowledged and practically enjoyed, by men of every colour, of every tribe, and of every tongue.

But, although the law of slavery has given place to the law of freedom in every part of the British empire, it must not be imagined that its blessings are yet fully enjoyed. It is to be feared that in many districts of British India the emancipated slaves are yet ignorant of their rights. This the committee do not attribute to any fault on the part of the government, but to various circumstances peculiar to the position of the slaves themselves. The committee have brought the facts of the case under the attention of the government, and have been assured that measures shall be taken,

where needed, to give the necessary information, and secure the practical working of the new law. In addition to this, the com mittee have written to every part of India where they could find a correspondent, suggesting the formation of Anti-slavery committees for the purpose of diffusing information, and watching over the working of the law, with copies of its various enactments, as well as of those relating to the suppression of the slave-trade. The answers which they have received to their communications, and information they have collected, though more encouraging than that of last year, warrant them in saying, that the utmost care is required to prevent the law from becoming inoperative in some parts of India.

Another field of labour is now open to the efforts of the society. The committee allude to the existence of slavery in the native protected states, over which the East India Company, or rather the British government, possess great influence. In some of these states this dire evil puts on its most hideous form, and calls loudly for the most strenuous efforts to secure its overthrow. The government have been appealed to, and the committee trust they will not fail to instruct their agents residing at the courts of the native princes, to urge upon them the duty of performing an act of justice to their long oppressed subjects.

THE BRITISH WEST INDIES.

The duties which the committee have had to discharge towards the emancipated classes in the British West Indies, during the last year, have been highly important. They have been grieved to observe a decided tendency on the part of the principal colonial legislatures, to increase the stringency of the laws, and so to alter and modify them, as not only to bring the labouring population more and more under the power of the governing class, but to ensure the adminstration of the laws to themselves. To this the

committee add, that a system of oppressive taxation has been resorted to, the proceeds of which are applied to the most exceptionable purposes.

It would occupy too large a space in the report to specify the various laws which either have been enacted, or attempted to be enacted, of an objectionable character. The committee would remark, however, that they are intended to affect the relations between masters and servants, in the matter of contracts for labour; vagabondage and police; the constitution of inferior, civil and criminal courts, which are to be presided over by planter magistrates, with power to inflict heavy punishments for light offences, and from whose decision there is no appeal; the creation" of appeal courts on the other hand, from the decisions of the stipendiary magistrates, whose removal from the important and independent position they occupy, is most earnestly desired; tariff ordinances and laws, by which the food, clothing, and various other articles in common use among the labourers are heavily taxed, whilst those required by their masters are subjected to comparatively light duties; and loan ordinances for the purpose of raising large sums of money in this country, to be repaid, both principal and interest, out of the colonial taxes, which loans are to be applied to the introduction of large masses of immigrants for the ostensible purpose of adding to the labouring population, but whose real object is to reduce the price of labour; and thus to inflict a double wrong on the more helpless and unrepresented portion of the population.

The facts connected with these various points have been laid before government, and not, the committee trust, without producing some effect, though they wait to see when the papers shall be laid before Parliament, relating to them, to what extent the government have yielded to this species of legislation.

"The committee cannot leave this part of their subject without expressing their satisfaction that a vigorous attempt is being made by the inhabitants of British Guiana and Trinidad to secure for themselves the benefits of a representative legislature. They heartily wish them success, and counsel them to persevere in their efforts until they shall have obtained it.

EMIGRATION TO THE BRITISH COLONIES.

The committee regret to have to report that the practice of supplying the emancipated colonies with foreign labourers still continues under the sanction of government, notwithstanding its manifest. injustice to the native cultivators, its inhumanity to the emigrants introduced, its impolicy as an economical arrangement, and its decidedly immoral results. The committee whilst they would offer no objection to the introduction of labourers on just and honourable principles, and under proper regulations to prevent abuses, have felt

The taxes imposed on the colonists generally to meet the advances of government, yielded in 1843 £10,854, in 1844, £29,024, together £39,878, leaving a balance due to the treasurer of £284,774 During the year 1845, the number of Coolies imported was upwards of 6.000, at an expense of from £40,000 to £50,000; and it is provided that an equal number shall be introduced annually, to meet the demand that will be created in the labour market by deaths and removals, but it is ascertained that with that additional yearly supply, there will be fewer labourers in the colony in 1852 than at the commencement of 1845, though the operation will involve a further expenditure of between £300,000 and £400,000 to be added to the public burdens of a small community, chiefly composed of the labouring class. The committee of inquiry, before alluded to, estimate the mortality during the eight years ending in 1852, on a moderate computation, at 15,214. It will, the committee venture to predict, be nearer 20,000.

The injustice and impolicy of this vicious system must, the committee think, be obvious to all-its inhumanity and immoral tendency, they are of opinion, are equally manifest.

The Coolies are for the most part in the prime of life, and as but few women are taken with them, and those, except in a few instances, not their wives, it follows, that the greater portion of them `must leave their wives and children in India without due protection or the visible means of support. The inquiries which have been instituted in India on this point, have led to the knowledge of the most afflicting facts.

In reference to its immoral tendency, the committee would refer to the great disparity of the sexes which it allows. Of the 70,000 Coolies introduced in ten years, scarcely 7,000 were women. This fact alone reveals a state of things wholly inconsistent with good morals, and the social well-being of the people. The disparity of the sexes which existed in the colony at the commencement of the apprenticeship, viz., 38,189 males, and 20,602 females, was frightful; but, as will be seen from the foregoing statement, that disparity has been fearfully aggravated by the introduction of masses of male Coolies.

The committee need not dwell on the character of these people, to their ignorance of moral restraints, and to their want of education in a purer faith than their own, to deepen the picture. It is sufficient to say, that they have abandoned themselves to a degree of disgraceful licentiousness which no persons acquainted with their habits in India (dissolute as they were known to be,) could possibly believe.

JAMAICA, BRITISH GUIANA AND TRINIDAD.

In addition to the liberated Africans from Sierra Leone, St. Helena, and elsewhere, these colonies have commenced the importation of Coolies. Thirty-nine vessels were engaged last year in England and India for the purpose of transporting, under the direction of government agents, about 8,000 Coolies to them, in certain proportions, British Guiana to have the largest number. The cost of transport and agency will cost these three colonies nearly £120,000, the payment of which must be provided for out of their respective treasuries, the burden of which will fall chiefly on the labouring class.

Several cargoes of these Coolies, have already arrived in Jamaica, British Guiana, and Trinidad, the proportion of women to men being 193 of the latter to 1,005 of the former.

RESULTS OF EMANCIPATION.

On this point the committee are gratified in being able to report that, upon the whole, the progress of the emancipated classes in knowledge and character, and a just appreciation of their position as free men is extremely cheering. That they are rapidly increasing in number is placed beyond doubt by the census of 1844, which, though extremely imperfect, shows a very remarkable increase of births over deaths. The habits of the women, both personal and domestic, have greatly improved. The purchase of small freeholds, the erection of houses, and the formation of villages and towns still goes on, though the means of the people are much less than formerly, owing to the reduction which has taken place in their wages, and the heavy taxation to which they are now subjected. This circumstance, the committee regret to say, has led to a considerable withdrawal of children from the schools, and, in other respects, has been found to operate injuriously.

The latest official reports from the colonies indicate a great decrease in crime, especially among the Creole or native population. The immigrants are chiefly chargeable with the violation of law, and the more heinous offences against person and property.

The committee have no reason to believe that any considerable portion of the emancipated classes have abandoned themselves to idle or dissolute habits. On the contrary, it is quite clear that they are industrious, and will work for moderate wages, when they are honorably paid and their just rights respected. The following tabular statement of the exports of sugar from the British West Indies will prove this:

In reference to the exports of the colonies, it should be remembered as a gratifying fact, that the emancipated classes are now great consumers of the produce which they raise.

In reviewing the state of the British colonies the committee have come to the conclusion that it is capital not immigrants which they want; and that with a resident proprietary, improved modes of cultivation, a fair system of taxation, just laws, and a pure administration of justice, so great an impetus would be given to the cultivation of tropical produce as to remove all fears of their future prosperity, and of their capability of supplying their fair share of sugar to meet the ever-increasing demand in the British market.

It is a cheering circumstance, that whereas but a few years since the markets of the world were supplied almost exclusively with tropical produce wrung from the uncompensated toil of slaves, that now no inconsiderable portion of the demand is supplied by the labour of freemen. On the continent of Europe indigenous sugar produced from the beet root, enters largely into the general consumption; and in this country, all the sugar consumed, and a considerable quantity of other produce required for use or manufacture, is free from the taint of slavery. The quantity of free labour sugar imported into Great Britain during the last year was 5,069,678 cwts., of which 168,180 cwts. were the produce of foreign states; Molasses, 528,238 cwts.; Rum, 4,807,512 gallons; Coffee, 23,151,602 lbs.; Cocoa, 4,917,907 lbs.; Indigo, 90,388 cwts.

BRITISH SUBJECTS HELD IN SLAVERY.

The practical difficulty which the government have interposed in relation to several thousand British-born subjects now held in bondage in the Spanish and Dutch colonies, contrary, as the committee believe, to every principle of justice and international law, they grieve to say, has paralyzed the exertions of British functionaries, residing in those countries, on their behalf. The government refuse to demand their freedom on the ground that they were held as slaves in the British colonies, previously to their removal to the countries where they are now held as slaves, though it is, at the same time, admitted they were removed illegally. Difficult, however, as the case has become, the committee hope, by persevering exertions, to place their right to liberty, on such a basis, as ultimately to insure their freedom. In the meantime they are happy to say that several slaves who were manumitted previous to their removal to Cuba, where they were re-enslaved, have, during the past year, been restored to liberty.

LAWS AFFECTING THE LIBERTY OF BRITISH SUBJECTS IN FOREIGN STATES.

The importance of securing to every British subject, without distinction of condition or color, the right to be treated as free and to be protected in foreign countries, whilst in the pursuit of his lawful calling, is too obvious to require any argument in its support. But in the person of every colored man visiting the southern sections of the United States that right is not only denied, but constantly violated. Cases have occurred in which British subjects have been seized and imprisoned, and, failing to establish their right to freedom, have been sold as slaves to pay jail fees. Others have been taken out of vessels trading to American ports, and imprisoned during the stay of such vessels in port, whereby not only has their liberty been grossly violated, but their captains put to great inconvenience and expense. It is, unquestionably, within the power of her majesty's government to require that the convention between the United States and Great Britain touching this point be respected. As well might Great Britain imprison every citizen of the United States, on arriving in a British port, as American citizens presume to incarcerate, without crime, British subjects resorting to any part of the United States on business or pleasure. This is a crying evil requiring the application of an immediate remedy. To this subject the earnest attention of the government has been called. It remains to be seen whether any steps have been taken to protect the rights of every portion of her majesty's subjects by the Government.

FREE LABOR CULTURE.

Whatever difference of opinion may exist among public men, on the expediency of discouraging the growth of tropical productions by slaves, by fiscal regulations in favour of free labor, there happily exists none as to the importance of encouraging the cultivation of those productions to the greatest extent, in British India and the British colonies. Statesmen, merchants, manufacturers, and philanthropists, are agreed in opinion on this point. At present one great branch of our national industry and commerce, is almost entirely dependent on the United States for the supply of the material required for its successful prosecution. Cotton wool is not only in great demand, but that demand is enlarging from year to year. Any sudden interruption of the requisite supplies would be felt as a great calamity, and hence all whose interests are bound up with our gigantic cotton manufactures, are anxious to draw them from quarters, where such interruption is not likely to occur. It is not on this ground however that abolitionists direct the attention of the public to the growth of cotton in India. To them it would be a matter of comparative indifference whence the supplies came if they were produced by free-labor. One fact will show how greatly the demand for cotton-wool in this coutry has increased the extent of slavery in the United States. In 1790 the slave population of that country was 657,437; and the exports of cotton wool were 189,316 lbs. ; in 1843, the number of slaves amounted to 2,847,810; and the exports of cotton wool were 1,081,919,136 lbs. The committee rejoice, however, to be enabled to state that the supply of slave-grown cotton has not kept pace with the demands of commerce. British India has interposed a check. In 1825 that country exported to this 39,657 bales; in 1844, 239,718 bales. During the five years ending 1841-2, the quantity of cotton-wool exported from British India to Great Britain was 330,629,830 lbs.; to China 452,795,315 lbs.; the average export to this country per 66,125,966 lbs., and to China, 90,559,063 lbs. The effect of this has been to keep the price of cotton-wool down to a very low figure; and looking forward, as they confidently do, to the improvement of India cotton-wool from superior cultivation, clean picking and ginning, and superior packing, the committee feel persuaded, that the time is not distant when it will not only come into competition with the lower kinds of American cotton, but with the finer qualities also, and by its superior cheapness, drive it out of the market. The committee have given their close attention to this subject; and, in the course of the year, have laid before her majesty's government a summary of facts bearing upon it which they trust has not been without its influence. mittee are happy to add that the government of Bombay have caused the lands in that presidency, to be valued, with a view to a fixed instead of a fluctuating land-tax, much to the satisfaction of the cultivators, and with advantage to itself; and the Committee trust the same equitable principle will be applied to the whole of the presidencies. The Committee believe they may also congratulate

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their friends that the government have determined to abandon the tax upon tools, agricultural implements, &c.; and, by relieving the labourer from these imposts, stimulate his industry, and tend to secure to him the fair reward of his toil.

In connection with these points, the committee may state that it is expected one of the great lines of railway now contemplated for India, will traverse the principle cotton districts, and by reducing the cost of transit from the interior to the coast, say-from £20 to £4 per ton, give the purchasers an additional advantage, and greatly promote the growth of cotton-wool, a circumstance not less to be desired for the general interests of humanity, than for the benefits it will confer on the country at large.

The committee are pleased to be able to report that some of their friends have devoted their attention to the feasibility of promoting the use of articles manufactured exclusively from free-grown cotton. They most earnestly desire, that having begun this good work, they will vigorously prosecute it; and they have no doubt that Christian philanthropists generally, will aid them in their laudable enterprise. In the United States, a kindred effort was commenced several years since, and the committee are pleased to learn that it is attended with many tokens of success.

The announcement made by the her majesty's government, of their determination still to maintain a prohibitory duty on the slave-grown sugar of Brazil and the Spanish Colonies, on account of its connection with the African slave-trade; and, at the same time, of their intention to lessen the amount of the differential duties between foreign free-grown sugars and those raised in the British plantations and territories abroad, is satisfactory; and would have been more so, had the government removed those differential duties altogether. The proposition is to reduce the present rate of duty to 5s. 2d. per cwt. on Muscovados, and 8s. 3d. per cwt. on clayed sugars. The views of the committee on this important subject remain unshaken; and it would be a source of sincere gratification to them were they practically recognised and applied.

THE MORAVIAN MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

In the last report of the Society, the committee were enabled to announce that the Moravian Missionary Society had emancipated the slaves connected with their mission stations in the Danish Colonies. The result has proved an unmixed good to all parties. They have now the satisfaction to state that by a recent letter from Paramaribo, Surinam, received in the early part of this month, measures had been taken to emancipate the slaves connected with the mission stations in that colony. It will be a source of sincere rejoicing to all the friends of that Society to find their missions, in every part of the world, divorced from the system of slavery.

THE FREE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.

It will be remembered, that the commissioners of this important section of the British Churches, who went to the United States in 1844, were, unhappily, induced to visit the Slave-States, and to give the right-hand of fellowship to slave-holders. In return for which, liberal contributions were placed in their hands, for the purposes of the Free Church. They were warned of the consequences that would result from this act, by the executive Committee of what took place in the General Assembly of the Free Church last American Foreign Anti-Slavery Society, but without effect. From year, the committee have felt it to be their duty to memorialize that body, and to suggest the necessity of their bearing a decided testimony against slavery, and by way of giving emphasis to that testimony, to send back the money received from American Slave

holders.

FOREIGN OPERATIONS.

UNITED STATES.

The event of the most importance which has transpired during the last year, affecting the Anti-Slavery cause, has been the annexation of Texas to the United States, by formal acts of their respective legislatures. Thus has an extent of territory equal to the seventh part of the United States been added to that republic; and what is most to be deplored, devoted, by its constitution, in perpetuity, to the curse of slavery. In the history of nations, an act of greater perfidy, a deed of greater unrighteousness, was never perpetrated by any people, with any pretence to civilization and religion. It is impossible to foresee what may be the ultimate issue of this criminal transaction. It has not been effected however, without the strenuous resistance and solemn protest