§ Sir Robert Peelrose to present a petition of a peculiar nature. It had come to him, accompanied with a letter through the Post-Office, and he had no doubt of the genuineness of the document. The petition was an appeal to the House of Commons for protection, and was signed by Quoffee Abberrapoo or (King Aggry) on 1142 behalf of the inhabitants of Cape Coast Castle. The Prince expressed great gratitude to the House for the vast benefits they had conferred on the black population of the world by the abolition of negro slavery? but the principal object of the petition was, that the House of Commons would take measures to secure to the natives of the neighbourhood of Cape Coast Castle the benefits of free trade, or prevent the merchants of Cape Coast Castle from interfering to prevent the free traders of Bristol and Liverpool from affording the natives the commodities they wanted at a much cheaper rate than they (the merchants) would do. The Prince stated himself to be an ally of England, and had sent the petition to that officer who could best forward their interest. He was sure that the House would not receive the petition with levity—as it was on the subject of the commerce of the country.
§ Laid on the Table.