§ MR. BUXTONsaid, he would beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, what steps the Government are taking to stop the Slave Trade in Coolies between China and Cuba?
§ LORD JOHN RUSSELLwas understood to say, that a trade of the kind alluded to had been carried on with great secrecy in foreign vessels. "When the Governor of Hong-Kong became aware of the fact, he gave the most stringent instructions on the subject; and the Commissioners of the allied Powers at Canton adopted some measures to put a stop to the system, which were for some short time successful. The Spanish authorities of Cuba had issued directions that after the 1st July, 1861, no Asiatic should be introduced into Cuba; but our Officer at the Havannah said he feared that that regulation would have the effect of giving increased activity to the slave trade. He had received that day a despatch from Mr. Bruce, in which he said that the Ministers of Spain and Great Britain had endeavoured to come to some arrangement by which a stop would be put to this practice. Mr. Bruce's communication was under the consideration of the Government, and it was to be hoped that some effectual measures would be taken to prevent the continuance of the trade referred to.