HC Deb 14 March 1882 vol 267 cc877-8
MR. DILLWYN

asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, If the British Minister at Rio has furnished any late Report on the progress of slave emancipation in Brazil; and, whether, on the ground that so largo a portion of the slave population have been imported in contravention of British treaties and of Brazilian law, he may be instructed to use, as occasion may offer, the friendly influence of Her Majesty's Government in advising the adoption of measures for anticipating the present remote period of complete emancipation?

SIR CHARLES W. DILKE

The Reports received from Her Majesty's Representatives at Rio with regard to the emancipation of the slaves in Brazil are contained in the Volume of Slave Trade Correspondence, which will be very shortly distributed. The Brazilian Government are already fully aware of the views of Her Majesty's Government with regard to the question; and it is certain that under the operation of existing laws the number of the slaves is steadily diminishing.