§ SIR JOHN KENNAWAY (Devon, Honiton)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the fact that all the signatories to the Brussels Act are under obligation to give a certificate of freedom to all slaves entering their territories which come under that Agreement, instructions in accordance therewith have been given to Her Majesty's 1035 Agents in the British East African Protectorate?
MR. CURZONMy hon. Friend is, I think, not quite correct in his interpretation of the Brussels Act. There is nothing in that Act compelling its signatories to give letters of freedom to all slaves entering their territories. The letters are to be given to all slaves liberated under the conditions laid down by the Act. Instructions to look to this Act for guidance have been given to Her Majesty's Agents in East Africa.
§ SIR C. DILKEDoes the latter part of that reply extend to the fugitive slaves' provisions?
MR. CURZONOh, yes, Sir; they cover everything touched by the Brussels Act.