Lord Broughamsaid, he had received a communication from a most respectable African merchant of the city of London, respecting which he would put a question to his noble Friend at the head of the Admiralty. This gentleman informed him that six piratical vessels were lately captured and brought into Sierra Leone laden with slaves. They were sailing, he believed, under the Spanish flag; and a gentleman who saw the slaves on board said they were in the very worst condition, and that not less than 150 lives might have been saved if proper accommodation and room had been afforded before they reached the port. There were no less than 900 unhappy beings, forcibly taken from their country, cruelly separated from their relatives and friends, by the crime of these detestable ruffians, who abused the Spanish flag to carry on this nefarious traffic. By the law of this country they would be hanged as pirates. The question he would ask was, whether the captain or captains of the cruizers which captured these ships, did anything to accommodate these unhappy beings with room in their vessels, where there was room enough. He knew it was now laid down as law that no Member of that or the other House of Parliament must inquire as to the conduct of an officer, who might have inflicted injury upon any individual however respectable, if that individual happened subsequently to express forgiveness for the injury. Another rule laid down was that, if the Admiral of the station did not forward a complaint to the Admiralty of the conduct of an officer, no one had a right to ask any questions.
§ Lord Aucklandsaid, he was in the most perfect state of ignorance with respect to all the circumstances mentioned by his noble and learned Friend. If his noble Friend could tell him the name of the ship or ships which made the capture he would inquire into the subject.
§ Lord Aucklandsaid, there were sixteen cruizers on the station, and before he could make inquiry he must ascertain the name of the vessel. With respect to the other point alluded to by his noble Friend he laid down no rule. All he said upon the occasion was, that no complaint had been lodged either by the individual said to be aggrieved, or by the Admiral of the station. He (Lord Auckland) and the other Members of the Government were most anxious to put down the horrible traffic, and no exertions should be wanting on their part to effect so desirable an object.
Lord BroughamThe capture took place on or before the 5th of March. It might be ascertained what cruizer was then on the station.
§ Lord Aucklandrepeated there were sixteen of them.