perhaps, more trade from the Bonny than any river on the coast; and if, as is now supposed, it is the principal mouth of the Niger, its commerce will increase rapidly. Although the people have made some progress towards civilization, they are still very superstitious and ignorant relative to religion. Formerly they principally worshipped two large live lizards, until thinking that domesticating one might be sufficient, they commissioned a large brass one from Birmingham about three years ago, which now shares their worship with its live partner; yet, ridiculous as this is, no nation along this coast is so advanced in general knowledge. A few remarks will now be added, addressed to those who take an interest in the cause of humanity, and yet may not have been fully informed of the real state of the slave-trade. Scenes of such atrocity constantly take place, that none can imagine but those who have witnessed them. How dreadfully these poor creatures must suffer during a long and tedious chase, when five or six hundred are crowded together in a small space, not four feet high; their owners, being afraid that their moving about would impede the progress of the vessel, withhold both water and provisions for a whole day, and this under a hot vertical sun. In one instance, after a chase of twenty hours, twentyseven were found dead upon the lower deck-the dead shackled with the living; and the remainder were nearly all in a state of madness, occasioned by heat and thirst; fifty died before the expiration of three days, and upwards of a hundred in less than three weeks! Many more examples of the same kind could be given, but on so painful a subject probably these are sufficient. It may be remarked-" But have not these cruelties been increased by our interference ?"-Undoubtedly they have; and all our efforts have scarcely diminished the number of negroes exported from Africa : an assertion which can be easily proved. There is a market at Cuba and in the Brazils, to be supplied with slaves, requiring about thirty thousand annually; and, up to this time, that number has been supplied. No doubt the risk that is run, owing to our cruizers, increases the price of the blacks to the planters, thereby diminishing their profits, but it appears very doubtful, supposing the trade to have been free, that many more could have been carried over with any profit to the importers, since the fall in the price would not suffice to increase the demand much. How far the present system raises the expense of importing negroes, is a matter of calculation which we possess data sufficient to determine: the average of slaves captured is one in ten, which has raised the insurance from eight to fifteen per cent.; another increase of expense arises from the Spaniards now employing very fastsailing, well-armed vessels, with a numerous crew, to facilitate their escape. This again adds to the misery of the poor slave; for these vessels are so sharp, that they afford very little accommodation in proportion to their tonnage. Again, if the trade were free, the price of a negro in Africa and at Cuba would be more equalized; for that reason greater care would be taken of them, or the importer would be ruined. As an example, let it be supposed that a man fits out a schooner from Cuba, and sends her to Africa for two hundred slaves; their cost on the coast and his other expenses are eight thousand dollars; his cargo would fetch twenty thousand; but, from cruelty and neglect, one-half die on the passage: his gain would still amount to two thousand dollars. But let free trade be now supposed, when the price of two hundred slaves at Cuba would fall to fifteen thousand dollars; then, if the same man is so cruel and negligent that half his cargo die, he will be an actual loser of five hundred dollars, instead of making a profit by his voyage. This is not only a correct statement, but what is known to take place. By an agreement that we made about four years ago, the Portuguese are permitted to carry on their slave trade uninterruptedly to the south of the line, and negroes are consequently much dearer there than to the north of the line. Ten thousand are annually exported from those latitudes; yet the vessels are all so much better formed and so much more roomy, that they have not one-fourth of the deaths that occur on board vessels of equal tonnage to the northward. In the year 1831, about twenty thousand slaves were exported from the northward of the line; and in 1832, there appears, from all accounts, to have been coneiderably more! So that for the sake of humanity more efficient means should be taken to put down this dreadful traffic; and there are but two ways either all the powers of Europe must declare it piracy-in which case our present squadron off the coast of Africa would suffice; or, if we are to act alone, such a number of fast-sailing vessels must be sent out, that the risk of capture may overbalance the remunerating price which the planter could afford to pay. Supposing the second plan to be adopted, another dozen of men-of-war on that station would probably get the slave-trade fairly under; and then the Spaniards and Portuguese, no longer finding it their interest to struggle, might consent to declare it piracy. The case, we confess, is beset with serious difficulties; and while, on the one hand, our measures are chargeable with insufficiency and quixotism, on the other, they are obviously harsh and unjust. We will close this distressing statement with an extract from a letter written in 1808 by the late intelligent Captain Beaver from Antigua : "Many years have rolled over my head since I first visited these regions; and I know not whether the manners of the people have altered, or my own taste has changed-perhaps both may have felt the influence of the interval. I admire the matchless tints of the scenery and the heavenly splendour of the climate more than formerly; but I no longer relish the boisterous cheer and lax hospitality which once did not incommode me. The chatter of the negro is as vociferous, and the piccaninies gambol as wildly as ever, while Sunday is still the happy day which they call their own. But the planter is certainly less gay; and he appears already to suffer under the interference of our legislature. I apprchend the result of our measures will ultimately prove of greater benefit to our enemies than either to our own subjects or the slaves. It seems to me but reasonable that those who so warmly discuss this question in the House of Commons should first take the trouble to make a trip across the water, and ascertain the truth; for the inquiry has hitherto been borne down more by sophistry than by fact. I would rather see the wisdom and philanthropy of England exerted to ameliorate the condition of the blacks, which she can do, than witness her efforts at what she cannot do. I abhor slavery; but feeling that, constituted as mankind are, it ever has existed, and perhaps ever will, I cannot surrender the evidence of my senses to mere speculative morality. Everything I now meet with fully confirms me in the opinions which I have already expressed on this topic, in my narrative, or African Memoranda '." UNPUBLISHED LETTERS FROM LORD RODNEY AND SIR CHARLES DOUGLAS, TO THE LATE LORD BARHAM, WITH A NARRATIVE, BY SIR CHARLES DOUGLAS, OF THE Battle of the 12TH APRIL. To the Editor of the United Service Journal. Barham Court, Kent. March 5, 1833. SIR, Having long been under a promise to the family of my late respected friend and patron, Admiral Lord Barham, to dedicate the first leisure time I had to the arrangement and revisal of his voluminous papers and correspondence on naval and other public subjects (which have not been opened since his death in 1813); I have, in the prosecution of this duty, met with documents which appear to be of sufficient importance to be submitted to the public. With the permission of his grandson, the present Lord Barham, I now send for insertion in your useful and interesting Journal copies of the two following letters-the originals are in the handwriting of the distinguished officers themselves, viz., one from Admiral Sir George Bridges Rodney, dated St. Lucia, 5th April; and the other from Sir Charles Douglas, the Captain of his flag-ship, the Formidable, dated Jamaica, 4th May; both addressed to Sir Charles Middleton, (afterwards Lord Barham,) Comptroller of the Navy, from 1778 to 1790. In the first, Sir George anticipates the success which so soon followed; in the latter, the operations of the fleet during the important battle of the 12th of April, 1782, are given with apparent accuracy and precision. I regret that I have not yet fallen in with the first account of the engagement to which Sir Charles Douglas alludes-but if I do hereafter, or find any further documents connected with that memorable day, or the proceedings of the fleet at that eventful period, I may be induced, if the present are acceptable to your readers, to put you in possession of them. It is well known that the Peace of Paris, in the following year (1783), was greatly accelerated by the victory of the 12th of April; and the terms on which it was concluded, it has been asserted, were materially influenced by the brilliant achievement of our arms on that important occasion. I am Sir, your very obedient servant, Private Secretary to Lord Barham when first Lord, in 1805-6, and late [Letter from Admiral Sir George Bridges Rodney to Sir Charles "MY DEAR SIR, Middleton.] "Formidable, St. Lucia. April 4th, 1782. "It is impossible for me not to snatch a few minutes to tell you how we go on in this part of the world. All our diligence availed not, the enemy fought very shy, and when I concluded they intended to come in full force, and was prepared to receive them, as you will perceive by the disposition I made of the fleet, behold they then made Antigua, and crept close along Guadaloupe and Dominique; what provokes me, is, that the whole fleet was at sea; Sir S. Hood and his division off the north end, mine and Drake's division to windward of Point Salines, and several frigates between Martinique and Antigua; at the very worst time the enemy made the islandsand yet not one saw them! 'tis provoking, but never mind it, their fate is only delayed a short time, for have it they must and shall. Thank God! by the arrival of the convoy from England, the fleet are now complete in their stores and provisions-and in the highest spirits; and by my intelligence this day, the enemy Lave embarked their troops, and are near ready to sail. You may be sure I shall watch them attentively-and, not withstanding the very great repairs that many of the fleet I have found here were in want of, such has been the diligence of each officer, in his different department, that all will be ready and complete this very night, though many boltsprits and several lower masts were wanting when we arrived from our cruize. "The Intrepid and Shrewsbury are found unserviceable; I propose to send them with the convoy to Port Royal, to try, if possible, to put them in a sufficient repair, so as to go home with the first convoy, and to assist in the defence of the island, for keep the sea they cannot. "The great event which must restore the empire of the sea to Great Britain is near at hand; let me but live to hail my most gracious monarch but sovereign of the ocean, and then my happiness will be complete. "The whole business of the fleet is transacted here. English Harbour is of little use, and in its present situation not to be trusted with the naval store-ships-for their better security I have directed R. Admiral Drake to keep them at St. Lucia. It was absolutely necessary for me to appoint a store-keeper; I wish your boards would appoint all the necessary officers. I really do not like to be answerable for any person. Adieu and be assured that I am, with the utmost sincerity, "Your most faithful, and obedient humble servant, "SIR CHARLES MIDDLETON." [Letter from Sir Charles Douglas, Flag-Captain to Sir G. B. Rodney, to Sir Charles Middleton.] "DEAR SIR, "Formidable, Port Royal, Jamaica. May 4th, 1782. "In consequence of the more exact information I have had, and of my own recollection, the account I now send you differs a little-particularly as to the point in the French line-of-battle, where we broke through, and which I had not then seen upon paper, from my last; as also in some other inconsiderable respects; some further interesting anecdotes, and remarks too, are in this interspersed, or thereunto subjoined. The more I hear of the late battle, the more am I satisfied, even to my own surprise, of the conclusive efficacy of the oblique fire, of such ships as could give it.-The Ville de Paris, for example, edging down towards our friend Cornish (thought secure in being, as was supposed by them, out of the Arrogant's line-of-fire, because four points on her bow) did, to their infinite surprise, in that direction receive such a broadside as had a wonderful effect. Captain Gardner, of the Duke, told the admiral in my hearing, that from the improvement alluded to, he is sure that he annoyed the enemy with at least twice as many shot as he should have done according to establishment. Upon the whole, I think I may safely pronounce, that if every ship in the fleet had been so appointed, and without standards like the Arrogant, fewer-possibly very few of the enemy's ships would have escaped! But withal, the victory, if every ship had been taken, could not have been more clearly and decidedly ours than it was; I only allude to probable consequences: presuming that had such oblique fire been general, few, if any, of the enemy's ships' masts had been left standing. Lieutenant Butler (now most deservedly captain of the Alicto), says, that from the middle deck of the Formidable he never fired less than two, sometimes three broadsides at each passing Frenchman, before such Frenchman could bring a gun to bear on him, from such guns excepted as standards are in the way of. -Our admiral informs me that he has written for the appointment of an inspector-general of naval artillery, and of Captain Cunningham as ship captain to the Formidable. I beg leave to recommend both such appointments to your support and acceleration, should opportunity serve, and should it be with your pleasure. I pray you read the account I now trouble you with, to Lord Mansfield and Lord Lough borough-and be further pleased to recommend it to the perusal of General Carpenter, his lady, and Mrs. Carr, to all of whom I, for so many years, have been so much obliged-and to whomsoever else you please. Can Lord Sandwich and Lord North have time to honour it with a reading?—as you please. Gracious Heaven! what a labouring oar I have got to manage! Anything whereby I may contribute my mite towards the welfare and glory of Great Britain! That you, Lady Middleton, Mr. and Mrs. Edwards, may long and in health enjoy the unspeakable happiness of seeing her wrongs avenged to the uttermost farthing, most religiously prays, "Dear Sir, your obliged and most affectionate friend and servant, [Narrative alluded to in Sir Charles Douglas's letter.] "On Monday, then, the 8th inst., at 8 A.M., or a little after, being in the bay of Gros Islet, in the island of St. Lucia, refitting and rewatering with unremitting assiduity, but in momentary readiness for sailing, the signal was repeated in the offing, by the Alert, from the ships watching the motions of the enemy, that the French fleet in great force, and numerous transports or trading ships, was coming out of Port Royal. Sir George instantly weighed, proceeded outward, and we soon got sight of twelve or fourteen sail of the sternmost ships alluded to, from the mast-head, standing to the northward, under the lee of Martinico, which from their fast sailing must have been ships of war. We followed them all night under as much canvas as we could in prudence carry; the wind blowing very fresh at N.E. b. E., at 2 A.M., of the 9th; the St. Albans hailed and told us, that the enemy's fleet was distinctly seen from the Valiant, she being to windward of us. Off the north end of Dominica we had just got sight of them ourselves, having been sufficiently aware of their proximity, from the frequent nocturnal signals they had made. At 3 A.M., we brought to by signal; the weathermost of the islands called the Saints bearing N. W., and the north end of Dominica, N. b. E. & E., five or six leagues. The French fleet bearing from N. b. E. to N., at half past 5 A.M., made signal to prepare for battle, and for the line a-head two cables' lengths asunder. As also to fill and stand on; Sir Samuel Hood, with the van division, having a fine breeze and a glorious prospect, making sail a-head to his station. At about forty or fifty minutes after 9, the French fired upon the Alfred, she returned it, and the signal for battle was displayed. Thus began that day's partial engagement, between his Majesty's fleet, commanded by Sir George Rodney, consisting of thirty-six sail of the line, and that of France of thirty-three or thirty-four, (I speak from recollection, and from information since gathered, for we had not time to count them,) which bereaved Great Britain of that excellent citizen and officer-Captain Bayne, the (late) gallant commander of the ship named. I say partial engagement, most of his Majesty's ships having been quite becalmed; the whole of our rear and most of the sternmost of the van division utterly so, insomuch as never to have had it in their power to come in for any of that fight; while the fleet of France enjoyed a commanding breeze, within the limits whereof, and to windward, they kept themselves as much as possible, with scrupulous attention, and at their much-loved long cannonading distance. Nevertheless, divers ships of Sir Samuel Hood's division were roughly handled, having had to cope with so many more of the enemy than ought to have fallen to their share. Providence ever brings about mighty events by means undiscernible to man beforehand; and this day's fight, though our enemies, everything considered, had nothing to boast of, encouraged them so far as to dare to risk that general engagement which they had avoided before, and which proved their ruin-on, be it ever sacred to fame, the 12th of April, 1782; to give you some account of which glorious day's proceedings I am posting. "After, then, having endeavoured to keep our fleet to windward, and |