the bar, two schooners and four brigs were observed lying at anchor off the town of Bonny; and as they advanced, the slave vessels were seen moored across the stream, with their colours displayed, and springs on their cables, all armed, and the crews fully prepared to resist any attack that might be made upon them. Two of the schooners and three of the brigs opened a heavy fire of cannister and grape shot, and musketry upon the boats as they approached; and when the latter were near enough for their shot to take effect, the fire was returned, and these desperadoes compelled to strike.

The vessels taken possession of, on this occasion, were the brig Vigilante from Nantes, of 240 tons burden, and 345 slaves on board; the Yeanam, a Spanish schooner from the Havannah, of 360 tons, and 380 slaves on board; the Vicua, another Spanish schooner from the Havannah, of 180 tons, and 325 slaves on board; the Petite Betsey, a French brig from Nantes, of 184 tons, and 218 slaves on board; and the Ursule, a French brigantine from St Pierre, Martinique, of 100 tons, and 347 slaves on board; all manned and armed, so as, in the case of attack, to offer a desperate resistance. On board the Yeanam, which fought in the most determined manner, four slaves were killed and ten wounded, before the boats succeeded in compelling her to strike. When Lieutenant Mildmay took possession of his prize, he found a slave girl about thirteen years of age, so heavily ironed, that she could with difficulty move this gallant officer ordered her to be immediately released from her fetters, and that the captain who had treated her with so much cruelty might not be altogether ignorant of the pain he inflicted upon a helpless and unfortunate child, the irons from which she had been freed were ordered to be put upon him. The Vicua, when taken, had a lighted match hanging over

the magazine hatch; it had been placed there by the crew before they leaped over board and swam for the shore; and being fortunately observed by one of our seamen, the brave fellow coolly put his hat under the burning wick and removed it. The magazine contained a large quantity of gunpowder, and but for this providential discovery, and the cool intrepidity of the seaman, three hundred and twenty-five unfortunate victims lying in irons in the hold must in a few seconds more have been blown in the air. These monsters in iniquity expressed their deep regret, after the action, that their diabolical plan had not succeeded. At the time of the capture, the slaves on board were found in the most wretched state, chained to one another by the arms and legs, with iron-collars placed around their necks, and, for the greater security, connected together by a long chain, Thumb-screws, to be used as instruments of torture, were also found in the vessel. The vessels belonging to Spain were left at Sierra Leone for adjudication by the Mixed Commission Court; and those from France were sent to England, to be disposed of by the British Government, which ordered them to sail for their own country. The slaves, however, had all been previously liberated and distributed in the colony of Sierra Leone.

Towards the close of last session of Parliament, two addresses to his Majesty were moved; the one by Mr Wilberforce, for preventing the extension of slavery to the Cape of Good Hope, and the other by Mr Wilmot, for sending commissioners of inquiry to the British colonies. Both addresses were unanimously agreed to.

Active measures have also been pursued in the East for the further sup pression of the slave trade in that part of the world. Sir R. T. Farquhar, the Governor of the Isle of France, whose exertions for the abolition of this

detestable commerce reflect the highest honour on his character, has entered into a treaty with the Imaum of Muscat, for the abolition of the traffic in the island of Zanzebar, and the other dominions belonging to him; and from the accounts which have been received it appears that the Imaum is zealous in carrying the treaty into effect. In fact, by the constant vigilance of his Excellency Sir R. T. Farquhar, aided by the naval force, it seems certain that the traffic has received a very considerable check in that part of the world; though unfortunately, the fear of meeting British cruisers has greatly increased the miseries of the poor creatures who fall into the hands of such slavetraders as have the courage to brave the difficulties and risks that are now thrown in their way. By the exertions of the same enlightened and philanthropic individual, the island of Madagascar has been almost totally delivered from this scourge; under the superintendence of Mr Hastie, the British agent, the natives are beginning to acquire habits of industry, and a taste for agriculture; and King Radama has afforded every assistance towards the accomplishment of so desirable an object.

The annual official documents from Sierra Leone had not been received when the report was drawn up; but, from such information as had come to the knowledge of the directors, that colony continues to make gradual improvement in civilization, in agriculture, and in commerce, and to exhibit an experimental refutation of the miserable sophistry by which the traffic in human flesh was so long defended, or at least palliated, and so many credulous and uninquiring persons cajoled into a belief that the negro was intended by Nature to be merely a beast of burden, and that he was incapable of being acted on by any other instrument than the lash.

The Americans have made the experiment of another settlement on the coast of Africa, at Cape Mesurado, to which, in the beginning of January 1822, they removed the colonists who had been temporarily settled at Fourah Bay. But there seems to be something in the American character ill adapted to insure the success of any work, however laudable, which depends upon forbearance and conciliation. These green colonists soon quarrelled with the surrounding natives, and towards the close of last year hostilities broke out; and had not Captain M'Coy, commander of the Sierra Leone colonial schooner, opportunely arrived at Cape Mesurado on his way to Cape Coast, the total destruction of the settlement would probably have been effected. In this unfortunate quarrel a number of lives had been lost on both sides. A negociation was, however, entered into with the native chiefs, which, it was hoped, would lead to permanent peace; but, unhappily, severe sickness soon after visited the colony, in consequence of which many deaths occurred; and by the last account it appears that the sickness had become general, and that the infant colony was reduced to a most deplorable condition.

Dr Lushington has again brought into Parliament his bill for the consolidation of all the existing laws relative to the abolition of the slave trade, which was postponed from last session, and its provisions are presently under the consideration of a committee of the directors of the African Institution. This bill is expected to be productive of important benefits. It ought, by all means, to prohibit the removal of slaves from one British colony to another, (unless indeed an exception, under certain regulations, be made in the case of domestic slaves,) as well as repeal the 58. Geo. III. cap. 49., which, in certain cases therein specified, allows the importation of slaves.

Nothing is mentioned in the report respecting the free State of Peru, recently organized under the superintendance of General San Martin, who has nobly abdicated the dictatorship, which he exercised for thirteen months, and retired to a private station. We can state, however, upon the best information, that, in preparing the outline of a constitution for that fine country, San Martin was not unmindful of the example set before him by Bolivar and the Colombian Republic, and that the abolition of slavery is one of the fundamental laws of that constitution. The details have not yet reached us; but there is reason to believe, that the law of Peru will, in this respect, be assimilated to that which has been enacted by the Congress of Colombia, and with the particulars of which the public is already acquainted. By some unaccountable caprice, the Liberator of Peru has been the object of almost incessant calumny, and the hero of Maipo has been represented as one of the most contemptible and worthless of human beings; and

this, generally, by persons who knew little of him, or the country he has delivered from an insupportable and galling yoke, except their naïnes. We happen to be better informed on the subject. San Martin has committed grave errors, but they were not errors of intention; they sprung from the novel and difficult circumstances in which he was placed, and may be soon remedied and forgotten. But with all enlightened and philanthropic minds, his making the total abolition of slavery a fundamental principle in the Peruvian constitution will be regarded as more conclusive evidence in his favour, than the eulogies or vituperations of men who often praise without discrimination, and condemn without knowledge. In fine, when we contrast the conduct of Spain and Portugal with that of Colombia and Peru, whatever judgment we may pronounce on the former countries, we cannot help admitting that the latter deserve to enjoy the freedom they have so nobly conquered,

VOL. XIV. PART II.

In our variable climate, it is seldom that more than two years of the same general character, as to weather and the productiveness of the crops, follow in succession; yet this is now the fifth favourable season in which, though with partial exceptions, the crops have been abundant. That of the present year, in so far as regards wheat, the principal article, has certainly been above an average; while the breadth of land occupied with this species of grain is every year increasing. Some of the spring-sown crops, however, seem to have suffered from the drought in the early part of the summer, particularly barley, and in some instances oats; and the bulk in the stack-yards was cer

Rain.

April May June

July

August

The corn markets during this year presented very little fluctuation, but a gradual and almost uninterrupted decline in the article of wheat, from the beginning to the end of it; the price of this grain ranging between 50s. 7d. (on the 26th January), and 38s. 1d. (on 26th October). The quartern loaf in London was usually at 10d. in the early part of the year, and in Edinburgh at 9d. In the last session of Parliament, an act was passed, which had the effect of setting aside, for the present, the quartern loaf in London, and the bakers used a four-pound loaf in its place, the price of which, at the end of the year, was 7d., while that of the quartern loaf at Edinburgh had fallen to 7d. The other kinds of grain, however, having been less productive than wheat, rose after the harvest, while wheat declined. The usual price of oatmeal in Edinburgh was 13d. per peck, of 83 lbs. avoirdupois. Potatoes, which had been uncommonly productive, and could be purchased in quantities through the greater part of Scotland at 1s. per cwt., fell from 10d. to 6d. per peck of 28 lbs.

A similar depression occurred in the price of butcher meat, and the oThe ther products of grazing land. remarkable mildness of the winter had allowed all sorts of live-stock to come

forward to the grass in a better condition than usual. No loss had been sustained in the sheep stocks, and the crop of lambs was uncommonly abundant. From the middle of May to the middle of July, the pastures had suffered a little from drought, but speedily recovered their verdure by the rains which fell towards the end of July; and after that, they always afforded an ample supply of food.. The butcher markets were accordingly kept constantly full; and prices towards the end of the year fell so low, that both beef and mutton could be bought at about 4s. per stone avoirdupois. The general employment of the manufacturing classes seems to have prevented a corresponding depression in the prices of dairy produce; but these were still much reduced, salt butter being sold at from 35 s. to 40s. per firkin of 56 lbs., and the best Dunlop cheese made in the west of Scotland at 8s. per stone of 24 lb. avoirdupois. Wool also, notwithstanding the revival of that staple manufacture, participated in the general depression, the best long wool in Scotland not being worth more than about 10d. lb. per

The prices of corn at the beginning and end of the year, taking the average of England and Wales, were as follows: