The remedy is simple, while the proof of sincerity on the part of Portugal in suppressing the odious traffic is very easy.
Banish those persons who are well known to be engaged in the slave-trade, change all the officials, and encourage the emigration of 1000 Europeans to the province of Mozambique, that territory would soon be richer than the Brazils, and many of the Brazilian planters would invest in land, and develop the resources of a country where labour is so plentiful that the sugar-growing countries have obtained their labour from it for ages.
But to do this effectually it will be necessary, and only just, to give to the officials going out to be employed under the new system salaries adequate to their wants. Pay them well and make them honest. Now they obtain an appointment at Mozambique, with a salary which is not sufficient for their requirements even in Portugal. How insufficient must it be for their wants in a country where everything European in manufacture is naturally increased in price, and where the climate renders many of those things looked upon as luxuries in Europe absolutely necessary for the support of the European constitution. At present, when a Portuguese official is appointed to a post at Mozambique, his salary is an uncertain small amount, frequently not paid from one to four years after it has become due; but the appointment is known to be worth so much more, because those who have held it have returned to Portugal with a certain amount of wealth, that amount well known to the government and nation at large; and also as well known the means by which that wealth was obtained; namely, the buying and selling the great product of the country which has alone been developed—that of its natives. These human beings are bought from their relations or their enemies, and are supplied to the slave ship at an enormous profit. A Portuguese official knows the terms on which he takes the appointment—a small salary and the opportunity of making a large fortune by the slave-trade. These appointments are consequently eagerly sought after; and the cadets of noble families in Portugal are indeed deemed fortunate who obtain them. Is it then a wonder, when they arrive at Mozambique, that they use all possible means to amass wealth by the slave-trade, and look upon the Portarias of the King of Portugal as a sham before the world, and an infringement of the rights vested in them by the appointment which they may hold from the King?
From this it will be seen that the fault entirely rests with the government of Portugal, and that by paying the officials properly honesty will be secured. At present a premium is conferred on slave-dealers; for those who are most successful in amassing wealth by the nefarious traffic obtain, on reaching Portugal, by means of that wealth, titles, honours (?), and consideration,—year after year adding to the degradation which has come on Portugal through the slave-trade, and the slave-trade alone.
CHAPTER XV.
Slave-Trade under the French Flag—Vessels Employed—How Fitted and Provisioned—Price Paid for Slaves by the French—Ceremony of Engaging the “Labourers”—How Treated at Réunion—Dhows Employed, and Horrors of the Traffic—Statement of the Captain of a French Trading Vessel—Statement of the Supercargo of an American Trading Vessel—Revolt of Slaves on Board of a French Brig, and Massacre of the Crew—How the Slaves are obtained in the Interior of Africa—The Natives Rise en masse—Feelings of the Natives towards British Consul and Family—The “Zambesi” assisting the “Minnetonka” to obtain Slaves.
Soon after my arrival at Mozambique, I determined to make myself thoroughly master of the details of the slave-trade carried on from this Portuguese province, by vessels under the French flag, to the French colony of Réunion or Bourbon. The following is the result of my inquiries on the subject. I will first state how the traffic is carried on, and in what manner the slaves are treated at Réunion; and then enter fully into the particulars of obtaining the slaves in the interior of Africa for the supply of this traffic; showing to what serious results these operations in the interior led under my own observation at Mozambique.
The vessels employed in the French Slave Trade, from the east coast of Africa to the island of Réunion, are vessels sailing under the French flag, from 200 to 1000 tons burthen; one screw steamer, the “Mascareinnes,” has also been employed.
These vessels all start from the island of Réunion, and to legalize this traffic in slaves a French agent of the Governor of Bourbon is placed on board each vessel. These agents, at first, were French military officers, but the commandant of the troops at that island found that this traffic was so demoralizing to the officers, that he could not of late be prevailed upon to allow his subordinates to be employed in the capacity of slave-dealers, and for these officers, clerks in the French commodore’s office at Réunion were substituted.