The experience which leads you to think it has not been so at Gallinas is from your own knowledge, being on the spot?—I have already stated I have been a great deal there, and during that time I saw no other trade, nor the sign of any other trade, than the slave trade.
We are here dealing with a gentleman who was never at the Gallinas, and I am asking you a question founded upon your experience: you say you believe no lawful trade was carried on there, as there was at other places; I ask you, whether the knowledge you have acquired, which leads you to suppose that European trade was carried on, was derived from your own knowledge of the persons?—Yes.
Allow me to ask you, are the officers of the navy in your own distinguished situation entitled to share in the value of the vessels which they seize, and which happily for them are condemned?—Yes they are; certainly.
To what extent: suppose you were to seize a vessel and cargo of the value of 10,000l., what would be your own share?—I should imagine the vessel in question—
I want to know, if you seize a ship and cargo of the value of 10,000l., 5000l. each, what is the share, if that vessel is condemned for being engaged in the slave trade, that the commanding officer seizing it is entitled to?—You must tell me the port she is to be condemned in; it makes a considerable difference; if it is in the Mixed Commission Court, that makes a very considerable difference, or if it is in the Vice-Admiralty Court.
Take it as being condemned in the Vice-Admiralty Court?—Half the proceeds go to the Crown, and the other half to the captors, after all the expenses are paid.
You say half goes to the Crown, if condemned in the Vice-Admiralty Court?—This vessel—
I am not asking you about any particular vessel.—It depends upon the different Acts under which she is condemned.
Forget for a moment this vessel the Augusta, if you can, and suppose a vessel under British colours is seized in the African seas by an officer in your own situation, and is condemned in the English Vice-Admiralty Court for a breach of the English law, how is the value divided?—Half goes to the Crown, and the other half, after the expenses are paid, is divided amongst the captors; the admiral gets one-sixteenth, and the captain one-eighth of the remainder.
Suppose she is condemned by the Mixed Commission Court?—I believe it is nearly the same in the Mixed Commission Court; but half goes to the nation under whose flag she is sailing.