The Mixed Commission Court is a court composed of commissioners of two nations, or various nations, and who have to determine the cases of foreign vessels not British, Spanish for instance?—Yes; I think that is the division after the nation under whose flag she is sailing; but under the Act that was passed authorising us to seize Portuguese vessels, and to prosecute them in the Vice-Admiralty Court, I do not know how the proceeds were divided.
It is a Mixed Commission Court which decides upon the Spanish or Portuguese ships; and the British Vice-Admiralty Court decide upon a vessel under the British flag?—Yes.
Are not Spanish vessels prohibited from being navigated by British captains? Did you ever see a vessel under the Spanish flag navigated by a British captain?—I never recollect seeing one.
Now, as to the vessel in question, the Augusta; you say when she bore the name of the Gollupchik, she was in every respect fitted up for the slave trade?—Not in every respect; I do not think she had a slave-deck laid.
I correct myself: she was in many respects fitted up for the slave trade?—Yes.
And that led you to seize her?—Yes.
When she came to England, and was claimed by the Russian authorities, do you know whether they succeeded in their claim?—I know nothing of her; I sent her to England.
You do not know whether she remained in English hands, or was delivered up to the Russian government?—I was on the coast of Africa at the time. I have received nothing from the Vice-Admiralty Court in respect of her.
To a certain extent, to the extent to which you have described her, she was, when you seized her under Russian colours, fitted up for a slave vessel?—Yes.
When she bore her name of the Augusta, and was in the hands of Captain Jennings, was she then fitted up for the slave trade?—Not in my opinion; and I did not seize her for that, but for her freight: at least I saw nothing; I do not know what might be under her cargo.