Mr. Serjeant Talfourd. How long would it take to put on board slave equipments in a vessel of the size of the Augusta?—A very short time: they may send out the water-casks filled with water in two or three canoes; and if they do not choose to lay down a slave deck, they put mats upon the casks, and it is done in a very short time. They may embark 500 slaves in a couple of hours or upwards and be off.
Foreman of the Jury. One of my brother jurors wishes to ask this question of the witness through your Lordship: when he went on board the Augusta, whether he found any thing on board her to warrant her being supposed to be fitted out as a slave vessel?
Mr. Justice Maule. He says he did not; that has been pursued for some time; and now in answer to questions put to him, the gentleman was saying, though she was not fitted out in that way, that her goods might be landed, and slaves might be put on board, in a few hours.—I can say—
Mr. Kelly. I object to these speeches: I object to this gentleman, who thinks because he has seized this vessel that if any thing falls from the Jury, or from one of her Majesty’s judges, that he may begin making a speech. There has been a great deal said that is not evidence: that every body must feel; but it is impossible to stop him, although a gentleman as respectable as himself is under trial.
Mr. Serjeant Talfourd. You have been asked about the share which the captain has in the capture of a vessel of this description; do you accurately know what share you would have under the circumstances?—Yes; what I have stated is the share: half the proceeds go to the Crown, and after the admiral has had his share, the remaining half is divided.
What would be your share of this vessel the Augusta?—I believe the proceeds amounted to about 3,800l.; one-half goes to the Crown, and there are the expenses of the appeal to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council, which are not paid.
Have you got any thing?—No, not a sixpence.
Do the expenses swallow up?—
Mr. Justice Maule. 1,900l. is the half; the captain gets one-eighth of fifteen-sixteenths?—There are several hundred pounds to come out of it for the Privy Council appeal, that has not been paid yet.—
Mr. Clarkson. You must not say any thing, unless you are asked a question.