So that any person, in England or elsewhere, might export commodities to half a dozen places along the coast of Africa, and might as well export there without knowledge as any other place?—With the distinction that there is no other trade carried on there.
How is a merchant carrying on business in this country, receiving an order for 5,000l. worth of goods from the Gallinas, to know that the Gallinas is an exception to other places?—I think if he does not know any thing of the character of the parties, he may be ignorant of the use to which they are applied.
You mean the character of the party to whom the goods are to be sent?—Yes.
What would the character of the person, to whom the goods were sent, have to do with the fact how the person in this country is to know that the Gallinas is the exception, and that the goods are not going there to fair persons as well as to other persons?—If he knows the person to whom the goods are shipped at Gallinas, I should suppose he would know there was nothing but slave trading carried on.
That is, if he knew as well as you who have been on the spot; are there not many persons who carry on the slave trade, who also carry on a very extensive lawful trade?—Undoubtedly.
Then how is a gentleman in England or America, who exports his merchandise on those orders, to know the use to which they are to be applied?—If he knows any thing of Gallinas, he will know the object to which they are applied.
If he does not know?—If he does not know any thing of Gallinas, he is not necessarily guilty of doing any thing which is wrong.
When a vessel is under the English flag, and manned by English sailors, is there not a far greater facility as to search, and as to fair trial and condemnation, than if it is a foreign vessel?—Yes, when there is suspicion of the slave trade; it depends upon some of the treaties.
Is there any thing at all to restrict or prevent your searching every vessel under the English flag, commanded by an English captain, and manned by an English crew?—Nothing at all, if we suspect.
You do it without opposition?—Yes.