“As I have been sent by my government to root out, if possible, this traffic on and near our settlements on the coast, I must now give you notice, that you must break up your establishment at this point, in two weeks from this date; failing to do so, I shall take such measures as I conceive necessary to attain this object. I will thank you to send a reply to this communication immediately, stating your intentions, and also sending an account of the number of slaves you have on hand.
“I am, &c., &c., &c.,
“Charles R. Bell,
“Lieut. Com. U. S. Naval Forces, Coast of Africa.
“To Mr. A. Demer and others,
“New Sestros, Coast of Africa.”
I do not know what reply was made to this communication, as a copy was not retained; but when my clerk handed me the original letter from Lieutenant Bell, on my arrival from Cuba I lost no time in forwarding the following answer to Col. Hicks, at Monrovia, to be despatched by him to the American officer:
“To Charles R. Bell, Esq.,
“Lieut. Com. of the U. S. Forces, Coast of Africa, Monrovia.
“New Sestros, April 2, 1840.