Narrative of the Voyages and Services of the Nemesis from 1840 to 1843: And of the Combined Naval and Military Operations in China: Comprising a Complete Account of the Colony of Hong-Kong and Remarks on the Character & Habits of the Chinese. Second EditionHall, W. H. (William Hutcheon), Sir
History
Narrative of the Voyages and Services of the Nemesis from 1840 to 1843: And of the Combined Naval and Military Operations in China: Comprising a Complete Account of the Colony of Hong-Kong and Remarks on the Character & Habits of the Chinese. Second Edition
Hall, W. H. (William Hutcheon), Sir
China -- History -- Opium War, 1840-1842; Hong Kong (China); Hong Kong (China) -- History; Nemesis (Steamer)
"The French have, within the last month, obtained, by fraud,
possession of the islands of Johanna, Mohilla, and Peonaro;
they had already, by the same means, obtained the islands of
Mayotte and Nos Beh. There are at present out here eleven ships
of war--the largest a 60-gun frigate; more are expected out, in
preparation for the conquest of all Madagascar; and also, it
is said, of the coast of Africa, from latitude 10 S. to 2 S.;
this portion includes the dominions of the Imaum of Muscat. At
this place (Nos Beh) a system of slavery is carried on that you
are not aware of. Persons residing here, send over to places
on the mainland of Africa, as Mozambique, Angoza, &c., money
for the purchase of the slaves; they are bought there for about
ten dollars each, and are sold here again for fifteen dollars;
here again they are resold to French merchant vessels from
Bourbon and St. Mary's for about twenty-five to thirty dollars
each. Captains of vessels purchasing these use the precaution
of making two or three of the youngest free, and then have
them apprenticed to them for a certain term of years, (those
on shore,) fourteen and twenty one years. These papers of
freedom will answer for many. It is a known fact, that numbers
have been taken to Bourbon, and sold for two hundred and three
hundred dollars each. Those who have had their freedom granted
at this place, (Nos Beh,) as well as others, are chiefly of the
Macaw tribe. The Indian, of Havre, a French bark, took several
from this place on the 20th of September last; she was bound
for the west coast of Madagascar, St. Mary's, and Bourbon.
L'Hesione, a 32-gun frigate, has just arrived from Johanna,
having compelled one of the chiefs to sign a paper, giving the
island up to the French. On their first application, the king
and chiefs of Johanna said, that the island belonged to the
English. The French then said, that if it was not given up,
they would destroy the place; they, after this, obtained the
signature of one of the chiefs to a paper giving up the island
to the French.
"I remain, Sir, &c., &c.,
"HENRY C. ARC ANGELO.
"Supercargo of the late Ghuznee of Bombay.
"_Nos Beh, Madagascar_,
"_Oct. 6th, 1843._"
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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