5340. You stated that there was a difficulty in remunerating the officers when slaves were taken on shore, on the ground of their being considered as British subjects; does that apply to Gallinas?--No; the question did not apply there, but to Bulama, because we claimed the sovereignty of that island. There is no remuneration, under any Act of Parliament, for slaves released under those circumstances which occurred at the Gallinas. 5341. Might there not be some question altogether, whether the release of slaves on shore was within the proper functions of a cruizer?--There might, under some circumstances; but in the case referred to it was a voluntary act on the part of the chief of the country releasing those slaves; they were detained there by persons whom the chief considered as his enemies, by whom he was kept in control, and he was relieved from their control by the Wanderer. There was a positive application made by the chief of the country. 5342. Then it was not, properly speaking, a duty imposed upon the commander engaged upon that station?--No, it would be only a duty under peculiar circumstances. 5343. Therefore such a practice would naturally not be contemplated by any Act of Parliament?--No. 5344. Mr. _Forster_.] Do you consider the chiefs of the Gallinas opposed to the slave trade?--No. 5345. How did they happen to apply for relief against the slave dealers?--An illegal act had been committed by those chiefs on the subjects of Sierra Leone, and when redress was demanded the excuse offered by the chiefs was, that they were held in subjection by the resident Spaniards there, and that they could not afford the relief which was required by British subjects, or even prevent British subjects being carried into slavery, in consequence of the control which was exercised over them by the Spanish and Portuguese slave traders. 5346. Do you yourself believe that excuse to be true?--I believe that it was stated; I have no means of judging of its truth. 5347. _Chairman._] It was a justification for the interference of Captain Denman?--Exactly. By the papers presented to Parliament it appeared that some women and children at Sierra Leone, as far as I recollect the case, were taken down to the Gallinas, and were known to be there, and Captain Denman was instructed by the Governor of Sierra Leone to go in and demand their liberation, and also to remonstrate with the chiefs for the offence which had been committed; and also to inquire how it was that British men-of-war boats going into the river were refused all supplies, were not allowed to water, and were even prevented having intercourse with American and other vessels lying in the river. The principal chief then complained of the treatment which he received from the Spaniards and Portuguese, and he requested to be released from their control, and Captain Denman complied with his request.