5544. You think vessels could always be taken up to meet the arrival of emancipated negroes?--The chartering of vessels would, I think, offer no difficulty at Sierra Leone. There are, I believe, now, but there certainly would be, in case such a plan was adopted, agents from the different colonies which are anxious to obtain negroes, who would be always ready to secure vessels for their transport across the Atlantic. 5545. Would not this be of advantage in opening a communication from the West India islands with the coast of Africa, and encouraging the intercourse between the two countries, and the free interchange of products, to the advancement of the civilization of Sierra Leone, and through it, of Africa?--In almost all cases where vessels have gone across to the West Indies with recruits from Sierra Leone, the vessels have gone on from the West Indies to England, taking a cargo from the West Indies to England. 5546. Then it would only have the effect of increasing the advantageous resort of vessels to Sierra Leone generally?--That would be one effect. 5547. Would it not have an effect on Sierra Leone, by giving an advantageous freight to vessels frequenting it?--Yes, it would have that effect. 5548. If it were considered desirable, would there be any difficulty in giving to the negroes, after emancipation at Sierra Leone, the option of remaining in the country or of going over to the West Indies?--I think it would be undesirable to introduce a new practice where no option is now given, and where the persons are not qualified immediately after emancipation, to form any opinion whatever. 5549. Mr. _Forster_.] Do you think that it would be good policy to give retired allowances to all public officers who have served a certain number of years on the coast of Africa?--I think it would. 5550. The officers of the Mixed Commission Court, I believe, are the only officers who enjoy that advantage?--I think the colonial chaplain does, but by favour, not by right; there are no officers who serve under colonial governments who are entitled to pensions; it is a rule of the service, which is stated positively in their printed regulations.