6547. Do you conceive that the present system, if carried on with the same amount of force, will reduce the slave trade to a still greater extent?--My opinion is, that the system of blockade is that which alone can be successful under any circumstances, but that to render it effective we want a considerable increase of force; with an increase of force I believe that in three years the slave trade may be demolished and exterminated. 6548. Sir _T. D. Acland_.] In the south as well as in the north?--Yes; there is no longer any difference since the 2nd of Victoria. 6549. _Chairman._] Do you contemplate a blockade of the whole coast?--I contemplate the blockade of those parts where the slave trade is carried on. 6550. Do you believe that a material check to the trade, or an extirpation of the trade for two or three years, in any one place, makes it difficult to resume it afterwards, if the interference of the cruizers is suspended?--It turns the trade into another course. When once the trade is interrupted at any place, people are not in the habit of sending traders up the country for slaves, and traders from the interior cease to bring slaves down to them there, and there is great difficulty felt in resuming it; and in almost every instance legitimate commerce comes in, and the wants of the natives are supplied by those means; but I would not in such cases suspend the interference of the cruizers altogether, until the slave trade should be entirely eradicated. 6551. You believe that when the slave trade is checked for a period, legitimate commerce grows up in its place, and the desire to resume it is diminished?--I think the desire to resume it is diminished, in the first place, principally on account of the difficulty of resuming it. I believe that all over Africa the natives prefer the slave trade to any other trade. 6552. But you conceive that the lawful trade co-operates with the efforts of the cruizers?--In speaking of lawful trade I think it is necessary to state, that in my opinion the only legitimate trade of Africa, in the strict sense of the term, is that wherein goods are paid for in produce; all other trade, more or less, is connected with the slave trade. 6553. You mean that the money by which goods are paid for can only have been acquired by the slave trade?--Universally by the slave trade; dollars are brought upon the coast by no other means. 6554. Mr. _Forster_.] Those dollars and doubloons being diffused over the coast, in what way would you propose to stop the circulation of them?--I do not propose to stop the circulation of them. 6555. _Chairman._] When you say “lawful trade,” you mean trade which you would consider as free from any connexion with the slave trade?--Trade which is altogether unconnected with the slave trade. 6556. Where it is a mere exchange of goods for produce, you see no connexion with the slave trade?--No connexion whatever.