6643. Mr. _Wortley_.] What was the system you generally pursued in the course of your service; did you pass your time principally in stationary blockade, or were you upon a moving cruize?--When I took charge of the station, the orders I issued to the other cruizers (as well as what I practised myself) were, to maintain the principle of blockade; and if they chased a vessel off a certain port where slaves were shipped, never to lose sight of that port; but if they could not catch the vessel without losing sight of it, to go back again, for she was sure to come back again, and there was no harm done. If, on the other hand, the chase is continued to any distance, other vessels might get in and ship slaves; and even the very one pursued might dodge the cruizer at night, and run in and effect her escape with a cargo. 6644. Mr. _Aldam_.] Then where would you place the six steamers you propose to have?--I would have two between Cape Mesaduro and the river Gambia, principally stationed at the Bissagos; but those operations I speak of would very soon alter the character of the trade, and it would be removed from point to point. I think there should be two more steamers, perhaps, between Cape Formosa and Cape Palmas, and two more to the southward of those points. 6645. Mr. _Forster_.] Do you think they could be navigated with wood fuel entirely?--I am not prepared to answer that question, but I think not; I think coal would be required upon most parts of the coast. 6646. Mr. _Aldam_.] What would be the size of the steamers necessary, the tonnage, and the power of the engine?--The steamers on the coast of Africa ought to be small steamers, not drawing more than five or six feet water. 6647. _Chairman._] Might not the slave vessels be useful as tenders sometimes after condemnation?--Under the treaties we are not empowered to buy them. In the Act of 2d Victoria, there is a clause by which the Government can take any captured vessel that they please for the purpose of a tender,--one was established by me under that clause by orders from the Admiralty,--but not to cruize; simply to convey the prize crews to their proper ships. 6648. Mr. _Forster_.] Do not you consider the British settlements on the coast of Africa an important assistance in the suppression of the slave trade?--I consider that the settlements on shore have done some service in that way, but not half so much as they might have done.