6997. But the captain of a man-of-war might perform every duty that the emigration agent now performs in an English port?--Yes; I think a man-of-war stationed in the neighbourhood might do so. 6998. Sir _T. D. Acland_.] Do you think the Kroomen would be willing to leave their families?--I think they would be perfectly willing to remove without their families; you could not get them to take their families. 6999. For what length of time?--For three or four years; they have the greatest objection to remove their women; indeed it is impossible for any race to be more obstinately attached to their own habits and prejudices than the Kroo and the Fish races. 7000. Therefore their engagement would be of a temporary nature?--There is scarcely such a thing known as a Krooman to be absent from his country more than seven years. 7001. Mr. _Aldam_.] Would their absence in the West Indies, and the habits they would be likely to acquire there, tend to improve the manners of the people at home, upon their return?--I think it would have that effect to some small extent. 7002. And to introduce civilization?--To a very small extent; I do not think that much could be expected without other means. 7003. Sir _T. D. Acland_.] Have they any means of education?--None whatever. 7004. _Chairman._] They have no contact with any white men, except some that come for the purpose of trading upon the coast?--And at the settlements of Sierra Leone and Liberia. 7005. Sir _T. D. Acland_.] Do they take opportunities of acquiring instruction on board ships?--No, I think not, except what they must learn to do their duties. 7006. Do they show any disposition to learn to read and write?--Not at all. 7007. Do you think that having learned the cultivation of sugar in the West Indies, they would be likely to introduce the same cultivation in their own country?--I think that at present they are not sufficiently enlightened to make it very probable. 7008. _Chairman._] Would the effect of considerable emigration from the Kroo Coast be to raise the rate of wages of the Kroomen employed in the navy, and on board merchant ships?--I should think very probably it might have that effect, but the wages now paid on board ships of war are much higher than are paid anywhere else.