5155. Then when you speak of the increase of captures since 1835, you mean that the practice of making captures south of the Line has been introduced since that period?--Yes; and I would observe with respect to that, that the Act of Parliament for the suppression of the Portuguese slave trade really did very little good. I am alluding to the Act which was passed in order to catch vessels south of the Line, because we already dealt with them in the way I have mentioned, and the only trade the Act could possibly affect, was the trade carried on between the Portuguese islands off the coast and the main-land. 5156. Sir _T. D. Acland_.] Do you mean Prince’s Island?--Prince’s Island and St. Thomas. 5157. Mr. _W. Patten_.] Seeing that the sale of those goods at auctions conduces in some degree to the continuance of the slave trade on that coast, can you point out any other means by which those goods can be disposed of without contributing to the encouragement of that trade?--I do not see how it is possible to form regulations which shall follow the goods through all the hands into which they pass. 5158. Sir _T. D. Acland_.] Could they be sold elsewhere?--Yes, there is trade on the coast; but I think it would be very injurious to interfere with trade. 5159. Mr. _Patten_.] Do you think that if the captors of the slave vessel were allowed to take the vessels and cargoes, they having been condemned, and sell them in any other country, they might not make greater gains than they do by selling them on the spot?--It is possible that they might make greater gains, but it would be impossible for the court to allow goods that have been once submitted to their jurisdiction regularly to pass into other hands for disposal. When the goods are condemned, they are placed under the authority of the marshal, to be dealt with according to the decision of the court; it cannot allow that decree to be carried into effect by any other than its own officers. 5160. According to the present law, it cannot; but do not you think that arrangements might be made by which the parties making the capture might derive greater benefit from the capture, by being enabled after the condemnation to dispose of the goods in another country?--I think the captors would not benefit by such a regulation; it would take them away from their cruizing stations, where they have an opportunity of making other captures. 5161. Have you not heard complaints made by the captors of the very little benefit they obtain from it?--Yes; but I think without good grounds.