'The Slave Trade of East Africa.' [‎91] (100/108)

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u The firm establishment of the Native Church in Sierra Leone shows
us what may be done with and by freed slaves under proper manage
ment. May the day not be far distant when a similar work shall be
going on among those who, having left the East Coast as heathen
slaves, may return to dwell among their kindred as Christian
freemen 1"
Supposing this point of mere cost of maintaining the slaves
gained, there seems to follow of necessity the formation of a
settlement. This is recommended by Dr. Livingstone and all
who have since written on the subject. Sir Bartle Frere has also
expressed himself in favour of such a course. While, however,
we have grounds for hope that the experience gained by Sir
Bartle Frere of the benefits of Christian training to the African
lad, from his personal acquaintance with the work of the Church
Missionary Society atNasik, will lead him to recommend that the
same be extended to the liberated slaves at the East Coast, we
fear that political considerations may interfere to diminish the
boon we would desire to see bestowed on the poor creatures.
If our surmises are correct, the next few years must see a large
number of the slaves on our hands. At present we capture
6*6 per cent, of the whole number who pass Zanzibar. Suppose
we give the trade five years to become extinct (to accomplish
which our cruisers must, by frequent capture, render the trade
unprofitable), we may have, at a low computation, 10,000 slaves
to locate.
We w r ould earnestly deprecate any disposal of these poor
creatures that does not comply with the following conditions :—
(1) The security and freedom of liberated slaves.
(2) The maintenance of the able-bodied by their own labour,
without imposing any permanent burden on the public exchequer.
(3) The improvement in civilisation, and education of those not
too old to learn.
(4) Proximity to their own country, or at least such similarity of
climate as shall render it suitable in a sanitary sense.
(5) That the liberated slaves should be in a position to aid the
formation of free, self-sustaining communities.
(6) That these objects should be secured at no inordinate expense
to the English Treasury.