[TO TEE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR."] SIR, —The allegation made
by the Rev. J. H. Harris that the Lisbon " Centro Colonial " has deliberately " garbled" a British Government despatch comes as a cry of distress from one who is still more guilty of "sins of omission." In his own book (" Dawn in Darkest Africa," p. 198), Mr. Harris quotes Mr. Consul Drummond Hay's report to Sir Edward Grey, after the former's visit to S. Thome "My interpreter went among the Angola servicaes ' and his inquiries as to whether they wished to be repatriated were mostly answered in the affirmative." Mr. Harris boldly refrains from quoting the concluding phrase in the same paragraph, which says : " They [servicaes] evidently wish for the novelty of a journey." Perhaps Mr. Harris would not care to repair this wilful "sin of omission," as it must utterly destroy the rhapsody that follows and the alleged appeal that was made to him by some phantom slaves, " White man, give us our freedom." My appeal to Mr. Harris would be, " White man, give us the truth." Unfortunately the " truth " would rob the Anti- Slavery Society of its prestige and some of its officials would
find their occupation gone.—I am, Sir, &c., L. McHaLE. Stockport Road, Timperley, Cheshire.
[We publish this offensive and ill-conditioned letter solely because it is opposed to our view, and not because it deserves a serious answer. The line which Mr. Harris is accused of suppressing in no way destroys the value of his quotation. Mr. Hay's jibe that all the slaves wanted was a free excursion may reflect upon that gentleman's taste and judgment, but it does not alter facts or turn slaves into free men.—ED. Spectator.]
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