It is a profound irony that this deplorable ambiguity about
slavery should have happened in Sierra Leone. Those who know the history of the Colony will remember that it was originally founded as a settlement for freed slaves under the inspiration of Granville Sharp, Clarkson and others of that noble band who had fought the judges of England to a standstill, and drew from the great Lord Mansfield himself that memorable declaration that " as soon as any slave sets his foot upon English territory he becomes free." The very name of the capital of Sierra Leone—Freetown—tells the story. It is a belief gratify- ing to every Englishman that under the British flag there is no such thing as slavery. But when it appears that the belief cannot be wholly sustained, we must make haste to repair the error.
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