We have received the following note from the Portuguese Legation
:—
" The Portuguese Legation in London, having taken notice of the Spectator's comments on its protest sent on the lath inst. and being inhibited by diplomatic usage from entering into journalistic controversies, limits itself to maintain the terms of that protest, the justice of which, facts will themselves prove. The Portuguese Legation expects from the impartiality of the Spectator the publication of this declaration in its next issue."
The appeal to facts we welcome, for all the facts of slavery, including slave-trading, and slave-raiding are in existence in the Portuguese West African colonies. The only omission is the calling of things by their true names by the Portuguese authorities. We do not, however, mean to follow the Portuguese Government in attempting to fight opponents with a word. Our guarantee of the Portuguese oversea possessions exists, and no calling of it by other names will alter it or relieve us of the obligation which makes us, till the Alliance is abrogated, the guarantors of slavery, and so responsible as a nation for the greatest of crimes.
