THE EAST AFRICAN BLOCKADE.
[To THE EDITOR OP THE "SPECTATOR."] Sin,—The views you have taken up with reference to the above subject must commend themselves to all who desire to see lessened the untold miseries involved in the East African slave- trade.
Missionary efforts to benefit the East African natives are all very well, and I for one would say nothing to disparage them ; but we can hope for little real good being done till the slave- trade, which is in immediate violation of the laws of both God and man, is stopped.
Some years ago, General Rigby, who is now dead, but who was our Consul at Zanzibar before Dr. Kirk, told me that in the sugar-plantations of Reunion and the Seychelles, about twenty thousand Negroes were employed. The work and treatment were such, that about half of them died and required to be replaced annually to keep the plantations going. He also said that the British Government had prohibited the export of Indian coolies to. these islands. This conversation occurred some years ago, when France was very anxious to get a footing in Madagascar. Can any of your readers throw light on the present position of labour in these islands, and especially where it is supposed or known to come from P—I am, Sir, &c., J. G. J. G.
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