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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

CO. 882

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ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH—NOT TO

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

settled among

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Christians who are doing absolutely nothing to wean them from their heathenism, or to teach them the truths of the Gospel.

It appears to me that the present condition of these people, has a stronger claim on than that of any other class of heathen whatever.

In India, for instance, we have settled among races who were in possession of their present belief's long before our occupation of the continent; but in the case of these Africans, we have gone out of our way on the plea of humanity, to change their entire condition, and we have brought them within the range of our own laws and customs, and have set taskmasters over them, and have made them amenable to our system of taxation, and provided prisons and police for the punishment of defaulters, and, strange as it may seem, we have done and are doing absolutely nothing for their moral and spiritual good.

One result of such a state of things is, that the negro of Seychelles is beginning to develop a spirit of turbulence and insubordination, strangely foreign to his natural disposition, that cannot fail to produce ultimately serious consequences.

But in proposing any scheme for the christianisation of these Africans, it must be remembered that at present they are dispersed over the different estates, and that their time and services are at the absolute disposal of the masters. I think, therefore, that the Government should be memorialised,-

1st. To cancel the present allotment of all children and young persons who are domiciled at a distance from the town, with a view of securing them a settlement within easy reach of sowe central institution, and

2nd. To issue an Ordinance, making henceforth attendance at school for a certain

number of hours weekly, a condition of apprenticeship, in all practicable cases. Were this done, the entire negro population might readily be brought under some wholesome Christian influence.

I am induced to apply to the Church Missionary Society for help in this matter, partly because it has already interested itself in these poor friendless people, and partly because it posesses in Mr. Sparshott a missionary who is acquainted with the Suahili language. I need not say, that without such a knowledge, any new comer would be placed at a serious disadvantage in his communications with the released slaves. society has, moreover, in its institution at Nasik trained Africans who might do an excellent work here as subordinate teachers.

The

Should the Committee see its way to begin this labour of love (the materials for which seem almost providentially made ready to its hands) I think the Government might be.. induced to give some pecuniary aid, and co-operate generally in facilitating their Christian efforts. But without some external pressure I much fear that the condition of the Africans will undergo no material change for the better.

I shall have much pleasure in giving the Committee any further information, which they may wish to receive, and will only add here that the climate of Seychelles is singularly well adapted to English constitutions, and contrasts favourably with the sickly seaboard of the African coast.

Should the Committee be able to entertain this proposal, I shall feel it a privilege to be allowed to assist them to the extent of 101. a year for the next five years, and I only wish that my very limited income would allow me to promise a larger subscription. I beg, &c.

WILLIAM GEORGE TOZER, The Secretary of the Church Missionary Society.

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mission, and he proposes so to inform Lord Chichester, intimating at the same time that the matter will be referred to the Governor of Mauritius for careful inquiry and report.

I am, &c.

SIR,

No. 3.

(Signed) R. H. MEADE.

FOREIGN OFFICE to COLONIAL OFFICE.

Foreign Office, January 24th, 1873.

I AM directed by Earl Graville to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 14th instant, inclosing a copy of a letter from the Church Missionary Society, recom- mending that the question of the condition of the liberated Africans in the Seychelles should, if possible, be referred to Sir Bartle Frere, and I am to request that you will state to the Earl of Kimberley that Lord Granville entirely concurs in the reply which his Lordship proposes to address to the Church Missionary Society.

The Under-Secretary of State,

Colonial Office.

No. 4.

(Signed)

I am, &c.

ENFIELD.

The EARL OF KIMBERLEY to GOVERNOR THE HONOURABLE SIR ARTHUR GORDON, K.C.M.G. No. 25. SIR,

Downing Street, January 31st, 1873.

I TRANSMIT to you herewith a copy of a leter which has been addressed to me by the Church Missionary Society, and of the reply which has been returned to that application.†

You will be good enough to favour me with a report on the points raised by Bishop Tozer respecting the condition of the liberated Africans in the Seychelles.

MY LORD,

Missionary Bishop.

I have, &c. (Signed) KIMBERLEY.

SIR,

No. 2.

COLONIAL OFFICE to FOREIGN OFFICE.

Downing Street, January 14th, 1873.

WITH reference to your letter of the 11th December 1869* I am directed by the Earl of Kimberley to transmit to you for the consideration of Earl Granville a copy of a letter from the President of the Church Missionary Society, enclosing a copy of one from Bishop Tozer, respecting the condition of the liberated Africans in the Seychelles, and requesting that the subject may, if possible, be referred to Sir Bartle Frere.f

Lord Kimberley concludes that Lord Granville will concur with him in thinking that such an inquiry as is suggested scarcely comes within the scope of Sir B. Frere's

• Not printed.

† No. 1.

No. 5.

COLONIAL OFFICE to the CHURCH MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

Downing Street, January 31st, 1873.

I AM directed by the Earl of Kimberley to acknowledge the receipt of your Lordship's letter, dated the 2nd of January, requesting on the part of the Church Missionary Society that the subject of the condition of the liberated Africans at the Seychelles may be referred for the consideration of Sir B. Frere.

Lord Kimberley has been in communication on this subject with Earl Granville, and I am to state that such an inquiry as is suggested does not come within the scope of Sir B. Frere's mission, but that a copy of your letter and of Bishop Tozer's letter which accompanied it will be referred to the Governor of Mauritius for careful inquiry and report.

I am,

(Signed)

• No. 2.

↑ Nos. 1 and 5.

‡ No. 1.

A 3

&c.

R. H. MEADE.