IV PREFACE. 



in all these out of the way, insignificant trading 

 stations. 



The bondsmen are generally brought from north 

 of the Zambesi, and entrapped by bodies of armed 

 men, under the command of half-breeds, these 

 expeditions being fitted out and subsidised by 

 Portuguese merchants. The horrors that the un- 

 fortunates have suffered in their journeys down 

 country can neither be imagined nor described. 



The perpetuation of the accursed institution of 

 slavery is the desire of the Portuguese subjects 

 resident in Austral Africa, and the Boers of the 

 Transvaal ; hence their sympathy with each other. 

 Since our late policy was to conclude a disgraceful 

 peace with those descendants of the Dutch who 

 form the population of the so-called South African 

 Republic, they and the Portuguese have made 

 common cause to oppose British interests in 

 every possible way, and it is an ascertained fact that, 

 but for the counsel and advice of the authorities 

 at Pretoria, we should never have had the insolent 

 pretensions of the Court of Lisbon made in reference 

 to the Mashoona and Mocololo countries. If actual 

 hostilities should occur between us and these allies, 

 many of our late rebellious subjects will be found 

 fighting in the adverse ranks. The culpable partition 



