284 TOUR THROUGH HOLLAND. [1804. 



Ill 1798, just before capture of Surinam, &c., a 

 great debate here in Legislative Body on slave trade, 

 Many opposed its continuance, particularly De V., 

 who proposed abolition and emancipation ; carried by 

 a narrow majority in favour of the present system, 

 and for encouraging the trade. But no details of the 

 plan to this effect were entered into till two years ago, 

 when the new Council took it up. The plan is now 

 organised, and only waits a peace for full execution. 

 The duties formerly laid of 10 florins on importation 

 of negroes taken off, and a bounty granted of 5 on 

 males, and 2i on children and women. All goods for 

 Africa go duty free, and if they paid a duty on ori- 

 ginal importation, it is drawn back. Thus, nails and 

 muskets from Germany pay 2i per cent ad valorem : 

 tliis is drawn back if they are sent to Africa, and they 

 are free from the 2i on exportation which they would 

 pay elsewhere. 



Trade to West Indies free to all Dutch in Dutch 

 vessels. Pay 2J- per cent ad valorem out, which 

 must come back in produce there and 3 per cent 

 at home. No abolitionist in Council and Senate. 

 Yickers, leading man, is for the system, and so is 

 Bexieu ; Van Edelbert, not ; and all limit their sup- 

 port to their own supply. He is to speak to Vickers. 

 Van Yzendoorn was for long time on commission on 

 Java's laws ; says they tried to alter them, but he 

 against. The law of settlement exists in great force. 

 No one can be maintained under one year and six 

 months' residence. Tax-paying not specified, because 



