76 ST. HELENA 



Reports on cotton samples received from Messrs. Burnie 

 and Co. : — 



St. Helena Cotton. 



The first quality cleaned. The fibre or staple has been injured 

 or broken in the process of cleaning, and the value is thereby lessened ; 

 it is now worth about gd. per lb. 



The second quality partially cleaned. It appears to be of the 

 same description with the fibre more perfect, and, although inferior 

 in colour, with more dirt : the value is now lod. to nd. per lb. 



The two samples rough from the tree. It will be quite useless 

 to send it in this state. The sale would be very uncertain and the 

 value not more than 7/- to 10/- per cwt. The growth of this is 

 decidedly superior, and I am of opinion that, with attention in the 

 process of cleaning to preserve the staple it will take a rank above 

 the best Brazilian growth, and nearly, if not quite, equal the best 

 Egyptian. I would recommend a few bs(gs to be sent over as 

 speedily as possible, in order that a fair trial may be made by our 

 manufacturers. 



Signed, David Richards, 



Cotton Broker. 



London, October 30, 1839. 



In 1840 commenced a season of excitement, Africans 

 from the west coast of Africa, captured in slave vessels 

 by Her Majesty's cruisers were brought here and cared for 

 until able to work. This led to the establishment of a Vice- 

 Admiralty Court for the trial of vessels engaged in the slave 

 trade on the West coast of Africa. Constantly the cruisers 

 were bringing their freight of human misery ; and so much 

 of interest is to be found with regard to the British Navy 

 and their successes in these waters that it has been thought 

 best to devote a chapter to it. 



It is said that the white ant was brought here in some of 

 these slave vessels, and Melliss says (what is the opinion of 

 all who have noted the destruction of property and the 

 consequent ruin of many island families) : — 



The St. Helenians naturally feel the strong claim they have 

 upon Great Britain ; their island home having aided so much in 

 building up her (i.e. Great Britain's) commercial greatness and pro- 

 sperity, but apart from this, they very reasonably expect aid from 

 England, because it was through her successful efforts to suppress 

 the slave trade on the West Coast, that the white ants have added 

 so greatly to the impoverishment of the place. 



On October 1840 His Royal Highness Prince de Join- 

 ville and suite arrived in the frigate La Belle Poule, accom- 



