260 ST. HELENA 



cil ; and in 1840 the " Vice- Admiralty Court " was estab- 

 lished for the trial of vessels engaged as slavers, this with the 

 working of the Liberated African Depot, and the frequent 

 visits of the several boats of the Naval Squadron engaged 

 in the suppression of the slave-trade, brought into circula- 

 tion a considerable amount of money, and furnished 

 employment for the islanders, though unfortunately of a 

 kind to cause them to neglect the diligent cultivation of 

 their fertile soil, which would have been ultimately of 

 greater benefit to them. The total extinction of the slave- 

 trade after the American war led to the reduction of the 

 West Indian Squadron and the abolition of the Liberated 

 African Establishment, causing hard times to fall on the 

 little island. 



It was in the year 1840 that the slaves captured by H.M. 

 Cruisers were first brought to St. Helena. Depots were 

 formed at Rupert's Valley, Lemon Valley, and High Knoll, 

 at which places the poor wretches were domiciled, until 

 they gradually gained health and strength. When well and 

 fit to travel, they were conveyed to the West Indies, where 

 they engaged to work for various employers, as labour was 

 there greatly in demand. The merchants and farmers in 

 St. Helena, when requiring servants, went to the depots 

 and made their choice, engaging to clothe and feed those 

 chosen. A number of these slaves became so fond of their 

 St. Helena masters and mistresses, that they elected to 

 remain on the island instead of seeking their fortunes else- 

 where. In many cases they took the names of their mas- 

 ters. One of the first slaves to arrive was baptized " Eve," 

 her son being named " Adam." These freed African slaves 

 must not be confounded with the 614 native-born slaves 

 who were freed in 1831. 



That the authorities looked after them we find from the 

 Gazette, which says : — 



The Government of St. Helena has engaged the services of 

 Mr. Fry, of the Lutheran Church, to instruct the liberated Africans 

 lately captured by H.M. cruisers and brought to the island, as well 

 as those who may hereafter arrive. 



Mellis in his book states that he himself went on board 

 one of these ships as she cast anchor in Rupert's Bay even 

 as late as 1861, and the whole deck as 



