Correspondence, Original - Secretary of State: Removal of liberated Africans from...

CO 318/157

1842

Correspondence, Original - Secretary of State: Removal of liberated Africans from Cuba. Correspondence from Mr D Turnbull, superintendent of liberated Africans at Havana, Mr Crawford, consul general acting as superintendent, and the Foreign Office. Subjects covered are as follows: Mr Turnbull:

• accounts and vouchers for 1841;
• correspondence with the governor of British Guiana relating to the disposal of liberated Africans;
• Mr Kennedy's apology to him, letter of complaint from Dr Paldes;
• wishes to be debited in his account for the current year for £72 10s 3d the value of surplus stores landed at Nassau with the liberated Africans of the Segunda Rosario;
• seeks another appointment as he believes his life will not be safe without the protection of the office of consul;
• acknowledges receipt of despatch recommending him to use caution in conducting his affairs and expresses his wish to be removed from Havana;
• reports that he has gone on board the Romney for his own safety and requests a new appointment;
• selection of men for the Romney guard;
• condition of the 'emancipados' in Cuba, and the advantages of trading with the coast of Africa;
• future prospects of Cuba in relation to Spain;
• proceedings of the Patriotic Society and vote for his expulsion;
• the cases of enslaved persons Wellington, Shirley, Fenwick, Washington, Francisco, and Johanna;
• Mr Forbes's 'negroes' illegally removed from Bahamas;
• conduct of the United States government in connection with the political situation and separation of Cuba from Spain;
• reports that two slavers have brought cargoes into the island during July;
• case of C J Thomson detained in slavery at Cuba to be reported to Sir Francis Cockburn [two letters];
• complains of conduct of Lieutenant McGlure of the Romney;
• reports his arrival at Bahamas and claims £110 for expenses in collecting evidence in the case of James Thomson and Mr Forbes's 'negroes' and many others held in slavery at Cuba;
• general history of the case of Mr Forbes's 'negroes' detained in slavery;
• has drawn for £175 in respect of his salary;
• condition of liberated Africans in Bahamas;
• evidence collected about the abduction of British 'negroes' from Bahamas;
• abduction of 'negroes' from Bahamas and their detention in slavery at Cuba.

• forwards application from Mr Cocking, formerly in Mr Turnbull's employ, seeking appointment as superintendent of liberated Africans.

• despatch from Mr Turnbull relating to slaves on Mr Forbes's estate;
• Mr Turnbull's appointment as consul revoked;
• case of James Thomson, a British subject held in slavery, referred to the Law Officers;
• Mr Turnbull's removal requested by the Spanish government;
• further to proposals for the reconstitution of the office of the superintendent of liberated Africans suggests that the clerk to the commissioners be appointed superintendent;
• suggests Trinidad or Jamaica for the site of a mixed commission court to be established under the slave trade treaty with Portugal;
• proposal to combine post of superintendent with that of commander of the Romney; reports Mr Turnbull's departure for Bahamas;
• forwards further despatch from Mr Turnbull and the opinion of the law officers on the case of C and J Thomson of Bahamas held in slavery in Cuba;
• records of the superintendent to be handed over to the commander of the Romney;
• Mr Turnbull arrested and forced to leave the island;
• Billy Thomas, a native of Sierra Leone, has been released from slavery;
• Louise Wolfe, a British subject, has been released from slavery;
• Billy Thomas has been sent to England en route to Africa.

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