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cial. I cannot foresee any difficulty with respect to such arrangements, beyond time and money, the usual essentials. With funds there will be no difficulty in purchasing a property in this island, which will perfectly answer the desired purpose. This property, if properly looked after, will pay itself, so that no loss can accrue to the Society. Land in Seychelles, however, is almost daily increasing in value, more especially land situated within a reasonable distance of the Harbour and Town.
"I have pointed out these matters for the consideration of the Society, in order to show that not only may we expect large numbers of liberated Africans at almost any moment, but that, if any arrangements are going to be made, it would be advisable to make them with as little delay as possible on economical grounds, so far as the acquisition of land is concerned.—I remain, &c.,
Extracts from Letter of Governor Sir Henry Barkly to Rev. S. Hobbs, dated Government House, Mauritius, 16th July, 1869.
"My Dear Mr. Hobbs,—I return the letter you left for me … With regard to assistance … this Government would do anything in its power, as to a grant, &c.; and if a school were started, it would, of course, be entitled to the usual grant-in-aid.
"As respects the scope for trained labour in this island, it is, as you know, practically unlimited, though of late Indian labourers have been very much preferred by the planters to such Africans as were brought here. I may, however, mention that one gentleman has applied for a permission to bring down from Aden by the mail steamers some of the slaves who have been just liberated there from the dhows captured by the 'Daphne' and 'Nymphe.' Since these captures I learn from Mr. Ward that the former vessel has landed 52 more rescued slaves at Mahé, who were in his hands when he wrote.
"You will thus see that an ample field is likely to be presented for the benevolent efforts of the Society.—Believe me, &c.,
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