considerations, it is essential in the interests of
civilization and of commerce that the route to the interior of the Dark
Continent should be kept in our hands. It has been through the stations
planted by our missionaries all along it, as far as Matabeleland, that
the influence of the Gospel has been spread among the natives, and that
the way has been made safe and easy for the traveller and the trader.
Can we suppose that these stations can be maintained if we suffer the
road to fall within the limits of the Transvaal? We need not recall our
melancholy experience of the past in this region. I would rather refer
to the case of the Paris Evangelical Society, whose missionaries were
refused leave only a short time ago to teach or preach to the
Basuto-speaking population within the Transvaal territory."

The Hon. K. Southey said:--

"I concur entirely with what has been said by the Right Hon. Mr. Forster
with regard to slavery. It must be admitted that the institution does
not exist in name; but in reality something very closely allied to it
exists, for in that country there is no freedom for the coloured races.
The road to the interior must be kept open, not only for the purposes of
trade, but also as a way by which the Gospel may be carried from here to
the vast regions beyond Her Majesty's possessions in that part of the
world. If we allow the Transvaal State to annex a territory through
which the roads to the interior pass, not only will there be
difficulties put in the way of our traders, but the missionary also will
find it no easy task to obey the injunction to carry the Gospel into all
lands, and to preach it to all peoples."

Sir Fowell Buxton presented the following thought, which might with
advantage be taken to heart at the present time:--

"We know how in the United States they have lately been celebrating the
events that recall the time a century ago of the declaration of their
independence. I will ask you to consider what would have been the best
advice that we could have given at that time to the Government at
Washington? Do we not know that in regard to all that relates to the
well-being of the country, to mere matters of wealth and property, the
best advice to have given them would have been, to deliver their country
at once from all connection with slavery in the days when they formed
her constitution."

* * * * *

Sir William M'Arthur, M.P., said:--

"I have neve