Slave Trade Act, 1873

Interpretation.

36 & 37 Vict. c. 59.

2. In this Act—

The term “vessel” means any vessel used in navigation:

The term “British possession” means any plantation, territory, settlement, or place situate within Her Majesty’s dominions, and not forming part of the United Kingdom:

The term “governor” includes the officer for the time being administering the government of any colony; and where there is a local governor or lieutenant-governor under a governor-general, means the local governor or lieutenant-governor :

. . . . . . . . .

The term “foreign state” includes any foreign nation, people, tribe, sovereign, prince, chief, or headman :

The term “vessel of a foreign state” means a vessel which is justly entitled to claim the protection of the flag of a foreign state, or which would be so entitled if she did not lose such protection by being engaged in the slave trade :

The term “treaty” includes any convention, agreement, engagement, or arrangement:

The term “slave trade” when used in relation to any particular treaty does not include anything declared by such treaty not to be comprised in the term or in such treaty :

The term “Vice-Admiralty Court” does not include any Vice-Admiralty Court which for the time being has under its commission a limited jurisdiction only in matters relating to the slave trade :

The term “British slave court” means the High Court of Admiralty of England, every Vice-Admiralty Court in Her Majesty’s dominions out of the United Kingdom, and every East African Court for the time being within the meaning of the Slave Trade (East African Courts) Act, 1873 :

The term “slave court” means every British slave court, every mixed commission or court established under any existing slave trade treaty, and the court of any foreign state having jurisdiction to try and condemn a vessel engaged in the slave trade :

The term “existing slave trade treaty” means a treaty made by or on behalf of Her Majesty or Her Royal predecessors with any foreign state for the more effectual suppression of the slave trade and in force at the passing of this Act.

Seizure of Slave Ships.