314 Notes on Haiti. [SEPT. 



" sunk under an odious combination of the darkness, ferocity, vices, and 

 superstitions of all colours and nations, unredeemed by the virtues of 

 any." 



From this gloomy scene we turn with some degree of satisfaction to 

 the brighter prospect presented to us in the actual state of the negroes 

 in the British West Indies. We there see nearly a million of these 

 people slowly, but steadily, emerging from a state of barbarism, and 

 approximating to that point at which Emancipation may really prove 

 a blessing, instead of a curse. 



These feelings are not, however, unaccompanied by anxiety, for we 

 perceive that the artful machinations of designing men, who are seconded 

 by a numerous band of interested sectarians and ignorant enthusiasts, 

 are labouring to destroy all these fair prospects, and to expose our colo- 

 nies, and every interest connected with them, to the most serious evils. 



If under a premature system of forced emancipation, accompanied by 

 the most horrid massacres, and total destruction of valuable property, 

 the negroes of Haiti (and, we may add, of Mexico also) have retro- 

 graded, arid are now in a state of abject poverty, brutal ignorance, and 

 savage barbarism, how are similar evils to be avoided, if premature 

 measures are forced upon our own colonies ? The same causes may 

 undoubtedly produce similar effects ; and it is therefore very necessary 

 to oppose the reckless efforts of indiscreet zeal, by pointing out to the 

 sober minded and rational part of the community the probable conse- 

 quences, and the real merits of the question. 



That the colonists are sincere in their measures of amelioration is con- 

 firmed by their public acts, by the aid and encouragement they cheer- 

 fully give to the established church, in which they have good reason to 

 confide rather than in missionaries, and by the united testimony of every 

 disinterested person who has visited the West Indies. 



Neither the declamation and false colouring of Mr. Brougham, nor 

 the more direct calumnies of minor anti-colonists, can alter the truth of 

 these testimonies, though mischievous interference may retard the pro- 

 gress of emancipation, civilization, and religious instruction. 



Mr. Bayley, whose " Four Years in the West Indies" is now before 

 us, is another evidence in favour of the West Indians. 



" It comes not," says he, " from the planters, or the foes of planters, 

 but from an Englishman, and a lover of liberty, who has no tie, no 

 feeling, no consideration of interest, to induce him to advocate the cause 

 of the colonies ; but who, on the contrary, is prompted by humanity 

 to plead in behalf of those measures which four years' experience have 

 convinced him would benefit the slave." 



Mr. Bayley's narrative contains sketches of Barbadoes, St. Lucia, St. 

 Vincent, Grenada, Trinidad, Dominica, Martinique, Antigua, Anguilla, 

 Barbuda, Nevis, and Montserrat some of them slight, but all plea- 

 santly written, and embracing much useful information regarding the 

 present state of society in these islands. " My readers will have a 

 description of the towns and harbours, the mountains and valleys, the 

 natural curiosities, and the striking scenery of these places from one 

 who has visited them : they will learri the state of society from one who 

 has mixed in it ; and the state of slavery will be placed before them by 

 one who has lived during a long period in the midst of slaves : they will 

 see things as they are ; and, with both sides of the question before them, 

 they will have an opportunity of judging for themselves." " Perhaps 



