184 Evil Consequences of Sectarian Influence in [[FEB. 



received the answers of Mr. Betty and Mr. Bridges, which he had 

 placed in the hands of the Attorney-General, for the purpose of con- 

 sidering whether any, and what further investigation may be neces- 

 sary in regard to Mr. Whitehouse' s statement; and, on the 27th of 

 August his lordship transmits the report of the Attorney-General (Hugo 

 James, Esq.), with the answers alluded to; and states that, in com- 

 pliance with Mr. James's advice, he should ' ' call upon Mr. Whitehouse 

 to substantiate his complaint against Mr. Betty, by transmitting au- 

 thentic documents, verified on oath, to the Crown Office, when proceed- 

 ings will be adopted, consonant with the principles of British judicature, 

 to obtain a full and impartial investigation of the matter, so as to ensure 

 a legal conviction or acquittal/' 



This, our readers will say, was the straight-forward, the English course 

 of proceeding. But before we see how Mr. Whitehouse contrived to 

 evade it, let us look at the explanations of the accused, and the Attorney- 

 General's opinion thereon. That gentleman reports to the governor, that 

 as both MY. Betty and Mr. Bridges decline to enter into any discussion 

 whatever with Mr. Whitehouse, (as, indeed, what gentleman placed in 

 their situation, and possessing the slightest degree of honourable feeling, 

 would ?) on the merits, or demerits, of the complaint preferred by him 

 against them, (e I am unable to form any opinion on the statement of 

 Mr. Whitehouse, uncorroborated, as it were, by the oath of the accused 

 himself, or by the testimony of others who are competent to substantiate 

 the same before the ordinary tribunals of the country ;" and he therefore 

 recommends, that Mr. Whitehouse be called upon to substantiate his 

 complaint against Mr. Betty, and points out the course which it was 

 competent for him to pursue, as already above stated in Lord Belmore's 

 despatch. ec As far as the Rev. G. W. Bridges is implicated," says the At- 

 torney-General, t( it is but justice that I should convey to his Excellency 

 my humble opinion, that he has refuted the charges which tend to cast a 

 reflection on his character as a clergyman, by the unjust insinuation of 

 harshness and severity of the confinement of two of his domestics in the 

 Rodney-hall workhouse, which is designated by Mr. Whitehouse as the 

 f . seat of darkness/ Whereas it appears, that ONE is A CRIMINAL SEN- 

 TENCED BY THE LAWS OF THE ISLAND TO IMPRISONMENT FOR LIFE, 

 AND THE OTHER 13 EMPLOYED AS A HIRED DOMESTIC BY HER OWN FREE 



WILL AND CONSENT." " The alleged punishment of a slave of Mr. Bridges 

 is distinctly denied, and it relates to an occurrence which took place 

 several years back, when he was ordered off the property, where he was 

 detected trespassing on the provision grounds of Mr. Bridges' servants, 

 since which period Mr. Bridges states he has evinced towards the same 

 individual trifling acts of kindness,* which Mr. Whitehouse has illiberally 

 converted into measures of compromise to avert a prosecution." 



Here we have the unbiassed opinion of the Attorney-General on the 

 subject of these accusations, and surely no opinion could place the 

 conduct and veracity of Whitehouse in a more contemptible light. 



Although active enough in preferring underhand charges against his 

 neighbours, Mr. Whitehouse seems to have made very little open exer- 

 tion in favour of his suffering disciple. Why, we would ask, did he 

 not go repeatedly to Mr. Betty until he received a distinct answer ? or 

 if investigation was denied, why not have applied to the custos or 



* " I have since," says Mr. Bridges, "married that man, and had the opportunity of 

 rendering him trifling services; but nothing in the shape of compromise." 



