1830.] as they were, and as they, are. 149 



" Formerly, the negroes cultivated their grounds on Sundays white persons 

 were even sent to superintend them; now they have by law twenty-six work- 

 ing days in the year for this purpose. Every manager must swear that he has 

 given them this number of days; and no slaves now work at their ground on 

 Sunday, but such as are more inclined to make money than to attend church. 



fc When the abolition of the African trade took place, a large proportion of 

 the slaves were newly-imported Africans, maintained with provisions raised 

 or bought by the master, or lodged with other slaves, who had grounds, which 

 they assisted in cultivating. Now, the plantation-slaves in Jamaica have all 

 houses of their own, and grounds of their own; and are, in every respect, 

 more comfortable and independent. They form more steady connexions ; pay 

 more attention to their families, in the way of keeping them clean and dress- 

 ing them neatly ; and, in short, have acquired more taste and desire for 

 domestic enjoyments. 



" Manumissions were at one time burdened with heavy taxes; they are 

 now perfectly free. 



" For cruel and improper punishments, slaves had formerly no adequate 

 redress : now they are manumised and provided with an annuity for life ; and 

 magistrates are appointed a council of protection to attend to their com- 

 plaints. 



' ( Formerly, the trial of slaves was, I believe, by parol ; and the power of 

 death was entrusted to the slave-courts, who could order the criminal to 

 immediate execution : now the whole evidence and conviction must be trans- 

 mitted to the governor ; and, unless in cases of rebellion, the sentence cannot 

 be carried into execution without his warrant. 



" For ten slaves that were executed twenty years ago, there is not now 

 more than one, and I think not even that proportion. 



tf Twenty years ago, the coasting vessels of Jamaica were almost exclu- 

 sively manned with slaves. From the increase of the free population, the 

 coasting vessels are now more commonly manned with free men. 



" The operative mechanics about towns carpenters, shipbuilders, &c. 

 were mostly slaves : this description of work is now performed principally by 

 free people of colour. 



" A few years ago, marriage was unknown among the free people of colour : 

 it is now becoming common ; and many of them are careful to preserve the 

 sanctity of the institution. 



".The number of free persons in Jamaica, in 1787, was estimated at only 

 10,000 : it is now 35,000, and rapidly increasing by manumissions, as well as 

 by births. 



" These few particulars will convey but a very "inadequate idea of the pro- 

 gress made by the negroes, and how superior a ) people they are in every 

 respect to what they were when the slave-trade was abolished in 1807. But if, 

 as Mr. Stephens observes, f every mitigation of slavery is a step towards free- 

 dom/ this brief statement may be sufficient to shew what progress is making 

 towards it." 



The reform of their judicatures, and the introduction of more learned 

 persons to preside over their courts, which is another measure now under 

 the consideration of his Majesty's Ministers, must, if introduced in such 

 a judicious manner as to carry with it the feelings of confidence of the 

 Colonists, have a very material influence in working a beneficial result. 



We could undertake to show, if our space admitted of it, from par- 

 liamentary documents, and from information about to be made public, 

 that' there now appears to be a fair spirit of acquiescence in the resolu- 

 tions of 1823. But, because, in some of the Colonies, the local knowledge 

 and practical experience of the persons most materially concerned, have 

 not considered it proper to adopt all the measures that are interpreted to 

 be the consequences of these resolutions., and have paused to consider the 



