THE BAHAMA ISLANDS 525 



were made for contracts between employers and laborers and for praedial ap- 

 prentices, and prison discipline was mollified/'''' The leaders in this body were 

 active and public spirited. They cooperated with the government in measures 

 for the public good. It was gratifying to Colebrooke that the liberated had 

 thus been " called into a political existence, and a perception of their real 

 position and importance in the community of Avhicli the other classes as well 

 as themselves (had) remained in a great degree unconscious." '" The electors 

 and those who were sent to the new House were disposed to promote measures 

 favorable to the public improvement.^"" 



Termtxatiox of Apprenticeship System. 



The special magistracy continued in its effective control of the apprentice- 

 ship system. The corps of six magistrates was sufficient to attend to all the 

 business of the Colony, to preserve order and to promote harmonious relations 

 between the classes. The zeal of the magistrates to give justice to all classes 

 was such as to inspire and renew confidence in them. They were reluctant to 

 allow the infliction of corporal punishment, except in cases where no other form 

 of punishment would suffice. In this respect a greater amount of discretion 

 was allowed towards the close of the period. This Avas almost the sole change 

 that was made in the system as instituted by Lieutenant-Governor Colebrooke.^"" 

 The efficient management by the magistrates tended to lessen the need of 

 their presence as regulators. A reduction in their number was suggested. 

 The establishment was a costly one for this small Colony to support with tlie 

 narrow basis on which it depended for its revenues. This fact alone was suffi- 

 cient in the minds of the local legislators to warrant its reduction."' Cock- 

 burn was unfavorable to the reduction, unless some other officials than the 

 ordinary justices of the peace could be looked to to assume the functions of 

 protectors of tlie praedials.*'^ Quiet continued to reign throughout the 



^"^H. v., 1836, p. 315-17. Also Bahama Statutes, 6 William IV. 



*<>* Colebrooke to Glenelg, No. 52 (1836). 



^°= hoc. cit. 



^^Cockburn to Glenelg, No. 66. 



^''' The cost of the six magistrates was £2700 annually. Cockbiirn to Glenelg, 

 No. 56. 



^''* Loc. cit.. No. 56. Cockburn thought if a reduction was made in the number 

 of these officers two or three should be retained, and the duties assumed by the 

 ordinary justices. This he thought might not prejudice the interests of any class. 

 This would serve to bring the negroes to look for protection to the same officers to 

 whom they had formerly looked before the abolition. - 



