548 HISTORY 



ent from the Ijill with which the discussions were begun.'*'' During the debates 

 on this measure ^lessrs. Capern and MaClure were in constant attendance at 

 the House of Assembly, " appearing as most active partisans." °^' As the bill 

 emerged finally, the board, for which it provided, differed from that of 1836 

 only in that the clergy of all denominations were excluded from this one.'"' 

 This provision was inserted because it seemed impossible otherwise to recon- 

 cile the opposing parties. It was now left to parents to decide whether their 

 children should be taught the catechism and what church they should attend. 

 After the passage of this measure the two ministers, who had taken such active 

 interest in it, memorialized the Queen, protesting against it as a one-sided 

 measure. It was as far from pleasing the Anglican clergy as the clergy of 

 the dissenters, because of the small deference paid to them.""" The board fol- 

 lowed the general lines of the Madras system of education, with the exception 

 of the catechism for those children whose parents objected to it.^*^ Agitation 

 did not cease for months after the bill became a law. The Baptist missionary 

 continued to be such a source of annoyance to the Governor, on the education 

 question, that the latter repeated liis request fr the recall of that gentleman.'"' 

 Attempts were made to secure the repeal of this act. jSTo further changes 

 were made, however, for three years.'*" 



^' Cockburn wrote after the contest that " nothing short of being placed on 

 a dead level with the established church would suit their (the dissenters') views." 

 He was persuaded that there was more ambition than conscience in their conduct. 

 Cockburn to Russell, Nos. 95 and 104. 



''■'^* Loc. cit. 



''' 4 Vic, 5. 



^^'^ Cockburn to Russell, No. 104. A member of the Executive Council thought 

 that nothing short of the appointment of Messrs. Capern and MaClure would have 

 satisfied the dissenters. Of those who were likely to be appointed to the board of 

 education, the great majority were members of the established church. As 

 Cockburn was to appoint the members of the board, it could not be doubtful as to 

 the complexion of it. He appointed the Chief Justice, the Speaker of the House, 

 one member of his Council, the Surveyor-General and the Public Secretary. A 

 clergyman at New Providence refused to accept the tender of the Governor to make 

 him a visitor of the schools. Loc. cit., No. 146. 



^*" Cockburn to Russell, Nos. 86 and 146. 



=^*« Cockburn to Russell, Nos. 104 and 149. 



'^'■'Note on Cockburn and Capern. Capern's conduct from his first arrival in 

 the Colony was objected to by the Governor. His failure to notify the Governor 

 of his arrival was perhaps a discourtesy which could not escape the notice of the 

 latter. Cockburn objected to Capern because he did not confine himself to spirit- 

 ual instruction but meddled in politics. (Ds. to Russell, No. 95.) His teaching 

 among the ignorant people at Carmichael was objectionable. He professed to have 

 been sent out by the Queen for the special protection of the negroes. He disturbed 



