1831.] Late Meeting of Delegates al Barbados. 181 



effect the debate on Mr. Buxton's last motion in the House of Commons 

 ■will have on the deliberations of the next Barbados assembly-remains to 

 be seen ! 



The powers granted to the different deputies, so far as we can judge 

 by the information before us^ seems to have been sufficiently ample ; and 

 the following may be taken as a brief summary of the qualifications 

 necessary, and of the duties required of them. — " First, they should 

 inform themselves of all matters which bear either upon the question, as 

 to what will be relief to us, under our present conflicting and accumu- 

 lating distresses. Secondly, not only to inform themselves, but to be 

 prepared with proofs, to shew in what manner the slave laws passed by 

 Great Britain have borne hardly and cruelly on their different commu- 

 nities. Thirdly, to be prepared with authenticated information respect- 

 ing the treatment of the slaves, in every point regarding them — such as 

 the hundreds that have refused their freedom — the hundreds that having 

 been free in England, have voluntarily returned to bondage — the num- 

 ber of estates that permit catechists, and the number that refuse to do so— 

 the treatment, in fact, in every way, even to the sick house : and the 

 more minute the particulars, the more certain are they to carry convic- 

 tion. While they arrive at the place of meeting, prepared calmly and 

 temperately to canvass the points laid before them, they ought to dis- 

 card every thing like inimical feelings, either against the authorities, the 

 parliament, or the government, and to be ready to propitiate both the 

 one and the other, provided they can do so without compromising one iota of 

 the chartered privileges of their colony, or 7vithout permitting the least 

 invasion on the all-sacred right of private property. Whether it be effective 

 or not, it is the duty of all to maintain, if the question be agitated, that no 

 authority, not even parliament itself, has a right to iiiterfere wJh our 

 ancient, legally-conjirmed, and long-established right of legislating Jor 

 ourselves, and to determine to dispute the slightest inroad upon our legis- 

 lative functions ; and, above all, that it will be incumbent upon all, strictly 

 to attend to their instructions, to be attentive to their duty, and obedient 

 to their orders." 



We would recommend to those who affect to think lightly of the 

 feelings of the West Indians, and who talk of our absolute right to im- 

 pose taxes, and to legislate for the internal governance of the colonies, 

 to study and profit by the constitutional doctrines stated by Dr. Ben- 

 jamin Franklin, when examined by parliament, in 1766, and then to 

 consider the events that so closely followed thereupon. He was asked 

 — What was the temper of America towards Great Britain, before the 

 year 1 763 ? The best in the world. They had not only a respect but 

 an affection for Great Britain, for its laws, its customs and manners, and 

 even a fondness for its fashions, that greatly increased the commerce. 



In what light did the people of America use to consider the parlia- 

 ment of Great Britain ? They considered the parliament, as the great 

 bulwark and security of their liberties and privileges, and always spoke 

 of it with the utmost respect and veneration. Arbitrary ministers, they 

 thought, might possibly at times, attempt to oppress them ; but they 

 relied on it, tliatthe parliament, on application, would always give redress. 

 And have they not still the same respect for parliament ? No ; it is 

 greatly lessened. 



To what causes is that owing ? To a concurrence of causes ; the 

 restraints laid on their trades, &c., &c. 



