30 TRINIDAD. 



benefit of the colonies, both in a financial and administrative point 

 of view. The general Assembly or Parliament should consist 

 of representatives from all the different islands. These deputies 

 might be elected either by the local legislatures, or by a board 

 of electors holding high elective qualifications. The members of 

 the Federal Assembly would be entitled to a daily allowance, to 

 be contributed by each colony respectively during the whole 

 period of the session ; each session to be limited to a certain 

 duration. These sessions should be held on the most central or 

 the most important island, and the deputies should deliberate 

 and decide only on general matters, each colony preserving com- 

 plete freedom and full right to decide on all local or municipal 

 matters. One of the first acts of the Federal Assembly should 

 be the appointment of commissioners to revise the laws of all the 

 colonies, and to condense them into a general code for the 

 government of the confederacy — each colony, however, retaining 

 full power and authority for local administration, particularly as 

 regards finance and taxation, police regulations, &c. This con- 

 federation would absolutely require the appointment of a 

 Governor- General, with a responsible Council. There should be 

 instituted a High Court of Justice, which would constitute a 

 Court of Appeal from the different tribunals, this Court to be 

 supported from a common fund, to be furnished by the colonies 

 jointly, according to their respective population. Lastly, a 

 central lunatic asylum would be established, also a penitentiary 

 for juvenile offenders. 



These are my views on the constitutional changes which 

 might be made in these islands ; and I am convinced that, by 

 the adoption of some such plan, not only would a regeneration 

 be effected in the general system of government, but an im- 

 provement also in their local administration. The most essential 

 laws being framed by an assembly composed of members chosen 

 from among the ablest men in each colony would undoubtedly 

 be better and more closely adapted to the circumstances of all ; 

 nor, as at present, would legislation be hurried through, and 

 a fresh Ordinance required for each contingency. The office 

 and duties of the local legislators being circumscribed within 

 naiTower and more practical limits, they would devote more 

 attention to the internal administration of each colony, and but 

 little ground would be left vacant for party discussions. A 

 more extended field being also open to men of talent, they 

 would the more likely aspire to becoming members of the 

 Federal Assembly; and complaints which, preferred by the 

 inhabitants of Tobago, Trinidad, Nevis, &c, at present are dis- 

 regarded, would likely receive some share of attention when 

 urged by a Colonial Parliament. 



