462 HISTORY 



the Bahamas; the members of the House desired to ignore the matter and 

 allow it to be advertised as little as possible. 141 



The House determined upon the recall of Sir James Smyth from the 

 position in which he had become a cause of constant vexation to it, and to the 

 slaveholding element in the Colony. It began with an investigation of the 

 state of the police and the Nassau workhouse and gaol. On this committee of 

 inquiry were placed two of the most violent slave owners in the whole Colony, 

 one of whom was very bitter against the Governor for his conduct in the case 

 of some runaway slaves. 1 * 2 This report charged the Governor with unjusti- 

 fiable interference with the trials of slaves, in several instances, with the result 

 that the owners had to become judges and executors of the law and to punish 

 their slaves on their own authority. It charged him further with using his 

 patronage for breaking up the influence of masters over their slaves ; and that 

 witnesses in the courts had been cautious in giving their testimony, fearing 

 executive displeasure. 143 The House was so well pleased with the report of this 

 committee that it proceeded at once to the passage of a set of resolutions de- 

 nouncing the Governor, charging him with subversion of law, with encouraging 

 a refractory spirit in the slaves, with encroachment on the privileges of the 

 House, and continued maladministration of the affairs of the Colony until it 

 became the part of duty no longer to submit; it openly declared its utter loss 

 of confidence in him. It resolved to ask the King to remove him from the 

 government. 144 The Governor had refrained from interfering with the House 

 proceedings in order that that body might content itself by doing all in its 

 power to secure his recall. 145 As soon as it had reached that point, it requested 

 him to put an end to its proceedings as it would do no more business while he 

 remained in the Colony. 146 Action was not long delayed. A prorogation oc- 



141 Loc. cit., pp. 41, 44, 45, 47 and 49. Also Smyth's Ds., No. 105. Perhaps it 

 should be stated that the Governor was as prejudiced on the one side of the slavery 

 question as were the majority of the members of the House on the other. But it 

 cannot be said that the former committed as great indiscretions as did the latter in 

 these difficulties. 



142 Smyth's Ds., No. 105. See also the report of this committee in H. V., 1831 

 (extra session), pp. 44 and 45. 



143 H. V., loc. cit. 



144 H. V., 1831 (extra session), pp. 47-49 and 58. It was decided to send the whole 

 of these proceedings to the Colonial Agent at London, and to the Marquis of Chandos, 

 chairman of the West India body at London. These officials were to be asked to 

 use their influence to secure the recall of the Governor. 



140 Smyth's Ds., N. 105. 



146 H. V., 1831 (extra session), p. 57. 



