THE BAHAMA ISLANDS 491 



was made. 2 There was an attempt to revive the old difficulties, over the ap- 

 pointments, during the session. A measure was introduced containing in itself 

 the names of the commissioners of the public buildings. 28 * The Lieutenant- 

 Governor sent in a timely warning that he would allow no one but himself 

 to appoint the buildings commissioners. 267 Several days later the House ex- 

 pressed its view again in a set of resolutions much milder than those of the 

 previous session, but still claiming the right for which it had been contending. 288 

 The Council still stood in the way of the passage of the measure. 26 * After con- 

 ferring with the Council in the attempt to adjust the difficulty, 270 it was allowed 

 to go over to the next session. The result thus far had been a victory for the 

 government. The House could not dictate the appointments, and the Exec- 

 utive assumed the control to which he laid claim. 



On the approach of the day on which slavery was to come to an end in 

 the British West Indies there was much apprehension on the part of the \vhites 

 that there might be uprisings among the slaves. Rumors had spread among the 

 latter alleging good fortune to them far beyond what, the home government 

 had expected to grant them. But a part of their ignorance of their approaching 

 condition .was assumed rather than real. 2 ' 1 The Lieutenant-Governor issued 

 proclamations to both blacks and whites, urging them to be orderly, the masters 

 to use every influence for the preservation of peace, and the slaves to remain in 

 the service of their masters, whom they would have to serve several years 

 longer. 272 The clergy of all denominations, who were enlisted in the cause of 

 order, were very influential among the lower classes. The private secretary of 

 the Lieutenant-Governor was sent with the proclamations among the Out- 

 islands to read them to the people there. Everywhere he was listened to with 

 confidence by the slaves, as he wore the uniform of a soldier. The effect of his 



265 See 4 William IV, 21. See on this act the following chapter on the legal 

 status of the apprentices. 



266 H. V., 1834, p. 102. 

 287 Loc. cit. 



"*Loc. cit., pp. 155-156. 



289 Loc. cit., p. 206. 



270 Loc. cit., p. 253. 



211 In some places the private secretary of the Lieutenant-Governor on his 

 trip to the Out-islands found wild misconceptions as to what the negroes were 

 coming to. In one place it was believed not only that they were to become free, 

 but also that all troubles were at an end, and that the King was going to give them 

 bread all the rest of their lives. 



272 Sess. P., 1835, 50 (Part 2), pp. 251-2, and 261. Copies of these proclamations. 



