THE BAHAMA ISLANDS 4!)9 



by the clergy of all denominations, or by any authority competent to celebrate 

 marriages between other free persons. 3 " Other rights and privileges, attendant 

 on the marriage bond, were now in the possession of the negroes as with other 

 freemen. The separation of husband and wife, or of parents and children, was 

 forbidden. 315 



Corporal punishment. Parliament no longer hesitated to declare itself 

 as to the flogging of women. The imperial abolition act plainly forbade such 

 punishments for the future. The colonists acceded to this provision. 316 Pun- 

 ishments of male apprentices were also restricted. Masters applied the lash 

 to them only with the consent of a special justice. Other modes of punish- 

 ment were recommended. Corporal punishment fell into disfavor, was less 

 frequently employed and finally before the end of the apprenticeship period it 

 was dispensed with altogether. 317 



Manumission. Every facility was given to apprentices to become freemen. 

 Although the apprenticeship was to continue for the period of four years, 

 means were provided by which the apprentices could become free before the 

 end of that period, and in some cases even without the consent of their employ- 

 ers. 318 An employer could set his apprentice free by an instrument in writing 

 attested before one or more justices of the peace, thus absolving the apprentice 

 from obligation for service during the unexpired term of his apprenticeship. 31 ' 1 

 In case of joint ownership of an apprentice, either of the parties entitled to his 

 services was competent to make a valid and complete release of the laborer 

 from obligation to the joint owners. 320 A negro illegally held as an apprentice 

 was authorized to sue for his freedom. On presentation in court of the proof 

 of the right to his freedom he could recover nominal damages, in addition to 

 wages for the time during which he was illegally held to service. 321 



314 5 William IV, 8 (6). See also 4 William IV, 21. 



315 5 William IV, 8 (11). The auxiliary abolition act allowed the separation 

 of children over fourteen years of age from their parents. This was repugnant to 

 the act of Parliament (sec. 9), and the Secretary of State called attention to the 

 fact in his comments on the auxiliary act. Sess. P., 1835, 50 (part 2), 258. The 

 Assembly later adopted the improvement suggested by this despatch. 



3 "See 3 and 4 William IV, 73 (17), of Imp. Stats., and 4 William IV, 21, 

 Col. Stats. 



317 Sess. P., 1836, 49, p. 532, Colebrooke's report on the apprenticeship system, 

 in his despatch of Oct. 8, 1835. Also Colebrooke to Glenelg, No. 85. 



318 Imp. Stats., 3 and 4 William IV, 73 (8). 



319 4 William IV, 21. 



320 Loc. cit., sec. 8. 



321 4 William IV, 21. 



