THE BAHAMA ISLANDS 509 



efficient the magisterial system, and by working through it the government 

 would be enabled to act with more confidence, concerting measures for the 

 general improvement. 382 Much information was thus collected and reported 

 by these officers. Another duty that became increasingly important with the 

 passing of time was that of the supervision of voluntary agreements between 

 employers and apprentices. In all cases in which the parties could agree on 

 specific terms such agreements were encouraged. In this respect especially 

 did the special justices act as a safeguard to the interests of the apprentices. 

 It was found that voluntary engagements for task work, or otherwise, called 

 forth in the best manner the dormant energies of the negroes and encouraged 

 industrious habits in them. All such agreements had to be voluntary on the 

 part of the apprentices in order to be binding. The special justices were 

 enjoined to see that the terms of all agreements were not unreasonable and that 

 they were fully understood by the negroes, dealing with all parties as f reemen. m 

 In all things they were urged to use their moral influence to gain the confidence 

 of the people and to promote peaceful interests. 881 They had the power in this, 

 as in other things, to impose penalties on both employers and employees, in 

 order to enforce compliance with the regulations in the abolition laws. 



In addition to these regular duties there arose from time to time special 

 duties which it was convenient to have these officers perform. One of these 

 was that of their assistance in the summer of 1835 in the reclassification of 

 the apprentices. This was necessitated by the habit prevailing in many parts 

 of employing praedial apprentices as if they were non-praedials. As the non- 

 praedials were to be freed on the first of August, 1838, a confusion might have 

 resulted as to who were, and who were not, non-praedials. It was necessary to 

 keep the classes of apprentices carefully distinguished. Many of the praedials 

 as well as non-praedials were eager to redeem the unexpired portion of their 

 apprenticeship. 885 



OPERATIONS OF APPRENTICESHIP SYSTEM. 



As far as this Colony was concerned the British Ministry was not mistaken 

 as to the probable results of the establishment of the special magistracy. The 

 English justices accepted the responsibility that awaited them and established 

 order. They secured such mutual good understanding that disquietude and 



382 Colebrooke to Glenelg, No. 69. 



383 Sess. P., 1836, 49, pp. 534-5. , 



384 Loc. cit., p. 517. 



385 Colebrooke to Aberdeen, No. 36. 



