390 TRINIDAD. 



whilst the introduction of the English law at once removed all 

 obstacles. I leave it to impartial men to decide whether this was 

 a sufficient reason for altering the law, by attaching thereunto a 

 retroactive effect. 



I have been induced to make the above observations for the 

 purpose of showing how our laws were, and are executed ; and also 

 that several have been introduced without reference to the cir- 

 cumstances of the colony, or the requirements of the community. 

 I shall now proceed a little further, and suggest the adoption of 

 measures which I consider not only useful but absolutely essential 

 either as preventive enactments, or as corrective of, or with a 

 view to the correction of existing evils. Amongst others a strin- 

 gent Vagrant Act, with proper regulations for carrying it into 

 effect, and also a law of apprenticeship, are of paramount im- 

 portance. 



In a country like ours, where there are no skilful artisans, 

 where parents have a strong inclination to withdraw their children 

 from the culture of the soil, and to engage them in trade, it is 

 evident that a law of apprenticeship becomes a matter of vast im- 

 portance. Such a law ought to be passed immediately, and its 

 provisions made coercive and binding, as also the regulations which 

 would accompany it. It would effectually be a guarantee to the 

 apprentice himself, as well as to the master and the community at 

 large. In no country, perhaps, does there exist a larger number 

 of would-be carpenters, masons, tailors, &c., than in Trinidad; 

 but in no country of the same extent, is to be found a less num- 

 ber of artisans, really acquainted with their trade. 



The number of vagrants, in Trinidad, is beyond all proportion 

 to the population, and the means of subsistence afforded. I call 

 vagrants those idlers, who, with not even an ostensible occupa- 

 tion, can have no reliable source of maintenance ; but strolling 

 about, in rags or filthy clothing, are constantly on the alert to 

 procure, by any means, but especially by that of theft, the neces- 

 saries of life a class that, by bad example and immoral habits, 

 are a pest to society, and a burden on the community. If vaga- 

 bondage were always a consequence of competition in the field of 

 labour, evidently there ought to be no vagrants in Trinidad ; but, 

 as it is principally the consequence of idle dispositions and habits, 

 vagrancy flourishes in all parts of the island. And yet, these 

 canker-worms are left undisturbed ; they enjoy full liberty, and, 



