68 ST. HELENA 



in perpetuity, if the present system remained, which decreed 

 that the child of a slave was also a slave. 



He showed that in Ceylon it had been decreed *' that all 

 children born of slave parents after a certain date would 

 be free from birth," and it was this he wished them to 

 imitate. He left the matter to their deliberations ; and 

 after a discussion of not more than ten minutes, the slave- 

 owners carried by acclamation the adoption of his sug- 

 gestion, and a committee of thirteen persons was appointed 

 to frame resolutions, and in four days these were submitted 

 to the Governor and Council with a request that they might 

 pass into law. This was complied with, and by these laws — 



All children bom of a slave woman from and after Christmas 

 Day 1818 were free, but considered as apprentices to the pro- 

 prietors of the mothers, if males, until the age of eighteen years ; 

 and if females, until the age of sixteen years : and that masters and 

 mistresses were to enforce the attendance of free-bom children at 

 church and Sunday school. 



So by degrees a great difference was seen in ta\uur of the 

 slave i)opulation. Importation of slaves had before been 

 prohibited, and those now in slavery were allowed many 

 privileges. Teaching in religion and morality had not been 

 in vain, for a Benevolent Society was formed by Governor 

 Wilks for their education. Statistics show too that whip- 

 ping was not as frequent, though it was still in use ; but 

 Governor Walker devised a treadmill which did away witli 

 the demoralizing punishment of the lash. The treadmill 

 is described as follows : — 



The part upon which the culprits tread is a horizontal circular 

 plane, revolving upon a vertical axis or spindle. The labour is 

 similar to that of pushing with their hands. A cross-bow is placed 

 about the height of the head or a little higher. At every step the 

 wheel recedes from l>ehind them, and there is a contrivance for 

 keeping their bodies in a position leaning forward. The exercise 

 probably is not so severe as that in the English tread- wheels, but 

 augmented punishment can always be administered by making the 

 offenders work in shackles, or by prolonging the duration of the 

 sentence. The purpose to which the machinery is appUcd is that 

 of grinding lime ; a process requisite to give to the lime of St. Helena 

 the quaUties of a good cement. 



Slaves were also at this time allowed to attend church, 

 and alterations had to be made in the interior arrangements 



