ST. HELENA 67 



In 1792 laws for the better government of slaves were 

 issued. 



These were embodied in forty-two articles; ordering slaves 

 to be diligent and obedient, and to demean themselves 

 as faithful servants. These laws certainly much improved 

 the condition of the blacks. 



They ordained : — 



That masters and mistresses shall treat their slaves with kindness 

 and protection, with good and wholesome provision, and in sickness, 

 necessary medicines, care and attention. 



That masters and mistresses are to be allowed to correct slaves 

 moderately for wilful neglect or turbulence or abusive language ; 

 the punishment not to exceed twelve lashes with a cat-of-nine-tails. 



That for faults and crimes of greater enormity than above, they 

 should be carried before the justices of the peace and punished by 

 their orders. 



That if masters and mistresses inflicted heavier punishment than 

 was authorized for the offence, or punish without reasonable cause, 

 that they should be considered as guilty of assault as if the offence 

 had been committed against a free person. 



That in case the proprietors of slaves did not supply them with 

 proper clothing, medicine, etc., it shall be lawful for the slaves to 

 make complaint to the justices of peace — the Governor to be one — 

 and if necessary, the proprietors to be fined. 



All slaves, except those employed as household servants, shall be 

 allowed Sunday to themselves, and not be required to work thereon 

 for their masters. 



And that household slaves also shall be spared from labour on 

 Sundays as much as may reasonably be consistent, and to be allowed 

 alternately one Sunday in two for themselves. 



And that no slaves shall be allowed to collect or carry wood on a 

 Sunday, either for their masters or mistresses or for themselves, on 

 pain of being punished by the order of two justices of the peace. 



Sir Hudson Lowe aimed at the progressive abolition of 

 slavery. It might, it is true, have been abolished by legisla- 

 tion, but that would have been at an enormous cost, besides 

 which, a sudden freedom of all restraint on those who had 

 been born and brought up in slavery would have led to 

 grave consequences in many cases. The slave-owners 

 listened with respect to Sir Hudson when he addressed 

 them on this matter, and pointed out that St. Helena was 

 then the only spot under British Government where slavery 

 existed. He owned that in no part of the world did slavery 

 exist in a milder form than in this island : still it would be 



