538 HISTORY 



although convinced of the expediency of an early dissolution.*™ In the early 

 part of the following year this body was sent back to the people who had 

 elected it, in order to secure another expression of their will.**' 



The praedial apprentices were now released from the unexpired portion 

 of their term of apprenticeship."' Old and infirm persons now coming free 

 were to be supported at the expense of the State unless otherwise provided 

 for."' In order to prevent the praedials and others from being thrown upon 

 the public without homes, two months notice was made necessary before an 

 ejectment from rented property could be forced. But there was no general 

 disposition to take advantage of the negroes in any such way. August 1, 1838, 

 passed by with no demonstrations of insubordination on the part of the class 

 which was coming into command of itself. The harmonious relations 

 that had existed since the latter part of the j-ear 1835 continued to prevail.*" 

 The employers and men acted in the best spirit. Content with their relations 

 since the abolition, the negroes wished to continue in the service of their 

 former employers, and the latter were disposed to enter into relations for 

 mutual benefit.*" In addition to this, the indentures of the Africans were 

 cancelled in the autumn of this year (1838). The last of bonded labor as 

 a general system was done away with in the Bahamas. It had long been in ex- 

 istence here. Henceforth the affairs of the Colony concern freemen. In the 

 next chapter it will be necessary to show how the progressive spirit of English 

 nineteenth century politics dealt with the negro as a freeman, how unceasing 

 were the efforts made to educate him and to further ameliorate his condition, by 

 introducing into his very being the seeds of civilization, of morality, and of 

 economic well-being. 



the period 1838 to 1848. 

 The Opposition Party and the Government. 



The numerous contests with the Assembly during the last decade were not 

 calculated to produce harmony between the government and the House of 

 Assembly. The small number of those who were likely to be elected to seats in 



"'Log. cit. 



'"Cockburn to Glenelg, No. 14 (1839). 

 «=2 Vic, 1. 

 ' '^Loc. cit. Also Sess. P., 1839, 37, p. 487 (12). 

 "'Cookburn to Glenelg, No. 96. Sess. P., 1839, 37, p. 487 (12). 

 *»Sess. P., 1839, 37, p. 487 (14). Loc. cit., p. 12, report of S. J., for New 

 Providence. 



