8 



INTRODUCTION. 



they are on a footing with the proprietors of land in the 

 mother country. 



In order to understand the exact nature of the claims of 

 the Colonists, it is necessary to revert to the circumstances 

 attending the passing of the act for the abolition of 

 slavery. 



In the first place, the right to hold property in slaves 

 must be considered as admitted. This is placed beyond 

 doubt by the manner in which slavery originated in 

 our West Indian possessions. We find, by reference 

 to the laws of the period, that grants of land were 

 given, on the express condition, that a certain number 

 of slaves should be settled and maintained thereon, 

 and these slaves were sold to the settlers by British 

 subjects, under the authority of Government. Numerous 

 subsequent acts recognised and confirmed the property 

 thus created. 



The legal right to the possession of property in slaves, 

 was therefore indisputable ; it was fully recognised by the 

 State, in their directing an appraisement of their value, with 

 a view to compensate the proprietors ; and it was finally 

 determined to award them a limited grant of money, and to 

 secure to them such advantages of a fiscal nature, as would 

 equal in value their remaining claims. 



The feeling which originated the abolition of slavery, 

 was creditable to the nation, and although the measure 

 might have been perfected, in a greater degree, by a more 

 wise and cautious legislation, there can be no doubt that 



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