CHAPTER III. 



Intermarriage between the whites and browns — Public sentiment 

 about color — The proportion of colored and white people in 

 public and professional employments — Colored people of note 

 — The English policy towards them. 



It was sixteen years in August, since slavery was 

 abolished on this island, and the apprenticeship system, 

 which took its place, was abolished four years later. Since 

 that period, the laws have recognised no complexional dis- 

 tinctions among the inhabitants. The black people have 

 enjoyed the same political privileges as the whites, and 

 with them have shared the honors and the patronage of 

 the mother and local governments. 



The effect of this policy upon the people of color may 

 be partially anticipated ; but one accustomed to the pro- 

 scribed condition of the free blacks in the United States, 

 will constantly be startled at the diminished importance 

 attached here to the matter of complexion. Intermar- 

 riages are constantly occurring between the white and 

 colored people, their families associate together within 

 the ranks to which by wealth and culture they respectively 



