It is possible, indeed, that these last mentioned, unless the population is proportionably increased, may affect the cultivation of the larger estates, but there they are, and flourishing, as I have described, whilst I was in the island.

A contiguous, though abandoned estate was purchased by Sir Henry Martin for about 9,500 _l._ currency, being 3,000 _l._ more than he had offered a few years previously.

To compare Barbados with any other island, either as to population, wealth, or state of agriculture, is unnecessary.

I have seen nothing like the commercial activity which I saw in the streets yesterday, except at St.Thomas; and I feel, therefore, on all these grounds, that the act may be passed safely and justly.

At the same time I am not unmindful or insensible to the state of public opinion in the mother country, nor to the many new and harassing annoyances to which the proprietors may be exposed during a protracted continuance of the apprenticeship.