Thus were two men, notoriously guilty of violations of law and humanity, publicly encouraged and protected, while Stephen Bourne, who according to the testimony of the present and late attorney-general had acted not only justly but _legally_, was suffering every species of persecution and indignity for so doing." Probably nothing could demonstrate the meanness of the artifices to which the planters resort to get rid of troublesome magistrates better than the following fact.

When the present governor, in making his tour of the island, came into St.Thomas in the East, some of the planters of Manchioneal district hired a negro constable on one of the estates to go to the governor and complain to him that Mr.Chamberlain encouraged the apprentices to be disorderly and idle.

The negro went accordingly, but like another Balaam, he prophesied _against his employers_.

He stated to the governor that the apprentices on the estate where he lived were lazy and wouldn't do right, _but he declared that it was not Mr.C.'s fault, for that he was not allowed to come on the estate!_ Having given such an unfavorable description of the mass of planters, it is but just to add that there are a few honorable exceptions.

There are some attorneys and overseers, who if they dared to face the allied powers of oppression, would act a noble part.