Such is the decided belief of many of the first men in the island.

The planters, say they, flog their apprentices, and then, to prevent their complaining to the magistrate, threaten them with severe punishment, or bribe them to silence by giving them a few shillings.

The attorney-general mentioned an instance of the latter policy.

A planter got angry with one of his head men, who was a constable, and knocked him down.

The man started off to complain to the special magistrate.