[The Anti-Slavery Examiner, Part 2 of 4 by American Anti-Slavery Society]@TWC D-Link book
The Anti-Slavery Examiner, Part 2 of 4

CHAPTER III
262/620

It is well known that the Peasantry have not taken to a wandering life: they are not lost to the cultivated parts of the Colony: for the reports hitherto received from the Superintendents of Rivers and Creeks make no mention of an augmented population in the distant parts of their respective districts.
I hear of few commitments, except in this town, where, of course, many of the idle have flocked from the country.

On the East Coast, there has been only one case brought before the High Sheriff's Court since the 1st of August.

In the last Circuit, not one! With these facts before us, we may, I trust, anticipate the continued prosperity of the Colony; and though it be possible there may be a diminution in the exports of the staple commodities in this and the succeeding quarter, yet we must take into consideration that the season had been unfavorable, in some districts, previous to the 1st August, therefore a larger proportion of the crops remained uncut; and we may ask, whether a continuance of compulsory labor would have produced a more favorable result?
Our united efforts will, I trust, not be wanting to base individual prosperity on the welfare of all." The Governor of Demerara is HENRY LIGHT, Esq., a gentlemen who seems strongly inclined to court the old slavery party and determined to shew his want of affinity to the abolitionists.

In another speech delivered on a similar occasion, he says: "Many of the new freemen may still be said to be in their infancy of freedom, and like children are wayward.

On _many of the estates_ they have repaid the kindness and forbearance of their masters; on others they have continued to take advantage of (what?
the kindness and forbearance of their masters?
No.) their new condition, are idle or irregular in their work.


<<Back  Index  Next>>

D-Link book Top

TWC mobile books