Asperities seem to be giving way to calm discussion, and the laws are better understood and obeyed.
It is said in other colonies as well as here, that there has been, and still continues to be, a great want of natural affection among the negro parents for their children, and that great mortality among the free children has occurred in consequence.

This opinion, I understand, has been lately expressed in confident terms by the legislature of St.
Vincent's, which has been fully and satisfactorily contradicted by the reports of the special justices to the lieutenant-governor.

The same assertion has been made by individuals to myself.

As regards Barbadoes, I have spared no pains to discover whether such statements were facts, and I now am happy to say, that not a _single instance_ of unnatural conduct on the part of the negro parents to their children has come to my knowledge--far, perhaps too far, the contrary is the case; _over indulgence_ and _petting_ them seems in my judgment to be the only matter the parents can be, with any justice, accused of.

They exhibit their fondness in a thousand ways.