The agricultural laborers may leave the field whenever they choose, (provided they give a month's previous notice,) and engage in any other business; or they may purchase land and become cultivators themselves, though in either case they are of course liable to forfeit their houses on the estates.
9th.

They may leave the island, if they choose, and seek their fortunes in any other part of the world, by making provision for their near relatives left behind.

This privilege has been lately tested by the emigration of some of the negroes to Demerara.

The authorities of the island became alarmed lest they should lose too many of the laboring population, and the question was under discussion, at the time we were in Antigua, whether it would not be lawful to prohibit the emigration.
It was settled, however, that such a measure would be illegal, and the planters were left to the alternative of either being abandoned by their negroes, or of securing their continuance by adding to their comforts and treating them kindly.
10.

The right of suffrage, and eligibility to office are subject to no restrictions, save the single one of property, which is the same with all colors.