Their gratitude all flowed toward God and the king, whom they regarded as the sole authors of their liberty." Mr.Watkins observed that "the negroes' motto was God and the king.

This feeling existed particularly at the time of emancipation, and shortly after it.

They have since become more attached to their former masters." It is by no means strange that the negroes should feel little gratitude toward their late masters, since they knew their opposition to the benevolent intentions of the English government.

We were informed by Dr.
Daniell and many others, that for several months before emancipation took place, the negroes had an idea that the king had sent them 'their free papers,' and that _their masters were keeping them back._ Besides, it was but two years before that period, that they had come into fierce and open hostility with the planters for abolishing the Sunday market, and giving them no market-day instead thereof.

In this thing their masters had shown themselves to be their enemies.
That any good thing could come from such persons the slaves were doubtless slow to believe.