There had, he believed, been more marriages within the last three years among the negro population, than have occurred before since the settlement of the island.
We conclude this chapter by subjoining two highly interesting documents from special magistrates.

They were kindly furnished us by the authors in pursuance of an order from his excellency the Governor, authorizing the special magistrates to give us any official statements which we might desire.

Being made acquainted with these instructions from the Governor, we addressed written queries to Major Colthurst and Captain Hamilton.

We insert their replies at length.
COMMUNICATION FROM MAJOR COLTHURST, SPECIAL MAGISTRATE.
The following fourteen questions on the working of the apprenticeship system in this colony were submitted to me on the 30th of March, 1837, requesting answers thereto.
1.

What is the number of apprenticed laborers in your district, and what is their character compared with other districts?
The number of apprenticed laborers, of all ages, in my district, in nine thousand four hundred and eighty, spread over two hundred and ninety-seven estates of various descriptions--some very large, and others again very small--much the greater number consisting of small lots in the near neighborhood of Bridgetown.