courts to convict slave-traders, either the fear of the gibbet, or the treaty with Radama, or the convention of the Imaum of Muscat, will prevent the revival of the Slave Trade (even supposing it to have ceased for a time), now, more especially, since the abolition of the protecting duties on sugar, and the enhancement of the price of that article, have combined to give a new and powerful stimulus to the extension of sugar planting. It were folly to expect it.

This general, but, as it appears, most conclusive reasoning on the subject, derives additional force from the amazing disparity in the sexes existing among the slaves of the Mauritius, which does not appear to have been lessened since the capture of the colony, but which would have been greatly lessened in the intervening period, had importations really ceased. The inference fairly deducible from this fact is corroborated by the late progressive increase of the sugar cultivation of the Mauritius-a cultivation not only more destructive to human life than any other, but requiring a greater number of hands to carry it on. Connected with this fact, it is further necessary to bear in mind the known prejudices of the Mauritius planters in favour of the buying, as compared with the breeding, system; the contiguity of the slave markets; the extraordinary cheapness of the slaves; the known partiality of the courts of justice in favour of slavetraders; and the eminently harsh and destructive nature of the bondage which prevails in this island. These things considered, it is impossible to acquiesce in the opinion, so confidently announced, of the cessation of the Slave Trade in the Mauritius.

But, independently of all the strong presumptions adduced above, and which are sufficient to justify the refusal of an implicit assent to the statements that represent the illicit importation of slaves into the Mauritius as having ceased, circumstances have occurred which go far to convert these presumptions into proof, and which at least call for increased vigilance in enforcing the laws, and for increased attention to the due registration of the slaves.

XIII. MONTSERRAT.

From this island there is no information whatever of any kind.

XIV. NEVIS.

The legislature of this island has limited itself to the expression of an opinion, that it is adviseable to pause in a matter so generally affecting the interests of the colony, till they can learn what has been done at the seat of government, St. Christopher's, or some other of the principal colonies where, it is understood, consolidated slave-acts are in progress.

XV. ST. CHRISTOPHER'S.

The Governor and the Chief Justice of this island appear to have been very solicitous to urge forward the amelioration of the slave code, and the improvement also of the condition of the free classes. From the legislature, however, nothing has as yet proceeded beyond the following statement contained in an address to the Governor." We are fully aware of the necessity which exists as to the amendment and consolidation of the several laws relating to slaves, the foundation for which is so surely laid that we augur as speedy a consummation of this measure, as the cautious deliberation which it demands shall permit. We approach this alteration in the actual condition of our labouring classes, with a perfect knowledge of the result at which it aims, to which we cheerfully devote our attention, upon the express stipulation of full and fair indemnity for every interest that shall be injured thereby."

A letter is inserted from the Chief Justice, Pickwood, to the Governor, Maxwell, on the subject of reform, which contains some passages worthy of being noted.

"Although our statute-book," he observes, "is disgraced

with perhaps fewer sanctions to atrocious and sanguinary conduct towards the slave population than are to be found among our neighbours, there is still much which proclaims the age when these our fellow-creatures were considered of less importance than the soil which they cultivated, or the cattle which they drove."-" Aware of the impossibility of reconciling the various incongruities of the slave code, with the better feelings which now prevail towards them, and the change in their condition, which that feeling and their improved habits demand, I resolved at once on the repeal of every existing law bearing on this subject."-He then proposes to abolish the odious terms "slave, and slavery," and to substitute" vassal, and vassalage," and thus "strip the condition of these people of an opprobrium which is revolting to all who venerate, or would preserve the institutions to which the condition of these people is at once an exception and a reproach *."-He proposes to appoint a protector, and to abolish Sunday markets; but he cannot bring himself to abolish wholly the flogging of females, who, he says, are the most turbulent, and the agitators on all occasions. "Until coercion shall cease to be the incitement to labour, I do not consider it to be expedient that women should be altogether exempted from this mode of chastisement." He adopts the other regulations of the Order in Council as to marriage, separation of relations by judicial sale, property, manumissions, and savings banks. In regard to evidence, he extends the principle beyond the Order in Council. He has never seen the necessity (nor can we see it) of any restriction on its admission under the precautions which courts would necessarily adopt. "The prevailing feelings of our juries against the credibility of Negro evidence in general, will be an ample safeguard against the bias it may be supposed to have. I have therefore in the Bill I have framed authorized its reception in all civil suits or actions, in which the owner is concerned, or where any White person may be charged with any offence punishable with death; for the re

* We conceive, on the contrary, that it is important the name should con tinue while the abomination exists.

ception of such testimony can alone do away with the reproach which now attaches to us, that not only cruelty but murder may be committed openly, and in the presence of hundreds, without the possibility of obtaining evidence for the conviction of the offender*."-Mr. Pickwood further states, that he has adopted the penal clause on cruelty from the Trinidad Order, and has added clauses to secure to the slave a sufficiency of food, allotments of land, clothing, time, ́attendance on public worship, medical treatment, &c. (points not touched upon by the Order in Council.) We regret to observe the numerous and vexatious disabilities, and distinctions, which Mr. Pick wood has thought it necessary, we suppose in deference to West-Indian prejudices, to sanction and perpetuate in his Bill. Those disabilities and distinctions are stated to consist, in requiring that they should. be provided with a pass on going abroad; in the mode of apprehending fugitives, and of the punishment for harbouring or concealing them; in searching their houses for stolen goods; in the sale of liquor or arms to them, or their obtaining goods under false pretences; and in the penalties attached to their being concerned in rebellion, or murder, or using words tending to rebellion, or in preparation of mischief; to their firing squibs or struggling with, or wounding, a White person; to their galloping horses through the streets; their cruelty to cattle; their gambling, or unlicenced dances; their pretending to witchcraft; and their preparing poison, or having poisonous drugs in their possession, These offences," he adds, are not less offences in the White man than in the slave; but they are here especially provided against, as requiring, in some cases, a more summary mode of investigation, and a different punishment+."

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* It may be worth while pointing out how exactly the remarks contained in the Second Anti-slavery Report (p. 76), on that part of the Trinidad Order which relates to the evidence of slaves, tally with the ob servations of this intelligent lawyer and judge.

+ But does not the principle so well laid down by Lord Bathurst, in the case of the Bahama Act, apply with equal force to the projected law of St. Christopher's?" Since the superiority of rank and education which belong to the White inhabitant is an aggravation of the offence committed by

XVI. SAINT LUCIA.

The communications from this island, which occupy a large space, commence with letters addressed to Lord Bathurst, from Major-General Mainwaring, and Colonel Blackwall, who have successively administered its government. The sentiments expressed in these letters bear strong marks of the influence of West-India prejudice. (A. pp. 231-318.)

The state of the island, in respect to religious instruction, seems most deplorable; it being " without one Protestant minister, or Protestant place of worship," in the whole colony, or even one place of worship at Castries, the chief town, for the Catholics, who form its main population. In two or three respects, the slave code of St. Lucia is more. favourable to the slaves than it is in our own colonies. "The evidence of slaves is received, excepting for or against their masters." The law permits, and even ordains, the celebration of the marriages of slaves, with the consent of the owner; but then, adds the Governor, "in this colony, marhim, there is an injustice in assigning to the aggravated offence the minor punishment." The plan of the proposed Act is directly the reverse. It is to assign to the minor offence an aggravated punishment.-Mr. Pickwood observes, that these offences are not less offences in the White man than in the slave. But is it really so? Is it any offence in a White man of St. Christopher's to go abroad without a pass; to use words in preparation for mischief; to fire squibs; to struggle with, or even wound, a White man if in self-defence; to gallop a horse through the streets; to shew cruelty to cattle; to gamble; to have poisonous drugs in his possession? And if such acts are offences when committed by a White man, why should they be punished more leniently in him than in the slave?-It is much to be lamented that the obeah clauses are continued in a Bill framed by so respect-, able a man as Mr. Pickwood. It is remarkable that in the neighbouring island of Antigua, no such disgraceful and unchristian enactment exists; and we have never heard that the very slightest inconvenience has there resulted from the omission. Are our West-Indian legislators so little acquainted with human nature as not to know that witchcraft, obeah, &c., acquire respect and veneration in the eyes of the ignorant, just in proportion as they appear to be regarded with apprehension by the more intelligent; whereas the true cure for the prevalence of a belief in these things. is wholly to disregard them, and to apply our efforts, not to punish the superstition, but to enlighten the ignorance which is its source?