"I have found that the negroes are readily controlled by law; more so perhaps than the laboring cla.s.ses in other countries."--_David Cranstoun, Esq._
"The conduct of the negro population generally, has surpa.s.sed all expectation. They are as pliant to the hand of legislation, as any people; perhaps more so than some." _Wesleyan Missionary_.
Similar sentiments were expressed by the Governor, the Hon. N. Nugent, R.B. Eldridge, Esq., Dr. Ferguson, Dr. Daniell, and James Scotland, Jr., Esq., and numerous other planters, managers, &c. This testimony is corroborated by the police reports, exhibiting, as they do, comparatively few crimes, and those for the most part minor ones. We have in our possession the police reports for every month from September, 1835, to January, 1837. We give such specimens as will serve to show the general tenor of the reports.
_Police-Office, St. John"s, Sept_. 3, 1835.
"From the information which I have been able to collect by my own personal exertions, and from the reports of the a.s.sistant inspectors, at the out stations, I am induced to believe that, in general, a far better feeling and good understanding at present prevails between the laborers and their employers, than hitherto.
Capital offences have much decreased in number, as well as all minor ones, and the princ.i.p.al crimes lately submitted for the investigation of the magistrates, seem to consist chiefly in trifling offences and breaches of contract.
_Signed, Richard S. Wickham,
Superintendent of Police_."
"To his excellency,
_Sir C.I. Murray McGregor, Governor, &c_.
_St. John"s, Antigua, Oct_. 2, 1835.
Sir--The general state of regularity and tranquillity which prevails throughout the island, admits of my making but a concise report to your Excellency, for the last month.
The autumnal agricultural labors continue to progress favorably, and I have every reason to believe, that the agriculturalists, generally, are far more satisfied with the internal state of the island affairs, than could possibly have been antic.i.p.ated a short period since.
From conversations which I have had with several gentlemen of extensive interest and practical experience, united with my own observations, I do not hesitate in making a favorable report of the general easy and quietly progressing state of contentedness, evidently showing itself among the laboring cla.s.s; and I may add, that with few exceptions, a reciprocity of kind and friendly feeling at present is maintained between the planters and their laborers.
Although instances do occur of breach of contract, they are not very frequent, and in many cases I have been induced to believe, that the crime has originated more from the want of a proper understanding of the time, intent, and meaning of the contract into which the laborers have entered, than from the actual existence of any dissatisfaction on their part."
_Signed, &c._
_St. John"s, Antigua, Dec. 2d_, 1835.
"Sir--I have the honor to report that a continued uninterrupted state of peace and good order has happily prevailed throughout the island, during the last month.
The calendar of offences for trial at the ensuing sessions, bears little comparison with those of former periods, and I am happy to state, that the crimes generally, are of a trifling nature, and princ.i.p.ally petty thefts.
By a comparison of the two last lists of offences submitted for investigation, it will be found that a decrease has taken place in that for November."
_Signed, &c_.
St. John"s, January 2d, 1836.
"Sir--I have great satisfaction in reporting to your Honor the peaceable termination of the last year, and of the Christmas vacation.
At this period of the year, which has for ages been celebrated for scenes of gaiety and amus.e.m.e.nt among the laboring, as well as all other cla.s.ses of society, and when several successive days of idleness occur, I cannot but congratulate your Honor, on the quiet demeanor and general good order, which has happily been maintained throughout the island.
It may not be improper here to remark, that during the holidays, I had only one prisoner committed to my charge, and that even his offence was of a minor nature."
_Signed, &c_.
_Extract of Report for February, 1836._
"The operation of the late Contract Acts, caused some trifling inconvenience at the commencement, but now that they are clearly understood, even by the young and ignorant, I am of opinion, that the most beneficial effects have resulted from these salutary Acts, equally to master and servant, and that a permanent understanding is fully established.
A return of crimes reported during the month of January, I beg leave to enclose, and at the same time, to congratulate your Honor on the vast diminution of all minor misdemeanors, and of the continued total absence of capital offences."
_Superintendent"s office_, _Antigua, April 4th_, 1836.
"SIR--I am happy to remark, for the information of your Honor, that the Easter holidays have pa.s.sed off, without the occurrence of any violation of the existing laws sufficiently serious to merit particular observation."[A]
_Signed, &c_.
[Footnote A: This and the other reports concern, not St. John"s merely, but the entire population of the island.]
_Extract from the Report for May, 1836._
"It affords me great satisfaction in being able to report that the continued tranquillity prevailing throughout the island, prevents the necessity of my calling the particular attention of your Honor to the existence of any serious or flagrant offence.
The crop season having far advanced, I have much pleasure in remarking the continued steady and settled disposition, which on most properties appear to be reciprocally established between the proprietors and their agricultural laborers; and I do also venture to offer as my opinion, that a considerable improvement has taken place, in the behavior of domestic, as well as other laborers, not immediately employed in husbandry."
We quote the following table of offences as a specimen of the monthly reports:
_Police Office, St. John"s, 1836._
RETURN OF OFFENCES REPORTED AT THE POLICE STATIONS FROM 1ST TO 31ST MAY.
NATURE OF St. E. Par- John- Total. More Less OFFENSES. John"s. Har- ham. ston"s than than bour. Point. last last month. month.
a.s.saults. 2 2 4 5 Do. and Batteries. 2 3 5 10 8
Breach of Contract. 4 11 59 74 16
Burglaries. 2 3 5 2
Commitments under Vagrant Act. 4 1 5 10 Do. for Fines. 5 5 2 Do under amended Porter"s and Jobber"s Act. 7