The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1824-08-13 00:00:00

TO TOE EDITOR OF THE DRITISII PREYS.
--nr-- . _ .

sto—When I last wrote to you on the subject of the'
West Indies, !pledged myself to use facts instead of urgu-
Lucius. In my last letter, I think, I brought forward facts
enough to prove that the planters were not, as is bare-
fa-41y stated, the enemies of moral and religious improve.
mem in their slaves. I shall now prove by official docu-
ments that the condition of the slaves is far from being
as has been represented.
TLe legisiatute of Dominica, taking into consideration
the danger of allowing unanswered calumnies to go abroad,
ordered a Committee to Investigate an.l report on the eon.
dition. treatment, rights, and privileges of the negro popu-
lation: and from Ibis Report I beg to submit to you the
following extract. The authorities on which it is collided
are thus deseiibed by the Committee :
nom ni my individuals possessing, from othets hiring the
superintendence and rate of, the largest estates, belonging to rest.
dent and absent proprietors, from the clergymen of the different re.
pentuasions, from medical gentlemen of high character and
catcesive practice, from the register of slaves, from the recants of
the Courts olJustire, and from the laws of the island, they have
procural a body of evidence, upon which they Ilan foccded their
Ittmort, to the truth of which they challenge the severest loves-
t,g4tlntl.
The following account of the treatment of the slaves
will. 1 have no doubt, surprise those of your readers who
have been taught to believe, that their lite is one uninter-
mitred series of haul labour and hard blows, competed to
which the life of a chimney-sweepar's donkey would le
o:iarn cart dignitate
CERTIFICATE OF 115. CIREENIFAT.
I do hereby ceetify, that for upwards of thirty years post I have
bad the medical care of several of the largest plantations in this
island, and that during that period I have in general found every
attention paid to the comforts of the region, in providing them
Stith wine, medicines, and every other neensavy ; and that my
instructiors in regard to their proper diet have been strictly attended
to, and have witnessed the greatest solicitude for their recovery.
And I do further certify, that for several years past, the situation
of the negro population. as far as they antic within my Imostledge,
has been gradually much ameliorated in every respect.
Given under toy band, at Roseau, this sth day of
June,
Jolts OILIENWAY.
SOrgcon and ?realms:a of Physic.

CLUTITICATE Or SPALDIXO.
Ido hereby certify, that tut upwards of three years past I nave
had the incOical attendance of several plantations in this island,'
and drat during that period, I Fare in general found every atten-
tion paid to the comfort of the sick. in providing them with media
ciao. win..., and Corry other necessary ; and that mV Instructions in
tepid w their proper diet have been strictly attended to. And I
do funher certify, that the negro population, as far as they have
OM within ivy knowledge, arc comfortably lodged, and furnished
with every thing that relates to the necessaries and cotterniences
st life.
Given order my hand, at Roseau, this 6th day
of June, 11121
Joux SPALIIISO, Surgeon.

iretvittgavr. or DR. .101INSTVWE.
Ido hereby certify, that I have resided in this Colony 32 years,
and that during the greatest part of that time I have had the me-
Meal care of a number of large estates in different parts of the
ishad; that for the last six years 1 have had the care of all the
rdipal estates in the quarter of St. Joseph's: and that always
mo the proprietors and anomies of the different properties
anions that every attention should be paid to the comfort of the
sick wroes, by allowing them wine, and every article of nourish-
ment necesaary for their situation.; and that my directions respect-
sr their medicines and diet have been uniformly attended to.
I do further certify, that the condition of the negroes ree-
fer. in this quarter, has been very much ameliorated in every
r.,Pect during the six years that I nave resided in it.
at. Joseph's, June 8, 1323.
JADES Joy NITONT, M.D.
Wlds regard to the freedom of conscience and religions
kernction enjoyed by tlie slaves, this Report gives the
most satisfactory statements. It contains a full account of
the establishment of a Branch Clutch Missionary Society,
shish has received every encouragement from the inhabi-
tants of Dominica, and the school-muter of which re-
ceives a salary of i.;.0/. per annum ; but as the details
would occupy too much of your valuable columns, I shall
content myself with quoting a few certificates rom the
clergytnen of different persuasions throughout the colony

CERTITICACE OF TIIE SEW. JAMES C•TTII.
I do hereby certify, that full liberty is granted at present to the
Wesleyan Missionaries !o visit the estates where the slaves are not
Roca; Catholics, fur the purpose of imparting religioua instruc-
tions, by all the proprietors, or their representatives, to whom ap-
pbcatiou has been made.
/AXIS CATTS,
Joe 5,112 M. Superintendent of the Wesleyan
Miasionarias.
.
CERTIFICATE OT THE CATHOLIC PRIEST.
do hereby certify that since my arrival in this island, in the
year 1819, every facility has been granted by the proprietors of
estates, to enable the negroes to attend Divine Service on Sundays,
and the hol:Juys, st the Roman Catholic Church ; and that the
attendance of the Legnica is so rest that the church is crowded to
tams ; and that every attention is paid to their religious instruc-
tion, and that hardly a Sunday passes without the Communion
being administer. d to slaves.
Given under my band at Roseau, this 11th day of
June, 1823.
JEAN DE LA THOS Xtwrwo, Curs.
That these clergymen are not useless, will appear from
the only official record we can nave of a clergyman's
activity, a registry of baptisms and marriages :
Return of baptisms and msraiages of slaves solemnized by me
fee the last two years.
30th May 1823. 21. C. C. Nrwstow.
During the year 1021 . None
1822 . . . . 6 Baptisms
182277 . 2 Marriages
1823 6 Baptisms.
Return of haptisms of slaver, performed by the Roman Catholic
fleryyman, in the island of Dominica :—•
Rtes l.r Jan. 1821, to Ist Jan. 1822 • . . .
lo Jan. 1022, to Ist Jan. 1823 . . 325
lit Jun. 1823, to 21th May, 1823 • • • 146

Total - • • 791
Ido hereby certify that the above is a correct return of glares
Larded by the Roman g:atholic Clergyman, as appears by the
Register. JtAX DZ LA Hos 'Wits°, Care.
Rtorn of marriages of slaves, celebrated by the Roman Catho.
lie Clergyman. the island of Dominicr :
From Ist Jan. 1821, to Ist Jan. 1822 . 13 Marriages
lot Jan. 11.22, to Ist Jnn. 1823 - 17
Ist Jaa. 11.22, to 7th June, 1811 . Ditto.

Total - • • 37
I dn hereby etrtify, that the above Is • correct return of the
re.rm; .ot celebrated by the Roman Catholic Clergyman,
at app.:as by the Register.
JEAN DE LA Ifos XIMEXO, Canaries,
6c of slaves, performed by the Wesleyan Missionaries,
Ist o: January, 1821, to May 30, 11r23. Tota/, till.
J•Mss C ' ATTs Wesleyan Missionary..
Mortaces pelfrmed between slaves by the Wenleyan 31budon-
iret. (Nan tle January, 1821, to the 30th of slay, lira.
Tots: yg.
JAMES Wesleyan Niwionary.
I shall conclude this long letter with a short document,
141,1 s must astonish some folks.
iN!t'r^of due% who have been manumitted from the Ist of
mulu
0111.. 10. v.1,,21, to the ht of Juno, 1E323. Total, lOU. Number of
rPnl,tur.nerly slaves, receiving pensions from the colony,
111 M are fatts---,leny them who can.
I am, Sir, your obedient Servant,
A IV EST INDIA PLANTER.

teams Papists, r x T7:4, Ilerrisaant, &French
tilx°Pher, eneoseit three toads in boxes, and covered the
rsitu plaster of Paris, to the c nviplete exclusion of
: lie then deposited the boxes at the Academy of,
2esez, at Pais, and in eighteen months afterwards tiny'
t• Two of tl:e toads were found living, and
'Loa. Unfortunately the diinensions of the boxes
" tot ben recorded. Dr. Edwards, from whose
.."31"..:c We have taken this account, lately made sonic
of a similar nature; and he seems to have t,i, that whatever care may be taken completely to!
toad in plaster, the air will penetrate ; that it is
Itesaiittol through the material ; which is probably klso
76ote when toads have been known to live enclosed in
73 and wood, and that when these animals are coin-
m•tlY excluded front the air, by the interposition of
°kis/ or mercury, they slieeili,y die.—The Chemist.
r111!too's M eon suntan, the
-"" August, this Chapel will be re-opened, after the
Iqt:sad alterations. A solemn II igh Mass will be sung
Itlglat key. Dr. lirainstitii and the Sermon preached
I lie Right Rev. Dr. Poynter.
triune Lorne—Twe "Frenchmen had • dispute sometime
whm tale of the parties scot • challenge to the othee,
~,.1!oly accepted small swords, pistols, with calibre bit
worry as Mu. shut, and powder in lots, of 14 premier
iwit;;llldlet more than from fair to` middling—was picked up.
:‘:3ku,„ ~Kigs Procured. the day apointed, one of' the party
len"ll:l,l34,erhire was the place. and the other Rhode
In "44* his fool, and we hare not heard one single re-
ipt,4l.rt this mistindtestanding might be by mutual consent
kk, o,7bollerire wasgiven, they whispered so lout!, that \Vil-
la", 01, etier's vales, was that of a humming-bird to it. As
647 n'Welling in an opposite direction, they calculate upon long
Bunkum.