The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1825-12-22 00:00:00

formance of its duty, and render all necessary assistance town- '-
the preservation of the honour of the empire inviolate. Thsre is
another subject, on which I shall merely content myself with s
single ohservation. The law for the admissibility of negro evldriir
was evidently ore of the most moderate that could well he propm-A.
The reform was neither violent nor extensive. and vet it wets met.
with a determined and hostile opposition, as if it had been one of the
most violent character. It was not propond to mare neggrro testimony
in all cases conclusive, hut to leave it to the consideration lsf the ju-
dicial authorities of the island. It was only sought to permit the tes-
timony to be taken before a white Judge abd a white Jury, who
afterwards might believe or disbelieve it as they thought
The latter need not believe the evidence If they liked ; th were
only called on to exercise an opinion on its credibility or otherwise.
The question was, Shall the black matt be an admissible witness in
a Court of Justice? What was the answer given by the Assemble
of Jamaica? They negatived the proposition by a majority of
34 to I, which, as it appeared, was, in fact, the whole house against
the single mover and proposer of the measure. This measure, I
repeat, was one of the most moderate of nil those recom-
mended by the order of the King in Council. It *as also
most necessary, because, without it, all the laws in the world
could afford no security to the lives of the slaves, yet it was rejected
by the Assembly of Jamaica, without, in fact, a division of
opinion, none voting In its support but the solitary member who
introduced it. It would be the highest folly to propose any further
measures to an Assembly which had in this manner rejected one
so moderate and reasonable in its nature. Is this, I demand, a re-
sistance and opposition, arising out of reason or contumacy ? and
could such a proceeding be adopted, unless the Legislative As.
sembly of Jamaica had set the opinion of the mother country at
defiance? What do the colonists say by such an act but this ?
"fhe slaves are our property, and none shall interfere be,
between us and our possessions. We will be the sole judges, and
will not alter our laws in the least respect. We will, on the con-
trary, show ourselves to be independent of the authority or advice
of the mother country, and utterly regardless of her opinion, Which,
were she only a friendly nation, we might feel called upon to take.
But no—we will have none of her advice, and we wilt do that to
England which we would hardly venture to do to any neighbouring
nation which 'should proffer her Mein. We will treat her without
respect—we will defy the Parliament of the empire—we will de-
spise its authority, and do that to Britain which we would not yen-
tore to do to a foreign country offering to mediate between us and
our slaves.' This is in fact the language of the Colonial Assembly
of -Jamaica and to this effect do their actions speak. I protest,
Sir, I think the time of contumacious resistance has arrived. It
Is vain to expect any thing from the spontaneous exertions of duocolonists; and Parliament must, therefore, take measures to clear
the national chancier, vindicate its own honour, and, perform its
duty to itself and the country. It is worthy of remark, thgz at the
time of prissing the resolutions of 1823, there were in both Houses of
Parliament West Indian Proprietors, none of whom expressed dis-
approbation, or divided against the measures then pfoposed and
passed. Ido not wish Minnow the sincerity of any of these pro-
prietors; some of them ha-:e shown, by their vain efforts years ago
made, their sincerity and 160 d faith, and proved thmaelves its
earnest when they expressed their desire that ,he colonists should
themselves interfere, take uft the subject, and adopt the necessary
measures. I repeat, I know Some of these individuals Wen sincere,
and I should hope none would silently acquiesce in the vote for the
purpose of warding off and preSenting the adoption of mere active
and positiv'e measures. It would ill become nte to impute an such -
sinister policy to eny portion of the West India proprietors, and I
do not. Look then to the great weight of opinioh by which this re.;
form was recommended to the colonists. It ha 4 the unanimous
approbation of the two Houses of Parliament--of his Majesty's Go.'
vemment ; under their authority it had been introduced into 'eve.
ray great and considerable colonies (there could be no renter
proof of their confidence in its safety) ; it came OM fecorn-
mended by the unanimous concurrence of all the colonial
proprietors in both Houses of Parliftment--by the manna' opi-
nion of all enlightened men—by the opinion of the nation.--:by the
spirit of the age—by.. .
. the feelings of all Europe, which had been
. . .
mainly and princip --sots of
berforce and his at
good work of errant
world had been in
and with all these

lion was proposed t.
have to add, it was
ginlative Assembly
( Hear, hear, hear.)
aineasute recommended

all persons,- parties,
sure ? Are the King',
experiments, *a to put
all the colonial dependencii
position and jealousies
—could the West

sicked, if they thought
Most of all. would •'

opinions hostile to
in silence, if they
of their colonial

something contrary t
credit • miracle wrom.
that regulate the social
cause, reason, or motive.

on this part of the

trust their judgment
the authority of those
than themselves.
could produce this
to British interests'

reason ? If it is one
•eroment to subdue

such measures as
(Loud applause.)
[The Learned Gentleman proceeded to move the firetialsolution,
for which see Advertimement.l
Alt. BaOV6HAM-1 am sure, In rising to Second the resolution
moved by my Hon. and Learned Friend, it is hardly necessary for
me to detain the meeting except for a few moments, anti the less so
after the remarkable force and eloquence with which my respected
friend has addressed his observations to the facts most material to
the subject in hand. I shall therefore not trouble the assembly
at any considerable length, as the Report already read, added to the
address of the preceding speaker, appear to have impressed the
meeting with the importance of the object for which it is as-
sembled in a manner that must render any addltiokal exhor-
tation almost wholly superfluous. Ilevetheless, there ate one
or two things of which I would remind the Meeting, be-
cause, in my opinion, we are assembled under eitmarnstancee
different from any ever before experienced, and these because
they furnish an answer to objections that have ban urged,
which answer, in my mind, is so conclusive as never to admit of
reply. We have been accused of violent enthusinto 'and hot-
headed zeal in this cause, because we feel, and I admit pet strong-
ly, for 830,000 of our fellow-creatures. Because we sympathise in
their unutterable injuries, aggravated ten-fold, and daily rendered
worse and worse by ?epoxied Ids of opnression and cruelty—be.
cause our feelings are aroused when we contemplate the immense
mass of increased and increasing negro wrongs, we are said to he
intemperate, and to be acting with tastiness and 'precipitancy
in forcing on the prevent measure, and in our attempts towards
their relief. The rashness which our enemies, and the enemies of
negro emancipation impute to us, consists in having waited a
quarter of a century • for when the state of the West Indies, and
the abolition of the ;lave trade was first started, thiasobject was
brought in view, and the colonists who resisted the abolition at first
have since made no attempt towards improvement, except in one or
two isolated cases, which it would be a mockery, and doing
a violence to words, •o call by the name of improvement (Hein.,
But we are next charged with intemperance and misrepresentation.
My answer to that will be fount) in the proceedings of this day,.
where I doubt if one word has been said or will be uttered con..
crying any imputation on the colonists, except what is registeied
by the hands and seals of themselves, and confirmed and botne oot
by their own acts. I intended shortly to have called the attention of
the meethig to sonte remarks, in which I ftnd myst/f.anticipmed
by my Hun. Friend. With respect to Mr. Dwartnt. I am content
to give his statement great praise for candour—indeed all the can.
dour end sincerity to be expected, when it is remembered
that Mr. Dwants it himself a planter, and the owner of an
estate containing two hundred and twenty negroes. He was chosen,
it appears, with another gentleman, who had no such West Indian
connexions, to inspect and report on the state of judicial
proceedings in the colonies. The other gentleman is since ac
more, and we are therefore deprived of the advantage ofbis labours,
his share of the report not being before us. However, we have
Mr. IL's, and, under all the circumstances of the ewe, tam pre-
pared to admit his statements reflect great credit on his candour
and sincerity, and contain enough, quite enough, for our pen:poss.
In looking to the report made by thrs gentleman, it was of sortie
importance to know whether it was made after the passing of a law
in Barbadoes which professed to afford same sort of protection to
the slave, or whether it was written before the slave had received
any protection at all against the lad treatment of his master or him
muster's agent. I now understand the report was made after Ow
passing of the Barbadian law of amelioration. I had thought it atam
before. [lt was here intimated it was before the passing of the Act
in question.) It matters not whichever way it mar be—lf this.
Gentleman had seen the Act, and read that part of it bearing a re-
ference to the subject, he could not have been thereby induced tw
change his opinion, but in all likelihood hi might hare caromed
fresh disapprobation, which all candid people must feel at the pars
of it to which I more particularly allude : it is to the effect that,
whereas it is expedient to restrain ownent of stares, and other. their
agents, front excessive cruelty towards their negroes ; and inasmods
a+ the nature of the punishment of flogging depends more upon the
manner in which it is inflicted than upon the precise number of
stripes, it is conducive—to do what ?—to trnst to the humanity
and mnd feeling of the Justices who shall hear the complaint.
%Fell then it proceeds to enact that if any one shall commh
wanton, malicious. and unprovoked act of cruelty, by illegally anti
unduly whipping. beating, or bruising—mark bruiaing—a asrfs,
slave, be shall be—What ?—fined in a sum not exceeding 20t.
currency, or IV. sterling. So that for mane/nasty. wantonly, and
criodly whipping. beating, or bruising—it includes bruising_s,
sl•tve ; in a word, for inflicting any or evil personal
jury short of death or mutilation on a negro—for alias mart is m
tined nt most 171. sterling, and as much less as the 'arldie Magi+.
trate shall think fit—ftmay be seventeen pence. (Heat)' .This :a
the humane and ameliorated law in Barbadnes— the Intlieitirn
the inhabitants of that colony have given of their reatlinesi,edll.,ianl
inclination, to follow the ad vicenf the mother (-nanny and Pas/lament.
This Is all the Barbadians have done on tMa head—passed. an Act
which in the words of their 'maker " is one that will endear their
remembrance to posterity." Seventeen pounds sterling ir the alga_
imum by this Act for cutting or bruising a slave :3 almost ary•
but, as I have said, the minimum tray be 17d. • This lanes

:ipally excited through the means of Mr. 'Wil-
active and humane colleagues in the gnat and
naneipation. The feelings of the entire civilised
in this manner aroused against the slave trade ;
recommendations to their esteem tall reforms-.
to the greatest island of the West Itulties; and I
roe rejected at first sight by the wlrithl of the Le.
31y !—by the entire House to a Allele man !
ar.) Does any one—can any ono-4*litre that
'ended by so general, as universal tr elitcuntenceoe
14, and interests, could have been dosdnsafe mes-
ing's SDnistentauch visionaries, are the so bent out
o put to hoard by a hest), or Imprudent measure
lependencies of Great Britain ? Would the op.,
ousies of political parties have bag so silenced
eitit
Indian proprietors have permitted d Ai pais onet-
ought it dangerous or inimical to lktetests ?
Id those of their body, suspect ' str,wdsbes 'and
to negro emancipation, h4l. permluell It ,to pass
thought it pregnant with dlesnt to.the =Nog
possessions ? To believe /big hi •as ein
ry to every principle of human nature,. and to
wrought, not only in the teeth of all motel lawn
social system, but a miracle wrought without
motive. I have dwelt more fully than,l intended
subject, because many persona Ire pupae to dis-
ent amid conflicting arguments, and' rest upon
hose they consider betta informed on the subject
I ask these if any thing abort of a miracle
is unanimous concurrence in e mod:titre perilous
s? If not, is this • vethiscatfe of contumacy or
ine of contumacy, I call op mu to enable the Go-
due this contumackaisldrincfple of opposition by
i they may think moat effectual and proper.