The Sun.
London, England, 1824-02-10 00:00:00

STATE OF THE COLONIES.

[The•following letter on this subject is ex-
tracted from the Guiana Chronicle of the 17th
December.]

TO THE RIGHT HON. GEORGE CANNING.

SlR—When you were called, upon to fill the distinguished
place in Government which you now hold, it was said that at no
former period of our history had a Minister of the Crown so
difficult a part to perform.

But, when we now view the vast increase of that difficulty—
when We contemplate the novel situation of neighbouring na-
tions, and the alarming condition of the colonies, we feel an
assurance of the country's safety only in the unlimited con-
fidence which may be placed in your universally acknowledged
talents.

The measures of the lamented Nobleman preceeded you
in office, were more characteristic of great ability than of firm-
ness: under his administration a new and dangerous party
grew up, whose influence has long alarmed every well-wisher
and admirer of the prosperity and greatness of England—a
party no less artful and vigilant in every part of, the country,
than intriguing and ambitious in Parliament; at one moment
using the lowly language of the humble " Saint," at another
arrogantly anathematizing all who may oppose the march of
their cunning schemes.

This party, formerly denominated " Saint," and now 4,. Phi-
lanthropists," have so wonderfully increased in numbers and po-
litical influence, as at length to have become powerful in the
House of Commons, whilst in the country their labours are dis-
coverable in every village ! Eusily employed in plans which
subdue the spirit, cripple the energies, and destroy the industry
of theinople ; everywhere inviting humiliation and mendicity'
but ro where industry and independence. Here we End a so=
ciety for some new " Philanthropic" object or another—there,
an hospital for the reception of the victims of increasing
misery. In this place is founded a "Home Missionary So-
" Magdalen Asylum,"
So-
ciety,"—in e
receive
y , n t
hteh aut
n,
fcoornt
islpruilctueoZi
uslt:nodfsgarowing vice ! until the
land is covered with "':Philanthropic Societies," and establish-
ments of every kind, instead of industrious and high spirited
men ! instead of " a bold peasantry, a country pride."

Having thus made great progress in subverting the old-
fashioned condition of. Englishmen, and their labours not being
very acceptable, 1 would suppose, on the Continent, although
the.oasy comfort of the people in Belgium and other places of..
fered a luxuriant harvest to the prospect of the party; and
Africa not having the profitable soil they had expected, al-
though a pretty .round number of deluded emigrants had
found their graves in the "thriving colony of Sierra Leone,"
and a few mercantile fortunes had been realized in London, by
the job ; as a new field then was wanted, the party determined
supposed, must stand in need of their la-
upon a trans-Atlantic scheme of amelioration.! The Bri-
tish West Indies, they
as the scene presented at Wor-
hours since there has been' o account sent home of people being
'lBth October last,
starved' to death, none dyg of hunger ; no such thing was
ieeesr days," was charged with, and
where a poor
setvivioeimpr
-alsinte•ra.ere:ll
powfohlioiiicietlh_aoodffis
sececeeonountb: countries,
acknowledged stealing, in order to preserve the almost extin-
guished sparks of life in a naked and starving family ! and who,
on being detected, made the awful attempt of self-destruction !
—Although no such cup of misery as this was ever drained in
the British West Indies, yet the system was pronounced to be
bad, and acquired a good deal of " philanthropic" interference.
Now, Sir, as it may not be unfair to judge of establishments
by the result of their operation, as well as those of modern
philanthropy, whose course is everywhere marked with misery,
and often, with disorder, as the. present condemned and calum-
niated constitution of society m these countries—in no part
of this Colony did- we hear of highway robbery, or house-
breaking, or of murders ; no one residing on plantations,
ever considered it important to his safety, whether his doors
were bolted at night, or not; and, what I would suppose to be
of as much consequence in one country as in another, the labour-
ing classes here never knew want. But this absence of crime,
this confidence and plenty, are soon changed by the approach
of " Philanthropic ameliorators." No sooner were the feelers of
the empyrics stretched towards this country, than an alteration
was manifest : and when they began in good earnest to " ame-
liorate," murders, and thefts, and burglaries, soon became abun-
dant. People residing in the country completely secured their
dwellings at night, and slept with loaded fire-arms in their
rooms ! Such is the comparative result of the old, with the trial
we have had of the proposed new system. The West Indians
may well exclaim, Better let us keep our present practice,
than exchange it for the theories of Philanthropy."
In the present truly portentous situation of these affairs, the
West Indians, Sir, look towards you with intense interest;
you are the rock on which they rest the anchor of -their hope;
in your firmness, as well as in your powerful ability, they de-
pend, not only for due protection of their lives and property,
but also for the promulgation of the people of England of au-
thentic facts relative to the present state of the colonies, which
cannot fail of silencing and covering with shame the encroach-
ing and slanderous party.
Various regplations of a commercial character have for years
wughed down the West India colonies ; in addition to which,
the mischievous interference of this party, were itstill to be per-
mitted by Government-to proceed in its ruinous career, would
very soon terminate the profitable cultivation of these countries ;
and which would consequently be at once lost to the present
proprietors, and their maritime and financial consequence 'to
Great Britain ; then would be attained " a consummation,"
which the Philanthopristsbave unhesitatingly declared is " de-
voutly to be wished,"*
I am, Sir, your most obedient and most humble Servant,
AN INHABITANT OF DEMERARA.
Dec. 5, 1823.
* Cropper's Letter to 'Wilberforce.