State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1831-1836, 1836-09-19
IMPORTANT FROM THE WEST IN
DIES:--oR,
HotC 4bolition cuts The Planters MrOuts and


about the time the abolition act went into
effect lie has from the first manifested
disposition TO carry out the net according
to the int0nt of the parent government
Accordingly he has done what he could to
secure to the apprentices the bcuclits to
which they were entitled by it. OF course
hc has become very obnoxious to that parry
in the island who are bent, if possible, on
perpetuatng slavery; or, it that cunnot be
done, on making the most they can out of
its abolition. Their first plan WINS, by
colonial legislation and arrangements eva
sive of the true intent of the bill for abolition
to make the apprenticeship ouly another
name for slavery. If this could he done,
the hope was, that the slaves, driven to des-
peration by the disappointment OF their OK
pectations, and the rigors to which they
were still subject, would be guilty of such
acts ofresistancc and violence, as would
lead TO a repeal of the act of abolition and
the re-establishmcnt of slavery. In this
result, however, they have been disappoint-
cd notwithstanding all the rigors to
which the apprentices have been subjected
-rigors in the face of the law, and which
have made their condition little else than
slavery under new nume--the apprentices
have remained quiet, industrious and peace
ful. OF course the hope that slavery will
be re-established is gone and nothing re-
mains but to make the most out OF its al,oli-
ton. To this end the slavery party are now
loud il. their complaints of the administra-
ton of the Governor the Incidence of the
negroes, the decrease in products, the pow
erty, &c. that is now, as they pretend, star
ing them in the face just as they were for
ncrly in their predictions Of bloodshed,
massacre and devastation, ifaboltion should
Itol- r,l,, A Il
stroying the confidence of the parent gov
eminent in the fattering statements of The
governor, and ut the same time make their
own representations believed, why then,
the door is open, o make proposition to an
ticipatc the expiration of the apprenticeship
on the ground that il does not work well,
if the government will grant them addition
al compensation for the additional loss of
the services, NC, of the remainder of the
apprenticeship. This state of things in the,
island has called forth general meeting of
freehoLders and others, who bear the follow
ing important testimony in regard to the
several points at issue. The meeting was
held at Spanish Town, Jamacia, April l6
1896, DR.. Tabois in the chair. Among
Others, the meeting adopted the following
important
RESOLUTIONS.
l. That this meeting has heard with I'M
qualified regret Il rumor now prevalent,
that our noble and respected Governor, the
Marquis Of Sligo, has announced his inten-
ton TO resign the government of this colo
ny.
2. That his EXcellency's conduct, since
his arrival in the colony, in the discharge of
his important functions as Chief Magistrate
and Governor, has been marked Ivy AN en-
ergy and II bcnevoence of Intention to give
effect 10 the cause of humanity and freedom
which has been productive of the best re-
suits, in the Increased security, general
Advancement, and moral improvement of
the people, and which entities his Excel
lency 10 the appreciation and confidence of
all unprecedented and impartial men, and
especially to the gratitude of the laboring
classes.
3. That the Courts of Justice o this colo
ny, constituted as they are by reason of the
expense, are unavailable for the protection
Of the laboring classes, under the law by
which slavery is abolished; and unless for
the appellate control which, in the exercise
of Il wise and salutary discretion, his Excel
lency has received over the Justices special
~ appointed, the wrongs of the apprentice;
: would have remained ludrcsscd--the in
tcntion of the law would have been frustra-
} ted--and the right of Inmitigated slavery
! would have been prolonged under color of
another name. That amid the pressure Of
} business, regardless of contumely md
calumny, and under all circumstances of
personal Inconvenience, his EXcellency has
} been AT all times accessible to the poor,
las inquired and sought the truth for its
! own sake, and hath approved himself the
universal guardian and friend of the op-
pressed
; 4. That the proceedings of the popular
/ $50 misnancd) branch OF the Legislature of
! The colony, and the statements reiterated by
: portion OF the press, do not convey the
} sentiments Of the people, prompted MS those
proceedings have been and as they contin-
nc 10 he supported, hy the dark policy ola
few individuals, and calculated as such
policy is calculated, by obstructing the Ex-
eclllve in the administration of the govern
mcnt, TO retard the progress of freedom anh
reform. That since the act of general
emancipation of itself compulsory and
bought with price, not one measure OF
essential importance TO the cause OF freedom
TO awaken confidence and industry in the.
apprentice, TO meliorate his physical or
moral condition, or 10 reform the admins
tration of the courts To which he might look
for protection and redress, has emanated
from the honorable the House OF Assembly.
On the contrary, the delberatiye voice OF
that llou. House has been occupied in de-
vsing fresh restraints on the infant liberties
of the colony. The pecnniary resources
drawn from its soil have been wasted on
crude purposes of immigration, without
any beneficial object or result, saving To the
mercenary views of ils promoters. 4 di-
plOnatic agent, resident in England, is re-
tuinpI NJ hpuVu nulI;,, ,,,t,o Il,