Demerara.
The Times, 1824-04-27T00:00:00

(From Jamlaica papers to the 7th ult.) LE:TTERS 5'tRo3 3R. iHUSKISSO1 TO AF, GLADSTO0,gE (Copy). "asthatm, Nov. 2,1823. 'ry dear Sir,-I now return vou the letters frnI Youv prin2 . pal attorney at Demnerara, vwhich iou have been so kind as to -end for my perusal and information. I am vcrv sorry that the forebod- ings of those who deprecated in vain the agitation of the slave que. tion by the House of Comnions, have been so 6OOn lealized; and that this alarming insurrection in Demerara, and not any of the iint provements which were anticipated b- the promoters of that dis- cussion, is the first practical issue of it. I am sure I need not tell you (tthough I believe we have niot the credit of it with many of the West Indians) that the Governmnent did every thing in its power to prevent Buxton's motion altogether, and that lr. Canning in parti- cllar exerted aU, his personal influence with Alyr. Vilberfores and othlers for that purpose. I perfectly a weith .Ou, that in a mat- ter of this porteatnus difficulty, it is only by gradual amelioration. by moral and dsigious improvement-by humanity sand kindnse-, by itpercencibiy creating better domestic habits and feelings arrong the slaves, ov countenaning and encouraging all that can have that tendency in the conduct of the owners and white people-by repress- tug with the strong arm oif the law, and stigmatizing with the moral pov erofopprobriumanddisgrace.whatever leads to an opwiteresult; that we have acianceofultimately,and eventhonreitica lv,poviding for the terminationofsogreatan evil,moral and political,as the existeDCe ota largepopulation in astate ofchattelpossession and personal slavery. In principle, this is the end which every good man ought to wish for pe-haps to look to; but it is an end, which, so far from publisbingo- proclaiming at the outset he ought alnmostto conceal even from hini. self. It is the fault, and a heavy one it L, of *Wtilberforce and his associates, that by agitating the question, and proclaiming their ob- ject, they have rendered the apnlication of the means botb lrd- ous and more difficult, instead ot feeling that every step toWarGMeir, onn ultimate object wvas in itself so much of real and substantial improvement, that it ought to have been enough to have satisfied their feelings for the present, whilst it would ieave them this assur. ance for the future, that, in doing an immediate good, thiey had. made a safe step in advance towards the attainment of their final wishes. I hope, rather than expect, that what has happened at Demerara may teach this party more discretion, and that we shall not witness a repetition of thosc inconsiderate petitions and pro- vocations to debate the question of emancipation, which formed a part of their tactics in the last session. On the other hand, I trust chat, *vhiLct the Government proiide- adequate means of increas- ing the internal security of the colonies, they will not, from tem. per, or a mistaken conftencc that the danger is at an end, lose sight of those measures of improvement which are within their power. Among those measures muist be a greater encouragement and provision for ministers of the established church, either of Eng- land or of Scotland. I think the exhmple of Smith. of wliom it is difficult to presume hesvas altogether innocent of the lateconspiracy, proves that the colonies and the Governincot must look for the religi- ous instruction of the negroes to men whose situation and tenure will affbrd a better security that they will not overstep the views and intentions of their employers, thanican be found in the voluntary zeal, even if always honest and sinicere, of the missionaries, for the interests of religion. I am sorry that the vicinity of Smith to your estate, and his connexion wvith some of your slaves, has involved you in some loss of property; but, looking to the inimnense stake you have in this colony, you m'ay console yourself, if thle result of this formidable conspiracy should be, that its premature explosion affords the chance of a better insurance against the repetition of a similar danger. '- I remain, &c- (Signed) " W. HUSRISSON. " John Gladstone, Esq. Liverpool." DRME7,8R,IW.