150 RAPID IMPROVEMENT. privileges with the whites. This occurred in the year 1828. Relieved from those proscriptions by which they had been enthralled and bowed down, they as a body immediately began to advance in the scale of civilization, intelligence, and virtue, so that at the present time they discover a renovation of character and a degree of improvement in manners, customs, and knowledge, of which history, in a similar space of time, scarcely affords a parallel. In their houses, dress, personal appearance (complexion excepted), general deportment, wealth, morals, and religion, many of them are on an equality with the most respectable of the whites. Nor are they less so in the higher attainments of the mind. There are now to be found among them men of talent, learning, and accomplishments, who would do honour to any community. They fill the public offices, practise as solicitors and barristers in the courts of law; are found among our tradesmen, merchants, and estate proprietors; are directors of our civil institutions; are enrolled among our magistrates; and have even obtained a seat and influence in the senate. The generosity of the females of colour has ever been proverbial; and their kindness to strangers suffering from the diseases of the country has won for them universal gratitude and admiration. Neither are they less remarkable for their social and domestic qualities. There have always been found among them some who in no respect suffered by a comparison with the most respectable of the whites. For several years this number has been increasing, and soon, by the possession of equal advantages, everything like a characteristic distinction between these two classes will be lost. "Children we are all Of one great Father, in whatever clime His Providence hath cast the seed of life, All tongues, all colours! Neither after death Shall we be sorted into languages And tints-white, black, and tawny, Greek and Goth, Northman and offspring of hot Africa; Th' all-seeing Father-he in whom we live and move- Nations, and hues, and dialects alike; According to their works shall they be judged." With this advancement on the part of the more 152 FREQUENT MARRIAGES. educated portion of the people of colour there has been also a corresponding improvement on the part of the working classes and the higher orders of the blacks. The latter have advanced to that degree in the scale of civilization and intelligence formerly occupied by the people of colour, and the former to that previously held by their more favoured white brethren. In no respect do these now differ from the middling and lower classes of tradesmen and others in England. Their eyes have long been open to the disgrace and sin of concubinage, and marriage among them has become common. The eye of the Christian is now delighted, especially on the Sabbath, by the spectacle of multitudes of these classes with their families walk ing to and from the house of God in company. As in every other community, some may live together unhappily, or may violate the sacred compact, but with the great majority it is otherwise. None can be better husbands, better wives, more affectionate parents, or better members of civil society. Nor are any people in general better disposed towards the great subject of religion. ORIGIN OF THE SLAVE-TRADE. 153 CHAPTER XI. SECT. I. POLITICAL CONDITION OF THE BLACK POPULATION.-Origin of the Slave Trade-Its Atrocities-Slaves, when first brought to Jamaica, and by whom-Dreadful Nature and Consequences of Slavery as it existed in Jamaica. SECT. II. ABOLITION OF THE Slave Trade.-Origin of the African Institution-Efforts for ameliorating the Condition of the SlavesConduct of the Jamaica House of Assembly-Insurrection or Disturbance in 1832 and 1833-Its real Causes-Destruction of Mission Property-Wanton and awful Sacrifice of Negro Life by the WhitesImprisonment and Trial of Missionaries-Their triumphant Acquittal. SECT. III. THE APPRENTICESHIP SYSTEM.-Its Impolicy, Injustice, and Cruelty-Inefficiency as a Preparative to Freedom-Special Magistrates-Excited and unsettled State of the Black Population as the Result of the Operation of this System-Representation of the State of Things by Missionaries-Messrs. Sturge, Harvey, and others. SECT. IV. TOTAL EMANCIPATION.-Manner in which it was celebratedConduct of the Newly-Emancipated-Conduct of the PlantersSubsequent Differences-Establishment of new Villages-Restoration to Harmony and Peace-General Prosperity and Happiness. SECTION I.-It has been already stated that, previously to its possession by the British, negroes had been imported into Jamaica by the Spaniards, a crime to the commission of which they were impelled by avarice, regarding it as the best means of supplying the want of labourers created by the destruction of the aboriginal inhabitants. In thus making merchandise of the bodies and souls of men they followed the example of 154 THE SLAVE-TRADE. the Portuguese, who began the infamous traffic in 1442 at Cape Bojador, under their celebrated navigator Anthony Gonzalez. Great numbers are said to have been imported into Jamaica as early as 1551, under the sanction of Ferdinand V. of Spain. But the first cargo of which we have any authentic record was conveyed to the island by some Genoese merchants in 1517, to whom the Emperor Charles V. granted a patent for the annual supply of 4000 slaves to his West Indian possessions generally. The traffic was found to be lucrative, and the lust of avarice obliterating all sense of justice and every feeling of humanity, it was soon participated in by all the great maritime powers of Europe. The first Englishman who thus dishonoured himself and his country was Captain, afterwards Sir John Hawkins, who, in conjunction with several wealthy merchants in London, fitted out three ships on this execrable enterprise in 1562. Sanctioned by Charles I. and II., as well as by succeeding monarchs, to such an extent had it increased under the British flag, that, in 1771, one hundred and ninety-two ships were employed in the trade, and the number of slaves imported was from 38,000 to 40,000. The hapless victims of this revolting system were natives of the African continent-men of the same common origin with ourselves, of the same form and delineation of feature, though with a darker skin,—— men endowed with minds equal in dignity, equal in capacity, and equal in duration of existence,-men of |