110 CHAP. VIII.
H I S T O R Y
O F
demand an expofure and explanation of their views and intentions. Sufpicions were already gone forth concerning the project, which the commiffioners afterwards avowed, of declaring a general emancipation of the negro flaves; and all parties, as well among the republicans as the royalifts, concurred on this occafion in re probating the folly and iniquity of the meafure. So general was the clamour on this account, that if a firm and extenfive coali tion of interefts among the planters could at this time have been effected, it is probable the commiffioners might have found that all the force they had brought with them would have proved inufficient for the purpofes which they meditated. Diffimulation therefore was thought neceffary for the prefent. They declared (and confirmed the declaration with the folemnity of an oath) that they had no wifh or intention to make any change in the fyftem of colonial government concerning the flaves ; avowing the fulleft conviction that the emancipation of thofe people, under exifting circumftances, was impracticable.—Their views, they faid, extended no farther than to fee the decree of the 4th of April, in favour of the free people of colour, properly enforced ; to reduce the flaves in rebellion to obedience, and to fettle the future government and tranquillity of the colony on a folid and permanent foundation. THESE, and fimilar, declarations filenced, though they did not fatisfy, the white inhabitants ; who foon perceived, with unavailing indignation, that the commiffioners held fecret com munications with the chiefs of the mulattoes in all parts of the colony. By the co-operation of thofe people, the commiffion ers foon found their ftrength fufficient to avow themfelves openly
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