The West indies in 1837

Page 57

ANTIGUA.

41

was, that they could not be flogged. They complain­ ed, however, that it was hard for a man who had a family, to live on one shilling a day. They were all members of churches. It is not difficult to tell by a negro's countenance, whether he is in Christian com­ munion. Those at the Police Office were evidently of the " baser sort," and one of the magistrates acknow­ ledged to us, that it was not common for a Moravian to be brought before them. 12th Month, 1 s t , (December.)—One of us went this morning to attend the sitting of the House of As­ sembly. In the lobby he was introduced to the Chief Justice of the island, who said, in the course of a few minutes' conversation, that it was not to be supposed, that crime had really increased because there were now heavy calendars. Cases came before the magistrate, which were formerly decided by the masters. The peaceable and orderly conduct of the people had ex­ ceeded his anticipations ; and there was no one he be­ lieved, who would deny, that the general result of Emancipation had more than equalled his expectations. From twelve to eighteen members were present at the assembly to-day. One of the most animated debates, was on the state of a piece of road. The way-wardens had requested the visiting magistrate to employ the criminal gang to repair it, which they refused, on the ground that it would be injurious to the health of the prisoners. A petition was presented against the de­ cision by an hon. member, himself the chief party in­ terested. He acknowledged that the place was mala­ rious, but said that to employ voluntary labor at a high rate upon the improvement of it, " would be detrimen­ tal to the whole planting interest." It was a work of necessity, and the health of prisoners ought not to ' a 3


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