has been manifested in the suppression of the Slave Trade, and which has produced such splendid results: but has not our own success, with respect to the Slave Trade, been greatly impeded, and is it not now impeded, by the selfish inconsistency of our conduct in respect to Slavery? It may be doubted, whether there be a single argument, which can be advanced for maintaining Slavery in our Colonies for a single day after it is in our power to abolish it, which will not be found to be as valid a plea, morally considered, for continuing to strip Africa of her inhabitants, to supply Cuba, or the Brazils, or even our own Colonies, with labourers. The atrocities of the Slave Trade may, it is true, practically far exceed those of Slavery: yet the principle of both is identically the same-equally opposed to humanity and justice, and to every principle of the Gospel; and equally indefensible on every plea of financial and commercial expediency.

And who, after all, will venture to affirm, that, viewed in the whole range of their results, the atrocities of the

Slave Trade, though more palpable to observation and striking more directly and forcibly on the senses, outweigh, in the sum of misery which they produce, the evils of Slavery-of a protracted, and irremediable, and perpetual servitude-living through the life of the Slave-and renewed, in his children and children's children, to the latest generation? Let any man think but of the perpetually-impending scourge; the interminable toil to which it urges ; the stocks, the blows, the contempt, the degradation, the hunger, the lassitude, the disease, the agony of broken and bleeding hearts, and all the nameless and scarcely-conceivable inflictions which await those, whose own destinies, and those of every endeared relative-wife, husband, child-are bound up in the will of any individual who claims them as his Slaves, without any effectual, nay, any possible, protection from law against his tyranny and caprice-let any one but think of all this, and he will perhaps see no very cogent reason for exempting the Slavery which exists in our Colonies, from a MORAL REPROBATION to the full as severe as we pass on the Slave Trade; or for not exhibiting it alike as an outRAGE on every principle of Justice, Humanity, and True Religion.

LADIES' SOCIETIES

IN BEHALF OF NEGRO SLAVES.

AN abstract of the First Reports of Three Societies, formed by Ladies, chiefly for the benefit of Negro Slaves, was printed at pp. 600-603 of our last Volume: we shall now give the substance of the Second Reports of the Three Societies.

NEGRO-CHILDREN-EDUCATION SOCIETY.

This Society directs its attention to the early education and improvement of the Children of both Negroes and People of Colour, in the British West-India Islands.

Formation of a Ladies' Association in
Jamaica.

The knowledge throughout the West Indies, that there is in England such an Institution, has proved, in a high degree, encouraging to zealous individuals; whose means of affording instruction to the Negro Population around them has not been equal to their desires: they have relied on our assistance; and, we trust, have not been disappointed. One result, from which your Committee derive peculiar satisfaction, has been the formation of an Auxiliary Association of Ladies in Jamaica, whose residence on the spot affords them valuable facilities for the prosecution of the work before us.

The Secretary of the Jamaica Association writes

Sunday-Schools, I hope and think we may, pretty generally, be permitted to establish, as our funds shall admit; and if we had the means of erecting a Schoolroom and supporting a Teacher in this very neighbourhood, known by the name of the Pedro Plains-a large tract of country, thickly inhabited by Free Persons of Colour and Slaves, whose numerous children are now growing up in idleness, ignorance, and consequent vice-how gratifying would the prospect be! We must feel our way, cautiously yet zealously; and will, conjointly, use our best efforts in discovering where our labours are most wanted in the first instance, submitting then our ideas to you, in humble, yet confident expectation, that you will, if possible, realize our hopes and wishes. An Infant School in SpanishTown might perhaps be set on foot as a model; to which we might direct the attention of those who are at present unacquainted with this new system of

Assistance rendered in the West Indies.

66

The Appeal," mentioned in the following extract, was noticed at p. 140 of the last Survey: it claims the serious attention of all the friends of our Slave Population. Having alluded to Jamaica, it may be well to trace the circumstances which have led your Committee to direct their attention more particularly to that island. A pamphlet, containing an Appeal in behalf of its Negro Inhabitants, by the Reverend J. M.Trew, Rector of St. Thomas-in-the-East, and giving a melancholy account of the spiritual destitution of that extensive parish, whose Slave-population amounts to 25,000, excited deep interest; and presented to your Society a wide field of labour, and a pressing call for the utmost exertion. Much valuable information relative to this parish was shortly after communicated to your Committee by the Rev. John Stainsby, Mr. Trew's Curate, and Secretary to the Society for the Conversion of Slaves, who had been under the necessity of visiting this country for the benefit of his health: his statements confirmed your Committee in their opinion, that they could not employ their funds to more advantage than by placing a portion of them in the hands of Mr. Trew; to whom they accordingly granted the sum of Fifty Pounds sterling per annum, for the payment of the salary of a Master for a large School, which was then nearly completed, at Port Morant, and is peculiarly in connection with your Society.

:

Rewards of different kinds have been sent for the children under instruction in the Parish of St. Thomas a grant of 251. has been made toward the establishment of Sunday Schools in the adjoining Parish of St. David's; and a similar grant toward a Chapel and School-House in the Parish of Portland on this last subject, the Rev. Griffith Griffith, the Clergyman of the Parish, writes

The only Place of Public Worship, at present, is the Parish Church, which is situated at Port-Antonio Bay. Fifteen miles in the interior of this parish, there is a Maroon Settlement of about 560 Free Negroes, involved in the most pal

was endeavouring to lay before them the Way of Life, they paid great attention, and manifested much anxiety to know more of Jesus and the Resurrection :

and when I proposed, that, if they would erect a Place of Worship, I would visit them as often as my other duties would allow, they came forward highly pleased; and pledged themselves to build a Chapel 65 feet by 24, provided they were assisted with nails, windows, doors, benches, &c. This building is to be erected in the centre of their town, and has already been commenced: when completed, it will serve both for a Chapel and a Schoolhouse.

To some other objects in Jamaica aid has been afforded. Grants have also been made to Schools in Antigua and in Montserrat, and to others under the care of the United Brethren.

Prospects of Good in the West Indies.
Mr Trew writes-

It is impossible for me to convey to you an adequate idea of the benefits which have been experienced by us, in the interest excited in the minds of our friends in England, and expressed in the liberality of your Society. Our cause begins to assume a more important aspect now, thanks be to God! our hearts are elate with hope-friends have been raised up for us-the means have been blessed-the good seed, we hope, is taking root, and, in due time, we shall reap, if we faint not.

:

To a friend now in England he says

You recollect the difficulties which seemed to impede the march of the noble system of instruction contemplated by our Association; and will, perhaps, be astonished when I acquaint you, that we have now permission to attend on Eleven Estates, besides the six others that were already under our care before you left us. Nothing, short of a Divine Influence resting on the means used, could have effected so great a change in so short a period. Since we cannot possibly supply all their demands, I trust that you may be made instrumental in stirring up the minds of the affluent to lend us their assistance. Fifty Pounds sterling, scattered here and there over the country, would, at this period, when the Negro Mind is so much excited to gain a knowledge of

Divine things, prove, under God, a lasting blessing to thousands.

Of an Examination of the Scholars in his Parish Mr. Trew thus speaks

During the Christmas Holidays it was proposed to examine the children at present under a course of religious instruction in this parish, and to reward the deserving. Matters having been arranged for this purpose, they were assembled in our three places of religious worship; and, after being catechized, in which they acquitted themselves much to the satisfaction of those present, and receiving suitable admonitions, the meritorious were rewarded. There were assembled on these highly interesting occasions, 900 Negro and Coloured Children, of whom 360 received premiums... and it will prove highly interesting to the Ladies to know, that their books were eagerly sought after; and, in very many cases, preferred to other articles of greater pecuniary value....It was truly delightful to witness the happy frame of mind in which these children returned to their respective homes: even those who had received no prizes seemed to share in the general joy; and to look forward to another year, when they also might be successful.

In reference to another means of doing good, the Committee state

Supplies of School-books, selected from the List of the Christian-Knowledge Society, have been forwarded to individuals, whose private exertions have materially assisted the general work. One Lady in St. Elizabeth's, Jamaica, writes thus

I have the charge of 70 children, and should be thankful for assistance. I have constant applications for books from Negroes, who at tend our worship and Sabbath-day's instructions. There is a general desire to read, and many have succeeded in learning. I have some grown people and children who read their Bibles; and it is pleasing to see their assiduity of an evening, after their work, they will assemble round the light in the servants' pantry, and teach one another.

:

one

It is added in the ReportAnother Clergyman in Jamaica relates the following anecdote, as among many instances which he has himself witnessed, of the practical benefit resulting to the Slaves from religious care and instruction.

Two Females came to me to lodge a complaint, touching a quarrel which they had between them. The one was an elderly person,

The

who had the care of several orphan grandchildren; the other a young woman, the wife of the driver upon the estate. driver, in the course of cutting wood adjoining to the provision-ground of the old woman, suffered one of the large trees to fall across her cocoa-piece: when this was perceived, she said to him-" Broder, ye no see da'ra big tree tumble down upon for me cocoa-piece?" "Yes, Grandy, me will carry him go, when me hab little time." The man, it seems, had no time, and therefore the tree was suffered to remain, to the no little annoyance of Grandy. One day, after inspecting it, she met with the driver's wife, and complained, and abused her somewhat roughly. This led to a mutual quarrel, which ran to such a pitch on the part of Grandy, that she seized hold of a large stone, and held it in terrorem against the head of her antagonist, saying "Ye da see dis here big tone? Suppose dis country tand like a before time, me would ha take dis tone and mash for you head; but a tee Massa Parson says, we no for fight, ME CAN'T DO IT "-and then she threw it away. The result of this was, a determination to lay the case before me, which they did; and, after directing the man to remove the tree, which he seemed very willing to do the first opportunity, they all shook hands, and parted good friends.

The Superintendant of the Wesleyan Schools at Montserrat writes

Those who are engaged in religiously educating the ignorant inhabitants of these islands have long felt the necessity of such a Society, to encourage them in their labours, in a part of the world where in almost uninterrupted possession of the vice and ignorance have so long reigned human heart. In this country there has been much to make the work a burthen to those who are engaged in it; and it is truly cheering to find that an interest so influential has been produced among the Ladies in England. The influence of such support at home cannot fail to produce the most important effects in the Colonies; and my heart's desire and prayer to God is, that the Ladies' Society may meet the encouragement which its worth and importance merit.

Books granted by the Society for the use of Schools at Montserrat were shewn to the children: the Superintendant thus speaks of the effect of this exhibition:

Great interest was produced by them, and many expressions of thankfulness to the kind strangers who remembered them. A beautiful set of Reward Books, in eight volumes, was held out as the capital reward for diligence on the next day of public examination; and so spirited were the efforts of the children for this reward, that, on the day which

settled the struggle, it was found that one Girl had repeated 826 verses from the Bible, 261 verses of hymns, and 638 words of spelling; another, 836 verses of Scripture, 196 verses of hymns, and 1153 words of spelling; a third, 676 verses of Scripture, 151 of hymns, and 504 words of spelling; and a fourth, 630 verses of Scripture, 260 verses of hymns, and 636 words of spelling and it is pleasing to add, that the fortunate competitor was a little Coloured Girl, 13 years of age, who is engaged throughout the day in washing and ironing; and yet had been so diligent in the intervals of time allowed her, that she won the prize. The other children were rewarded, and especially those who were nearest to her who took the lead.

Total..... 526 8 7

Grants to the amount of 1951. have been voted, but not yet drawn for.

NEGRO-SLAVE-RELIEF SOCIETIES.

General Proceedings. There are two Associations of Ladies, which have it in view to promote the Relief and ultimate Emancipation of British Slaves; one in Warwickshire and Staffordshire, and the other in Wiltshire. The Committees of these Societies contribute, as the state of the funds

may enable them, to the support of the Anti-Slavery Society, and to Charitable Institutions in the West Indies; but they are chiefly occupied in the diffusion of information relative to the present condition of British Slaves, in order to awaken a more general and determined feeling in support of the immediate improvement of their condition in order to their ultimate emancipation.

Receipts and Payments.

The Receipts of the two Societies in the year, independently of Balances in hand, were 8671. Os. 8d., and the Payments 940l. 13s. 5d.

Of the sums expended, about 1501. has been granted to other Institutions, and upward of 2001. in printing communications and other authentic documents relative to the state of British Slaves: nearly 4607. has been spent in preparing Ladies' Work-bags, containing such documents; which Work-bags are intended for sale, and have produced considerably more than their cost, while to the effect of this method of diffusing information the following testimony is borne :—

It is found by those who have been willing to try the experiment, that, by making a proper use of the evidence contained in these Work-bags, the misrepresentations, which fill so many of the popular publications of the present day, are complely refuted; and the cause of the "Desolate and Oppressed" is thus pleaded by those, who have hitherto contributed too largely to their misery, by partaking, without scruple, of the fruits of their oppression.

Little Progress yet made in meliorating the

condition of British Slaves.

From authentic and unimpeachable sources of information, it appears, that in Jamaica, our principal Slave Colony,

THE FLOGGING OF FEMALES IS NOT

ABOLISHED. Runaway Slaves of our own sex are still identified by their scars and the recent lacerations of the cart

whip. The separation of families in a variety of ways is still not only permitted, but is directly upheld by a cruel and unjust law, strongly reprobated so long ago as 1791 by Bryan Edwards,

himself a a Planter, who affirms, that "all other regulations that can be devised for the protection and improvement of this unfortunate class of persons will be of little avail, unless they shall be exempted from the cruel hardships of their being sold by creditors." Speaking of the unfortunate Slave whose body is to be made answerable for his master's debts, he says, "he is seized on by the sheriff's

officer, forcibly separated from his wife and children, dragged to Public Auction -and all this without any crime or de