THE WINDWARD ISLANDS, DURING THE APPRENTICESHIP--TESTIMONY OF PLANTERS
IN BARBADOES, IN 1837.[5]
Mr. Thome says: "Soon after we arrived in Barbadoes we visited Mr. C.,
manager of Lear's estate, about four miles from Bridgetown. He had been
a planter for thirty-six years. He was attorney for two other large
estates, and had under his superintendence more than a thousand
apprenticed laborers. He said, 'I often wished that slavery might be
abolished, and other planters of my acquaintance had the same feelings;
but we did not dare to express them. Most of the planters were so
violently opposed to emancipation, that even up to the 31st of July,
they declared it could not and should not take place. Now, these very
men see and acknowledge the benefits which are resulting from the new
system. Slavery was a reign of terror. I have often started up from a
dream in which I thought my room was filled with armed slaves. But all
such fears have passed away. There is no _motive_ for insurrection now.
On the first of August, 1834, the people labored on the estates the same
as usual. If a stranger had gone over the island, he would not have
suspected that any change had taken place. I told my people, the day
before, that under the new laws they were to turn out at six o'clock in
the morning, instead of at five, as formerly. I did not expect they
would go to work that day; but, at the appointed hour, they were all in
the field; not one was missing. They do more work in the nine hours
required by present laws, than they did in the twelve hours, exacted
under slavery. They are more faithful, than when they were slaves. They
take more interest in the prosperity of the estate, and in seeing that
things are not destroyed. There is less theft, because they begin to
have some respect for character. They can now appeal to the law for
protection; and their respect for law is very great. They are always
willing to work for me during their own time, for which I pay them
twenty-five cents a day. I have planted thirty additional acres this
year, and have taken a larger crop than I have ever taken. The island
has never been under such good cultivation, and it is becoming better
every year. Real estate has increased in value more than thirty per
cent. Emancipation was a great blessing, to the master, as well as the
slave. It was emancipation to _me_. You cannot imagine the
responsibilities and anxieties that were swept away with the extinction
of slavery. There are many annoying circumstances connected with
slavery, which have a pernicious effect on the master. There is
continual jealousy and suspicion between him and his slaves. They look
upon each other as natural enemies. A perpetual system of plotting and
counterplotting is kept up. Flogging was a matter of course throughout
the island, while slavery existed. It was as common to strike a slave,
as to strike a horse. Very often, it was merely because the master
happened to be in an irritable mood, and the slave had no idea what he
was punished for. I have myself, more than once, ordered slaves to be
flogged, when I was in a passion, and after I was cool I would have
given guineas not to have done it. I believe emancipation will save the
souls of many planters. If it is hard for a rich man to enter the
kingdom of heaven, it is much harder for a planter. I sometimes wonder
at myself, when I think how long I was connected with slavery; but
self-interest and custom blinded me to its enormities. I lately met with
a planter, who, up to the last of July, had maintained that the mother
country could not be so mad as to take a step that would inevitably ruin
her Colonies. Now, he would be the last man to vote for the restoration
of slavery. He even wants to get rid of the apprenticeship, and adopt
immediate, unconditional emancipation, as they did in Antigua. Such
changes of opinion are very common among the planters. I think the
expenses under apprenticeship are about the same as during slavery; but
calculations I have made convince me that under an entirely free
system, I could cultivate this estate for $3,000 a year less than it
formerly cost. I have no doubt the negroes will work, when their freedom
comes in 1840. There may be a little excited, experimenting feeling, for
a short time, but I am confident that things generally will move on
peaceably and prosperously. The slaves were well acquainted with the
efforts made in England for their emancipation. They used to watch the
arrival of every packet with extreme anxiety. If Parliament had refused
to abolish slavery, there would have been a general insurrection. While
there was hope, they waited peaceably for release; but if hope had been
destroyed, slavery would have been buried in blood. The apprenticeship
caused some dissatisfaction among them. They thought they ought to be
entirely free, and they suspected that their masters were deceiving
them. At first, they could not understand the conditions of the new
system; and there was some murmuring among them; but they concluded it
was better to wait six years more for the desired boon, than to lose it
by revolt.'
"Samuel Hinkston, Esq., manager of Colliton estate, and one of the local
magistrates, gave an account similar in all respects, to that given by
the manager of Lear's. He had been a planter for thirty-six years, and
was universally esteemed for his humane character, and close attention
to business. He said his apprentices never refused to work in the hours
required by law, and during their own time, they were always ready to
work for him, for wages, whenever he needed them. When he had no
occasion for them, they often let themselves out to work on other
people's grounds. Real estate had risen very much, and it was
universally conceded that the island had never been under better
cultivation. In every respect, the new system worked better than the
old; but he looked forward with pleasure to the still better change that
would come in 1840. He believed unconditional freedom would remove all
annoyances. His only regret was that it could not come sooner.
"We were invited to visit Col. Ashby, an aged and experienced planter,
who resides in the southernmost part of the island. He told us he had
been a practical planter ever since 1795. He had violently opposed
abolition, and regarded the anti-slavery members of Parliament with
unmingled hatred. He thought no punishment, either in this life, or the
life to come, was too bad for Wilberforce. When he told us this, he
exclaimed, 'But, oh, how mistaken I was about that man! I am convinced
of it now. The abolition of slavery has proved an incalculable
blessing.' He dwelt much on the trustiness and strong attachment of the
negroes, when they were well treated. They were never disposed to leave
their employer, unless he was intolerably passionate and hard with them.
He said he avoided, as much as possible, carrying his apprentices before
a special magistrate; and he always found it easy to settle difficulties
himself by a conciliatory course."
Mr. Thome was introduced to one planter, whose name he does not mention,
probably because his neighbors gave him the character of having been a
cruel master, during slavery. He retained the prejudices natural to that
class of men. "He complained that the negroes were an ungrateful,
perverse set; the more they were indulged, the more lazy and insolent
they became. He said he knew that by his _own_ experience. One fault he
had to find with all his apprentices, both in the house and in the
field; they all held him to the letter of the _law_, and were always
ready to arraign him before a special magistrate for any infraction of
it. He also considered it a great grievance that women with young babies
were unwilling to work in the field, as they did formerly; now 'they
spent half their time taking care of their brats.' He however
acknowledged that his apprentices were willing to work, that his estates
were never under better cultivation, and that he could say the same for
estates all over the island."
Dr. Bell, a planter from Demerara, was on a visit to Barbadoes, and Mr.
Thome made some inquiries concerning the results of abolition there. "He
said the Colony was now suffering for want of laborers; but after the
apprentices were free, in 1840, there would doubtless be increased
emigration thither, from older and less productive Colonies. The
planters were making arrangements for cultivating sugar on a larger
scale than ever before, and estates were selling at very high prices.
Every thing indicated the fullest confidence that the prosperity of the
country would be permanent and progressive."
Mr. Thome says: "We had repeated interviews with gentlemen, who were
well acquainted with the adjacent islands; one of them was proprietor of
a sugar estate in St. Vincent's. They all assured us that in those
islands there reigned the same tranquillity that we saw in Barbadoes.
Sir Evan McGregor, Governor-General of all the Windward Colonies, and of
course thoroughly informed respecting their internal condition, gave us
the same assurances. From these authentic sources, we learned enough to
satisfy ourselves, that in all the Colonies, conciliatory and equitable
management has never failed to secure peace and industry."
TESTIMONY OF MAGISTRATES IN BARBADOES, IN 1837.
Mr. Thome says: "The Governor, Sir Evan McGregor, told us he had been
five years in the West Indies, and had resided at Antigua and Dominica
before he received his present appointment; he had also visited several
other islands. He said that in no place he had visited had things gone
on so quietly and satisfactorily, to all classes, as in Antigua. The
apprenticeship system was vexatious to both parties. It kept up a
constant state of warfare between master and apprentice, and engendered
bitter feeling on both sides. To some extent, that was the case in
Barbadoes; but it would doubtless pass away with the present impolitic
system. He was so well satisfied that unconditional freedom was better,
both for the masters and the laborers, that, if he had the power, he
would emancipate every apprentice to-morrow.
"Hon. R. B. Clarke, Solicitor General, candidly owned that while
abolition was pending in Parliament, he had declared, publicly and
repeatedly that it would ruin the Colonies; but the results had proved
so different, that he was ashamed of his forebodings. He said there were
many fears about the first of August. He rose early that morning, and
rode twelve miles over the most populous part of the island; and when he
saw all the negroes peaceably at their work, he felt satisfied that all
would go well."
Major Colthurst, Special Magistrate, gave a written testimony to Mr.
Thome, from which I extract the following: "The number of apprenticed
laborers in my district, is 9,480. In consequence of its vicinity to the
large seaport of Bridgetown, it is perhaps the most troublesome district
in the island. In the more rural districts, not above half as many
complaints are made to the magistrates. There has been no trouble in my
district, occasioned by the apprentices refusing to work. They work
manfully and cheerfully, wherever they are treated with humanity and
consideration. I have never known an instance to the contrary. When the
conductor of the estate is wanting in this respect, disinclination to
perform their duties is the natural consequence; but the interference of
the magistrate soon sets matters right. The number of complaints brought
before me are much fewer than last year, and their character is also
greatly improved. Nine complaints out of ten are for small impertinences
and saucy answers; which, considering the former and present condition
of the parties, is naturally to be expected; but the number even of such
complaints is much diminished. It is amazing how few material breaches
of the law occur in so extraordinary a community. Occasionally, there
are a few cases of crime; but when it is considered that the population
of this island is nearly as dense as that of any part of China, and
wholly uneducated, either by precept or example, this absence of
frequent crime excites our wonder, and is highly creditable to the
negroes. I do not hesitate to say that perfect tranquillity exists in
this Colony, though passing through one of the most momentous changes,
that ever took place in any age, or country; the passage of nearly
80,000 slaves from bondage to freedom. The apprentices are inclined to
purchase their discharge; especially when misunderstandings occur with
their masters. When they obtain it, they generally labor in the trades
and occupations, to which they were previously accustomed, and conduct
themselves well. They seldom take to drinking. Indeed, the black and
colored population are the most temperate people I ever knew. The
experience of nearly forty years, in various public situations, confirms
me in this very important fact."
Testimony similar to the above is adduced from a number of magistrates
and police officers. They all agreed that vice and crime had diminished,
and were diminishing; that the feeling of security was universal; that
land was rising; and that even the most prejudiced planters would not
return to the old system, if they could.
TESTIMONY OF CLERGY AND MISSIONARIES IN BARBADOES, IN 1837.
Mr. Thome says: "Rev. Edward Elliott, the Archdeacon at Barbadoes,
informed us that the number of clergymen and churches had increased
since emancipation; religious meetings were more fully attended, and the
instructions given manifestly had greater influence. Increased attention
was paid to education also. The clergy, and the Moravian and Wesleyan
Missionaries had put forth new efforts, and were opening schools in
various parts of the island. Before emancipation, the planters opposed
education, and, as far as possible, prevented teachers from coming on
their estates. Now, they encouraged it in many instances, and where they
did not directly encourage it, they made no opposition. He said the
number of marriages had very much increased. He was convinced that no
bad results would have followed, if entire freedom had been granted in
1834, as in Antigua. While slavery continued, people did fear
insurrections; but he did not think five planters on the island had any
fear now.
"Rev. Mr. Fidler, Superintendent of the Wesleyan Missions, told us the
Methodists had been violently persecuted in Barbadoes, during the reign
of slavery. Their chapel in Bridgetown had been utterly demolished by a
mob, and some of the missionaries obliged to fly for their lives. But
things had very much altered since emancipation. Several estates were
now open to the missionaries, and churches were being built in various
parts of the country. One man, who helped to pull down the chapel, had
now given land to build a new one, and had offered the free use of one
of his buildings, for religious meetings and a school, until it could be
erected.
"Rev. Mr. Cummins, Curate of St. Paul's, in Bridgetown, told us his
sabbath school had greatly increased since emancipation. The negroes
manifested an increasing desire for religious instruction, and he was
convinced they had as much capacity for learning, as the whites. All the
churches were now crowded, and there was an increasing demand for more.
Their morals had greatly improved; especially with respect to marriage.
"We visited an infant school, connected with the Episcopal church,
established two weeks previous, for the children of the apprenticed
laborers. The teacher, who has been for many years an instructor, told
us he found them as quick to learn, as any children he ever taught. He
had been surprised to see how soon the instructions of the schoolroom
were carried home to the parents. The very first night, after the school
closed, he heard the children repeating what they had been taught, and
the parents learning the songs from their lips.
"Rev. Mr. Walton, from Montserrat, told us the planters on that island
were getting tired of the apprenticeship, and, from mere considerations
of interest and comfort, were adopting free labor. There had been
repeated instances of planters emancipating all their apprentices. He
said a new impulse had been given to education. Schools were springing
up in all parts of the island. Marriages were occurring every week. The
planters now encouraged missionaries to labor among their people, and
were ready to give land for chapels, which were fast multiplying."
NEGRO TESTIMONY IN BARBADOES, IN 1837.
Mr. Thome says: "The tender of the sugar-mill at Lear's was an old
negro, with furrowed brow and thin gray locks. We asked him how they
were getting along under the new system. He replied, 'Bery well, massa,
tank God. All peaceable and good.' 'Then you like apprenticeship better
than slavery?' 'Great deal better, massa. We'se doing well, now.' 'You
like apprenticeship as well as freedom, don't you?' 'Oh, no, me massa.
Freedom till better.' 'What would you do, if you were entirely free?'
'We mus work, massa. All hab to work, when de free come. 'How are you
treated now?' 'Bery well, tank God. No flogging, no shutting up in
dungeon, now.' 'But what makes you want freedom? You are so old, you
couldn't enjoy it long.' 'Me want to _die_ free, massa. It good ting to
die free. And me want to see children free, too.'"
FOOTNOTE:
[5] The population of Barbadoes was 14,959 whites; 82,807 slaves; 5,146
free colored people.