10.  The magistrates also stated that the number of complaints brought before them was comparatively small, and it was gradually diminishing.  The offences were of a very trivial nature, mostly cases of slight insubordination, such as impertinent replies and disobedience of orders.

11.  They stated that they had more trouble with petty overseers and managers and small proprietors than with the entire black population.

12.  The special magistrates further testified that wherever the planters have exercised common kindness and humanity, the apprentices have generally conducted peaceably.  Whenever there are many complaints from one estate, it is presumable that the manager is a bad man.

13.  Real estate is much higher throughout the island than it has been for many years.  A magistrate said that he had heard of an estate which had been in market for ten years before abolition and could not find a purchaser.  In 1835, the year following abolition, it was sold for one third more than was asked for it two years before.

14.  It was stated that there was not a proprietor in the island, whose opinion was of any worth, who would wish to have slavery restored.  Those who were mostly bitterly opposed to abolition, have become reconciled, and are satisfied that the change has been beneficial.  The Solicitor-General was candid enough to own that he himself was openly opposed to emancipation.  He had declared publicly and repeatedly while the measure was pending in Parliament, that abolition would ruin the colonies.  But the results had proved so different that he was ashamed of his former forebodings.  He had no desire ever to see slavery re-established.

15.  The first of August, 1834, was described as a day of remarkable quiet and tranquillity.  The Solicitor-General remarked, that there were many fears for the results of that first day of abolition.  He said he arose early that morning, and before eight o’clock rode through the most populous part of the island, over an extent of twelve miles.  The negroes were all engaged in their work as on other days.  A stranger riding through the island, and ignorant of the event which had taken place that morning, would have observed no indications of so extraordinary a change.  He returned home satisfied that all would work well.

16.  The change in 1840 was spoken of as being associated with the most sanguine expectations.  It was thought that there was more danger to be apprehended from the change in 1834.  It was stated that there were about fifteen thousand non-praedials, who would then be emancipated in Barbadoes.  This will most likely prove the occasion of much excitement and uneasiness, though it is not supposed that any thing serious will arise.  The hope was expressed that the legislature would effect the emancipation of the whole population at that time.  One of the magistrates informed us that he knew quite a number of planters in his district who were willing to liberate their apprentices immediately, but they were waiting for a general movement.  It was thought that this state of feeling was somewhat extensive.