to evince their sympathy for those men, the planters gave them a farewell dinner, and had actually set on foot a subscription, as a tribute of gratitude for their “Impartial” conduct in administering the laws, as special justices.  Thus were two men, notoriously guilty of violations of law and humanity, publicly encouraged and protected, while Stephen Bourne, who according to the testimony of the present and late attorney-general had acted not only justly but legally, was suffering every species of persecution and indignity for so doing.”

Probably nothing could demonstrate the meanness of the artifices to which the planters resort to get rid of troublesome magistrates better than the following fact.  When the present governor, in making his tour of the island, came into St. Thomas in the East, some of the planters of Manchioneal district hired a negro constable on one of the estates to go to the governor and complain to him that Mr. Chamberlain encouraged the apprentices to be disorderly and idle.  The negro went accordingly, but like another Balaam, he prophesied against his employers.  He stated to the governor that the apprentices on the estate where he lived were lazy and wouldn’t do right, but he declared that it was not Mr. C.’s fault, for that he was not allowed to come on the estate!

Having given such an unfavorable description of the mass of planters, it is but just to add that there are a few honorable exceptions.  There are some attorneys and overseers, who if they dared to face the allied powers of oppression, would act a noble part.  But they are trammelled by an overpowering public sentiment, and are induced to fall in very much with the prevailing practices.  One of this class, an attorney of considerable influence, declined giving us his views in writing, stating that his situation and the state of public sentiment must be his apology.  An overseer who was disposed to manifest the most liberal bearing towards his apprentices, and who had directions from the absentee proprietor to that effect, was yet effectually prevented by his attorney, who having several other estates under his charge, was fearful of losing them, if he did not maintain the same severe discipline on all.

The special magistrates are also deeply implicated in causing the difficulties existing under the apprenticeship.  They are incessantly exposed to multiplied and powerful temptations.  The persecution which they are sure to incur by a faithful discharge of their duties, has already been noticed.  It would require men of unusual sternness of principle to face so fierce an array.  Instead of being independent of the planters, their situation is in every respect totally the reverse.  Instead of having a central office or station-house to hold their courts at, as is the case in Barbadoes, they are required to visit each estate in their districts.  They have a circuit from forty to sixty miles to compass every fortnight, or in some cases three times every month.  On these tours they are absolutely dependent upon the hospitality of the planters.  None but men of the “sterner stuff” could escape, (to use the negro’s phrase) being poisoned by massa’s turtle soup. The character of the men who are acting as magistrates is thus described by a colonial magistrate of high standing and experience.