and the things which we handled, we should not doubt the power and permanence of the impression produced.  It is due to the cause, and to the society under whose commission we acted, frankly to state, that we were not selected on account of any peculiar qualifications for the work.  As both of us were invalids, and compelled to fly from the rigors of an American winter, it was believed that we might combine the improvement of health, with the prosecution of important investigations, while abler men could thus be retained in the field at home; but we found that the unexpected abundance of materials requires the strongest health and powers of endurance.  We regret to add, that the continued ill health of both of us, since our return, so serious in the case of one, as to deprive him almost wholly of participation in the preparation of the work, has necessarily, delayed its appearance, and rendered its execution more imperfect.

We lay no claim to literary merit.  To present as simple narrative of facts, has been our sole aim.  We have not given the results of our personal observations merely, or chiefly, nor have we made a record of private impressions or idle speculations. Well authenticated facts, accompanied with the testimony, verbal and documentary, of public men, planters, and other responsible individuals, make up the body of the volume, as almost every page will show.  That no statements, if erroneous, might escape detection and exposure, we have, in nearly every case, given the names of our authorities.  By so doing we may have subjected ourselves to the censure of those respected gentlemen, with whose names we have taken such liberty.  We are assured, however, that their interest in the cause of freedom will quite reconcile them to what otherwise might be an unpleasant personal publicity.

Commending our narrative to the blessing of the God of truth, and the Redeemer of the oppressed, we send it forth to do its part, however humble, toward the removal of slavery from our beloved but guilty country.

APPENDIX.

We have in our possession a number of official documents from gentlemen, officers of the government, and variously connected with its administration, in the different islands which we visited:  some of these—­such as could not be conveniently incorporated into the body of the work—­we insert in the form of an appendix.  To insert them all, would unduly increase the size of the present volume.  Those not embodied in this appendix, will be published in the periodicals of the American Anti-Slavery Society.

* * * * *

OFFICIAL COMMUNICATION FROM E.B.  LYON, ESQ., SPECIAL MAGISTRATE.

Jamaica, Hillingdon, near Falmouth, Trelawney, May 15, 1837.

TO J.H.  KIMBALL., ESQ., and J.A.  THOME, ESQ.

DEAR SIRS,—­Of the operation of the apprenticeship system in this district, from the slight opportunity I have had of observing the conduct of managers and apprentices, I could only speak conjecturally, and my opinions, wanting the authority of experience, would be of little service to you; I shall therefore confine the remarks I have to make, to the operation of the system in the district from which I have lately removed.