It is a common thing here, when you hear one speak of the benefits of emancipation—­the remark—­that it ought to have taken place long ago.  Some say fifty years ago, some twenty, and some, that at any rate it ought to have taken place all at once, without any apprenticeship.  The noon-day sun is not clearer than the fact, that no preparation was required on the part of the slaves.  It was the dictate of an accusing conscience, that foretold of bloodshed, and burning, and devastation.  Can it be supposed to be an accidental circumstance, that peace and good-will have uniformly, in all the colonies, followed the steps of emancipation.  Is it not rather the broad seal of attestation to that heaven born principle, “It is safe to do right.”  Dear brother, if you or any other friend to down trodden humanity, have any lingering fear that the blaze of light which is now going forth from the islands will ever be quenched, even for a moment, dismiss that fear.  The light, instead of growing dim, will continue to brighten.  Your prayers for the safe and happy introduction of freedom, upon a soil long trodden by the foot of slavery, may be turned into praises—­for the event has come to pass.  When shall we be able to rejoice in such a consummation in our beloved America?  How I long to see a deputation of slaveholders making the tour of these islands.  It would only be necessary for them to use their eyes and ears.  Argument would be quite out of place.  Even an appeal to principle—­to compassion—­to the fear of God—­would not be needed.  Self-interest alone would decide them in favor of immediate emancipation.

    Ever yours,

    W.R.  HAYES.

DEMERARA.

SPEECH OF THE GOVERNOR, ON OPENING THE SESSION OF THE COURT OF POLICY,
SEPT. 17, 1838.

From the Guiana Royal Gazette.

“I should fail in my duty to the public, and perhaps no respond to the expectations of yourselves, Gentlemen of the Colonial Section of this Honorable Court, did I not say a few words on the state of the Colony, at this our first meeting after the memorable first of August.

We are now approaching the close of the second month since that date—­a sufficient time to enable us to judge of the good disposition of the new race of Freemen, but not perhaps of the prosperity of the Colony.  It is a proud thing for the Colonist—­Proprietors and Employers—­that nothing has occurred to indicate a want of good feeling in the great body of the laborers.  It is creditable to them, satisfactory to their employers, and confounding to those who anticipated a contrary state of affairs.

That partial changes of location should have taken place, cannot surprise any reasonable mind—­that men who have all their lives been subject to compulsory labor should, on having this labor left to their discretion, be disposed at first to relax, and, in some instances, totally