The testimony of the planters corresponds fully with that of the missionaries.

Said R.B.  Eldridge, Esq., after speaking of the number emancipated, “Yet this vast body, (30,000,) glided out of slavery into freedom with the utmost tranquillity.”

Dr. Daniell observed, that after so prodigious a revolution in the condition of the negroes, he expected that some irregularities would ensue; but he had been entirely disappointed.  He also said that he anticipated some relaxation from labour during the week following emancipation.  But he found his hands in the field early on Monday morning, and not one missing.  The same day he received word from another estate, of which he was proprietor,[A] that the negroes had to a man refused to go to the field.  He immediately rode to the estate and found the people standing with their hoes in their hands doing nothing.  He accosted them in a friendly manner:  “What does this mean, my fellows, that you are not at work this morning?” They immediately replied, “It’s not because we don’t want to work, massa, but we wanted to see you first and foremost to know what the bargain would be.”  As soon as that matter was settled, the whole body of negroes turned out cheerfully, without a moment’s cavil.

[Footnote A:  It is not unusual in the West Indies for proprietors to commit their own estates into the hands of managers; and be themselves, the managers of other men’s estates.]

Mr. Bourne, of Millar’s, informed us that the largest gang he had ever seen in the field on his property, turned out the week after emancipation.

Said Hon. N. Nugent, “Nothing could surpass the universal propriety of the negroes’ conduct on the first of August, 1834!  Never was there a more beautiful and interesting spectacle exhibited, than on that occasion.”

FOURTH PROPOSITION.—­There has been since emancipation, not only no rebellion in fact, but NO FEAR OF IT in Antigua.

Proof 1st.  The militia were not called out during Christmas holidays. Before emancipation, martial law invariably prevailed on the holidays, but the very first Christmas after emancipation, the Governor made a proclamation stating that in consequence of the abolition of slavery it was no longer necessary to resort to such a precaution.  There has not been a parade of soldiery on any subsequent Christmas.[B]

[Footnote B:  This has been followed by a measure on the part of the Legislature, which is further proof of the same thing.  It is “an Act for amending and further continuing the several Acts at present in force for better organizing and ordering the militia.”

The preamble reads thus: 

“WHEREAS the abolition of slavery in this island renders it expedient to provide against an unnecessary augmentation of the militia, and the existing laws for better organizing and ordering that local force require amendment.”

The following military advertisement also shows the increasing confidence which is felt in the freed men: