“There was the most violent opposition in the legislature, and throughout the island, to the anti-slavery proceedings in Parliament.  The anti-slavery party in England were detested here for their fanatical and reckless course.  Such was the state of feeling previous to emancipation, that it would have been certain disgrace for any planter to have avowed the least sympathy with anti-slavery sentiments.  The humane might have their hopes and aspirations, and they might secretly long to see slavery ultimately terminated; but they did not dare to make such feelings public. They would at once have been branded as the enemies of their country!”—­Hon. N. Nugent.

“There cannot be said to have been any anti-slavery party in the island before emancipation.  There were some individuals in St. John’s, and a very few planters, who favored the anti-slavery views, but they dared not open their mouths, because of the bitter hostility which prevailed.”—­S.  Bourne, Esq.

“The opinions of the clergymen and missionaries, with the exception of, I believe, a few clergymen, were favorable to emancipation; but neither in their conduct, preaching, or prayers, did they declare themselves openly, until the measure of abolition was determined on.  The missionaries felt restrained by their instructions from home, and the clergymen thought that it did not comport with their order ’to take part in politics!’ I never heard of a single planter who was favorable, until about three months before the emancipation took place; when some few of them began to perceive that it would be advantageous to their interests.  Whoever was known or suspected of being an advocate for freedom, became the object of vengeance, and was sure to suffer, if in no other way, by a loss of part of his business.  My son-in-law[A], my son[B], and myself, were perhaps the chief marks for calumny and resentment.  The first was twice elected a member of the Assembly, and as often put out by scrutinies conducted by the House, in the most flagrantly dishonest manner.  Every attempt was made to deprive the second of his business, as a lawyer.  With regard to myself, I was thrown into prison, without any semblance of justice, without any form of trial, but in the most summary manner, simply upon the complaint of one of the justices, and without any opportunity being allowed me of saying one word in my defence.  I remained in jail until discharged by a peremptory order from the Colonial Secretary, to whom I appealed.”—­James Scotland, Sen., Esq.

[Footnote A:  Dr. Ferguson, physician in St. John’s.]

[Footnote B:  James Scotland, Jun., Esq., barrister, proprietor, and member of Assembly.]

Another gentleman, a white man, was arrested on the charge of being in the interest of the English Anti-Slavery party, and in a manner equally summary and illegal, was cast into prison, and confined there for one year.