[Footnote A:  Messrs. Sturge and Harvey.]

7th.  The planters affirm that the abolition of slavery put an end to all danger from insurrection, rebellion, privy conspiracy, and sedition, on the part of the slaves.

8th.  Emancipation is deemed an incalculable blessing, because it released the planters from an endless complication of responsibilities, perplexities, temptations and anxieties, and because it emancipated them from the bondage of the whip.

9th. Slavery—­emancipation—­freedom—­are the universal topics of conversation in Antigua.  Anti-slavery is the popular doctrine among all classes.  He is considered an enemy to his country who opposes the principles of liberty.  The planters look with astonishment on the continuance of slavery in the United States, and express their strong belief that it must soon terminate here and throughout the world.  They hailed the arrival of French and American visitors on tours of inquiry as a bright omen.  In publishing our arrival, one of the St. John’s papers remarks, “We regard this as a pleasing indication that the American public have their eyes turned upon our experiment, with a view, we may hope, of ultimately following our excellent example.” (!) All classes showed the same readiness to aid us in what the Governor was pleased to call “the objects of our philanthropic mission.”

Such are the views now entertained among the planters of Antigua.  What a complete change[B]—­and all in less than three years, and effected by the abolition of slavery and a trial of freedom!  Most certainly, if the former views of the Antigua planters resemble those held by pro-slavery men in this country, their present sentiments are a fac simile of those entertained by the immediate abolitionists.

[Footnote B:  The following little story will further illustrate the wonderful revolution which has taken place in the public sentiment of this colony.  The facts here stated all occurred while we were in Antigua, and we procured them from a variety of authentic sources.  They were indeed publicly known and talked of, and produced no little excitement throughout the island.  Mr. Corbett was a respectable and intelligent planter residing on an estate near Johnson’s Point.  Several months previous to the time of which we now speak, a few colored families (emancipated negroes) bought of a white man some small parcels of land lying adjacent to Mr. C.’s estate.  They planted their lands in provisions, and also built them houses thereon, and moved into them.  After they had become actively engaged in cultivating their provisions, Mr. Corbett laid claim to the lands, and ordered the negroes to leave them forthwith.

They of course refused to do so.  Mr. C. then flew into a violent rage, and stormed and swore, and threatened to burn their houses down over their heads.  The terrified negroes forsook their property and fled.  Mr. C. then ordered his negroes to tear down their huts and burn up the materials—­which was accordingly done.  He also turned in his cattle upon the provision grounds, and destroyed them.  The negroes made a complaint against Mr. C., and he was arrested and committed to jail in St. John’s for trial on the charge of arson.