e to be
more _entirely released from the tyranny of the overseers, or more
thoroughly shielded by the power of equal law_. This is a principle
which must hold good always--that where slavery has been most
rigorous and absolute, there emancipation, needs to be most
unqualified; and where the sway of the master has been _most
despotic, cruel, and_ LONG CONTINUED, there the protection of law
should be most SPEEDILY _extended and most impartially applied_."[B]

[Footnote B: Since the above was written we have seen a copy of a
message sent by Sir Lionel Smith, to the house of assembly of Jamaica,
on the 3d November, 1837, in which a statement of the deprivations of
the apprentices, is officially laid before the house. We make the
following extract from it, which contains, to use his Excellency's
language, "the principal causes, as has been found by the records of the
special magistrates, of complaints among the apprentices; and of
consequent collisions between the planters and magistrates."

"Prudent and humane planters have already adopted what is
recommended, and their properties present the good working of this
system in peace and industry, without their resorting to the
authority of the special magistrates; but there are other properties
where neither the law of the apprenticeship nor the usages of
slavery have been found sufficient to guard the rights of the
apprentices.

First, the magistrates' reports show that on some estates the
apprentices have been deprived of cooks and water-carriers while at
work in the field--thus, the time allowed for breakfast, instead of
being a period of rest, is one of continual labor, as they have to
seek for fuel and to cook. The depriving them of water-carriers is
still more injurious, as the workmen are not allowed to quit their
rows to obtain it. Both these privations are detrimental to the
planter's work. Second, a law seems wanting to supply the estates'
hospitals with sufficient attendants on the sick apprentices, as
well as for the supply of proper food, as they cannot depend on
their own grounds, whilst unable to leave the hospitals. The first
clause of the abolition law has not been found strong enough to
secure these necessary attentions to the sick. Third, in regard to
jobbers, more exposed to hardships than any other class. A law is
greatly required allowing