Lord Broughamwished to ask if her Majesty's Government had taken any steps with regard to the Colonial Legislatures of Antigua and Montserrat, to revoke certain laws which prevented the removal or emigration of free negroes from one island to another; 6d.or 7d.per day sterling was the amount of wages given at Montserrat and Antigua, whilst the negroes could get 2s. 6d.in other islands of the West Indies if allowed to emigrate.
The Marquess of Normanbysaid, the subject had engaged his very anxious attention. He could not say at that moment that any steps had been taken to induce the Legislatures of Antigua and Montserrat to reconsider laws passed in 1836, to which the Royal Assent had been given. It had not been done, because at this 222 moment there would be no advantage in it. He had had communications with different individuals on the subject, who were concerned both with the new and the old colonies. He was aware of the importance of the subject, and should turn his attention to it.
§ Lord Ashburtonthought there ought to be no restraint on the negroes, since the Apprenticeship was over.
Lord Broughamsaid, it was necessary to take some precautions to prevent the negroes, who were not so capable of taking care of themselves as white people, from being ill-treated and sold to French or Portuguese colonies. The only limit that should be allowed should be to take care that nothing of that kind took place.
§ House adjourned.