§ Lord Grenvillerose to call the attention of the House to a subject winch had been under the consideration of the House last session: he alluded to the subject of the Abolition of the Slave trade and the Registry of Slaves. He had then stated the reasons which induced him to refrain from pressing any specific measure to be adopted by parliament, with respect to the registration of 1205 slaves in the colonies. The reasons were, that he had been informed, that it was probable the local legislatures would adopt such measures as would answer the purpose. He had last year stated his intention of bringing the subject before their lordships early in the present session. The reason why he had not done so was, that he understood the local legislatures had had such measures under discussion, and that, in the principal colony, an act had been passed for the object which he had mentioned. He never could admit, that by any act of the Crown, a million of British subjects should be withdrawn from the control of the imperial parliament; but at the same time he admitted, that if the local legislatures would adopt such measures as would effectually accomplish the great object in view, it was much better that this should be done by them than by others. He expressed his hope, that his noble friend would state what had been done by the local legislatures on this important subject. He wished to know, first, whether there had been any discussion by the legislature of Jamaica, and by those of the other colonies, on the subject in question? Secondly, whether any bills had been passed; and, if passed, whether any of them had been received by the ministers of the Crown?
§ Earl Bathurststated, that after the subject had been discussed in that House, a letter had been addressed to the governors of the several West India islands, with instructions to make the proper communications to the assemblies, and persuade them to adopt such measures as were best calculated to accomplish the object in view. He was now able to state to their lordships, that intelligence had been received, that in Jamaica a bill for the registration of slaves had been passed; and also another bill for giving greater effect to the object of the abolition of the slave traffic; that in Barbadoes an act had been passed for the registration of slaves; and that in St. Vincent's, and other islands, the subject had been under discussion; and it was expected, that all the other legislatures would follow the example of Jamaica. The acts which had been passed would, as soon as possible, be laid on their lordships table. With respect to the colonial legislatures, he must say, that they had evinced every disposition to attend to the wishes of the legislature and public of Great Britain, and to promote the object in view.
§ Lord Grenvillesaid, that the information now communicated by his noble friend, afforded him the most lively satisfaction; and he was more particularly gratified by the assurance, that the colonial legislatures had shown a sincere desire to contribute to the accomplishment of the great object in view. He hoped the bills would, without delay, be laid on the table, that they might see how far they were calculated to answer the purpose; and, if there were no objection, he would now submit a motion to that effect.
§ Earl Bathurstsaid, that it was his intention, before Easter, to lay the acts on the table.