Lord Rollerose to call the attention of the government to the state of the West Indies. He had to complain of the operation of a law which had recently been passed by the Legislature. He spoke with reference to the measure which had been adopted for the emancipation of the negroes. He did not mean to blame those who bad supported that measure, but he would tell them that it was likely to produce much mischief. Formerly the negroes were willing to labour, but what was the case now? They would not work. His 1133 own negroes had refused to work, although he was obliged to feed them. That very morning a bill had been drawn on him for 1,000l., on account of supplying them with corn alone. He did not in making these observations, speak for himself; he spoke for others, who would seriously suffer. He would say "Look not to me, but look to others, and consider how they will be able to support such a change of circumstances." He conceived it to be his duty to make these few remarks for the sake of struggling individuals; for himself, he had no favour to ask.
§ Viscount Melbournesaid, the statement made by the noble Lord was very different indeed from the representations which had reached him from other quarters with respect to the same colonies. The noble Lord had, however, only adverted to circumstances connected with his own estate, and he had not detailed the causes in which they had originated. From what he knew of the West Indies he could only say, that he hoped such conduct as that the noble Lord complained of would not continue long.
The Earl of Mulgravewas not aware of any such insubordination as that the noble Lord complained of, and he should be glad to know in what part of the colony it existed.
Lord Rollesaid, the noble Earl might laugh, but nevertheless the Bill had had the effect which he stated. He would tell the noble Earl what he had done. He had sent out to the negroes and stated that he should give up all his lands. He certainly would not support them for nothing.
The Earl of Mulgravesaid, it was not his intention to laugh at what fell from the noble Lord; he only rose to state, that what the noble Lord complained of was contrary to his (the Earl of Mulgrave's) own experience for six months alter the passing of the Slavery Abolition Bill. During the whole time he was in the West Indies the negroes never worked better.
§ The subject was dropped.