REPRESENTATION,

&c.

THERE are about 1,294 Government Slaves, and 2,010 Apprentices in the Mauritius*. The Government Slaves are those who were found the property of Government at the capture of the Island, or such as may since have become forfeited to the Crown. They are fed and clothed by Government, and, in sickness, they receive

humane attention in the hospital. Some are employed in the various public departments, as artificers, labourers, messengers, &c.; some are hired out to private individuals at the ordinary price of the colony. Their children are usually bound apprentice from the age of seven until fourteen, after which period their services cease to be gratuitous. The females who have families are allowed to attend to their children; some have the charge of orphans. In general, those who are hired are found very inferior to other slaves in the qualities of industry, subordination, and other virtues essential to the character of a good servant*.

Nearly the whole of these slaves have been long destitute of any religious instruction, nor has any attempt been made to educate their children, until about five or six weeks ago, when (much to the honour of His Excellency Sir Charles Colville's Administration) a coloured Creole was hired to discharge the function of a catechist two hours each day, for about seventy children †. Prayers are also read by him to the

The cause of this can only be attributed to the greater indulgence they receive, and the less effectual control exercised over them; and this notorious fact tends to corroborate the opinions advanced in the following pages.

† An honourable exception to this long neglect is the establishment of a school, some years ago, by Lady Frances

adults on the Sunday, and the Military Chaplain performs divine service for their benefit once a month. Laudable as this beginning is, it must certainly be allowed to be "the infancy of things;" for, when the grossly ignorant and immoral state of the adult slaves thus long abandoned is considered, it is evident, that

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precept upon precept," and "line upon line," and the most unremitting assiduity must be necessary, if any moral or religious effect is expected and it is equally certain, that however admirable the character, and however endowed with pre-eminent qualifications for teaching, the preacher may be, slow progress could be hoped from a monthly lecture. But it is presumed, that the laborious duties of a military chaplain in a tropical climate (where there are two garrisons, thirty miles apart, besides detached outposts, and the schools and hospitals of three regiments to visit) will be considered an ample sphere for any clergyman, and prove that, unless he were to neglect the important duties of his specific appointment, a mere fragment of time is the utmost that he could devote to the slaves.

The Apprentices are those Negroes who have been rescued from slave-ships since the abolition

Cole, for the children of slaves attached to the country residence of the Governor, and to which she devoted much attention. This school is still supported by Sir Charles and Lady Colville.

of the Slave Trade, and are bound by the Collector of the Customs for the period of fourteen, and latterly for seven years, to private individuals, who, by the indentures they sign, engage to teach them a trade or occupation by which they may earn a livelihood, "to provide "them with all things needful for their comfort," and also, "as conveniently as may be, to instruct, or cause them to be taught and instructed in the "Christian Religion, and when instructed to be "taken to be baptized, and to permit and encourage them to attend public worship."

6.6

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It is believed, that the former part of this engagement is, in general, performed; and that, in this respect, the poor negro, snatched from the jaws of slavery by the generous interposition of the British Government, and receiving humane treatment and consideration, derives real benefit from the civil compact made in his behalf,-infinitely more than if he were returned to a state of savage nature, and a liability to all its miseries; or if he were cast adrift upon Society, destitute of habits of industry, and ignorant of the means of earning his daily bread *. But there is reason to fear, that the latter part of the engagement made by masters is almost nugatory. In the first place, there is no specific teacher, or public worship, by which the Apprentices can benefit; and unless

* See Note A.

the ceremonial of the Roman Catholic Church should attract them, or an English master command their attendance at a service in an unknown tongue, or unless he were so very solicitous for their improvement, as to send them to the nearly as incomprehensible service of the Missionary's Chapel, there seems no possibility of this part of the engagement being fulfilled *. Some English masters have endeavoured, by various means, to procure the instruction of their slaves and apprentices; among these may be mentioned Mr. Telfair (Secretary to the former Governor, Sir R. Farquhar), who has instituted schools for the children, and encouraged the pious exertions of different missionaries on his estates. Captain Dick, late Auditor-General, his Honour the Chief Judge, the Hon. Colonel L'Estrange, &c. &c., have shown an exemplary attention to this duty. But whether from the difficulty of procuring" faithful men, able to teach," or from the casual nature of the instruction that has been obtained, it is feared that masters have not been often gratified by seeing a permanent and satisfactory result in the improved religious character of their blacks. In the second place, if it is supposed that, by private instruction in his master's family, the apprentice may receive the benefit contemplated in the indenture, there are many obstacles to be considered. A master must entertain more than

* See Note B.