An Examination of the Report of the Berbice Commissioners, and an Answer to the Letters of James Stephen, Esq, Respecting the Crown Estates in the We (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1817 edition. Excerpt: ...far. Men are to be judged of, not by their professions, but by their actions-not by their promises, but by their performances. The Berbice Commissioners, if tried by this rule, must be condemned; nor can all the lamentations and protestations of Mr. Wilberforce and his colleagues, either redeem their errors, or disguise their culpability. The only doubt that can arise upon their case, is one merely speculative, whether their incapacity or presumption is the most conspicuous. It appears singular that the Commissioners, throughout the whole of their Report, written avowedly for the purpose of giving an account of " the manner in which the trust reposed in "them had been discharged," should make no mention whatever of the estates and negroes placed under their care in Surinam. In the return which they were required by the order of the House of Commons to make, of all the plantations in the West Indies under their management, they are thus enumerated: In the Colony of Surinam. Plantations or Estates. Number of Slaves. Victoria Wood Estate.... 64. Nieuw Wellevreden. Ditto ..". 48. Worsteling Jacobs. Stone Estate.... 35. Quatta Garden Ground 14. The above estates were transferred to the Commissioners, April 1813. In 1814 no variation is stated to have taken place in the numbers. The Returns for 1815 have not been received. The following account of these estates, will supply in some degree the deficit in the Report of the Commissioners. Under the Dutch Government, the timber from the wood estates was appropriated to building of barracks, and keeping the.Government buildings in repair; and the negroes were employed in cutting down the wood: and preparing it for use. The quarries on' the stone estate, supplied stones for...