Barbados, Jan-May 1838, Despatches : Sir Evan Murray John McGregor, governor of Barbados : Index; Minutes; Memorandum; Proclamation; List; Legal document; Petition; Report; Acts and Legislation; Address; Correspondence Jan-May 1838.

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Despatches from Sir Evan Murray John McGregor, governor of Barbados. Details are given at item level. CO 28/122/1. Outlines opinions of the special justices on the probable consequences of the abolition of the apprenticeship scheme, with his comments, and recommends total abolition on 1 August 1838. Barbados No. 1, folios 2-13. 01/01/1838. CO 28/122/2. Mr Cunningham's duties as colonial secretary: forwards proceedings of the Council and Assembly, address of the Assembly and the opinion of the solicitor general. Argues against proposed increase in duties. Barbados No. 2, folios 14-30. 01/01/1838. CO 28/122/3. Acknowledges receipt of certain despatches. General No. 8, folios 31-32. 07/01/1838. CO 28/122/4. Forwards the following Acts [copies of Acts not in item]: No 639, 'for the safe keeping of the registers of the several Parishes of this Island'; No 640, 'to authorise the treasurer to make all licenses issued by him for vending any article, or exercising any trade or calling, end with the year in which they are granted'; No 641, 'for amending and continuing in force an Act entitled an Act for laying a tax on licenses to be granted for the retailing of rum, brandy, gin and other liquors and for regulating the manner in which such licenses shall be granted'. With summaries and reports of solicitor general. Barbados No. 10, folios 33-36A. 11/01/1838. CO 28/122/5. Forwards Act No 638, 'for securing to Charles Terry, William Parker and Abraham Hodgson Phillpots an exclusive property in an invention for the improvement of sugar' [copy of Act not in item]. With summary and report of the solicitor general. Barbados No. 11, folios 37-43. 11/01/1838. CO 28/122/6. Summary of despatches sent to the Colonial Office. Unnumbered, folio 44. 14/01/1838. CO 28/122/7. Case of apprenticed labourer Tommy and others: encloses and reports on correspondence between Stipendiary Magistrate Hutcheson and the colonial secretary concerning disputed classification of the apprentices by J P Evelyn. Remarks on Hutcheson's decision to class the apprentices as non praedials and states that the reasons for opposing the award are founded on the opinion of the solicitor general. Barbados No. 12, folios 46-91. 26/01/1838. CO 28/122/8. Acknowledges receipt of certain despatches. General No. 14, folios 92-92A. 29/01/1838. CO 28/122/9. Reports that he has revoked his instructions relating to the reception of notes of the Colonial Bank, and has asked the lieutenant governor of Tobago to withhold assent from an Act 'to encourage the currency of notes of the Colonial Bank'. Barbados & General No. 15, folios 93-94. 29/01/1838. CO 28/122/10. Encloses copies of correspondence with Baron de Mackau, governor of Martinique, relating to his services during the hurricane and the thanks of the British Government. General No. 16, folios 95-97A. 29/01/1838. CO 28/122/11. Printed copy of a despatch covering a return specifying the number of children apprenticed in Barbados under the provision of the Abolition Law as required by the House of Commons. Barbados No. 17, folios 98-99. 29/01/1838. CO 28/122/12. Encloses copy of his address to the Council and Assembly on 16 January recommending the total abolition of the apprenticeship system on 1 August 1838, and comments on the state of public feeling on the subject. Barbados No. 22, folios 100-103A. 01/02/1838. CO 28/122/13. Encloses message to the Council and Assembly of 19 December 1837 respecting the delays in transmission of the blue books. Also encloses the blue book for 1836 [not in item] with letter from the colonial secretary concerning its inaccuracies. Barbados No. 23, folios 104-107. 01/02/1838. CO 28/122/14. In reply to despatch of 30 December 1837 concerning the exchange of offices between Stipendiary Magistrate Loving and Mr Bedingfield, the colonial secretary of Montserrat, encloses a letter from Mr Loving accepting the exchange. Barbados No. 24, folios 108-110A. 03/02/1838. CO 28/122/15. Printed copy of despatch forwarding statement of the particulars of certain cases referred to in a paper called the British Emancipator , said to be extracts from authenticated records and which were tried and decided by Captain Hamilton, special magistrate of District B. Barbados No. 25, folios 111-112. 06/02/1838. CO 28/122/16. Abolition of apprenticeship: encloses letter from the editor of the New Times on the proposal of the Negro Emancipation Committee, London, to invite the apprentices to public meetings in favour of the total abolition of the scheme on 1 August 1838. States his intention to discourage such meetings. Barbados No. 26, folios 113-118. 06/02/1838. CO 28/122/17. Summary of despatches transmitted to the Colonial Office. Unnumbered, folios 120-121. 06/02/1838. CO 28/122/18. Forwards papers relating to the property of the late Ephraim Potter, which has been escheated to the Crown. With reports of the casual receiver on petitions received from various individuals. Barbados No. 27, folios 122-152. 07/02/1838. CO 28/122/19. Recommends the issue of a proclamation in the queen's name 'exhorting the emanicipated negroes to general good conduct and industry'. Barbados No. 28, folios 153-154. 20/02/1838. CO 28/122/20. Acknowledges receipt of various despatches. General No. 29, folios 155-156. 22/02/1838. CO 28/122/21. States that he intends drawing upon the Treasury for the expense of sending home two military convicts, Benjamin Cain and George Evans. Barbados No. 30, folios 157-160A. 22/02/1838. CO 28/122/22. Printed copy of despatch covering tables and reports of the special magistrates for January. Barbados No. 31, folios 161-163. 22/02/1838. CO 28/122/23. Reports that Mr Forster Clarke has not been in the island since his nomination to a seat at the Board of Council, and suggests that Edward H Senhouse should be appointed. Barbados No. 32, folios 164-165. 22/02/1838. CO 28/122/24. Governor's salary: further to his despatch of 11 November 1837 renews his application for an extra allowance in lieu of fees. Barbados No. 33, folios 166-167. 23/02/1838. CO 28/122/25. Forwards Act No 642, 'to amend an Act entitled an Act for the abolition of slavery for the government of apprenticed labourers and for ascertaining and enforcing the reciprocal duties between them and their employers' [copy of Act not in item]. With summary and opinion of solicitor general and a message to the Council and Assembly recommending its adoption. Barbados No. 40, folios 168-171A. 02/03/1838. CO 28/122/26. Reports death of Sir James Carmichael Smyth, governor of British Guiana. Seeks promotion. Unnumbered private letter, folio 172. 11/03/1838. CO 28/122/27. Acknowledges receipt of certain despatches. General No. 41, folios 173-173A. 12/03/1838. CO 28/122/28. Death of Sir James Carmichael Smyth: encloses letter from the colonial secretary of British Guiana announcing the death of the governor and the provisional appointment of Colonel Bunbury to the command of the troops and the administration of the Government. Colonel Mein provisionally appointed to relieve Colonel Bunbury in administering the Government of St Lucia. General No. 42, folios 174-179. 12/03/1838. CO 28/122/29. Submits list of the members of the Council. Barbados No. 43, folios 131-132A. 12/03/1838. CO 28/122/30. Forwards return, taken from the reports of the special magistrates, of the apprenticed labourers discharged from apprenticeship during 1837. Barbados No. 44, folios 183-184A. 12/03/1838. CO 28/122/31. Forwards copy of additional proclamation concerning the classification of apprenticed labourers and a return of numbers transferred to the non praedial class up to 1 March 1838. Barbados No. 45, folios 185-187A. 12/03/1838. CO 28/122/32. Classification of apprenticed labourers: refers to his previous despatch and requests instructions as to whether, and by what means, appeals of labourers against their classification are to be admitted. Barbados No. 46, folios 188-190. 12/03/1838. CO 28/122/33. Corporal punishment of apprenticed labourers: reports that he has forwarded to magistrates copies of the secretary of state's despatch of 31 January and instructed them to abstain from infliction of corporal punishment without sanction. Requests further instructions. Barbados No. 47, folios 191-198. 14/03/1838. CO 28/122/34. States that details of the military convicts Cain and Evans have been sent to the Home Office. Barbados No. 48, folios 199-199A. 14/03/1838. CO 28/122/35.

Forwards reply of the Assembly to his message advocating complete abolition of the apprenticeship system. Barbados No. 49, folios 200-202A. 14/03/1838. CO 28/122/36. Forwards punishment returns and reports of the stipendiary magistrates of the working of the apprenticeship system, and discusses the current trespass legislation which, it has been stated, can have the effect of interrupting relations between husbands and wives, or parents and children, among the apprenticed labourers. Barbados No. 60, folios 203-227.

20/03/1838. CO 28/122/37. Forwards plans [not in item] and memoir concerning Bridgetown gaol drawn up by Lieutenant Smith, Royal Engineers, and strongly recommends him for public employment. Barbados No. 61, folios 228-237. 26/03/1838. CO 28/122/38. Acknowledges receipt of certain despatches. General No. 62, folios 238-239. 26/03/1838. CO 28/122/39. Further on the question of appeals against classification of apprenticed labourers. Barbados No. 67, folios 240-241. 31/03/1838. CO 28/122/40. Further on the case of John Thompson, a young seaman almost blinded by a hatchet blow. General No. 68, folios 242-244. 31/03/1838. CO 28/122/41. Two summaries of despatches transmitted to the Colonial Office. Unnumbered, folios 246-248. 01/01/1838. CO 28/122/42. Acknowledges receipt of certain despatches. General No. 69, folios 250-251. 06/04/1838. CO 28/122/43. In reply to despatch of 12 February sends his comments on the policy of forming a central legislation for the Windward Islands. General No. 70, folios 252-253. 12/04/1838. CO 28/122/44. Encloses copy of proceedings of the Privy Council on the private and confidential circular of 27 February in favour of the termination of apprenticeship. Barbados No. 77, folios 254-257. 12/04/1838. CO 28/122/45. States that he is unable to comment on Mr Sturge's complaints as requested as he did not receive the despatch forwarding relevant papers and the duplicate despatch now received does not include the original enclosures. Barbados No. 78, folios 258-259. 15/04/1838. CO 28/122/46. Summary of despatches transmitted to the Colonial Office. Unnumbered, folio 261. 16/04/1838. CO 28/122/47. Reports that he has forwarded the commissions and instructions for the lieutenant governors of Tobago, St Vincent, Grenada, St Lucia and Trinidad as required. General No. 79, folios 262-265. 18/04/1838. CO 28/122/48. Forwards fourteen Acts as follows [copies not in item]: No 644, 'for marking and numbering the streets, alleys and lanes of Bridgetown and the houses therein'; No 645, 'to authorise the appointment of a granger for each of the shipping places called Serman's Bay and Six Men's Bay'; No 646, 'to enlarge and render more effectual the provisions of an Act of this Island entitled An Act for laying a tax on mills, carriages, horses and dogs and providing for the annual return of the same'; No 647, 'to remit the Colonial duties on a certain quantity of rum imported for the use of Her Majesty's Navy'; No 643, 'to authorise Abraham Watson to erect a bathing house in the sea opposite his premises near Speights Town'; No 656, 'to prevent the holding of elections in the parish churches, and to alter the mode of giving notices therein during divine service'; No 655, 'to ratify and confirm the exchange of part of the land attached to Pilgrim House for the like quantity belonging to the Pine Plantation late the property of Joseph Waith'; No 649, 'to prevent the cruel and improper treatment of cattle'; No 648, 'to confirm and establish certain laws and regulations for the government of the Police already established in Speights Town'; No 650, 'to punish in a summary manner persons indecently exposing themselves'; No 651, 'for granting a sum of money for the purchase of a piece of plate or a sword to be presented to Lieutenant Leicester V Smith of the Royal Engineers'; No 652, 'to authorise the churchwarden of the parish of Saint Michael to pay over to the commissioners of the highways for the parish of Christ Church the tax collected on the produce carted over that portion of the St Michael's road leading from St Ann's Garrison to Bridgetown'; No 653, 'to authorise the rector of the parish of Saint Thomas to exchange a part of the glebe land for a spot of land in said parish as a site for the erection of a chapel'; No 654, 'to alter and amend the law relative to the marking of carts, wains and wagons'. With summaries and reports of the solicitor general. Barbados No. 80, folios 266-278. 18/04/1838. CO 28/122/49. Acknowledges receipt of certain despatches. General No. 81, folios 279-279A. 18/04/1838. CO 28/122/50. Forwards further papers on the subject of the abolition of the apprenticeship scheme. Barbados No. 82, folios 280-283. 19/04/1838. CO 28/122/51. Forwards comments on draft legislation to amend the Act for the abolition of slavery. Barbados & General No. 83, folios 284-285. 19/04/1838. CO 28/122/52. Summary of despatches transmitted to the Colonial Office. Unnumbered, folios 286-287. 24/04/1838. CO 28/122/53. Reports that the documents relating to the transactions of the auxiliary commissioners for compensation have been deposited with the colonial secretary, and that he has sanctioned the final issue of the amounts due to Mr Mayers, secretary to the commissioners. Forwards copy of a communication to the same effect respecting the auxiliary commissioners in St Vincent. Barbados & St Vincent No. 89, folios 288-291A. 26/04/1838. CO 28/122/54. Forwards extract of proceedings of the Privy Council on the subject of education in Barbados, at which Mr La Trobe assisted. Barbados No. 90, folios 292-305. 26/04/1838. CO 28/122/55. Asks for instructions concerning allowances or passage money to be granted to special magistrates on the loss of their positions following the abolition of apprenticeship. General No. 99, folios 306-309. 01/05/1838. CO 28/122/56. Forwards copies of four Acts [not in item] as follows: No 657, 'to exempt wine, brandy, rum and other spirituous liquors imported for the use of the Army and Navy from the payment of colonial duties'; No 658, 'to prevent diseased horses, mules or asses being used on any of the roads, streets, lanes or other public places'; No 659, 'to enable the vestry of the parish of St Andrew to meet and set rates for defraying their parish charges'; No 660, 'to authorise the collection of tolls at the market place of Bridgetown'. With summaries and reports of the solicitor general. Barbados No. 100, folios 310-315. 02/05/1838. CO 28/122/57. Acknowledges receipt of certain despatches. General No. 105, folios 316-316A. 05/05/1838. CO 28/122/58. Forwards petition from special magistrates referring to their original expectation that their posts would be in existence until 1 August 1840. Barbados No. 106, folios 317-321. 11/05/1838. CO 28/122/59. Printed copy of despatch stating that copies of the circular despatch of 2 April and of the Bill for the amendment of the Imperial Slavery Abolition Act have been communicated to the Legislature. Reports serious illness of the solicitor general. Barbados No. 107, folio 322. 11/05/1838. CO 28/122/60. Forwards punishment returns and reports of the special magistrates for March, and comments on Captain Hutcheson's observations on hospital rules and regulations. Barbados No. 108, folios 323-350. 12/05/1838. CO 28/122/61. Stresses the need for small denomination coin for the payment of labourers following abolition of apprenticeship. Barbados No. 109, folios 351-352. 12/05/1838. CO 28/122/62. Case of Robert Cox: explains delay in sending the solicitor general's report in the case, and the inevitable further delay because of Mr Clarke's illness. Praises Clarke's (unpaid) handling of public business and recommends him for post of legal adviser. Barbados No. 110, folios 353-357A. 12/05/1838. CO 28/122/63. Printed copy of despatch reporting progress of the Bill for the total abolition of the apprenticeship scheme. Barbados No. 112, folios 358-359. 16/05/1838. CO 28/122/64. Summary of despatches transmitted to the Colonial Office. Unnumbered, folios 360-362. 16/05/1838. CO 28/122/65. Printed copy of despatch enclosing summary of and report on 'An Act for terminating the Apprenticeship of the Praedial Labourers within this Island on the 1st day of August 1838'. Barbados No. 113, folios 363-364. 16/05/1838. CO 28/122/66. Abolition of apprenticeship in Barbados and St Vincent. Unnumbered private letter, folio 365. 16/05/1838. CO 28/122/67. Acknowledges receipt of certain despatches. General No. 112 [number repeated], folios 366-366A. 21/05/1838. CO 28/122/68. Reports that he and Sir Samford Whittingham have selected Colonel Everard of the 14th Regiment for the temporary administration of the government of British Guiana. General No. 114, folios 367-377. 23/05/1838. CO 28/122/69. Forwards tables and reports from the special magistrates for April. Barbados No. 115, folios 378-388. 23/05/1838. CO 28/122/70.

Mr Hunt Grubbe's application for unappropriated lands said to be impregnated with bitumen: forwards copy of proceedings of the Privy Council in the matter. Barbados No. 116, folios 389-390A. 23/05/1838. CO 28/122/71. Summary of despatches transmitted to the Colonial Office. Unnumbered, folios 392-393. 30/05/1838. CO 28/122/72. Amended Slave Abolition Act and the termination of apprenticeship: states that the secretary of state's last despatch has placed him 'between the horns of a dilemma', explains his views, and forwards copies of two proclamations.

Unnumbered private letter, folios 394-398. 30/05/1838. CO 28/122/73. Acknowledges receipt of information that the royal mandamus for the appointment of Mr Loving to post of secretary and clerk of the Council and of the Crown in the island of Montserrat has been prepared and issued to Mr Loving's agent. Unnumbered, folio 399. 30/05/1838. CO 28/122/74. Printed copy of despatch concerning the abolition of apprenticeship and forwarding proceedings of a meeting of the Privy Council, his message to the president and Council, a petition from proprietors and attorneys, two proclamations, and extracts from the Barbados Mercury. Barbados No. 124, folios 401-405. 30/05/1838.

Notes:

AMDigital Reference:CO 28/122.

CO 28.