We joined the family circle around the centre table, and spent the evening in free conversation on the subject of slavery.
During the evening Mr.C.stated, that he had lately met with a planter who, for some years previous to emancipation, and indeed up to the very event, maintained that it was utterly impossible for such a thing ever to take place.

The mother country, he said, could not be so mad as to take a step which must inevitably ruin the colonies.

_Now_, said Mr.C., this planter would be one of the last in the island to vote for a restoration of slavery; nay, he even wishes to have the apprenticeship terminated at once, and entire freedom given to the people.

Such changes as this were very common.
Mr.C.remarked that during slavery, if the negro ventured to express an opinion about any point of management, he was met at once with a reprimand.

If one should say, "I think such a course would he best," or, "Such a field of cane is fit for cutting," the reply would be, "_Think_! you have no right to think any thing about it.