Page:Copley 1844 A History of Slavery and its Abolition 2nd Ed.djvu/339

Rh on, and the liberated slaves were peaceably at work through the republic, as well the newly enfranchised as those originally free.

In addition to these instances, some interesting facts are recorded of individual liberality and justice being exercised, not only with safety, but with abundant advantage to the interest of the proprietor. A Mr. Steele, having large estates in Barbadoes, which proved very unprofitable under the management of others, went over himself, at nearly eighty years of age. He immediately substituted a system of kindness and rewards for that of cruelty and punishment. He took away the whips, which caused the white overseers to resign, and established a sort of magistracy among the negroes themselves, appointing the elder negroes as superintendents, and made it their charge to establish and enforce obedience and industry. In case of offences, they were tried by a jury of negroes, in the presence of their master, or the new overseer, to whom also were made daily or occasional reports of the conduct of each gang. This treatment gave them a sense of dignity and respectability.

Mr. Steele next made an experiment of the voluntary system. He offered a small pecuniary reward to as many as would undertake to perform a certain quantity of holeing (the most laborious work) daily. By this plan, six negroes performed with ease what had been reckoned a hardship for eighteen, and had an hour each evening to spare. This plan was as profitable to the master as it was satisfactory to the servant, as it was a saving of the season, which is a most important object, of which we may form some idea,