66

"Cromer Hall, Sept. 8. 1825. Lushington, Macaulay, and I, have now for several days met directly after breakfast, and employed ourselves in discussing various questions relative to slavery. I now send you the result."

After detailing the projects for the ensuing session, he adds,

"Macaulay leaves me to-morrow; Lushington stays for several weeks: he and I mean to continue our morning meetings."

Sir James Mackintosh to T. Fowell Buxton, Esq.

"Dear Buxton,

Harrowgate, Sept. 25. 1825. "I received your plan of campaign, but as I am going to Brougham's house in Westmoreland, I reserve my observations on it till I have a conference with him. My health is now so much better than ever I expected it would be, that I can with more than usual confidence undertake to perform any task allotted me to the best of my abilities.

The two great measures are, the bill to enforce and generalize
the order in council, and the particular plan of emancipation.
I almost think that both are too much for one session.
I hope to be in London in four weeks, where I shall

wish to hear from you.

"Ever yours faithfully,

"J. MACKINTOSH."

In the beginning of the session of 1826, Mr. Buxton mentions that two meetings about slavery had been already held; and he adds,

"We are determined to bring forward, without delay, two or three enormities, as a prelude to the Bill for compelling the colonial assemblies. The Berbice Papers *, and the insurrection in Jamaica, have been selected."

The Berbice Papers were the official statement by the fiscal of the complaints made to him by the Negroes against their masters, and his

1826.

THE JAMAICA INSURRECTION.

159

"February 23.

"I saw Canning yesterday: he was very friendly; intimated that the Government meant to do something; but as he had refused to tell the West Indians what that something was, he also refused to tell us. On Tuesday next I bring forward the London Petition, and we shall have a warm discussion. On Thursday we have Denman's motion on the Jamaica Trials another fierce discussion; and these will probably be followed by a host of other questions."

Mr. Buxton presented the London Petition against slavery on the 1st of March; it was signed by 72,000 persons. In his speech he praised the order in council enforced in Trinidad, and again pointed out how ineffectual had been the recommendations of the Government to the legislatures of the other islands. "I am anxious," he declared, "to say nothing that can give offence to any party; but it is my duty broadly to declare my confirmed and deliberate conviction, that this House must do the work themselves, or suffer it to be altogether abandoned."*

He thus states the result of this debate:

:

"March 2.

"Last night we had our debate. Canning was not satisfactory he preferred to give the West Indians another year, and then to legislate. We are going to have another debate to-night. I am as tired as a person well can be.”

The next evening came on Mr. Denman's Motion. He took the case of eight of the Negroes executed after the Jamaica insurrection of 1823; and demanded

judgments thereon. The cruelties thus brought to light were of the most revolting character. Abundant extracts from these papers will be found in the Anti-Slavery Reporter for October 31. 1825, vol. i. * Hansard's Debates. New Series, vol. xiv. p. 968.

a vote of censure on those concerned in condemning them. How forced and illegal some of the proceedings had been, will be seen from the following brief extract from Mr. Buxton's speech:

"Next came the evidence of the constable. He was asked, whether he had not found guns amongst the insurgents? His answer was, that he had not; but he was shown a place, where he was told guns had been. Then he was asked, if he had not found large quantities of ammunition? And he answered that he had not. Had he not found a number of bayonets? 'No,' said the constable, but I was shown a basket, in which I was told a great number of bayonets had been!' Such was the evidence on which these men were hanged."

The House resolved, that it would be inexpedient to impeach the sentences which had been passed; but "that further proof had been afforded by them of the evils inseparably attendant upon a state of slavery."

After the close of this session, there was a pause in the operations of the Abolitionists. As Mr. Canning had positively declared that the Government would give the colonial legislature another year's trial, before it would take the task of amelioration into its own hands, nothing remained for the Anti-slavery party but to await the expiration of that period.

SPORTING PROFESSOR. MR. BUXTON'S DELIGHT IN HORSES.

NEPHEW.
NESS. SHIPWRECK OF A

HIS RELIGIOUS INFLUENCE.

LETTER TO A

HIS GENTLE-
EXPLOIT.-

COLLIER. PERILOUS

KINDNESS TO THE POOR. - LETTER CORRESPONDENCE. MARTIN'S ACT.— LETTERS ON

BRAVERY, AND ON CANDOUR. -LETTER TO A CLERGYMAN ON HIS NEW HOUSE.

FOR the last few years Mr. Buxton had generally resided in the spring and summer, near the House of Commons, spending, however, much of his time at Ham House, Mr. Gurney's seat in Essex, and with Mr. S. Hoare, at Hampstead. Amid the turmoil of his parliamentary life, these country visits were of great advantage to him; as affording him quiet hours for study, and the opportunity of taking those solitary rambles which were the times of his deepest reflection.

In 1825 he took a house in Devonshire Street, Portland Place; but as long as he remained in Parliament, a day of leisure generally found him either at Hampstead or at Ham House. Mr. and Mrs. Hoare, also, regularly passed the months of September and October at Cromer, and for several years Cromer Hall was held in common by the two families.

After the busy summer in London, Mr. Buxton

M

highly relished the retirement and recreation which this place afforded. He never lost his taste for shooting, and had the reputation of being a first-rate shot.*

Great pains were taken by him in the management of his game, especially in rearing his pheasants, which used to feed in very large numbers on the lawn, immediately under the drawing-room windows; yet he was scarcely ever annoyed by poachers. On one occasion, however, while riding along the road, he saw a young man in an adjoining field, fire at a partridge and kill it. He opened the gate, and riding up to the youth, who seemed not a little startled at the apparition, said to him, in a somewhat abrupt tone, "Now, sir, allow me to ask you three questions: First, what is your name and residence; secondly, where is your license; and, thirdly, who gave you leave to shoot over my ground?" The young man made a low bow, and answered in the blandest manner: "My name, sir, is

As to your two other questions, with your

*One of his feats is thus alluded to in his game book. "November, 1822. At Holkham, Coke betted that I would kill 200 head in the last two days (November 18 and 19). The first it rained at half-past-twelve. At one o'clock the party went home. In the two preceding hours I had killed 82 head, and I stayed out another hour. The bet was won easily the next day. * * * This week I killed exactly 500 head.

"December 31. 1822. Fine cold weather, very frosty, no snow. Found at Hempstead in the distant coverts, eighteen woodcocks; one fled the country the first time he rose, one fairly beat me, and the remainder I brought home."

At the same time it should be noticed that there never was a sportsman who had a greater abhorrence of wounding game without killing it; and it roused his indignation if those who were with him took long shots for the chance.