hed Wilmington in
safety, and the North Carolina cotton planters doubtless ate and drank
with a keen relish the good things which were intended for the sugar
planters of Grenada.

It may be easily imagined, that the news of a treaty of peace having
been signed at Ghent, was received with great and sincere delight by the
inhabitants of the English islands. Far from their native homes, and in
a great measure free from political excitement, they manifested no great
interest in the results of the war, indulging only a vague desire and
expectation that British arms would prevail. The war had caused them
great inconvenience, and deprived them of many comforts; and it
was difficult to say whether my friends or myself derived the most
gratification from the fact that peace was established between the two
countries.

Time passed on. I had nearly cleared myself from debt, and had even
fixed the period when I should be able to leave Grenada and engage in
other pursuits. My friends combated the resolution I had taken, assuring
me of success, even to the extent of my wishes, if I would remain on
the island. Indeed, I was more than half promised the management of
a plantation near Guayave, called Grosse Point, by Mr. McQueen, the
Receiver General. Fearing I might be tempted to remain, by offers which
I should be unable to withstand, I was anxious to hasten the period of
my departure.

About this time a bill, providing for a registry of the slaves in every
British colony, was passed by the Parliament of Great Britain, with a
view to put a more effectual barrier to the African slave trade. This
bill was not understood by the blacks. They were aware that some law
intended for their benefit, perhaps favoring their emancipation, had
been enacted, and not experiencing any advantageous results, after
waiting patiently some weeks they began to consult together, to murmur,
and exhibit signs of discontent, which caused great alarm. On several
estates the field laborers in a body, including the head drivers and
other magnates, left their homes and went to St. George. They demanded
to be put in possession of those indulgences and rights to which they
supposed they were entitled by the law which had just been passed.

The planters, recollecting the bloody scenes that had been enacted,
years before, at the beginning of the insurrection headed by Fedon,
were greatly alarmed. Military organizations were formed in different
districts, and a regu