Transatlantic Slave Trade Documents
CO28-63-ff77
Description: In wake of Haitian rebellion David Parry governor of Barbados states that slaves are ‘mild, tractable and obedient’ but he will watch them closely. He suggests, however, that it would be better for Wilberforce’s motion for the abolition of the slave trade to lie over for 2 or 3 sessions until ‘the commotions in the French islands shall subside’ as there is a danger that enslaved people will confuse abolition of the trade with emancipation. He adds, ‘Martinique and Guadeloupe are still in great confusion, and St Domingo [Haiti] is almost ruined.’
Date: 26 December 1791
Our Catalogue Reference: CO 28/63
CO28-63-ff77
Description: In wake of Haitian rebellion David Parry governor of Barbados states that slaves are ‘mild, tractable and obedient’ but he will watch them closely. He suggests, however, that it would be better for Wilberforce’s motion for the abolition of the slave trade to lie over for 2 or 3 sessions until ‘the commotions in the French islands shall subside’ as there is a danger that enslaved people will confuse abolition of the trade with emancipation. He adds, ‘Martinique and Guadeloupe are still in great confusion, and St Domingo [Haiti] is almost ruined.’
Date: 26 December 1791
Our Catalogue Reference: CO 28/63