Episode Transcript
[00:00:00] Speaker A: Stockholm Network and the Department of History and Philosophy, University of the West Indies, Cave Hill campus, present today in bajan history.
[00:00:08] Speaker B: Good day. My name is Randy Batson. I am a graduate of the Department of History and philosophy of the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill campus. On this day, January 4, 1823, the Barbadian newspaper carried a proclamation which offered a ward for the arrest of a white man accused of killing a black enslaved man. The accused in question was one John Parry. Best address not given who was accused of killing a man named simply as Cuffy of Ferry Valley estate in Christchurch. Apparently, the suspect had allegedly flogged Cuffy to death. It was believed that the suspect may have fled the island and may be arrested in another unnamed island. Although it was not confirmed, the governor, Sir Henry Ward, issued a warrant for the apprehension of best in exchange for a reward of 100 pounds if he was still in Barbados. That the suspect was being sought for the alleged offense at the time in the first place reflected societal changes that were taking place that affected the relationship between the enslaved and enslavers. Abolitionists were ramping up their efforts to bring about emancipation. In response to the agitation of these abolitionist groups, the british imperial government and colonial governments, as well as proslavery groups, were taking steps to ameliorate, that is, improve the living conditions of the enslaved people in the colonies. These moves were less about benevolence extended to the enslaved for their own good than a means by which the british authorities were attempting to silence antislavery forces.
Thus, later in 1823, the acts of amelioration would be passed in the crown colonies of Trinidad, British Guyana, and St. Lucia. In other colonies, like Barbados, the rules outlined in the law were treated more as guidelines for their authorities there because the planters felt that they had the right to manage their labor as they saw fit, without interference from the british government. Among the rules in the law were that females were not to be flogged. Enslaved people had a right to be part of the christian community. Enslaved families could not be separated and inflicting punishment on the enslaved floggings. Over three lashes should be recorded, and that record was to be submitted to a magistrate at quarterly sessions.
Most crucially was a provision where an enslaved person can now give evidence against a white person in court.
The emanation plan ultimately failed because the planters strongly opposed it, especially the rule that made the evidence given by an enslaved person against a white person admissible in court. Also, the planters felt that the traditional approach to managing the estates was working and did not want anything introduced that may erode the authority and perhaps lead to emancipation. Furthermore, the local legislatures resented british governmental interference in their affairs, and no adequate system was set up for the implementation and monitoring of the policy.
Thus, the proclamation published on this day, January 4, 1823, for the arrest of a white man for the killing of a black enslaved man could be seen as a step forward in the local authorities recognition of enslaved people as people and therefore entitled to justice in the same way as their white counterparts today.
[00:03:43] Speaker A: In baijan history with Starcon network and the Department of History and Philosophy, University of the West Indies, Cayvel campus.
