We took an early opportunity to call on the Governor, whom we found affable and courteous.  On learning that we were from the United States, he remarked, that he entertained a high respect for our country, but its slavery was a stain upon the whole nation.  He expressed his conviction that the instigators of northern mobs must be implicated in some way, pecuniary or otherwise, with slavery.  The Governor stated various particulars in which Antigua had been greatly improved by the abolition of slavery.  He said, the planters all conceded that emancipation had been a great blessing to the island, and he did not know of a single individual who wished to return to the old system.

His excellency proffered us every assistance in his power, and requested his secretary—­a colored gentleman—­to furnish us with certain documents which he thought would be of service to us.  When we rose to leave, the Governor followed us to the door, repeating the advice that we should “see with our own eyes, and hear with our own ears.”  The interest which his Excellency manifested in our enterprise, satisfied us that the prevalent feeling in the island was opposed to slavery, since it was a matter well understood that the Governor’s partialities, if he had any, were on the side of the planters rather than the people.

On the same day we were introduced to a barrister, a member of the assembly and proprietor of an estate.  He was in the assembly at the time the abolition act was under discussion.  He said that it was violently opposed, until it was seen to be inevitable.  Many were the predictions made respecting the ruin which would be brought upon the colony; but these predictions had failed, and abolition was now regarded as the salvation of the island.

SABBATH.

The morning of our first Sabbath in Antigua came with that hushed stillness which marks the Sabbath dawn in the retired villages of New England.  The arrangements of the family were conducted with a studied silence that indicated habitual respect for the Lord’s day.  At 10 o’clock the streets were filled with the church-going throng.  The rich rolled along in their splendid vehicles with liveried outriders and postillions.  The poor moved in lowlier procession, yet in neat attire, and with the serious air of Christian worshippers.  We attended the Moravian service.  In going to the chapel, which is situated on the border of the town, we passed through and across the most frequented streets.  No persons were to be seen, excepting those whose course was toward some place of worship.  The shops were all shut, and the voices of business and amusement were hushed.  The market place, which yesterday was full of swarming life, and sent forth a confused uproar, was deserted and dumb—­not a straggler was to be seen of all the multitude.

On approaching the Moravian chapel we observed the negroes, wending their way churchward, from the surrounding estates, along the roads leading into town.