t tr Ehitnr.
WEST INDIAN COMMISSION OF INQUIRY.
North Brixton, January 19, 1860. Stit—It seems now to be generally admitted that the measure suggested in your columns two years ago, viz., an honest Commission of Inquiry, exactly such an one as that on Education, of which his Grace the Duke of Newcastle is the effective President, is necessary to enable the public to ascertain the real condition and requirements of the British West India Co- lonies since the establishment of freedom and free trade. If any proof that it is requisite were necessary, we have it in the books of Mr. Trollope, Mr. Charles Buxton, and the Rev. Baldwin Brown, in all which I find opinions expressed which indicate the want of true information as to the condition and character of the population. Mr. Trollope describes them as very in- dolent; Mr. Buxton as addicted to pilfering ; and Mr. Brown understands that the reason why cotton is not cultivated in Demerara as it formerly was, is that labourers cannot be found now the people are free. The truth is, that more work is done now by the freed population than was done by slaves, as can be easily proved ; that the people are quite as honest as the same class of persons in Great Britain ; and that the true reason why cotton cultivation was given up in Demerara is, that the duty having been taken off cotton, and kept as a protective duty on sugar, the latter became more profitable, and the lands, buildings, and capital were, therefore, transferred from one branch of agricultural and manufacturing industry to another. Cotton would be cultivated to a vast extent in Demerara, as well as Jamaica, if capital and energy could be supplied. The want of accurate and reliable information, such as a Commission properly appointed and directed would supply, is the main cause of Twenty Millions of money being annually paid by the Lancashire and Yorkshire manufacturers for slave-grown cotton, which might be grown in our own West Indian colonies instead of the United States, of better quality and at a cheaper rate, if men of energy and capital could be satisfied of the fact as those are who, by a residence in the countries, and experiments they have themselves made, have had the oppor- tunity of forming a sound judgment.
Let us hope, then, that an honest and intelligent Commission will at once be appointed ; and surely it would be difficult to find a better head than either Lord Brougham, Lord Granville, or Lord Portman, whose ability and honesty are unquestionable.
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