RETURN of the SLAVES in the ISLAND of NEW PROVIDENCE, together with the Births and Deaths, in the last three Years.

1

No. 1.-Letter from Governor Ricketts to his Grace the Duke of Portland; dated

No. 5.-Extract of a Letter from his Grace the Duke of Portland to Governor Ricketts;

8th August 1799

P. 5.

No. 6.-Governor Ricketts to the Duke of Portland; 1ft September 1799 ·

ibid.

No. 7.-Lord Seaforth to Lord Hobart; dated Barbadoes, 18th March 1802

(Two Enclosures.)

(1.)-Minutes of Council of the Island of Barbadoes
(2.)-Proceedings of the General Affembly

No. 8.-Lord Hobart to Lord Seaforth; 6th September 1802

·

PP. 5, 6.

P. 7.

C.

BARBA DOES.

I

My Lord,

No. 1.- Copy of a Letter from Governor Ricketts to his
Grace the Duke of Portland; dated Barbadoes, 5th
July 1797.

HAVE the honour to acknowledge the Duplicate of your Grace's circular Letter of the 6th of May, the original not having yet come to hand. In obedience to His Majefty's commands, I fhall take the earlieft opportunity of communicating to the Council and Affembly of this Island the accompanying Refo-See p. 11 A, lution of the House of Commons, and fhall be moft happy in fuggefting and promoting any measure that may give effect to the benevolent views of the British Legiflature, relative to increafing the happiness and maintaining the population of the Slaves. I am not aware of any recent meafures adopted here that make an alteration in the former fyftem, but I will avail myself of every opportunity to tranfmit to your Grace fuch proceedings of the Legislative Bodies of this Colony, as may refult from the communications with which I am now honoured.

I beg leave to fubfcribe myself,

with great refpect, &c.

G. P. Ricketts.

Secret.

My Lord,

received

No. 2.-Copy of a Letter from Governor Ricketts to his
Grace the Duke of Portland; dated Barbadoes, 31st
May 1798.

I AM honoured with your Grace's Letter of the 23d of April, marked Circular,
Secret-the Refolution of the British House of Commons alluded to, with an
Extract from your Grace's former Letter, and an accompanying Letter from myfeif,
were laid, as foon as poffible, before the Council and Affembly of this Ifland. Í
refpectful anfwers, expreffive of their with to adopt any mode that might
tend to meliorate the condition of the Negroes, and a Committee of the Affembly
was appointed
to take the bufinefs into confideration, but no fublequent fteps have
been taken. I will not fail to urge the matter at the next meeting of the Legifla-
ture, on the 5th of July, and in the mean time will avail myfelf of every oppor-
tunity to imprefs on the minds of thofe Gentlemen, who are beft able to influe..ce
others, the propriety of giving their earnest and effectual aid to fuch mealures as
appear beft adapted to effect your Grace's benevolent intentions.

fhall

With the highest respect,

I have the honour to be, &c.

G. P. Ricketts.