ABSTRACT
Canada was not the only British colony which caused embarrassment to the Ministry by hostility between the Legislature and the Executive. The affairs of the nation were brought to a crisis in the spring of 1839, by the doubt whether or not the constitution of Jamaica should be suspended. It was then, and it will ever be, a matter of grateful surprise, that such an event as the abolition of slavery should have taken place amidst such quietness as prevailed throughout the West Indies. The quietness continued in most of the settlements; and no reasonable person can read the records of the time without emotions of admiration at the temper of the negroes during the critical years which succeeded their emancipation. The government miscalculated their strength. On the 20th of January, three weeks before their marriage, a Bill for the naturalization of Prince Albert was introduced in the Lords; and passed rapidly, by the suspension of all the standing orders.
