Sir James Macintosh followed on the same side, Government meeting the motion by a direct negative, and an adjournment was agreed to. Such, however, was the effect already of the debate that the ministry again quailed, and on its resumption, finding they were in peril of a defeat; though to prevent an inconvenient rupture with the West India interest, opposition was not withdrawn, and a simple act of justice allowed to proceed; Mr. Canning substituted "the previous question." This was done after powerful speeches by Dr. Lushington, Mr. J. Williams,* Mr. Wilberforce, and Mr. T. Denman.† Dr. Lushington, after analyzing the evidence, remarked: "And yet on such evidence did they, after five days' deliberation, sentence him to the punishment of death; on such evidence did the Governor of the Colony, to his eternal shame and everlasting disgrace, sanction the sentence. No honest jury ever pronounced such a sentence as that which the Court Martial at Demerara pronounced upon Mr. Smith, and it could have emanated from nothing but the most virulent spirit of prejudice. They knowingly and wilfully gave a FALSE VERDICT.” He then, reading extracts from the public journals, exposed the hateful spirit existing in Demerara. Mr. Wilberforce rose amid loud and long-continued cheering, and made, in vindication of the missionary's character, an impressive address, his last speech in the House. When Mr. Canning, with an eloquent attempt to soften down matters, had moved "the previous question"; Sir Joseph Yorke expressed his opinion that it was only an eloquent apology, but no defence. Mr. Brougham then closed with a most powerful and eloquent reply, involving a scathing exposure of the assumptions, speculations, suggestions offered in excuse; and on a division 146 voted for his motion, 193 against. * Afterwards a Judge in the Court of Queen's Bench, But though lost in outward form, it was felt that a victory of no ordinary value had been achieved. "The discussion had an extreme and powerful effect in changing the current of public opinion. The nation which before had shared the consternation of the Government, began to awaken to the truth. Henceforth the religious public in England was strongly enlisted on behalf of the oppressed missionaries and their persecuted followers.* "The Missionary Smith's Case' became a watch-word and a rallying cry with all the friends of religious liberty, as well as the enemies of West Indian slavery. The measures of the abolitionists all over the country became more bold and decided, as their principles commanded a more general and warmer concurrence. All saw that at the fetters of the slave a blow was at length struck which must, if followed up, make them fall off his limbs for ever." + An earnest of this appeared only four days after the debate, when, 15th June, Mr. Wilberforce renewing the subject, a promise was wrested from the Government to uphold the Order in Council at St. Lucia and Demerara, as well as Trinidad. It only remains to add that Mrs. Smith, on her arrival in England, was met with tokens of esteem and affection by Christians of every name. Provision was made for her support by a life-annuity, purchased with a sum generously contributed for the purpose. This, however, was not long needed, she surviving her husband but four years and four days, which were spent chiefly with highly esteemed friends in London. 31st January, 1828, in a very debilitated condition, she went to Rye on the Sussex coast, but had no sooner arrived than it became plain that the end could not be far off. On Lord's day, 10th February, in great peace and in the full faith of Christ as her Saviour and Lord, she passed away, being only in her thirty-fourth year. The mission work checked in Demerara, had not even * Life of Buxton, p. 131. "Martyr of Demerara," Appendix 5. then been resumed; 1828 about closing before this was done; but the sentence upon her devoted husband as a felon and to a felon's death, though one of the best of men, and long now universally accounted innocent, still remains UNREPEALED!— "though unexecuted; sanctioned, nay, adopted by the Government of this country, because suffered to remain unrescinded" (Brougham). CHAPTER VI. INSURRECTION IN DEMERARA, TO VISIT OF MR. AUGUST 1823-APRIL 1831. Effects upon Berbice and Mission there-Attitude of Whites-Governor Beard, a Friend-Wray a chief Sufferer-False Charge-Destruction of Mission Premises-Sympathetic Aid from England-Second False Charge Letter to Mr. Brougham Attempt to silence WrayMemorial to Home Government-Base Slanders-Letters from Wray to Governor-Duplicity and Meanness of Whites—Interviews with Governor-Disfavour, &c., of Whites-Encouragements by Governor-Good News from Abroad-Adherence of Negroes, &c.—Pastor's Fidelity— Birth of Twelfth Child-Missionary's spiritual Condition— Virulence of Slavery Press-Memorial disapproved-Escape from Berbice Council -Happy Results of Labours Deaths Pupils from High Places among Persecutors-Signs of Progress-Use of Anniversary Days— Review of Doctrines held, and of Pulpit Work. THAT Berbice should afterwards be the first to know and feel the shock of these events, goes without saying. Its sea coast a continuation of the Demerara East Coast, though the outburst itself did not extend beyond Mahaica Creek, intelligence thereof would in a few hours have reached the Abary, and as many minutes would suffice to bear the news across. Unhappily, the malignant spirit and violent reprisals of the slavery party found too large and continuous a sympathy in Berbice; and the meanness of the whites generally for some time to come, towards the missionary and mission work, became almost incredible. They could not have been exceeded unless it were by the fresh outburst of licentiousness and of heathen revellings which seems to have taken place. In these respects there was little to choose between the two Colonies; and nothing more likely to bring either to ruin or to cause fresh and far more widely-spread thoughts of insurrection. The language of the press, the bickerings of proprietors and officials, yet the almost complete unanimity with which they rejected the proposals of philanthropy, opposed the presence of missionaries, and repelled co-operation with any not their own colour; betokened ill for the settlement and peace of communities already in a state of panic, and in which the word "freedom" was not to be spoken. Had such beneficent agencies been completely withdrawn, and had the Home Legislature, whose Ordinances were so resented, recalled its regiments and ships of war, leaving the slave holders to themselves; where then, with all their bluster and bitterness, would these men have been? Humanly speaking, but for the presence in Berbice of a Governor ready to respect the wishes of the Home Government, wise to carry them out, impartial to hear the accused as well as the accuser, and ever willing, as far as was right, to befriend the missionary; the mission there-notwithstanding years of labour by the agent, his high and long tested character, the many deeds of kindness shown by himself and his equally devoted partner in life, towards any in need, whether bond or free, and without respect to age or colour, rank or occupation would have been made as desolate as that in the adjoining Colony. Even as it was, Mr. Wray, with his wife and growing family, could but hold on to what was immediately at hand; other work near having to remain in abeyance for awhile; and the work in Demerara for years to be let alone, until much quieter times. This, relying on an all-wise and gracious God, with strength vouchsafed according to his day, he succeeded in |