(TRINIDAD) Harris George Long letter by the British governor

Sale 2473 - Lot 323

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Estimate: $ 300 - $ 400

(TRINIDAD.) Harris, George. Long letter by the British governor of Trinidad on colonial race relations. Autograph Letter Signed "Harris" as Governor of Trinidad, apparently to Minister of Parliament Sir Benjamin Hawes. 20 pages (7 3/4x 4 3/4 inches) on 5 folding sheets; minimal wear. Trinidad, 5 January 1848 [1849]

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This letter was written in reaction to a pamphlet: "Speech of Benjamin Hawes, Esq., (M.P. for Kinsale) on Sir William Molesworth's motion relating to colonial expenditure, in the House of Commons, Tuesday, July 25, 1848." Governor Harris writes: "There has generally been too great a leaning towards the coloured & black race & against the planters manifested. . . . I think the unwillingness of the white proprietors or planters to provide for the education of the negroes is a good deal overstated. . . . The blacks show little disposition to acquire more than small properties. In a few years when they have got rid of the bothering of the white, for they look upon his ideas of industry in that light, they will be a happy contented indolent race. . . . Not only did the white proprietors send their children to Europe for their education, but many of the coloured people did the same & any blacks getting into good circumstances have followed their example. By this they have acquired better habits, higher notions of civilisation. . . . Unintentionally we have been forming a number of embryo republics."