The news of Mr. Buxton's attack on what the planters considered to be their just rights, and of the acquiescence of the Government in his principles, were received in the West Indies with the most vehement indignation. For some weeks after the arrival of the despatches, not the slightest restraint seems to have been put on the violence of their rage, which drove them to the wildest designs. Thoughts were openly entertained of resisting the innovations of the Government by force of arms. It was even proposed to throw off the yoke of the mother country, and place themselves under the protection of America. They could find no language sufficiently bitter to express their rancour and the colonial legislatures unanimously refused submission to the recommendations of the Government.

When the order in council reached Demerara, the authorities of the colony endeavoured to conceal the intelligence from the black population. Their precautions were worse than useless; exaggerated rumours soon spread abroad. The Negroes fancied that “the great King of England” had set them free, and that the planters had suppressed his edict; and under this impression the slaves on several estates refused to work. Compulsion was resorted to—they resisted, and commenced outrages on the property and persons of the whites. Martial law was proclaimed and the soldiers called out.