shall first mention my opportunities of forming a proper
estimate of the conduct and character of both
parties.

"I have known Mr. Wood since his first arrival in Antigua in
1803. He was then a poor young man, who had been brought up
as a ship carpenter in Bermuda. He was afterwards raised to
be a clerk in the Commissariat department, and realised
sufficient capital to commence business as a merchant. This
last profession he has followed successfully for a good many
years, and is understood to have accumulated very
considerable wealth. After he entered into trade, I had
constant intercourse with him in the way of business; and in
1824 and 1825, I was regularly employed on his premises as
his clerk; consequently, I had opportunities of seeing a
good deal of his character both as a merchant, and as a
master of slaves. The former topic I pass over as irrelevant
to the present subject: in reference to the latter, I shall
merely observe that he was not, in regard to ordinary
matters, more severe than the ordinary run of slave owners;
but, if seriously offended, he was not of a disposition to
be easily appeased, and would spare no cost or sacrifice to
gratify his vindictive feelings. As regards the exaction of
work from domestic slaves, his wife was probably more severe
than himself--it was almost impossible for the slaves ever
to give her entire satisfaction.

"Of their slave Molly (or Mary) I know less than of Mr. and
Mrs. Wood; but I saw and heard enough of her, both while I
was constantly employed on Mr. Wood's premises, and while I