Consolidated Slave Law Explained

The Consolidated Slave Law was a law which was enacted by the Barbados legislature in 1826. Following Bussa's Rebellion, London officials were concerned about further risk of revolts and instituted a policy of amelioration. This was resisted by white Barbadian planters. In consequence, the Consolidated Slave Act was a compromise: it simultaneously granted concessions to the slaves whilst also providing reassurances to the slave owners.^{[1] [2]}

Three concessions to the slaves were:

• The right to own property
• The right to give evidence in courts in all cases
• A reduction in manumission fees

Three concessions granted to the slave owners were:

• That a white person could kill a slave during a revolt with impunity
• The capital punishment of any slave who threatened the life of a white person
• That all free black people needed a correct evidence of the such rights or they will be presumed to be enslaved

See also

• Amelioration Act 1798
• William Huskisson

Notes and References

1. Book: Beckles. Hilary McD. A history of Barbados : from Amerindian settlement to Caribbean single market. 2006. Cambridge University Press. Cambridge [England]. 978-0-521-67849-0. 118–119. 2nd.
2. Web site: Bajan Factoids. Virtual Barbados. 28 May 2015.