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BRANCH ASSOCIATION FOR
THE MAURITIUS
OF THE
Ladies Society
FOR
PROMOTING THE EARLY EDUCATION AND IMPROVEMENT
OF THE
CHILDREN OF NEGROES AND OF PEOPLE OF COLOUR
IN
THE BRITISH WEST INDIES.
FORMED JANUARY 7, 1836.
Patroness.
THE HONOURABLE DOWAGER LADY GREY.
Vice-Patronesses.
LADY BRODIE. LADY TOWNSHEND FARQUHAR.
HON. LADY (CHARLES) COLVILLE. MRS. R. M. THOMAS.
LADY DARLING.
Treasurer.
MRS. SAMUEL HOARE, JUN., Hampstead.
Secretaries.
MRS. HART DAVIS, Hampstead. MRS. CAREY, 44, Cadogan Place, Chelsea.
Bankers.
MESSRS. BARCLAY, BEVAN, AND CO., Lombard Street.
ADDRESS.
The Ladies’ Society, under the Patronage of Her Grace the Duchess Dowager of Beaufort, com-
menced its labours in the West Indies about eleven years ago, and the advantages which have
accrued in those Colonies to that portion of the population whose benefit was contemplated, has
been gratefully acknowledged by the Planters and their dependents, as well as by the Clergymen
and other individuals whom the Committee has assisted in forming Schools in their parishes. So
numerous have been the applications for such aid, that the extent of the Society’s operations has
been limited only by the inadequacy of its funds. While the attention of the British public has
been directed to the West Indies, the amelioration of the condition of the Negro race in the
Mauritius has never excited any efforts of similar benevolence. This island, although situated
almost in the direct track between the Cape of Good Hope and India, has been, as a Slave Colony,
classed with the West Indies. The Black and Coloured population are very numerous; but they
have never enjoyed the same privileges, and opportunities for religious instruction, as their brethren
in the West Indies, and are consequently in a state of ignorance and degradation, which it is most
painful to contemplate. Missions and Schools have been established with success among tribes where
even human sacrifices and cannibalism were practised; but the Mauritius, though now above twenty
years united to our empire, has in all that relates to the true welfare of mankind been almost en-
tirely neglected, the few attempts which have occasionally been made having failed for want of
system and perseverance. The inadequacy of the means existing in the Island to afford effectual
instruction to the Apprentices and Coloured population, will be evident by a careful examination of
the annexed Table.
2
A Statement of the Moral and Religious Condition of the Free and Slave Population of the Mauritius; the Districts
into which the Island is divided; the Population, Places of Worship, Schools in each District, $c.
Population. Places of Worship, No. of At- Schools No. of No. of Protestant Their Duties.
Districts. Free. Apprentices. Total. Protestant and Catholic. tendants (Protestant). Atten- Clergymen.
(about) dants.
Port. T,onis......... 10,900 14,700 25,600 One Catholic Church . 700 One Government
School for both
Sexes (about) . Civil Chaplain.
One Episcon, English One Boys’ Day- Mr. Denny, Second Civil
One Mission. School School, attend- Mr. Banks, Chaplain.
Room, attended by ed by Mr. Jones, Chaplain to the
Free People of Co- 400 Free ... 80 100 Mr. Le Brun, Forces.
lour ................... 200 Slaves... 40 120 Protestant Mis-
Pamplemousse ... 2,322 10,000 12,322 One Catholic Church. 400 One for both sionary.
Riviere-du- Rem- Sexes............ 40
part............... 2,000 10,000 12,000 One small Chapel,
built by voluntary
Subscriptions......... 150 One for both
Sexes............ 38
Grand Port ...... 2,000 6,700 8,700 None. None.
Flacq ............... 2,499 9,397 11,896 One Catholic Church . 400 None.
Savanna............ 600 5,200 5,800 None. None. _
Black River...... 800 5,397 6,197 None. None. 1 1 1
Plain Wilhelms... 1,200 6,677 7,877 None. None.
Moka............... 800 2,800 3,600 One Catholic Chapel . None.
400
Nine Districts ... 23,121 70,871 93,992 Catholic......... 4 2,650 Four Schools ... 298
Protestant ...... 3---7
By the above statement it appears that there are but three Protestant places of worship for the
whole Island; that four out of the nine districts into which it is divided have no place of worship
whatever; that out of upwards of 70,000 apprentices not two hundred are receiving any instruction;
and that there are but four Free Schools in the Island for the whole Black and Coloured population.
Perhaps the most appalling proof of the ignorant state of the Apprentices is the fact, that when the
British and Foreign Bible Society asked for returns of the number of Slaves who could read, and
who would thereby be entitled to its gift of the Testament and Psalter, one Chaplain replied he
knew of six, while the other could name only four.
The Committee of the Ladies’ Negro Education Society having been earnestly solicited to extend
their operations to the Mauritius, looking for help from the same Divine Source on which they have
hitherto relied, have consented to have a Branch Association formed for that Island, which, while it
will derive the benefit of their experience and advice, will have distinct officers and funds, and thus
preclude any encroachment on the original object of the Parent Society, while a sufficient guarantee
will be given to the Public, for the careful and prudent management of the important work about to
be entered upon. The Mauritius having long been a French Colony, the consequent difference
of language, will present many difficulties; but the Planters have expressed much anxiety for the
education of the Apprentices, and there is every reason to hope they will meet the intended en-
deavours in a friendly spirit, while the active cooperation of some valuable English residents will
much facilitate the work. The great distance and the irregularity of communication render it im-
portant to obtain as early pecuniary aid as possible, that some idea may be formed of the extent to
which directions for the establishment of Schools may be given, and that the few years yet remaining
of the Apprentice system may be made available for religious and moral instruction, as a most de-
sirable preparative for entire freedom. Relying on the public benevolence to meet the necessary
expenditure, a large supply of lessons and other needful apparatus for Schools were sent out some
time since, and there is every reason to hope some beginning has been already made. The amount
of Donations received will be seen in the accompanying List; and further contributions, especially
Annual ones, are earnestly entreated, and will be received by the Treasurer, Secretaries, and
Bankers of the Association.
Any religious and useful Books in French or English will be very acceptable to form Lending
Libraries for the White and Coloured population, for whose use such institutions are much wanted.
Donations of Books, &c.
Some Tracts by Mrs. Leguier.
One Volume of Tracts by a Friend.
Grant of 100 French and English Testaments, from the
British and Foreign Bible Society.
Dr. Causton, Dean’s Yard, Westminster, 12 Prayer
Books.
Tract Society, Books,Tracts, and half a Lending Library.
Through Hon. Dowager Lady Grey, Tracts and Books,
bought by a Subscription from a few friends to the
cause.
Rev. E. Marsh, some Books.
Society for Promoting Sunday Schools, Grant of Class
Books, Lessons.
DONATIONS AND SUBSCRIPTIONS.
Donations. Annual.
£. s. d. £. s. d.
The Hon. and Right Rev. Lord Bishop of Lich-
field and Coventry ...................... 2 0 0
The Bishop of Chester.....................
The Bishop of Winchester .................. 2 0 0
Hon. Dowager Lady Grey, P.................. 5 0 0
Hon. Lieut.-General Sir Charles Colville, late
Governor of the Island of Mauritius, K.C.B. 5 0 0
Lady Colville, V.P....................................... 1 0 0
The Countess of Northesk ................. 10 0
Lady Acland............................... 0 10 0
Hon. Capt. Wellesley, R.N................ 10 0
Rev. J. Lugger............................ 10 0
Capt. Jenkinson, R.N...................... 10 0
George Head, Esq., Rickerby Hall...........10 0 0
A Friend, by Dowager Lady Grey............. 0 2 6
Mrs. Long, Maxwell Hall ...................10 0 0
Lord Barham ............................... 2 0 0
Lady Thompson ............................. 0 10 0
Dublin Branch Association of the Ladies’ Negro
Education Society .................... 10 0
Miss Hunter Blair, Portobello...........,. 2 0
A Friend, by Miss Blair..................... 1 0
Mrs. Hoate, Hampstead ...................... 5 0
Miss Hoare, Hampstead ..................j. 2 0
Miss Gurney and Miss Buxton ................ 2 0
Right Hon. Lord Bexley...................... 5 0
David Barclay, Esq., M.P.................... 5 0
Major-General Sir H. Worsley, K.C.B., Isle of
Wight ....................................10 0
The Marchioness of Anglesea................. 5 0
A Friend, by ditto ......................... 1 0
The Earl of Uxbridge ....................... 1 0
The Lady M. Paget........................... 0 10
The Lord G. Paget.......................... 0 10
The Lady L. Cadogan......................... 1 0
The Countess de Grey........................ 2 0
The Dowager Countess of Galloway ........... 1 0
The Dowager Lady Radstock.................. 1 0
The Hon. Miss Waldegrave ................... 1 0
The Hon. Miss H. Waldegrave ................ 1 10
The Lord and Lady R. Grosvenor.............. 2 0
The Lady Maryborough........................ 1 0
The Lady E. Wilmot ........................ 1 0
The Hon. John James Strutt.................. 1 0
The Hon. Olivia Strutt ..................... 1 0
The Lord Templemore ........................ 1 0
Lady Buller................................. 1 0
Sir Joseph L’Offan, Bart.................... 1 0
Lady Des Vceux ............................. 1 0
Lady Malcolm................................ 1 0
Dr. Caris ................................. 1 10
Mrs. Stuart ................................ 1 0
Mrs. Hart................................... 0 10
Mr. Singleton .............................. 0 10
Mrs. Taylor................................. 0 10
The Misses Symes ........................... 0 10
Some Ladies................................. 0 13
Miss Clarke................................. 0 10
Mrs. Stelfox, Chelsea ....................... 0 10
Miss Bower, Chelsea ......................... 0 10
R. M. Thomas, Esq., late the Hon. the Pro-
tector of Slaves in the Mauritius ........ 5 0
Mrs. R. M. Thomas, V.P....................... 2 0
Rev. R. J. F. Thomas, Christchurch, Oxford... 1 0
William Danford, Esq., Mauritius............. 2 0
Miss Danford ................................ 1 0
Miss Emma Danford ........................... 0 10
Miss Harriet Danford......................... 1 0
Rev. E. Marsh................................ 1 0
Mrs. Marsh ................................. 1 0
0
0
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0 10 0
0 10 0
0 0 10 0
0 10 0
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Donations. Annual.
£. s. d. £. s. d.
Lieut. Marsh ............................. 4 0 0
A Friend, by Miss Woodfall ................... 10 0
West Bromwich Negroes’ Friend Society.....10 0 0
Mrs. Naghten, Titchfield.................. 0 10 0
Miss Young, Countess Amesbury ............ 0 10 0
A Friend, Southampton......................... 10 0
Miss St. Quintin, Polygon, Southampton ....... 10 0
Mrs. Mauberley, Polygon, Southampton ......... 10 0
Mrs. G. Bligh, Millbrook, Southampton .... 2 0 0
Major Wilson, Titchfield, Hants .......... 0 5 0
A Friend, Catisfield, Hants............... 0 5 0
P. Delme, Esq., Cam’s Hall, Fareham, Hants 10 0
Mrs. Delme and Friend, St. Margaret’s, Titch-
field .................................... 1 5 0
Contributions by Children................. 0 2 6
Titchfield Negroes’ Friend Society ....... 0 11 0
Young Ladies’ Contributions, Titchfield .. 0 4 0
A Friend.................................. 0 2 6
Mrs. Howard, Castle Howard, Wicklow ...... 2 0 0
Miss Chapman, Woodford ..................... 1 0 0
Miss Wedgewood, Camp Hill, Woore ..... 5 0 0
H. S. Montague, Esq........................... 10 0
Lady Howard of Effingham .................10 0 0
The Widow of a Clergyman, Northumberland 2 0 0
George Twynam, Esq., Whitchurch, Hants ... 1 0 0
Miss Atkins, Whitchurch, Hants ............... 10 0
Mr. North, Whitchurch, Hants ............. 0 10 0
Mrs. E. Twynam, Whitchurch, Hants .... 0 10 0
Mr. Davies ............................... 0 5 0
Mr. Scorey ............................... 0 2 6
Rev. Mr. Dunn ............................ 0 5 0
Mrs. Barnard Brandeau .................... 0 10 0
Thomas Jones, Esq., Carmarthen ........... 0 5 0
Mrs. Thomas Jones, Carmarthen....................... 0 5 0
The Misses Jones.......................... 0 15 0
The Misses Williams ................................ 0 5 0
Walter Bowen, Esq......................... 0 2 6
Thomas Thomas, Esq., Langaddock .......... 0 2 6
Mrs. Davies, Green Hall................... 0 2 6
Thomas Taylor, Esq............................ 10 0
Mrs. Leguier ............................. 0 2 6
Two Friends............................... 0 5 0
The Rev. R. B. Jones, Llanelly............ 0 2 6
R. E. Jones, Esq.......................... 0 5 0
Mr. Lewis Killwynith, Carmarthen ......... 0 3 6
Mrs. Carey ............................... 5 0 0
Mrs. Teed, Compden House ................. 5 0 0
Friend in Herts, by Mrs. Baigre ....................... 10 0
Mrs. S. Vansittart....................... 5 0 0
Miss Fuller Maitland .................... 5 0 0
Captain Fanshaw, R.N......................... 10 0
Rev. Horace Montagu...................... 1 1 0
M. H. L., per Nisbets.................... 5 0 0
*Friend in Herts, by Mrs. Baigre ............ 10 0
Sums under Half-a-Crown ................. 0 12 0
Grant from the Church Missionary Society ...50 0 0
Captain Francis Beaufort ................ 2 0 0
Mrs. A. Johnston............................. 10 0
Mrs. E. Muller........................... 0 10 0
Miss Muller.............................. 10 0
Miss Rose Muller......................... 0 10 0
J. Forsyth, Esq.......................... 10 0
Mrs. Simpson ............................ 10 0
Mrs. Cordery ............................ 10 0
Mrs. Munro.................................. 0 10 0
Mrs. Tilt ............................... 0 10 0
Miss Graham ............................. 0 10 0
Mr. Graham............................... 0 10 0
Mr. George Willis ....................... 0 10 0
Mr. Lunn..................................v 0 10 0
*** Donations and Subscriptions will be received by the Treasurer, Secretary, and Bankers; also by Messrs.
Drummond, Oliaiin^Ciuss'’, Messrs. Hatchard, Piccadilly; Mr. Nisbet, Berners Street; Messrs. Seeley, Fleet
Street; and Mr. Suter, 19, Cheapside.
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