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.
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
References