The Bahamas: Correspondence, 1951-1959
Contains:
(fol. 1) letter to S. Preston, Nassau, about a possible contribution by him to Empire on the constitutional problems of the Bahamas, 27 Feb 1951.
(fols. 2-54) detailed correspondence with Colin Hughes, co-author of the FCB pamphlet, 'Challenge to the British Caribbean'. Hughes, who had returned to the Bahamas in 1952 after studying at London School of Economics (LSE), taught at the University of Brisbane from 1956, but continued to correspond with the Bureau about West Indian affairs, and returned to the Bahamas in 1959, 6 Jul 1952-Nov 1959. Apart from personal and Bureau matters, topics include:
The Bahamas - Economic affairs:
- effect of American bases on the economy
- Labour policy, including the Ogilvie-Arrowsmith Report.
The Bahamas - Political affairs:
- introduction of adult suffrage and secret ballot
- reform of electoral roll and of constituencies
- conduct of elections, in particular a by-election at Eleuthera in which Hughes was a candidate (1954)
- civil liberties
- race relations
- Bahamas Democratic League
- Progressive Liberal Party
- appointments to Executive Council and Public Boards
- attitude of Legislative Council and House of Assembly to Report of Select Committee
- Lennox-Boyd Reforms.
West Indies:
- federation
- British Caribbean Conference
- Bermuda (1957)
- Leeward and Windward Islands (1959)
- West Indian electoral results (1958).
Attached is a copy of a letter from Betts to Dupuch (9 May 1958) and a related correspondence with Eirene White about constituency changes (1959).
Those mentioned include: Earl of Ranfurly (Governor); John Hatch; Lord Listowel; D.T. Jones, MP; Lennox-Boyd; Eirene White; David Blellech; Lupuch; R.T. Symonette; S.L. Sands; Lyndon Pindling; and Cyril Stevenson.
(See also: MSS. Brit. Emp. s. 365/140, folder 2, fol. 15).
(fols. 55-59) comprise:
- (fol. 55) letter to Dr Cleveland Eneas, Secretary of the Bahamas Democratic League, about links with the Bureau, 25 Apr 1956
- (fol. 56) letter to Lyndon Pindling, Nassau, about an order for 'Dwell Together in Unity', 15 May 1958
- (fols. 57-59) correspondence with Cyril Stevenson, Nassau Herald, about background material on the Bahamas, in particular proposals for constitutional reform; and about the use of material from Venture, 10 Jun-25 Oct 1959.
Dates
- Creation: 1951-1959
Extent
59 Leaves
Language of Materials
- English
Shelfmark
MSS. Brit. Emp. s. 365/134, folder 3
Repository Details
Part of the Bodleian Libraries Repository
Weston Library
Broad Street
Oxford OX1 3BG United Kingdom
specialcollections.enquiries@bodleian.ox.ac.uk