The abolitionist John Candler was sent in 1839 by the Society of Friends to report on Caribbean society since the abolition of slavery in the British colonies. He describes his journey, including the sighting of a slave ship, and gives the impression of a constant movement of ships, people (including escaped slaves), investments, news and publications between the British, French, Spanish and Danish colonies in the Caribbean. In Jamaica, he reports on working conditions, education, religion, libraries, prisons, and the legal system, and distributes religious tracts in English, French and Spanish.