Evan Murray-Macgregor
Major-General Sir Evan John Murray-Macgregor of Macgregor, 2nd Baronet, KCB, KCH (born Murray; 1785 – 14 June 1841) was a Scottish colonial administrator and senior British army officer.
By that time a Lieutenant-Colonel, he returned to England in 1820, inherited his father's baronetcy and chieftaincy two years later (adding Macgregor to his surname) and was appointed an aide-de-camp to the King in 1825.
Although controversial and blamed for deteriorating legislative–executive relations during this episode, he has also been regarded as conciliatory and tactful in his approach to governing, with his administration overseeing liberal reforms.
[13] Murray fought with the Cavalry in the Corunna campaign of 1808–09 during the Peninsular War, serving under Lord Paget (who later became the Marquis of Anglesey); he was present at the Battle of Sahagún in December 1808.
[14] An obituary in the United Service Journal records that he "distinguished himself" at the Battle of Mahidpur (December 1817) by leading the attack on the batteries under Maharaja Malhar Rao Holkar II's command.
[14] Murray inherited the baronetcy on his father's death in June 1822; he also became chief of Clan Gregor and in December 1822 received a Royal Licence to take the surname Murray-Macgregor.
[14] In 1831, he participated in the coronation procession of William IV in his capacity as an aide-de-camp,[17] and was appointed a Knight Commander of the Royal Guelphic Order (KCH).
[21] Murray-Macgregor assented to laws abolishing slavery and, uniquely, foregoing apprenticeships in the Leeward Islands in 1834, granting freedom to all former slaves immediately.
[35] In late May the British Parliament passed their Bill; this made early termination effective from 1 August unless the assemblies were to bring forward emancipation earlier still.
When the Act arrived at Barbados, many on the island were deeply unhappy with the move (and felt that Macgregor had deceived them), seeing it as an imposition on the part of the British government.
They refused, arguing that to do so would signal to the British that the islanders could be coerced into supporting anything coming out of the Colonial Office: they could "be brought into a dog-like fidelity ... the more they were kicked and spurned".
[39] The historian Hilary Beckles states that the end of the apprenticeship system occurred peacefully,[37] although there were reports of rioting in Saint Andrew in July, some freed labourers refusing to work in August, cane fires being started in late 1839 and early 1840, and strikes in 1840, all of which prompted the legislature to pass laws appointing special constables to assist the police forces in 1840.
It placed workers at a disadvantage, allowing employers to evict them from tied tenancies and punish them for misbehaviour (imposing jail terms for using foul language).
[44] His funeral was paid for by public funds and attended by a large number of government officials, army and navy officers and "gentlemen" from across the colony.
[1] Macgregor's role in the process of ending the apprenticeship scheme on Barbados was summarised by the historian Woodville K. Marshall: "the policy and actions of ... Sir Evan McGregor [sic], are of central importance.
His language was conciliatory ... His correspondence was uninspired, offering limited analysis of colonial affairs ... [but he] confronted none of the animus which Smith [his predecessor on Barbados] had encountered ... and his administration was distinguished by the production of liberal and remedial legislation".
[47] An oil-on-canvas portrait of a young Murray-Macgregor by Sir Henry Raeburn was completed around 1797–99; it was exhibited in 1939 at the Royal Academy and in 1956 at the National Gallery of Scotland.
[48][49] A print by Henry Dawe (after George Watson) of 1825 depicts Murray-Macgregor wearing tartan "In the Dress as He appeared at His Majesty's Levee Holyrood Palace, 1822".
