and ordered them to record punishments in special books for inspection by
local officials. There was also a Guardian of Slaves (renamed Protector of
Slaves in 1830), who was responsible for administering the amelioration
program. Although these regulations, too, were incompletely enforced,
they undermined the authority system. Slave owners resented the un-
wonted interference in their customary powers, and slavesbecame restless
and receptive to rumors that local officials and farmers were blocking
fundamental change. The only substantial slave revolt in the history of the
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