Between 1812 - 16 the Imperial Government instituted a triennial system of slave registration throughout the colonies. However when the scheme was presented to the Bahamas House of Assembly it was vehemently rejected. The situation was further aggravated by the Wylly Affair in 1816. A resolution of the whole issue did not occur until 1821 when the Slave Registration Act was passed. Triennial returns of slaves in the Bahamas were made for 1822, 1825, 1828, 1831 and 1834. There is an incomplete return for 1821.