trious and respectable, though unfortunate, individuals, sufficient to counterbalance their terror of the climate. Let them, and their families, be carried, free of expence, across the Atlantic ocean. Let small settlements for the culture of coffee, cotton, or any other of the lesser staple commodities of the island, be formed in the mountains, or uncleared woods; and to those who have not money sufficient for these purposes, let small sums be advanced from the public purse, to be at a limited period, repaid. Thus, in a few years, an immense accession of wealth to the country, and of security to the white inhabitants, might be easily procured; a most valuable class of men would be encouraged; industry would be awakened, and cultivation would increase, even in mountains almost inaccessible, and the island would gradually arrive at a high pitch of security, civilization, and happiness*.-These observations will probably be considered by some, as only the wild schemes of a chimerical projector, but unless some such conduct is adopted, it requires no great foresight to perceive, that sooner or later, the lives, or at least, the happiness of the white inhabitants will be destroyed; the wealth of the proprietors will be swallowed up, and the colony will be for ever lost to the mother country.

Another subject, which the philanthrophist will contemplate with pleasure, and which the planter of Jamaica ought to attend to, from motives of self-interest, is, the melioration of the condition of the slaves. A consideration of the laws now in existence, respecting the treatment of slavest, will convince us, that much has been already done; and no man of candour, who has been a witness to their situation in Jamaica, can deny, that they are treated, on the whole, with a great degree of

tenderness and humanity. But much may, and, it is hoped, will, yet be done, for the advancement of their happiness. The following hints may perhaps deserve consideration.

In every country, and, in every age, the first step towards the civilization of man, has been to inspire him, with an idea, and a desire of property. When he has something which appertains to himself, and which separates his interest from that of his neighbours, though his patriotism and benevolence receive a powerful check, yet he is, at the same time, less disposed to turbulence, acquires an interest in the welfare of the community, and becomes a peaceable subject, and an useful member of society. No matter how small the property which he possesses: Even a few beads may acquire, in his opinion, a value, far superior to that of the most precious diamonds. Let the planter, then, even from motives of policy, endeavour to inspire the Negro with just ideas of property. Let a small portion of provision-ground be allotted to him by law; and let the produce, whatever it may be, either in nature or quantity, be solely his own. Let a certain moderate quantum of labour be apportioned to every Negro; and for whatever he executes beyond it, let him punctually receive an adequate compensation. Let the punishment of all petty offences be confined to small fines, proportioned to the wealth and delinquency of the guilty individual. Let polygamy be not only discouraged, and expressly prohibited, but severely punished; and let all promiscuous intercourse between the sexes be, as much as possible, prevented. Polygamy may have been instituted, from motives of good policy, in a country, where the males had, by war, or some other scourge of mankind, been much reduced in number; but, where the contrary is notoriously the case, where the females bear a small proportion to the males, it must appear evident to every man, that poly

B b

gamy is equally contrary to good policy, to good morals, and to an increase of population.

Let some attention be paid to the cultivation of their minds; and let them be at least, instructed in the first principles of religion. For this purpose, let schoolmasters be appointed to every great estate, and be considered, as necessary appendages as surgeons; let the young Negroes be taught to speak and read English; and let the idea of a great and beneficent Being, who created and governs the universe, and the reality of a future state of rewards and punishments, be strongly impressed upon their minds. Let them be taught the great truth, that to be just, is to be prudent; and that to perform their duty, and to wish well to all men, are the only sources of unfading happiness.

Let proportionate rewards be given to those, who have displayed exemplariness and regularity of conduct; who have made considerable advances in ingenuity and knowledge; who have lived faithfully and happily in the marriage-state, and have been the parents of a certain number of children; or, who have distinguished themselves by their industry, sobriety, and prudence. Those of this description might even, after a servitude of seven or fourteen years, according to existing circumstances, be safely admitted to the enjoyment of liberty; never forgetting, that the state is bound, both by motives of justice and prudence, to make up for the pecuniary losses sustained by individuals.

In this manner, the country, instead of being threatened. with convulsions, would remain in the most perfect security; the wealth, and consideration of the planters, instead of being diminished, would increase and flourish; (indeed, they would be nearly in the same situation, with the lords of the soil in European countries;) the civilization and happiness of an

ill-fated race of men would be greatly advanced, their industry would be excited, their tempers would be softened, their minds would be elevated and enlarged, and they would be gradually fitted for the safe and peaceable enjoyment of that liberty, which is the gift of Heaven, and ought to be the enjoyment of every rational creature.-These proposals are to be considered as only the rough outlines of a plan, which ought to be adopted; but which, if unattended to, the slavesystem in the West Indies, will one day, it is to be feared, hurl destruction on the heads of those, who neglected the admonitions of justice, of prudence, of religion, of humanity.

CHAPTER VI.

People of Colour, and Free Negroes.

THE HE people of colour are distinguished by different names, according to their nearness in consanguinity to the white or black inhabitants. They are called Samboes, Mulattoes, Quadroons, and Mustees. A Samboe is the offspring of a black woman by a Mulatto man. A Mulatto is the child of a black woman by a white man. A Quadroon is the offspring of a Mulatto woman by a white man: and a Mustee is that of a Quadroon woman by a white man. The offspring of a female Mustee by a white man, is white in the eye of the law; but all the rest, whether Mulattoes, Quadroons or Mustees, are considered by the law, as Mulattoes, and are treated with considerable, perhaps ill-judged, rigour. However rich they may be, their evidence in criminal cases against white persons, or even against people of colour, is inadmissible; and in this respect, it has been with justice observed, that they are placed in a worse situation than slaves, who have masters interested in their protection, and who, if their slaves are maltreated, have a right to recover damages, by bringing an action against the aggressor. The Mulattoes are also denied the privilege of being eligible to serve in parochial vestries and general assemblies, of holding commissions in the black and Mulatto companies of militia, or of acting in any office of public trust, even so low as that of a constable. They are precluded also from voting at elections for members of the house of assembly.