' tOFFCE K O E T U S J A M A I C E N S I 3. 227 



'Cumpfion of British plantation coffee in Great Britain were no less than ioiir hundred 

 and eig+ity percent, on its marketiibie value. Under sudi exactions its cultivation iu 

 our sugar islands nmst, but for the American market, have shared the same fate as that 

 of indigo. The great and iaiportaat reiiuction of one shilling a pound from the excise 

 duties, created an inunediale and wonderful c.hiuige ; and, while it promoted the in- 

 terest of tlie planter, it even augmented the revenue of the state; more than double 

 the quantity of coffee having been brought to entry in 17S4, than was entered in the 

 j'ear preceding, increasing the sum total of the duties (though reduced tvvo-thir Is)- 

 from ;i'2869 105. xoyl. to .'7200 155. 9d. an important proof among others how fre- 

 <]ucntly heavy taxation defeats its own purpose." 



An additional duty of six pence half-penny per pound was laid on coffee by the 3 5th 

 Geo. III. cap. 13, but by the indefatigable exertions of Mr. Edgar CorrLe, of Liver- 

 pool, and of several other West India gentlemen ; a late most favourable and we'.l- 

 ttnied reduction of the duties has again taken place, from nearly two shillings per 

 pound to seven pence, which it is expected wid be the means of bringing it into ge- 

 neral use in Great Britain ; and in some measure counteract the ruin that threatened 

 the planters from a prohibited commerce with the continent of Europe, it would from 

 this also have been easy to. prophecy an increased cultivation, had-not the abolition of 

 the slave trade rendered that impossible. From the consequences of this measure, 

 notwithstaiidin-g every other encouragement, it is easy to forsee thata verj' rapid reduc- 

 tion of the exports from this island will speedily take place. The old settlements are 

 yearly wearing out, many new ones have been thrown up, and po fresh st ttlement can bo 

 attempted. Under these inauspicious circumstances it is no imiirobable conjecture that 

 ia ten years, or even less time, the qtiantity of coffee exported from Jamaica will not 

 be one half what it is at present. 



The foUowiug statement will shew the wonderful increase which took place in coffee 

 from the moment the duties were reduced, and which has not only promoted the pros- 

 perity of tills island, hut greatly increased the national commerce, wealth, and strengtli. 



In the year 1752 the export of coffee from Jamaica was rated at k9,0{)0lb. In 1775 

 it was 4'J3,9&l/(>. , until 17^53 it never exceeded 850,OOOM. when a reduction of the 

 heavy duty u}>on-it took place. In the year 1790 the quantity was trebled, exceeding 

 two millions and a quarter. In the year 1795 it rose to 5,902,1 Mlbs , and the follow- 

 ing is a statement of its progress since : the exports .are -as returned each year, to the 

 iiuuse of assenibly-by the naval officer ; 



lbs. coffee. 

 4'Vom 30tb September, 1800,* to 30th September, I801 9,992,859 



1801 1802 17,961,923 



1802 1803 15,866,291 



1803 1804 22,063,980 



1804. 1305 24,137,393 



1805 1806 29,298,036 



1806 1807 26,761,188 



1807 1808 29,528,273 



1808 1809 25,586,66S 



G g 2 2. OCCiDENTAUS; 



