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dews and rains (b), except thofe that fall at particular feafons, when all the neigh- 

 bouring atmofphere is overcharged with vapours. Yet in thofe they find not only 

 convenient paftures for their cattle, but the mofl: natural foil for the Guinea corn^ 

 the cotton, and the aloes ; with a variety of other vegetable productions that have 

 their daily ufes in oeconomy. 



Of the lands of this ifland we find no lefs than one million and fix or feven hundred 

 thoufand acres already patented; but fo unequally divided, and among fo few, that I 

 would be afhamed to give any account either of the diftribution or number of proprie- 

 tors, had it not been absolutely neceilary to fhew the pernicious confequence of mono 



polies j and fuch furely it muft be deemed in thofe who take up more land than they or 

 their children are ever likely to be able to cultivate. But to avoid a more tedious and 

 uncertain computation on this occafion, I fliall only give an inftanceof the parifh of 

 St. James's, one of the mofl thriving in that ifland, and one that at this time feems 



to keep a due medium between the mofl populous (exclufive of towns) and thofe 

 that are yet the leail cultivated. In this parilh, on an exa<5l computation, I find one 

 hundred and fix thoufand three hundred and fifty two acres already patented; and 

 now the property of about 132 perfons, whereof ten are hardly more than nominal 

 proprieters, being poflfefled of no more than thirty five or forty acres one with an- 

 other : a quantity of land nearly equal to the whole ifland of Barbadoes, for- 

 merly computed at 106470 acres; which in 1676, was computed to maintain no 

 lefs than feventy thoufand whites and eighty thoufand blacks, in a decent and plentiful 

 manner. From hence we may obferve how much the prudent diftribution of lands 

 contributes to the fettlement of a colony; for in Barbadoes and the other fugar 

 colonies, no man was allowed to take up more land than he could cultivate in a cer- 



tain fpace of time, and the new comer always had his choice of the unpoflefled lands 

 to enter upon immediately, which, though perhaps more remote from the mar- 

 kets or fhipping-places, equally anfwered his purpofes, while every neighbour whofe 

 plantation was already fettled (c) y wanted the produce of this, as yet unfit for any 

 thing but provifions, to fupply both his table and his flaves. Thus induftry was 

 ftill promoted, for every eftabliftied fettler wanted an opportunity of increafing his 

 pofieflions with his family, and the produce of his labour was the only means of at- 

 taining it, which, for this reafon, he was refolved to employ tothegreateft advantage; 

 and made ufe of the major part in advancing his fortune, while a fmaller portion 

 ferved to purchafe the necefiities of his family and flaves. By thefe means the colo- 

 nies were foon fettled, and at length brought to fuch perfection, that the genera- 

 lity of cane-land • now fells there from thirty tQ»eighty, or one hundred pounds 

 fieri, per acre; while the mod promifing fields in Jamaica continue ftill adorned 

 with their native productions, and the cultivated are fcarcely valued at above ten or 

 fifteen pounds an acre. 



The neceflity of putting a flop to fuch inconveniencies muft be then apparent to 

 every perfon who confiders or regards the general welfare of the colony; but the 



(b) In the more inland parts of this ifland, the earth is almoft conftantly refrefhed 

 nich feldom defccnd lower than the foot of the mountains, or the adioininp- hills : nav. 



and 



fall with the intermediate hamocks ; while the lower lands are parched with drought, and obliged to 

 rely almoft wholly on the vernal and autumnal rains, which always come from the fea, and fall on all 



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informed by a gentleman who carried on an indigo work for many years, that twentv five acres of good 



g° 



per annum currency ; and yet twenty Ne 



faaure the produce of that quantity of land. Coffee is not quite ib profitable, but more certain and lefs 

 expennve; and 100 acres of tolerable good land, cultivated with this plants will hardly fail of producing 



near 1400 pounds currency a year. Wh 



way 



provifions than employ 



4 



means 





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