BOOK n. CHAP. VII. 15 



twelve Whites and one iuindred Negroes. Upon enquiry in 1761, 

 it was found that the whole allowance, given to the debtors for 

 their luftcnance, wa.5 one pickled-herring and five plantains each 

 per diem (value f'evea-pence halfpenny), or two cakes of caffada- 

 bread in lieu of plantains : this was barely enough to keep life and 

 foul together. From this fpecimen, fome judgemei;it may be 

 formed of the hardfliips which a malicious creditor may in this 

 country inflict upon his debtor; and it is therefore not in the leaft 

 furprizing, that, to avoid fuch company, fuch fare, and abominabl'e 

 lodging, a debtor fhould run all hazards, and defend himfelf bv 

 force and arms, rather than enter into this hole of Calcutta. The 

 laws, however, are rather more favourable here than in England'; 

 for a debtor, delivering an account upon oath of ail liis eftedls, 

 and having nothing to maintain him, may be let to hire in open 

 court; wdiich is now a mere form, and a mode of his deliverance; 

 and any creditor, diflenting and infifting on his continuance in gaol, 

 inuft pay the debtor a weekly lubliftance of three fliillings and iix- 

 pence for fo long as he remains in durefle, which by Icme men 

 of no feeling or principle has often been done. Attempts have 

 been made at different times to enlarge this prifon, and buiid a 

 difiinft place of confinement for debtors; but this beneficent pur- 

 pofe feems ta have been defeated by a fpiiit of jealoufy fubfifting 

 among the leading gentlemen of the ifland ; fome having indulged 

 a principle of wantonly oppofing.every fcheme and projed: offered 

 for the advantage of this devoted town ; others efpoufing an opi- 

 nion, that the county of Middldex alone ought to bear ilich bur- 

 thens, in which it is pretended that the other two counties are not 

 at all interelted \_d ^ : while thole wb.o are of the county are un- 

 willing that the whole expence ihould be afliifli^d upon them, in- 

 Itead of a general equal ta:i'ation ; alledgiiTg that, this town being 

 the leat of government, public offices, and the chief courts of 

 juftice to which civil and criminal matters are often removed from 

 the other county-courts, the buildings neceffary to be erefled here, 



\il'\ since the above was written, the aiTembly have {l;ev/-n a due humanity to the fufterings of 

 thefe unfortunate perfons, by purchafing a piece of land, adjoining to the South part of the gaol, 

 of one hundred and fifty by one hundred and twenty feet, and granting icoo/. for inclofing and 

 ereifting proper bulldi:i_^s upon it. 'f liey have alio enlarged the debtor's allowance from 7 \{Lxa 

 .1 J. 3 cL per day^ 



or. 



