BOOR II. CHAP. VIII. 137 



The hire, for example, of fifty Negroes, at 61. per head 



fer ami. 300 o o 



Their fubfiftence, at -jkd. each^^r day, is, per ann. — 566 19 3 



866 19 3. 

 Hire of two fuperintendents, or overfeers, at 140/. each, 280 

 Cloathing and medicines, at 30 j. cac\\ per ann. (I fup- 



pofe the tools to be furnirtied by government), — 75 o o 



Whole of one year's expence to the ifland Is, fler- 



ling, 872/. 16 s, ']\d.\ currency, 1221 19 3 



It is not probable, if thele Negroes were to be duly taken care 

 of by the fuperintendents chofen for this purpofe, that any of them 

 would die within the twelvemonth, fuppofing them to be healthy 

 and able when delivered ; and none others fhould be accepted ; but, 

 for greater equity to the individuals to whom they belonged, tlicy 

 might be fairly valued by three or more difinterefted magiflrates 

 before their going on fervice, and any deficiencies at the year's end 

 made good by the public accordingly. In order to form a body of 

 labourers, to be kept afterwards conftantly employed in building 

 fortifications or other works, feveral draughts might every year be 

 made, from the gaols, of fuch flaves as are fold out for pay- 

 ment of their fees ; and, in miiny cafes, the fentence of death, or 

 banilhmcnt, might be commuted for perpetual labour in the king's 

 fervice; and a piece of land appropriated near the port for their 

 provlfion-ground, that their fubfidence might, for the future, be 

 attended with no expence, either to the illand, or to the crown. No 

 time can be fo convenient for condudling fuch a plan as the prefent 

 interval of peace ; and, being carried on with vigour, we fliould 

 have in another war this fure afvlum for the fquadron, from whence 

 it might faily forth to diilreis the enemy, defend our homeward- 

 bound fleets, and give protedlion to our fhips coming from Britain 

 to Jamaica, or coalting round from the North to the South parts of 

 the ifland. 



When the duke of Portland was governor, a town was proje5:ed 

 on Pattifon's Point, bordcrin.s; on the harbour, which was to be 



called. 



