i8o JAMAICA. 



the diftant view of profits, not to be acquired till after feveral years 

 of diligent application, and many further charges. It rauft be ex- 

 ecuted vX the public coft, as it is not likely to be ever atchieved by 

 any other means. Nor would the expence be thrown away; ilnce 

 every fettlernent, once eftabliflied. makes a return by adding fome- 

 what to the fecurity of the idand, to its trade, opulence, and re- 

 venues. In order to prove which, let us examine the advantages 

 of this nature which the parilh even now contributes. Here are 

 about fixty fettlements in all, whofe quota of the poll-tax amounted 

 to about 391 /. for one year ; which, at an equal average, comes to 

 6/. 10s. each. Every new fettlernent formed here may therefore 

 be reafonably concluded to give the i-evenue an annuity of 6/. ioj.. 

 in that tax alone. If we allign this, on a moderate computation,, 

 as the one-half of the whole taxes levied, confifling of various 

 branches, the annuity will appear i^I.per annum, without taking, 

 into account the confumption of tools, food, cloathing, and other 

 articles ; which to the meanefl: fettler cannot be rated at lefs than 

 ^ol. per annum. The proje£lIng of new fettlements therefore, and 

 encouraging them till efteduated, when confidered in this view, 

 feems a moll profitable adventure for the legiflature to engage in, 

 and well deferves their moft ferious attention. To form roads 

 which may be perfedly firm, eafy, and commodious, is doubtlefs a 

 bufinefs of much time, labour, and charge : for thefe very reafons 

 (if they are admitted to be true), the lefs expectation Ihould be in- 

 dulged, that poor families will be able, or, if able, willing to de- 

 vote their induflry to road-makhig, inftead of agriculture. But, 

 when the public takes this work in hand, the cafe is very different. 

 The more perfed it caufes the road to be made, the better affured 

 it becomes of alluring iiiliabitants to fix themfelves on each fide 

 of it. The returns for thefe expenditures may be tardy ; but they 

 will be certain, and always, increafing ; and (what is not to be 

 over^lookcd), the money, thus laid out for fuch laudable purpofes,. 

 will remain to circulate in the ifiand, and give employment to 

 many of its inhabitants, without impoverhhlng the public. 



There is nothing very remarkable in this parifh (at lead that has 

 f.vllen within my knowledge), except a fait lake, called Alligator 

 Pond, extending from Fig Tree to Buff River Bay, and feparated 



from 



