256 J A M A I C A. 



number he called two hundred. I (hall be told, that thefe boys, 

 if fent to England, might probably expend there 30/. flerling ^^^^-r 

 hQ:[d^ per iin?iuin, one with another, in cloathing, food, &c. to the 

 amount of 6000/. But, on the other hand, if we fuppofe thcfe 

 bovs to remain in Jamaica, will it not be found, that Great-Britain 

 would gain full as much by them in limilar articles? The dif- 

 ference of climate will certainly require double at lead the quan- 

 tity of articles for cloathing every year, and of a much more ex- 

 penfive fabric ; their books, and many items of food and accom- 

 modation, muft be procured from Britain at an enhanced price : fo 

 that, if any thing near an exa£l eitimate could be framed, it muft, 

 i think, appear very convincingly, that thefe children would con- 

 fume a much greater quantity, or value, of BritiOi manufaftures 

 and produdls by flaying in Jamaica, and confequently conduce more 

 to the national profit in this way, than if they had been tranf- 

 ported into Britain. But it is to be further confidered, that every 

 one of thefe natives of the ifland will be equal to two unfeafoned 

 Europeans in ability to undergo the fitigues of bufinefs and labo- 

 rious exercifes here ; be better qualified, by gradual initiation from 

 their infancy, to underfland and execute the ufeful plans of life 

 for which they are defigned ; that they will, by habit and nature, 

 prefer this country to every other, and therefore diligently fettle 

 themfelves in it. The ifland, it is evident, would, in the progrefs 

 of one generation only, contain a far greater number of families 

 than it now poflefles ; it would be much more extenfively fettled ; 

 and Great-Britain would gain, in courfe, a proportional acceCs of 

 profit, by their confumption of manufaftures, their ingenuity, and 

 improvements. I am warranted in drawnng this confequence ; 

 fince it is well known, that a family, refiding in Jamaica, confumes 

 more of Britifli manufadlures, and gives employment to many more 

 fubjefts in Great-Britain, than the fame family would do, was it 

 tranfplanted into that kingdom [/«]. So much for the objeftions 



which 



[ni] We may apply, upon this occafion, wliat a modern writer lias faid on another. Let us 

 fuppofe a traft of country that yields a rent of .^'OjOOo /. a year ; the whole of which is enjo) ed 

 by one great man. In all probability, above 40 of the ^o is fpent in the capital, in a prohifion 

 of elegancies ; flowing into the pockets of the induftrious, it is true, but the inJi.flrious in what? 

 ivliv, the furnifhers of luxurious eatables, delicate cookcrj-, and French wines; the exhibitors of 



public 



