290 JAMAICA. 



Every fervant, English, Scotch, Welfli, or of the Iflands 

 of Jerfey, Guernfey, or Man, if in time of war, per 



head, ' ■ — — Currency, ^ 1 8 



If in time of peace, — — . 14 



Irifli fcrvants, in time of war, 15 



Ditto, in time of peace, — — ■ ' 12' 



Convifts are excepted out of this a£l:; and none have of late 

 years been fent over, unlefs to the regiments, whofe fervice here 

 is not much advanced by fuch recruits. The caule of this depre- 

 ciation of the Irifh I am not informed of; but poffibly they were 

 more turbulent, or lefs fkillful in work, than the others. They^ 

 are in very different eftimation in South GaroHna ; where what' 

 are denominated bog-trotters, or fuch as have been accultomed tor- 

 the bogo-y grounds of Ireland, are- in great requeft for cultivating 

 their rice-fwamps, for which work they are particularly excellent, 

 and generally turn out very induftrious. 



But to compare the different expence of indented fervants in^ 

 1703 and now. At that time they were obliged, by a law of the' 

 ifland, to ferve feven years, if under eighteen years of age; and, 

 if above that age, the term of four. 

 The fervice therefore of a man, above eighteen 

 years old, might then be purchafed for a terrrt 

 of four years, in time of peace, for — — £ ^4 



Such a fervant, at the prefent time, would con- 

 trail only for four years, at from ^^I. to 40/. 

 per annum, befides his pafllage. He therefore 

 cofts the importer, for his paifage, ■ — £ 14 



His wages for four years, at the lowefl rate of 



o^^l. per annum, 140 154. 



The difference is, • — 140 



A planter therefore could, at that time, hire eleven fervants at 

 no greater charge, for importation and lervicc, than is now given foe 

 one. The proportion of deficiency will fland as follows-: 

 1703, A proprietor of joo Negroes, 120 head of flock,., 



quota of fervants 17 ; charge, -r'. '^.^- 23S 



1770, A proprietor of 300 Negroes, 120 head of frock, 

 quota of fervants 1 1 ; charge, — •— — r 1694 



