204 JAMAICA. 



For Lodgings. Per Annum, 



Xieutenaut-colonel, — — A S"* 



Major ' 50 



Lieutenant, enfign, or furgeon, ^ 20 



They are likewife allowed to buy their rum free of the ifland 

 .duty, which is a faving of from \ s. to \s. 6 </. ^(?r gallon ; an ad- 

 vantage purpofely given them by the legiflature, that they might 

 be enabled to buy it of the bed quality, inftead of debauching with 

 the balderdafh liquor, fold under the name of rum by the keepers 

 of retail fhops. 



The fubliftence ia, in the three towns of St. Jago, Kingfton, 

 and Port Royal, paid into the hands of the men; but. In 

 the country-quarters, to their commanding officers, for the ufe 

 of the foldiers. A diverfity of opinion has prevailed in regard 

 to this mode of payment ; as the foldiers in fome of the 

 country quarters have, in one or two inftances, appeared to 

 have been defrauded of their dues, or fupplied with putrid and un- 

 wholefomeprovifions, which were fold to them much above their 

 prime-coft. It was argued, that, with money in their hands, the 

 jnen might purchafe much better in quality, and more in quantity, 

 of frefli meat and wholefome victuals; and that every country- 

 barrack would attrail a market for the fale of hogs, poultry, frefli 

 £fh, fruits, and roots, which are articles produced and vended by 

 almoft all the Negroes. 



On the other hand, it was alledged, that, by paying the al- 

 lowance in money to the common ioldiers, they would become, 

 in fome degree, independent of their officers ; that they would 

 diffipate it in fpirituous hquors, grow enervated with tipling, re- 

 laxed in their difcipline, and impaired in their vigour and health. 



I do not take upon me to reconcile thefe difterent opinions ; but 

 .certain it is, that all the men are not prone to drunkennefs, in par- 

 ticular thofe who have wives and children ; that they prefer frefli 

 meat to fdt, and the many excellent roots, pulfe, and herbs, of the 

 ifland produce, to bifcuit, which will not keep any long time 

 nndecayed in this climate ; that a pound of frefli meat is far more 

 nutritive, and will go much further in fatisfying hunger, than a 

 pound of beef hardened with fait ; that falt-beef creates an arti- 

 !iicial thirfl: ; and that this produces a conftant appetite for drink, 



and 



