266 



A FLYING TRIP TO JAMAICA 



but in 1689 the labor situation was such that the government recognized 

 slavery, and for a time all was peaceful. There were several revolts, 

 however, on the part of the slaves, one occurring in 1760, when sixty 

 planters were killed and half a million dollars' worth of property 

 destroyed. The rebels were finally subdued, and as a warning, one 

 of the ringleaders was burned at the stake and two others were put in 

 iron cages and allowed to slowly starve to death. In 1834 the British 

 government insisting that the slaves be freed, arranged an apprentice 

 system for the 311,000 slaves, by which laborers in the field were to 

 work six years more and then be free; while domestic laborers were 

 to work four years more. The crown also paid thirty million dollars 



ENTRANCE TO HOPE BOTANICAL GARDENS. 



indemnity to the owners. After being freed, the slaves became English 

 subjects with all their rights, and it is only fair to the black race to 

 say that they have progressed remarkably; as well, perhaps, as whites 

 would have done under the same circumstances. To show the propor- 

 tion of whites and blacks on the island, figures from the last census are 

 given as follows: Whites, 14,692; colored people, 121,955; blacks, 

 488,624; and 14,000 East Indians, Chinese, etc. 



The "Jamaica nigger" at home is not a very hard worker, but he is 

 good natured, self respecting, and in many cases thrifty. The island 

 does not afford enough work for him, and so they are to be found all 



