46 TRINIDAD. 



calculated, and the tax graduated according to the nature, import- 

 ance, and extent of the trade carried on. Or, again, it could be 

 made a specific tax, and the amount based upon the supposed 

 capital of a shop, such as it might be. It would then follow, that 

 those whose capital was inadequate to a sufficient establishment, 

 would direct their industry to other channels. In fact, the taxes 

 on real property are heavy and rigidly exacted, whilst many other 

 sources of legitimate taxation remain untouched. 



I have now come to a most important and vital question, that 

 of immigration. Excepting two or three islands, which have a 

 large population, and therefore may rely upon a steady supply of 

 labour, the outcry for an increase of hands has been loud and 

 general from the emancipated colonies ; and the only ones that 

 have not succumbed are those which have been able, in some 

 measure, to provide for immigration, viz., the Mauritius, Demerara, 

 and the island of Trinidad. This is a fact which, I am satisfied, 

 amply answers the statements of those who attempt an argument 

 to the contrary ; and as it would therefore be a work of superero- 

 gation to insist upon the necessity of immigration, I shall confine 

 my observations to the various modes in which a steady influx of 

 population might be secured to these colonies. 



The class of people we mainly require are agricultural labourers; 

 skilful mechanics we shall always be able to procure, whenever we 

 stand in need of their services. European labourers might find 

 employment in the boiling-house, or might be employed on cacao 

 plantations, in the care of stock, or the cultivation of vegetables, 

 but they will never be able to undergo any hard or exposed labour, 

 more especially field work, in our climate. The only class which 

 will ever suit our requirements are Africans or Asiatics. I must 

 here declare, once and ever, that I am decidedly opposed to the 

 immigration of Africans direct from Africa at least in any 

 number because the natives of that continent, ranking no higher 

 than semi-barbarians, require a great deal of care and attention to 

 effect their civilisation, particularly as, from past events, they have 

 every reason to distrust the Buckras or white men. But nearly 

 at our doors there exists a race of African descent, laborious, in- 

 telligent, and civilised. I mean the free people of colour of the 

 United States. These are comparatively civilised, the gross dark- 

 ness of barbarism and heathenism having been neutralised by the 

 light of Christian doctrine through several generations ; and no 

 doubt can be felt that, in a congenial climate, under the operation 

 of free institutions and the impulse of European activity and in- 

 dustry, they would ultimately constitute an industrious, peaceful, 

 and happy community. From my personal knowledge they are 

 not deficient in the spirit of enterprise and industry, and, from 

 their power of endurance, are the very class we require to promote 

 a go-a-head movement in our own people. More intelligent and 



