SALE OF CROWN-LANDS. 401 



the dry season, The revenue derived from such sales, to be 

 partly applicable to the making of roads in the locality, and partly 

 to immigration purposes. The upset price not to be higher than 

 the price of uncultivated land under the Territorial Ordinance. 

 Taxes should be exigible only after the first year. In order to 

 prevent the over accumulation of small settlers on the same spots, 

 a few sections only in each ward should be subdivided, so as to 

 suit that class of purchasers. The purchase-money to be paid 

 down in cash. The quantity of public land to be brought into 

 the market should be regulated by the number of immigrants, 

 whose indentured time should have expired, and that of free 

 immigrants who should have paid their own passage ; so that no 

 quantity of the labour actually employed in cane cultivation would 

 be withdrawn. 



The contemplated results of such a system would be, to form 

 a body of industrious settlers, who would supply the colony and 

 particularly the labourers with cheap and varied food, in the 

 shape of corn, rice, plantains, cassava, and other ground provi- 

 sions, &c. ; and who would thus relieve us from the heavy drain 

 of specie which we annually contribute to the American market. 

 New growths would undoubtedly be introduced, and new articles 

 of export raised ; the imports would augment in proportion, and 

 commerce be invigorated by a larger and readier circulation of 

 capital, accruing from such an increasing amount of labour, as 

 would produce a larger requital of it. Finally the agricultural 

 interest would regain some of that tone and energy of pursuit, as 

 well as an improved confidence, so material to its prosperity. 

 Besides, we must adopt some such plan, in the event of an 

 encouragement to immigration from the United States being 

 contemplated. Immigrants from that quarter have proved 

 excellent sawyers and jobbers, capital axemen, and experienced 

 trenchers and canal diggers ; but they do not seem inclined to 

 locate themselves on estates as day labourers. I have no doubt, 

 however, they would form a very useful class of industrious 

 cottiers and farmers : they would probably submit to the neces- 

 sary period of indenture, with a view to make up a small capital, 

 and afterwards become independent settlers. With the accession 

 in the labour market of their skill and industry, the system of 

 central factories for the manufacture of sugar would have a 



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