K AND AW. 191 



year 1864 is due, in a great measure, to the individual efforts 

 of the settlers, for the most part men without any capital, 

 who, having obtained some land from tlie natives, cultivate 

 it by their own personal labour. 



In former times, before European intercourse had reduced 

 the natives of these islands to order, the sanguinary jealousy 

 that made every village distrustful of its neighbours com- 

 pelled the inhabitants to fortify themselves on the most 

 inaccessible heights, and prevented them from cultivating 

 any land beyond the few feet around each man's dwelling. 

 If more was required, the cultivator, afraid to descend into 

 the plain, discovered some spot in the recesses of the moun- 

 tains, where he might plant his yams secure from molesta- 

 tion. This system of scanty cultivation has been so long 

 followed by them, that it is still difficult to persuade a 

 native to plant on an extensive scale. He still endeavours 

 to procure all tliat he may require in the small patch of 

 soil around his habitation, and in this manner they have 

 hitherto planted cotton so close that tlie trees have no room 

 for development, and tlie produce is proportionally checked. 



Land is easily purchased in the group, and labour, up to 

 the present time, has not been found wanting. The general 

 salubrity of the climate is well attested, and a European can 

 Avork in the open air throughout tlie year without incon- 

 venience. Life and property are secure ; a result due, in a 

 great degree, to the labours and influence of the Mission- 

 aries. In the generality of cases where disputes arise 

 between the natives and settlers, the latter will be found to 

 be the aggressors. 



