SLAVERY. 



268 



1 can more particularly speak of the estates of 

 the Benedictine monks, because my residence 

 at Jaguaribe gave me daily opportunities of 

 hearing of the management of one of their esta- 

 blishments; and although sugar-works were not 

 erected upon the estate in question, still the 

 number of negroes which were upon it was 

 fully adequate to this purpose. Besides, in some 

 years canes were planted upon it, which were 

 to be ground at some neighbouring mill. The 

 frequent communication, likewise, which there 

 was between the slaves of this plantation and 

 those of the other estates, belonging to the same 

 convent, upon which sugar is made, enabled me 

 to ascertain that all the establishments which are 

 owned by the Benedictines, are conducted in the 

 same manner. 



The slaves of the Jaguaribe St.Bento estate 

 are all Creoles, and are in number about one 

 hundred. The children are carefully taught 

 their prayers by some of the elder negroes, and 

 the hymn to the Virgin is sung by all the slaves, 

 male and female, who can possibly attend, at 

 seven o'clock every evening ; at this hour it is 

 required that every person shall be at home. 

 The young children are allowed to amuse them- 

 selves as they please during the greatest part of 

 the day ; and their only occupation for certain 

 hours is to pick cotton for lamps, and to sepa- 

 rate the beans which are fit for seed from those 



s 4< 



