IMPROVEMENT OF WEST INDIAN ESTATES. 59 



that such outlay wall be no rash speculation, but that 

 the advantages to be derived from it are so certain and 

 considerable, that the value of the saccharine matter at 

 present lost in one year by imperfect manufacture, would 

 in most instances be sufficient to cover the required outlay. 



I am aware that at present many West Indian proprietors 

 are in such embarrassed circumstances, that they would 

 find it difficult to make the requisite changes, being unable 

 to command the necessary outlay. But there is reason to 

 hope, that if the real state of matters in the West Indies 

 were fairly brought before the British Parliament, the 

 necessary aid would not be refused. Aid has been liber- 

 ally granted for the improvement of estates in Great 

 Britain and Ireland, from which no such prospects of 

 ample and rapid returns can be expected as in the case 

 of sugar estates in general. We are also encouraged to 

 make such application, from the fact of the British public 

 beginning to perceive that great and uncalled for sacrifices 

 of West Indian property have been made unnecessarily, 

 and without the attainment of the desired object, or indeed 

 of any equivalent. A loan for a short term of years w r ould 

 be sufficient to render these Colonies flourishing, and quite 

 adequate to the production of an abundance of good and 

 cheap sugar for the consumption of this country. Pre- 

 cautions can easily be adopted to prevent misapplication 

 of funds in aid. The investments might even be rendered 

 safe and popular stock in the English money market, by a 

 guarantee similar to that given by Government in favour 



