2 INTRODUCTION. 



diately connected with its production, that little thought 

 is bestowed on the subject, and questions concerning the 

 sources of future supply attract little attention. 



Various methods have been proposed for rescuing the 

 sugar-producing Colonies, and more particularly the West 

 Indies, from the ruinous condition into which they have 

 fallen. Many partially excellent and practicable plans 

 have been suggested, and projects the most wild and 

 fanciful have been proposed. But, while much has been 

 said and written discursively, there is a want of informa- 

 tion of a general and connected nature, as to what is the 

 actual condition of the plantations — what has been the 

 system of production usually adopted — who are the persons 

 by whom this system is directed and carried out — what 

 are the successive steps which have led to the present 

 universal prostration and insolvency — and what would be 

 the most advisable course, under these circumstances, for 

 the Planters to pursue, in order to render available to the 

 utmost, the means they possess. This is of much greater 

 importance than proposals of remedies which are difficult 

 of attainment, involving a vast outlay of national or 

 private capital, and the success of which are at best 

 problematical. 



It is my purpose, in the following pages, to show, that 

 the planters possess the means, if properly applied, of 

 aiding themselves to a much greater extent than is gener- 

 ally practised ; and that the resources of the Colonies are not 

 sufficiently developed, owing to the imperfect methods of 



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