CHAPTER XII. 



Labor to become capital- — Increase of small proprietors. 



I have with all practicable brevity stated what I look 

 upon as the more prominent causes of the present prostrate 

 condition of this charming island. I take leave to re- 

 capitulate them. 



First — The degradation of labor, in consequence of the 

 yet comparatively recent existence of negro slavery, by 

 which the white population are excluded from almost every 

 department of productive industry, and a tone of public 

 opinion is begotten, calculated to discourage, rather than to 

 promote industry among the people of color. 



Second. — Nine-tenths of the improved land was owned 

 by absentees — which implies unskilful tillage ; an extra 

 expense on an average of three thousand dollars a year to 

 each estate for attorneys, agents and overseers ; great im- 

 providence in the management of the properties, and few 

 or no labor-saving improvements. 



Third. — The estates under culture were all mortgaged 



