SLAVERY. 



229 



the plantations. In the hot months, the mortality 

 during the sale is sometimes four per cent., as was 

 the case in 1802. 



An increase in the number of female slaves, so 

 useful in the care of their husbands and their sick 

 companions; their relief from labor during preg- 

 nancy ; greater attention to their children ; the estab- 

 lishment of the slaves by families in separate cabins ; 

 an abundance of food ; an increase in the number of 

 days of rest; and the introduction of a system of 

 moderate labor for their own account, are the most 

 powerful and the only means to prevent the diminu- 

 tion in numbers of the blacks. Some persons who 

 are well informed as to the old system on the plan- 

 tations, believe that in the present state of things, 

 the number of slaves would diminish five per cent, 

 annually if the contraband traffic should entirely 

 cease. This diminution is nearly equal to that of 

 the English Lesser Antilles, except Santa Lucia and 

 Granada. These last, forewarned by the discussions 

 in Parliament, took measures to increase the import- 

 ation of females. The abolition of the African slave- 

 trade in Cuba has been more prompt and more 

 unexpected 



[JSTote. — The illustrious author's anticipations in 

 regard to the cessation of the African slave-trade in 



