SETTLEMENTS ON THE DEMERARY, i^C. 107 



** consistently with the honor and dignity of the army, should 

 " not be withheld." This spirited and manly reply to the go- 

 vernor's requisition, shewed at once the disapprobation which 

 the British government entertained for such horrid and cruel 

 treatment of criminals, and has hitherto prevented a repetition 

 of them. 



I assert with confidence and satisfaction, that there is not so 

 much flogging on a West India plantation, as there is obliged 

 to be on board our men of war, with the cat of nine tails, to 

 preserve order. The planters feel an interest in exciting emu- 

 lation among the negroes, and in encouraging them to set ex- 

 amples of industry and order, to the newly imported. It is 

 worthy of remark, that the old seasoned people look with a 

 degree of scorn on the new negroes, because they cannot ''talk 

 buckra," and are not so clever and so active as they are, or so 

 familiarized with the customs and manners of their white 

 masters. It was formerly thought necessary for the preserva- 

 tion of good discipline on estates, to correct negroes for every 

 fault which was committed, and the driver's whip was conti- 

 nually cracking to excite fear, and stimulate the poor wretches 

 to work. Different measures have since been adopted, of 

 which experience fully authorizes a continuance, both from 

 the salutary effect which they have had on the negroes, 

 and from their being more congenial to the feelings of Bri- 

 tish subjects; who, though they have been stigmatized by 



p 2 



