SETTLEMENTS OK THE DEMERARY, &C. 115 



undervalue observation, experience, practical talent of every 

 kind. They listen to metaphysical politicians, who without 

 having visited the West Indies, or knowing at all the nature 

 of the people, and of the properties there, think they can 

 direct the tropical planter how best to cultivate, and the as- 

 sembly of Jamaica how best to legislate. By such vain au- 

 thors, the English people have been goaded into petitioning 

 their legislature for an abolition of the slave-trade. It is the 



Scotland, and Ireland. The old are taken care of by the proprietor, and are 

 never suffered to want ; they are found in clothes, salt, salted fish, and her- 

 rings ; a doctor regularly attends the sick. 



*' The negro women have great attention paid to them in tlaeir lying-in — a 

 proper nurse and midwife attends them, and every thing that is necessary is 

 supplied them from the estate — they do not work for four weeks afterwards, 

 and have nurses to attend them and wash for them during that period. They 

 then turn out to light work considerably later than the other negroes, and 

 have nurses to attend the children ; and notwithstanding this care and atten- 

 tion, the children very often die on or before the ninth day, of the lock-jaw. 

 Twenty shillings reward is allowed by the assembly of Jamaica for every child 

 born, and raised upon tlie estate ; and many of the liberal-minded benevo- 

 lent overseers give this money among the nurses, midwives, &c. as an en- 

 couragement. No negro is ever allowed to work in the rain, — and a book- 

 keeper is some years upon trial before he is entrusted with the management of 

 an estate, and if he is passionate and cross to the negroes, no person will em- 

 ploy him. The negroes value very high, some 2001. to 3001. some even 400l. 

 The murder of a slave is felony without benefit df clergy." 



Q 2 



