A FLYING TRIP TO JAMAICA 
266 
but in 1689 ^ ie labor situation was such that the government recognized 
slavery, and for a time all was peaceful. There were several revolts, 
however, on the part of the slaves, one occurring in 1760, when sixty 
planters were killed and half a million dollars’ worth of property 
destroyed. The rebels were finally subdued, and as a warning, one 
of the ringleaders was burned at the stake and two others were put in 
iron cages and allowed to slowly starve to death. In 1834 the British 
government insisting that the slaves be freed, arranged an apprentice 
system for the 31 1, 000 slaves, by which laborers in the field were to 
work six years more and then be free; while domestic laborers were 
to work four years more. The crown also paid thirty million dollars 
ENTRANCE TO HOPE BOTANICAL GARDENS. 
indemnity to the owners. After being freed, the slaves became English 
subjects with all their rights, and it is only fair to the black race to 
say that they have progressed remarkably ; as well, perhaps, as whites 
would have done under the same circumstances. To show the propor- 
tion of whites and blacks on the island, figures from the last census are 
given as follows; Whites, 14,692; colored people, 121,955; blacks, 
488.624; and 14,000 East Indians, Chinese, etc. 
The “Jamaica nigger” at home is not a very hard worker, but he is 
good natured, self respecting, and in many cases thrifty. The island 
does not afford enough work for him, and so they are to be found all 
