WEST INDIES. 
CHAP. III.] 
73 
Let us now bring the whole into one pointy of 
view. 
Jamaica 
Cm rency. 
Lands, - 14,100 
Buildings,.7,000 
Stock, ------- 20,380 
Total in currency, £a 1,480 
Which is only £. 520 short of £. 42,000 Jamaica 
currency, or X-30,000 sterling, the sum first men¬ 
tioned; and I am further of opinion, that if the 
owner of such a property were to sell it by ap¬ 
praisement, the valuation would amount to neaily 
the sum expended. It would therefore be more 
advisable, undoubtedly, to purchase a plantation 
ready settled, rather than attempt to create a new 
one from uncleared lands; inasmuch, as the labour 
and risk of the undertaking would be thereby 
avoided;—but however this may be, it must be 
considered as a fixed and well established fact, that 
a sugar plantation of the extent and returns which 
have been supposed, whether acquired by pur¬ 
chase, or by the risk and labour of clearing the 
lands, will unavoidably cost (the necessary buildings 
and stock included) £. 30,000 sterling, before any 
adequate interest can be received from the capital. 
The produce of such a plantation has been stated 
at 200 hogsheads of sugar, of 16 cwt. and 130 
puncheons of rum, of 110 gallons, communibus, 
Vol. HI. 
K 
