WEST INDIES; 
CHAP. IV.] 
239 
chase ? Admitting it even to stand at the sum fixed 
by the committee of council,* how subordinate is 
such a consideration, when placed in competition 
with the future growth and profitable existence of 
our sugar islands, the whole of whose acquirements 
centre in the bosom of the mother-country, enrich¬ 
ing her manufactures, encouraging her fisheries, 
upholding the credit of her funds, supporting the 
value of her lands, and augmenting, through a thou¬ 
sand channels, her commerce, navigation, revenues 
strength, wealth, and prosperity ! 
On the whole, it is a consideration of very serious 
importance, that the benefits of the present restrain¬ 
ing system are by no means commensurate to the 
risk which is incurred from it. Jamaica, it is true, 
in time of scarcity, may find some resource within 
herself, and America has not yet adopted, and per¬ 
haps may not adopt, measures of retaliation ; but it 
must always be remembered, that every one of the 
West Indian islands is occasionally subject to hurri¬ 
canes, and many of them to excessive droughts, 
which, by destroying all the products of the earth, 
leave the wretched negroes no dependance but on 
imported provisions supplied them by their owners. 
Antigua has been frequently rendered by this cala¬ 
mity a scene of desolation, as it was particularly in 
1770, and twice again in the years 1773 and 1778. 
Should the same irresistible visitation overtake these 
unfortunate countries hereafter,—as the planters 
Vol. III. 
£.14.5,000 sterling. 
O o 
