321 
chap, iv.] WEST INDIES. 
The effect which a partial abolition would proba¬ 
bly have in our Sugar islands is now to be consider¬ 
ed; and here it must in the first place, be observed, 
that it seems not to be known, or is not adverted to 
in England, that the sugar estates are not only very 
much understocked in general, but that there is 
scarce one of them, for reasons that will presently 
be seen, that possesses a sufficient number of negro 
women, in proportion to the men. Of course 
there being fewer pairs, there are fewer children 
born. Thus situated, there must necessarily hap¬ 
pen a decrease on the whole number of the slaves, 
even under the mildest treatment, and enjoying the 
greatest plenty of wholesome provisions.—Second¬ 
ly, it must be remembered, that most of the sugar- 
estates, having been settled on credit, are burthen- 
ed with heavy incumbrances to persons in Great 
Britain. Many planters are under covenants to 
cused of witchcraft, and could not be sold. Tn order to save her life, 
he offered to give an anker of brandy for her; but her head was cut 
off before his messenger arrived. Other instances, similar to this, are 
related by Mr. Mathers and Mr. Gandy. Sir George Young saved 
the life of a beautiful boy, about five years old, at Sierra Leone. 
The child being too young to be an object of trade, Would have b<en 
thrown into the river by the person thathad him to sell, but Sir Geor. e, 
to save his life, offered a quarter cask ot Madeira wine for him, which 
was accepted—he brought him to England, and made a present of lnm 
to the marquis of Lansdown.—Admiral Edwards, Mr. Penny, Mr. 
Dalzel, Mr. Anderson, and others, concur in the same account of the 
disposal of such as are rejected by the Europeans. 
Report of the Lords of the Committee of 
Council, 1789, part 1st. 
Vol. II. s s 
I 
