;s^

'.i/0JIW3-JO->'

OFfAllFOS'^

imv^ '%ojnv3'jo'^ ^'♦aojiTVD'jo^

AWEUNIVERy/^ ^lOSAKCEltnx

, .VII. U1.I.1.IIO//J, o^ ui^

C5 Cc
^ O

■:d

^ 5

o _

'Olfi^

%liON¥S01^'^''

>-

■<

^yEUNIVERJ/^,.

I

^:jvlOSANCElfj-^

I Ai- I iT I-

;>;lOSANCElfXy.

ei;OFfAllF0)?^ ^OFCAUFOff^

rf-t.ic Min\yi:hf*.

CO

5= =P

c-i

<^ -no

^10- —

Jjujnviui—

AiaEUNIVERy/A ^lOSANCElfjv.

<rjuaNvsoi^

.^;OFCAIIFO%

or l\ ,' _i. \ --.

>

•3=.

.^" *?.,.-

">YQ<

x^llBRARYOc,

^

l^WEUNIVEBy/A

^lOSANCElfx^

6 ?0^g B

^^•IIBRARY^)^ ^t-UBRARYi^/-^

Be

o

-<

^

,-i,OF-CAJ.!FOP m\'y_^

.^WEUNIVFRS//,

^-?H\E.UN1VERS/;-

i-f.r

#

%3l^DNVS0#

-ii

,^^'

^tUBRARYO/,

'^(iujlivj-iij '

%r ^

^0FCAIIF0%

%.

^/m\iNii3UV'

%. Jjl' t 5 "ii

,riFr

^P,f'.

xOFCAllFOff^

AMEUNIVERy/A

^IJDNVSOV^^

C> *c

o ■

^iOJlTVDJO^
^OFCAIIFOP^

^OJIWOJO'f^

^^.OFCA1IFO%

>-

AWEU,»JIVER5/A

■^AiaMNnm'^"^ '^^(?Aavaan-^'^ ^^Aavaaiii^^ <rii]3Nvsoi=^^

^/AijAi:JiiJV\'^

^HIBRARYOc

§ 1 f .r- ^

i^ S

%

■ymimii^'^

^ummo/:

^oiimi^"^

^lOSA>JCFli^;> *^lUBRARYO/r^

1/-%-^^ 5 1 tr^i

<ril3DNVS01^ '^/Sa]AIN(l-3Wi

^<!/0JllV3dO'^

AN'CFlfj>

^OFCA11FO%
ft

^V\EUNIVER%

^lOS-WJCElfj-^

ii(^

ji-^- '^Aai\i/iiV3i\v^ ^OAavaaii# ^OAavaaiiis^ ^fiuoNvsoi^ %ai\iNiViW^'

v^

^.OFCAllfOff^

■^OMvaan^

'%

aweuniver%.

-7^ 0)= s

.#

^lOSANCElfx^

%a3AINn-3WV^

^tUBRARYQ^

33

-5>f.lUBRABYQc

inr:

ii

■aWEUNIVERJ/a

>riF-rAiiFnp/.

,#

^^WEUNIVERy/4

^lOSAtJCEltr^

jl#

J -n <-

v/iaiAINfl-mv'

^.OFCAIIFO/?^

Co

^0FCA1IF0%

^ ^ i Ic;

^Okumni^ ^oxmmi^

aweuniverj/a

%UOKVS01^^

%

\INft-3k\V''
%

<^'E-UBRARYQ^> ^^UBRARYQa^

^ ? ■-!! «

<
m
SO

^^;OFCAllFO% ^OF-CAUFO)?^

^^i^Aavaaivi^' '^■^(?Aavaaii-#

<S^

AWEUNIVERJ/^i

4^■

^^WEUNIVER%

''j"ii]'JKV-S01^

^lOSAN'CEt^^

£' "■ =

— CO

Jo

•^/idJAlNli-Wv

^•lOSANCELfx^

.— CO

■^■''/^aJMNiiwv

^lUBRARYQ^

^.OFCAllF0/?,</^

•.<

^(/Aavaaiii^

, r I inn 1 x\\i r

M

#1

"^^

'% fc

.5!(IEUNIVER%

'aujiivj ;u ■

^iir iiii(\/rnp#.

■K f

I ^ 1

TOPOGRAPHICAL DESCRIPTION

O F

THE

ISLAND.

CHAP. VII.

SECT. I.

JAMAICA is divided into three counties, Mlddlcfex, Surry,
and Cornwall. The county of Middlefex contains about
1305235 acres, and has eight parilhes, and fourteen towns and
hamlets; viz.

Towns.
St. Jago de la Vega,
Old Harbour,

Pariflies.
St. Catharine,
St. Dorothy,
St. John,
St. Thomas in the Vale.

Hamlets.
Paflage Fort.
Market.

Clarendon,

Vere,

St. Mary,
St. Anne,

Scots Hall Negro Town,

rCrofs,
I Chapel.
Carlifle Bay.

{Rio Nuevo,
Port Marin,
Saltgut.
r Laughlands,
iRuna

St. Anne, , „

laway Bay,

1 (hall begin with an account of St. Catharine ; which, having

been the firft-inhablted by the Englifli, is entitled to precedence,

more efpecially as it contains the antient metropolis of Sr. Jago de

la Vega, or, as it is commonly called, Spanifh Town, the original

name being chiefly ufed in a6ls of aflembly, proclamations, and

other public documents. It is fituatcd in about 18° i' North la-

VoL. II. B tirude.

*JCM.

smst

2 * JAMAICA.

titude, and in 76° 45' longitude, Weft from London. It flands
about ten miles Weftward of Port Royal ; eleven from Kingfton,
by the way of Paflage" Fort ; and about eighteen by the road of
Halfway-Tree, in St. Andrew's. It is laid by fome authors to have '
been founded by Chriftopher Columbus, whofe family took the
ducal title of la Vega from it. Other accounts, with more ap-
pearance of probability, aflert, that it was built by Diego, the fon
of Chriftopher, about the year 1520. The accounts given us of
its magnitude and opulence are ftirongly fufpefted of exaggeration.
Some writers inform us, that it contained above two thoufand
houfes, fixteen churches and chapels, and one abbey, before THe
invafion under Penn and Venables; and that the Englifh foldiers
exercifed their 'prowel^^ thefe edificfes with fo furious a zeal,

as to leave only two churches and about five hundred houfes un-
demolifhed [«]. Other authors, with more appearance of cre-
dibility, relate, that it contained one thoufand feven hundred houfes,
two churches, two chapels, and one .abbey : but even this ac-
count allows pretty largely for the Spanifli or white inhabitants;
who, according to the moft- certain information of the Englifii
officers who went over with the army, and afterwards fettled here,
did not exceed fifteen hundred. : fo that, if thefe writers are to be
believed, the houfes out-numbered the inhabitants. The Englifh
army eftablifhed their head-quarters here ; and, as they had oc-
cafion for mofl: of the lioufes that were habitable, we muft: fuppofe
tliat they only pulled down thofe of an inferior clafs, together with
the religious edifices, which, as far as their ruins and tradition can
afford evidence, confided of an abbey and two churches, the one
called the Red, and the other the White Crofs. There is reafon to
believe, that, after the 'j^at of government was transferred to Port
Royal, the town of St. Jago became thinned of inhabitants, who

[a"] This is Hjckeringell's account. He was the eai-Iieft writer on the affairs of this ifland, and
himfelf in the army at the time of the conqticft under Venables ; but it is pollible, that he might
have eftimated the num'.er ot houfes by conjefture only, or been mifmformed. According to the
beft teftimonies, the whole Englifh army, at the time of their entering the town, did not confiil
of more than about nine thoufand, including a regiment of marines. Allowing therefore ten to
each houfe, when they were in quarters (which, confidering the fmallnefs of thefe edifices, may
be reckoned full fufficieni), the number they fpared from dellruilion may be fuppofed about nine
hundred, for the accommodation of the officeis and men.

gradually

,.tf^

BOOK III. CHAP. VII. 3

gradually left it, either to refide at the new metropolis, or to (]uead
themlelves in the country fill confequence oTvvhicb,, a great many
of the Spanifli houfes were fuffered to_decaj; and others were
• pulled down, to enlarge areas ; while fome were converted into ware-
houfes and ftables ; i'o that" at prefent it does not contain more thati'"" , ■)y,^<(lJ<^l
between four and five hundred inhabited by white peribns ; but, when '.-«^-'-^

thofe inhabited by free Negroes, Mulattoes, and flaves, are taken
into account, the whole number may be eftimated at about twelve ■^ TV
hundred. The prefent church was ere£led where theL-Spauilla B,ed ^
Crofs Church formerly ftood, at the Eaftern end of the town; the
White CrplLiloQd'at-t^*aJ^Q£tIlf^rt-| ^;!f,trem'i|j^7 aT"rr2fmay"(^^^
from tlie.4-iver, on a very .agreeable fpot, wh|ch is now occupied
with a handfome modern-built houfe. On digging the foundation
for this houfe, feveral large pieces of wrought tlone were turned up.
They appeared to be of the white lime-flone, or fpecies of fhell-
marble, fo common in the neighbouring hills, and to have been the
lintels of doors or windows belonging to the old church [^]. The
abbey was fituated on the South fide of the parade, where the
guard-room and chapel now ftand, and extended back to the go-
vernor's houfe. The bafes of two columns, which once fupported
a large arch-way leading into the abbey, were vifible but a few
years ago : they flood near the South end of the public offices,
were about eight feet fquare, compofcd of brick-work, cemented
with fo fine a mortar, that in removing them the bricks were all
fhivercd in pieces. I have feeti in this town a great many large
ftone-mouldings, for the bafes and other parts of columns ;,. which,
as well as the Iculptures dug out of the ruins of Sevilla Nueva, in
St. Anne's, appeared to have been executed by no mean artifts.
'/ The Spanifh ecclefiaftics (however blameable in other refpecls) muft
be allowed lome merit in having cultivated the elegances of archi-
tecture in th£fe^emote parts of the world.'' Some of their public

[i] In blocks of this ftone, or marble, I have feen ver}' perfeft ihells of the Jamaica mufcle
and peclina. In fome parts of the country, where it overfpreads the farface, and has fuffcreii
a torrefaclion from the accidental firing of the woods in dry weadier, it appears pitted all over ;
and the little cavities, only divided from each other by (hafp points, thefe have been occafioned
by violent (howers falling upon the rock when its face was foitened by fiie. A genclcman's
houfe built of this material, being unfortunately burnt, the walls continued' ftanding till a feafon
of heavy raincame on ; when- they fairly diffolved into a fubllrate ot lime.

B 2 flrudlures

IS

4 JAMAICA.

ftrucflures at St. Domingo, the Havannah, La Vera Cruz, Cartha-
gena, Panama, &c. would make a noble figure even in European
cities. The fanatic rage, or heedlefs indifference, of the Engli(h
who firlt fettled in Jamaica, occafioned the ruin of the Spanifh
buildings dedicated to religious ufes here ; fo that pofterity can
only form an opinion of their magnificence from fuch fragments as
here and there are to be found in a neglefled ftate, as being of too
large dimenfions to be employed in any building of modern ftyle.
In the fituation of the; town, the Spaniilvfoundcr ihewed a good
fm *^ . deal of judgement, but not much regularity in the difpofition of
^'' the ftreets; yet it is better laid out than moft of thofe in England.
That a Weft-India town fliould be irregularly planned is, indeed,
almoft: inexcufable, not only on account of health, which ought
to be principally regarded, but becaufe it is formed as it were at
once. Thofe in England had not the fame advantage ; they grew
for the moft part from two or three folitary cottages, planted by
the fide of fome road, or at the interfeftion of crofs-roads, which
having been traverfed at firft without any exatlnefs, the fame
meandring lines continued after the fides of thefe highways were
built upon and converted into flrcets ; which name is derived with
more propriety from the word y?r^//, or narrow, than from Jlraight
or not crooked, when it is applied to the towns of England. St.
Jago Jlands on,a rocky flope, gradually afcending from the.xiKfeCp-
Cobre to an extenfive plain, called the Town Savannah ; fo that the
rain-water, which fometimes falls heavily, efpecially in the feafons,
pafies away with a free current into the river ; by which means the
town is guarded from many inconveniencies. From Port Royal
harbour itisdiftant about fix miles N.W.; and, the land having an
eafy fall from it to the water-fide, without any intervening morafs,
it receives the fea-breeze with little diminution of force or purity.
Towards the North it is about two miles from the hills, which fink
fo much in that direction, in compliance with the courfc of the
river, as to give a fine opening from the extenfive vale of Sixteen-
mile-walk, and admit the land-wind. The town is about a mile
in length, and fomewhat more than a quarter in breadth, lying
longitudinally North and South ; and contains about twenty ftreets
andlauesj, a fcjjuare, a church, a chapel, and other public build-
ings,

BOOK II. CHAP. VII. 5 , J^

ings, which I fhall particularly fpeak of. The church is fituated /2, ^/■'* y<7 J
in the South-Eaft quarter of the town, near the eiuinnce c.Qmiii2LIl ., t/^
frornJPaflage_Eqrt. It is an elegant building of brick, in form of ^^.'

a crofs, confifting of four ailes, of which the main aile meafures
one hundred and twenty-nine feet in length, and twcnty-niiie in
breadth. As it is without a tower, the congregation is fummoned
by a fmall bell hung in a wooden frame, which is erei£lcd in the
church-yard; the pulpit, pews, and wainfcotting, are of cedar
and mahogany ; and the ailes for the mofl; part paved with marble.
The altar-piece is handfome, and adorned with carved work ; and
the decalogue in gilt letters : fronting it, at the Weft end of the
main aile, is a gallery fupported on columns, and furnifhed with
an exceeding fine organ, which coft 440/. fterliiig, and was fet up
in the year 1755. The organift has a falary of \zo I. per annum
currency, paid by the parifhioners, and receives other emoluments,
his affiftancc being generally required at the funeral obfequies even
of the free Negroes and Mulattoes buried in this parifh. The
cieling is neatly coved, and graced with two magnificent chandeliers
of gilt brafs; and the walls are hung with feveral monuments of
marble, plain, but well-executed. The governor's pew is diftin-
guifhed from the reft by being raifed higher, and crowned with a^
canopy. The two chandHicrT^ were The gift of pHyat^ \

and part of the communion plate, I have been told, was plundered
from a Roman catholic church fome years ago, at the attack of
Port Louis, in Hifpaniola: it has more of grandeur than elegance
in its tailiion. The building was ereded in two years, at the f~ \ ^ 4-!
pafbchial expence, on the foundation of the former one^ which '/
J was irreparably damaged by the'Tiurricane of Auguft, i^i?*^,^^-..
-About the year 1762 it received a thorough repair, and at
prefent yields to none in the ifland for a becoming ncatnefs.
The provifion made for the redor confids of a very convenient
dwelling-houfe in the town; fixty acres of rich pafture-land,
within a fmall diftance of it, the donation of Mr. Edward Morgan
in 1674; and upwards of five hundred acres in the neighbour-
hood, patented in the i'ame year " for the ufe of the parifh of Sr.
" Catharine, towards the maintenance of the minifter:" but this
latter parcel has not as yet been appropriated to the original defign ;

the

6 JAMAICA.

the different incumbents liaving been either unwilling or unable, by
reafon of the expence, to diflurb the pofieflion of thofe perfons
who have occupied it; though it will I'carcely admit of a doubt,
but that it was meant as a glebe to be annexed to the recSlory in
perpetuuiii, there being no other afllgned to the purpofe, The pre-
lent rector is Dodtor Lindfay ; the ftipend is 300/. currency j^e^r
annum: but the whole profit of the living has been eftimated double
that lum at ]eaft ; for, as the duty is great, the occafional fees arc
conliderable-

The chapel ftands on the South fidje_^f_d}eJ"Quaj;ejiJiear jthe go-
vernor's.houfe. It -is built much in the ftyle of the common-halls
belonging to the inns of court in London : the wails are crowned
with battlements ; and on the centre of the roof is a cupola and
clock. It was founded jult after the earthquake of 1692, in a re-
ligious panic, during the adminiftratioa of-....Sir.,W.iIUam Beefton.
How long it remained confecrated to pious ufes is uncertain; but
the founder, as if conicious that a wicked race of people would fuc-
ceed, who, forgetful of that calamity, might incline to profane it,
caufed an inlcription, cut in marble, to be fixed up on one end of
the building; which denounces a moft terrible imprecation againft
any perfon or perfons who fliould dare to put it to any other ufe than
that for which it was originally intended, Notwithftanding this,
it was afterwards converted into an arfenal of fmall-arms, chiefly
for the free Negroes and Mulattoes. In the year 1760, it con-
tained two thoufand fix hundred and fcventy-two ftand of firelocks,
and three hundred and three brace of piflols : it generally has a
ftand of about three thoufand ; for keeping of which in good
order, the aflembly pay an annual Hilary to an armourer. Adjoining
to this ftrutSture is the guard-houfe ; where a party of regulars arc
every day on duty to attend the governor. The governor's, or, as
it is more ufually called, the king's houfe occupies the whole Weft
fide of the fquare. The plan of this pile was defigned and ap-
proved of under the adminiftration of lieutenant-governor Moore ;
but the building was not completed till the arrival of his ex-
cellency governor Lyttelton iii.,j,.^,4ar' It was erefted, at the fole
charge of the ifland, under the infpedion of Mr. Ciafkell, then
engineer of Jamaica, and defigned for the ufual place of refidcnce

of

BOOK Iir. CHAP. VII. 7

of the commander in chief. The expence of biiiitling and fur-
nlfhing it amounted to near 50,000/. currency ; and it is now
thought to be the noblefl and bcil edifice of the kind, cither ia
North-Ameri6H7^ any*o"f**tne Brij^fli^colonies^in the WeTf-fndies.
The firft floor tsTSTO'^out four feet above the grouiTT;*' tlic fc-
cond is an Attic ftory ; the length of the fa9ade is about two hun-
dred feet ; and of the whole range, Inchiding the yard and offices,
about two hundred and fixty. The cornices, key-ftones, pediments,
copings, and quoins, are of a beautiful tree-ftone, dug out of the
Hope river courfcj j^i,_§t,, Aji^xew's- pariih. The entrance is by a
lofty portico, projecting from the middle of the front about fifteen
feet, fupported by twelve columns of Portland-ftone, of the Ionic
order. The pediment which riles above the Attic flory is fuperb,
and very properly ornamented with the imperial arms of Great-
Britain, in carved work well-executed. The pavement of the por-
tico is of white marble, the afcent to which is by a flight of fleps-
cf the fame material. This portico gives an air of grandeur to the
whole building, and very happily breaks the length of the front.
Two principal entrances lead through it into the body of the^
houfe ; the one opens into a lobby, or ante-chamber ; the other,
into the great laloon, or hall of audience, which is well-propor-
tioned, the dimenfions being about fcventy-three by thirty feet, and
the height about thirty-two: from the cieling, which is coved^
hang two brafs gilt lufl:res. A fcreen, of feven large Doric pillars,.
divides the faloon from an upper and lower gallery of communica-
tion, which range the whole length on the Well: fide ; and the
upper one is fecured with an elegant entrelas of figured iron work.
The Eafl: or oppofite fide of the faloon is finifhed with Doric pi-
lafl:ers ; upon each of which are brafs girandoles double-gilt ; and
between each pilafler, under tlie windows of the Attic ftory, are
placed, on gilt brackets, the bulls of feveral ancient and modern
philofophers and poets, large as life ; which being in bronze, the
darknefs of their complexion naturally fuggefls the idea of fo manj
Negroe Caboceros, exalted to this honourable diftinftion for foine
peculiar fervices rendered to the country. At the North end, over
a door which opens into the lobby, is a fmall moveable orcheftra^
made to hold a band of mufic on feftive occafions. The furniture
5 belaw

8 JAMAICA,

below confirts of a great number of mahogany chairs and fettees,
fufficient to accommodate a large company ; this room being chiefly
ufed for public audiences, entertainments, balls, and the hearings
of chancery and ordinary. At the South end are three folding-
doors, opening into a fpacious apartment, in which, by the gover-
nor's permiilion, the council ufually meet; whence it has received
the name of tlie council-chamber. At this end it was defigned to
place full-length portraits of their prefent majefties, and likewife of
the prince of Wales and his late majefty, between the pilafters ; but
I am informed they have not yet been obtained. Above the coun-
cil-chamber is a banqueting-room, or drawing-room, of the fame
fize, hung with paper, and neatly furniflied. This room commu-
nicates with the upper gallery and a back flair-cafe, and enjoys a
view of the faloon through fome windows ranging with thofe of
the Attic flory : it is leldom ufed, except on public days, and is per-
fedly well-calculated for the purpofe. Thefe different apartments
take up about one-half of the whole building. The room over
the lobby, being fomewhat darkened by the pediment of the por-
tico, was converted by governor Lyttelton into a chapel, for pri-
vate devotions. It is neatly fitted up, and with great propriety
adapted to this ufe. The Northern dlvifion of the houfe confifts
of three large rooms below, communicating with each other, and
with a long gallery ; all of which are handfomely furniflied and
well-lighted : this gallery has commonly been ufed either for public
fuppcrs, when balls were given in the hall, or as a fheltered and re-
tired walk in wet weather. The upper ftory is difpofed in a fuite
of chambers, divided by a long narrow gallery from a range of
fmaller apartments or clofets, intended for lodging the governor
and part of his houfliold. The two Northernmoft rooms above
and below are provided with a chimney, and all the neceflary ap-
paratus for a good fire ; which in the rainy feafons is healthy and
not difagrecable. In this new building are three ftair-cafes, all of
which are private ; a circuraftance, perhaps, overlooked when the
plan was drawn, and not more attended to when it came to be ex-
ecuted : yet there is fufficient fpace in the lobby for carrying up a
very magnificent central one, anfwerable to the other parts of fo
capital a llrufture; and this no doubt will, fome time or other, be

added

B O O K II. C H A P. VII, 9

added, as a neceflary imfrovement to compleat ir. Behind is a
fmall fqviare garden, laid opt in dry walks, and planted with Seville
orange, genip, and other fruit-trees, with feme flowering (hrubs
intermixed ; but it is not fo well cultivated as to merit a further
defcription. Adjoining to it are two little fquare courts, furrounded
with the old buildings, which comprehend feveral lodging-rooms,
the private fecretary's office, a large fervants hall, kitchen, and
other convenient offices. South of the whole is a fpacious area,
environed with the llables, coach-houie, granary, &c. and this area
communicates with the parade, or great fquare, by a large gate-
way. All the apartments and offices belonging to the houfe are
extremely commodious and airy. In iliort, I believe there is no
one of all the colonies where the commander in chief is lodged in
a manner more fuitable to his convenience, and the dignity of his
rank. Oi\ the oppofitc fide of the parade, direftly fronting the go-
vernor's houfe, is a coloflal buildiii^v.4y;ei2xxl„JiJkeA¥ii'a..by. the id^^
bitants of the ifland at a very great expence : it was begun about
feventeen or eighteen years ago; but is not yet_com|)leted, nor. pro-
bably ever will be. It puls'^ijs' in mind of the gentleman's beard,
defcribed by Martial, that grew under the operation of a bungling
barber; the half tirft-fliaved called again for the razor before the
other half was finiflied. This huge pile of brick and mortar is
rudely raifed into two ftorics. Below is an arcade of large extent, of
fixteen circular arche?, and one elliptical in the centre, of ruflic
work, upon the top of which is a lofty pediment raifed upon four
Doric columns. The body of the building is retired, to afford an
open gallery, fecured by a balluftrade, and floored with pitch pine-
boards, very badly adapted to the climate, where the rain and fun
are fb deftru6live to wood-work thus expofed. The upper flory is
afcended by a large (lair- cafe, which divides from the flrft landing
into two branches, both terminating at the two ends of a fpacious
lobby ; the South end opens into the aflembly-chamber and fpeaker's
room ; the other end, into the court-houfe and jury-room ; and the
front, into the gallery. Below are ranged the feveral offices of the
ifland fecretary, provoft-mardial, regifler in chancery, and clerks of
the crown and court ; for the ufe of which, as they coil fomewhat
annually in repairs, thefe officers pay to the public ;i certain mo-
VoL. II. C derate

lo JAMAICA.

derate rent, amounting to much lefs tlan they would pay, if they
were obhged to hire houles, which formerly was the cuftom. The
offices being thus fo compadtly difpofed, and fo contiguous to the
courts of juftice, a very lignal convenience refults to all perfons
having bufincfs to tranfiift in them. The aflembly-chamber, or
commons-houfe, is about eighty feet in length by about forty. At
one end of it a fort of amphitheatre is raifed, with mahogany,
fome little elevation above the floor, and lined with feats for the
members : the fpeaker's chair is exalted ftill higher. On the floor
is a long table, at which the clerk fits; and thereon are regularly
heaped, during the feffion, feveral manufcript fohos of laws, mi-
nutes, and votes, the Euglifh flatutes at large, votes of the BritiOi
houfe of commons, with pens, ink, and paper, for the inftruftioa
and accommodation of the fenators. The ipeaker's room is fur-
nished with proper conveniences for the private committees ap-
pointed to meet in it. The cieling of the commons-houle is lofty
and vaulted, except the part of it immediately over the ieats ; this
is boarded and flat, in order to render the debates more diftin*5l and
audible. The court-houfe is \yell-defigned,,.,.a.nd extremely com-
modious for the judges, jury, barriflers, and other parties that at-
tend it. The doors of the two houfes are diredlly fronting each
other ; fo that, when the fupreme court is held daring the fefiion of
the afiembly, the Ipeaktr and chief-Juftice are feated v/s a vis.
Thus the judges fecm tacitly admoniihed to a juft difpenfation of
the law and their duty ; their condu6l being amenable to the inqui-
fition and impeachment of the commons i'n aifembly. The two
bodies thus circumrtanced', the one met for framing, amending, or
repealing, the ether tor enforcing, expounding, or deciding upon,
the Jaws, afford to the fpe£lators a ftriking picture of the legifiative
and executive departments, ai; moulded bv our happy conftitution
(though here exhibited' only in miniature), each harmonizing the
other; ever afting and re-acting; various, yet concurrent. This
building, which lines one entire fide of the parade or fquare, had
originally a cupola on the middle of the roof, which gave an ap-
pearance of lightnels and variety to the view; but, having after-
wards been found too cumberfome, and produftive of fome incon-
veniences, it was tiiken down ; by which sneans, the front feems

too

BOOK II. CHAP. VII. II

too much extended, nnd has too heavy an afpeft to pleafe the eye.
The brick columns of the arcade are much too maffive and ckmilV,
appearing as it" they were intended to luftaia lome enormous
weight, but liitherto fupporting only a flight floor, which is fo
leaky as not to anfwer the purpofe of fcreening the offices and paf-
fengers underneath from a tranfient fliower. The pediment in the
centre, and the projedion of the Speaker's and jury rooms at each
end, are fbme little relief. But, takiiig the whole ftru6lure to-
gether, and reflecting on the vaft Turns of money that have been
thrown away upon it, we may juftly queftion, whether confum-
mate didionefty or ignorance was the chief architedl [cj.

On

[f] Fiom the grand or fupreme law-court wliich is luid here (if the chrfi in a^lon be for a fum
above 300/. llerling), an appeal lies to the court of errors ; or, if fentence of death be pafled for
felony, the appeal is to the governor alone, who tor all fuch crimes, except murder and treafon,
can ratify or annul the judgement of the court as he pLnfes ; but, in the two lall- mentioned cafes,
may either refpite the ofic^iidcr till the royal pleafure il.creupcn be known, or order immediaie
execution. The grand court is held tour times a year, e^ich feffion continuing three weeks. Till
the year 1758, all caul'es of more ihaii ti.rty flnllings thr.ughout the iiland were tried in this
town; when an aft was palled for dividing the iliand into three circuits, in each of whith alfizes
are held the like number of times in the year. From the courts that are held in Surrj' and Corn-
wall, a 'vtmrc lies in fome cafes to that in Spanifli Town. .All informations upon aiJlions for breach
of the laws of trade and navigation, dutier, cuftoms, imports and exports, quit-rents, and efcheats,
are triable in the fjpreme court only. And, in all actions for the properly in llaves or iheir free-
dom, or in ejedment, dower, partition, titles atfecling lands or tenements arifing in the counties
of Cornwall or Surry, the judges of the fupreme court may direfl the iffue to be tried at St. Jago
de la Vega bv a iNIiddlefex jury. From the grand court the appeal goes on, as before related, to
the court of errors ; and, alter judgement given in the coui t ot errors, the party call may travel
with his caufe before the king in council at home : he mulf, indeed, after the decifion in the court
of errors, it it affirms the fentence of the grand court, pay into the complainant's hands th«
amount of the adion, he giving fecurity to the defendant tor re-payment of it in cafe the fen-
icirce fhould be reverfed at hoiriC.

It is true, that by thefe appeals it has been fuppofed thatjullice is more hkely to be admi-
niftered ; but they are neverthelefs highly prejudicial with regard to the immoderate delay which
neceflitrily enfues : tor, let the evidence be ever fo clear and conclufive, an action of debt upou a
fimple bond may be brought by the defendant (alter judgement has been obtained upon it in the
grand court) befoie the governor and council in the court cf errors; where it may poifibly
tlumber a whole year, or more, before it can be heard and decided, and before the plaintiff can
receive any juftice or redrefs ; for, how delirous foevcr the go\ernor himfelt may be to hallen
judgement, it is not always in his power to do it. He may advertife the holding fuch a court
from time to time, but to very little purpofe, unlefs a quorum ot his council are pleafed alfo to
attend and affifl him ; who are fometimes interefted in the matter in dilpute, either as principals or
collaterals, and confequently fo far difqualified to prefide upon it as judges. I have before ob-
ferved on the inconveniences which attend this appc.ii-court ; and fhall therefore only add, that it
has long been the fincere wifh of all the inhabitants (except the partizans of knaveiy and litiga-

C 2 tioni

> ■ JAMAICA.

On the NQith fide of the parade is a fmall building, called the,
\d court-houljB, where the fupreme court was formerly held, and

the

tion) to fee it entirely aboliilied. The judges ot tlie grand couit are vedeJ with the privilege of
prefidin" either in the Suriy or Cornwall courts, as well as that in Middiefex ; wherciis none of
the puifne judo-es, who are fpecially appointed for either of the former, are permitted to fit in the
latter. The number of adions, which in this fmall community are every year brought before the
grand court, will appear almoil incredible : yet the books of entry in the clerk of the court's of-
fice, which are an undoubted authority in this refpcft, fliew, that there are near four thoufand
new ones inlVituted/fr annum upon an average. Hence a conception may be formed of the vaft
quantity of bufinefs tranfa:'.cd in this court, and of the emoluments derived from it to the mem-
bers of the law. Among all the cuufes which lead to the multiplication of this evil, none are
more conducive than the following : ift, the fr;iudiilent conduft of executors ; 2dly, the transfer
of property from hand to hand by exchange of papers ; 3dly, the fallacious fiNtures of plats by
iogui(h or ignorant land-furveyors ; 4thly, the great delay of juftice by a multiplicity of ai>peal-
eourts ; cthly, expenfive and diffipated habits of living : of thefe, the laft-mcntioned may be
reckoned the principal. Property here is oftener rather nominal than real. A man, in pofTellion
of an eflate yielding 2000 /. per annum, fpends as inuch, aiWl lives as though he aftually had a
riwht to a clear income of that amount, notwithftaiiding it may he greatly encumbered. The con-
fequence of this muft be, that, if he fpends the whole income at the very time when he owes at
leafc one half of the value of his property, in a very few years he is obliged to part with both the
cllate and income too; efpecially if any of the ufual cafualties, Aich as the death of Negroes and
catile, drowth, or floods, ftiould happen to imjiair it. A wife planter, therel'ore, fliould never fpend
above one third of his income, nor value his property at a higher propoirion. But how preca-
rious foever fortunes are in this part of the woild, and liable, from various and innumerable caufes,
to fudden changes, and however frequent fuch inftances ; yet k\\ here take warning by the fate
of others, or feem awake to their oivn danger> till unhappily they experience the fame them^
fclves : fo that we may apply what Juvenal laid of Rome in his days :

IDc ultra t'ircs babltus nltor ; l.nc ali quid phis,

^am fails eji ; intcrdum aUcnafumitur area.

(u'Hiiiiunc id iHliuin eft : !Sic vidimus atiibitinfd

Paupvrlale^ Sat. in. v. X79, etfcqtien;,

" — Hftre attirM beyond our purfe we go,

" For ufelefs ornament ai-.d flaunting (liew :

" We take on trull, in filken robes to fliine,

" Though poor, and yet ambitious to be fine." Dryd.

And this is literally true of us ; for we are fo ambitiotis to live up to, or rather beyond, the no-
minal income of our eftates, that fometimes a perfon, wliofe produce amounts in grofs to at lead:
fix or feven thoufand pounds a year, is greatly dillrefled to pay his taxes, or even to raife the fum
of flt'ty pounds.

In {hort, fo numerous are the la^v-fuits in the ifland from different caufes, and the fees paid to
council fo large, that the gentlemen of the bar make feveral thoufand pounds jJcr annum by their
praftice ; and, in regard to attornies, there are not fo few as one hundred ; fome of whom, in a
few')''ears, acquire very confuierable fortunes. The evil praftices of fome among them called
for a regulation by law. Accordingly, an att of alfcmbly, paflcd in 1 763, ordains, that none fliall
be admitted to praftiieas folicitor or proilor in any court of law or equity in this ifland, without
producing his admillion as fuel; in VVeftminfter-hall ; or court of chancery, king's-bench, common-
pleas, or exchequer in Ireland ; or unlefs he fliall have been an articled clerk five years at leall to
a fworu-attorney or folicitor in Jamaica, and certified upon examination before two barrillers to

be

BOOK II. CHAP. VII. 15

the governors kept their chancery -fittings; but, fmce the removal
of thefe courts into more convenient places, Jt is ofjio further j.ife
than for e4?£iy_cpmmaiKlex in ckiej, ..aaJai3„iir^^ in the town,

to go into and take the ufual oaths ; and at other timesToF'li'S'IcIing
eleiftions of the p_.iLQchjalrepreieiitatiyes 01; office and, during
martial law, as.a guard-room for the militia. Adjoinfrig^'tb This
ftru61:ure is a range of building, which fills up this fule of the
fquare, and comprehends a tavern, a lodgino^-hQufe, .and a barber's
fliop ; allQf\yhich are well fituatcd for 2ftQ4..b-uianefaJja,,,their way.
Thefe houfes make an appearance that is rather diigraceful to the
other environs of the fquare. The tavern is an old Spanifh build-
ing, which, tradition fays,, \vas antiently aJiaW^^for^he mules
aiid"TTodes_^belpj;o;iiio^^^to^JJti_e governor. The fquare ha^i-

within it an o6lagonal inclofure, furrounded with a paiapet-wall
and rails, fecured at proper diftances by brick quadrangular co-
lumns, crowned with free-flone ; this was intended as an orna-
ment, but it unfortunately has too much the refemblance of a
cemetery : on two of the fides are double gates for the convenience-
of paflage from the publick offices to the governor's houfe. The
original hojjJ£^©-f'^»^i4de»ee.4^uaut-§Qve:Ll}Oi;o_^con(i{ted partly of the
old Spanilh edifice, and partly of irregular additions made from
time, tojtime, hy^iji^WiJi;^^^^ i flv^c^om mande rs

in chi5£t The Spanifli hall of audience was compleatly left till the
year 1761, when it was entirely pulled down to make room for
the prefent building : nothing of art: or Heglihl:e 'grTcad'thc: ' 11^^^^
of this hall: it was lined throughout with boards, or rather planks,
unequally hewn with an adze; none of them appearing to have
undergone the embellifliment of the plane ; thefe were rudely nailed

be fitly qualified for fueh prolcilion. So perfoiis, who have been vvriteri to the fignet 'v.\ Scotland
for three years, may, upon produchig certificate of fiich fervice, and going through one year's
further clerkdiip in Jamaica, and being approved of upon fimilar examination, be admitted in like
manner.' Andy to prevent coUufive co-partnerlhips, all partnerlhips, contracled benreen attornies
and folicitors, mull be reduced to writing, duly figned, fealed, and executed, in form, aiid recordeii
in the facretary!s ofKce ; and the names of all the partners indorfed on all writs, and other proceif
and proceedings, wherein they may be concerned. And, in order to put a (top to frivolous fitits,
it is ena<Sted by another law, that, if the debt and damages to be recovered upon any perfonal ac»
tion (except for matters affecting titles or intcreft of land, flaves, or their freehold or inheritance)
appear not to amount to forty (hillings or upwards, no greater colls fliall be allowed to iheplaintirt"-
than the fatn of fuch debt of damages ; but lefs inay be awarded at difcretion of the court.

to

14 J A M A I C A.

to upright pods, which fupported the roof. The pofts were for
the moll: part crooked, not even fcpared, and many of them had
fome remnant of their bark; but they retained for the moft part
their primitive folidity. The whole of the wood-work, indeed,
feemed to have pafled through no other hands than thofe of a
clumfy flTip-carpenter, The Spanifh tafte for the elegancies of
archite£lure fcems to have b.e.evli. .reifrided to their religious lliruc-
tures. They afe,. howeyej-^ to be commended for providing .all
their. AiTaerican towns with a Iquat'e...., Tlie fquare in this town
is notoidy a decoration, but the means of rendering the governor's
bouIeT^nrrd-rh'STourj^roT^^ i^oi'.e airy, pleafant, and health-

ful. In the Weft-quarter of the town ftand the gaol fdr'^ttTe""
county of Middlefex, a free-fchool, a poor-houle, and the fham-
b!cs. The gaol is a fquare of eighty-five feet, and contains an open
iirea within of about fifty-two : it is under the dircvftion and ma-
nagement of the provoft-marihal, or his deputy, who fometimes
is not fo careful as he ought to be in ordering the apartments to be
kept clean and wholefome : on the contrary, the room appointed
for the reception of felons, which runs along one fide of the court,
is (b loaded with filth in general, as to be perfectly peftiiential,
not only to the miferable wretches wlio are tliere confined, but to
the poor debtors, who now and then are indulged with liberty of
accefs into the court by way of enjoying a (hort walk in the open
air : add to this, that on the outfide of the wall there is fuffered
a conftant accumulation of putrid mud and water, fufficient to
poifon all the neighbouring atmofphere. In this delightful place
of cuftody debtors and malcfatflors of all forts, ail fexes, and com-
plexions, are promifcuoufly crowded ; a circumftance highly dif-
graceful to the publick humanity, more eipecially in a country
where it is thought politically expedient to maintain a diftinftion
between Whites and Negroes. It is therefore not a little aftonifh-
ing, that the debtor and the criminal fliould be huddled together ;
and that White perfons, who have committed no other offence
•tlian that of infolvency, iliould be aflbciated with the mofl: beftial
and profligate wretches of the Negroe race, as if it was intended to
ihew that incarceration, like death, is a leveler of all diftin£lions.
The number of perfons generally in confinement confifts of about

twelve

BOOK n. CHAP. VII. 15

twelve Whites and one iuindred Negroes. Upon enquiry in 1761,
it was found that the whole allowance, given to the debtors for
their luftcnance, wa.5 one pickled-herring and five plantains each
per diem (value f'evea-pence halfpenny), or two cakes of caffada-
bread in lieu of plantains : this was barely enough to keep life and
foul together. From this fpecimen, fome judgemei;it may be
formed of the hardfliips which a malicious creditor may in this
country inflict upon his debtor; and it is therefore not in the leaft
furprizing, that, to avoid fuch company, fuch fare, and abominabl'e
lodging, a debtor fhould run all hazards, and defend himfelf bv
force and arms, rather than enter into this hole of Calcutta. The
laws, however, are rather more favourable here than in England';
for a debtor, delivering an account upon oath of ail liis eftedls,
and having nothing to maintain him, may be let to hire in open
court; wdiich is now a mere form, and a mode of his deliverance;
and any creditor, diflenting and infifting on his continuance in gaol,
inuft pay the debtor a weekly lubliftance of three fliillings and iix-
pence for fo long as he remains in durefle, which by Icme men
of no feeling or principle has often been done. Attempts have
been made at different times to enlarge this prifon, and buiid a
difiinft place of confinement for debtors; but this beneficent pur-
pofe feems ta have been defeated by a fpiiit of jealoufy fubfifting
among the leading gentlemen of the ifland ; fome having indulged
a principle of wantonly oppofing.every fcheme and projed: offered
for the advantage of this devoted town ; others efpoufing an opi-
nion, that the county of Middldex alone ought to bear ilich bur-
thens, in which it is pretended that the other two counties are not
at all interelted \_d ^ : while thole wb.o are of the county are un-
willing that the whole expence ihould be afliifli^d upon them, in-
Itead of a general equal ta:i'ation ; alledgiiTg that, this town being
the leat of government, public offices, and the chief courts of
juftice to which civil and criminal matters are often removed from
the other county-courts, the buildings neceffary to be erefled here,

\il'\ since the above was written, the aiTembly have {l;ev/-n a due humanity to the fufterings of
thefe unfortunate perfons, by purchafing a piece of land, adjoining to the South part of the gaol,
of one hundred and fifty by one hundred and twenty feet, and granting icoo/. for inclofing and
ereifting proper bulldi:i_^s upon it. 'f liey have alio enlarged the debtor's allowance from 7 \{Lxa
.1 J. 3 cL per day^

or.

i6 J A M A I C A.

or luflainccl tor the publick convenience, ought in reafon to be
eroded and fuftained at the publick charge ; and undoubtedly, if
the whole ifland is interefted in what concerns the feat of govern-
ment, records, and juftice, which it certainly is, there is full as
much reafon for a general tax to rebuild or repair the gaol as to
rebuild or repair a houfe of refidencc for the governor. Not fiir
from the gaol ftauds the free-fchool, built and partly endowed at
the expence of Peter Beckford, efq; formerly lieutenant-governor
of the ifland, who left by will looo/. currency ; which fum was
borrowed by the public, and lo/. per cent inCereft allowed ever
li nee for the purpofe of better fupporting it: augmentations have
alfo been made by other legacies; fo that the whole income at
prefent is \<)ol. per a?imim, of which the mafler annually receives
140/. and the furplus is lodged in the hands of the treafurer, fub-
je£t to fuch.ufesas the governors (confifting of the whole le-
giflative body of the ifland, the judges of the fupreme court,
and the reclor of this parifli for the time being) may think fit to
direifl. This foundation was incorporated by an a£l of aflembly,
and defigned for the inftrudion of a certain number of boys, the
offspring of poor parents, in reading, writing, grammar, arith-
metic, and otlier mechanical and praftical knowledge. It has ge-
nerally from twenty- five to thirty poor boys; and, if it was well
regulated, it might prove an ufeful feminary ; fuch an education
being I'ufiicierit to qualify the boys for a variety of profitable em-
ployments in the ifland : but it may be pronounced of this, as of
many other charities of the like kind, that as yet it has ill-anfwered
the intent of its founder. Near the fchool is the fliambles or mar-
ket-houfe, where the butchers meat flaughtered in this town is by
law appointed to be fold. It is under the direilion of an officer,
who receives a yearly flipend as clerk of the market. His bu-
finefs is, firft, to fee that the meat expofed to lale is found and fit
'for ufe J and, if he finds it otherwife, he is to caufe it to be im-
mediately burnt. He is likewife to prove all the fcales and weights
ufed here and in the different ftiops within the town ; and, on dif-
covering any fraud or deficiency, he may levy the penalty impofed
bylaw. He has a power too of arbitration in all difputes that may
happen between buyer and feller relative to weighing of meats and
3 other

BOOK II. CHAP. VII. 17

other goods. There Is a further power likewife veiled ai him of
■more importance than all the reft ; which is, to fee that no butcher
exadts more for his meat than the prices fettled by law ; but this
-part of his duty has never of late years been complied with. The
common prices of moft kinds of meat fold here are now generally
double what the law has allowed; and little notice is taken of it.
The market for butchers meat begins at day-break, and is ufually
•over by eight o'clock in the morning. The Jews have a butcher
•of their own, who {laughters and difle£ls in the Mofaic manner;
the fecret of which feems chiefly to conlift in his choice of the
fatteft, fineft fuhjcds. The hofpital is a fmall diftance from the
market-place. It was founded by the charitable legacies and do-
nations of well-difpofed perfons, and calculated for the reception
of tranfient poor perlbns ; who are lodged, cloathed, fed, and
properly taken care of: and a gentleman of the faculty is paid an
annual falary by the public, for attending their lick, and furnifliing
them witii fuitable medicines. The barracks for the regular troops
are lituated in the Southern quarter of the town, on an airy,
healthful fpot. The front is a lofty brick-building, of two ftories.
Behind it is a fpacious fquare court, furrounded with (hed-rooms:
they are capable of holding three hundred men; but, the accom-
modations deligned for the officers having proved extremely im-
proper for the purpofe, the men are too much left without a due
controul, moft of their principal officers having lodgings provided
for them at fome diftance in the town ; fo that, for want of their
relldence in the barracks, the privates have often committed riots,
and other mifdemeanors at night, in the neighbourhood. Yet
there is a very commodious unoccupied fpace adjoining, where pro-
per apartments might be built for the officers; in confequence of
which, the difcipline of thefe troops would be much better kept
up, and a final ftop put to fuch enormities. Their hofpital Hands
on the Eaft fide of the town, near the river, in a very ill-judged
fituation; for the fupport of which building, and neceffaries for
their fick, the aflembly makes every year an ample provifion.
Near it is the powder magazine belonging to the town; built of
brick, and capable of holding fifty barrels; this is conftantly
guarded by a centinel. Juft acrofs the river, a fmali diftance from
Vol. II. D this

tjS J A M A I C A.

■this place, is' a look-out, called Beacon hill, which had formerly

aftaffand colours raifed upon it, for the purpofe of giving alarm.

As there is a very extenfive view from the fummit, commanding

the harbour of Port Royal, and the Eaftern (hip-channel, in the

offing, this appears the moft proper fcite for erefting a fortrefs, if

one fliould ever be thought neceflary for better defending the town.

At prefent, here is neither fort nor battery ; all its defence confifls

in fourteen or fifteen fmall brafs field-pieces, honey-combed with

age, and committed to the care of a captain, a lieutenant, and a

company of matrofles, all of the militia; who flafh a little powder

from this train of artillery, to announce the royal birth-day, and

a few other joyous occafions [d"]. Befides thefe, are two or three

companies of regulars, and five or fix of horfe and foot militia, a

medley of Chriftians, Jews, Pagans, Negroes, and Mulattoes.

The Jews, who are numerous here, have a convenient burial-

. ground walled in, at fome diftance out of the town; and a fyna-

tgogue in the Eaftern quarter, not far from the river: this place of

worlhip has feveral well-adapted ornaments. Here they aflemble,

and read a portion of the Law and the Prophets every fabbath-day.

They obferve moft of their antient feafts and fafts; and marry,

-circumcife, and bury, according to the cuftom of their fore-fathers.

•Some of them are good men, and do many benevolent ailions to

"Gentiles as well as their own fraternity ; but much the greater part

'of them (I fear) are very felfifh and tricking, fraudulent in their

"trade, and rigid in their tranfailions, not only with Chriftians,

but with one another. Of the houfes erefted by the Spaniards

C^^ before the Englifli conqueft, upwards of fifty are ftill remaining,

1/ very little the worfe for time or weather. We are not informed

(xC of the particular time when they were built. The town was twice

taken; firft, by Sir Anthony Shirley in 1592 ; and afterwards by

colonel Jackfon, about the y^q^^j^S^;'- hut hiftory does not men-

[e] It deferves the attention of the legl'Jature, whether their procuring a new train offiekl-
■pieces, of moderate fize, and a company of Ikilful European matroffes, would not be of the utmofl
importance to the defence of the ifland. Whoever has read the piogrefs made in Hindolkn, by
a handful of European troops, cannot but be altoniflied at the viftories they gained againil fuch
unequal numbers, and folely by the right management of their artillery. A fmall body of men,
[■ with fuch a bulwark, may refift all the efforts of fifty times their niiinber, who have no artillery :
and it 'a no lefs ferviceable in an open plain, than in defending a paf».

tlou

BOOK 11. CHAP. VII. 19

tion that they deftroN'ed the houfes. It is pretty, certain thev
ought to be regarded as antient, as it is now near one hundred and
twenty, years fince tl^e^iya(ipj\, uadat,,XgA?J^^ Their duratioa
for fo long'^a time in defiance of earthquakes and hurricanes, fomc
of which, fince the Engh Hi fettled here, have been fo violent as to
demohfli feveral more modern buildings, is a demonftrativc proof
of the Spanifhjagaclty^^^^^ lellon to the Engljfli

inhabitants ; for although thefe houfes are inconveniently fmall,
yet thlsTlran be no objection to the method of ftrudure, fmce it

by building three fides ol: a fquare after the Eaftern manner, whigh
allows fufficient range for a great variety of apartments. The
Spaniards had to guard againft the |uddenconcufliqn of earthquakes,
the impetuofity of hurricaiies, the d^^^^ periodical

rains, and tTTelieat of the iun^ We find their houfes excellently
well contrived to anfwer thefe different purpofes; with the further
merit, that the materials of which they are built were cautioufly
prepared in fuch a manner as to become extremely durable. A cer-
tain number of polls of the hardefl timber, generally Up-num vitce.
brazillet^.,or„fuLOip^^Q£..,Abp.ftL^^^

to eight inches diameter, being firft vvell-feafoned and hardened in
fmoak, were fixed" at proper diftances to the depth of two or
three feet in the ground ; then a wall of brick, incloling thefe
polls, vvas carried vip with veij llrong mortar to. the plate, which
was pinned_ wjth wppde,u. fpikes to^^d^^^ ports. The

main rafters were fmall, but, being of the like hard wood, and
perfedly well-feafoned, were fufficiently flrong : thefe were like-
wife pinned upon each other, and at their angle of interfedlion at
top formed a crutch, to receive the ridge-pole.' The fmaller raf-
ters were ofthelefl'er ebony trees, flript of their bark, hardened
in fmoak, notched at bottom, and being placed at the diflance of
about eighteen inches from each other, were pinned to the plate.
Athwart thefe fmall rafteis, a flratum of the wild cane (anindo
Ind'ica Bambujpecies), previoufly fmoaked, vvas tied on by way
of wattling, with ftraps made of the bark of the mohoe or man-
grove trees. Upon thefe wattles, fome mortar was laid, to the
thicknefs of about four inches ; and the whole covered with large

D 2 pantiles, '

20 J A M A I C A.

pantiles, well bedded in. The thicknefs of thefe rooft, from the
outward, (hell or tile-covering, to the ceiling within, was about
eight or ten inches. A canopy of fo folid a texture was certainly-
well contrived to flielter the inhabitants from the difagreeable
efFefts of a vertical fun ; and accordingly it is found by experience,
that thefe old Spanifh houfes are much cooler than our modern
ones, covered with fliingles (or flips of wood half an inch thick
formed like flates), which are not only very fubje6t to be fplit in
nailing, and fo create leaks, but are not folid enough to exclude
the fun's impreflion, nor lie fo compaft as to prevent a fpray from
being driven in by the wind in heavy fhowers, which occafions
a moifl: and unwholefome atmofphere within doors. Befides, thefe
fhingled tenements are very hot in the day-time, and cool at
night ; whereas the Spanifh houfes preferve a more equal tem-
perament of air by day and by night. Their materials preferve
them greatly from accidents by fire; and^ confideriug their {la-
bility, they feem to be the cheapefl and befl- contrived kind of
buildings for this ifland. It is plain, therefore, that the Englifh,
in negle£ling thefe ufeful models, and eftablifhing no manuflv^ure
of tiles, but ereding lofty houfes after the models in the mother-
country, and importing an immenfe quantity of North-American
fhingles every year for covering new roofs, and repairing old ones,
confult neither their perfonal fecurity, their convenience, their
health, nor the faving of a moft unneceflary expence [fj.

The chief error the Spaniards committed in their buildings was
the placing their ground-floors too low : thefe were nearly on a
level with the furface of the earth out of doors, or at moft raifed
only a few inches higher. Some of their houfes in the town have,
indeed, acquired a raifed foundation in the courfe of time ; for, the
torrents of rain having gradually wafhed and hollowed the ftreets

[/] It is remarked by UUoa, th;it the walls of Caxamarca (an Indian town in Peru), and of
feveral houfes in the neighbouring vallies, although built on the very fuperficies of the earth with-
out any foundation, have withllood thofe violent earthquakes which overthrew the more folid
buildings of Lima, and other large towns, erefted by the Spaniards. Experience inilruCted the
natives, that, in parts fo liable to earthquakes, it was improper to dig a foundation in order to
ftrengthen the walls. He mentions it as a tradition, that, when the newly-conquered Indians faw
the Spaniards fink foundations for their lofty buildings, they laughed, and told thciii, " they were
" digging their own graves :" intimating, that earthquakes would bury them under the ruins of
their houles ; a prophecy which has been moil fatally verified in the fequel.

in

BOOK II. CHAP. VII. 2r

in fome parts lower and lower, the fucceffive inhabitants of thefe
houfcs were obliged to add a foundation where the water had un-
dermined the walls, and t>om time to time, as the earth happened
to be fvve^t away ; f6;thatlTre7foundations oLw.anyo^^^ an-

tient piles fiave in fail been laid long fince the fuper£lfu£ture. Their
houfes-had no piazzas originally : the Englifli made thefe additions,,
in order to render them more cool and plealant. But they have \
been attended with fome inconvenience in another refpeifl ; for, the j
flreets being laid out, fome of thirty, and others not exceeding 1
forty, i^et in breadth, thefe fliedsincroach fo far on each fide, that ^
the- midway is too narrow, and liable to obflru£l carriages. The
Englifh in general have copied the ichnography of the Spanish
houfes with great- uniformity [^]. They are, for the moft part,
difpofed in three divi-lions : the centre room is a hall, communi-
cating at each end with a bed-chamber; the back part, ufually a
fhed, is divided in the fame manner, and communicates with the
front, or principal hall, by an arch, which in fome houfes is wain-
icotted with mahogany, in others covered only with plaifter. They
are fmall, and rather inconvenient for a family, efpecially when it
confifts of fix or feven perfons. Great alterations have, however,
been made by the English inhabitants ; and feveral of thefe old
houfes have received very confiderable additions, which make them
more roomy and commodious. In the piazzas many families may
be faid to live the greater part of their time ; the fhade and re-
frefhing breeze inviting them to employ moft hours there, that are
not devoted to eating, drinking, and fleeping : nor can there be a
more agreeable indulgence enjoyed by the mafter of the houfe,
than to fitjn^an elbow-chair, with his, feet .reiliug. againfl oneof
the piazza-columns; in this attitude he converfes, fmoaks his pipe,
or quaffs his tea, in all the luxury of indolence. Almoft every
dwelling-houfe throughout the ifland is detached from the kitcheii
and other offices ; which, though different from the pra6lice in
England, is a very judicious arrangement for this climate, where
the fumes and fmoak of the kitchen, and the ftench of other ne-
ceflary offices, would be intolerable in too near a neighbourhood.
But few of the inhabitants are curious in the decorations of their

[g] See Plate IV.

-apartments;

22 JAMAICA.

apartments: the halls are feldom adorned with anything bettefi
than a large pier-glals or two, a few prints, or maps: the greateft
expence is beftowed upon the arch of the principal hall, which is
generally of mahogany, and in Ibme houfes well-executed. They
have for the mofl part fluted pilafters, fupporting a regular enta-
blature, ornamented with modillons, dentils, &c. But it is more
frequent to behold all the orders of architednre confufedly jumbled
tog,ether. The windows of the Spanifh houfes were generally
made with little turned pillars, placed upright, and fliutters on the
infide. However convenient thefe might have been for the conftant
admiffion of air, they are at prefent almofi: totally exploded, and
faflies.more generally in ufe: to which are added jealoufy-fliutters,
or Venetian blinds, which admit the air freely, and exclude the
fun-fliine. It is but of late, that the planters have paid much at-
tention to elegance in their habitations : their general rule was, to
build what they called a make-Jlnft ; fo that it was not unufual to
fee a plantation adorned with a very expenfive fet of works, of
brick or ftone, well-executed ; and the owner refiding in a miferable,
, thatched hovel, haftily put together with wattles and plaifler, damp,
unwholefome, and infefted with every fpecies of vermin. But the
houfes in general, as well in the country-parts as the towns, have
been greatly improved within thefe laft twenty years. The fur-
;niture of fome of them is extremely coftly ; and others conftruded
in fo magnificent a flyle, and of fuch durable materials, as to fliew
that they were not intended for a mere temporary relidence.

It might not be foreign to the fubjecl here to remark, that, by.
ithe general ufe of (hingle coverings throughout the Northern and
Weft-India colonies, and the utter negledl of planting young trees
in the room of what are cut down for this manufafture, it is very
certain, that they will every year grow dearer to the fugar iflands,
and that the price may increafe, till the people of Jamaica will be
forced either to employ their own growth of timber for this ufe,
or fall upon tile-making. The builders, therefore, of new houfes,
;Or works, Ihould confider this, and make their walls of a due
ithickiiefs to fuftain fuch an additional weight hereafter.

SECT.

BOOK ir. CHAP. VII.

SECT. II.

THE river Cobre, which wafhes the foot of the town on the
Eaft, takes its fource near Luidas, and about twenty-two miles
North-weil: from the town, rifmg in a cave, called River-head, and
fuppofed bj,jiiauxJo..havc a fubterraneous communication with
Pedro's river, which is diftant from it about lix. miles Weft. The
Gobre likewife buries great part of its waters, and does not forra
any confiderable ftream till it has run fome diftance from the cave.
It is afterwards joined by the Rio Magno, Rio d'Oro, and Rio Pe-
dro, with fome fmaller ftreams; fo that, on reaching the town, it
is from (ixty to eighty feet in breadth, and in feveral places very
deep, but in others generally fordable, unlefs fwelled with the
"heavy rains which fometimes fall in the mountains above. Its
bed, where it ranges near the town, is depreffed and lowly, the
water being in general not difcernible beyond the verge of its
banks. The current here is rapid, though almoft filent. It is of
n.nfpeakable fervice to this neighbourhood, not only in its conftant
fupply of water, for the ufe of the town, but in promoting clean-
linefs and health ; for every day throughout the year fome hundred
Negroes and Mulattoes of both fexes refort to it from the town,
to wafh their perfons and linen.

It has been imagined, that the Spaniards gave it the name of the
Copper river, from its paffing through a vein of that metal. But
it is riibre'probable, tli.Vr they chrff^eliHl name of

fome river in Old Spain, as they are known to have done in regard
to many otliers, and in particular the Rio Minho, in the parifh of
Clarendon. Belides, although its water appears to have a fine blueifh
tinge, efpecially where it runs between the two ranges of hills pro-
ceeding from'! Sixteen-mile-walk, which has confirmed many in '
their opinion of its being tindlured with copper ; yet this appear-
ance is nothing more than a common deception, caufed by the '
azure of the Iky reflefted from the furface of the water, and re-
markable chiefly where it is deepeft, the current mofl: gentle, and '
conic^uently the furface extremely fmooth, and therefore in the
4 , fitteft '

.-j|

24 JAMAICA.

fitted {late to reflet images; and to this effea the great height and
vicinity of the inclodng ridges very much contribute [/j]. It is
ftrange, indeed, that the experiment, tried upon it fo long ago by
Sir WiUiam Beefton, has not correded this popular error; for he
found, that with an infufion of galls the water acquired a deep
green inclining to black [/]. But the mofi: certain tefl: of an in-
termixture of copper is made with the cauftic volatile alkali , as fpirft
of Jal amtnon, combined with quick lime-water; thefe, if the
fmalleft particles of copper be dillbhed, would caufe the whole to
aflume a beautiful blue colour. This experiment was tried fome
years fince by Doftor Browne, without producing any fuch elJe£l.
Now, as the tefl of an iron impregnation is the black or duflcy co-
lour it ftrikes with the vegetable aftringents, fuch as tinfture of
galls, and as the fojjik alkali will give a greenifli cafl, it feems pro-
bable that this river is impregnated with no other metal than iron,
and with a copious admixture of a calcareous earth, or lime.
The purgative quality of the water, when drunk immediately from
the river, is very properly conjeclured by Dodor Browne to proceed
from the clay with which it is in general copioufly charged; be-
caufe it lofes this quality when fettled in jars and cleared of its
Joad ; which would not be the cafe if it proceeded from iaits, or a
folution of metals ; and becaufe many other waters, of fimilar ap-
pearance, poifefs the like qualities hi their turbid (late, though
known to be not impregnated with metallic fubflances. Agreeably
to this opinion, it is found by the inhabitants of the town, who
keep this water in large jars, that, after {landing for fome time till
the foeculencies have fubfided, it entirely lofes the effeft juft men-
tioned, and becomes as clear, foft, and plealant, in its depurated
flate, as any water in the world. In this ftate it was tried by an hy-
droflatical apparatus, and found equal in lightnefs to Briflol Hot-
well water. We may therefore fafely conclude, that it has been
very unjuftly fligmatized ; and that, if the Spaniards fuppofed it
impregnated with coppei', they adopted this miftaken notion

[/'] So Virgil calls the river Tyber cxnileits, azure, or Iky-coloured. Mn. viii. v. 64. Some

have conjectured, that the original name was Rio Cobra, trom the Portugtiefe coira, which fignifies
a fnake, and might with great propriety allude to the Terpentine courfe of this river.

[?■] An infufion of galls in water, impregnated with copper and quick lime, (Iruck an orange
^colour inclining to reddilh.

through

BOOK II. CHAP. Vil. 2r

through ignorance of the means by wliich its contents aiijrlit be
dilcovered. In Old Spain the water is remarkably hght, pure,
and wholelbme: to this, and the fereniry of the air, it is attributed
that the Spaniards are free from the Icurvy, notwithflanding their
indulgence in pork, the leaft: perfpirablc of all animal food. The
Spaniards in America are therefore (from a national prejudice)
particularly nice in the choice of their water, which forms the
chief of their daily beverage. It is not improbable, what I have
heard fome of the oldeft inhabitants of St. Jago relate, that the
Spaniards formerly here ufed to be at the trouble of procuring
water, for their common drink, from the Bridge river, fix miles
Weftward from the town; and that all of them kept their drinking-
water in large jars, fo many in mimber as to have always one fuf-
ficiently clear for ufe, while others were in the courfe of depura-
tion. The river Cobre, having a free current from the town
to the harbour of Kingfton, uninterrupted by rocks or fiills, and
flowing through a pretty level, opeu country, might undoubtedly
be made navigable up to it by means of locks ; but the expence of
fuch an undertaking, and the fliort diftance of land-carriage, are
objedlions that may probably reftrain the inhabitants from ever
attempting it. The river abounds with excellent mullets, mud-
iilh, .eels, calaperer, jew-{iflij,^craw-fifh, and praivns. It has only
one bridge, which crofles it in the road leading towards Sixteen-
imle-walk. This bridge is flat, and compofed of planks on a
frame of timber-work, which refts upon two fexatigular piers, and
two buttrefles projeding from the banks, cdnftruded with piles,
and braces interlaced with mafoury. In great floods, the river has
been known to rife feveral feet above the floor without injurv, not-
withflanding the vaft prefl'ure of fo large a column of water. This
is afcribed to the refiftance of the water below or under the
flooring, which enables it to fuflain this weight above, in the
year 1699, an arched bridge of brick was conftruded fome miles
below the town, in order to keep open the communication by
land \\\\\\ Kingfton; but, for want of a proper foundation, it wa^
foon fwept away by a flood, and never lince re-built. Attem[)rs
have lately been made to get an act palled for bui:ding one at the
publick expence, and more conveniently fituated ; but, through
Vol. II E ' the

26 JAMAICA.

fame fpirit of jealoufy which I have before noticed, and the difin-
clination of many to confider it as a matter of general benefit to the
ifland, the fcheme was laid afide [k]. So that perfons, trav 1 ng by-
land to and from Kingfton, or the Eaftern divifion of the ifland,
are obliged to ford or ferry over the river, and very frequently at
the peril of their lives. Ridiculous as the prejudices of faftion
are in (b fmall a community, yet they are capable of producing
milchievous effeds. Publick fpirit, and a liberal way of thinking,
naturally tend to the ornament and improvement of every country
where they refide. The contrary, or a perverfe and felfiili principle,
excludes every thing that is great and generous from its narrow
view, and wages eternal war againft the public welfare. I am
forry to fay the latter rule of conduft has been too predominant
in this ifland ; but we will hope for a time when good fenfe and
redlitude of heart ihall triumph over this falfe and groveling po-
licy. The flreets of the town, I have remarked, are rendered in-
conveniently narrow by piazzas added to moft: of the houfes ; the
worft efFed arifing from their want of due breadth is a great in-
creafe of heat during the fultry months of the year, the wind not
having fpace enough to circulate freely through them, and dif-
perfe the confined air, which becomes very difagreeable from the
refledion of fo many brick walls. They are repaired with pebbles
brought from the river-courfe, which prevents their being clogged
with mud, asfome other towns of the Wefl:-Indies are, and anfwer
the end of a regular pavement, by not admitting the rain-water
to ftagnate. They are kept tolerably clean by a publick fcavenger,
paid by an annual affeffment on the houfes; and the filth colle£led
from them is removed to certain places appointed on the outfide
of the town.

The church-yard, being fituated in the windward part of the
town, is very injudicioufly allotted for the common burial-ground.
Dry weather occafions numberlefs chafms in it ; and the wet, which
ulually fucceeds, infinuating through thefe apertures into the graves,

[k] It is true, an aft was pafled in 1767, and truftees named for carrying it into execution.
)5ut, as tills aft only empowered them to receive 5000/. from any perfons inclined to contribute
towards it by voluntary fubfcription, it feetns to have given no other power than what might have
been exercifed wiihout it.

there

B O O K II. CHAP. VII. ,7

there is reafon to believe, that noxious exhalations muft arif'c from
them, which cannot fail of rendering the atmofphere innvholerome
to fuch houfes as lie in a proper direclion to receive them. In the
hot months, particularly June, another annoyance happens from
the dufl; which, by the power of the fea- breeze, generally violent
at that time of the year, is blown into the houfes in fuch abun-
dance, as to be exceedingly troublefome, and occafion fore eyes:
the particles are fo fubtle, that it is very common to fee a diniiio-..
table, which has been perfedly clean before the cloth was laid
appear entirely covered with a fine powder upon removing
it. The inhabitants, if they fhut their doors and windows,
are almoft fuffocated with heat ; and, if they fuffer them to con-
tinue open, they are in danger of being ftifled with dull ; but, ne-
ceflity obliging them to the latter expedient, they fwallow it co-
pioufly with their food. Thefe annoyances might attrad compaf-
lion, if they were not eafily remediable: the firll, by taking in a
new burial-ground a little to leeward of the town ; the next, by
making ufe of water-carts, to li)rinkle the flreets, once or oftener in
the day, during that time of the year when the dull has been found
mofl: troublefome : fo fine a river gliding under the town feems, in-
deed, to point out this experiment to them fo obvioufly, that it is
aftonifliing they have hitherto negledled it. The air of the town
has always been efteemed healthy. But it is on the decreafe with
refpedl to inhabitants. It appears, from the regifter of marriages,
births, and burials, that, from 1670 to 1700, the town and parhh
contained above four times more white perfons than at prefent.
They have even diminished fince the year 1746, as will appear by
the following average-table of burials from that year to 1736 :

White White Paupers Free Blaclc; and

Refumts. and Tranfients. Soldiers. Mulauoes. Total,

Average j5^r"

annum of • 61 12I. 15 16^. 104*

Deaths, .
According to the above table, the whole number of Whites, ex-
clufive of Jews, was probably about two thoufand, or near fix hun-
dred more than the prefent. From the beft accounts it appears, that
the average of marriages, baptifms, and funerals, (lands thus :

E 2 Marriages. •

t% JAMAICA.

Marriages, — 14"

Baptifms, — 80 >per annum.

Funerals, — 100.
Of the baptifms, not above one-third are Whites; the marriages
include all ranks and complexions ; but the foldiers, paupers, tran-
fients, and free Blacks and Cafts, make up the grcatert part of the
burials. Hence it appears, that the marriages, and confequently
the births, are in no proportion to the deaths ; and the decreafe of
people may from this caufe be very naturally accounted for. The
number of the inhabitants in this parifti may be thus eftimated,
viz.

Refiant Chriftiau Whites Ditto in the White Paupers Soldiers, including Jews. Free Blacks
in the Town. Country. and Tranfients. Wives and Children. and Calls.

700 308 176 240 350 900

Deaths -j
annually \i in 24 i in 22 i in 16 i in 26 1 in 26

about J

Inhabitants. In Town. In tha Country. Total in the Parith, of

Chriftian Whites, 700 308 all Complexions.

Paupers and Tranfients, 176

Soldiers, &c. 240

Jews, 300 50

Free Blacks and Cafts, 800 100

Slaves, i960 5348

4176 5806 9982

The regifters in this parifh have, like moft of the others in the
ifland, been very incorreftly kept. They are, however, tolerably
perfefl from 1669 to 1702, and from 1746 to the prefent time.
The want of due regularity prevents them in general from being
ufeful for grounding calculations of this fort. If the feveral reftors
had been obliged to enter attefted copies of their regifters once a
year in the fecretary's office, we Hiould have poflefled very compe-
tent information upon this fubjedl.

i The Jews here are remarkably healthy and long-lived, notwith-
ftanding their diet is frequently falt-fifli, and fuch kind of aliment,
not generally efteemed very wholefome; and that the greater num-
ber of them deal in damaged falt-butter, herrings, beef, cheefe,

and

BOOK II. CHAP. VII. 29

and in train-oil; a congregation of ftinking commodities, which is "
enough to poifon the air of their habitations. Their (hops may be
fccnted at a great diftance ; and, in what is called the Jew-market
in this town, a whole ftreet of their houfes reeks incefl'antly with
thefe abominable odours. But theie people are abflemious, and fo
temperate, that a drunken Jew is rarely feen. They are particu-
larly nice in drinking the purefl; water, which moft of them ufe
unmixed ; and others make only a very fmall addition of rum.
They are exceedingly fond of garlic, which generally has a place in
all their fauces, and is known to be a great antileptic ; and they in-
dulge in chocolate. The more luxurious among them gormondize
chiefly on filli ; and no doubt but their religious falls, of which
they are very rigid obfervers, now and then interpofmg, affift in
freeing them from noxious redundancies. I think they may be
fuppofed to owe their good health and longevity, as well as their
fertility, to a very fparing ufe of ftrong liquors, their early riling,
their indulgence in garlic and fifh, their adherence to the Molaic
Ritual in the choice of found and wholcfome animal food, their
free ufe of fugar, chocolate, and nourifhing fruits, their religious
purifications, and falls. The free Negroes and Mulattoes fare
rather harder in refpe£l of eating, and are not fo averfe to ipirituous
liquors ; for both men and women are frequently intoxicated :
but their way of life is more laborious; they are more abroad in
the open air, which renders them hardier; and their occipations
or amufements give them fuch conftant ex€rcile, as to keep them
from fuffering by repletion : befides, their diet confifts chiefly of
nourifhing broths, in which puH'e and vegetables are principal in-
gredients. They too are very fond of good water and chocolate ;
they indulge in Imoaking tobacco, devour large quantities of pepper
fuch as this country produces, and feldom let a day pafs without
bathing, and fcouring their Ikins. Their bodies and conftitutions
feem peculiarly adapted to a hot climate ; yet, perhaps, they owe
their health not more to this adaptation, than to their mode of
living; fmce it is certain, that the native Whites in this ifland, I
mean fuch of them as are not addided to drunkennefs, nor have
any hereditary diftemper, are equally healthy and long-lived.

The

30 JAMAICA.

The greater mortality, obfervable here among the foldiers and
tranfient Europeans, muft be afcribed to their importing with them
the Enghih cuftoms of" eating and drinking in excefs, but chiefly
the latter; and their hberal indulgence in a vile fophifticated com-
pound of new rum, pepper, and other ingredients, brewed hereby the
Jew-retailers ; who, as they pay a tax on their licences, and a
duty on the rum they retail, have recourfe to this villainous
praftice, in order to enhance their profit upon the miferable con-
lumers, who are chiefly the loldiers, and meaner clais of Whites.
That this has been, and is ftill, the main caufe of bad health
among the troops is evident ; for, when they are in quarters not
locally unvvholefome, and where they cannot get at it, they are
known to be very healthy. If the ipirit was even fold ro them
without this adulteration, it could not fail of producing fatal
effeds ; for the Jews could not afford to keep it fo long on hand,
as to become what is called old rum, and then retail it at their
ufual low price. They would therefore fell it frefli from the flill ;
in which flate it is fo fiery, as to be no lefs unfit for human po-
tation, than burning brimflone ; yet fome of the foldiers have been
known to drink off a bottle of it at one fitting. The officers have
often attempted to check this evil, by punifhing the delinquents ;
but a more certain method would be by prevention. The common
foldiers, employed in the Weft-India fervice, or at leaft the re-
cruits fent over, have frequently been the very refu'e of the Britifh
army: thefe men cannot be broke of their Ibttifh habits; but, fmce
they mufl and will have fpirituous liquor, care might be taken to
provide them with fuch as, while it gratifies their inclination, may
be the leafl detrimental to their health. The commanding officer
(for example) in town might appropriate a certain part of their
country pay, and lay in every year a flock of the beff rum, free
from all bad tafte and fmell, and permit it to be retailed by a fut-
ler to the men; taking care, that none fhould be iffued of lels
than a twelvemonth's age, and limiting the price to what they
now pay the Jew- retailers, which could very well be afforded, as
the foldier's rum is exempted from all duty. The futler chofen
for this purpofe would no doubt be a man on whofe fobriety and
honefty they could fafcly depend ; at leaft, fhould he be guilty of

breach

B O O K II. CHAP. VII. 31

breach of his truft, he would be hable to a regimental punifhmeiit.
The terr r of this would form a fecurity for his good behaviour;
the men would be much better pleafed, and beyond any doubt more
healthy.

The town is partly under a civil and partly military police ; a
kind oi divifum hnperhan, which tlie civil power exercifes by day,
and the military by night. The civil government confifts of a
cit/ios, or chief magiftrate, and the inferior juftices of peace and
conflables. The centinels here, after the day is clofed, according
to an antient ufage, which has fubfilled ever fince the days of
Cromwell, challenge all paflengers, as in a regular garrifon, and
patrol the ftreets at certain hours, to apprehend all offenders againft
the peace, and prevent robberies. It is a certain proof of the more
regular lives of the families here, as well as in Kingrton, than here-
tofore, that at eleven o'clock at night it is very rare to fee a light in
any houfe, except the taverns ; and even thefe are now very feldom
infefted with riots and drunken quarrels, which formerly were fo
common. The town was antiently a regular garrifon, the ditch
ftill remaining which was thrown up by the Spaniards towards the
favannah, and terminated at a baftion flanked with a fortified
building, called the Fort-houfc, the name of which is (liU pre-
fcrved. The plain, of which the favannah is a part, extends, in
its whole length, not lefs than twenty-two miles ; but its breadth
is unequal, being in fome parts ten miles, in others five, and, to-
wards St. Dorothy's, grows more and more contracted, till it docs
not exceed three. After leaving this end of it, and paffing to the
N. W. among the Clarendon Hills, w^e meet with fmaller levels
here and there, as the Palmeto and Lime favannahs, till we come
to St. Jago favannah, where the champaign again enlarges to the
extent of about ten by fifteen mile^. Thefe tracls were formerly
exceeding beautiful, having only fome clumps of graceful trees
irregularly Icattered over their face, which gave but little interrup-
tion to the profpeCl. I have been informed by an elderly gentle-
man, a native of the ifland, that he could remember the time when
they were nearly in this ftate ; but at prefent they are overfpread
and disfigured in moft parts with the achaia, or American opo-
pinax, a dwarf prickly tree, which it is found aimed impoffible to
3 eradic.ite.

J

3

JAMAICA,

eradicate. It infcfts the paftiire-lands, and incroachcs continually
on the roads, to the very great annoyance of travelers, efpecially
by night, when tliey cannot fo well guard their fiices from being
f>.:ratchcd ; fo tliat a man, who rides among them in the duik, is
oblii^ed to keep his whip and hands in conftant employment, in
order to parry the over-hanging branches. That part which
bounds on the Weft fide of the town, and called the Town fa-
vannah, confifted formerly of one thoufknd two hundred acres,
allotted for exercife, and has a common of pafturc for the ufe of
the inhabitants; but, feveral perfons having fettled upon and oc-
cupied the ficirtsof it, the parilhioners obtained an aft for enabling
them to leaie out feven hundred acres, at 55. /^r acre, and foot-
land at 6ci. per foot ; and referved the remaining five hundred to be
kept open and clear, at the expence of the parilh, and for ever to
be held facred to the j^urpofes only of exercife and health. The
fpace uninclofed is about two miles in circumference. Here the races
are generally held every year in the month of March. For encou-
raging a breed of large horfcs, one hundred piftolcs are annually
granted by the aflembly, by way of king's plate, to be run for by any
flone-horfes or mares, carrying ten ftone each, of fourteen pounds to
the ftone. There are generally two days fport, befides either bye-
matches, or a fublcription purfe. On thefe occafions the concourfe
of people is very great ; foaie thoufands are feen allembled on the
favannah ; and the multitude of carriages and horfes, all in motion,
form a very pleafing part of the amufement. On this plain the re-
gular troops, and fometimes the militia, are trained and reviewed.
But its principal ufe is as a paleftra, for the daily exercife of the
inhabitants of the town in the morning and afternoon. In manner
of living, the Englifh here differ not much from their brethren at
home, except in a greater profufion of diflies, a larger retinue of
domeftics, and in wearing more expenfive cloaths- The climate
obliging them to ufe the finer fort of fabrics, thefe are of courfe the
moft coftly ; and hence appears the great advantage to the mother-
country of furnilhing her Weft-India colonies with their cloathing.
The fuperior nnenefs of manufadure is all clear gain to her artifts ;
and the conflant wear, by the effects of perfpiration and waftiing,
occafions an immenfe coufumption. The thick, cheap, and du-.

rable

BOOK II. CHAP. VII. 33

rnble cloths, which are well-adapted to the frozen zone, will not
aiifwer here ; and the atmofphere corrodes every kind of iron or
ftecl ware very quickly. The demand therefore for numberlefa
produfts of the home induftry is (from a train of invariable caufes)
likely to continue as long as thefe colonies continue to exifl:. Here
are none of the fubftantial inhabitants who do not keep their coacli.
or chariot with four or fix horfes. The fliop-keepers have theic
two-wheel chaifes, or kitereens[/] ; and they who cannot afford a
carriage, even to the poorefl free Negroe, will not be without a
faddle-horfe or two. As this is an inland-town, it derives its
chief fupport from the refidence of the governor and publick
officers; the gentlemen of the law; the affembly and council-;
and the conflux of people who refort hither from the country parts
on bufinefs, particularly during the fittings of the fupreme or grand
court of law near four months in the year; and the feffion of the
aflembly, which generally lafts from the beginning of Odtober
till the Chriftmas holidays. At thefe times univerfal gaiety pre-
vails ; balls, concerts, and routs, alternately hold their reign.
The governor, according to antient cuftom, gives a ball and en-
tertainment once a year at the king's houfe, in honour of his ma-
jefly's birth-day. The appearance of company on this occafion
is generally brilliant, the ladies vying with one another in the
richnefs of their dreiies ; every one makes a point of exhibiting
anew fuit of finery j and this regulation is fo lavifhly indulged,
that fuch a ball is feldom attended with lefs than three or four
thoufand pounds expence to the guefts, which however is ib far ex-
cufable, as it is laid out in Britifli manufa£lures [w]. When the
toivn is full of company, here is a very good market ; at other
times of the year, it is but indifferently fupplied. In general,
the mutton is much better, and the beef much worfe, than in
Kingfton ; the latter town being furnilhed with beeves from the
rich paftures of Pedro's Cockpits, where the fattened cattle are
inferior to none in America. The mutton confumed in Spanifh
Town is chiefly brought from the adjacent falt-pan paftures, arid

[/] So called trom the firll-importetl, which cnme from Kettering, in Northatiiptonfiiire.

[m] Daring one halt of the year, the inhabitants enjoy all the llillnefs and tranquillity of a
countiy-villagi ; ami, in the other, the Icene is totally changed, and they revel in the plcafurej of
a town.

Vol. II. F the

34 JAMAICA.

the penns of Verc ; it is linall, but delicioufly fweet, fat, aad
juicy. The market is likewife tolerably well-fupplied with fca
and river fifli, black crabs, the Jamaica oyfter, poultry of all forts
remarkably fine, milk, vegetables, and fruits. Well: -Indian and
North-American. The flour comes for the moft part from New-
York, inferior to none in the world ; and the bread is excellent.
The butter is imported from Cork and North-America, which
cannot be much commended : the inhabitants, reconciled to it
by cuftom, fhew no diflike to it, although it is fometimes fo
rancid, that repeated wafliings will not fwceten it. Some few ia
the lowlands make a fort of frefh butter, but in fmall quantities,
and commonly infipid. The vales of Pedro are capable of fup-
plying the town with this article, if the penn- keepers or graziers
there were encouraged to manufa(fture it for fale. What is ma-
nufadured there for their own ufe is of a delicate flavour, and will
keep good for feveral days, and even weeks. Thecheapnefs of the
imported butter, which is generally fold for fixpence flerling the
pound, and the great plenty of it, together with a long continued
habit of ufing no other, may be the reafon why the inhabitants
are not very folicitous about making any change ; but it would
doubtlefs be attended with a confiderable laving to the ifland, and
tend much more to health, if they were to promote and eflablifli
fuch a manufatfture among the inland penn-keepers. It is fome
time before an European palate can accommodate itfelf to the
rank fluff ferved up at the tables here. On the other hand, I have
known many perfons who, upon their firfl arrival in Britain from
Jamaica, could not endure the tafl;e of frefli-butter ; and I have
heard of a lady who, for fome years after her coming over to
England, ufed to order fome firkins of the Irifh butter to be
brought regularly to her from Jamaica: fo difficult it is to re-
linquilh what cuftom, altera natura, has made agreeable to us.

As fome readers may be defirous of knowing the market-prices
of provifions in this town, I ftiall offer the following table, formed
agreeably to the experience of fome years. It muft be underflood,
however, that here, as in other places, there can be no fuch
thing as a ftandard and invariable rate for thefe neceffary articles;

and

BOOK II. CHAP. VII. 35

and that their rates muft vary according to the reigning plenty or
fcarcity, and other predominant caufes.

Jamaica Currency.

Beef,

Ditto, prime parts.
Tongue, '

Mutton,

Lamb,

Ditto,

Calf's head,

Veal,

Ditto, prime parts,

I'ork, -

Kid, —

Turtle Calipafli, —

Ditto Calipee,

Fifli large.

per pound,

ditto,

each,

per pound,

per quarter,

per pound.

per pound,

ditto,
Ditto fmallerjySiT firing of four, five, or upwards,

Ducks tame, ■ ptr couple,

ditto,
ditto,
ditto,
ditto,
each,
ditto,
ditto,
per pair,
variable.

Ditto wild,

Teal,

Capons,

Hem,

Geefe fat,

Turkies fat, according to fize,

Chickens,

Pigeons,

E^S^' ^'^ ^° twelve,

A roalling-pig,

A hog,

Rabbits fat,

Salt-filh,

Shads,

Flour,

Ditto, fuperfine,

Bifcuit,

Salt,

Wax-candles,
Spermaceti ditto,

Plantanes,

Corn Maize,

— ^— about
■ each,

per pound, about
P'cr barrel, about 20
-» per cwt. I 7

per ditto, 30

per ditto, jo

per bufliel,

per pound,

ditto,

per dozen, about,
per Iniflici,

d. q. to
6 O

3 o

I 1

o o

3 o

4 2
3 o
7 2
o o

7 2

7 2

7 2

3 o

6 o

7 2
I 2
o o
o o

3 o
9 o

6 o

9 o

7 i
10 2

7 2
o o

9 o

4 2
3 o
o o
6 o
o o
o o

10 2

9 o

6 Q

3 o
o o

7 2

J. 4/. q.
O 7 2
I 10 2

390

I
O

i

o
o
I
o
o
o
I
o
o

3
6
6

10

J
o

18

o

2

o
o
o
o
o
o

2 2

35
32
o
o
o
o
5

3 o
o o

7 2
o o
o o
3 o
o o
o o
o o

6 o

7 2
o o
9 o
3 o
3 o
o o
o o
o o
o o
o o
6 o
o o
o o
o o
o o
o o
o o
6 o
o o

6 o
o o
o o
o o
o o

7 2
o o

Reduced to Sterling.

S. d. q. to s. d. q,
O 4 I

O 10 3
223

082

o 10 3
3 I I

4
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o

2

3
3

4

S
6

o

I

?

3

S 3
S I

8 2

I

I

I

3
I

I
3
3
3
J
I
r

3 o

5 '

4 o
I o

6 3
16 II 3

3 I I

o

14

12

21

2 I
I
2
I

o

3
o

2 I

3 »
6 o

S «

5 I

4 °

8 I

9 «

10 3

6 3

5 '

5^

4 ■>

5 I
10 3

o o
o o
o o
o o
10 3
o o
o o
o o
o 3

5 «

0 o
8 I

S 3
S 3

1 3
63

000

12 10 I

000

o
I

2

O

o

4
o
o
o
o
o
o
I

o
o
2

4
4
7
3

I

o
o
o
o

o

o

16

-5

25
o
o
o
o

4
o

9 2

o o

o o

o o

o o

o o

0 o

1 o
o o

2 3

o o

o o

o o

O O

o o

o O

Ditto, in the ear3, — per three dozen,

Oyfters are fold in fmall baflcets, and variable in price ; as are like
wife many of the articles above-mentioned ; on which account, I
have given their average lovvcil: and highefl rates of feveraj years.
The variation of price is caufed by the occafional plenty or fcarcity

F 2 incident

36 JAMAICA.

incident to them. The vafl abundance of fifh caught here, and its
not being a provifion that can be kept fweet for any long time, aic
the caules of its cheapnels at moft of the fea-ports. Fifh and
turtle are often fold at lefs prices than are expreflcd in the table ;
and thej furnifli a confiderable part of fubfiftence to the people
inhabiting thofe places. The prices in Spanifli Town are in ge-
neral higher than in Kingiton, where the market is under a better
regulation, and both the demand and fupply more conflant and
ample. The latter town is alfo far better accommodated with ve-
getables of all kinds, produced in the Liguanea mountains.

By the above table, compared with the following, may be feen
how much the prices of fome provifion have rifen above what they
formerly were. An 3(51 of aflembly, paflcd in the year 1693, efta-
bliflied tiie rates thus, viz..

Jniii. Currency. Sterling.

s. d^ q. s. d. q.

Beef and goat, per pound, 040 030

Mutton, . ditto, 060 041

Veal, prime parts, ditto, 090 063

Ditto, other parts, ditto, 072 ° 5 3

Hog, lamb, and turtle, ditto, 072 053

The fettlers in thofe days were fewer in number, yet either found
means to fupply a larger quantity, or be contented with fmaller
gains. In the year 1672, Doctor Blome writes, that horned cattle
were fo numerous, that, although there had been every year i'o
many killed, yet their number leemed not much to be lefTened.
Hogs too he mentions were in very great plenty, as well thofe
wild in the mountains, as tame in the plantations. We may con-
jecture, therefore, that the greater part of the beef and pork, then
brought to market, were of the wild fort ; for thefe animals over-
ran the woods and favannahs, and were flaughtered by all perlbns
who chofe to go in queft of them. This probably made the fettlers
fb very inattentive to the breeding of cattle, that in procefs of
time, as- the wild ones became dlminiflied, and ihe plantations in-
creafed, they began to introduce a fupply from the Spanifli Main.
A dependence upon thefe importations, and the low price which
they formerly coft, flill further difcouraged the ifland-breed ; and at
prefent the fugar-eftates, fo vaftly incrcafed in their number, con-

furac

BOOK ir. CHAP. VII. o,y

fume a large proportion of what are bred here. Tliere fecms no
remedy for this, but, by an a£l of legiflature, to encourage the
ifland-breed, and throw gradual rellraints upon the importation ;
by which means, beef might poflibly, in courfe of a few years,
return to a more moderate price ; which would be a very dcfireable
event to the inhabitants, and even to the breeders themfeives; to
whom the certainty of demand, and largenefs of confumption,
would make amends for the diminution of price; and thus might
be laved many thoufand pounds now paid for foreign faked beef,
which is neither lb wholefome, nutritious, nor pleafing to the
white fervants, fcldiers, and others, as frefli meat. The high
price of fowls, and the other fmall articles, is to be lowered by
the introdu(5lion of more fettlers, by encouraging a traffic in fuch
articles, and particularly enlarging the annual plant of corn, the
icarcity of which is the fole caufe why eggs are in general fo cheap,
and poultry fo dear ; for, when corn is Icarce, fowls will devour
more of it in value than they yield at the market. The greater
abundance there is provided of thefe foods, the more money will
be faved to the ifland in various ways; and it would confequently
grow more populous and thriving, and better able to maintain
families ; a matter of the utmoft concern to all who wifh to fee
it fiourifh ; marriages, the beft fource of well-peopling it, and
from which fome men pretend they are at prefent deterred, from
the expenfivenefs of houfekeeping, would be greatly promoted ;
nor would many ufeful perfons emigrate from the colony, if they
could live in it at as cheap a rate in general as in Europe. To live
otherwife in an ifland, fo fertile and fo capable of affording not
only the comforts, but the luxuries of fuftenance, in the greatefl
profufion, is a reproach to induftry and policy; but to adminifter
fit and prafticable remedies will redound equally to the honour of
legiflature, and to the public welfare. Spanilh Town covers a
large extent of ground,^m_any of the houles having great areas,
and IcvefaT lots beine vacant or unbuilt. TheiE' cTrcutinrtances
render iTtBe more healthy and pleafant; and a variety of trees in
conflant verdure, being fcattered among the buildings, more ef-
pecially in the Ikirts, it has the rural appearance of a village.
The town feeins, however, to~ be rather on the decHite, not having

yet

^BBGSi

•»*•

38 J A M A I C A.

yet recovered the blow which it received during the adminlftratioii

of governor Kn ^s; who, in order to carry a favourite point

againft the country, and in furtherance of this delign to gain a
majority in the two other branches of the legiflature, veiy artfully
cajoled into his intereft feveral opulent merchants and principal
inhabitants of Kingfton, by hinting to them a plan of removing
the feat of government, the courts of juftice, and public records,
to their town. The lucrative confequences of this proje6t were
defcribed in fuch captivating terms, that they joined heart and
hand with. .him to effe£t it; and at length, after a violent ftruggle
which threw the whole country into commotions, they fucceeded
by gaining a corrupt majority in the houfe of aflembly, garbled
by very iniquitous and illegal pra£lices. 1'he deprivation of thefc
main fupports, and the uncertainty of property in a town liable
to fuch mutations at the arbitrary will of a governor, reduced its
inhabitants to the utmoft dillrefs : fome quitted it ; and many per-
fons were deterred from purchafing land, or occupying houfes in
it ; while all thofc, who fubfifted in its neighbourhood by fup-
plying the market were agitated with the dread of inevitable ruin.
Upon a full difcuffion of this matter before the board of trade, and
a juft reprefentation fubmitted to the king in council, the fcheme
appeared fo wicked and injurious to private rights, as well as pub-
lic welfare, that the projector of it was recalled, and exprcfs in-
ftrudtions given his fucceflbr to fummon a new and legitimate af-
fembly of reprefentatives : which being complied with, they
paffed a law, reinftating the feat of government, offices of record,
&c. in Spanifli Town, and eflablifhing them there immutably:
and this law was afterwards confirmed by the crown.

But the town has not yet recovered its former population and
Opulence. The proprietors of houfes and lands in and near it are
fcarcely yet free from apprehenfions of another removal ; and their
terrors have fince been awakened, more than once, by attempts
from the Kingfton quarter to repeat the blow, by purfuing the
former mode of acquiring an undue majority in the houfe of al-
fembly, for the purpole of repealing that law. Hence has arifen a
confirmed party in that branch of legiflature; and the great ftruggle
at every eledlion is, to regulate the balance of power in the new

houfe.

BOOK If. CHAP. VII. 39

lioufc. Each fide, througli a fecret jealoufy, is too apt, by an uni-
form fvftem of oppofition, to rejedl various meafures of public uti-
lity, which are greatly wanted, for the improvement and general
benefit of the ifland. It is much to be regretted, that fuch ani-
mofities (hould (till prevail ; and more fo, that caufe fhould be given
for keeping them alive. An artful and malevolent governor alone
could wifli to foment the fpirit of dilcord, with a view of turning
it to his own advantage, by fiding with the flronger party, and thus
acquiring a fet of advocates ready to promote or vindicate his rapa-
cious and unjufl: proceedings. A wile and good governor will think
he befl ferves the king and his iubjefts by fleadily difcouraging
every attempt towards re-kindhng this deftructive flame.

The fituation of this town, (o centrical with refpect to the whole
ifland, renders Jt^extresiiely convenient for holding the chief courts
of juflice ; and to this end it is ftill further adapted, as being un-
difturbed by the noife and tumult ufuai in places of great trade.
The records are fafer here; becaufe, upon the invalion of an enemy,
it is too diftant from the feacoafl: to be firfl: attacked, and there
would be ample time for removing them into Sixteen-mile-walk ;
or, fl:ill further, to the inmofl: recefles and fortrefles of'the ifland,
for their fecure prelervation. Thus, although the town might be
afterwards taken and plundered, the records would be fafe ; nor
could an enemy follow them expeditioufly, if they may be fup-
pofed an objeft worth acquiring ; the road leading to Sixteen-mile-,
walk being full of places proper for ambu leading, or eafily ren-
dered impafl'ible by felling of trees, and throwing down fome of
thofe huge rocky maiTcs which over»hang it. The town ferves be-
fides as a grand flore-houfe, or magazine, for fupplying great part of
the county of Middlefex with articles of cloathing, hufljandry,
falt-provifion, and other neceflaries, mort: of whicli are brought
from Kingflon, which therefore is very much benefited by this ex-.
tenfion of its inland commerce ; an advantage it would not, in all
likelihood, enjoy without the affillance of Spanifh Town ; for, in
this cafe, not only the confumption of fuch articles muft be greatly
diminiflied, but many of the planters would probably rather import
what they wanted, or eftablifh a new mart at Paflage Fort, as being
far more convenient for their bufinefs than Kingfton. Confidered
4 aho

40 JAMAICA,

alfo as a garnfon, It will appear to form a great additional ftrength
to the midland-part of the ifland, and has fo proved in feveral in-
ternal difturbances that have occurred from Negroe mal-concents ;
particularly in 1761, when the detachments of horfe-militia and
regular troops, ordered from hence, to quell a dangerous infurrec-
tion, which had broke out in St. Mary's parifli, arrived there fo ex-
peditioufly, as to give almoft immediate protedtion to the inhabi-
tants. A colony of fuch extent would unqueftionably become
much fecurer, if more towns were formed in convenient parts of
it. Inftead therefore of labouring to ruin a town fo antient and
beneficial, the men of fenfe and fortune in the ifland fliould rather
endeavour, by fuitable encouragements and provifions, to found new
ones in thofe uncultivated diftrifts where congregations of people
are much wanted, to add more links to the chain of communica-
tion, which ought to pervade every part of fo fruitful and delightful
a country.

The conteft about removing the feat of government, before-men-
tioned, became the caufe of fetting up a printing- houfe in this
town ; for, before that sera, the votes of aflembly were printed at
Kingfton. But the partizans of Spanifli Town formed an aflbciation
to fupport a new prefs in their town. From this iflues a weekly
paper of intelligence, compiled moflly from the London and
North-American prints; but it is chiefly convenient to the inha-
bitants as a vehicle for advertifements of different forts. Some oc-
cafional pamphlets have likevvile received their birth from it; and
a new edition of the laws was lately preparing. The votes of af-
fembly and the annual bills are printed here; the journals of the
council are printed in Kingflon, where two preflcs are elfablifhed,
and two weekly papers. Thus each of thefe branches of legiflature
having its feparate prefs, I need not remark, that, when political dif-
ferences arife, an extraordinary employment is given to thefe ma-
chines, by appeals to the public, and thearguments oneithcr hde pro
undcon: but it is doubtful, whether thefe difputat-ions, carried on as they
generally are with great vehemence and acrimony, do not tend more
to exafperate than to conciliate. The prefs of Spanifli Town was
devoted to a far better ufe, when the aflbciation of gentlemen be-
fore-mentioned made it fubfervient to the interefts of morality, and

tfec

BOOK II. CHAP. VII. 41

the improvement of the ifland, by publifliing a weeklj' eiTay under
the title of I'he Phmter, which was fupported for a coufiderable
time in a lively, entertaining manner. In a garden belonging ta

Mrs. T s, in this town, are two trees called baobab, or the

great-cotton, defcribcd by Adanfon, in his account of Guiney,
from wlience the feeds were brought and planted here. Some call
this likewife the capot tree ; of vvhich fpecies Bofman relates, that
he has feen fome capable, with their fpreading boughs, of fliading
twenty thouland men, if ranged clofe ; and fo tall, that a mufquet
fliot could hardly reach the top. At Axim, there is faid to be
one which ten men could not grafp ; and, in Prince's iiland,
another, the trunk of which could not be iurrounded by four and,
twenty men, their arms at full ftretch: not that the body itfelf
is fo enormous ; but the fprouts adhere in fuch a manner as to feem
to form one uniform trunk. The wood is light and porous,
fcarcely fit for any other ufe than making canoes. The tree bears
a fpecies of cotton, u(ed in Guiney by the European fadlors for
ituffing beds, inftead of feathers. Thcfe in Spanifh Town are as
yet of only a moderate bulk ; but, if they fliould fpread in time
into the diameter reported by thefe authors, they will require much
more room than has been allotted to them. The bark and leaves
are faid to poffefs fome virtues in the cure of fevers. And they
deferve to be propagated ; but the befl fcite would be the rich bank
of fome rivex-.

PaflagelFort, formerly called The Pafllige, from its being the
place of embarkation for Port-Royal, is fituated on the Weft fids
of the harbour, about three quarters of a mile from the mouth of
the Cobre,_andiixfrQm Spaniili Town. Tf'u'as once defended by
a fmall fort, of ten or twelve guns, which has long fince been
demolifhed. It is at prefent a fmall village, confifling of about
fifteen houfes, chiefly inhabited by wharfingers, warehoufe-keepers,
and the mafters of wherries and hackney- chaifes, which conflantly
ply here with paflengers to and from the towns. Thefe wherries
generally put off" from Pafl'age Fort from fix to feven o'clock in the
morning, before the fca-breeze fets in, and are favoured with a
gentle land-wind. On their return, they go direftly before the
breeze, which fometimes blows up the harbour with great violence.
Vol. II. G They

42 J A M A I C A.

They are accommodated with tilts or awnings, and navigated en-
tirely by NeoToes. This is a barquadier for Spanifli Town, and
moft of the plantations in St. Catliarine, St. Thomas in the Vale,,
and St, John. The merchant- fliips which load from hence ufually
lye off the hofpital of Greenwich, where they receive their cargo-
cut of large boats, or lighters, there not being depth of water fuf-
ficient for veflels of burthen to come nearer the wharfs. The li-
tuation is low, and fubjeft to inundations from the harbour in
ftorms. This place is famous in the annals of Jamaica for the
landing of colonel jackfon in 1638, and of Venablcs in 1655.
The firfl-built town was wholly dertroyed by the great earthquake
of 1692, and never thoroughly rebuilt ; nor is it probable that it
will ever grow again into a town. The want of fufficient
depth of water, perhaps, firfl: induced Mr. Henderfon, an en-
terprizing and fpirited gentleman, to form a new and more con-
venient fliipping-place on the North-Eaft fide of Salt-pond hill,
under cover of the Twelve-apoftle battery ; this he has effefled at
a very large expence, and with much judgement. The depth of
water admits Hiips of burthen very near to the wharf, and already,
there appears the dawning of a new town ; which, by attrafting
the moft confiderable part of the bufinefs, feems to forebode tiie
fpeedy decline of Pafiage Fort. This new barquadier is called at
prefent by the name of Port-Hen<lerfbn ; and, befides its ufe for
fhipping off fugars, and other produce, with the utmoft difpatch/
it has opened a ready communication on that fide of the harbour
with the fquadron and Port-Royal Town ; which cannot fail o£
proving extremely convenient, more particularly in time of war.-
At the back of Salt-pond hill is a remarkable cave. The adit
leading into it is narrow and low ; but the cave itfelf is from t\ven-»
ty-five to thirty feet diameter, and of good height. The floor of
it is ftrewed w'ith human bones ; and there runs a tradition among
the Negroes^ that a white perfon many years ago colIe'Sled a vaft
pile and confumed it to afhes : a large quantity ftill remains; andj
from the conformation of the fkulh, they are thought to have been
Indian. Some have imngined that the Indians made ufe of thefe
recefies as a fort of catacombs^ or offuaries, for their dead. The
a«tient Mexicans laid their dead bodies without burial on the fur-'

face

BOOK IL CHAP. VII. 43

face of the earth, and environed them with ftones or bricks. Thcfe
rocky chafms and cavities, frequent in many parts of Jamaica, na-
turally offered as convenient and durable fepuichies. But this con-
je>5ture, though ingenious, is not lupported by any proof, that the
Indians of this ifland were governed by the fame cufrom. There
are better grounds for fuppoiing, that they interred their dead ; and
that the bones, found in thefe places, are no other than the relicks
of the lafi: remnant of that unfortunate people, who periflied here
beneath the infupportable tyranny of their conquerors, as I fhall
hereafter take occafion to relate.

Spanifli Town is defended on the South by a range of hill, called
Heakiifliixe, corruptly Hellfhire, about nine miles in length, and fix
in breadth ; which Ipace contains about thirty-four thoufand acres,
for the mod part io rocky and barren, as not to be worth inha-
biting. Its chief produce is lime ; which is made here in large
quantities, and fent by v/atcr to Kingdon. The air on thefe hills
is extremely healthy : the rocks are concealed from view by innu-
merable aromatic herbs, flirubs, and trees, polielTed of great medi-
cinal virtues, though hitherto explored only by a few curious per-
fons. This whole difrrid: is filled with the larger fpecies of mock-
bird, whofe lively notes ferve to chear its dreary vales. The cu-
ratoe and aloes grow here very luxuriantly; and fome experiments
have been made, by a gentleman who lived here, with the filk-grafs
and grape-vines, which were found to thrive extremely well. The
foil is alfo productive of potatoes, yams, and other Weft-India roots,
and all the melon tribe, in great perfection. There is an exceeding
good fifliery on the coaft ; but the w^^nt of water-fprings, there
being only one, that I have heard of, in the wdiole tra6l, and the
few articles of profit to be gained from fuch a foil, will probably
be the means of its remaining for the moft part in a ftate of na-
ture. The ridge of high land, part of this trad, which faces Port-
Royal harbour, is called Salt-pond Mill, from a large piece of lalt-
vvater on the South Weft fide of it, covering near (even hundred
acres. This was formerly a falt-work ; which, with two more in
the parifh of St. David, was conduced by a captain Jofeph Noye,
who made from them in one year ten thouland bu/hels, and af-
firmed, that he could have made as many tons, if there had been

G 2 a vent

44. JAMAICA,

a vent for fo much at the market. But the great manufiiftory of
fait at Tortuga caufed this article to fall io cheap, that it has for
many years paft been difcontinued in Jamaica. This fak-pond is
about four feet in depth, and mod plentifully flocked with good
fifti ; which are a more profitable article of traffic to the prefent
owner, who fends them daily for ialc to Spauifl"! I'own, little more
than fix miles diifant.

The parhhioners of St. Catharine, St. Thomas in the Vale, and
St. Dorothy, formerly exercifed a fort of right in common of
making fait here, for the ufe of their families : but, during the go-
vernment of Sir Thomas Lynch, they agreed with Sir Thomas-
Modiford, who had patented the circumjacent lands, that he fliould
deliver them annually at the rate of half a bulhel of fait per head,,
including Blacks and Whites, only not to exceed five thoufand
bufliels in the whole; for which they were to pay is. per bufhel.
This agreement was confirmed by an aft of aflembly, but has been
for many years difufed.

About four miles North and North-wcff from the town is another
range of hills ; over which is fcattcred a great number of polinks,
or places applied entirely to the cultivation of garden- fluff, fruits,
and fuch fort of provifion, for the town-market. The range, dillin-
guiftied by the name of the Red Hills, from their reddilh foil, is
thought to produce the feveral Weft-India fruits, of a better flavour
than almoft any other part of the ifland. Many of the town-in-
habitants have little fettlements here, with good houfes, to which
they occafionally retire. No part of the world can enjoy a more
aoreeable or healthy air. The Spaniards formerly efteemed it a
Montpellier ; and numbers ufed to pafs over from Cuba, in order to
refide here for the re-eftablifhment of their health. From many
parts of thefe hills the profped is rich and extenfive, commanding
a view of the town, the paftures adjacent, the harbour and (hipping
at Port Royal, and of the vefl'els coming in or going out. Thefe
hills are deftitute of fprings ; but the inhabitants eafily fupply that
want by preferving rain-water in cifterns or jars, which they find
extremely pure and falubrious.

The foil of St. Catharine's pari(h is various. The hills abound

with lime-flone rock; the champaign confifts chiefly of favannah

I land.

B O O K II. CHAP. VII. 45

Jane), or a rich brick mould ; the paflure lands in the neighbour-
hood, and what lie adjacent to the river, are of the latter kiiu! ;
the rainy fealons have been for many years too uncertain in this
part of the country for the cultivation of the fugar-cane, to which
the nature of the foil is excellently adapted : Lut the richnefs of
their grafs- makes gmends; and the owners draw confiderable profit
by breeding cattle and flieep, and fattening for the town-markets.
Indigo once flourifhed in all this difl:ri£t. Attempts have, within
rhefe few years, been made by one or two gentlemen to revive it ;
but dry weather baffled their projecl, and convinced them of its
impraiflicability. The well-water in thefe parts is in general
brackhh, or containing an admixture of fait; which feems to in-
dicate the exiftence of fait mines here; but none have yet been
difcovered ; and probably they lie at too great a depth to be of fer-
vice if they are ever known. There are other wells of a very
pure water, fupplied probably by fprings or fubterraneous currents,
which do not pafs through any ftrata of this foflil. That fait is
plentifully intermixed with the foil here in fome places is evident
from the licks to which cattle and flieep greedily refort. I have
i'een feveral of them in the neighbourhood of the town. Thefe
animals are known to be extremely fond of fait; and inftind: direfts
them where to find it. They experience its good effedls in cor-
reding the deleterious quality of the crude grafs, produced here,
fromfudden heavy rains fucceeding a drowth. On thefe occafions,
they are fubjeft to violent diarrhoeas, which are frequently mortal.
The penn-keepers ule no other remedy than mafhed, pickled her-
rings, given them by way of a drench, which, if the diforder has
not continued too long, performs a certain cure. There is no
doubt but the fair, and not the fubflance of the fifh, is the remedy
to v.hich their cure is to be afcribed ; and this is further confirmed
by the common obfervation, that flicep, paffured on the falinas,
or lands contiguous to the lea, are not afBitfled with the rot ; and
that the cattle, watered from a brackifn well, are mucli Ids apt
to be fcoured with the crude prafs than others.

The air of the fiat country comprehended within this parith is
efleemed in general very healthy, except after the fall of the au-
tumnal rains; when the water, fhignating for fome time on the low

grounds.

46 J A M A I C A.

grounds, is tliought with good reafon to be produftlve of aguini
complaints, luterinittent and remittent fevers; from all wliich,
the adjacent hills offer a certain afyluin to fuch of the inhabitants
vvhofe circumftances admit of their removal.

The following coiTrparative table may give fome idea of the mo-
dern ftate of this parifli :

Quantky of Sugar in one Year.

Hogiheads.

" Ncgioes.

• Cattle.

Sugar-plantations.

j 1 Othc»- Settlements.

^734,

5502

8002

1740,

6203

8581

1745.

6599

8043

1761,

7016

5

35° 1 95

1/68,

730.8

10402

SECT. III.
St. Dorothy, in the Precind of St. Catharine.

THIS pariih is bounded on the Eafl: by St. Catharine; Weft,
;by Clarendon ; North, by St. John ; and South, by Old Harbour
and the fea.

The town of Old Harbour contains about thirty houfes, inha-
bited chiefly by wharfi 'gers and fa6lors ; this being the principal
barquadier for this par, li, St. John, a part of St. Thomas in the
Vale, and a part of Clarendon. It had formerly a fmall fort, or
rather battery, which has not been thought of confequence enough
to fupport in repair ; for th.e harbour, or bay, lying only about
feven leagues Weft from Port Royal, and about ten miles from
Spanifh Town, notice might be difpatched to eitiier of thofe places
in a very fhort time upon any alarm ; and as the fame breeze,
which would lerve to carry a fliip of war from Port Royal to their
afliftance, would prevent an enemy's vetfel from getting out of
the bay, no privateer will dare to venture fo far in as to give the
town any annoyance : befides, the entrance into the bay is fortified
•with fo many cayes and ftioals, as to make the navigation very ha-
zardous to ftrangers ; "and even thofe beft-acquainted with it require

day-light

B o o K II. c H A P. vrr. 47

tidy-light and a favourable land-wind to carry them out. 'i'he inner
or Eafl harbour is an inlet, or cul ik Joe, turning near fix n:i!cs
within land, and fo flieltered \d\\ all fides, that fliips have rode here
with perfeft fafety in the moft furious hurricanes. On this account,
the Spaniards moored their galleons here during the flormy feafon ;
but the channel leading to it is now fo choaked with mud, that
loaded (hips cannot get in or out ; for which reafon, the merchant-
veflels,- which come to take in cargoes at this port, lie further out
in the bay, wdiere veffels of almolt any burthen may have fufficient
depth of water and a fine anchoring-ground.

In the offing of the bay is a very good fifliery, chiefly for fnap-
pers, which form a principal part of lubiiftence for the inhabitants
at Old Harbour. At certain times of the year there is alio great
plenty of turtle caught upon thC'Coaft. A company of foldiers is
quartered here in barracks, built at the expence of the parifli. As-
this place contains nothing further of note, I fliall pafs on to the '
market, .which is difiant about two miles inland, and is fo called
from the Negroe market, held here regularly every Sunday fore-
noon, for poultry, corn, eggs, and other fmall articles ofprovifion.
It is an iniignificant hamlet of about twelve houfes, confiflinp^ of
taverns and (hops, and diftant about one mile from the parochial
church, a fmall building, clofe by which is the redtor's houfe,
fituated ona rocky eminence, which commands an agreeable pro-
fpe'3: of the fea and adjacent country. From the piazza of this
houfe the eye takes in a view of great part of St. Catharine and Li-
guarea, and the fea from St. Thomas in the Eafi: to Portland Point
in tb.e Weft. But the flat part of St. Catharine, St. Dorothy, and-
Clarendon, appears to be in a manner a continued wood, from the
multitude of opopinax trees which are luffercd to grow in the
hedge-rov.?s and middle of the paftures; and- this detracts greatly
from the beauty of the landfchape.^ The fripend annexed to this
redory is 200/, per annum; and, the parilh not being very po-
pulous, the whole income of tlie living is probably under 400/.

The only river in this pariih is the Bhick or. Bridge river, which
takes its rife in a fmall morafs about feven miles from the harbour..
The excelleiicc of its water lias already been mentioned.- It crofles
the great \Veuc;;n road which lead? from Spaiurn Town, to the' '

leeward -

4B JAMAICA.

leeward parfs of the ifland, over a funken bridge of large timber-
work and ftoncs. It is here but a Imall flream ; but it widens on
approaching the harbour, and becomes deep enough to adrxilt tiic
Ihips long-boats which cooie here for water. Near the mouth of
it are caught exceeding fine jew-fi(h and calipever, for the Spanifii
Town market. The foil adjacent to it is extremely rich ; and
large trafts are capable of being watered by channels drawn from
the river, and cultivated witli the fugar-cane; but hitherto no fuch
advantage has been made of either. The foil of this parifti in ge-
neral relembles that of St. Catharine, and lies under the like mif-.
fortune of uncertain feafons ; for which realbn, it has never made
any coniiderable figure as a fugar-parifh.

The hilly parts of it towards the North abound in pimento-
trees; which fliews their foil well-adapted to this produdion,
though it is not extenfively attended to here, for want of inhabi-
tants. The air of the coaft is but indifferent : the interior parts
are efleemed more healthy ; and particularly the hills, where it rs
perfedlly clear and temperate.

In the mountains near St. John's is an exceedingly fine chalybeate-
fpring, which has performed many furprifuig cures in droplical ha-
bits ; and in cafes where, by lingering and ill-managed intermit-
tents, the patient was too relaxed and emaciated, the blood impo-
veri(hed, and the tone of the flomach much impaired. Some have
been known to recover from a dropfy by the ufe of it, after being
feveral times tapped. The eftate in which it -rifes having been, a
few years ago, lold by Mr. Harris, the former proprietor, the pur-
chafer, either through ignorance, or for fome other reafon, caufed
a bank to be dug down, at the foot of which it had ufed to be
taken up. It now lies covered by a load of foil and rubbifh feveral
feet in depth ; fo that the public are at prefent unhappily deprived
of this providential remedy. It is much to be lamented, that the
many excellent mineral and medicinal waters in this ifland, diftri-
buted here by the benevolent Father of mankind, on purpofe as it
were to adminifter an eafy relief under fome of the mofl excru-
ciating ailments, fhould have fallen fo little under the public care,
that, excepting the bath in St. Thomas, I do not know of one that
has been thought worthy of the Icgiflative attentioti.

The

B O O K ir. C H A P. VII. 49

The aftroites, or ftar-flones and brontii£, hedge-hog and echini
Rones, are found in great abyndance on the coaft. Tiie hr{t-mc!-i-
tioned, as well as tlic coral rocks, which extend from Salt-pond hill
to Old Haibour, near the fiiore, when calcined, make an excellent
lime for builJing.

It fecms now to be the eftabliflied opinion, founded upon ana-
tomical obfervations, that the black complexion of Negroes pro-
ceeds entirely from a reticulum miicofian, or dark-coloured net-work,
fpread immediately beneath the cuticle of their bodies. It is like-
wife prefumed, upon realbnable grounds, that the different calls of
complexion, obfervable among the diflerent fpecies of men, derive
their various tints principally, if not entirely, from the colour of
their reticula. The offspring of two Ncgroe-parents, if born with
a white or light-coloured reticulum, is called an Albinoe. A male
child of this fpecies was born, a few years fince, at a polinck, in
the hills between St. Catharine and this parifli, and is probably flili
living. The complexion of it was a dead, dull white, refembling
that of a corpfe ; its hair, or rather wool, a light-flaxen colour,
ftrong, coarfe, and curling, like that of a Negroe ; the features
were truly of the Negroe caft ; the noftrils wide, and lips thick
and prominent; the eyes were alight-grey, large and full, and,
when brought into a ftrong lig'it, were in a continual, rolling mo-
tion, which gave the child the foolifli look of an idiot. If he' fliould
attain to manhood, and beget children, the attention of the cu-
rious will be excited to remark the colour of his progeny. A na-
tion of thefe Albinoes are laid to inhabit fomewhere in the central
parts of Africa; who are weak and of low Ifature, and do not mix
with the Bhicks. They are called Dondos, or Mokiffes, by the
natives; and are laid to have fcarcely any fight, except by moon
or owl-light, and to be at continual war with the Blacks, who at-
tack them in the day-time, when their fight is at the worft ; and
they take their revenge in the night, when it is belL They are
likewife laid to be educated in the Icience of prieftcraft, or witch-
craft, and to fill the chief offices at Loango in all religious affairs
and fuperftitious ceremonies. Some of the Negroes in Guiney arc
of opinion, that, although they have their males and females, like
the reft of mankind, they are incapable of procreating, if not of

Vol. II. ■ H coitioi.

^o ; A M A T G A.

coition. But this wa'iits proof. Several of the fame fpecies are
affirmed to have been feen in otlicr parts of Africa, in Borneo, in
India, and New Guiney.

I fliall concUide the account of this parifli with a table, as
before :

Annual Produce of Sugar.
Sugar-plantations. | Hogfheads. | Oihci Settlements.

Negroes,

Cattle.

i734»

2298

5341

1740,

2515

5468

3/45'

2423

4540

^75^^

3229

4233

1761,

3210

1763,

3°75

3899

1766,

3713

4236

1768,

3665

4661

12 I 700 I 56

Taking the lifts of 1768 and 1740 into comparifon, the decreafe
of cattle appears to be 807, although no new fugar-plantations
were formed within that time. And this falling-off, I am afraid,
muft be referred chiefly to the introdu£lion of foreign cattle, for
fupplying the markets and fquadron: this proved a difcouragement
to many perin-keepers in the parifli, and occafioned their deferting
it ; fo that feveral penns, which formerly were capital breedlng-
pfinns, are at prefent in wafte.

SECT. IV.

St. J O H N.

This parifti has for its boundaries, on the North, St. Anne ;
on the South, St. Dorothy ; on the Eaft, St. Thomas in the Vale ;
and on the Weft, Clarendon. The whole of this parifli is oc-
cupied with hills, mountains, and vallies. It is watered with
four rivers, of which the Rio Montando, or Mountain river, is
the principal; and with the feveral fprings and ramifications
which contribute to form them. The ibil in general is fertile,
even on thehigheft ridges. It abounds with fine timber; and the

vales

BOOK II. CHAR Vlt. 51

vnles are particularly prolific ; of thefe the Vale of Luidas, diftant
about twcnty-ono miles N» W. from Spaiiifh Town, is the bcil-
fettlcd. Before fugar-works were formed here, it contained only
breeding-penns, whofe paftures were fo rich, that the cattle were
remarkably fat, and their flefh of an exquifitc flavour. Thefe
penn-keepers u!"ed to fupply the market of Spaniih Town with veal,
which Sir Hans Sloane, I thii^k, extols very highly. The climate of
this parifh is cool and temperate. Exceeding good butter has been
made here by one or two families ; and I have feen moft kinds of
European garden fluff, produced in the Vale of Luidas, in as great
perfedion as any that is brought to Covent-garden-market. The
clierry, apple, quince, and peach tree, thrive and bear fruit in this
vale ; a llire indication of the cool temperature of the climate,
and that the furrounding mountains would be found on experiment
to produce them in dill higher perfection. The air of this parifh
is confequently very healthful, and has proved entirely agreeable
to European conftitutions. But it is far from being well-inhabited,
the roads leading from it requiring a great deal of improvement.
After crofTing the Red Hills, we enter a tolerably cultivated vale at
Lloyd's eftate, interfperfed with a few well-built houfes, which,
for want of the refidcnce of their proprietors, are haflenl'ig very
fafl to decay. From this vale we afcend Cudjve Hill; from part
of which there is a South-eaft profpedl over the Red Hills to
Kingflon, and VVeflward to Old Harbour and Goat Ifland, with
a near view of fuch plantations as lie immediately below. Some
miles further inland is Bolt's Hill, which rifes ftill higher; the
fides of it are finely cloathcd with fugar-canes ; and from the
fummit the Southern hills appear deprefied, and the eye takes in
a boundlefs profpcft over the fea, beyond Port-Royal. About the
diflance of two miles further North are the barracks, which are
built of flone, and command a narrow pafs of communication be-
tjveen the North and South fides of the ifland. This port is ca-
pable of being made exceedingly ftrong ; and even now a garrifbn
of fifty men might hold it againft five hundred: but hitherto (as
I am informed) no detachment has been cantoned In it. The bar-
racks are no Iboner palled, than we difcover, at the diftance of four
or five miles along a viflo between two continued chains of hills,

H 2 at

52 JAMAICA.

at the foot of which runs a broken gully, called Juan de Bolas (or
John of the Vale), the delightful valley of Luidas, befoie-fpokeu-
of, encircled with the .lofty mounds of four pariflies, St. John,
Clarendon, St. Anne, and St. Thomas in the Vale. Some of thefe
highlands near Juan de Bolas are laid to have rich veins of the
precious ores ; but no expence is fufficient to explore the profound

regions in which they lie concealed. The late Sir S n CI ke

(who was defcended from an ancient family in Warwicklhire, and
bore fome of the highefl: offices in this ifland), amongft other
branches of fcience, attained to confiderable knowledge in me-
tallurgy; and, had his fuccels been at all proportioned to his Ikill,
might have beftowed his application to a very profitable end : but,
unhappily, after an immenle expence and trouble in fearching tor
the hidden trcafure, he found (too late) that his favourite purfuit
had only contributed to the reduction of his fortune. The church,
if not btely repaired, is in a ruinous, dilapidated ftate. The
redlor, however, has a good houfe and fome glebe land. His
ftipend is 200/. and the annual value of the living fuppofed not to
exceed 320/. per annum.

State of the Pariih :

Annual Produce.
Negroes, Cattle. Sugir-plantations, 1 Hogfheads. | Other Settlements.

J734» 5242 2561

^740, S'^'JS 2837

i745» SV-'^ 2230

1761, 5888

i

68, 5455 2726 21 I 2200 I 50

The decreale of Negroes fhews that this paridi is not getting for-
wards. Let me here remark (once for all) on the great utility of
comparing the prefent and paft ftate of the pariflies together. It
is the true teft by which the legiflature may judge of the ftate of
the whole ifland, and where the fymptoms of a decline are ma^
nifeft ; as in the example of this pari(h, which is bleft with every
natural advantage of a good air, a fruitful foil, and regular ieafons.
It may juftly be fufpefted, that a retrogradation under thefe very
favourable circumftances can happen no otherwile than from fome
defe6t in the policy of internal government ; perhaps nothing fo

much

BOOK II. CHAP. Vri. 53

much as a want of good roads, and the impoVeriflied condition of
thofe who have failed in their lettlements, principally from tliis
c.uife. But, whatever the caufe may have been, it is tlic duty of
a patriotic Icgiflature, when convinced of the fail, to fcarch for
the fource of evil by the moft probable rules of enquiry; and,
when thcv have difcovered it, to apply the bell rea:iedies in their
power..

SECT. V.

St. Thomas in the Vale.

THIS parifli is bounded towards the North by St. Anne, and
St. Mary ; towards the South, by St. Catharine ; on the Eaft, by
St. Andrew; and on the Weft, by St. John. It is w.atered by
the Cobre; the D'Oro; the Rio Magno, formed by the conflux
of the Tilboa and Indian rivers ; and by feveral fmall rivulets
which foil into them. The greater part of this parifh is comprized
w^ithin the vale called Sixteen-mile-walk. This vale is about
eleven miles in length by eight in width, and contains between
fifty and lixty thoufand fquare acres. It is fituated Southerly, be-
neath the maiiT ridge or chain of high mountains which traverfe
the ifland from Eaft to Weft. It is alfo Inclofed on all other fides
with a circumvallation of high hills and mountains. It is neither
flat nor fwampy, but diverfified throughout with gentle rifings and
flopes. The foil is fertile, for the moft part a red coarfe earth
mixed with clay, or a dark mould upon a whithh marie. It is
full of Iprings and rivulets, which unite with the larger ftreamiS;
and thefe, meeting together near the chafm or opening betvvixt
the mountains on the South fide of the vale, augment that noble
river the Cobre, which continues its courfe irregulaily between
rocky mountains ar,d precipices, alternately a calcade or fmooth
water, as it happens to be more or lefs impeded, exhibiting for
fome miles a very romantic fcene till it reaches the plain below.
At that part of the vale where it firft fhapes its courfe towards Spa-
aifli Town, it enters between two yawning rocky hills, which ap-
pear

5^4- JAMAICA.

pear as if they had been rifted on purpoft; to give it a paffige.
The vale is ahnoft daily throughout the year overcafl with a thick
fog, which begins to rile flowly on the approach of evening, grows
denkr as the night advances, becomes gradvialy diffnfed into all
the contiiTuous vales or inlets among the furrounding mountains,
is heavieft abont the dawn of day, and remains fettled until the
fun has warmed and agitated the air; then it rifes higher, expand-
ing in the atmofphere ; and between the hours of eiglit and nine
in the forenoon it begins to flow away in tv^'o principal flreams, the
one Weftward among the mountains on tliat fide, the other South-
ward, following the courfe of the river. Early in the morning it
is extremely thick; and, if viewed at this time from the fummit
of the mountains, it affords the mod: lively reprefentation poffible
of a large lake, or little fea : the feveral vales and collateral inlets
appear to be arms, harbours, bays, and creeks ; the elevated fpots,
difperfed through it, and covered with trees, buildings, or cane-
pieces, refemble fmall iflands, which here and there uplift their
diminutive heads above water, combining into view the mod pic-
turefque and delightful variety. This fog has been remarked as a
lingular phasnomenon almoft from the firfl fettlement of the ifland.
I fliall not pretend definitively to explain the phyfical caufes of it ;
the fubje£t has puzzled much abler heads : but as every one has a
right to offer his conjeftures ; fo I may be allowed to fubmit mine,
without affeding to controul the opinions of others.

The great abundance of rain that fldls on the encircling moun-
tains, their prodigious furface and fudden fteep rife from the vale
on all fides, may probably occafion a vaft quantity of water to de-
fcend inceffantly, through fubterraneous chafms, into fo low a fitu-
ation, as it were into a huge fink. The foil of the vale, which in ge-
neral (as has been ohferved) is a clay, may poffibly obflrud the free
emergency of this water to the furface, except in particular places,
where, the ftratum being thinner, the refiftance is lefs ; or wliere
gravel, fand, or mould of a loofe texture, predominate. Accord-
ingly, we obferve it copioufly watered with feveral Iprings and ri-
vulets, which have their fourcc among the adjacent high lands.
But although thefe currents do n.ot burft forth in all parts, yet the
fmaller globules of water may gradually be rarefied and evaporate,

affifled

BOOK II. CHAP. VII. 55:

afliffed by the native warmth of the marje below, and the acliou
of the Iblar heat above ; which enable thofe globules to penetrate
the furfice in form of vapour. In a vale encompafied with luch
prodigious mounds, the foiar rays muft: ftrike with confiderable
impreffion, and fupply the earth to a certain depth with a large
flock of heat, which doth not wholly leave it for many hours
after fun-fet. The ingenious Dr. Hales remarks, that fo great a
heat as the fun occafions,. at two feet depth under the eai th's fur-
face, mufl. needs have ftrong influence in railing tiie moifture at
that and greater depths; whereby a continual reek muft always be
afcending,- during a hot feafon, by niglit as well as by day; for the
heat at two feet depth is nearly the fame night and day. The im-
pulfe of the fun-beams giving the moifture in the earth a brifk.
undulating motion, thefe acjueous particles, when feparated and ra-
refied by heat, afcend into the atmofphere. In the day-time, the.
rarefaftion of thefe particles is fo great, that they pafs from the
earth imperceptibly : after fun-fet, the cool air, rufliing down-
wards from the mountains, condenfes, and renders them vifible..
In this ftate the fog refts brooding over the vale, for want of heat
to raife it higher, or of wind to difpel it; for the land-wind does.
not ulually blow here with an impetuofity fufficient to drive it over
tliefe lofty barriers that hem in the vale: but it is obferved, that
ftrong Norths in the winter-months force it vehemently through
the opening of the Southern chain, through which the Cobre flows,
and difperle it for fcveral miles, even to Spanifli Town, and fome-
times beyond it ; but, whenever this happens, no fog is to be fcen
in that quarter of the vale bordering on the Northern range of
mountains from which the wind then fets. Another lingularity is,
that, ou the approach of a rainy day, this fog does not appear the
antecedent evening ; the reafon of which may be, that fuch even-
ings being always clofe and ildtry, it is probable the rarefaiRion
continues as well by night as by day. and, the ufual condenfation
not taking place, the particles are not rendered obvious to the
fight, although perb.aps the reek at fuch times is rather more co-
pious than at others. So in the low lands, on the evening pre-
ceding rain, the atmofphere feels unufually dole and moift, the
thermometer does not fmk after fun-fet, no perceptible vapours are

noticed,.,

•5-6 JAMAICA.

irot'ced, and no dew appears on the grafs. The unaltered fLation '
ot the thermometer is alone an evident proof, that the heat of the
atmofphere is not diminiflied, and confequentlv, that the vapours
remain uncondenfed.

Foos are crenerally fuppofed detrimental to health ; hut the fog
of Slxteen-mile-walk by no means defeives this imputation. The
inhabitants do not fcruple to expofe themfelves to it freely; ncr is
it known to produce any efteds injurious to them. The principal
.caufe of its inoffenfive quality maybe, that it is not mixed with
any lulphureous or noxious exhalations; at lead:, it is without any
fenfible fmell ; which would moft certainly not be the cafe, if it
was much impregnated with any fuch effluvia. Its goodefFecls con-
fill in the copious dew which it flieds upon the trees and herbage,
•and which fupports them in the drieft weather in a flourilhing ftate.
Thole lon(^ drowths therefore, which fometimes happen in this
iflund, fo fatal to the eflates in general, afFe£l the plantations in
this vale but very little; the fog fupplying, in a great m.eafure, the
want of rains, or at lead: fo far as to fave the canes from perifhing
in the manner they do in other parts of the ifland. ^^_
q /t^ — The North-weft part of this vale is called The Maggoti, a tra6l

.♦-' /^ of favannah lying near the foot of Monte 'Diablo. The name of

**'^^/ / this favannah gave rife to a ftory, that, whenever it rains here, the

t occcc^'t^^ '^ drops which fall upon any perfon's cloaths become maggots in half

■ / ^^ A.-f^i^ an hour. This wonderful metamorphofis, reported probably at firft
-,.0^ / 1 4>^ by way of joke to feme credulous inquirer, has with all its ab-

f7L£!^'-^0 *^ -yi'^'^*^*^ furdity been fwallowed, and retailed by feveral authors, copying
Q one from the other, and gravely recorded by them among the nota-

/^ A^' ^'^^^^y iiVm of this ifland. Thefe maggots, however, never exifted, ex-
cept in the briiins of the inventor. The name, perhaps, was of
Spanith extraftion, compounded of Maga (au enchaiitrefs), and
Oteo (watching on a high place); alluding probably to the pin-
nacle of Monte Diablo,- over which the thunder-clouds fo fre-
quently break, as, together with its horrid afpeft, to make it fee m a
proper refidence for a witch, under patronage of the Devil, to
whom the mountain was dedicated. The road leading from Six-
teen-mile-walk to St. Anne crofles this mountain, traverfing the
iace of it, which is fo fleep, that few travelers venture to de-

fcend

'••^'^v^^.

BOOK N. CHAP. VII. x^y

Icend on horfe-back. Some tradition, perhaps, remained concern-
ing the origin of the Magotti, when a fmall houfe of rcfrclhment
was kept on the higheft part of the road, many years ago, known
by the fign of Mother Red-cap ; which name that part fUU retains.
The cavern at River-head in the North-Weft part of the vale
extends near a quarter of a mile under a mountain, or perhaps
more, it being impofi'ible to explore the whole length, on account
of the river Cobre, which occupies the inmoft part of it, and, run-
ning for a confiderable way, fuddenly llioots through a hole in the
rock on one fide, and continues its current under ground for a con-
fiderable diflance from the cave. That this river draws its origin
from fome large ftream in the mountains, far beyond the cave,
feems evident, by its rifing or falling in exa6l proportion as the
rains are heavy or otherwife in the mountains. After very heavy
rains, the river is fo fvvelled, that, unable to vent itfelf at the
hole, the fuperfluous water difembogues through the mouth of the
cavern. An ingenious man attempted, a few years fince, by fix-
ing a flood-gate acrofs the hole, to force the current of the river
into a regular channel by the mouth of the cavern, and conduit
it from thence to turn water-mills on the neighbouring cftates.
The undertaking had all the appearance of being practicable, but
was laid afide after the death of the projeiSlor. Near the foot of
the Northern ridge, at no great diftance from the road which leads
over Monte Diablo, is a cocoa-nut tree of very fingular growth.
About thirty feet or more above the bafe, it divides into two di-
flinft flems, which, continuing their afcent for feveral feet, at
an angle thus V •> '^"d at pretty equal elevation above the main
item or body of the tree, are crowned with tops of beautiful fo-
liage, and nearly of the fame magnitude ; but whether both are
productive of fruit or not I could not learn. As no other of the
like figure has been obferved in the ifland, it may be regarded as
a lujui tiatura, of a very unufual kind. The pafs which admits a
communication between Spanifti Town and this vale ought not here
to be unmentioned. After traveling about three miles from the
town on a pretty level road, we come to a fugar-plantation, for-
merly called by the Spaniards Los Angelos, and now The Angels.
Juft beyond this begins the entrance of the pafs. From hence to
Vol. II. I the

^8 JAMAICA.

ilie opening into Sixfeen-mile-walk, for the fpace of four miles and
a half, is a continuation of precipice on both fides, divided only
by the river, except a fmall elbow at the end of four miles, where
a few acres of level ground at the foot of thefe ridges has admitted
of a little fugar-work. The road cut into the fide of the moun-
tain falls by an eafy dekent to the bridge, and croffing the river
is condufted along the remainder of the way not many feet above
the furface of the water: it is therefore fubjeft to be broken away
in many places by the violence of floods; but this inconvenience
is fubmitted to from the impradicability tliere appeared of car-
rying it higher through fuch immenfe maffes of rock as form im-
pediments the whole way. For a confiderable length, the road
is walled up ; and, as it is fo liable to damage, not only from
inundations of the river, but the falling of large trees, rocks,
and earth, from the impending crags and precipices under which
it runs, the expence of repairing it is very great, and requires a
flanding body of workmen, who are employed the whole year to
keep it in order. The height of the mountains on each fide over-
Ihadowing it morning and afternoon, the pafiage is extremely coal
and agreeable; every turn of the road prefenting the eye with new
appearances of the river, the rocks, and woods ; whilft the water,
fometimes roaring and foaming in its current, where it is confined
to a narrow and rugged channel ; at other times gliding fmoothly
and fdently along, delights the traveler with an alternate variety. At
the end of four miles, the mountain called Gibraltar opens to view
a vafl folid wall of rock of prodigious height, whofe furface, ap-
parently perpendicular, is neverthelefs cloathed with trees and
ihrubs from the bafe to the fummit; the tops of one row terrai-
natino- where the roots of the next row begin, fo as almofl to
ieem growing one upon the other. After heavy rains a catarad
fpouts from the pinnacle of this ilupendous mafs, rendering it flill
more awful and romantic. The defile continues not far beyond
this majeflic objeft, though not widening till we enter at once the
extcnfive and beautiful vale of Sixteen-mile-walk. The air of this
vale was fufpefled formerly of producing the Weft-India colic
or belly-ach ; but, as that diforder does not feem at prefent to be
particularly attaclied to.the fpot, fome other caufe muft have made

it

B O O K 11. CHAP. VII. 59

It endemial: perhaps the inhabitants at this time are lefs addided
to drinking new rum, and therefore lefs affiiifled vvitii it. The air
of this parifh is in general reputed healthy; and the habitations
throughout the vale being for the mofl: part built on rifing ground,
they are not fubjecl; to damps. This tract was among the fnfl: fet-
tled with lligar-plantations, and what it produces now of this com-
modity is of an excellent quality ; but the land is thought to be
much worn. The truth is, that lome of the plantations here were
formed upon-a gritty, red, and naturally flerile foil, which, for
want of regular manure, and having loft by degrees its fuperficial
coat of vegetable mould, became lefs and lefs produ6live, till the
proprietors threw them up as unfit for the fugar-cane. But others,
who have purfued a better hulhandry, ftill reap advantage from it
in reafonably good crops. The air of the mountains is perfectly
fine and healthful. Upon one of them, near the confines of St.
Catharine's, is the governor's polinck or provifion ground, which
has a fmall but neat villa upon it, and was purchafed by the af-
fembly, as an occafional retreat, during the hot months, for the
commander in chief. The foil of thefe mountains is fertile; and
they are chiefly appropriated to fuoply the eftates in the vale with
the different kinds of vegetable provifion, and lime and timber for
repairing their works. This parifli contained,

Annual produce.
Negioci. Cattle. Sugar-works, j Hogflieads. | Other Settlements.

In 1734' 75^^ 444i
1740, 8475 4813

1745, 8239 4797

1761, 9057

1768, 8382 5782 41 1 3$"^"^ I 37

It appears from hence to have made little or no progrefs fince the
year 1740 ; and the increafed number of cattle, amounting to 969,
are probably the (lock brought upon thofe runs, which, after being
in canes, have been converted into pafturc.

1 2 SECT.

6o JAMAICA.

SECT. VI.
CLARENDON

IS one of the largeft, healthieil, and beft-fettlcd parifties in the
whole ifland. It is bounded on the Eaft by the parifhes of St. Do-
rothy and St. John ; on the Wef}, by St. Ehzabeth ; on the North,
by St. Anne ; and on the South, by Vere, and a part of Old Har-
bour Bay. It is watered with no lefs than fifteen rivers, befides
innumerable rivulets and fprings. The names of thefe rivers are,

Green River, Ballard's, Rock, and

Thomas, Pindar's, Craal;

Tick, Jiiiiii cle Bolas,

whofe feveral ftreams fall into the Minho. There are likewlfe.

The Cave, Milk,

Pedro, Baldwin's, and

Croft's, Bower's.

The capital of thefe is the Minho, which takes its fource about
twenty-fix miles, in a direft line, from the fea on the South fide, but
with its various meanders makes a courfe of fifty and upwards. I
do not know if the fhort river fhould be added to the lift. It lies
exa£lly on the boundary which divides this parilh from St. Anne.
It is a large body of water, which appears in a hollow, or dell ; and,
after running witli great violence a little way, fuddenly difappears,
probably to give birth to another river below ; but its fubterraneous
direftion has not as yet been difcovered. The Cave, Pedro, and
Croft's rivers, are alfo remarkable for hiding themfelves under
ground, after a courfe of fome miles above. The river Minho-
was probably fo called after one of the fame name in Portugal;
for it is to be obferved, that the firft fettlers from Europe were
a mixture of Spanifli and Portuguefe. It is from this reafon that
we find in the ifland mountains and rivers named in both thefe lan-
guages. But the name was applied with great propriety to this
river, as there are many circumltances to induce a belief, that the
Spaniards opened and worked a gold mine fomewhere near its

banks.

BOOK II. CHAP. VII. 6i

banks. Of this I fl.all hereafter fpeak more particularly under tliC
head of mines, as I am willing to bring the whole on that head
into one view, and fhall therefore add nothing further upon it for
the prefent. It may be imagined, that a dillridl, watered fo plen-
tifully as this is, mufl be well calculated for fettlements : but it
was not much cultivated in the time of the Spaniards ; tiiey pof-
fefied a few cacao-walks near the Minho, but chiefly reforted
hither to hunt the wild hogs, which were always very numerous
in it, and are not yet extirpated. The water in general of all tiie
rivers and fprings is tolerably pure and wholefome, except when
dillurbed by land- floods. The lower part of the parifli towards the
bay confifts chiefly of favannah land for about fix miles in length,
here and there interfperfcd with rocky hills of no great heigb.t.
The hills rife gradually in height the further we advance into the
heart of the parifh ; yet here are few or none fo fteep or barren, as
not to be fit for culture of fome fort or other. The vales between
the hills and mountains are in general fpacious, watered by fome
river, and enriched with fine cane-land. The conveniency of having
water-mills, and the hrmnefs of the roads in general, has encou-
raged the inhabitants to carry their fugar-plantations much farther
inland than in any other diftrict of the ifland ; and there are fome
at no lefs diftance than twenty-t^vo miles from the barkadier.
Thefe eftates farm their carriage into two ftage^, fixing the termi-
nation of the firfl at about midway, where they have convenient
paftures and ftore-houfes, for refrelhment of their cattle, aiid lodge-
ment of their goods. The foil within the mountains is inferior to
none, either for the production of canes or provifions ; and the
woods are full of excellent timber. The rivers abound with the
mullet, fo much admired for its delicious flavour. In fliort, the in-
habitants have all the means of plenty in their hands from thefs
fources, and the regularity of their feafons ; and of courfe tliey
are, at lead the greater part, opulent and flourifhing. The back-
parts of the panfh, bordering on St. Anne and St. Elizabeth, are
the worft-peopled : yet here is a great field of encouragement to
invite fettlers ; for the remoteft eftates hitherto formed are known
to produce fugars of the befl: quality. The foil of the high lands
is in general either rocky, intermixed with a black fliell-mould, or
5 a fine

62 JAMAICA.

a fine vegelable dark mould on a clay. The lower grounds are
cliieRy clay, ii]termixed here and there with rich veins of vegetable
mould, or the brick mould; the latter moftly abounds near the'
banks of the rivers, confitling of the fediment they have depofited,
or of the finer particles walhcd down from the hills. The planta-
tion called Carvers is one of the moll: celebrated for its fertility : it
is a fmall dale, Ivirroiuuled with rocky hills, and fo rich, that it
produces alaioit invariably tlrree hundred hogflieadi of fugar per
annum, with lo iitrlc labour to the Negroes employed upon it, that
they multiply fufficiently to keep up their ftock, without having
recourfe to African recruits. Near Juan de Bolas river, about fix-
teen miles from the coaft, the road continues towards St. Ann's,
paffing by eafy traverfts up the fide of a fteep mountain, on the
fummit of which we enter a favannah, or plain, of about four
miles in length, called Old Woman's Savannah, from an elderly
Spanifh lady, who took up her abode here after the illaiid was fur-
rendered to the Englifli, and refided here many years in a hut.
This favannah is watered with feveral fine fprings; and the foil,
though apparently not fertile, produces very good fugar. The
air is fo pure and delightful, that many fmall lettlements have
been formed here j and the inhabitants attain, for the mod part,
to a good old age. The late Mr. James Dawkins made choice of
this fpot for founding an academy for the inllruction of boys, na-
tives of the ifland; and, had he lived, the projeft would no doubt
have been brought to maturity: but of this plan I fliall hereafter
give a further detail. The hamlet, or village of the Crofs, is fi-
tuated about fix miles trom Old Harbour Bay, on the great roads
leading, one to leeward, the other to Old Woman's Savannah.
It confifts of about ten houfes, near the parifh-church, which
is an handfome brick-building, of four ailes. Hard-by, likewife,
ft ands the Ikeleton of the parfonage-houfc, which at prefent is con-
verted into a cooper's fliop ; a metamorphofis that is not at all won-
derful; for the inhabitants of this hamlet, being moftly Jews and
Mu'artoes, afford no very agreeable neighbourhood to a Proteftant
d-vnie. The lowlands of this parifh were the firft fettled ; but the
inli.ibitants in proceis of time having found the climate of the
rnoui. ains more cool, the feafons more regular, and the foil more

fertile.

BOOK II. CHAP. VII. 63

fertile, removed to them, and have carried their iipprovemcnts to
very great peiixfticn. The redor's ftipend is 250/. ; but thl^ bcinsj
an cxtenfive and populous parifli, the living is reputed worth
600/. per atinnm at leaft, and includes about twelve Negroe (laves,
who are appropriated to the ufe of the re£lor for the time l^eiiig.
The chapel is diftant about twelve miles further inland, a fniall
but neat building, and furnifhed with a good organ. Divine Icr-
vice, for the convenience of the parifhioners, is alternately per-
formed here, and at the Crofs Church : the quarter-fsffion is ge-
nerally held at the Chapel ; and the eledlion of reprefentatives at
the Crofs. The hamlet of the Chapel confifls of only feven or
eight fcattered houfes. Here are the parifh-barracks ; in which
a company of regulars is quartered, and a fmall market is held
occafionally by the Negroes of the neighbourhood.

About three miles from the Crols, the Weftern road pnfles the
channel of Rio Minho, which hereabouts changes its name to Dry
River, becaufe it is fometimes quite dry, and at other times very
broad and rapid. Weflward from this paflage, the road continues
nearly the fame diilance, till it approaches Lime Savannah, where
a branch diverges from it Northwards to the Chapel ; but the main
road continues on to St. Jago Savannah. In the middle of this
open fpace is a gentle rifing, which command., a dillant view of the
whole; and here is very properly fituated a ftarting-chair, for feeing
the races, which are fometimes held, for the Vere Hibfcription-
purfe. Upon this fivannah, which is well-docked with cattle of
all kinds, are feveral large ponds, befides many fmall fprings and
rivulets, wliich never lofe their water, except in times of moll un-
ulual and long-continued drowth. The road which branches ott'
to the Chapel, after leaving the flat country, afcends among rocky
hills, till it reaches Tick Savannah. A great part of this road is
truly romantic; and the whole, from top to bottom, for the extent
of two miles, is hung on either fide with the deep gloom of lofty
trees, ever verdant, and rifmg in wild gradation out of ftupendous
rocks and chafms. The favannah receives its name from the river
Tick, which runs through part of the vale jut below it. On the
top of the favannah is a large piece of v/ater, of confiderable depths
the refort of various wild- fowl. Not far fiom hence is the feat of

Mr. F n,.

64 JAMAICA.

;Mi-. F V), formerly chief-jufticc of the ifland ; a native, and one

whofe talents are fo extiaordinary, that it is almoft impoflible for
the moft impartial pen to do juftice to them. In this ifland alone,
he has attained, by obfcrvation, reading, converfation, and the na-
tural acumen of his genius, a more comprehenfive and accurate
knowledge of places, pcrfons, and things^ in Great-Britain, Europe,
and even throughout the known v/orld, than moft other gentlemen,
who have had opportunities of being perfonally acquainted with
them, or ot' obtaining the moft intelligent accounts of them.
Though he never trod any other earth but this little fpot Jamaica,
vet he is intelligent in the manners, arts, fciences, and people (lb
far as have been hitherto difcovered), of the whole terreftrial globe.
Nature, it is true, endued him with a retentive memory, and fa-
culties uncommonly fagacious ; but ftiU it is lignally to his merit,
that he has improved every advantage which Ihe gave him ; no one
has ftudied more, nor better underftands what he has ftudied, than
this gentleman, whom with the ftrifteft propriety, and without the
leaft particle of adulation, 1 may aver to be worthy of being
efteemed among the firft ornaments of this country.

His houfc is delightfully placed upon a fmall riling, in the centre
of a little vale : at no great diftance from it are two craggy rocks,
which peep over the fummits of two hills, and referable the ruins
of antique caftles. Immediately below it lies a little garden, filled
with orange, cacao, and other trees, for ufe and pleafure. Beyond
this are feveral hills, clumps of tufted wood, and natural avenues
into the adjacent country.

At about one hundred paces diftance from this manfion is another
of more modern and elegant conftrudion. It confifts of one very
large and fpacious room, upwards of fifty feet in length, about
twenty wide, and twelve high. This is entered by a door-way at
the North end, under a portico of about twelve or fifteen feet
fquare, fupported by columns of the Tufcan order; and at the
South end is a gallery, out of which the eye, over-looking a fmall
garden, is carried along an avenue between two gently-rifing
woods, that have a folemn, filent grandeur. Adjoining to the
principal room are fmaller apartments, one of which is a library
furnifhed with a colledion of the beft authors. The old habitation,

though

BOOK II. C H A P. Vir. 65

though lefs elevated, neverthelefs commands a richer and more ex-
tenfive proipcvH:, comprehending the fineft part of Clarendon, and
of the neighbouring pariflies. The beauties of" nature tliat are
diTpIajed here are innumerable. In one place is leen a long, uavy
lurface, adorned with the lively verdure of canes, inteiTperfed v/ith
wind-mills and other buildings. In another are beheld feveral
charming lawns of pafture-land, dotted with cattle and Iheep, and
watered with rivulets. In a third are Negroe villages, where (far
from poverty and difcontent) peace and plenty hold their reign ;
a crafted ridge of fertile hills, which feparates this parifli froirv
thofe contiguous on the North and Eaft, diftantly terminates the
landfchape.

The produce of this parilh is (hipped for the moft part at Old
Harbour Bay; on which there are two principal barquadiers, the
one at Old Harbour Town, the other at Bower's River.

In a rocky hill, on the Northern fide of Old Woman's Sa-
vannah, is a cavern wliich runs a great deptir under the earths
Upon examination, a few years fince, it was found to contain a great:
many human bones, which were probably either Indians, or the
relicks of fome of the wild or rebellious Negroes, who formerly
infefted this part of the country, and made it their place of con-
cealment. Near this favannah is likewife a chalybeate-fpring,
which has performed fome cures, but is not much attended to.
The hills adjacent to it furnifh evident proofs of their abounding
with copper ore, which one day or other may poffibly excite a
ftrider inveftigation. The hard, fliining pyrites are frequently
found in thefe mountains; and magnetic ftones have been picked
up on this favannah, which feem to indicate the prefence of iron
ore. Many of the fprings in this, as well as in St. Anne's and
fome other pariflies, are remarkable for their incrufting and petre-
fa£live qualities; forming in fome places a layer or thin cruft;
in others, penetrating into wood, and other iubftances, without
altering their fliape. I have feen pieces of hard wood metamor-
phofed, by their procefs, into ftone, fo as to anfvver the purpofe of
hones for fharpening knives. In moft of the gullies bordering
upon the coaft, are large quantities of agate, chiefly oftheflefli-
coloured, blood-coloured, and yellow kinds. But there arc
Vol. II. K others

66 JAMAICA.

others more variegated. Thefe natural produdions are fo little en-
quired after here, that, I believe, they are even unknown to irvany :
yet the pains of colleding thofe mofl: in efteem might be rewarded
by the profit of vending them to Great-Britain. The mofl va-
luable Ipecies are the white-veined, the flefh-coloured, the red,
the pale-yellow, the dark-brown with black veins, and the green-
ifh-brown variegated. A few, which an ingenious gentleman of
this ifland brought with him to London, were greatly admired.
Ship-loads might be procured here at no other charge than that
of gathering them ; and by breaking a few, the beft fort might
beeafily difcovered. The temperature of the air in this extenfive
parifh is various. In the lowlands it is for the moft part warm
and dry ; and, among the mountains, cool, healthy, and invi-
gorating. Some of the low grounds adjoining the rich banks of
the Minho are unwholefome, and were fo reputed by the Spa-
niards; for, in times of drowth, this river, about ten miles diftance
from the coaft, begins firfl to bury its waters, leaving the channel
dry for a confiderable length ; then rifes again ; and fo continues
finking and emerging alternately until it difembogues. The mud
and weeds, thus left to ferment and turn putrid with the heat of the
fun, are fuppofed with good reafon to breed very noxious exhala-
tions ; and the known unhealthinefs of one or two eftates, which
border upon this part of it, cannot otherwife be accounted for.
The white inhabitants, or rather the proprietors of thefe eftates,
might probably be reHeved from this annoyance, by removing the
dwelling houfes to fome convenient eminence ; for it can never
be confident with health to fleep in a putrid atmofphere. The
flourifhing ftate of this parifli may be conceived from the following
table :

Annual Produce.
I Hogllieads. | Other Settlemenrs.

Negroes.

Cattle.

Sugar-works,

^734»

10769

I 1027

1740,

^^575

12299

1745'

^^775

II969

1761,

13772

1768,

^55^7

14276

70

I 8000 I 180

By which it appears that, in the number of Negroes and cattle, it is
much improved ; and, by the great quantity of produce, that it is

in

BOOK II. CHAP. Vll. (,y

in a flouiiniing ftate. The large extent of it hitherto unpeopled
will alfo iuggeft this obvious remark, that it requires many more
fettlers, to bring it to a more ample ftate of culture, and render it
ftill more beneficial. Its advantages in point of water are ob-
ferveable from the number of its water-mills, there being no fewer
than fifty. Befides fugar, ginger, and cacao, the article of coffee is
largely cultivated here ; and the annual crops of corn are fo great,
that none of the parifhes are better flocked with hogs and poultry.
Its low lands alio abound with horfes, cattle, and fheep.

SECT. VIL

Vere, in the Precincl of Clarendon.

THIS parifli, with Clarendon, forms one precin£t. It is bounded
Eaft and North by Clarendon ; Weft, by St. Elizabeth ; and South,
by the fea. The town of Carlifle, fo called in honour of the earl
of that name, formerly governor of the ifland, was intended near
the mouth of Rio Minho ; but it is at prefent only an inconfi-
derable hamlet, of ten or twelve houfes. This place is remark-
able for having been the fcene of a£lion between the French and
Englifh in the year 1694, when Monfieur Ducafle, the goverjior of
Hifpaniola, with a fquadron of three men of war, and twenty-
three tranfports, having onboard 1300 men, invaded the ifland ;
and, after fome ineffectual attempts at Port Morant, Cow Bay, and
Bluefields, where he met with a repulfe, anchored in Carlifle Bay
on the 1 8th of June. The governor. Sir William Beefton, who
had carefully watched their motions, and conje£lured their inten-
tion o'i making a defcent on this part of the coaft, immediately or-
dered thither two troops of horfe, the St. Catharine regiment, and
part of the Clarendon and St. Elizabeth regiments of foot-militia.
On the 19th in the morning, the French landed between fourteen
and fifteen hundred men, who proceeded to the attack of a breaft-
work, which had been haftily thrown up, near the fliore. This
was gallantly defended for a confiderable time by two hundred of
the militia; who, finding at length that they could not maintain

K 2 i\\z

68 JAMAICA.

the pofl, repafled the river Minho, after killing feveral of the
enemy, and the lofs of fome of their own officers. In the mean
time the militia, difpatched by the governor, having arrived, ad-
vanced againft the French; and, notwithflanding the fatigue of
their long march from Spanifh Town, they charged the enemy
with fuch fury, as obliged them to retreat. The two following
days a few flight Ikirmilhes happened ; and on the 2 2d, the French
attacked a brick houfe, then occupied by a Mr. Hubbard, which
•was bravely defended by twenty-five men, who killed and wounded
feveral of the French, among whom were fome officers of di-
flinftion. The French retired for a while, threatening to renew
the afl'ault; and, in the meantime, a detachment from the EnglifTi
troops, of fifty picked men, was thrown into the houfe, and aiv
ambufcade prepared with the reft. But the enemy, intimidated
■with their lofs of men and officers, feeing no probability of being-
able to effedl any further advance into the country, fuddenly re-
treated to the fhore, re-embarked with the utmofl expedition on
board their fliips, and on the 24th, their whole fleet got under fail
for Hifpaniola. The whole lofs fuflained by the French in this
fliort time, by their different engagements and ficknefs, amounted
to near feven hundred men. On the part of the Engtifli, one
hundred were killed and wounded. Captain Elliot, who had been
a prifoner at Petit-Guava, and made his efcape from thence in a
fmall canoe, brought the firfl: intelligence to Sir William Beefl:oa
of the intended invafion ; for which he was afterwards recompenfed
by king William III. with a gold chain and medal, of one hundred
pounds value, and five hundred pounds in money.

The government of Jamaica immediately fet about framing fe-
veral aits for better guarding the coafl:s ; and, among others, one
for enabling the inhabitants of Vere to ere£t a fortification for their
defence; in confequence of which, Carlifle Fort was built the fol-
lowing year. This fortrefs, for want of repair, has been under-
mined by the fea, and for many years in a ruinous condition, the
guns being all difmounted, and fome of them buried in the fand :
nor will it probably be reftored to a proper ftate for defence till after
fome future invafion ; the general rule of oeconomy, purfued in
this iflaud, having been to let the preparations for defence always

follow,

BOOK II. CHAP. VII. 69

follow, inftead of preceding, the attack. The parifh -church ftands
nt the diftaace of about two miles and a half from the fort. It is
extremely well-fini(hed on the infide, has an organ, and a tower.
Its ftrudure is low, and, being furrounded with large cotton-trees,
it cannot well be feen till on a cloie approach. There is a decent
redory near it, with about feven acres of glebe, befides twelve
acres more, in another part of the parifh, of very fine land. The
flipend granted by law is 200/. and the whole value of the living
about 350/. per annum. About half a mile from the church, on
the oppofite fide of the river Minho, is the free-fchool, founded
about the year 1741, with fundry private benefa6lions, and calcu-
lated for inflrufting the poor children of the parifh in reading,
writing, arithmetic, Latin, Greek, and the iTiathematics, under the
management of tru flees appointed by an ad of afi'embly. This
parifh is watered with five rivers, the Minho, Milk River, Baldwin's,
Hilliard's, and Salt River ; two of which, the Milk and Salt Rivers,
are navigable by boats for a confiderable way up. Baldwin's and
Hilliard's are only fmall branches which fall into the Milk River,
which, as well as the Minho, difcharge themfelves into the fea.
Long Bay, and the mouth of Milk River, are only anchoring-places
for floops : the principal fluipping-places are at Carlifle Bay, and
near the mouth of Salt River ; which latter has its fource about a
mile from an inlet on the Wefl fide of Old Harbour Bay, under the
foot of a rocky hill ; the faltnefs of its water, from whence it takes
its name, fcems to indicate, that it pafles througii a large bed of
that foffil. Tiie entrance into the bay of Old Harbour from Cape
Boncato, or Cabarito, on the Eafl, to the Pitch of Portland, Weff,
is about twelve miles and a half in the width, and the bay about
twelve in depth. It is defended by fix fmall cayes, or little fandy
iflands, which are low, and covered with fhrubs. The bafe of
thefe iflands feems to be compofed of coral rock ; over which the.
fea has accumulated heaps of fluid and broken fhells. The reefs,
extending from them very far into tiie bay, render the channels ^
very dangerous to ftrangers. But the anchoring-grounds are very
good in the interior parts, and capacious enough for five hundred'
fail of fhips. The largeft of thefe cayes is called Pigeon Ifland,
from the flocks of pigeons, chiefly the bald-pate, which u fed to

frequent.

70 JAMAICA.

frequent it formerly. On the Weft part of the bay arc, Weft
Harbour, Peake Bay, and Salt River ; which are all of them com-
modious for (hipping, and well-covered, either by the Ridge of
Portland, or fmall cayes ; fo that the water, where the fhips lye
to receive their loading, is generally fmooth, and unaffeded either
by the wind or fea.

The Promontory of Portland is about ten miles in length, and
about two in breadth. The whole of it is extremely rocky, and
contains only one fmall fpring. Nature has, in fome degree, com-
penfatcd for this deficiency, by fupplying in the Ihadier parts a
great number of little bafons, or refervoirs, formed in the cavities
of rocks, and replenilhed with rain-water ; which prove of great
fervice to run-away Negroes harbouring in the woods. It has only
four or five fmall fettlements upon it ; and thefe are chiefly fup-
ported by the fale of brafiletto, and fome other valuable trees, that
are found here in abundance. During the lail war, a French pri-
vateer made a defcent at Carlifle Bay, furprized two gentlemen of
the parilh, and carried them ofl* to fea. After having detained
them for fome time, the crew at length put them alhore at Port-
land Point, with no other fuftenance than two or three bifcuits and
a bottle of brandy. From this Point there is no road acrofs to the
main land ; fo that they were obliged to keep along {hove, for fear
of lofing themfelves in the woods : but the fatigue of clambering
over rocks, added to the heat and thirft, was fo extreme, that only one
of them furvived this toilfome march, and returned to his family and
friends ; the other dropped by the way, and perifhed before any af-
fiftance could be given him. Such are too often the barbarous ex-
ploits of thefe licenfed rovers ; which ferve to aggravate the mi-
feries of war, by committing ails of inhumanity, from which no
advantage can refult, either to themfelves, or the ftate that em-
ploys them ! The range of hill which forms this promontory is
divided, by a fmall morafs near the head of Salt River, from
another range, called the Brafiletto Mountain, which extends
Northerly into Clarendon. Thefe ridges, confining the parilh on
the South-eaft, intercept the regular current of the fea-breeze,
and contribute to render the fettlements Weftward of them very

hot.

The

BOOK II. CHAP. VII. 7,

The land on both fides the Minho in this parifh was once famous
for the number of indigo works fettled upon it; all of which are
now extindl. It is chiefly cultivated in canes : the almoft-level
trad, which continues from the fea to the mountains of Clarendon,
about fixtecn miles in length, by about fourteen in width in the
broadeft part (exclufive of the fugar-works), is chiefly employed in
cattle and fheep paftures. The Weflern quarter of the parifh in-
cludes a range of high land called Carpenter's Mountains ; on the
Eaftern fide of which are fome few lettlements, but the greater
part remains uninhabited : acrofs one of the higheft pitches, named
May-day Hill, runs the Leeward road, by which, after pafilng fe-
veral miles of wood, we come to a good tavern, built here for the
accommodation of travelers; this being the principal communi-
cation on the South fide between the windward and leeward pa-
riflies. The air of thefe mountains is exceedingly cool and
healthy ; and their foil in general very fertile ; which may be
judged from the {lately trees that grace each fide of the road.
In fome part of thefe mountains (I do not vouch for the truth of
the ftory) is fiiid to be a perpendicular chafm, the diameter of
whofe mouth is only a few feet, and the depth of it unfathomable. •
The following fingular phenomenon is reported of it : that, al-
ternately in the fpace of every twenty-four hours, it emits and inhales
a ftrong body of air or vapour ; and that if, at the time of the in-
draught, a fmall bird, or other light body, fhould be thrown
within the vortex, it would be irrefiftibly drawn in, and never more
make its appearance above ground. On the South of thefe moun-
tains, the old road to Leeward pafles near the coaft from this -
parifh to Black River in St. Elizabeth ; but it has been feldom ufed
fince the track was formed acrofs May-day Hill, which is a much '
fafer and better way.

The low lands of Vere are, for the moft part, hot and parched ; .
but the air is reckoned not unwholefomc, except near the morafles, -
which border on Peake Bay and Weft Harbour. Vere has long
been famous for producing the finefl mutton, turkeys and other
poultry, in the ifland ; and with thefe it trafficks largely in the
towns. It produces vail: annual crops of Guiney corn, and pulfe
of various kinds, which form the chief part of fubfiflence for the

Negroes,

72 JAMAICA.

Negroes, and fmall ftock belonging to it. Near the Milk River is
a hot lalt-fpring, tlie waters of which, ibnie writers liave not
fcrupled to affirm, will coagulate the white of an egg : but this is
extremely fabulous. The fpring, upon examination, was found
very pellucid, but felt only milk-warm, and contained feveral little
ftriped fi(h of a fpecies fimilar to what are obferved in Salt River ;
which is an inconteftable proof, that the water is never in a ftate of
ebullition. The principles of this water have not as yet been afcer-
tained by any analyfis ; but it is pretty evident, that the predomi-
nant fait is marine. It has proved very efficacious in cleanling and
healing foul ulcers, and removing cachedlic Iwellings of the legs
and feet, externally applied.

This ifland contains the three different kinds of heights, diftin-
guiflied in Ireland by the words, Ktiock, figtiifying an infulated hill,
or one uncoui:ie£ted with any range ; Slieve, a craggy mountain,
gradually afcending, and continued in feveral ridges ; and Be'mn,
a pinnacle, or mountain of the firfl magnitude, riiing in the
midft of a chain of high lands, and ending in a fliarp, abrupt
precipice. Of the hrft fpecies, which fome authors have com-
pared to eggs fet in fait, is the Round Hill in this parifli, formerly
called by the Spaniards Pan de Botillo, about nine miles Weft from
Carlifle, and two North from the fea. One of the like kind, re-
fembling a fugar-loaf in its (hape, Ifands near the Ihore in St.
David's. There are likewife feveral in Clarendon, and other
pariflies.

Otf the coaft there is a good fifhery ; and fome marine animals,
extremely curious and remarkable, have been hauled afliore here
by the Negroes in their feines. Among the reft, a few years ago,
a Sierra Marina, or fea-unicorn, was caught entangled in a net at
the mouth of Swift River, and required lix ftout Negroes to drag
it out of the water. It meafured, from the point of the fword to
the tip of the tail, upwards of fourteen feet, and weighed
near fourteen hundred pounds. Seventeen eggs, about the fize of a
man's fift, were taken out of the belly ; and, foon after it was
brought upon the land, it dilgorged fix young ones, of two feet
length each, one of which, beuig put into the fea, fwam imme-
diately away. From the liver were extraded about twelve gallons

of

BOOK II. C H A P. VII. 73

of oil; and much moie might have been obtained. The flefh was
cut up into large pieces, and aftbrded a delicious repaft to the Ne-
groes that were employed in tlie capture.

The lower diftridt of this parifh, called Withywood, took its
name from its having been formerly overfpread with wood and
withes when the Engliih firfl: fettled upon it, and which grew fo
thick, that it was impoffible to walk among them without a cut-
lafs to clear the way. This is the part, which, on account of its
rich foil, was afterwards filled with iiidigo and fugar-works, the
opulence of whofe owners is Ipoken of by feveral writers ; and
though it has been called in quelf ion by feme, yet it is very certain,
that more carriages of pleafure were at one time kept here, than
in all the reft of the ifland, Spanifh Town only excepted. It is,
indeed, almoft incredible to think what vaft fortunes were made
here by cultivation of this fmgle commodity. When the aft of par-
liament was pafled with an intent to recover this brand) of trade,
the very art of making it was lofl: ; few or no perfons were then
living in this part who were able to give inflruftions, and ftill
fewer left to receive and follow them if any could have been given.
The modern fettlers had converted their lands into paflure, or the
raifing of cotton and corn; and could not be perfuaded to give up
a little certainty for a much greater probable advantage, where the
inftability of ftate-maxims threatened fuch a rifque to the ex-
perimentors. The new law, which was merely temporary, in-
ftcad of impofing a heavy tax, as the former law had done, al-
lowed a fmali debenture in favour of every pound weight of in-
digo, the growth and manufafture of the Britifh iflands imported
into England ; yet it availed here but very little. None ui this
parilh attempted to revive the culture of it. Three or four took
it up in other parts of the ifland; and probably, if the law had
been renewed after its expiration, v.'ith iome additional bounty, it
might have encouraged many more to try the effefts of it.

For cattle and flock of all forts, particularly horfes and flieep,
no parifh in the ifland excels this, either in number or quality.
The foil, except Main Savannah, which is a gravelly trad, and
rather flerile ia dry years, is of a fine brick-mould, and. were it
not for the want of regular fhowers, it would be one of the mofl

Vol. II. L produftive

74 JAMAICA.

prodii6liv9 fpots in the Weft-Indies. From the fummits and fides
of the hills, which almoft furround and overlook it, the appear-
ance of it is inexpreffibly delightful, and refembling much fome
of the richeft plains of England. The Round Hill before-noticed
adds greatly to the elegance of the profpeft ; and it is enlivened
every where with herds, flocks, fugar-mills, and otlier pleafing
objedts.

State of this Parifh :

Annual Produce of Sugar.
Siigai'-works. [ Hoglheaus. | Othec Settlements..

Negroes.

Cattle.

i734»

35^2

7194

) 740,

537'^

8580

'^7^5^

5423

8870

1761,

5^63^

1768,

5.940

7462

r9 I 2100 ( 131

This parifh appears to be on the decline in the article of cattle, of
which it contains fourteen hundred lefs than in the year 1745 ;.
which has been owing to the laying wafte fome capital breeding
penns, and the converiion of others into fugar-plantations..

SECT. VIIL

St. MAR Y.

THIS paridi is bounded on the Eaft by St. George ; Weft, by St.
Anne ; South, by St. Thomas in the Vale, and part of St. Andrew ;
and North, by that frith of the fea which feparates Cuba from this
ifland. It is watered with twenty-four rivers, befides fmaller
ftreams ; the prhicipal of which are the Sambre, the Nuevo, Bag-
nal's Waters, and Port Maria, Eafternmoft and Wefternmoft.
Nearly the whole of this parifli is compofed of hill, mountain,
dale, and valley. The coaft differs greatly from that of the South
fide, being for the moft part iron-bound, or protefled againft the
fury of the North winds and furges of the fea with a wall of rocks.
The foil too is different, being in general a ftiff clay on the higher
grounds, and a confiderable depth of rich, black, vegetable mould
ju the lower. The foil is univerfally fertile ; the hills and moun-
tains

BOOK II. CHAP. VII. 75

tains cloathed with noble woods, full of the fineft and larp-ed tim-
ber-trees ; and every fpot adupted to cultivation of almofi: every
kind, except that the fummits of fome are thought too bleak and
chilly for the fugar-cane : this is therefore chiefly confined to the
vallies, and warmer flopes of the hills. The water is equal to
any in the world for purity and wholefomenefs ; and the air is in
general extremely healthful, and agreeable to European conftitu-
tions. About Orange River, and fome other parts of this parifli,
the quarry-flones lie in layers, and are dug out in regular fquares,
of pretty even thicknefs, fo as to anfwer the mafon's purpofe witli
very little trouble. They are of a light-brown, and yield to the
acid. The chief ports are Anotto Bay, Port Maria, Auracabefla,
Saltgut, and Rio Nuevo; which are good anchoring-places, thoup-h
no fecurity to (hips in time of a hurricane, as they are all expofcd
to the North.

Port Maria is famous for having given, as it is fuppofed, an
afylum to Columbus, when his (hip was near foundering with a
leak ; and fomewhere hereabouts authors have placed the town of
Melilla, the firfl which the Spaniards founded. Rio Nuevo is
likewife remarkable for the decifive vicftory gained there by general
D'Oyley over the Spaniards; which confirmed the Englifn in
pofleflion of this idand. The weather in this parifh is extremely
wet during great part of the year, and fo cold, that few if any of
the houfes are unfurnifhed with a chimney. Its chief productions
are fugar and rum, a little indigo, coffee, tobacco, and corn.
The land in general from its richnefs bears too luxuriant a cane :
1 have feen fome here of enormous fize and length ; but fuch are
unfit for making fugar, and are only ground for the flill-houfe.
The great plenty of water and provifions are extremely favourable
to the breeding of hogs, of which there is great abundance; but
fheep and poultry do not thrive here fo well, owing to the rank-
nefs of the nafturage, and moiflure of the atmofphere. This paiiih.
having been frequently difiiurbed with infurreclions of the Ncgroe
flaves belonging to it, has four barracks, at two of which tiiere la
ufually a fmall cantonment of foldiers.

Fort Haldane, at Port Maria, ilands on an eminence command-
ing the entrance of the harbour, and is capable of making a good

L 2 defence.

76 JAMAICA.

defence. The barracks are large enough to receive fixty men.
The quarters here have not proved healthy to the troops ; but the
reafon, as I have been informed, is, that the men were fed too
conftantly on fait provliions, which fometimes were of bad quality.

Auracabefla has a battery, and barracks likewife for fixty men.
The other barracks are, one on the Weft fide of Anotto Bay, at a
place called Jack's Bay; and one at Bagnals, near the Decoy.

The hamlets at Rio Nucvo, Port-Maria, and Saltgut, have from
eight to twelve houfes each, inhabited principally by wharfingers,
flore and fiiop-keepers. One of the greateil curiofities in this pa-
riOi is the Decoy, the feat of Sir Charles Price, bait. It is fi-
tuated on part of the range of mountains which borJer on St. Tho-
mas in the Vale. The houfe is of wood, but well finifhed, and
has in front a very fine piece of water, which in winter is com-
monly fiocked with wild-duck and teal. Behind it is a very ele-
rant sarden difoofed in walks, which are fiiaded with the cocoa-
nut, cabbage, and fand-box trees. The flower and kitchen-garden
are filled with the mofl: beautiful and ufcful variety which Europe,
or this climate, produces. It is decorated, befides, with fome
pretty buildings ; of which the principal is an o6lagon;il firloon,
richly ornamented on the infide with luftres, and mirrors empan-
neled. At the termination of another walk is a grand triumphal
arch, from which the profpeft extends over the fine cultivated vale
of Bignals quite to the Northfide Sea. Clumps of graceful cab-
bage-trees are difperfed in difl^erent parts, to enliven the fcene ; and
thoufands of plantane and other fruit-trees occupy a vafi: ivdd:, that
environs this agreeable retreat, not many years ago a gloomy
wildernefs.

The late Sir Charles [«] was extremely attached to this place,
and fpent much of his time here, making it the abode of chear-

fulnefs

[«} This gentleman was a nntive of Jamaica, and endued with uncommon natural talents,
which were improved by education, and polifiied by travel in the early part of his life. On his
return to this illand, his opulent fortune only ferved to make his abilities more confpicuous, and
more ufeful to the community. Thefe eventually gave him the lead in public afiairs. With an
houpft loyalty to his fovereign, which none could furpafs, he poirefTed a truly patriotic attachment
for his country ; and, though ever ready to affift and facilitate adminiftration, while condu<5ted on
the great principle of public good, he was always the fleady, perfevering, and intrepid op])onent
to illei'-al and pernicious meafures of governors. If it were at all necefliiry to produce teftimonials

in

BOOK II. CHAP. VIT. -^-j

fulnefs and hofpitality : to thefe, the deliglitful air breathed here,
and the amiable quahties of the owner of tliis paradife, mutually
contributed. This, which I may juflly call the temple of focial
enjoyments, was conftantly open to the reception of worthy men,
whether of the ifland, or ftrangers : and few gentlemen of rank,
whether of the army or navy, on fervice here, quitted the ifland
without having pafied fome of their time at the Decoy. Among
thefe was the unfortunate Mr. B — fc — n, a young officer in the
fquadron, of the moft promifing abilities, and liberal accomplifli-
ments ; who, being on a vifit in the year 1769, went early one
morning to bathe in the canal, and periflied before affiftance could
be given him. This fad accident was inexprellibly affliding to Sir
Charles, and left {o ftrong an impreffion upon his mind, that, be-
fore his own deceafe, he gave particular diredions to inter his body
clofe by his friend Mr. B — fc — n. The mountain on which the
Decoy is fituated is a great height above the level of the fea, bv
fome fuppofed at lead half a mile perpendicular. Upon digging
into a marie pit here, was difcovered a vafl: quantity of petrifac-
tions, refembling the large conchites or cockles, or rather perhaps
the efcallop kind, tiie edges being denticulated, but the outfide
without any vifible remains of furrows, if they ever had any. I
examined feveral, but could not perceive the fmalleft veflige of a
teflaceous covering. They were perfedly folid mafles, hard as
ftone, and compoled of very minute particles cemented together.
It would be difficult to prove, that mere inert matter ffipuld fpcn-
taneoufly afl'ume thefe regular forms, and apt imitations of marine

;n juftification of this characfter, I might refer to the very honourable marks of approbation which
were fo defervedly conferred upon him, both by the crown, and the dlSerent aflemblies in which
he prefided, for fo many years, as fpeaker, with an integrity, candour, and dignity, that were almoft
unexampled. In private life, his complacency of manners, accomplifhed knowledge of books and
men, and delicacy of humour, rendered him the polite, inftruftive, and entertaining companion :
here he flione the inflexible lover of truth, the firm friend, and the generous patron. His mind
was amply llored with the treafures of liberal erudition. But theolog)' feemed his fcivourite fci-
ence ; and the Great Author of nature, the chief object of his lludy. Though qualified in all
refpefts to have made a refpeftable figure on a more extenfive theatre, he prefei'red a refidence in
this ifland ; which as he enriched and embellinied by the diffufion of his income, and tafte for
improvements, fo he benetited by an incefTant attention to its welfare. Jamaica lolf one of its bell
friends, when he breathed his lail:, which happened in June, 1772, after he had attained to a good
old age. I (hall only add, that few men in any country have attiacfed more general veneration
while living, or more general regret when dead. '

2 fhells.

7-8 JAMAICA,

fliells. But It is almofl: as difficult to dlfcovcr, by what means they
were brought into a fituation at that height above the fea, and at
fuch a diltance from it. Nature is faid to have done nothing iu
vain ; but an oiiginal creation of fuch whimfical refemblances
could anfwer no wife purpofe. This globe carries every prefumptive
evidence of having undergone very extraordinary changes, and par-
ticularly by earthquakes ; and, as we cannot tell by what imper-
ceptible paffages the water of the ocean may permeate even below
the bale of iflands ; fo we cannot pofitively deny, but it may force
its way to a very confiderable ekvation, in confequence of violent,
eruptions, which attend thefe commotions of the earth ; carrying
with it (hells and fand, and perhaps leaving mafles of ialt dcpofited
as it recedes, which may afterwards impregnate rivers, as we find
in fome parts of the South fide of Jamaica. Doctor Brookes fpeaks
rationally on this fubjeft : "We cannot," fays he, "determine
•< whether there has ever been an univerfal earthquake or not,
« which has changed the primitive form of our world. However,
" this is certain, that a great many fubftances, which feem to have
" been proper only to the fea, are now found in the bowels of the
*' earth ; and which have perhaps been petrified by degrees, by the
" infinuation of water, falts, and exceeding fmall cryllalline or
« ftony particles, proper to fill up their pores, without alteration
" of their fliape. To this all the produdlions which fome have
" looked upon as lufus naiurtie^ or fports of nature, are evidently
*' owing. Beiides the bones of crocodiles, the Ikeletons of fea-
<■' horfes, the entire bodies of petrified fifh, there are almoft every
" where found fea-(hells of all kinds, and all forts of the parts of
" fea-animals, converted into ftone ; fome very wonderful, with
■*' regard to their fituation ; and others, with regard to the oddnefs
« of their fhapes."" The petrifadions found at the Decoy ieem to
come neareft in fimilitude to Sir Hans Sloane's Fe£len Jamacien/is
flriis levibus. Vol, II. foL 256. N° I. which is frequent on the
Ihores of the ifland.

As the fettlement of this parifii was not entered upon heartily
until about the year 1736, it may fiill be deemed in its infancy,
and will no doubt invite new planters by degrees, as its wood-land
comes to be cleared ; for at prefent not one-fourth of it is brought

into

BOOK n. CHAP. VII. 79,

into cultivation. In the South-eaft angle of it is a Negroe town,
called Scot's Hall, inhabited by a party of the Maroons, who came
in upon terms.

On the road pafling from Guy's Hill to the Decoy is a quarry of
black marble, with white veins. The rock appears confiderably
above the level of the road in large raaffes. It has never yet been
worked, as it would probably anfwer little other purpofe in this
country, except for making lime, or flabs for dining-apartments..
The diftance- from the lea renders the carriage difficult and too ex-
penfive at prefent ; but in time perhaps, when the roads are more
improved, and this part of the ifland more populous, it may anfwer
for exportation, either to Europe or North-America.

The State of St. Mary :

Annual Produce.
Sugar-works. 1 Hogtlieads. [ Other Settlements.

Negroes.

Cattle.

J 734,

2938

2182

1740,

4484

2972

i745>

5(>J^

3304

1761,

9318

1768,

12159

7996

49 I 5S°^ I 56

This pari(h is evidently improving fafl. And we may venture to

foretell, that the North (ide, though labouring under the misfor-
tune of being the laft-fettled, will in time become the moll po-
pulous, as it is naturally the healthieft divilion of the ifland. The
foil, by reafon of its exceeding richnefs, does not make immediate
good returns in fugar ; but the proportion of rum is far greater
than on the South fide ; and the excellence of the land alilires a
permanent, and perhaps inexhauftible, fertility.

SECT. IX.

St. ANNE.

THE parifh of St. Anne is bounded on the Eafl: by St. Mary;
on the Weft, by St. James; South, by Clarendon and St. Thomas
in the Vale; and North, by the fea. It is watered with twelve

riyer-Rj

8o J A M A I C A.

rivers, the principal of which are Rio Rueno, St. Anne's Great-
River, Roaring and White Rivers. Its ports are St. Anne's Bay,
Dry Harbour [o], Rio Bueno, Ocho Rios, and Runaway Bay.
At the former of thefe was the town of Sevilla Nueva, The bay
of St. Anne is defended by a reef of rocks, which flretches ahnoft
acrofs its entrance, leaving only one fmall channel for the fhips to
go in or out. This barrier fo effedually breaks the furge of the fea,
that the bafon in which thefliips lie at anchor is at all times per-
fedly fmooth : it is likewife fheltered by two points of land, pro-
jefling on each fide the bay like the horns of a crefcent. The
drift of the waves being towards the Weftward, they form a cur-
rent over the breakers which are lowed on that fide of the bay.
This current fvveeps through the harbour with a dire£tion towards
the fliip-channel, which is on the Eaftern fide; whence it happens,
that, when the fea-breeze blows, which gives the water this di-
redion, the veffels at anchor here ride with their flerns to the
wind.

The harbour is deep, infomuch that the largeft fhips that load
here with fugars, lay their broad-fide clofe to the wharf, which
is not many feet in length. It is defended by a battery of twelve
embrazures ; and at a fmall diftance are the barracks, elegantly
built, in which a company of regulars are ftationed. The town of
St. Anne confifts of about thirty or forty houfes, ftraggling along
the beach, and chiefly inhabited by fhop-keepers. On the Weft
fide of the bay is the parifh -church, a very handfome building.
The harbour has fomewhat the appearance of the letter E ca-
pital, placed horizontally thus O^'^O? the coafl proje£ling into the
centre of it, and making a lemi-circular fweep on each fide. Se-
villa Nueva was built upon an ealy eminence, rifing from this cen-
tre. The fituation is extremely delightful. By the proje6tion of
the land, it commands a very fine and extenfive view of the country
, for many miles to the Eaft and VVefl, bounded by diflant moun-

[o] This place has lately commenced a trailing port, and fome houfes are ere<5led at it as the
txordia of a future tovvn. This will probably fucceed, in confequence of a road now forniing
from it to Cave River, in Clarendon, the diftance twenty miles, about fourteen of which extend
over a woody, uncultivated dillridf. The road, when compleated, u-ill doubtlefs contribute fo the
fpeedy fettlement of this trad of country, and has the peculiar merit of opening a communication
•iirough thefe almoft unoccupied parts, without croffing one river.

tains.

BOOK ir. CHAP. VII. 8fi

tains, and having the bay, buildings, {hipping, and fea in froftt.
From lience, as well as other elevated Ipots on the North fide,
Ibme of the high lands in Cuba, called the Copper Mountains,
are frequently diiccrned at one hundred miles diftance in the
months of Odober and November, and during fome of the fuc-
ceeding months. They appear of an azure caft to the eye, like the
Blue Mountains ; and the fight of them is efteemed a certain prog-
noftic of approaching North winds, which ufually let in about that
time of the year. Several rivulets fall into this bay ; and clofe ad-
joining to the fpot where Seville once ftood is a fine quarry of white
free-{i:one, which is foft when firft dug up, but hardens after ex-
pofure to the air. A place could not have been more happily fe-
le£i:ed than this by the Spaniards for building a town. Here was
plenty of excellent materials for architefture, abundance of good
water, a fertile foil in the neighbourhood, the woods filled with
the greateft variety of large and valuable timber-trees, the fea
and rivers flored with innumerable firti, a fafe and fpacious port,
and the diftance not remote from their ifland of Cuba. With all
thefe advantages of fituation and a fine air they abandoned it, be-
caufe the Southfide ports were more convenient for the galleons
and other tranfieut veffels pafling between St. Domingo and Car-
thagena ; and their traffic was chiefly confined to the fupplying
thefe vifitors with provifions, and a few other necefl'aries.

It is not to be doubted, but that under the genius of Peter
Martir, who was abbot of the collegiate church founded here, the
public buildings would have rifcn with an elegance unufual in the
new world. Several fragments of carved work in flone, fuch as
mouldings, feftoons, cherubs, &c. are (till to be feen here, that
would be thought no mean ornaments in an European church.
The ruins of two edifices, one faid to have been a caftle, the other
dedicated to religious ufe (probably the collegiate church), are ftill
remaining; tlie walls of which are feveral feet in thicknefs, and
compared with an exceedingly hard cement. It is the property of
the lime made from the fhell-marble, fo common in this ifland, to
contrad with age all the clofcnefs and folidity of fl:one; and I have
feen fome plaifter taken from an old Spanifli tank, or cifliern, which
could fcarcely be broken with an hammer. The battery which de-
VoL. II. M fends

82 JAMAICA.

fends the port Is conftru6led with materials taken from thefe ve-
nerable fabrics, and ftands in the place of an eccleriaftlcal fanc-
tuary. The pofiefiion of this city fell to the {hare of captain He-
ming, an officer in the Oliverian army fent hither ; and his pof-
terity flill enjoy it.

The caftle and church, being almoft half a mile afunder, may
give us fome idea of the intended extent and grandeur of this place;
but, the old walls before-mentioned being every day diminilhed,
for the fake of the materials which are ufed in repairing the build-
higs on the eftate, it is probable that in a few years more there will
be fcarcely any veftige left of this celebrated city. But the ground
about the church being fuppofed confecrated, is ftill preferved as a
burial place. As for the ruins of the caftle, they are not only
leveled to, but confiderably funk below, the prefent furface of the
earth. In the year 1764 were dug up two pilafters of about feven
feet length, of no particular order, but fomewhat refembling the
Ionic. They appeared to have belonged to the portal, or veftibule,
of fome large building, as there were alfo feveral concave ftones
proper for an arched roof. Upon thefe pilafters were fome rude
carvings m alto relievo. Four or five coarfe images were likewife
found ; one of which refembled a fphynx ; another, an alligator ;
and the reft were creatures of the mafon's fimcy. The manfion-
houfe on this eftate ftands on the fummit of a rifing lawn, nearly
equidiftant from the fea and the mountains ; a fituation which
makes it both healthy and agreeable. Before the front of it is a
battery of eighteen fmall guns e7i barbette; which is intended as
a proteftion to the eftate, and to the harbour itfelf in war-time
againft privateers. The garden on the Eaft fide of the houfe is
prettily laid out ; and decorated with a ftone-teraple, elegantly de-
fig-ned in the modern tafte.

The Spanifti habitations have long ago been demolifhed, and
the ground whereon they ftood converted into cane-fields; but, in
turning up the foil for planting, the old rubbifli continually makes
its appearance, and contributes to render it lefs fertile. The ruina
were more perfedl in Su- Hans Sloan's time, who vifited them in
1688, and has left us the following account :

"The

BOOK ir. CHAP. vn. 83

«' The church uas not hnilhed. It was twenty paces broad, and
thirty long. There were two rows of pillars within ; and over
the place where the altar was intended were foine carvings under
the ends of the arches. Th^e houfes and foundations fland for fe-
veral miles along (thefe were probably the houfes of detached fet-
tlements, not of the ftreets). Captain Heming faid, he forae-
times found pavements under his canes three feet covered with earth,
feveral wells, and burial -flones finely cut. There are the be-
ginnings of a great houfe called a monaftery; but I fuppofe the
houfe was defigned for the governor. There were two coats of
arms lay by, not fet up; a ducal one; and that of a count; be-
longing I fuppofe to the family of Columbus, proprietors of the
ifland. There had been raifed a tower, part brick, part hewn
flone, as alfo feveral battlements on it ; and other lower buildings
unfinilhed. At the church lie feveral arched flones, to compleat
it; which had never been put up, but are lodged among the canes.
The rows of pillars within were for the moil: part unornamented.
It was thought, that in the time of the Spaniards the Europeans
had been cut off by the Indians ; and fo the church left uncom-
pleated. When the Englilh took the ifland, the ruins of this city
were fo overgrown with wood, that they were all turned black.
Nay, I faw a mammee, or baftard mammee-tree, growing within
the walls of the tower, fo high as that it mufl have been a very
large gun to kill a bird on the top of it ; and the trunks of many
of the trees, when felled from this place, to make room for the fu-
gar-canes, were lixty feet or more in length. A great many wells
are on this ground. The Weft gate of the church was of very fine
work, and flands entire. It is feven feet wide, and as high to the
Ipring of the arch. Over the door, in the centre, is our Saviour's
head, with a crown of thorns, between two angels; on the right
fide, a fmall round figure of fome faint, with a knife ftruck into
his head ; and on the left, a madona, her arm tied in three places
after the Spanifli fafhion. Over the gate, and beneath a coat of
ai'ms, was this infcription :

M 2 PETRVS.

«4 JAMAICA.

PETRVS. MARTIR. AB. ANGLERIA. ITALVS. CIVIS. MEDIOLAVtN.
PROTHON. APOS. HVJVS. INSVLE. ABBAS. SENATVS. INDICI.
CONSILIARIVS. LIGNEAM. PRIUS. ^DEM. HANC. BIS. IGNE.
CONSVMPTAM. LATERICIO. ET. QVADRATO. LAPIDE. PRIMVS.
A. FVNDAMENTJS. EXTRVXIT [/>].

Thefe words are entire, except Mediolanenjis, which I have fupplied
(fays Sir Hans), becaufe this Peter Martir, a famous' man, wrote
himfclf *' of Milan." He was author of the Decads, Epiftles, and
fome other books ; which gave him great reputation in the world."

There is at this time in St. Domingo, as I am credibly informed,
a Spanifh lady, of an old family, who takes her title from this
place, by the ftile of Countefs de Sevilla Nueva, in Jamaica.

The hamlets at Laughlands and Runaway Bay are too infignifi-
cant to merit defcription. At the former a chapel of eafe was
creeled fome years ago ; but it is at prefent in a ruinous condition,
and is only ufed for holding eledions for the parifli-reprefentatives.

Between this and the Bay is Richmond, belonging to Mr. P k.

This eftate is graced with a very elegant manfion, confiding of
two {lories. It is furrounded with a fpacious piazza, fupported by
columns of the Ionic order ; at the four angles are pavilions, with
Venetian windows correfponding to each other. The only fault
belonging to this houfe is in point of fituation ; for it flands upon a
dead flat ; but, being confiderably raifed from the foundation, it is
dry and healthy. Adjoining is a pleafant lawn, or paddock, fenced
with Chinefe railing, Ikirted with a gravel- walk, and ornamented
with rows of cocoa -trees. The great road to St. James runs pa-
rallel to the North front, at the diftance of about two hundred"
yards : the paflage from hence to the houfe leads through a pair of-
handfome gates along a fpacious gravel-walk. Immediately acrofs
the road, and oppofite to the fame front, is a large pleafure-garden,.
neatly laid out in walks, and flocked with a variety of flowers and
flowering-fhrubs ; of which the chief are, the Englifli, Spanifh,.
and Arabian jafmines ; balfams, Indian arrow, capficuins, fun-
flowers, French marigolds, jalap or four o'clock, coiiee-buthes,.

[/] InEnglifti: " Peter Martir, of Ai)ghi?ra, an Italian, citizen of Milan, diief millionaiy,
«♦ and abbot of this ifland, member of the council of the Indies, firll raifed from its founda;ion,
" with brick and iquared ftonc, this edifice, which formerly was built of wood,, and t^vice deiboy^d

" ly III,,."

J.outh-

B O O K II. CHAP. VIi; ^s

South-fca rofe, Barbadoes pride, Jerufalem thorn, pomegranate,
pailion flower, phyfic nut, and many others. In the centre is a
fountain ; and in another part a large labyrinth, inclofed princi-
pally with the wild olive, and furnifhed with commodious leats.
The town of St, Anne carries on fome trade, ch?efly for mules and
cattle, with the Cuba Spaniards, who run over in one night's
time in very fmall veflels, and not feldom in open boats. This
pedling intercourfe has been productive of a very lignal mifchief,
which has chiefly affefted this parifli. The Negroes here, either
perceiving the facility of this paiiage, or (which is moft probable)
inveigled bv the flattering aflurances of thefe ftrolling Spanifli tra-
ders, who for the greater part are a thievifii race, l;ave taken every
opportunity to defert in canoes, and withdraw to Cuba, in hopes of
obtaining their freedom ; fo that feveral hundreds have, within a
few years paft, decamped from this and other parts of the North
fide, to the great lofs of the planters. Thefe Spaniards, upon many
occafions, have lain under iufpicion of not merely inveigling the
Blacks with fair fpeeches, but even taking them away by force.
This, indeed, has been a very old pra6lice of thei;s, and, for want
of an authoritative check, is now become fo habitual, that they
ufe as little ceremony in fupplying themfelves from Jamaica by
thefe means, as the Portugueze and iiollanders formerly ufed to-
wards the natives of Guiney. In tlie year 17 19, tiie then gover-
nor of Jamaica fent the captain of a frigate to the alcaldes, or
chief officers of Trinidado, a town in Cuba, demanding relHtution
of feveral Negroes, piratically taken from the ifland. But the of-
ficers returned for anfwer, " that, as to thofe and oth.r fugitives,
" they were there as the other fubjects of their lord the king, and,
" being brought voluntarily to their holy church, liad received
" the water of baptiiln." The conclufion follows of courfe ; that,
being thus adopted into the Roman Catholic faith, in virtue of
the mere ceremonial of their bantifm, thoup-h without the lealf
knowledge of their new religion, or the gr&unds or nature of their
faith, they could not return, to mingle again with heretics, with-
out peril to their immortal louls. Such is the pretext by which
thefe rogues, under the cobweb veil of their religion, detain the
property of Britifl^ fubjeds. It will not be difputed, but that the

induih'V

U .J A M A I C A.

iiiduftry and labour of fo many ufcful h.,nd3, transferred by this
fraudulent mode, of conveyance to a foreign ftate, are more than a
lo's to tl.cir owners ; they are a lofs to the whole Britilh commu-
nity. The governors of Jamaica have not been wanting to lend
every affirtance in their power towards recovery of thefe fugitives,
or rather ftolcn goods, by fending requifitorial letters to the Spanilh
commanders ; but with fo little effe6l, that feme Britifh frigates,
'jvhich lince the late peace were fent with thefe difpatches to the
Havannah and other Spanifh ports, were fhot at from their forts,
and ordered to depart without coming to an anchor. Our flag was
infulted, but no redrefs given. Expoftulations on this head have
been made, as I have heard, to as little purpofe in Europe. The
alcaldes here, like thofe of America, are equally bigots wlien
the cant of religious fophiflry is required to fanttify bafe atlions.

A Negroe, flying from our colony to Cuba, or kidnapped thither,
becomes the property of the Spanilh crown, that is, of a Spanifh
alcalde. The ftupid, illiterate wretch is prefently admitted into
the bofom of holy mother-church, and flraight becomes a l>uef2o
cathoUco, and a Spanifh fubje£l. He continues, however, in a ftate
of fervitude, and earns a weekly fum for his raafter, who muft
pay a. certain proportion of it into the royal coffers, or give him up
to labour on the fortifications, until the confederate gang of Ne-
groes there can make up a purfe for him. He then goes before
another of thefe officers, and intimates that he has wherewithal to
purchafe his freedom. The owner is fummoned ; and, the fum
being fixed at a certain moderate rate, his mafter is obliged to take
the money, and grant a manumiffion. By this cafy method, thefe
deferters foon acquire their freedom, and with very little pains are
able, by cultivating tobacco, breeding poultry and hogs, making
chip-hats, fegars, and other trifling articles, to earn a comfortable
livelihood among fuch a fet of haughty and indolent beings, who
fcorn to fully their noble hands with vulgar occupations. Such
being the encouragements held out to our Negroes, and the
pafliage fo eafily made, it is only aftoniihing that the defedion is
not greater. It may be urged, that our Negroes, having once
tafted the fweets of lb eafy a life, and fraught with the moll: per-
nicious fuperftitions [5'], would be ufelcfs, if not dangerous, if they

[7] For cxftm^ le, " t!i u it is meritorious to kill heretics."

were

BOOK II. CHAP. VTI. 87

were reftored again to the ifland. This I leiioiifly believe, but it
is no argument to juftify the detainers of them; for, fiirely, if
they had pi inciple enough to do what thelaws of nations, of juilice,
and common honcfty, require, they would either re-dcnver the
perlons of thefe Negroes, or a pecuniary indemnification ; they
tlicmfelves not beftowing a gratis freedom to thefe poor people, but
kihng it to them for a vakiable conilderation, exadled in moiicv,
apart of which booty their illuftrious (overeign (or I am mifin-
formed) difdains not to participate. What are we to think of a
fociety of men, who are Cc pable of committing fuch pious frauds
under the malk of pretended righteoufneis! The very fame pretence
might be brought by a highwayman, or pick-pocket, to juftify
their malefaftions.. It is flagrant robbery, a breach of good fiiith
between the two nations, and ought to be anfwered with reprifals
to make good the damages fuftained by the plundered parties. The
fovereign of Great -Britain holds an intereft in all the Negroes pof-
fefled by his colony-fubjeirts; for his revenue is very greatly bene-
fited and fupported by the produce of their peifonal labour. The
nation at large holds an intereft in them by the number of ma-
nufadturers fet to work; by the fhipping and mariners; by the ar-
ticles neceffary to cloathe, feed, and employ thefe labourers j and-
by their general confumption of Britifli merchandizes. Hence,
in every refpe<fl:, this grievance feems to rife into a national con-
cern, ^and to deferve a powerful national interpofition, that fuch
a£ls of perfidy aad injuftice may ceafe for the future. That fome
judgement may be formed of the height of infolence to which the
Spaniards have carried their pretenfions, 1 muft not omit to mention
that, fo recently as the year 1768, the aflembly of t];ie ifland ad-
drefl'ed his majefty ; fetting forth, that numbers of their flaves were
actually detained and employed in the fervice of the Catholic king,
or his fubje(5i:s; and that, application haviiig been made to the go-
vernor of St. Jago in Cuba for the delivery of fome of thofe flaves,
he declared, " that although he knew many Negroes were at that
*' place, who had made then- elopement from Jamaica, yet; he
*' would not deliver them up ; having received orders from the
•' court of Spain, injoining, that all Negroes coming thither from
"the Britifh iflajids, in what manner foever, ftiould be employed

*'in;

88 ■ JAMAICA.

" in his Catholic majefty's fervice, until further iuftruftions n-JOoU

*' be given concerning them."

There needs no (Ironger proof to fhew, that this thievifii prntlice,
•fo repugnant to tiic good faith that ou;;ht to fublift between tv;o
nations in amity, fo dcftrudive of the Britifli commc rce, fo incon-
fiftent with the rules of honefty, that, if it occurred between two
private Individuals, the offender would juftly be deemed a felon ;
there needs, I fiy, no fuller evidence, that this diflionourable po-
licy is countenanced, avowed, and dev.nJed, by the SpaniHi go-
vernment. It is plain, that his Catholic majefty's inftruiflions are
diredly leveled againft all the Brithh colonies : no mention is made
of any other; and probably none other are included in them. We
may likewife obferve the latitude of the words : •' coming in what
" manner foever ;" under the implication of which are certainly
meant, not only thole who voluntarily defert or run away, but all
others who are either trepanned, or violently brought away, by his
own Spanifli fubjefts : and theie Negroes are to be employed im-
mediately in the king's fervice. Whence it is plain, that every
Spaniard mud efteem this as an encouragement to him ; nay, he
muft think he performs his duty to his lovereign, as a zealous fub-
je£t ought to do, in taking all oppoitunities, that happen within
his power, to inveigle and fteal away Negroes from the Britifli
planters, for the benefit of his monarch's fervice. Unhappily, Ja-
maica lies more convenient in its lituation, than any other, for fa-
vouring thcfe depredations. One would think, that fo peretflptory
an avowal of what is apparently unjuilifiable in itfelf would be
fufficient to alarm a Brltilh miniftry, and lead them at leafl to re-
fleft, that the emigration of all the Negroes from Jamaica to Cuba
is at leaft fojjible ; more efpccially, as the Spaniards boldly allert their
intentions to get pofieffion of theiii by all pofTible ways and means ;
and that, after they have feduced, or ftolen away, thefe Negroes,
or only the major part of them, they will have much lefs difficulty
in gaining pofleffion of the ifland itfelf; which is an obje£l that, we
have juft apprehenfion for believing, they have all along held in
view. If, indeed, they fhould be fuccefsful enough in difpeopling
it of the Negroes, we need not hefitate to let them take the land
into the bvirgain. I have beard the number of them purloined from

the

BOOK II. CHAP. VII. 89

the ifland, or that have eloped and been detained in a few years pafr,
computed at eight hundred ; the value of which, that is, the ac-
tual lofs to their owners, at the lowed calculation, cannot be rated
•at lefs than 40,000/. Jamaica money. Had they taken a loaded
fliip from us of half that value, the whole body of merchants
would have rung the alarm, and the clamours of the nation would
have fpeedily reached the cabinet at Madrid. Why the injury done
to our planters has been lefs held in eftimation, why no redrefs has
been obtained for them, for their paft lofles, nor fecurity againfl
the future, notwithflianding this affair has been flrenuoufly repre-
fented, I am unable to difcover. Our Britifh courts of juftice,
adopting the principle of Gronovius, inform us, that a Negroe,
coming from one of our own colonies into Great-Britain, in what
manner foever, becomes inftantly difcharged from the fervice of his
owner. Perhaps a Spanilh Gronovius has been found, to aflert
the propriety of this kidnapping by the like rule of, " Servus pere-
" grinus, Jimul (ttque terram Hifpanicam ietiger'it, eodem momenta
*-'■ Hher jiat\'' under this referve, however, that he is free only
quoad his Britifh owner, but not fo quoad the king of Jerufalem \r\
But, to have done with a fubjecl on which perhaps I may be
thought to have fa id too much, I return to the parifh of St. Anne.
From White River to Rio Bueno, its Eaftern and Weftern boun-
daries, there is a continued pretty level ground, for about twenty-
four miles in length, along the coaft, extending in breadth in few
places more than one mile to the foot of the hills, which rife gra-

[r] It is probable, that the ecclefiaftics derive fome pecuniary benefit from this praftice, as it
conforms to fome of the Romifh doctrines ; agreeably to the true fpirit of which, that canon was
injoined by the pope to the bifliop of Worcetter, in the year 1497, viz. " that a man (hould be
«' permitted to retain the property of another perfon, by what method foever he had feized or ac.
" quired it, provided he gave a certain portion thereof to the pope's commilTaries, or fubllitutes."
Irenasus was the firll who broached this infamous tenet, in his argument to juftify the Ifraelites for
having robbed the Egyptians of their plate and jewels. The ftale pretext of the Spaniards,
founded on their zeal in the caufe of holy mother-church, and the tenor of the royal cedula,
feem to correfpond exaftly with the fame abominable principle, trnd encourage the Negroes of our
iilands to rob their mailers, and defert to them ; who maintain, that, if a fliare of the plunder be
but given to their church, the converfion from paganifm to their faith is fufticient of itfelf to ex-
tenuate all preceding crimes. Such pofitions are fuitable only to a community of thieves, or to the
deluded votaries ot fuch a religion. They may apply to tliemfelves and their difciples, with great
propriety, the words of a French gentleman, mentioned by Lord Orrery : Four 'vom dire la ivcrite,
noiiijommes tous iki h»n catboUques ; man pour la religion, nous 71 en avons point. " To fay the uuth,
" we are all good catholicsj but, as for religion, we have none."

Vol. II. N dually

90 JAMAICA.

dually to very high mountains. This tra6t between the hills and
the coafl is, for the moil part, a fliallow Jlratum of mould upon
a white, hot marie. Here are the fugar-plantations, which with
good management bear moderate crops ; but the canes in general
■are {hort-jointed, and, this part of the parish being fubjedl to
drowths (the high lands behind drawing off the rain), are often
ftunted in their growth ; for the foil in which they are planted is
naturally fo dry and warm, as to require plentiful and frequent ir-
rigations. Moft of the rivers here take their fource fo high, that
their water might eafily be difperfed in channels through the cane-
pieces. Some of the proprietors, I am informed, have lately had
this m contemplation ; and it would doubtlefs anfwer perfedlly
well. The hills contain but very few fugar-works. The mould
here is extremely fuperficial ; and underneath lies a deep vein of a
white marie, or hard chalk. The pimento loves this kind of foil;
and vafl woods of it overfpread the hills to a great diftance from
the coaft. Behind this range of hills and mountains the land is
diverfified with open, level favannahs, environed by rocky emi-
nences, or with little cock-pits. The foil of the latter is cu^l-
tivated fuccefsfully with Guiney grafs. The favannahs are covered
with fern, and applied to no ufe. There are three principal moun-
tain-roads which enter this parifli from the South fide. The road
hy Monte Diablo, in Sixteen- mile-walk, leads into it on the South-
Eaft part, and is a mere avenue cut through the woods, there
not beino- more than four or five fettlements on the whole road.
About five miles from Monte Diablo is the Rio Hoja, which, run-
ning about a mile and half from its firfl fpring, difcharges itfelf
into a large lake of immenfe depth. Some have affigned this as
the fource of the Cobre ; which is not improbable, as the river-
head and this body of water lie in exaft meridian, North and South.
The next road penetrates the centre of the parifh, by way of Old
Woman's Savannah, in Clarendon, through the fettlements of
Pedro, of which I have before given an account; and their number
Mattered on each fide renders tliis by far the pleafanteft way. After
leaving thefe fettlements about two miles, we come to a ftupen-
dous hill of folid rock, perfedly bare, and unadorned with either
plants or herbage. From this ftupendous mafs, to the neareft fet-

5 tlement

BOOK II. CHAP. VII. 91

tlcment on the North fide of the parifli, is about two miles furtlier.
Tlie third road enters the Weft quarter of the parifli, by way of
Clarendon. After running about five miles before it reaches any
fettlement, it branchcb into two forks; one of which pafles on to
Runaway Bay; the other, to Dry Harbour. From the entrance,
by Clarendon, to the range of hills near the coaft of St. Anne, is
about twelve miles; the road is enlivened with a very few human
habitations, and thofe Icattered. This traft, from its being fo
little inhabited, was called Siberia : yet it is not in other refpe^fts
deferving that appellation ; for it is full of excellent timber, and
furnifhes a vaft quantity of mahogany every year, the vifitors of
this part being chiefly cutters. The diftrift of the parifli, inter-
fe6ted by thefe three avenues, comprehends near one hundred
and eighty thoufand acres, as yet unfettled. In fo vaft a fpace
there muft needs be a very great variety of foil,, and num-
berlefs fpots of very fine cultivable land. But, exclufive of a few
fern favannahs, the whole of it is in its primitive foreft, full of large
cedar, mahogany, and other valuable timber-trees. The foil,
over which the roads pafs, is in general a reddiftj fat clay, intern-
mixed with mould, or a black-fliell mould; and, fo far as fet-
tlements are formed, it is experienced to be exceedingly fertile,
being refreflied with conftant dews and frequent fhowers. The
rain does not defcend here in fuch violent ftreams as in the low
country, but for the moft part in a fine fpray or drizzle ; and the
air is, during the whole year, cool, temperate, and perfeclly
healthful. Here then appears a defireable field for introducing new
colonies of induftrious people; as a leading meafure to which,
fbme new roads are required, to penetrate through this defart traft,
and open a communication with the parts already fettled. The air
of the coaft is hot, and in general tolerably healthful.

Near Ocho Rios, or, as it is now more commonly called, Che-
reirasBay, in this parifli, the road from St. Mary pafTes through
Walter's plantation to the Wcftward, up a fteep hill. This road,
having been gullied very much about eleven years ago, by a heavy
fall of rain in OcStober, the fkeleton of an Indian was laid bare to
view, about five feet below the furface. The foil here is a white
coarfe marie, which certainly did not poflefs the corrofive qualities

N 2 of

92 JAMAICA.

of lime in its compofition ; for the bones were perfe(£tly found and
firm. The Ikull appeared preternaturally comprefTed at top, which
made the Jinciput very low. There was fome appearance of a cut
on the occipital bone, as if made with a fharp weapon. By the fire
of the bones, they were conjciflured to have belonged to a man of
large ftature. At the head and feet lay two unglazed earthen pots,
ihaped fomewhat like a canoe, and well wrought ; one of them was
broken in taking it out ; but the other was prefcrved intire, and
found to contain a fmall quantity of black earth, refembling foot.
Thebody had probably been interred not kfs than two hundred years.
This parifh contains two remarkable cafcades. The lefl'cr is
formed by a branch of Rio Alto, which is fuppofed to re-emerge
(after a fubterraneous current of feveral miles) between Roaring
River Plantation and Menzie's Bog. The hills in this part are
many of them compofed of a flala£lite matter; by whofe eafy fo-
lution, the waters, oozing through the rocks, are copioufly charged
with it, fo that they incruftate all bodies depofited in them. This
river rifes at a confiderable elevation above the fea's level, and at a
great diftance from the coaft, and continues its courfe between the
hills fucceffively broad or contracted, as they on each fide ap-
proach nearer, or recede further from, one another. In one of the
more extended fpaces, it expands its water in a gentle dei'cent:
among a very curious group of anchovy pear-trees, whofe fpreading
roots intercept the fhallow ftream in a multitude of difi'erent direc-
tions. The water, thus retarded, depofits its grofier contents,
which in lengrh of time have formed various incruftations, around
as many ciftcrns, fpread in beautifuL ranks, gradually rifing one
above another, and bearing no ill refemblance to a magnificent
flight of ileps in ruftic work, leading up to the enchanted palace
of fome puillant giant of romance, A Oieet of water, tranfpa.'-ent
as cryftal, conforming to the bend of the (teps, overfpreads their
furface ; and, as the rays of light, or fun-fliine, play between tlie
\vaving branches of the trees, it defcends glittering with a thoufand
variegated tints. The incruflation in many parts is folid enough
to bear the weight of a man; in others it is fo thin, that fome'
perfons, whofe curiofity led them to venture too far, have fud-
denly found themiclves plunged up to the middle in a cold refer-

volr.

B O O K II. CHAP, VII. g^

voir. Thefe accidents give it ftill more the appearance of a Fairy
region. The cifterns, or refervoirs, have their fides formed by-
broken boughs and hmbs, incrufted over, and fuftained by the
trunks of trees, promifcuoufly growing between them. The ci-
fterns themfelves are always brim-full of water, which trickles
from one to the other ; and, although feveral of them are fix or
feven feet deep, one may clearly difcern whatever lies at the bottom.
The /eim/'/m which envelope them are in general near half an inch
in thicknefs. To a fuperficial obferver their fides have the ap[-e.ir-
ance of (lone ; but, upon breaking any of them, there appears ei-
ther a bough between the two incrufting coats, or a vacant fpace,
which a bough has once filled, and by the mouldering of which
in length of time a cavity has been left.

On opening leveral of thefe incruftations, not only boughs were
found, but entire leaves of a muJdy-green hue. Whence it may
be conjectured, that a Ihell, fomewhat thicker than that of an egg,
may be concreted by this water in lefs than a twelvemonth.

The incrufting matter is foluble in the vinous acid, and when
diflblved acquires a deep-black colour, much iimilar to wiiat the
vegetable aftringents ftrike with a chalybeate.

As the remarkable quality, refident in this water, feems not con-
fined in its effects to any particular fubflance, it might [ye no un-
pleafant experiment to immerle the fluffed ikin of any animal for
a fufficient time in it ; fince it is probable, that tlie workmanfliip
of nature would furpafs the happieft productions of the chiffel, and
furnifli the moft animated and durable rcprefentations by this eafy
and unexpenfive methods-
After dancing over thefe innumerable ciftcrns, the pellucid ele-
ment forms irfelf into one or two ilreams ; which afterwards, col-
lecting other neighbouring rivulets, compofe feveral leffer, mofl
beautiful, falls. But defcription fails in attempting to convey any
competent idea of its feveral beauties.

The other, or great cafcade, more properly a cataraCt, is formed
by the White River, which is of confiderable magnitude, and,
after a courfe of about twelve miles among the mountains, preci-
pitates in a fall of about three hundred feet or more, obliquely
meafuredy with fuch a hoarfe and thundering noife, as to be heard

at

^4 JAMAICA.

at a great diftance. Viewed from below, the x^jutage [j] appears to
be a body of water, of fmall bulk, ilTuing between a tuft of wood;
but, as it continues its defcent, the breadth gradually increafes,
until it reaches the bottom, where it forms a beautiful circular ba-
Ibn, and then flows away in a ferpentiiie courfe towards the fea.
Through the whole defcent it is broken and interrupted by a re-
gular climax of fleps, of a ilalaAic matter, incrufted over a kind
of foft chalky flone, which yields ealily to the chiffel. So vaft a
difcharge of water, thus wildly agitated by the (teepnefs of the
fall, dafliing and foaming from flep to llep, with all the impetuofity
and rage peculiar to this element, exhibits an awcful, pleafing fcene.
But the grandeur of it is aftonilhingly heightened by the frelh Tup-
plies which it receives after the rainy-leafons. At fuch times, the
roaring of the flood, reverberated from the adjacent rocks, trees,
and hills ; the tumultuous violence of the torrent, tumbling head-
long with refiftlefs fury ; and the gloom of the over-hanging wood,
contrafled with the foft ferenity of the fky, the filvery glitter of the
fpray, the flight of birds Ikimming over the lofty fummit of the
mountain, and the placid furface of the bafon below; form, all to-
gether, an aflemblage of fubjeds, the moft happily mingled, and
beyond the power of painting to expreis.

** Wide o'er the brim, with many a torrent fwell'd,

" And the mix'd ruin of its banks o'er-fpread ;

" At lafl: the rous'd-up river pours along,

*' Refiftlefs! roaring! dreadful! — Down it comes

" From the rude mountain, and the moffy wild,

«« Tumbling through rocks abrupt, and founding far: —

" Then o'er the fanded valley floating fpreads,

" Calm; fluggifh ; filent;— till again, conftram'd

*« Between two meeting crags, it burfts away,

« Where rocks and woods o'er-hang the turbid ftrearti.

*' There gathering triple force, rapid and deep,

" It boils! and wheels! and foams! and thunders through !"

Thompson.
A beautiful intermixture of tall and ftately trees rifes gracefully
from the margin on either fide ; whofe bark and foliage are diverfi-

[>] See Plate V.

fied

BOOK II. CHAP. VII. ^5

fied with a variety of the loveHeft tints. And, to complete the
pifture, the bafon is ornamented with two elegant trees of the
palm kind, which fpring like ftrait columns out of the water,
placed by the hand of nature at fuch even diftance from the banks
on each fide, that art could not have done the work with more
attention to propriety and exaiflnefs. The whole, indeed, has been
executed by nature in a tafte that furpaffes either defcription or imi-
tation. The late Sir Charles P e, within whofe territory it lay,.

would not fuffer the leaft alterations to be made to it, although fome
of the fteps might eafily be cut fo as to be reftilineal. He pre-
ferred its natural beauties; and, in order to enjoy them, formed a
club of gentlemen, and built a range of apartments on a pretty
lawnjufl: fronting the cafcade. Here they had an annual meeting,
which continued fome weeks ; during which, they took the di-
verfion of (hooting the ring-tail pidgeons, which in this part of the
country are very numerous, and in great perfe£lion at the proper
feafon. If the lefler cafcade is delicate and curious, this is grand
and fublime. The former is contemplated with delight, and this
with a pleafmg and reverential wonder. The fall is faid to exceed
in grandeur that of Tivoll, or any other in Europe, though much
inferior to that of Niagara.

The grotto in this pari(h, near Dry Harbour, and about four-
teen miles Weft from St. Anne's Bay, is fituated at the foot of a
rocky hill, under which it runs for a conliderable way, and then
branches into feveral adits, fome of which penetrate fo far, that no
pcrfon has yet ventured to difcover their ending. The front is ex-
tremely Gothic in its appearance. It is the perpendicular tace of a
rock, having two arched entrances about twenty feet afunder,
which look as if they had anciently been door-ways, but funk by
time or accident to within two or three feet of their lintels. In
the centre of the rock, between thefe portals, is a natural niche,
^bout four feet in height, and as many from the ground, which
might well be fuppofed intended for the reception of a madona, ef-
pecially as at the foot of it is a fmall excavation, or bafon, pro-
jected a little beyond the face of the rock; which feems a very pro-
per refervoir for holy water. Excited by the accounts I had heard
of this celebrated curiofity, I made one among a party to viiit it.

After

0 JAMAICA.

After providing ouiTelves with feveral bundles of candlewood, fplit
in fmall pieces, we crept on our hands and knees under the larger
of the two apertures in the front of the rock, and immediately
found ourfelves in a circular veftibule, of about eighteen feet di-
ameter, and fourteen in height. The deling (an irregular con-
cave), as well as the fides, was covered with ftaladlic and
fparry matter, interfperfed with innumerable gliftenjng particles,
which, refleding the light of our torches from their poliHied fur-
face, exhibited the mofl rich and fplendid appearance imagi-
nable.

This roof feemed to be fupported by feveral columns of the fame
matter, concreted by length of time ; whofe chaptrels, and the
angular arches above, appeared in the true Gothic tallc. The pillars
furrounded the veftibulc ; the open fpaces between them led into
avenues which diverged away into different parts of this fubterra-
neous labyrinth. On one fide we obferved a rock, which, by the
continual dripping of water upon it from the cieling, was covered
with an incruftation, and bore a very ftriking refemblance of fomc
venerable old hermit, fitting in profound meditation, wrapped in a
flowing robe, his arms folded, and a beard defcending to his waift:.
The head appeared bald, and the forehead wrinkled with age. No-
thing was wanted to complete the figure, except the addition of
features, which we immediately fupplied, in the theatric manner,
with a piece of charcoal. The graceful, eafy folds and plaits of
the drapery, and the wavy flow of the beard, were remarkably
well expreffed. Roubilliac, the rival of nature, could not have
executed them in a more finiflied and maflerly flyle. After we had
fufficiently contemplated this reverend perfonage, we purfued our
route through one of the largeft adits. We found the paffage every
where of good height, in general from twelve to fifteen feet ; but
fo totally excluded from day-light, that the gloom, together with
the hollow found of our trampling, and difmal echo of our voices,
recalled to our minds the well-imagined defcription of ^Eneas's de-
fcent into the infernal regions. And this idea fo Itrongly pofleffed
us, that, in the enthufiafm of poetic delufion, we expeded no lefs,
at every turn, than to pop upon Cerberus, or fome other horrid in-
habitant of Pluto's dominion :

Sj>L'lunca

BOOK II. CHAP, VII. 97

Spehmca alt a fait, vajloque iminanis hlaiu,
Scrupea, ttita lacu nigro, nemorumque tenebris.

lb ant obfcurl Jold fub nodle per umbram.
Per que domos ditis vactias, et inania regna.
^ale per Incertam lunamfub luce maligna
KJl iter injylvls; ubi cceliwi condidit umbra
Jupiter, et rebus nox abJluUt atra colorem.

" Deep, deep, the cavern lies, devoid of light,

" Al] rough with rocks, and horrible to fight.

*« Its dreadful mouth is fenc'd with flible floods,

" And the brown horrors of furrounding woods.

*' Now through the difmal gloom they pafs, and tread

** Grim Pluto's courts, the regions of the dead ;

" As puzzled travelers bewilder'd move

«' (The moon fcarce glimm'ring through the duflcy grove^,

" When Jove from mortal eyes has fnatch'd the light,

*' And wrapp'd the world in undiftinguifli'd night,"

Pitt.
That the comparifon might have appeared more jufl, I ought to
have premifed, that the grotto is furrounded with a thick wood,
and that at a fmall diftance before the entrance is a large lagoon
of ftagnant water. The critic perhaps may objeft, that we were
not fo entirely in the dark as yEneas is reprefented. But, if he
pleafes, he may allow the dim light of our torch to bear fome li-
militude to the glimmering of the moon above-mentioned; and
then it will feem more aptly applied. The foil beneath our feet we
perceived was deep, foft, and yielding, and had a faint, cada-
verous fmell. Upon examination, we imagined it to be a cojigerles
of bat's dung, accumulating perhaps forages part; and were fur-
ther confirmed in this opinion by the multitude of thefe creatures,,
which, upon the difturbances of our torch-light, and the unufual
noife of fo many vifitors, flitted in numerous fwarms over our
heads. It is probable this foil is flrongly impregnated with nitre;
but we had not time to fearch for it. After walking a confiderable
way, we obferved many new adits branching from the fides. Our
guide informed us they led feveral miles under ground; and that
Vol. II. O cue

pS JAMAICA.

one half of them had never been explored by any human behig.
Soon after, we came all on a fudden to a little precipice, of about
four or five feet; and lome of the party would have hurt them-
felves very feverely, if it had not been for the foft Jiratum of bat's
dung which lay below ready to receive them. Our guide, and two
or three of the foremoft, difappeared in an inftant, having tumbled
one over the other ; but foon recovered from their furprize, when
they found themfelves unhurt. The refl^, who followed at fome
little diflance, being put on their guard, defcended with fomewhat
lefs rapidity. We continued our walk without further interruption,
till we hailed the day-light again, in an open area environed on all
lides with fteep rocks covered with trees. This area, as nearly as
we could conjefture, lies about a quarter of a mile from the en-
trance of the grotto. We remarked feveral adits leading from
different parts of this little court; but our guide was acquainted
with one of them only, into which we walked, and came into a
magnificent apartment, or rotunda, of about twenty-five feet
diameter, and about eighteen to the dome, or vaulted cieling ;
from the centre of which defcended a ftrait tap-root of fome tree
above, about the fize of a cable, and pretty uniform in {hape from
top to bottom. This had made its way through a cleft in the
rock, and penetrated downward quite into the floor of the apart-
ment. On one fide was a fmall chafm, opening like the door-way
of a clofet into a narrow pafl'age ; which our guide endeavoured to
diflliade us from entering, on account of a deep well, which he
informed us lay a few paces within. However, we ventured in a
little way with great caution, and found his account very true.
The pafl'age grew more and more contrad:ed, till we met with a
thin, upright ledge of rock, rifing like a parapet-wall, almoft
breaft-high, which feemed to decline gradually lower as we ad-
vanced. We therefore thought it prudent to halt, and foon difco-
vered the ledge of rock feparated us from a vaft cavernous hollow,
or well. Having no line, we could not found the depth of the
water, nor how far it lay beneath us ; but, by the fall of fome
ftones we threw in, we judged the diftance to the water about thirty
or forty feet. The flones in their fall produced a mod horrid,
hoarfe noife, as loud as heU's porter uttered from his triple jaws,
^ prhnis

BOOK II. CHAP. VII. 99

prim'is inforcibui orci. Our guide informed us it was unfathomable,
and communicated with the lea. The latter is probable, as the en-
trance of the grotto is very near the coall. VVe returned acrofs tlie
area by the way that we came, only peeping into a few of the
other avenues as we proceeded, which we found very little dif-
ferent. They had the like rude cielings incrufted with ftaladites,
here and there interfperfed with the radical fil)res of trees and plants,
and their walks ftrewed with various feeds and fruits, particularly
the bread-nut in great abundance; and even fome reptiles, all cu.
rioufly covered over with incruftations, but ftill preferving their
original fliapes. The ftrudlure and furniture of thefe various
cloyfters and apartments, at the fame time that they excite the ut-
mofl curiofity, baffle all defcription. In fome we iaw, or fancied
we faw, fparkling icicles, and beautifully-variegated foliage, gem-
iny canopies, fefloons, thrones, roftrums, bufts, Ikulls, pillars,
pilafters, bafons, and a thoufand other femblances of fuch objects
as {truck our different imaginations. Moft of the arches and co-
lumns feemed to be compofed internally of a greyifh, fonorous
marble, and were extravagantly wild and curious. Some are per-
fe£t, and fuftain the mafly fuperftrudture ; others half formed ;
and fome in their very infant ftate. Several of the apartments are
cellular; others, fpacious and airy, having here and there an eye-
let-hole to the world above. Thefe aerial communications are of
iignal fervice ; for, although not in general large enough to admit
much light, yet they introduce kifficient frefh air to expel noxious
vapours, and afford a convenient refpiration, except in thofe parts
which are moft reclufe. The exterior fummit of the cave is a
greyifh rock, honey-combed all over, full of crannies, and thick-
fet with various fpecies of trees, whofe roots having penetrated
wherefoever they could find an opening, they flourifli without any
vifible foil, an appearance which is extremely common in this
ifland. We were anxious to inveftigate further : but, upon ex-
amining our ftock of torch-wood, we found fcarcely fufficient left
for conducing us hack to the entrance, and we were obliged to ufe
difpatch in regaining it, for fear of rambling into fome one of tiie
numerous paffages opening to the right and left, where, puzzled
with mazes and perplexed with errors, we might have rambled
Vol. II. O 2 on

too JAMAICA,

on without the probability of ever finding our way out again: and
in fuch a diftrefstul event we could not reafonably have cxpefted
any human affiftance. The famous Cretan labyrinth did not,
1 am perfuaded, contain half the turns and windings which branch
through every part of this infernal wildernefs; and which even
Thefeus, with the help of his clue, would have found difficult to
unravel. Whoever may have the curiofity to examine thefe mean-
ders with more attention, and to difcover their extent and termi-
nation, ought to furnifh himfelf with the implements neceffary for
flriking fire, a portable mariner's compafs, a proper quantity of
wax tapers, and lome provifion for the llomach. Thus equipped,
he may pervade them without fear of being loft, if he walks
with due circumfpe6lion : the impreffion of his feet on the fofc
mould, which is thick-ftrevved in thefe paflages, might enable him
to re-trace his own tra6t almoft without the affiftance of a compafs ;
though to avoid the poflibility of being bewildered, it will be
advifeable to carry one.

Thefe are the moft remarkable curiofities as yet difcovered in this
parifli ; but it may probably contain others, the grotto not having
been found out, or at leaft generally known, till within thefe few
years. We are uncertain whether it was known to the Spaniards;
but it is fuppofed that run-away Negroes were not unacquainted
with fo convenient a hiding-place.

Moft of the houfes in this parifli are made dcfenfible with loop-
holes ; it having been the pra£lice formerly, in war-time, for the
enemy's privateers to land here, in order to plunder the inhabitants
of their Negroes. Thus, in guarding againft the infults of foreign
enemies, they are fortified alfo againft internal ones ; the like pre-
caution ought to have been ufed, in the other parts of the country,
which are remote from the coaft ; but, either through negligence,
or an imprudent contempt of danger, very few houfes upon the
inland fettlements have been conftruded in this manner.

The road which paffes along the coaft to St. 'James, is one of
the beft in the ifland, and kept in good repair.

State

r

BOOK II. CHAP. VII. 101

State of the Parifh.

■? Annual Produce of Sugar.

Negroes. CajMe. Sugar-plantations. | Hogfheads. | Other Settlements.

1734, 4441

1740, 5242

1761, 7729

1768, 8320 6^P7 22 I 1700 I 158

This parifh has increafed, as appears from the table, upwards of
three thoufand in J^egroes, and in cattle near four thoufand, from
1745 to 1768, or* in Vyenty-three years. This is to be afcribed
almoit entirely to the Settlements formed in Pedro's Cockpits: and
a better proof cannot -be ^quired, to fliew the vaft benefits arifing
to the ifland fiom a nmre extenfive colonization of its interior
waftes ; nor a flronger reafon given for an immediate and vigorous
encouragement of fuch a p\n.

To recapitulate fome of the preceding matters, and bring them
into one view, I fhall clofe my detail of this county with the fol-
lowing particulars :

County-town of Middlesex.
St. Jago de la Vega»
where is held the fupreme court of common law on the lail Tuef-
day in February, May, Augufl, and November.

Annual Produce of Sugar.
Negroes. Cattle. Sugar-plantations. | Hogflieads. | Other Settlements.

Stateof it 1 ,, , 1 1 ^-^

in 1-68, J '^'^ ^^^'"^ ^^9 ' ^'^'^•^° ' '^ ^

Redlories, and their Stipends.

St. Catharine,'

St. Dorothy,

St. John,

St. Thomas in the Vale,

Clarendon,

Vere,

St. Mary, —

St. Anne,

I

S.

d.

300

0

0

200

0

0

200

0

0

200

0

0

250

0

0

200

0

0

2CO

0

0

200

0

0

J750 o o

The

102 J A M A I C A.

The parifli of St. Mary alone has no church as yet built; and con-
fequently divine fervice is very leldom performed here ; but, when
it is performed, fome private houfe is uiually. lent for the occafion.
In the county are feven churches, two chapels of eafe, and one fyn-
agogue. The civil government of each pari(h, or precindt, is
under the diredlion of a cujlos rotiilorum, and his affociates, juftices
of the peace, who hold a quarter feflion ; and fubordinate to them
;are the feveral conftables, clerk of the peace, furveyors and war-
(dens of highways, coroner, collcflors of the parochial taxes, &c.

CHAP. VIII.

SECT. I.
SURRY

Contains about 672616 acres, and ha^ feven parilhes, and ten
towns and hamlets, viz.
Parifhes. Towns. Hamleta.

Kingfton, Kingflon, the county-town.

Port Royal, Port Royal,

; St. Andrew, Half-way Tree.

St. David, Yallahs.

St.ThomasintheEaft, Bath, Morant.

Portland, Titchfield and Moore,. Manchineel.

Negroe-town, J

St. George, Crawford, now Charles-

town, Negroe-town.
The parifli of Kingfton is bounded Raft by the parifli of Port
Royal ; Weft and North, by St. Andrew ; and South, by the har-
bour. The town of Kingfton is fituated in latitude \f 59!' North;
longitude, 76° 34' Weft. According to fome geographers, the
diftance and bearing from London are 4080 miles ; and the dif-
ference of time from the fame, five hours, fix minutes, Weft. After
the repeated defolations by earthquake and fire, which drove the

inhabitants

BOOK ir. CHAP. VIII. 103

inhabitants from Port Royal, this town was founded in the year
1693, °^^ ^^^^ North fide of the harbour, whicli, next to Port Royal,
appeared the moft: convenient part for trade. The plan of it was
drawn by colonel Lilly, an experienced engineer; and in propriety
of defign it is, perhaps, not excelled by any town in the world. The
plan is a parallelogram, one mile in length by half a mile in breadth,
regularly traverfcd by ftreets and lanes, alternately eroding each
other at right angles, except in the upper part of the town, where
a large fquare is left. But the buildings have increafed fo rapidly, ,
that it now extends beyond the outlines of the plan. It contains
fixteen hundred and fixty-five houfes, befides Negroe houfes, and
warehoufes; fo that the whole number of its buildings, including
every fort, may be computed at between two and three thoufand:
the number of its white inhabitants, about five thouiand; of free
Negroes and Mulattoes, about twelve hundred ; and of flaves, about '
five thoufand ; making, in the whole, about eleven thoufand and
upwards: thirty-five fpacious ftreets; and fixteen lanes. The
harbour is formed by an inlet of the fea, which, after parting Port '
Royal, divides into two branches ; theWeftern, flowing to Pafliige
Fort and the mouth of Rio Cobre, forms a fmall bay of fhallow
water 5 the Eaftern branch runs beyond Kingfton to Rock Fort,
making a courfe this way of nine miles in length, and is two milea
in wndth in the broadeft part ; facing which the town is fituated.
For a confiderable way above and below the town, the channel is
deep enough to admit ftiips of the greateft burthen; upwards of a
thoufand fail may anchor here in perfect fafety, except from a hur-
ricane; and the water is fo deep at the wharfs, that veffels of two
hundred ton lye along-fide of them, to deliver their cargoes.

The buildings here are much fuperior to thofe of Spanish Town.
The houfes are moftly of brick, raifed two to three ftories, con-
veniently difpoled, and in general well-furnifhcd ; their roofs are
all fhingled ; the fronts of moft of them are fliaded with a piazza
below, and a covered gallery above. The foil upon which the
town is built is in fome parts gravelly ; in others, a brick mould,
intermixed with gravel ; and the Weft part, bordering on a falina,
partakes of fea-fand and ooze. From the harbour to the foot of
Liguanea mountains is an eafy, gradual afcent, of about four miles

and

104 J A M A I C A.

and a half. The town, being thus fituated on a dry foil, is not in-
commoded by the lodgement of water in the heavieft rains ; and
it is thoroughly ventilated by the daily fea-breeze. But, although
the flope prevents any water from ftagnating in the town, it is at-
tended with one great inconvenience; for it admits an eafy pailiige
to vafl torrents, which colle£l in the gullies at fome diftance to-
wards the mountains after a heavy rain, and fometimes rulh with
fo much impetuofity down the principal ftreets, as to make them
almoft impaflable by wheel-carriages, and caufe a Oioal-water at
the wharfs, depofiting accumulations of rubbifli and mud: by
which means, the navigation of the harbour may, in procefs of
time, be obflrudted ; for even now the channel is greatly contradled,
an entire ftreet having been built on the foil thus gained upon the
harbour fince the town was firrt laid out. Some have propofed to
remedy this, inconvenience by cutting a large trench Eaft and Weft
above the town, to intercept thefe floods, and condu6l them into
fmaller cuts, on each fide of it, quite to the harbour ; by which
method, the water, having a greater length of current, and not
flowing fo rapidly, might depofite its foil by the way, and thus
neither annoy the ftreets, nor fill up the harbour. But it may be
obje£ted to this projeft, that, if any ftagnant water, or a quantity
of mud, Ihould remain in thefe drains, the effluvia arifing from
them might affed the health of the inhabitants, and fo become
produftive of a worfe injury than what it was calculated to pre-
vent. The remarks before-made, refpefting the modern method
of covering roofs in Spanifh Town, are equally applicable to King-
iton. The danger from fire is very manifeft. It is true, that ac-
cidents of the fort have rarely occurred in this town, the kitchens
being detached buildings. But it is flill liable to fuch a calamity
from malice, as well as negledt or cafualty ; and the fate of Port
Royal, of Bridge Town in Barbadoes, and St. John's in Antigua,
fhould ferve as horrible examples. To guard againft fuch ravages,
in fome degree, here are wells and pumps in every principal flreet,
conveniently placed, and conftantly kept in good order -, and in the
court-houfe are fire-engines and leathern buckets. The ready af-
fifliance of feamen from the fhips, which lie very near the town,
.would doubtlefs contribute much towards preferving it in fuch

events ;

BOOK II. CHAP. VIII. 105

events; and the various openings formed by the ftreets and lanes
may be likewife conlldered as a further fafeguard againft a total
conflagration. A projeft was once in agitation for bringing a part
of Hope River into the town, and forming a refervoir in fome com-
modious place at the upper end, from which a certain number of
conduits fhould belaid to fupply the principal ftreets. This fcheme
was laid to be extremely prafticable, and not expenfivc. A want
of unanimity prevented its being carried into execution. But there
is no doubt it would prove of eminent benefit, in fupplying the in-
habitants with a wholefome water for their common ufc; for the
well-water here is in general bad ; a few only are fed by lubterra-
neous drains from the Hope, or lome other of the mountainous
ftreams; the reft are brackifli, impregnated with a muriatic fait,
if not with iome mineral. They increafe thirft, inftead of flaking
it; caufe a dry febrile heat, andiometimes a dyfentery in habits liot
much accuftomed to them. At the bottom of the town, near the
water-lide, is the market place, which is plentifully fupplicd with
butchers meat, poultry, tifh, fruits, and vegetables of all forts.
Here are found not only a great variety of American, but alfo of
European, vegetables ; fuch as peafe, beans, cabbage, lettuce, cu-
cumbers, French beans, artichokes, potatoes, carrots, turnips,
radilhes, celery, onions, &C. Thefe are brought from the Ligua-
nea mountains, and are all excellent in their kind. Here are like-
wife ftrawberries, not inferior to the production of our Englifli gar-
dens; grapes and melons in the utmoft perfedbion; mulberries, figs,
and apples, exceedingly good, but in general gathered before they
are thoroughly ripe. In (hort, the moft luxurious epicure cannot fail
of meeting here with fufficient in quantity, variety, and excellence,
for the gratification of his appetite the whole year round. The
prices are but little different from thofe of Spanifli Town; but,
where they difagree, they are more reafonable at Kingfton, the
fupplies being more regular, and the market better fuperintended
by the magiftracy. The beef is chiefly from the pallures of Pedro's,
in St. Anne; the mutton, from the Salt-pan lands. In St. Catharine;
what they draw from the penns in St Andrew's parifh being very
indifferent meat. The fupplying of grafs for the horfes kept in
this town is a very profitable article to thole fettlements bordering
Vol. II. p on

io6 JAMAICA.

onthe harbour and the mouth of RioCobre, whicli are fit for no other
produdion than the Scotch grafs : this is every day brought to the
town by water, and fold in fmall bundles, a certahi number for a
ryal. Some of the grafs-planters have made upwards of ijoo/.
■ber annum by this commodity. Wood is likewife another article
of profit, though not fo confiderable. Near the market-place
flands the original court-houfe, which is a merai, inconvenient
building, and now difufed as a feat of judicature, being fixed in
the noifiefi: part of the town. A building erefted for a free-fchool,
lituated in the upper diftrift of the town, being found more airy and
commodious, is now made ufe of for holding the quarterly affize-
Gourt for this county. The parade is a large, handfome fquare ;
on the North -Wefl: fide of it are barracks of brick for the troops
quartered here; a very well-defigned and convenient logement for
two hundred men and their officers. The front, which contains
apartments for the officers, makes a good appearance. The fol-
diers barrack Hands detached behind, in a fquare court walled
round ; in which are proper offices ; and at one angle a powder
magazine belonging to the town. On the South fide of the parade
is the church; a large, elegant building, of four aifles, which has
a fine organ, a tower and fpire, with a large clock. The tower is
well-conftruded, and a very great ornament to the town. The
reflor's ftipend, as fixed by law, is only 250/, ; but the furplice--
fees are fo large, that his income is fuppofed at leaft one thoufand
pounds per anmwi, Jamaica currency. The county gaol,, a hol-
pital for tranfient fick and poor (who are fupported by an annual
grant of aflimbly of 300/.), and the free-fchool ,_ have nothing re-,
markable in their ftrudure. The land appropriated for the gaol
was a plat of two hundred feet by one hundred and fifty ; but only
about fixty by fifty were inclofed a few years ago. It had only one
apartment for lodging debtors, evidences, and criminals; and that
of no larger extent than fifteen by fourteen feet. The walls, which
enclofed it on the South-Eaft and Weft, having neither windows,
nov gratings, fo effedually excluded the air, that this place of con-
finement was rendered extremely unhealthy ; and the diflempers
among the prifoners became a matter of ferious concern. In 1761,
upon a reprefentation of the ftate of it, the aflembly made pro-
2 viiioii

BOOK IL CHAP. VIII. 107

viiion for enlarging and rendering it more airy. The number of
Whites ufiially fhut up here is about ten ; and of Negroes about
one hundred. This was formerly the habitation of that ingenious
and learned mathematician, Mr. Macfarlane, who built and fitted
it up as an obfervatory ; little fufpc^ling perhaps at the time, that
it would be converted into a receptacle for unfortunate perfons,
who are here precluded from almofl every other amufement than
that of liar-gazing.

The flreets are all wide and regular, the houfes many of them
extremely elegant, and kept very clean, confidering thefe circum-
ilances, and that the foil on which they (land is perfeftly dry. It
is natural to fuppofe, that the air is healthy ; at lead there appears
not hitherto any local caufe affignable why it iliould be otherwife ;
neverthelefs, it is certain, that Kingflon has been accufed of being
an unwholefome fpot. Sir Hans Sloane, indeed, obferves, that in
his time, at fome plantations bordering upon this bay of Liguanea,
many white perfons died, as he believed, by the ill air ; fome of
thele fettlements lying in bottoms, or low fituations, contiguous
to marfhes near the harbour ; and, on the other hand, that plan-
tations, feated high, were very healthy, and their inhabitants not
fickly. The land Weflward from the town, and confining on the
harbour, is, for four or five miles, very low and flat, interfperfcd
with lagoons, and in many places fubjecfl to be overflown by the
falt-water. The hofpital of Greenwich, fituated little more than
a mile from the town, upon part of this low land, is remarkable
for a bad air, and the mortality which always prevailed there.
The effefts of its unhealthy fituation were, that, when a patient
was fent thither with only a gentle or intermitting fever, this mild
difpofition was apt to be changed into either a malignant fever, a
bloody flux, or fome other mortal diftemper. It was obferved,
that the yellow Wefl:-Indian fever often reigned there, attended
with the mod profufe evacuations of blood, by vomiting, flools,
and even by every pore of the body : when no fuch fymptoms di-
flrefled thofe patients whofe cafes had been fimilar, and who were
permitted to remain in their Ihips. The recovery of patients in that
hofpital was obferved to be very tedious and uncertain : the leaft in-
dilcretion or irregularity brought on a relapfe^ After a flux had

P 2 been

io8 JAMAICA.

been flopped for feme days, tlie eating of any fort of food which
had a putrid tendency, fuch as even a mefs of broth, would fome-
times in a few hours bring on a return of the difeafe, accompanied
with all its violent fymptoms. Neither did this proceed from any
fource of infedion in the hofpital, or from its being too much
crowded with patients. Thefe things happened even when a fmall
number of patients were lodged in the beft-aired, and in the clean-
eft, wards. The mortality in this houfe was fo great, and the
caufe of it fo obvious, that there was a neceflity for deferting it ;
no more fick were permitted to be fent thither. During the lafl
war, it was made ufe of as a place of confinement for the French
prifoners, and proved fatal to feveral hundreds of them. Even the
foldiers, who were fent in good health from the garrifon at Port
Royal, to mount guard there, were in a few days taken ill, and
many of them died ; which obliged the commanding officer to re-
lieve the guard almoil: daily ; by which means he faved the lives
of thofe, who, by too long a continuance on tliis duty» would
otherwifc have fallen a facrifice. The caufe of this endemia has
been, with great appearance of reafon, afcribed to the falt-marfties
and fwamps, the putrid fogs or exhalations, which infcfl: this part of
the country, and are naturally adapted in a hot climate to produce
all thefe baleful effeds.

*rhe large traft of falina, lying to the Northward of the hofpital,.
and extending from Hunt's Bay towards Water-houfe Savannah, is
frequently overflown by falt-water, when ther€ happens any confi-
derable furge in the harbour.. It is alfo liable to be deluged by ths
brackifh water of the Lagoon, or Ferry River. Much of this
water remains afterwards ftagnant, and becomes highly putrid. It
is impoffible not to.be feufible of it in traveling over this falina to
Kingdon, efpecially at an early hour, in the morning, when the
flench of the ooze is often remarkably foetid ; and a vapour may
be obferved hovering over thefe lagoons, and l>amps, of a mofl
dilapreeable fmell. It may well therefore be fufpedled, that z.-
Wefterly land-wind, wliich fometimes blows between the moun-
tains behind the Ferry, elpecially after a violent rain there, may
impel thefe effluvia into tlie town of Kingfton. I have been in-
formed, by an experienced phyfician, who prafliled in this town,

that

BOOK II. CHAP. Vm. 109

that a Wefterly wind generally brought a bad fever among the in-
habitants.

Eaftvvard from the town, at the diftance of from twelve to fif-
teen miles, in the parifli of St. David's, are three large falt-ponds^
and fome lagoons. At certain times of the year, when the fea-
breeze, or trade, is veering either towards the Northern points, or
returning from them to the South-eafl, a wind blows, known here
by the name of the rock- wind, and fo calLed from its fweeping
clofe along fliore from Eail; to Wefl. Some perfons have been of
opinion, that this wind drives on the putrid effluvia colk6led from
thefe ponds and lagoons, together with what may arife from the
other fmall creeks and flagnant waters Lying near the coafl, and
brings them into the town : but this is merely conje<£lural ; and,
confidering the diftance, it is not very credible. The inhabitants,
it is true, refident at Yallahs, a little way leeward of thefe falt-
ponds, are fenfible of an ill fmell proceeding from them, and are
generally fickly. But it is doubtful whether thefe exhalations can
be tranfported by the wind fo far as Kingfton, without being al-
tered in their qualities by the many miles of atmolphere through
which they muft needs pafs.. To waft fuch effluvia unchanged to
any diftance requires, one would fuppofe, an almolT: calm flate of
the atmofphere, and the gentleft impulfe of wind. But the rock-
winds are always ftrong, and therefore mufi: be deemed capable of
difperfing exhalations, and of rendering them inoffenfive at a fmall
diftance from their fource. The perfons who inhabit at Yallahs
are within lefs than a mile of the two greater ponds, diredlly in the
track of the fea- breeze, which, blowing acrofs thefe flagnant
waters, and through the lagoons that border on them, muft of
courfe bring a conftant flieam of vapours upon thefe people ; for
which rcalbn, it is no wonder that they are fickly, fince they are
always involved in a pellilential atmolphere. There feem. there-
fore, I think, no probable grounds for believing, that the air of
the town is ever annoyed from, the effluvia of thele ponds. Others
have imagined, that the Liguanea mountains, which are known to
contain mines of lead and copper, emit continual fleams of a
noxious mineral vapour, whicli, whenever the land and North
winds blow, are precipitated down upon Kingflon, and contribute.

iio JAMAICA,

to poifoti its atmofphere. But there feems to be as lid loundation
for this conjefture, as for that already menticMied. It aoes not ap-
pear, that the inhabitants in the neighbourhood of mines in Eng-
land are lefs healthful than thofe of other part.-. The mines of
Cornwall are known to emit mineral vapours very copiouflv ; not-
withftanding which, Mr. Borlafe affirms the air is extremely
iieakhful ; and that the miners in particular, who are mofl expofed
to thefe vapours, generally live to a great nge. The town of Po-
tofi, in South-America, which is feated at the very foot of the
mountain containing tiie famous mines, is remarkably populous
and healthy [/]. With far more probability it may be allcdged,
that the intercourfe, which has been carried on between this town
and the Spanifli ports of Carthagena and Porto Bello, has been fre-
quently attended with fatal confequences, by introducing from that
unhealthy coaft the mod malignant and deleterious diforders.
The inclemency of the climate of Porto Bello is known to all
Europe [«] : not only Grangers who come thither are affedled by it ;
but even the natives themlelves futfer in various manners. It de-
Itroys the vigour of nature, and often untimely cuts the thread of
life. The heat of this place is exceflive, being augmented by the
lituation of the town, which is furrounded with high mountains,
without any interval for the winds, whereby it might be refrefhed.
The trees on the mountains (land fo thick, as to intercept the rays
of the fun, and confequently hinder them from drying the earth
under their branches : hence copious exhalations, which form large
clouds, and fall in violent torrents of rain. This continual incle-
mency, added to the fatigues of the feamen in unloading the (hips
and carrying goods, and their immoderate drinking of Ipirituous
liquors, mufl jointly dellroy the beft conftitutions, and tend to pro-

[/] The inhabitants about Mendip-hills, in Somerfetlhire, which contain the famous leatl-mines,
enjoy good health, except fuch only as are employed in fmelting the ore. But, according to fome
authors, the American mines are not fo inoffeiifivc in all parts of the continent : and many judi-
cious perfons frtfpeft, that the unhealthinefs of Kingfton mull be attributed to thefe mineral
fleams, whofe mlafmata impregnate the dews, which are canied down by the land-wind, and de-
feend upon the town at night; and, in confinnation of this opinion, they aflert, that the inhabi-
tants more often contract ficknefs from expofure to the night-air here, tlian from any other caufe
whatever.

[•<] Ulloa's Voyage to South-America,

duce

BOOK II. CHAR VIII. m

duce or inflame thofe terrible diforders fo common in this part of
the country. The galleons and other European fhips, which flay
any time here, feldom leave it without burying half, or at leaft
one third, of their men : whence this place has been termed the
grave of the Spaniards; but it may, with equal propriety, be ap-
plied to thofe of other nations who vifit it. This remark is fuffi-
ciently confirmed by the havockmade among the Englifh, when
the fleet, under command of vice-admiral Hofier, lay before
this port in 1726 for fix months. The inclemency of the air fwept
away fuch numbers of his feamen, that he was obliged to bear
away for Jamaica. This fleet was afterwards kept on fervice, on
the coafl of Carthagena and the Baftimentos chiefly, until June
1728, when it returned to Jamaica in confequence of the peace
with Spain ; and it was then computed, that, from the time of ad-
miral Hoiier's arrival in June 1726, it had loft two admirals, ten
captains, about fifty lieutenants, and near four thoufand fubaltern-
cflicers and feamen ; who all fell by ficknefs, and not by the hands
of the enemy ! But, notwithflanding this general fatality of the
climate of Porto Bello, and its neighbouring coaft, to Europeans,
a Spanifti fquadron, which lay here in 1730, enjoyed a good flate
of health. This happy fiugularity was attributed to the flop of
the fhips at Carthagena, where the crews pafled the time of the
endemia ;. by which their conflitutions w'ere better adapted to the
climate. So noxious is the air of this place, that even perfons bora
in it, if above the degree of a Mulatto, fcorn to refide here; and,
for the fame reafon, the royal edidl of Spain forbids the fair held
annually to exceed forty days. The principal fources of this un-
healthinefs, exclufive of what has been already mentioned, are,
the fwampinefs of the ground on the Eaft fide of the harbour, and
a black filthy mud, which at low-water is left bare, and fends forth
an abominable ftench. Such a fituation muff, in any part of the
Wefl-Indies, render the air malignant ; and it will provi fo, in a
greater or lefs degree, in proportion as other caufes more or lefs
concur in preventing it from being either difperfed or corrected.
Upon admiral Vernon's return to Jamaica, from Porto Bello and
Carthagena, the crews of the men of war, and land-forces, brought
with them a very contagious fever. The land-forces had been re-r

duced;

,12 JAMAICA.

duceJ from twelve to three thoufand, more by licknefs than in
their eiv'^apements with the Spaniards. To add to the misfortune
of thofe who returned, they were encamped at Greenwich ; and
the mortality was increafed, as well by the unwholefomenefs of
that fpot, as by the rains which fell, and to which the men were
inevitably expofed. The malady was foon communicated to the
town of Kingfton, where it committed vaft havock. A merchant,
who was here at the time, affured me, that, having dined with an
intimate acquaintance one day, and left him in the evening in
feeming perfe£t health, he was fummoned the very next day to at-
tend his friend's funeral. He accordingly went, with five others,
as a bearer ; and in a few days he was left the only furvivor of the
whole company, the other five having caught infection from the
corpfe, as they accompanied it to the burial-place. He imputed
his efcape to the precaution he took of chewing tobacco, and car-
rying fome in his hand, which he frequently applied to his nofe.
It would be a forrowful talk to enumerate the many fimilar cataftro-
phes which have befallen this town by the importation of ma-
lignant fevers from Porto Bello, Carthagena, the coaft of Guiney,
and the Havannah ; not omitting the gaol -fever from England: all
of which in their turns have at various periods raged with a fury
that threatened to depopulate it. It may be more to the purpofe
(fince the town, all circumftances confidered, does not appear to be
locally unhealthy) to fuggeft fome means of guarding it againft
the invafion of thefe exotic difeafes ; fo that, when they happen on
board any of the fliips that arrive here, the infeftion may be de-
barred from extending into the town.

It would probably be one means of preferving the lives of our
feamen, if the fliips, intended for Porto Bello, were difpatched at
thofe times of the year when the endcmia leaft prevails there.
Thefe times are the months of December, January, February,
and March. But, when they are unfortunately feized with thele
malignant fevers, there are no remedies which promife fo fpeedy
and effedual relief as medicines of the antimonial clafs, and a re-
moval as foon as poflible into a better air. In the year 1769, his
majefty's fhip Levant being at Porto Bello, the crew were attacked
with a malign^int, petechial fever ; but, out of feventy men who

were

BOOK II. CHAP. VIII. 113

were taken with this dilcarc, two only died ; the refl: were reco-
vered by Dr, James's well-known powder, adminiftcrcd by the
Ibrgeon of that fliip. From a multitude of experiments, this pow--
der appears to be a Ipecific remedy for all the Weft-India fevers of
the putrid kind ; and it is but doing jufticc to its merit, to fay, that
it feldom has failed of fuccefs, if given early after tlie fall:
fymptom of the difeafe has made its appearance, and in doles ju-
dicioully proportioned to the patient's ftrength. When a vefiel ar-
rives at Port Royal harbour with any contagious fever on board,
(lie might be ordered to perform quarantine at the Palliliidoes. Here
a convenient lazaretto, open to the fea- breeze, might be creeled at
an expence very trifling to the puhlick; for a boarded or pLiiftered
houfe -would be not only the cheapeft, but wholefomeft, kind of
building for this purpofe. Here the patients would brcatlje a pure,
dry, and perfedlly falubrious atmofphere ; and might be conftantly
fupplied with vegetables, and all other neceflaries, from the town
ofKingflon, by water-carriage. The fliips in which the infediou
had raged might here be duly aired and purified for a reafonable time
before they were fufFered to approach the town. A precaution of
this nature, fo much wanted, and fo eafily to be put in pradice,
feems to deferve fome attention from the legiflature of t!ie ifland.
I think it will be allowed, that, had it been adopted fome
years ago, and continued under fit regulations ftridliy oblbived,
many thoufand ufeful lives might have been redeemed from an un-
timely fate. Befides, thefe calamities are not confined to King-
ilon alone ; for, when they have raged to any confiderable degree
in this town, they have unavoidably circulated into other parts of
the ifland by means of the conftant refort to it of people from the
various diftrids. The wifdom and circumfpedion of every trading
port in Europe have pointed out the utility of fuch lazarettos ; and,
although the diflemper called the plague has never yet been known
in the Weft-Indies, yet the putrid fevers hatched in this climate
have at times been nearly as peftilential and mortal ; chiefly fo, whcsi
they have invaded a multitude of men pent up in the clofe at-
mofphere of a fliip, or the warm rooms of towns on the coaft.
To this effedl is the remark of a fenfible man who refided many
years in Jamaica, cited by Di". Lind. " He obferved the poor
Vol. II. Q " feamcn

7 14 JAMAICA.

" leamen In the merchant fervice to recover from the yellow fever,
♦' fokly by having the benefit of a free and conftant admifTion of
*' ail- into a Ihip anchored at a diftance from the fhore ; where
" they lay utterly deilitute of every affiftance in ficknefs, and even
*' of common neceflaries ; having nothing but cold water to drink,
" and not fo much as a bed to lie upon ; while gentlemen newlv
♦' arrived from England, by being fluit up in fmall, clofe, fuiTo-
« eating chambers at Kingfton and Port Royal, expired with the
" whole mafs of their blood dilTolved, and flowing at every pore ;
" the (lifling heat of their rooms having produced a (late of uni-
" verfal putrefadion in the body even before death." Such flran-
gers, upon their arrival, are generally obliged to take up with the
common lodging- houfes ; the owners of which, in order to make
the moft advantage of their bufinefs, convert every little clofet and
hole into a bed-chamber. The healthiefi: perfon would find it dif-
ficult to refpire freely for a whole night in one of thefe dungeons.
How improper then mufl they be for thofe who are feized with a
fever, and are thus excluded fiom that conftant refrefliment of air
upon which their recovery fo much depends, that, without it, all
medicines are xnefFedual ! The houfes of towns in this climate
cannot be too airy ; and on this account the jealoufy-lhutters, as they
are called, which freely admit the air, are very excellent contri-
vances ; and no bed-chamber fhould be unfurniflied with them;
for bv their means the fmalleft apartment may be conflantly ven-
tilated.

There are fome other remarkables in this town, which, fo far as
they appear inconfiftent with the general health, deferve to be
noticed.

The firft is, the praftice of cramming fo many corpfes into a
fmall church-yard in the centre of the town; intlead of providing
a proper cemetery at a diftance, and to leeward from all the
houfes.

The fecond is, a filthy cuftom of ufiiig tubs, and empty butter-
firkins, inftead of vaults ; and exonejating them of their contents
every day at the wharfs; by which inceflant accumulation of putrid
matter, the mud in thofe parts is rendered (till more offenfive, and

injurious

BOOK II. CHAP. VIII. nj

injurious to the hcakli ot" thofe who inhabit the loweft, which is
the hotteft, quarter ot the town.

The third is, a ftrange method of repairing their ftreets wirh the
offals and naftinefs raked from all the dunghills about the town ;
inftead of gravel, or a frefli wholefome foil, of which there is great
plenty in the environs.

Thefe are fo many artificial annoyances, which cannot, I think,
improve the quality of the air they breathe. Natural evils, if they
cannot be removed or remedied, muft be acquiefced with; but
for an intelligent people to take pains to poifon themfelves in this
manner can only be imputed to a liftlefs indolence, or a great de-
fcift of good police among them. The Mahometans can give them
fome inftruftions not to be flighted, Tiie burial-places of the
Turks are handfome and agreeable; which is owing chiefly to the
many fine plants that grow in them, and which they carefully
place over their dead. They acl much more conliflently than the
Chriftians, when they bury their dead without their towns, and
plant over them fuch vegetables as, by their aromatic aiid balfimic
odours, can drive away or correft the fatal exhalations vvith which
the atmofphere of llich places is generally loaded. By this eafy
pra<Slice they efcape many misfortunes which affe£l Chriftians from
their wandering and dwelling continually among the dead. Cyprelics
and rofemary are the plants moft abundant in thefe grounds ; and the
Turks never, if they can avoid it, lay two bodies in the fame
grave. There can be no doubt but experience taught them the rec-
titude of this praftice in a warm climate, fubjeil lb frequently to
the vifitations of the plague. The contrary pradice in the colder
climates (Britain for example) is certainly in fome degree perni-
cious, as the air even here, at certain times of the year, is in a
ftate to favour the afcent of very unwholcfome vapours from fuch
grounds, particularly in towns, where the furrounding walls con-
fine the moifture that falls within, and prevents the greater part
of it from efcaping any other way than by exhalations. But our
adoption of this, and fome other Britilh cufloms, in a hot climate,
is unqueftionably abfurd. Why fliould it be thought irrational to
follow rather the Turkifli cuflom, and bury the dead at a fmall
diftance to the North-weil: of our towns iu the Weft-Indies, from

Q 2 which

ir6 JAMAICA.

which quarter the wind rarely lets, and plant the ground with the
wild-lage, rofemary, and other aromatic flirubs, which grow very
abundant in the low lands-? If there is really a wide difference be-
tween a pure and a vitiated air, in regard to the effefts they reipec-
tively produce on the health of mankind (and that there is vvill
be readily granted), hum;uuty fhould unite with good fenfe to re-
move thofe nuifances and erroneous cuftoms, which have too long,
prevailed againft the public welfare.

The Jewifli fynagogue in this town is a handfome, fpacious
builduig ; and here the principal rabbi officiates. Ic contains a
gallery, like that in SpaniQi Town, for the reception of their wo-
men, w!io do not mingle with the other fex in their public devo-
tions. The Jews are numerous ia this town, being poffefied of
the greated fhare in the Spanifti trade. They have a convenient
burying-ground without the town. No public buildings having as
yet been erefted for the officers of the cuftoms and the receiver-
general of the ifland, their offices are kept in private houfes, fitu-
ated in different quarters of the town ; which is a very great in-
convenience to the trade. Every veflel that arrives is obHged to be
entered at the poft-office, the fecretary's, the colIe£lor's, comp-
troller's, naval, and receiver-general's. Thefe being all detached,
and at a diftance from one another, the captains ol fhips are forced
to make the tour of the whole town when they attend thefe offices
either to enter or clear. The Eaft fide of the parade, or fquare, in
a line with the barracks, would be a very proper fpot for erefting a
range of building, to include all thefe offices; but fuch an under-
taking has been thought too expenlive for the town, or the county
ofSurrv; and the other two counties are faid to have oppofed fuch
a fcheme, from an apprehenfion or jealoufy that it might one day
be converted into a place of refidence for the commander in chief.
Moderate men, however, are of a different opinion : they wiffi to
iee a building ere£\ed here, fo necefliiry for the accommodation and
difpatch ot the traders; and that an exchange, or place convenient
for daily meetings of the merchants, was likewife provided ; efpe-
cially as no other town of fuch extent and importance is without
them. In proportion as the comimercial fpirit and importance are
kept up among the inhabitants, they may be lefs inclined to leave

2 the

BOOK II, CHAP. VIII. 117

tlie walk of trade for party and political wianglings. The crcx'ling
of building., which are really appurtenant to trade, would encou-
rage that fpirit, and confer that importance. We may illuftrate
the argument, by fuppoilng what would be the cafe, if no houfe
of reiidence was provided for the governor, and no fenate-'ioufe for
the aflembly. If the former dwelt in a private lodging, and the
latter met to tranfaft all their weip-htv affairs in a tavern, or under
a large tree ; fuch degradauon would be apt to bring contempt
upon the governmental powers, and leflen, the reverence and efH-
mation with which they ought to be regarded. But the flrongell
argument is, that, by bringing the commercial offices together
into one certain ipot, and aihgning a certain convenient place
where traders and men of bufinels can regularly meet, to carry on
their negociations with each other, all the fprings and movements
of the commercial machine are kept in conftant exa6t order, con-
fufion and delay are avoided, every thing goes on with difpatch and
facility. Trade muft have a livelier current, where the clogs and
impediments to its free circulation are rem.oved ; and a great annual
faving made in point of time ; an article upon which merchaiits
necellarily fet the highefl: value. In the lower part of tlie town is
a very pretty theatre, exceedingly well contrived, and neatly fi-
iiifhed. Dramatical performances were exhibited here during the
laft war ; at vihich time there was a confiderahle quantity of prize
money in circulation ; but in time of peace, the town is not able,
or not difpofed, to fupport fo coflly an amufement. The taverns
here are large and well fupplied. in the two principal ones, called
Ranelagh and Vauxhall, are long rooms for concerts, balls, and
public entertainments. A new governor is generally feafted for
three days fucceflively in Spanifli Town. Soon after which, he
makes a kind of publick entry into Kingfton ; where he is again
regaled by the cuftos, or chief magiftrate of the tow-n, and the rell
of the inhabitants, who ulually make a fubfcription-purfe for the
purpofe. In thefe feafons of fefVivity there feems an emulation be-
tween the two towns, as if they contended which fliould treat hinv
with themoft Iplendid entert'ainments. The tavern called Ranelagh
is a large, lofty building, commanding a fine view of the town,
harbour, and (liipping. Here the balls and concerts are ufually ex-

hibitsd ;

1)8 J A M A I C A.

hibited; and the company are numerous and cle";'.nt in their
appearance.

The principal place for taking the air is the road leading to Rock
Fort, which (lands about four miles Eaflward from the town ; and
moft of the inhabitants who keep carriages exercife here morning
and evening every day. This fort is fituated at the extremity of
the long mountain, a rocky eminence, inacceffible on this parr,
where it projects nearly into the harbour, leaving only a fmall
narrow pafs at the foot, where the fortrefs is built. It confilfs of
two baftions, mounting twenty-one guns (twenty-four pounders),
tind furniflied with a jmall powder-magazine, and other habiliments
of war necellary for its defence. Upon the tace of the hill is a
little battery of fix guns, with traverfed lines that lead up to it.
Outfide the walls is a wet ditch, funk lower than the furface of
the water in the harbour; fo that it may be occafionally tilled.
The fort is provided alio with a draw-bridge towards the Eaflern
road; cafemates, for lodging the men; and a houfe for the officers.
It is too fmall to admit a garrifon of more than feventy men : ne-
verthelefs, governor Kn — 1 — s was fo confident of its ftrength,
that he maintained it was capable of flanding a fiege againfi: ten
thoufind men. It defends the accefs towards the town from the
Eaftv/ard, and would undoubtedly prove a great fecurity againfi: an
attack from that quarter; for the only way leading to it is narrow,
and confined a coiifiderable lengtii in a ftrait diredion, expofed to
the whole fire of the fort, without a poflibility of annoying it :
nor could trenches be formed, to carry on a regular approach, as
the road is all the way a fliallow fand clofe by the water's edge.
A guard of foldiers is always kept here ; but the fort is faid to be
very unhealthy to the men and their officers. The caufe of this
has by fome been imputed to their drinking from a bracklffi flream
which runs near it. Others afcribe it to the extreme heat rever-
berated down upon them from the hill, which rifes like a wall
.above the fort. And fome have thought it proceeded from a la-
goon, which lies near the mouth of Mammee River, about three
miles to the Eaftward. To corroborate the latter opinion, is al-
ledged the inftance, mentioned by Lind, of Whydavv-caftle, on the
coafl of Africa ; which has been rendered more unhealthy than

the

BOOK II. CHAP. VIII. iig

the Negroe-town in its neighbourhood by a flight ci re um dance un-
attended to at firfl. It is built on a fmall fpot of ground, which
the lea- breezes cannot reach without pnffnig over a little, inconfi-
derable brook of water, which produces fome aquatic plants always
covered with a putrid flime. It is certain, from conrtant expe-
rience, that places adjacent to a foul fhore, or flagnant waters,
near the coafl: in the Weft-Indies, are invariably unhealthful. But,
whatever be the caufe, it deferves a minute enquiry of gentlemen
of the faculty, in order to its difcovcry ; to the end that, if it
arifes from fome local evil, that cannot be remedied, the men misht
be lodged at night in convenient huts, ereded for them upon the
hill-fide ; by which means all of them, except thofe on immediate
duty in the fort, might enjoy a purer air, efpecialiy in thoie hours
when a depraved air is found to be moft pernicious ; for this is a
poft of fo much importance to the town, that the men ftationed
here ought neither to be diflieartened by apprehenlions, nor difablcd
by ficknefs, from doing their regular duty. The aflembly having
lately granted 1500/. for erefting barracks at this fort to contain
two hundred men; if the fituation be properly attended to, the re-
fult will fliew, whether the unhealthinefs of the garrifon has been
owing to a peftilent quality in the air, or fome other caule.

To conclude with Kingfton. The militia of this town, both
horfe and foot, are well trained, uniformly drefled, and well armed,
at their own expence. The pains they take in learning tlie iieceiiary
manoeuvres, and the charges to which they are put in their equip-
ment, do great honour to their public fpirit, efpecialiy as molt of
them are independent in their circumfrances. It is thought, that,
upon emergency, they could mufter upwards of two thoufand
efFedlive Whites; and between four and five hundred efFeftive free
Blacks and Mulattoes, The companies of the latter caft are untier
the command of white officers, excellent in their difcipline, and
vvoijld probably do good fervice againft an enemy, whenever called
upon to give proof of it.

Theparifh contains no fugar plantations, the fituation being too
dry to admit of any other fettlements than grafs-penns. The fol-
lowing may fervc to give fome idea of the ftate of it :

Negroes,

J A M

A

I G A.

Negroes.

Cattle.

Settlements,

38(1

' 483

4534

607

7749

828

6186

120

1734, —
1740,

1745'

1761,

1768, 5779 r-3 8

111 number of Negroes it appears to be confulerably reduced; and,
indeed, there feems at prefent but too much reaibn for the popular
opinion, that this town has paffed the zenith of its glory, having
loft two fuch capital fupports of its trade, as the Negroe-con-
trafts with the Spaniards, and the coafting-intercourfe with Spanifli
South- America; in which it ufed, a few years ago, to employ a
o-reat number of fmall veflels. It is likewiie feldom vifited by the
fmall-craft, which ufed formerly to croud hither in fhoals, laden
with bullion and other valuable articles. So that it has at prelent
very little bulinefs but what concerns the home-confumption of
the ifland ; on which account, feveral of the merchants have, fince
the commencement of peace, betaken themfelves to planting, as a
more gainful employ than trade carried on under the prefent di-
flrefled circumftances. War, fo fatal to fome ftates, has ever been
the beft friend of this town, by augmenting the confumption and
demand of merchandizes ; by filling it with new acceflions of
people and wealth ; and by laying open that profitable traffic in
thefe feas which in time of peace is too ftriclly watched. From
the earlieft lettlement of this ifland, its trade was ever moft flou-
rifliing while war fubfifted with the Spaniards; which has admi-
niftered fuch conftant opportunities of fharing in their gold and
•iilver, as well by private commerce as by open hoftility. For this
reafon, their proverbial faying of, " Peace with England, and war
*' with all the reft of the world," was not ill-founded. Yet I ven-
ture to hope, that, by fleadily cultivating a better correlpondence
with the free Indians on the Southern continent, the trade of this
town is very capable of receiving a vaft enlargement; which mJiy
effedually preferve it from decay, and make it leis dependent on a
flare of war for its fupport.

In this town are two houfes for refining fugar;.but the quantity
they annually confume in this manufadure I am not informed of.

The

BOOIC ir. CHAP. VIII. t2i

j-Tfhe number of veflcis which enter and, clcaifat this port is com-^
putcd at four hundred, or upwards, . one year with another.
Whence it will appear to be flill a place of vexy great import and ex-
port. For maintaining the harbour, feveral-very excellent provi-
fions have been made. Penalties are laid on any perfon taking ma-
terial? or ballaft from the fpit of land, called the, Pallifadoe, which
forms a barrier between it and the main fea; as well as on thofe
who may throw rubbifh or ballaft into the harbour. The channel
is properly marked; and the pilots under good regulation. And,
in order to prevent dilbrderly mooring of the fhips, a tax is laid in
the following mamier:

On all vefllels arriving from the Northward of the tropic of

Cancer ;

s. d.

Three mafts, 15°

Brig, inow, or bilander, 10 o

Sloop, and fchooner, 7 6

And, on all veflels coming from between the tropics, one half the
above rates; except coafting veflels, which are taxed 2J. dd. each,
payable every three months. The money arifing from this impoft
is applied to the eftablifhment of a water-bailiff; whofe bufinefs it is,
to fee that all thefe veflels fix their moorings properly and without
confufion. It feems, however, a little impolitic to throw this ad-
ditional load upon the (hipping that frequent this port, from which
the other ports of the ifland are exempted ; efpecially as a very mo-
derate addition to their annual parifh-tax might have anfwered the
purpofe. The church-wardens of this town are incorporated, for
the better management of every thing relative to the parochial
taxes; the markets and ftreets are under the regulation of the
juftices and veftry ; the market for butchers meat is moft plentifully
fupplied ; and the fifli-market, which is kept every day from eight
in the morning till two in the afternoon, is fuperior to moft in the
world.

It is impoflible to afcertain, with precifion, either the number
of the inhabitants, or the ftate of health, from the number of bu-
rials, becaufe many feamen and ftrangers who die are confounded
with the town's people.

Vol. II. R The

,22 JAMAICA.

The number of births and deaths for feven years to the year 1771

was as follows :

Born ■ 988.

Died 2085.

Deaths exceed the births — ^'^97'
The thermometrical heat of this town is greater than that of Spa*
nifli Town, in general about three degrees upon the medium. The
air is lefs elallic ; and the water, as I have before remarked, is in-
general of bad quality. From what has been premifed, it may be-
concluded, that it is not by any means fo healthful. Soine have
gone fo far as to compare it to a large hofpital ; and to afiert, that
more people die in it in one year than in all the reft of the ifland
in three. But this is an exaggeration ; and the town is of late years
become much healthier than it formerly was, when the mountain-
ous tra£ls neareft to it were covered with woods, which have fince
been pretty well cleared and laid open, and the lagoon-water more
freely carried off, by cultivating the Scotch grafs, and cutting
tlrains near Salt River. The removal of thole annoyances which,
meet a ftrangcr'snofe upon entering tiie town in the morning, to--
gether with the enforcing of fome other Hilutary regulations,,
might probably contribute to make the air ftill more favourable tO;
life ; yet there are many here, whofe conftitutions by long habit
are inured, and who attain to a good old age, notwithftanding the
inconveniences pointed out ; but, in general, it muft be allowed,
that this town is not fo propitious to the health of perfons newly
arrived from Europe as might be wilhed.

SECT. ri.

St. ANDRE W.

THIS parifh is bounded on the Eaft by the parifh of POrt:
Roval, and part of St. David ; on the Weft, by part of St. Thomas
in the Vale, and St. Catharine; on the North, by part of St. Anne,
and St. Mary; and on the South, by the harbour and parifti of
Kingfton. It is watered with fourteen rivers; the principal of

which

BOOK II. CHAP. VIII. 123

which are, the Wagwater, which empties itfelf into the fea on the
North fide, after a courfe of about thirty miles ; the Hope, whkh
croffes the Eaft fide ; the Pedro, which enters St. Thomas in the
Vale on the Weft ; and the Salt, which falls into the harbour on
the North-weft part of Hunt's Bay. The North-weft angle of the
boundary- line terminates at a large cotton-tree, on the fummit of
a hill ; from which there is a diftant view, in clear weather, of the
fea on the North and South fides of the illand.

The Salt River rifes about three miles above Hunt's Bay, and is
joined by the Lagoon River, which divides this parifti from St.
Catharine, and whofe fource is about two miles further inland.
Both thefe rivers are crofted with bridges in the way leading to
Spanifti Town. The Salt River Bridge has a toll-gate, granted
to the proprietor; in confideration of which, he is obliged to keep
them, together with about one mile of the road, in good repair,
and to maintain a ferry-boat at the crofting of Rio Cobre, for the
accommodation of paflengers when that river is flooded. Thefe
rivers are navigated by flat-bottomed barges and canoes, which are
chiefly ufed for tranfporting grafs, wood, and lime, to the town of
Kingfton. A large traft of lagoon lies between their ftreams ;
great part of which, having been drained by cuts, which carry
off the water into the rivers, is converted into good pafture-
ground; and that which is more fwampy bears the Scotch grafs
very luxuriantly. The road, leading from the bridge towards
Kingfton, is for about a mile extremely romantic : on one fide is a
range of fteep, rocky mountain, which fcarcely admits of room
fufficient for carriages to pafs at the foot of it ; on the other fide is
a branch of the Salt River, fed here and there with fmall rivulets
oozing from the bottom of the mountain. This water is exceed-
ingly brackifli ; but it affords good water-crefs, and plenty of fi(h«
This prey invites the alligators ; which are faid to abound here,
though rarely feen by any except the Negroes who navigate
upon it.

The village of Half-way Tree is fituated a little more than two
miles North from Kingfton, at the interfedlon of the three roads
which lead to Spanith Town, to St. Mary, and St. George. This
village enjoys, with a good air, the moft agreeable views. Behind

R a are

124 JAMAICA.

are the majeftic Blue Mountains, rifing above one another in grada-
tion, till they feem to touch the clouds : on each fide, lively fields
of canes, intermixed with elegant villas and paftures : in front,,
the harbours of Kingfton and Port Royal, crowded with fhipping^
fome at anchor, others plying in various diretflions : beyond thefe^,
the Healthftire hills in St. Catharine, gradually declining towards
Old Harbour : and, laftly, the horizon clofing on the beautiful
azure of the ocean. A number of little grafs-penns, with good
houfes on them, are difperfed about the neighbourhood, chiefly
the property of merchants in Kingfton, who occafionally retire to
them from the hurry of bufinefs. But its chief ornament is- a very
magnificent houfe, erefted here a few years fince by Mr. Pinnock ;
which may vie, in the elegance of defign, and excellence of work-
man(hip, with many of the beft country-icats in England. The
ftone uled about this fabrick was brought from the Hope river-
eourfe: it is far more beautiful than the Portland, and of a clofeit
an<l finer grain. The mahogany- work and ornaments within have
been juftly admired for tlieir fingular beauty, being, as I am in-
formed, feletled with great expence. Half-way Tree has a fmall,.
but very neat church, with a tower and organ. The emoluments
of the reftory, arifing principally from fix hundred acres of rich,
glebe-land, leafed advantageoudy to fome planters, are faid to be
about J 4.00L per annum. The ftipend being only 200/. of this
country money, it may eafily be judged that the glebe is extremely
valuable; and this is therefore confidered as the beft. living in the
governor's prefentation. Some years ago, there was a regular
weekly aflembly held here ; but it has fince been difcontinued, till
lately, when it was revived, and thought inferior to none in the
ifiand. The village- contains about twelve or fourteen houfeSv
i^affing on from hence to the Northward about two miles, along
a road of eafy afcent, we come to the foot of the Liguanea Mounr
tains: tiiefe are the firft fleps leading up to that va(t pile of moun-
tains which range through the ifland from Eaft to Weft. The
foremoft are of moderate height, fervlng ,as natural buttrefles to
fuftain the interior and more mafiive. As we proceed, they feem
to increafe in magnitude and elevation, till we arrive at the higheft
of all, called the Blue Mountain Ridges. The foil on their South

alpecl

BOOK II. CHAP. VIII. 125

a(pe(St is in general a red clay ; but, in other parts, it is of a coarfer,
friable texture, and intermixed with fmall flones, or a lort of grit.
Where they have been cleared of wood, and cultivated, their in-
fertility has been promoted by heavy rains washing down the finer
mould. From Kiugfton they appear of a reddifh cafl, interfperfed
with verdure here and there, and furrowed with innumerable gullies,
fome of which are very deep ; and at this diftance they refemble
very much the South afpedl of the Madeira ifland. The road af-
eending into thefe lofty regions is in general fleep and irregular,
incapable of admitting wheel carriages. The journey is therefore
performed on horfe-back. But it is not dangerous, except in one
part, where the road paffes along a precipice, and is formed on
wooden flakes driven into the fide of the mountain, and well co-
vered with crofs timbers and earth, which make a kind of geome-
trical bridge. But this is of no great length; and, being kept in
good repair, it feems to be accompanied with more of horror than
of real periL Afcending higher, vaft numbers of the larger
fwifts are feen Ikimming over the mountain-tops with great velo-
city; and fometimes they wliiz along fo near the traveler's head,
\ittering their fhrill cries, as to flartle him, if he is unprepared.
The bull-finch's notes are more entertaining : they are very fingular,
and of a melancholy air. The beautiful forked-tail papilio flies
arc feen in fwarms ; they generally keep together, flitting in a di-
re£iion with the wind ;, they feem ever on the wing, and fometimes
venture to foar above the highefl pitch of thefe mountains. In this
part of tlie country there is no. appearance of lime-flone. The
llone obfcrved here is brittle and crumbling, difpofed in lamina,
turns black in the fire, and will not ferment with aqua foriis^.
The lime made ufe of is manufaiStured from incruftations, which
are; found in lufficient abundance The trees, for the moft part,
yre flender and flunted; many of them are enveloped with mofs,
and others entirely killed by it.. This covering makes them appear
at a finall diflance as if they were frofled over; and the coldnefs of
the air naturally caufes this deception on firft: arriving from the
glow of heat which broods over the lov.lands about Kingfton.-
The thermometer here, in general, was at-fixty and fixty-five degrees
in the middle of the day in July; while it rofe to eighty-fix and

ninety.

126 JAMAICA.

ninety in Klngflon. The ground on the elevated fpots feels, snd
yields to the tread, like a new carpet ; it is coated all over with a
deep mofs. The parts I fpeak of are adjacent to Mr. Adams's houfe ;
for the Blue Mountain Ridge appeared from this place as much
higher as this feemed to be above the low lands. Every evening
a vapour defcends from thefe fummits towards the vales be-
low, and probably adds fome ftrength to the land-wind, which fets
from this quarter after fun-fet. In the morning the fog rifes, and
fcems to creep in a regular train to the higher grounds ; fo that, for
a great part of the day, it continues fo thick, as to give the air a chill,
even at noon, equal to what is felt here before fun-rife. Where
it is more broken and difperfed, fo as to admit the folar rays to
pafs freely, warm fleams immediately begin to be exhaled ; and
the mofly ground feels to the hand like a hot bed. Upon arriving at
the eminence, whereon Mr. Adams's houfe is built, a very beautiful
fcenery greets the view. Below are feen the richly-cultivated vale
ot Liguanca, the harbours of Kingflon and Port Royal, and great
part of St. Catharine, and St. Dorothy. On a fudden, the whole
is excluded from fight by a denfe cloud, interpofing itfelf like a
magnificent curtain. In a moment afterwards, the curtain breaks
here and there in diff"erent parts, admitting only tranfient glances;
but, when withdrawn entirely, a mod luxuriant and extenfive
Ixndlchape opens, animated with the full fplendor of fun-fhine.
In front are cane-fields of the livelieft verdure, paftures, and little
villas intermixed ; the towns and ports of Kingflon and Port
Royal; the fhipping fcattered in different groups ; the forts, the
hills of Healthfhire, the rocky breakers, and cayes whitening with
the furge ; and, beyond thefe, a plain of ocean extending to the
Southern hemifphere. To the Wcftward are fcen the gliftning
i-neanders of theCobre; the town of St Jago de la Vega ; the bay
of Old Harbour ; and a vaft champaign of fertile country, termi-
nated by the lofty range of Carpenter's Mountains, at fixty miles
diftance.

Thefe objeds form all together a very pleafing combination. The
pleafure which the mind receives from contemplating them is con-
fiderably heightened by the impenetrable gloom of thick vapours
behind, which exhibits a noble contraft to the brilliant piilure in

3 front.

BOOK II. CHAP. VIJJ. 127

front. Another fcene, not Icfs magnificent, though more awful,
frequently prefents itfelf iu the hot months. The clouds afleni-
bling about noon gradually thicken, grow black, and defcend
lower ; till they appear a fpacious fea, clofing over and covering
the inferior obJ£6:s entirely from our view. Soon afterwards, the
vapoury particles begin to condenfe and fall in rain ; the lightning
flaflies with great vivacity, as it traverfes along, in a variety of an-
gular or Terpentine dire«5lions. We hear the majeftic thunder
rolling at our feet, and reverberated by a thoufand echoes among
the hitis. This tumultuous- interlude continues until the vapours,
grown lighter by a plentiful difcharge of their contents, begin to
re-afcend and difperfe, climbing over the flately pinnacles of thefe
mountains, like flocks of (heep retiring haftily to their fold.

Whenever the fog breaks or dlfperfes aboufnoon, the fun-beams
fiirike here with more power than would have been imagined at fo
great an elevation. But the mofly covering of the ground, which
is adapted to imbibe the warmth impreffed upon it by every ftrong
gleam, and the fudden variations in the fenfible llate of the at-
mofphere, by the interpofition or recefs of thcfe vapours, doubtlefs
affeO: a perfon here in like manner as the fudden tranfition in
England from a cold, raw air into a heated, clofe apartment. The
little pike,, from whence the moft agreeable view is taken, is about
half a mile from Mr. Adams's houfe, and named Catharine Flill,
in honour of governor Moore's lady, who had the curiofity to pay
it a vifit in the year 1760. This hill is not much lefs than a mile
perpendicular height above the level of the fea. The walk to it
from the houfe is not in the leall: incommodious on account of heat,
even in the middle of the day. Who peregrinates into thefe re-
gions finds every frefh afcent, however fliort, afl:c>rding not only a
new air, but a new fcene of nature, in regard to its profpeft, its
plants, and animals.. The birds, the hih, and infe£bs, are many
of them totally different from thofe we meet with in the lower ii-
tuations : and the face of things carries fo little fimilitude in ap-
pearance to what commonly occurs in other parts of the ifland,
that one feems to have been tranfported by fome magic vehicle into
a foreign country. This obfervation holds, it is true, in a certain
degree, with refpedt likewife to fome other diflricts of Jamaica j.

for

128 JAMAICA.

for theEaft and Weft ends, and the North, North-eaft, and North-
weft fides, are almoft as diflimilar, in the afped of the country,
the weather, the plants, birds, and infedls, as if they belonged to
as many differently fituated iflands. There are, neverthelefs, fe-
veral to be met with in thefe mountains of the fame fpecies as in
other parts. The ring-tailed pigeons frequent them in great num-
bers : they are feen conftantly on the wing, and generally darting
along the fogs, which it is imagined they involve themfelves in,
the better to conceal their flight. There are found, befides, a fmall
martin, the whole upper parts of whofe plumage are of a glolly,
golden green, the inferior parts white ; fwifts, whofe upper plu-
mage is black, except a ring of white encircling the neck, and the
parts below entirely white; blue-finches; dark-brown thrufhes ;
wood-peckers of various kinds ; black-birds of the merops fpecies;
blue-fparrows ; long and fliort-tailed humming-birds ; blue and
red-throat bull-finches ; black and orange- coloured bull-finches,
and brown petrils : the latter are faid to be very numerous on the
higher parts of the Blue Mountains, where they breed in holes
made in the earth. In the rivulets are found a fqualid, yellow
fucking-fifli, and the large common and hog-nofed frefh-water
mullets. Of the quadruped reptile clafs, are the common grey
lizard, a fmall tree-frog, a fmall galli-wafp, and rats in abundance.
Of the infe£l tribe, here are a fpecies of crickets, which chirp like
birds on the approach of the evening-dufk ; a great variety of pa-
pilios and curculios, fome of the latter green and gold, others grey ;
a large, black and yellow-ftriped humble-bee ; a fly of the can-
tharides kind ; red and flinging ants ; wafps ; a beautiful, long
forked tail butterfly, of a copperifli and green hue. Of plants are
obferved a prodigious variety of ferns, and a ftill greater of moflfes;
black and bill-berry buflies in abundance, large and flourifliing;
the wild-forrel ; wild garden- mint, or mentha vulgaris ; and feveral
aromatic herbs and flirubs. The juniper-cedar, agnus Scyihlcus, and
a yellow timber-tree, called here Mulatto-wood, are likewife very
common, except the firft-mentioned ; it had a much ftronger fcent,
and the wood of it was of a deeper red than the kind generally
met with. The wild-forrel is as common as in England ; and the
garden- mint grows in wide-fpreading tufts along the fide of the

road;

BOOK II. CHAP. VIII. 129

" road ; perhaps it has been p-opagated from fome plant, either ca-
fually dropped, or put in by defign ; but it is remarkable, that it
grows, though in a very fterile foil, as luxuriantly as we find it in
any Englifh garden. The bill-berries are chiefly feen on the
higher eminences ; but they are exceedingly numerous in fuch
ipots; and the black-berries not at all different from thofe of Eng-
land, either in fize, or the mawkifli fvveetnefs of their tade. Cock-
roaches were not expecfted to be feen here : it is true, they are very
fcarce; and, 1 incline to believe, not aborigines of a region fo un-
fuitable to their nature, from its coolncfs; but probably brought
hither from Kingfton in fome of the packages of bottled liquor, or
provifions, which it is ufual for the parties to take with them, who
vifit this retreat for the fake of health or curiofity. That the flate
of the atmofphere is generally very cool, I think there can be no
doubt, llnce it has been found fo in the month of July ; and I have
been informed, that, during the other hot months, the ditfeience
between the thermometer here and at Kingfton is commonly twenty
to thirty degrees. The birds that were (hot did not begin to fmell
till after the fourth day. A North wind almoft conftantly blows,
and Ibmetimes with great violence, when the vapours far below
are failing along with an Eafterly breeze, and the (hips {landing in
for the harbour with that breeze right-aftern. The tranfition from
the heated air of the low lands caufes the chill to be the more fen-
fibly felt by thofe who remove to this elevation; the fenfation
therefore is not at all wonderful. A fire is found neceflary, even in
July, in the evening ; and fome perfons have hardly been able to keep
themfelves warm enough in bed with two blankets. The butter,
which at Kingflon was in a liquified flate, became fo firm in one
night's time, that a knife, fluck into it, lifted the faucer in which
fome of it had been put. But the coldnefs of the air is cliiefly di-
llrefling to the Negroes and horfes ; they quickly grow fluggifh and
miferable; the latter in particular, although flimulated by extreme
third, have been known to refufe tafling the fpring-water for fe-
veral days, which was perfeftly pure and tranfparent, but too
frigid for them. Exercife is attended with no fatigue; it ferves
only to keep the body in a comfortable glow. The fleep afcents
are climbed on foot in the middle of the day, without inconve-
VoL. II. S nience ;

I30 JAMAICA,

iiience ; the air braces the tone of the fibres, renders the fpirits
lively, and creates an hnmoderate appetite for food, which unfor-
tunately is not here in fuch abundance as to be proportionate to the
demands for it. Hence it may be fuppofed, that frofts are frequent
en the Blue Mountain fummits during the winter months, as
fome have pofitively aiieited [w". Thofe fummits have been ex-
plored by very few perfons; the air at fuch a height is almofi too
pure for human refpiration. I have been informed that fome Ne-
groes died in paffing over them, iome yens ago, before the paci-
fication was made with the rebels in this ifl.md. Thefe fummits
are bare of trees and Ihrubs, but well covered with a thick mofs,
which gives harbour to vaft numbers of rats. In what manner
they procure lubfiilence in lb dreary a refidence, I have not been able
to learn.

I mull not be filent on a phaniomenon, which I do not find no-
ticed by any writer of our natural hiftory. I fhould, however,
premife, that, in regard to the faft, it was communicated to me by
a gentleman of fuch ftri£t veracity, as not to admit a Ihadow of
doubt. He related it as a fingularity which he could not readily
account for, but had been obferved by many perfons living near the
Yallahs and ButF Bay rivers. During the months of November,
December, January, and February, when little or no rain falls,
feveral rivulets of water are obferved to gulh from the North fide
of the Ridges, which increaie and fwell the tide of thefe rivers
very confiderably : but they are not remarked at other times of the
year, even after the heaviell: rains. The prodigious mantle of thick
mofs which cloathes thefe Ridges, extending over many hundreds,
if not thoufands of acres, receives and imbibes the water that
almofl continually diftils upon it from the vapours that brood over
their fummits. Thefe rivulets are not leeii until after the perio-
dical North winds are fet in, which ufually happens in the be-

[■ju] According to a very accurate trigonometrical ireiifaration, lately taken by Dr. Alexander
M'Kenzie, affilkd by Mr. George Gauld, fuvveyor to his inajelly, the refults were as follow :

Feet Height. Mile.
Catharine Mill, "I above the r 5050 = 1 wanting 230 feet.

Blue Mountain Summit, J fea's level, \ 7553 =. li ditto 367 ditto,

eonfenuently, the mercury in the barometer (agreeably to Dr. Halley's calculatiotis) ought ta ftaad
oa the Blue Mountain at about 22 -j-'o?^ inches.

ginning.

BOOK II. CHAP. VIII. 13,

ginning of November ; and tliey continue blowing till Marcli, and
ibmetimes later, but then grow more faiut, and interrupted with
the South-eafters, or fea-breezes. The coldnefs and violence of
thefe Northerly winds muft be far greater at fuch an elevation than
is ever felt below. The fun being at the lame time in its Southern
declination, the Northern Hopes of the Ridges are {haded moft part,
if not all the day ; and very little moifture can be exhaled from
them. Is it not therefore probable, that the vehement prefiure of
thefe winds, diredly againft the Northern afpe«51:s, may fqueeze the
mofl'y covering as it were a fponge, Co that the aqueous particles
contained in it run into cohefion, and afli^mble in fmall rills ;
which, as they trickle downwards, are joined and augmented by
others, till they form thofe larger rivulets, which have been ob-
served to unite with the currents below, that lie in a convenient
direilion to receive them ? May not the coldnefs of thefe Norths
lb harden the fuperficial foil of the Ridges, as to render it Imper-
vious to the humid particles lodged in the mofs ; though, in the
warmer feafon of the year, it is fufficiently open to admit a free
percolation to all that is not carried ofi by the fun's exhaling
power ? The fea-breeze has an oblique direflion againft the
Ridges, and therefore, when moll violent, blows upon them with
much lefs preflure. It is moreover to be confidered, that the mofs
is ranker and more luxuriant on the North afpefts ; and tlic va-
pours which over-hang them are, in general, deafer and more con-
ftant than on the South fides. Whether the caufes I have afligned
are rational, or probable, muft be left to the decifion of abler
phiiofophers. That judicious and benevolent writer, Dr. Lind,
recommends ftrongly to the inhabitants of the low lands, in this
and other hot climates, to retire to a hilly or mountainous relidence
at thofe times of the year when the heaviefl rains fall. By their
violence and continuance during the Ipace of feveral fuccellive
days, the low lands are l^iturated with water; the exhalations from
the earth are more copious than at other times; and, if any feries
of dry weather has preceded (which generally is the cafe), they
are more noxious to health. Add to this, that the atmol'phere is
fultry and moift. Thefe caufes difpofe the human body to be at-
fefted with agues and fevers (and, of the latter clafs, the putrid),

S 2 which

'>1
3"

JAMAICA.

which chiefly affaiilt perfons newly arrived from a cold Northern
climate. There is no country in the torrid zone better furnin-icd
than Jamaica with retreats of this kind ; the hills being fcattered
every where very liberally near the coaft, and univerfally healthful.
The inhabitants of Spanilh Town have the neighbouring Red Hills ;
the people of Kingfton are near the Liguanea Mountains; and in
every part of thefe tracts, the air is pure, temperate, and fahibrious,,
during the whole year. The inhabitants of thefe mountains not
only enjoy good health, but a fure indication of it in the freflinefs
of their complexions ; and they are ftrangers to thofe deleterious'
difteiTipers which fometimes ravage the towns. Tlie barrack ac
Stoney Hill in this parifli affords a flriking proof of the goodncfs of
this air. The company of foldiers quartered here were frefh from.
Europe, and luckily did not halt long enough at Kinglton to con-
tra<fl ficknefs. The whole garrifon continued in perfeft health (and
only one died, which happened, as I was informed, by a cafualty)
tiJl long after their arrival, when they were removed to Kingfton ;.
where probably, not more from the change of air, than the greater
facility of procuring fpirituous liquors, they grew fickly, and re«
duced in their number. No climate can be more propitious to Eu-
ropean conftltutions than thefe elevated fpots j but the perfons who
for the moft part emigrate to the ifland have not any choice ot
place for their future refidence, and of courfe they take their chance.^
Yet I cannot but think, that fuch as have weathered a feafoning
in Kingfton, and lived there fo long as to have it in their power
to chufe an occafional place of abode in a more eligible fituation
liere, Ihould confult their own future health, and that of others
fent over to their patronage and employment, and purchafe or rent
a fmall fettlement fomewhere among thefe mountains, to ferve for
a retreat during the moft fickly times of the year. But men edu-
cated and engaged in the bullle of commerce are too apt to de-
fpife thefe cautions, as fpeciilative and chimerical. Many are pre-
dcftinarians in their way of thinking, aad will not ftcp afide one
inch to avoid a falling rock; and others are unwilling to lofe a
fmgle hour which may be employed in the purfuit of money, too
inattentive to the purfuit of health, without which their labours are,
iu relped to their own enjoyments, but vain and illufory. Hence

it

book: n. chap. vm. 133

it happens, that we fee fo many porting away from the iflaiid on
their hift legs, to perhh under the icy rigours of a Northern chmate ;
who, by occalionally withdrawing into tlie more temperate coolnels
of the mountains in this ifland, might liave remained in the full;
pofleflion of good health ;. or, on their quitting it to re-vi(it their
native land, have carried with them a plenitude of bodily vigour,,
as well as opulence. The turf on the Ridges is fhort, and inter-
mixed with a variety of wild aromatic herbs ; fo that Hicep, but
particularly goats, might be paftured on it with great advantage to
the delicacy of their flcfli; and, it is probable, their milk would
become in fome degree medicinal in feveral dilorders.- No ex-
periment has yet been made to adorn the naked pikes with fome of
the various fpecies of firs which are fo common in North- America ;
and from whence feeds, or young plants, might be jjud in great
perfedion, by reafon of the fliortnefs of the paflage. They have-
great beauty as well as utility, and would doubtlefs thrive extremely
well on thefe eminences. Tiie few fettlements fcattered here have,
gardens, which produce almofl: every fort of European culinary ve-
getables: thefe, indeed, are cultivated with great fucci;fs at the
North-fide of the ifland, and in all the interior parts. I have fcen
a piece of ground in one of the North fide parifhes lowed with cab-
bage-feed, immediately after the wood had been cleared; and the
plants it produced were beyond all comparifon much larger, firmer,
and better fla-voured, than any I have ever met with in England.
I have feen quince-trees in a garden at Old Woman's Savannah, in
Clarendon, which bore very fine, large fruit ;. but the apple-trees
do not produce any where fo well as in- the Liguanea Mountains:
in the lowerparts of the ifland they (hoot too much into wood, and
their fruit degenerates; in thefe mountains, they appear tofrudlify.
beft on the highell; fites. The American and European peach,
neftarine, and apricot, with feveral fpecies of plumbs,, the raf-
berry, ftrawberry, and mulberry, would hardly fail here, if planted
in fituations open to the fun, and fheltered' from the violence of the
North winds. I have tafled nectarines which were produced
in the Vale of Luidas, in St. John's. They were fmall, but re-
tained all the delicious flavour peculiar to that fruit. They would
certainly fucceed better in fome part of thefe mountains, where the

general

jo^ JAMAICA.

general Hate of air is found to approximate nearcfl: to that of the
Southern provinces of Europe.

The account I have given of thefe mountains is, I confefs, very
imperfea ; no peifon, I believe, has hitherto vifited them with the
profefled defign of examining all their natural productions, or ob-
taining a regular information of the temperature of their at-
iiiofphere througI:iout the year, or of afcertaining their height by
accurate barometrical obfervations. Taikj of this fort are referved
ior men who are at entire leifurc from tlie avocations of bufinefs
and office ; and who, to the incentives of a laudable curiofity, can
join all the abilities, both of genius and fortune, that are neceflary
to purfue its full gratitication. There is good reafon to believe,
ihat a gentleman who is duly qualified to explore them would
meet with ample materials to recompenfe his toil ; and it is greatly
to be wiflied, that they may undergo a further fcrutiny. Sir Hans
Sloane poflefied all that difcernment and knowledge requifite for a
cultivation of natural hiftory. But he was fettered by the duties
of the place he enjoyed under the duke of Albemarle ; and, befides,
the ifland was, in his time, in fo rude a ilate, that it might have
been impradlicable for him to have examined much of its moun-
tainous diftri6ts, even if he could have found fufficient leifurc.
And hence the many inaccuracies in his work; for he was obliged
to rely chieflv on the writings and informations of other men, for
want of opportunity to ground his defcriptions on the refult of his
own perfonal experience. Much ufeful information of thefe in-
terior regions might perhaps be gained, if the aflembly of the
ifland were to grant an annual peniion of three or four hundred
pounds fterling to lome perfon thoroughly qualified in the branches
of natural ftudy : I mean thofe in particular which have relation to
agriculture, hulbandry, food, medicine, minerals, and conimerce.
The advantages to be reaped from fuch an appointment would de-
pend on the ability and fpirit of the perfon chofen. In the prelent
age, it would not be difficult to engage one competently qualified ;
fince there never was a period in which this ftudy employed fuch
numbers of ingenious men in our mother-country. This patriotic
ardour for promoting fcience in general, and in particular natural
hiftory and hulbandry, has not been confined to focieties only:

private

BOOK ir. CFIAP. VIII. 135

private gentlemen have exeited their fingle efiorts in fupport of it,
and laudably devoted pwn of their fortunes to this end, in ft; ad of
wafting it in unprofitable diiiipations. 'i'lic ifland of ]'.:naica
has never v/aiucd gentlemen of diftinguilhed tafte for the fine, as
well as the more ufeful and oeconomical, arts; and, (Ince tlie ifland
is fo opulent, that the charge of fuch an app')intment would hard!/
be felt, what more favourable circumftances can be hoped to
concur, either towards enfuring fuccefs in the undertaking, or
giving the public that fatisfodory knowledge of foils, climates, and
produdtions, that, while it gratifies the //lerali, may alio tend to
improve and people this country ? The want of a liberal educa-
tion, or an attention of the whole foul to get iiioney, as if it were
the only rational objeil of purluit in this world, has occafioned
men in general- to treat the iludy of natural hiltory, and its fol-
lowers, with contempt and ridicule ; all are indifcriminately con-
founded with the defpicabh tribe of infedl-hunters,. and coUeftors
of gimcracks. We ihould, however, be cautious to feparate from
this drofs all thofe, whofe labours conduce to the moft ufeful pur-
pofes of life; who' not only dilclofe to us the wonderful mecha-
nifm of the creation, and the wifdom of the Deity ; but exemplify
his unbounded benevolence to man, while they inftruft us in the
means by which our health may be. preferved, our life prolonged,
our agriculture improved, manufiiclures enlarged and multiplied,
commerce and trade extended, and the public enriched. I mufl
Gonfef^, that thi-s ufeful purfuit has not been without its fautors in
Jamaica. Sir Hans Sloane firft laid open a new fcene of American
produftions, not much known bciore to the- learned in Europe.
Yet, before his time, tlie fcicnce was cultivated in this ifland by
Dr. Barham, whom Sir Hans frequently quotes, and whole manu-
fcripts were never publifhed. Some time afterwards, Dr. Patrick
Brown undertook a funilar w'ork, containing many undefcribed
plants and animals : this work he u'as enabled to publiih chiefty
by the fubfcription of the gentlemen of the ifland. The late Dr.
Anthony Robinfon likewife made a colledion of feveral hundred
figures and defcriptions of Jamaica plants and animals ; the greater
part of which are non-defcripts : but he unfortunately died before
it could be digefted into a re;!,ular feries for publication. This

work^

j.^-6 JAMAICA,

work, if it fhould ever be given to the public, will be found to
correct many errors in Sloane and Brown ; who, compared witli
him, were in various inftances very fuperficial obfervers, or ill-in-
formed. He invented a vegetable foap, fuperior in its properties to
common foap ; for which difcovery, the aflembly of this iiland
o-ranted him a reward of one hundred pounds fterling. He likewife
prepared a (ago from a fpecies of the palm, fo common in Jamaica,
■equal m its alimentary qualities to what comes from the Eaft-
Indies. Notwithflanding thefe voluminous collections, it is cer-
tain, there flill remains a very great number of plants and minerals
iii this ifland to be defcribed and clafied. And, to compleat the
whole, there is required a judicious analyfis of their properties
and ufe. I have been informed, that her majefty queen Anne,
upon the reprefentations of Sir Hans Sloane, gave out of her privy-
purfe 200/. RerWng per.arifium, to fupport and encourage a botanical
profeffor in this ifland; but her death happened foon after, and the
bounty was withdrawn.

The importance of cultivating this fcience, in a part of the world
fo abounding in materials, will not be denied, when we confider
the immenfe fums that have been acquired in trade by the Jefuits
bark, the canella, cochineal, indigo, logwood, and various other
vegetable productions; whofe value might ftill have been loft to
the community, and their preparations unknown, had not fome
knowledge in natural hiftory revealed them. And there is very
probable ground to fuppofe, that there is in this ifland a vafl variety
of plants ftill to be examined; whofe fruit, gums, barks, or roots
(to fay nothing of the foffile and mineral kingdoms), might be
found very proper fubjeds for export, or for oecouomical ufes
among the inhabitants. In order to promote fuch beneficial re-
fearches, it is to be wiHied, that thofe planters, who fend their
fons to Great-Britain for education in phyfic and furgery, would
dire£t, that botany fhould alfo be attended to, and made a principal
branch of their fludy. Botanical knowledge feems particularly re-
quifite to their praflice in a country that teems with vegetable re-
medies for moft of the diftempers incident to the climate. A total
ip"norance of this ufeful fcience is a moll contemptible defeat in the
practitioners here ; for what can be more reproachful than to have
2 it

BOOK II. CHAP. VIII. 137

itfald, and with truth, that many of the Negroes are well ac-
quainted with the healing virtues of feveral herbs and plants, which
a regular phyfician tramples under foot, with no other idea of
them, than that they arc no part of his materia medica, nor any
fetter than ufelefs weeds? It will be no fmall affiflance to any per-
fon who may hereafter botanize in Jamaica, that Sloane and
Brown have already paved the way ;• but, indeed, a thorough dif-
covery of the virtues and ufes of what have been already defcribed,
feems to be more wanted at prefent than a further fcrutiny after
non-defcribed plants. Superadded to this will be the endeavours
■of gentlemen of the illand to introduce exotic plants and trees from
the Eaft-lndian and American continents, of fuch kinds as have
been moft celebrated for their medicinal, or fome other valuable
qualities. No part of the ifland feems better adapted for fuch nur-
feries than the Liguanea or Midland Mountains. They would re-
quire fome care till their feeding time ; after which, the different
ipecies might eafily be propagated in other didrids.

I return from this digreflion to clofe my account of St. Andrew's.
The lower, or more level part of the parilh, comprehended under
the name of Liguanea, is the quarter mofl: appropriated to
fugar-plantations. The foil here has been chiefly formed by the
fine mould waflied down from the hills, and produces a good cane.
In fome parts, the foil is mixed with a coarfe rubble, fwept by
heavy torrents from the gullies. This foil requires plentiful rains
(without which it is apt to burn the canes), and conflant manure.
'One of the Oliverian regiments firfl fettled here, under the com-
mand of colonel Archbould and major Hope, who, with Sir
William Beefton, poffefled the beft and largeft fhare of this whole
tradl. Few of the lugar-plantations are remoter from the harbour
than fix Or feven miles ; the interior or hilly part being chiefly em-
ployed in the cultivation of coffee and provifions. The roads here
are in general firm ; the fugar of excellent quality ; and the car-
riage to and from the town fo eafy, that the eflates are juftly
efleemed very valuable. The Long Mountain, which runs ob-
liquely from Rock Fort for about four miles inland, is for the mod:
part compofed of lime-ftone. The end of it, which advances
tieareft to the -harbour, I'upplies large quantities of ballaft for the
Vol. II. T Ihips,

,38 J A M A I C A.

fhips, ftones for building and for lime ; which are carried by water
from the foot of it. But the houfes in general are of brick manu-
fadlured from the natural foil, which is a certain proof of its fertile
quality.

Near Merryman's Hill, in Liguanea, a mineral water has, not
long fince, been difcovered ; which is laid to contain a vitriolic acid
iron, a portion of talky, argillaceous, and abforbent earths, joined
to a fixed foffile alkali. Dr. Richardfon, who tried fome experi-
ments upon it, acknowledges, however, that this aiialyfis is incom-
plete, and requires further experiments, which cannot be made,
except at the fountain head. This is commonly known at prefent
by the name of Curtin's Spring, and probably contains a very me-
dicinal quality ; for which reafon, a more perfect analyfis is ex-
tremely defireable, for afcertaining all its Ingredients.

State of the Parifh :

•'''"-' Annual Produce of Sugar.

Sugai-eftates. | Hogflieads. | Other Settlements.

Negroes.

Cattle.

•»734,

7631

5413

1740,

8363

5244

J745'

8936

5001

1761,

9024

1768,

9813

4626

30 I 2600 J 122

This parifh is in a flourifliing ftate, and incrcaling in its number of
fugar-plantations, though not fo rapidly as might have been ex-
peded, confidering its vicinity to Kingfton. This fupinenefs may
be attributed to the abfence of the chief proprietors, who refide in
the mother-country, and are not folicitous about forming new
eftates, which require fome money to be advanced, and perhaps the
perfonal fuperintendency of the owners. The diminution in cattle
has (among other caufes) proceeded from the ereding of feveral
water-mills, which have rendered a lefs number neceflary. The
whole ifland, indeed, has owed much of its prefent improved
ftate to the extenfive introdudion of thefe ufeful machines.

SECT.

B O O K ir. CHAP. VIII. i^

SECT. III.
PORT ROYAL.

THIS parifli is bounded on the Eaft, by St. David; on the
Weft, by the port, and St. Andrew ; North, by Kingfton harbour,
and St. David; and South, by the fhip channel, and fea. A part
of Yallahs River forms the inland confine on the North ; as the
Bull Bay River does on the Eaft. It is watered alfo by the Hope,
and Mammee. The town, which is in 17° 57' North latitude,
and 76° 37' longitude Weft from London, is fituated on the point
of a pcninfula, or narrow neck of land, called the Palifadoe, which,
projedling from the main land about eight miles and three quarters,
forms a barrier to the harbour of Kingfton againft the fea. The
foundation of it was firft laid by general Brayne, in the year 1657.
It was then called Cagua, or Cagway, a corruption probably of
caragua, the Indian name for the coratoe, or great aloe, which
overfpreads the adjacent Saltpan Hill. The excellent anchorage in
the road, where a thoufand (hips might lie fecure from all winds
except hurricanes, and the depth of water, infomuch that the largeft
vellels ufed to lay their broadfides to the wharfs, and load or un-
load with little trouble, made it fo defireable a feat for trade, that
it foon became celebrated for the number of its inhabitants, the ex-
tent of its commerce, and amazing treafures of gold and filver.
In the year 1672, it contained eight hundred well-built houfes,
moft of which were rented as high as any of that time in the heart
of the city of London. Twenty years after this, the number was
increafed to two thoufand ; and it had then attained the height of
its fplendor. The fituation was extremely incommodious in many
refpedts. It had neither earth, wood, nor water; the foil was no-
thing more than a loofe fand, lodged at firft upon a ridge of rock,
and gradually extended in breadth, as well as depth, in a long fe-
ries of time, by the renditions of the fea. The natural wants,
however, of fo large and populous a town, proved very in-
ftrumental towards forming and encouraging plantations upon the

T 2 main

140 JAMAICA,

main land. The demand for fire-wood, building-timber, bricks,
flefli, corn, fruits, and otlier vegetable provifions, was coniide-
rable ; and this was fupplied by the fettlers in St. Catharine and
St, Andrew. The advantage of trade to an infant-colony, and the
mutual dependence of the merchant and planter one upon the other,
were never more confpicuous than in this example. The town
was inhabited by fcarcely any other than .merchants, warehoufe-
keepers, vintners, and retailers of punch; the latter were very nu-
merous, and well fupported by the buccaneers, who diffipated here
whatever they got from the Spaniards. As an inftance of their
profuiion, it is faid, that one of them has been known to fquander
three thoufand pieces of eight, equal to 750/. of prefent currency,
inlefs than a month. The immenfe riches they brought into this
town, the grand trcafury of all their fpoil, may partly be judged
by the fums which the armament, under Sir Henry Morgan only,
is faid to have brought in during 1669 and 1670, viz.
On the capture of Puerto del Principe, — 50,000 pieces of eight.

Puerto Vela, — — 250,000

Maracaibo, — — — 250,000

Panama and Cruz, — 400,000

In all, 950,000 or £. 237,500
befides an immenfe quantity of filks, linens, gold and filver lace,
plate, jewels, and other valuable commodities ; which probably
amounted to near as much more. By this means (as an hiftorian
has obferved) money grew to be in vaft plenty, and returns eafy
to England, into which many hundred thoufand of thofe pieces of
eight were imported. A (hare of thefe acquifitions, however, re-
mained in circulation among the planters, who by this time brought
their manufaftures of fugar and indigo to great perfedion. Their
other commodities for export were, ginger, anotto, cacao, cotton,
and pimento ; fuftick, mahogany, and lignutn vitte. All their
goods were fhipped at Port Royal; and, by an ad: of aflembly
pafled in 1683, all produ£lions of this fort, that were levied on
for payment of debts, were diredled to be appraifed in tliat town
by the church-wardens, upon their oaths, and then delivered to
the creditor, who was obliged to accept them at the appraifed value,

as

BOOK II. CHAP. VIII. 141

ns fo much, money. This law, fo favourable to the planters, was
likewile highly beneficial to the mother-country, by its confidering
the foreign money then current here as mere merchandize, and of
courfe leaving it free for exportation to England.

I am now about to defcribe the iad reverfe of fortune which this
town experienced ; but, firft, it may not be improper to mention
the ftate of it in the beginning of the fatal year 1692. It con-
tained at that period upwards of three thoufand five hundred inha-
bitants,, and two thoufand houfes ; the greater number of which
were of brick, feveral ftories in height, founded clofe to the very
brink of the. water, on a loofe bank of fand. The fort, which
then mounted fixty pieces of ordnance, and the reft of the houfes,
were founded on the rocky part of the peninfula. On the 7th of
June, 1692, between eleven. and twelve o'clock at noon, began
that terrible earthquake which, in two minutes time, produced
fu.ch a fcene of devaftation [.v]. All the principal fhreets, which
were next to the water, funk at once, with the people in them ; and
a high, rolling fea followed, clofing immediately over them. Not
lefs than fixteen hundred were thus fwallowed up, or fhook into an

[a] The year began with very hot, dry weather, which continued till May, when there '.vSs
much blowing-weather, and a gieat deal ot rain, till the end of the month ; from which time,
till the earthquake happened, it was excefiively calm, Jiot, and dry. The yth of June was a veiy
hot, clear Uin-fhine da}-, fcarce a cloud appearing, and not a breath of air felt. The earthquake
begaii at fortj- mhnttes paft eleven A. M. With -a very fmall trembling. The-fecond fliake was
fomewhat ilronger; accompanied all the while with a hollow, rumbling noife ; and, immediately
after this fecond ftiake, came on the third, and moft violent, which continued near a minute.

When Venables took the ifland, the point whereon Port Royal now ftands was almofl; ihfulated,
being joined to the Palifadoes only by a ridge of fand, which at that time juft began to appear
abqvg, water. When Jackfon invaded St. Jago de la Vega, which was about feventeen years ante-
cedent, it was entirely feparated by the fea. On this fandy ifthmus, which the inhabitants en-
larged by driving piles, wharfing, i.:c. the greater part of the town was built, extendincr above a
quarter ot a mile'; aiid- the weight of fo many large brick-houfes wasjuftly imagined to contri-
bute, in a great meafure,- to their downfall;, for tlie grqundgpve v/ay as far as the houfes ered«i
on this fanJy foundation flood, and no further.

So in the great earthquake which happened in Sicily in the followmg year, 1693, it was ob-
fer\'ed, that in lefs folid ground, as chdk, fand, or loofe earth, the mifchief was bej'ond compa-
rifon greater than in rocky places. And, in Syracufe, the difference was vifible in three places;
that is, in the, middle of the city ; in the little illaiid ; :uid In Zaracaiti, where the antient Syracufa
Itood ; in all which places, the buildings, being on a rocky foundation, remained for the moft part
Untolfched, Of only ftiaken, or at leafl not quite deraoliflied : whereas, on the contrary, in the reft
of that territory which is not rocky, a vaft nuniber of noble fttudures nnd towers lay in a heap ef

rums.

heap

142 JAMAICA.

heap of rubbifli. Some o'f the Greets were laid federal fathoms
under water ; and it flood as high as the upper rooms of fome
houfes which remained. It was computed, that about two thou-
fand Whites and Negroes periflied in this town alone. The har-
bour had all the appearance of agitation as in a ftorm ; and the
huge waves rolled with fuch violence, as to fnap the cables of the
(hips, drive fome from their anchors, and overfet others. Among
the reft, the Swan frigate, that lay by the wharf to careen, was
•forced over the tops of the funken houfes, and providentially ena-
bled fome hundreds of the inhabitants to fave their lives. The fort
onlv, and about two hundred houfes, efcaped without damagel
But a part of the neck of land, communicating from the point to
the Palifadoes, about a quarter of a mile in length, was entirely
fubmerfed, with all the houfes, which ftood very thick upon it.
The water forced its paflage through the Saltpond Hill and gufhed
in torrents from its fide, at an elevation of twenty, and in fomfe
places thirty feet above its bafe, and continued running for feveral
hours afterwards. The mountains on each fide the river-road,
leading frorai Spanifli Town to Sixteen -mile-walk, Avere thrown
-down in fuch heaps, as to obftru£t the paflage of the river, and for
Ibme time to prevent all communication between thefe two places.
A great part of a rocky mountain in St. David's fell down, and bu-
ried a whole plantation lying at the foot of it. The part from
.which this huge fragment was detached is now a precipice of folid
rock, confpicuous from its height at a great diftance, and remains
a dreadful monument of that day's cataftrophe.

The fhock was not lefs violent in the mountains. Some were
even of opinion, that they had funk a little ; others, that the
whole ifland had fomewhat fubfuled ; for they obferved, that feveral
wells in Liguanea did not require fo long a rope, by two or three
feet, as they did before the earthquake. However, it is more na-
,tural to account for this change, by fuppofing, that the water had
rifen higher; for, in all thefe violent commotions of the earth, it
;is well known, that fprings are remarkably affected. At the North
fide, above one thoufand acres of land are faid to have funk, with
thirteen inhabitants. It left not a houfe ftanding at Paflage Fort ;
.only one at Liguanea ; deftroyed molt of tlie planters habitations
4 'm

BOOK II. CHAP. VIII. 143

in the country; and all in St. Jago de la Vega, except what were
built by the Spaniards. During the(e convulfions, which conti-
nued with little intermiffion, though in a (lighter degree, for feme
weeks afterwards, the moft oflcnfive flenches were emitted from
every fiflure and opening made in the fand near the harbour ; the
Iky became dull and reddifli, which indicated a plentiful difcharo-e
of vapours fropi the earth ; the weather grew hotter than had been
obferved before the (hock ; and fuch prodigious fwarms of niuf-
keetos infefled the coafts, as to aftonifh the inhabitants ; the
beauty of the mountains was quite effaced, and, inftead of their
lively, youthful verdure, they appeared diftorted with fragments,
bald, and furrowed.

After this fiitality, many of the inhabitants, who had furvived
the lofs of Port Royal, removed to that part of Liguanea where
Kingfton now (lands. Here they took refuge in miferable huts,
which could not defend them from the rain. Thus deflitute of
fuitable conveniences and medicines, they foon perifhed with m^
lignaut fevers. The air, empoifoned with noxious vapours, co-
operating with the terror of thefe calamities, and the diflrefs they
occafioned, brought on a general ficknefs, which very few efcaped
in any part of the ifland. Not lefs than three thoufand are com-
puted to have died ; the greater part at Kingflon only, where five
hundred graves were dug in a month's time, and two or three bu-
ried in a grave. What rendered the fcene more tragical were the
numbers of dead bodies which, after perifhing in the (hock at Port
Royal, were feen in hundreds floating from one fide of the harbour
to the other. Thus fell the glory of Port Royal; and with it all
the publick records; which proved a heavy lofs. In the fol-
lowing year, the afiembly taking into confideration, that the
fort and many of the houfes were (till left (landing ; that it was a
place lb excellently adapted to carry on trade, and of great flrength
to refift an enemy ; refolved upon rebuilding it. Firfl, however,
they endeavoured to (hew the deep impreflion which the late misfor-
tune had made upon their minds, by appointing every 7th of June
to be obferved, for the future, as a day of fafting and deprecation
of the divine wrath; which (lill continues, and ever ought, to be
religioufly kept here. The fand on the South fide of the town

was

r' V

,44 J A M A I C R-. '

was funk fo low, thaf if was feared the fea would encroach too faft,
and endanger the houfes left ftanding on that lide. They therefore
enabled that the owners of ground formerly built upon, and whofe
houfes had heen thrown down by the earthquake, fliould rebuild
them; or, otherwife, that the lots" fliould be fold on a fair valuation,
and the money be paid to the owners. Some provilions were like-
wife made for repairing the wall, or breaftwork, which had been
built to hinder the encroachment of the fea; and the receiver-ge-
neral, fecretary, and port officers, were ordered to hold their offices
here, by themfelves or deputies, as heretofore.

By degrees, as the popular fears fubfided, the town increafecMn
buildings and inhabitants, though far fliort of its former ftate, till
the year 1703, when it was deflroyed a fecond time. A terrible
fire broke out among fome of the ware-houfes, which fpread with
fuch fury, as to reduce moft of the houfes to afhes. It was occa-
sioned, as appears from an a£l paffed foon after, by keeping large
quantities of gun-powder, and other combuftibles, in the different
quarters of the town ; and its devaftation was imputed to the
Northward fhingles, with which the houfes were covered. This
.accident produced the law, which enads, that, as the North-Ame-
rican fliingles had been found very dangerous, no perfon, inha-
biting in this town, fhould for the future cover a"ny houfe, or other
building, with any fliingles brought from the Northward, nor
any other than what are made and produced in this ifland, under
penalty of forfeiting 100 A and fuch houfe or building : a regula-
tion fo prudent, that it is amazing it has not been extended to
Kingfton, and other towns where it is equally neceflary. This
ruinous accident caufed another defertion to Kingfton ; which thus
began to thrive by the decline of her elder fifter; fo that, two
years afterwards, it was grown fo populous, that the legiflature
found it convenient to eftablirti here a quarter-feflion, and court of
common-pleas, and to enaft feveral provifions for fecuring the na-
vigation of the harbour, fettling the rates of wharfage, repairing
the ftreets, and guarding againft fire. Port Royal- was at this pe-
riod reduced to a very low ebb, yet it was not wholly deferted. It
was thought advifeable to keep it provided always with a ftrong
garrifon. It dill pofleffed fome little trade, and was the favourite

re fort

BOOK II. CHAP. VIII. 145

rcToit of the feamen belonging to the men of war and privateers.
But, as if Providence had decreed that it fliould never more revive
to any thing like its former fplendor, what the earthquake and con-
flagration had fpared was nearly demoliflied by a violent hurricane,
which happened on the 28th of Auguft, 1722. It began at eif^ht
in the morning, and lafled fourteen hours ; during which, the rain
was inceflant, and the ftorm veered all round the compafs. In
Klngflon mofl: of the buildings were thrown down, or much fhat-
tered. The very day preceding it was perfedly calm; but lb great
a fwell at fea, that the waves broke over the bread- work at
Port Royal, and laid all the Ilreets under water. The fort fuffcred.
very much ; leveral of the guns were difmounted, and fome wafhed
into the fea. The church and row of houfes in the Eaft part of
the town were fo battered, that there remained very little ap-
pearance of a building. In fhort, above half the to\\n was laid in
ruins; and the houfes and plantations in all parts of the ifland fuf-
fered confidcrable damage, except in St. Jago, where the Sjaaifti
buildings llood the fhock unhurt. Very few of the inhabitants lolt
their lives; but in the harbour it proved more fatal. Out of
tliirty-fix merchant-Ihips and floops, only ten were to be feen after
the ftorm ; and of thefe one half were irreparably damaged. The
Falkland, Swallow, and Weymouth men of war, and the floop
Happy, loil; all their mafts and boats ; the other part of the fqua-
dron, confifting of the Lancafter, Mermaid, and Adveiiture, were
luckily at fea, and efcaped. The naval ftore-houfe was blown
down ; and mod of the powder in the magazines damaged. The
• Rio Cobre was obftruded for feveral miles about the Caymana's,
and loft its ufual channel, by the prodigious abundance of trees and
rubbidi which the wind and inundation had thrown into it j fo that
the parage from St. Jago to Kingfton by land became interrupted
for fome time; and the aflembly were obliged to pafs an adt for
clearing it. It was computed, that four hundred perfons loft their
Jives in the harbour, among which were two hundred Negroe
ilaves on board a Guiney thip, which foundered at her anciiors.
In 1 7 17, the afiembly, being fenfible that the wall, or breaft-work,
on the South fide of the town was of the utmoft importance to pre-
vent the fea from breaking in, eftablifhed 150/. per anumi as a per-
VoL. II. U pctual

,46 JAMAICA,

petual fund for keeping it in repair. They had, fome time before,
prohibited the carrying away any itones or fand from the cayes and
fhoals which lay in the channel, with a view to the like precaution;
which was fufficiently juflified in the year 1744, when another
furious iiurricane aroie at llx in the evening on the 20th of October,
and continued till fix th.e following morning, A new fort, begun
at Mofquito Point, was entirely razed; many houfes were blown
down in tlic towns and other parts of the ifland ; and all the wharfs
at Port Royal, Kingllon, Paflage Fort, and Old Harbour, were
deilroyed, and moft of the goods fwept away. The inhabitants of
Port Roval expeilled evcr\' moment to be fwaJlowed up by an inun-
dation, the flreets being all laid fcvcral feet under water ; but, hap-
pily, their wall withflood the ftock, and ikved them from utter
ruin.. Their dangerous lituation may be imagined ; for the wind,
fetting the whole time from the Soutli, drove the furge full againfb
this part of the town, and with llich fury, that immenfe loads of
ftone and fand were poured over the wall. Sir Chaloner Ogle,
who then had tlie command on this flation, was fortunately at fea,
with the major part of the fleet ; but there were nine men of war
and ninety-frx merchant fliips in the harbour, one hundred and four
of which were flranded, wrecked, of foundered ; fo that only the
Rippon rode It out with the lofs of her mads; and a great number
of mariners were drowned. Thus has this unhappy town under-
gone, in the fpace of fifty-two years, a fad fucceffion of extraor-
dinary dilafters, by earthquake, tempefl, fire, and inundation.
In its prefent humbled condition, it has three flreets, two or tliree
lanes, and about two hundred hcwjfes. The fortification, called
Fort Charles, Hands-on a low fpot at the entrance or mouth of the
harbour, and is defended by one hundred and twenty-fix guns.
The breaft-work, or line, is alfo formed to guard the channel in
coming ii>, as well as to prevent any accels by the Palifadoe or
land-fide ; fo that it is now compleatly fortified. Within the fort
is a fmall powder-magazine, and a houfe for the commanding
officer. The barracks are capable of receiving upwards of three
hundred men, exclufive of their officers; and here is a hofpital for
their fick. In 1734, when Sir Chaloner Ogle commanded the
fouadron here, a large piece of £round was taken in at the Noith-
2 " Eafl

BOOK II. CHAP. VIII. 147

Eafl: quarter of the town, and veftcd in the crown, for the fervice
of his majelly's Ihips; and in 1741 the yard and wharf were greatly
enhirged by an a6l of afl'embly, palled for that purpole. Here
the men of war are careened and refitted ; but the greater part of
the naval Itores are kept m proper ware-houfes at Greenwich.
The hofpital for tlie feamen is a large, airy, and well-contrived
building. The church is afmall, but neat ftruilure, with an organ,
a tower, and cupola. The captain of the fort has of late vears
been appointed by the governor's warrant, upon the nomination
of the miniftry. His ialary is only 109/. los. per annum; but
the profits of this port make it far more confiderable. By the re-
venue-law, pafled in 1728, a provifion is made of 547/. 10 s. per
annum for twelve matrofles and gunners, who are required to be
inhabitants of the town, and continually refident in it. The
holding thefe employments is an cxcufe from fervice as peace-
officers, jury-men, or in the militia; and for this reafon, the in-
habitants make ftrong intercll: to obtain warrants of appointment
to thefe merely nominal commiflions, for they gladly rclinquifli
their claim to the falary, which of courfe becomes a perquiiite to
the captain. A practice, very detrimental to trade, was formerly
in ule here; I mean the demand of a gratuity from the mafters of
vefllels, importing bullion from foreign parts, for leave to pafs the
fort: this, with exadions of the like nature from the governors,
naval otiicers, &c. became fo grievous, that thefe foreigners at
length declared it to be the principal reafon of their abandoning
all further trade at this port, and of their refort to the French at
Plifpaniola, where they are faid to have met with a more favourable
reception, aiid to have made up their aflbrtments full as cheap.
Rapacious sfts commonly begin at the top in thefe diflant govern-
ments, and fo defcend ta the loweft underftrappers.

It was unpleafing to fee the intereft of a colony thus made a (\-
crifice to the bafell principle; and more fo, that the injured people
either had not, or were not able to exert, a fuitable remedy. But
fuch as a governor is, fuch will be the fubordinate minifters wf'thin
his jurifdiction. The captain of the fort takes charge of all the
powder brought into the magazine purfuant to the tonnage-a£t,
and accounts, upon oath, for its wafte and expenditure, to the

U 2 council

148 JAMAICA.

council and affcmbly when called upon ; fubjedt, in cafe of negleft
or refufal, to a penalty of 500/. The profits of this poll have
been computed at not lefs than 1000/. fterling per annum. The
expence of keeping this fort, and the barracks at Port Royal, in
repair, from 1743 to 1752, paid by the public of Jamaica,
amounted to 27,667/. which is about 3074/. per annum. The
powder ordinarily in the magazine is about 20,500 lb. wt. and all
that it is not capable of containing is lodged at Molquito Point,
and Rock Fort.

The quantity confumed in falutes, minute-guns, re-
joicing-days, and a morning and evening-watch,

is, comrrninibus a?inis, about 25600 Ib.wt.

The walte, in fifting and fliifting, about 3000

28600
which, at eighteen-pence per pound (the price at which it is rated
on being paid in), comes to 2145/. a charge which might be
leflened, and the iaving better applied to the article of repairs.

Thefe lalutes-, &c. have ufually been regulated in the following
manner :

N° Guns.
On the death of the governor, admiral, or the governor's

lady, 61

Ditto of the king's uncle or aunt, 44

King's birth-day, 27

Death of the king's brother, or fifter ; birth-day of any of
the royal family, except the king's; on arrival or de-
parture of a governor; on his vifiting or leaving tlie
fort -, on publilhing his commillion ; commiflioners
of the forts vifiting, and leaving ; guu-powder plot ;

St. George's day; and other publick holidays ; zi

Salute of an admiral's flag, — — i 15

Ditto a privy-counfellor of the ifiand arriving, — 14

Ditto ditto leaving the idand ; — 13

An exa<ft account of all the powder brought in every year to this
fort, and the out-ports, would give a tolerably accurate detail of
the tonnage of fliipping employed in the trade of this ifiand ; it

would

BOOK II. CHAP. VIJI. 149

would probably be rather under than over the truth, as their re-
giflers feldoni correfpond with exa6l menfuration.

The powder, expended at Fort Augufta, on Mofqiiito Point, is,
one year with another, about yooolb.ut value 525 /.

In the year 1760, the quantity of powder received at Fort
Charles amounted to three hundred aiul nine barrels, of icolb.wt.
each, :=r 30,000 lb. wt. which makes the tonnage of that year, of
the fliips that come to Kingfton harbour, thirty thoun^nd nine
hundred ; and, fuppofing feventy tons each to be an average, the
number will be four hundred and forty-one fliips and Imaller
veflels [ jv \

For the fervice of the forts feveral Negroes are allotted ; and
by the laft: account there were,

At Foit Charles, ■ ■ . 23

Fort Augufta, — — 1 2

Rock Fort, 12

Engineer for general work, 30

Total, 78
and proper canoes, either for going with difpatches, or bringing
provihons from Kington market, &cc. The inhabitants are chiefly
fupported by the money fpent here by the garrifon and the fqua-
dron ; by the gains made by their wherries that ply for fare in the
harbour; their turtle-fiihery, which is confideraWe ; the pilotage
of fliips in and out ; and by their votes at the eleftion of reprefen-
tatives; thougli it muft be confcfled, that, except when party-feuds
run very high in the ifland, their profits in this laft article are but
trifling: however, many perfons are proprietors of houfes in this
town, merely for the advantage of voting at thefe eleftions ; in
the meantime letting them rent-free, on conditiortonly, that the
tenant keeps them in tolerable repair.

Befides thefe douceurs, one inhabitant receives 400/. a year for
fupplying the fort and the garrifon at Mofquito Point with frefli

[_>] The medium quantity i-eccivei.1, cvnmiinlhin anu:',, about 415, equal to 21,^00 tons of
Sliippiiii;. An act has lately been pafleJ fof levying the duty in money at u. 61/. ^rr ton on all
veflbls (foreign only excepted), and appropriating the proceeds as a general. Kind for repairing forts
:ind fortifications ; a meafure from which, I am perfuaded, the ifland will reap very great advan-
tage. By the fame a^% the receiver-general Is einpoweied to buy powder for fupplying them,

water.

I50 J A Ai A 1 P,, 4.

water, brought la boats from the river Cobre ; and another i:> paid
100/. annually, tor giving a dinner. to the committee of the le-
giilature, who come hither to view tlie ilate of tli^is fortrefs. Some-
times they have obtained a partial exemption from certain taxes ; anc^,
confidering the veneration and companion due to the town on ac-
count of its antient grandeur and prefent poverty, there feems to
be jull: ground for thefe elecmofynary benefadlions. Tlie air of the
town has been ahvays efteemed remarkably healthfuh It is open
to a free ventilation ; and the wind is correded by paffing in every
direction over the fca-water. In the middle of the day it is gene-
rally very hot ; for the heat of tl;e air is greatly augmented by the
fand, which retains it like a balneum marlos. But rain rarely falls
here. The clouds from the land have a quick drift out to fea,
after being blown over the Blue Mountains ; and thofe that ap-
proach from the lea generally follow the mountainous ridge.s and
thus are drawn away from this quarter. The inhabitants in ge-
neral live to a great age ; and many convalefcents repair hither from
■other parts of the ifland, to recruit their emaciated bodies v.'ith the
purity of -this atmofphcre, and a regular courfe of turtle-diet,
which is cooked here in the highell: perfedlion. The civil govern-
ment of the town is, like the others, under the difpenfation of a
cujios^ or chief magiftrate, and his affiflants, with other pcace-of-
ticers. It has alfo a quarter- fellion of the peace, and court of
common-pleas, and mufters a fmall corps of militia. The rec-
tor's flipend is z^oL per annum ; and, all perquifites included, does
riiot amount to more than about 300/. as 1 am informed.

Port Royal, as a place of defence, is defervedly valued. The
fliips, in advancing towards the harbour, muft necelliirily pafs, be-
tween fhoals and rocks, tlirough a difficult channel, in fome parts
extremely narrow ; and are inevitably expofcd to a fevere fire, with-
out poflibility of bringing their guns to bear. A-head they have
a battery of twelve guns, moftly forty-two pounders, called the
Twelve Apoftles, built on a point of Saltpan Hill (above the range
of an enemy's lliot), which would rake them the whole way, till
they tacked to Ihmd up the harbour : they are then expofed to the
fire of this battery on one fide, to the fire of the fort on the other,

and

BOOK ir. CHAP, \'Jn. 151

and in front to the battery of Fort Augufta. The harbour is about
one mile and three quarters in breadth, but widens further-in.

The men of war anchor near the town in eight and ten fathom
water. Foit Augufta ftands on Mofquito Point,, which is a fandy
peninfula, about two miles in length, and very narrow, projeding
from the North-Ead fide of the Saltpan Hill, and forming a kind
of lunette on the Weft fide of the harbour. At the point, the fliip-
channel between the harbours of Pprt Royal and Kingfton is not
a quarter of a mile in breadth, and would probably become Ihoal-
water, if it was not for the Rio Cobre, which fweeps through it
to the fea. The channel has from fix to eight fathom ; but
on each fide of it are fand-banks, in pafiing over which, the fmall
wherries fometimes rub their keels. This fort mounts eighty-fix
large guns, kept in excellent order. It contains a large magazine,,
a houfe for the commandant, barracks to contain three hundred
foldiers, with all convenient offices, and cafemates. It was pro-
jefted to mount one hundred and fixteen guns ; but it is not yet
compleated. The walls and baftions are built upon piles of the
palmeto or thatch-pole tree, which is endued with the property of
lafting in water without being liable to erolion by the worm.
Thefe were driven down through th.e loofe liind, until they reached
a firm bed. If the fame precaution had been ufed in conftrufting
the houfes of Port Royal, it is probable that the greater part of
the town would have iurvived the earthquake. This fort con-
tains an hofpital, befides habitations for the officers, and is looked
upon to be an healthy garrifon. The neck of find wdiich
joins it to the main is not above fifty or fixty feet wide in moft
places, and fo low, that an enemy could not carry on approaches,
on account of the water rifmg near the furface ; and it is flanked by
a lagoon, or inlet of water from the harbour, of fome extent; for
thefe reafons, and becaufe the fliip?, in paffing up the channel to-
wards- Kingfton, muft com.e within point-blank (hot of a whole
line of guns, a governor of this illand pronounced it impregnable
both by land and fea. The fort is about two miles diftant from
Port Royal, and about three and a Iwlf from Kinpfton.

The

1^3 J A M A I C A.

The broadefl: part of Port Royal peniufalu is iKMrly oppofite to
the Eaft quarter of Kingfton : on this part is a fmall grals-peniij
flocked with iheep and goats. The fide next the harbour is iuter-
fected with fevcral little ponds and inlets ; and here is the ufual
careenin'y-place for merchant-fiiips. This neck of land might be
made very paflable for horles; but the people of Port Royal prefer
a water-carriage, which is more pleafant, and equally expeditious.
Leaving this maritime part of the parifii, I fliall proceed to the
other diftrid of it, which lies on the main land. It contains about
fifteen thoufand acres, but very few fettlements or inhabitants; for
the more level part bordering on the coaft is parched, for want of
rain^ and the reft is occupied with fteep mountains. Near the
road, which leads acrofs this pariih from the Eaftward to King-
fton, ftands the antient habitation of Sir James de Caftlllo, a Spa-
nifh gentleman ; who was knighted by king William III. for his
fervices in negociatiug a treaty, to furnifli the Spanifli dominions
in the Weft-Indies with an annual number of Negroes, by the
way of Jamaica [s]. Tliis houfe was defended by leveral fwivel-
wuns, ranged on pofts before the front ; its (ituation near the Bull
Bay fubjeding it in war-time to the danger of being attacked by
the privateers, which frequently have made defcents on this part of
the country.

There is nothing further in the parifh that merits notice, except
the cafcade at Mammee River. This ftream takes its rife among
the Blue Mountains ; and, after a winding courfe, difcharges itfelt
between two rocky hills near Bull Bay, by a fiill of about two hun-
dred feet. The diredion of the fall is altered, midway, by a vaft
rock, extending from the iide of the adjacent precipice, which
breaks the flieet of water, and caules it to be agitated with fuch
violence, that the ipace below is filled with a continual mift ;
which, fo long as the fun fhines upon it, exhibits a beautiful va-
riety of fine irides : from thence the river rufhes, foaming along
between rocks, till it reaches the open ground below. Under the
brow of the Eaftern hill, above the fall, is a very large and curious
cave, filled, like all the others that I have feen in this ifland, with

[z] He was commiflary-general for the AflTiecto ; lived here many years ; and acquired a con-
fiderable property, with univerfal eileem.

ftaladic

BOOK II. CHAP. VIII. 153

ftalaftic petrlfii^lions. In many parts of the mountains are found
limilar cavities, fome of which have adits defcending a very great
depth into the earth. It is poffible, they may have been originally
formed by earthquakes; yet, to judge from the appearance of moft
of them, they appear coeval with the ifl.ind itfelf. On going into
oneof thefe in the middle of the day to tlie depth of about forty
feet, the air, or v;ipour, grew fo hot and fuffocating, that it was
impoflible to proceed any lower. Thefe chafms, perhaps, have a
very extenfive fubterraneous communication ; and, whenever the
external air is highly rarefied, the vapours rufh upwards through the
aperture in a continued ftream ; on the contrary, when the ex-
ternal air is in a different flate, it probably defcends with fome
violence into thefe openings: at certain times therefore, as for ex-
ample in the early morning-hours, it may be pradicable to go
down very low into them without inconvenience or danger. In moft
of them are found large quantities of human bones, almofl con-
fumed by time, the teeth alone being in a tolerably perfe£l flate.
Some have conjedtured, that thefe places were either uled by the
Indians as ofluaries, or elfe as occafional retreats, to elude the fearcli
of an enemy. The moft probable account is, that the bones be- ,
longed to thofe poor Indian natives who fell vidims to the barbarity
of their Spanifli conquerors ; for Efquemeling, who wrote in 1666,
and had feen great quantities of human bones lying in caves in the
ifland of Hifpaniola, tells us he was informed, by the inhabitants
of that ifland, that, when the Spaniards had refolved upon the ex-
tirpation of the Indians, they made ufe of dogs of a peculiar breed,
large, bold, and very fleet. The poor Indians having for fome
time been obliged to take refuge in their woods, thefe animals
were conftantly employed to hunt them out. The Spaniards by
this means caught a great number of them ; and were content at
firft to kill feveral, quartering their bodies, and fixing their limbs
on the moft confpicuous fpots /« terror em, that the reft might take
warning by their fate, and fubmit at difcretion. But this horrid
cruelty, inftead of intimidating or reducing to friendly terms, only
ferved to embitter them more againft their favage invaders, and' af-
feded them with fo inveterate an abhorrence of the Spaniards, that
they determined to fly their fight for ever, and rather perifli by
V^oL. II. X famine

,54 JAMAICA.

famine or their own hands, than fall into the power of fo mercilefs
an enemy. The greater part of them therefore retired into caves
and fubterraneous privacies among the mountains -, where they mi-
ferably perifhed, leaving a fad, though glorious, monument to fu-
ture ages, of their having difdained to furvive the lofs of liberty
and their country.

State of Port Royal Parifli :

Annual Produce
of Sugar.
Negroes. Cattle. ' Sugar-works. | Hogfiieads. ] Settlements.

i734j 154S 106

1740, 1546 I5S

174-5' ^^^5 35

1761, 1203

1768, 1432 170 ^ \ ^^ \ _ "

We have here a glaring proof, that this parifh is declining very
faft, and perhaps irreparably ; fince there appear no means of'
putting the town into a more thriving way ; and the inland part
of the parifli is too rugged or fleep to admit of any confiderable
fettlements, while the trad adjacent to the coafl: is rather fterile,
and deftitute of a good fhipping-place. The only barquadier is
near the mouth of Bull River, where none but fmall veflels can
lie; and the anchorage is unfafe, on account of the opennefs of
the bay.

SECT. IV-.

St. David, in the Precinft of St. Thomas in the East.

THIS parifli is bounded on the Eafl:, by St. Thomas in the
Eaft, and a part of Portland; on the Wefl:, by Port Royal parifli,
and a fmair part of St. Andrew; on the North, 'by St. George;
and on the South, by the Tea. It is watered by fix rivers, the prin-
cipal of which are, Collier's, Vavafor's, and Yallah's. .The latter
takes' its firft fource in the Blue Mountains, and, after a mean-
drlng courfe of twenty-five iiiiles, falls into the bay of the fame
name, a fmall diftance from the' difcharge of the others. This
parifli was formerly populous: in the year 1673 it contained

eighty

BOOK ir. CHAP. VIIL Y55

eighty fettkments ; but. the (lofs of. regular feafons occafioiied its
dclertion. The hamlet at Yallah's Bay coiiiilb of a few Icattered
Jioufes, near the church, which is a very iniall building, though
large enough for the pariftiioncrs ; the rector's tlipend 106/. per
mitium. The (hipptny,T places are, Yallah's Bay, and Cow Bayy.r.At
the former, there is anchorage, for large (hips; but at the lattei:
only fmall velicls can:, lie..' - Yallah's Bay is flieltered from the
breezes and Norths by a point of land. But no fliipping c;'.n lie
with fafcty at either of- Chele places in a ftrong-. Southerly wind;
on. account. of the prodigious. fwell which fets in.. Gow Bay is. re-
markable for having been the fcene of ain extraordinary a6tion in
the year 1681; when Sir Henry Morgan, the governor, having
intelligence that one Everfon, a famous Dutch pirate, rid there
with a floop and a barqua longa, manned with about one hundred def-
perate fellows, difpatched a floop with fifty men, befides officers,
in queft of him. On the firfl of February the governor's armed
veffel attacked the pirate, and after fo'me refinance, in which the
Dutch captain was killed, got pofleffion of the floop. The bark
cut her cable, and efcaped by outfailing her purfuer. . The piratical
crew, who were almoft all of them Englifli, Sir Henry fent to
the governor of Carthagena, to receive punifliment for all the out-
rages they had committed upon the Spaniards. In this he. was
thought by fome to have gone too far ; but he was willing perhaps
to convince the Spaniards, by this facrifice, that he knew how to
difl:inguifli between hoftilities carried on under a lawful commiflion,
and a£ls of lawlefs piracy ; and that he was determined to keep the
treaty with the Spaniards inviolate on his part. In 1694, twelve
fail of the fleet, under command of Du Cafle, anchored in this
bay, landed their men, and plundered and burnt all before them,
for feveral miles i killed the cattle; drove whole flocks of fheep
into houfes, and then fired them. They put feveral of the pri-
foners they took to torture, murdered others in cold blood, and
committed the mofl: fliocking barbarities. Some days afterwards,
feveral of the fleet being forced out to fea by the violence of the
wind, which drove their anchors home, the commanding officer
of the militia in this quarter fell upon their flraggling parties on
flioie, flew ma:iy of them, and forced the reft to take Ihelter oa

X 2 board

156 JAMAICA.

board their (hips, leaving their provifions behind. Soon after this
a£tion, they failed away.

This coaft was always much expofed to the infult of privateers,
until the lafl; war; when a fmall frigate was ftatioued at Moraiit to
windward, which being only five leagues from Cow Bay, it would
be very difficult for an enemy's veflel to efcape after making a de-
fcent. This parifh has three large ponds on the coaft, divided from
the fea only by a very narrow, fandy bank, fo that the waters com-
municate. Two of them are fituated in the South-Eaft fide, between.
White River and Yallah's Bay ; the larger is two miles and a
quarter in length, and three quarters in breadth in the wideft
part ; a very narrow flip feparates this from the next, which ia
about a mile in length. Thele were antiently pans, formed by the
Enojiih who firft fettled in the parifli, for making fait. They were
probably afterwards deftroyed by inundations of the fea in the great
earthquake and fubfequent hurricanes; and they have now a con-
fiderable depth of water in fome places. The third lies about two
miles Weft of thefe, and is about one mile in length, and of un-
equal breadth. If the parifti was crouded with fettlements, thefe
bafons might be converted to fome advantageous fcheme, either for
maintaining a fiftiery, or opening a water-carriage from the Eaft-
ern part to Yallah's Bay; which would be extremely feaftble..
The lower or more level range of the parifti, lying between the
hills and the {^e.\, was, by the failure of the regular feafons, in ge-
neral fo dry, that canes would not grow here; and the fettlements,
thinly fcattered, confilled only of penns and flieep-paftures, until
within thefe few years, when a gentleman who pofl'efles a property
here conceived the idea of watering it from the neighbouring river..
The experiment anfwered much beyond his expedation : he fooa
covered his formerly parched land with the verdure of cane pieces,
and has now, as I am informed, made a noble eftate of four hun-
dred hogflieads ^^r annum; the land proving moft amazingly fertile,,
infomuch that I have heard it afterted to have yielded him from
three to four hogftieads per acre. This example may probably
operate upon his neighbours; and, in procefs of time, St. David
will in confequence become a populous and wealthy parifti. The
air is efteemed healthy in all parts of it, except the neighbourhood

of

B O O K II. CHAP. VIII. 157

of the Saltponds, but, if the parifh fliould ever be thick-fettled,
the mangrove-trees, which confine tlie atmofphere on the fwampy
borders of thefe ponds, will be cut down, or probably fome method
fallen upon, to drain them. The glades between the hills are ex-
ceedingly fertile; and the air and water perfe(flly good.

State of the Parifh :

Annual produce

of Sugar.

Sugar-works. ] Hogflieads. J Other Settlementt.

Negroes.

Cattle.

»734r

1540

I165

1740,

1628

1497

i745>

1365

1494-

1761,

1838

1768,

2316

1667

8 I 550 I 35

This parifh is evidently on the improving hand, having increafed
both in number of Negroes and cattle. And it is to be hoped, the
new fyftem of watering will pervade the lower quarter as far as
may be prafticable, that the greater part of that trail may be
brought into cultivation.

SECT. V.

St, Thomas in the East.

THIS delightful parifh is bounded on the South and Eafl by
the fea ; on the North, by Portland ; and on the Weft, by St. Da-
vid. It is plentifully watered by upwards of twenty rivers and
fmaller ftreams : the principal are, the Negroe, the Morant, and
Plantain Garden rivers ; the lafl-mentioned of which is navigable
by fmall boats for a confiderable way up. This river f weeps
through the parifh from Eaft to Weil in a meandring courfe of
about twenty miles from its fource, which lies among the Blue
Mountains : the other two crofs it from North to South, at the
diftance of about half a mile from each other. Upon entering
this parifh from Sf. David's, the land rifes on the coafl; ; and the
road lies along fhore near a mile, paffing under two precipitous
mountains, compofed of rocks, and Jirata of a light-coloured
friable marie, intermixed with large pebbles. Thele cliffs are leen

a great

158 JAMAICA.

a great diftancc from the coaft, and called by feamen " The White
Horfes." The furf lets in here very high upon the beach, and
fometimes runs" up quite to the foot of the cliff; but, in general,
the fea is not lb boifterous as to p.cvent carriages from pafiing.
On leaving the fhore, the road becomes hilly for moft part of the
way, till we come to Moraut, which is about four miles to the
Ealhvard. The bay of Morant is a confiderable (hipping-place.
The road in which the fliips anchor is well defended h"om the fea
by a reef of rocks: the fiiore is lined with. ftores aiid v/are-houfes
at the bottom of a rifing ground, on vthich the village ftaiads,
which confifts of about thirty houfes, or more, as it comprehends
within its circuit the church, wh.ich is not tar diftant. This village
is growing faft into. a town, and indeed better deferves that appel-
lation than fome others in the ifland : the church is a handfome
building ; and adjoining is the parfonage, an exceedingly comfor-
table manfion : the ftipend annexed to this living is 250/.; but,
confidering the extent of the parifh, the rector's income is proba!)ly
not much fliort of from five to fix hundred ■poundi, fer afmum. There
are feveral circumftances which feem to finour the growth of a
town here. The foil is dry, the air healthy, and the water good
and in great plenty ; the Eaftern branch of Morant River fall
into the fea on one fide of the bay ; and the country behind, and
all around, is well-fettled and fertile. The (hipping are defended
by a fmall battery, kept in good repair. About five miles further
Eaftvvard, the road brings us to Port Morant, which is one of the
largefl: and mofl beautiful harbours in Jamaica. It runs up the
country about two niiles and a quarter; the entrance is about one
mile acrofs; but the channel dangerous to ftrangers, on account of
two reefs in the offing, wdiich have proved fatal to feveral fhips.
On the windward-fide, the land ranges pretty high, covered with
thick wood ; and, being flieltered on all fides by the main-land and
the reefs, it is always fecure, and has a good depth of water. The
entrance is defended by a fmall battery on the Eaft fide. The old
fort was erefted on the oppofite fide ; but it was ill-conftruded, and
efteemed not healthy [^]. It was in the neighbourhood of this

[.i] Provifion has lately bepn pade by the affembly for rebuilding two forts, or batteries, one
"u ench fide the eatranco.

"^ •''•■' harbour

BOOK ir. CHAP. VIII. 159

liarbour that governor Stokes fettled in 1656, with his colony of

Nevis planters. The governor fixed himfelf about two miles and

a- half from the head of the harbour, wheie the plantation, called

Stokes-hall, flill commemorates him. In 1671, notwithrtandlnt^

to

the mortality v/hich had fwept off many of the firft planters, there
were upwards of fixty fettlements in this neighbourhood ; many of
Nvhich formed a line along the coaft Eaftward from the harbour,
where a'e only two or three at prefent. Point Morant, which is
the Eaftcrnmofl: end of the illand, is diftant between nine and ten
miles from Morant Harbour. Adjacent to the Point are near eight:
thoufand acres of very fine land, moftly a rich, black mould upon
a clay, at prefent inmorafs, and therefore negleiled ; but it is ca-
pable (by draining) of being converted into rich fugar-plantations ;
an example ofwhich has been iliewn in the Northern quarter of
it, bordering :upon Plantain Garden River, where an eilate, formed
out of the morafs not many years fince by this mode of improve-
ment, was lately fold for 105,000/, and is thought to be well
worth the money. The draining of this large tra6t would anfwcr-
the further good purpofe of rendering all the fettlements, that lie
to leeward of it, more healthy; and in procefs of time this may'
probably be accomplished. [/^i]. The road, continuing along the
Weft fide of the harbour, and running Noithwards about five
miles, terminates at the town of Bath, which is fortv-four miles
diftant from Kingfton, and about fixty from Spanilli Town. The
road from Kingfton was made partly by private fubicription, and
partly publick grants. As it pafles the whole way near the coaft, ,■
aud through a variety of flourifliing Icttlement?, it is cheered with
a 'number of moft agreeable profpefts ; and, to render it more com-
modious for travellers, there are mile-ftones fixed all along. Since
the Bath has become a place of lefs refort than formerly, this road
has been too much negledlcd. Some parts of It were formed

[i] About ten lengucs Soutlj-eart from the Point, or Cape .of Morant, lie the two Moraut
cayes, called by the Fiencl; Rai.ai. The North-eall cave is placci! in latitude 1 7° 26' North ; aud
the Soufh-wcll in 17*^ '20'. As they are dircvflly in the track of (hips coin in" down to Jamaica
from Europe, or the Windward Illands, great caution is ufed not toifall in. with them ire the.night- •
time. Not long fince, a Guiney-man was wrecked here. Btit .fuch accidents have verv rarely
happened. Under the Soutli \ve»1 cave there is good anchorage from five to eighteen fathom
watfeft-

^v^th

i6o JAMAICA.

with infinite labour, being carried along the fide of a lofty pre-
cipice of Iblid rock, which nothing but the force of gun-powder
could penetrate. This pafs is very tremendous in a wheel -carriage ;
from one fide of wiiich, the eye is terrified by the view of a river
foaming feveral hundred feet below; but a parapet wall is built, for
the fecurity of paflengers, where any danger may be apprehended.

The Bath waters have long been known, and juftly celebrated for
•their fahitary viitues. They are faid to have been firll: difcovered
by colonel Stanton, formerly a planter and inhabitant of theparifh,
who was proprietor of the demefne in which they rife, and fold his
right to the publick for a valuable confideration, paid him in pur-
fuance of an a6l of affembly pafled in the year 1699. The dirtance
and trouble of coming at them prevented any experiment being made
of their efficacy, till about the year 1696, when two perfons, one
of whom was greatly reduced by the belly-ach, the other by the
venereal difeafe, had recourfe to them for a cure: they carried
proper neceflaries with them; built huts; and, by the internal and
external ufe of the hot fpring, they found their health re-efta-
bliflied in the fpace of only ten days. The water was foon after-
wards tried in the prefence of the governor, Sir William Beefton,
with an infufion of galls, which in twenty-four hours gave it the
tin£ture of Canary-wine, or old-hock ; a fufficient proof that it is
not impregnated with chalybeate, or at leaft in a very fmall portion*

The hot fpring ifliies by feveral different rills from fifllires iix
the fide of a rocky cliif, the foot of which is waflied by the Sul-
phur River, The fpring is in fuch a Hate of ebullition, when re-
ceived immediately from the rock in a glafs, and applied to the lips,
that it can only be fipped like tea. This has given occafion to fome
dealers in the marvelous to affirm, that it is hot enough to boil
chickens and even turkies. I have, indeed, been aflured by men
of veracity, that it will coagulate the white of an egg, if placed
clofe to the fifllire, and held there for fome time covered from the
air : and of this I have no doubt ; for it is to be remarked, that at
fome times it is heated to a far greater degree than at others, which
depends probably on the greater or lefs effervefcence of the water
within the bowels of the mountain from whence the fpring de-
rives its fource. It is naturally light, fparkles when received in the
I glafs.

B O O K II. CHAP. VIII. ,6i

glafs, fciments fliglitly with acids, turns iilvcr black, and feems
copioufly charged with volatile particles, combined with a phlo-
giilic, a calcareous earth, and a portion of fixible air : it has a nau- '
leous tafte when drunk at the rock ; but this leaves it on beino^
fome time kept. The face of the rock over which it flows is co-
vered with an ochrous precipitation, impregnated with fulphur.
It is remarkably beneficial in all capillary obfh-u6lions and diforders
of the breaft, proceeding from weaknefs, or want of the proper
glandular fecretions ; in all lentors and vifcidities, proceeding from in-
a£lion ; in confumptions, and nervous fpafms. It reftores the ap-
petite, and natural adion of the bowels ; invigorates the circula-
tion ; warms the juices ; opens the Ikin ; cleanfes the urinary pal-
fages; ftrengthens the nerves; and feldom fails to procure an eafy
deep at night. Externally ufed, by way of a fomentation, it has
been known to heal the moft obftinate ulcers. In paralytic com-
plaints it is generally fuccefsful, and has recruited many conftitutions
that were impaired by debauch, or lingering intermittents. Nu-
merous as its known virtues are, it ftill requires a more thorough
analyfis. Some other particulars likewife ought to be afcertained,
in order to make it of more general ufe. But, of the diiTerent
phyficians who have refided here, I know of none that has
been at the pains to examine it fcientifically, or atleaft that has fa-
voured the public with any difcovery of the principal purpofes to
which it is applicable in medicine, or of the methods by which it
may be beft adminiflered, to anfwerthe cure of difeafes ; or of the
fubftances proper to be ufed at the fame time with it. Thefe parti-
culars are left at prefent to the difcretion of the patients, who drink
it, for the moft part, with very little attention to rule or meafure;
and therefore fome of them do not reap all the advantages from the
ufe of it, which, under due regulation, it might be capable of pro-
ducing. The general enquiries are,

1. What is the fitteft ftate in which the water fliould be drank?

2. The quantity?

3. Time of the day?

4. Length of time proper for it to be continued r

5. Seafon of the year in which it is moft efficacious?

Vol. II. Y 6. Regimen

i62 JAMAICA.

6. Regimen of life, and diet, whilft under the courfe?

7. What medicines preparatory to, or to cooperate with, the ufe
ofit[c]?

In general, it is drank immediately from the fprlng, heglnning with
one half-pint glafs, and increafing the number to three or more.
It has been found to have the beft efFed taken on an empty flo-
rnach early in the morning; but fome repeat the draught in the
afternoon, befides taking a confiderable quantity, mixed with a
little rum and fugar, by way of a diluent at dinner. All fruits and
other acids are caution fly abftained from, and vegetables fparingly
indulged. The diet moft ufual confifts of fifti, black crabs, fowls,
and the more delicate kinds of butchers meat, with puddings, and
the like. At firfl: drinking, it diftufes a thrilling glow over the
whole body ; and the continued ufe enlivens the fpirits, and fome-
times produces almofl the {lime joyous efFe£ts as inebriation. On
this account, fome notorious topers have quitted their claret for
a while, and come hither, merely for the fake of a little variety
in their pradice of debauch, and to enjoy the Angular felicity of
getting drunk with water. The cold fulphureous fpring, which
rifes near Blue Mountain Valley, in this parifli, fome miles VVefl:-
ward of the bath, is more grofs, and abundantly impregnated with
fulphur, diftinguiflied by the foetorof its fmell and inflammable fe-
diment. It is efteemed more effedual than ;:he other in all cuta-
neous diforders, obftinate obflruftions in the bowels, the fcurvy,.
and all the other difpofitions of the juices that require flrong lixi-
vious dilTolvents : for thefe reafons, in fome habits, it is recom-
mended to fucceed a moderate courfe of the hiOt fpring ; but it is
not much frequented, except by inhabitants of the neighbourhood.
The mountains, between which the Sulphur River takes its courfe,
defcend on each fide with fo precipitous a declivity, that it was
found imprafticable to build a town at the fpring; there is barely
room to admit a bathing-houfc, and even this is inconveniently
fituated on the fide oppofite the fpring ; fo that, before the water
can be conveyed acrofs in a wooden gutter, laid from the rock to
the bathing-houfe, it loles much of its heat and volatile gas.

fc] See Falconer's treatife ou the Bath-water of Somerfetfliire; which meiits theperufal of any
gentleman who mav iniline toiry experiments on that of Jamaica.

This

• BOOK II. CHAP. VIII. ' 163

This could not be remedied, except by ufing an iron pipe, to cou-
duel the water ; for a building cannot be erected on the lame fide as
the fpring, without being fo remote from it, either above or below,
as to be liable to equal inconvenience. This is the cale with reipeit
to a bathing-houfe for paupers, built by the river's fide above the
fpring by a teflamentary donation of Peter Valette, efq; whicli is
at too great a diflance. This gentleman, having oblerved with re-
gret that many poor and fick vdiito perlons, who had come from,
time to time to Bath for the benefit of the waters, either died, or
fuffered greatly for want of fubfiftence, and the common neceflarics
of life, devifed the lum of lO'/. per annum, payable during
the term often years, from the time of his deceafe, towards the
relief and lupport of fuch poor perfons, not being indented iervants,
nor having any vifible way of maintaining themtelves, who might
from time to time adually refide about the Bath-fpring; directing
the phyfician there to deliver a weekly ftipend of 7 j. 6 cL into the
hands of all fuch objedls of charity; or otherwife to lay out the
fame for their ufe and benefit during the time of their refiuenccj
not exceeding three months each: and, in cafe of any overplus re-
maining at the end of the year, he defired that it might be expeiuled
in providing nurfes to attend the poor infirm people at the fpring,
or in building lodging- houfes and accommodations for them near
it. His executors performed their truft with great propriety.
They built an hofpital, provided nurfes, ifupported upwards
of one hundred paupers, who had come from different parts
of the ifland at various times for relief; and in 177X, when
the ten years term affigned by the donor expired, had a ba-
lance of 96/. in their hands. The aflembly, upon their repre-
fentation, that, without the public afliftancc, this necefl'ary relief,
could no longer be continued to diftrefled objects reforting to Bath,
benevolently granted an aid of yo l.per ann. and ordered the fame to
be paid into the hands of the phyfician there, to be expended, and
accounted for, to the fame good purpoles, and under the fame
provifions, as Mr. Valette's annuity. This worthy man hr.s thus
laid the foundation of a very ufeful charity, which is likely to be
permanent ; fince there is no doubt but the aflembly will continue
to lupport it by an annual bcnefaftion. Acls of this kind are real mo-

Y 2 iiumcnts

i64 JAMAICA.

inimcnts of honour, which outlive the cofthefl fculpture, attrad

panegyric without flattery, and veneration without envy.

The patients, who defire to drink the water in the greatefl per-
fection, take their (land upon large flat ftones in the river-courfe,
within two or three feet of the rock, and receive it immediately
from the hand of the drawer. The mountain, called Carrion
Crow Ridge, in which it takes its fource, is one of the highell: in
this ifland, and appears from fome diftance below to have a fliarper
pike than moft others. The town of Bath is feated about a mile
and three quarters from the fpring, on a triangular flat, wa{hed on
three fides by the Sulphur, Ifland, and Plantain Garden rivers; io
that it is a perfeft peninfula, bounded, where it joins the main
land, with a range of hills, which gradually rife one above another,
till they reach the Blue Monntains. The three rivers unite their
flreams a little beyond the town, and continue their current to-
gether till they fall into the Tea. This low fituation makes the
town very liable to be incommoded by inundations, whenever thefe
rivers happen to be fwelled by the autumnal rains. They have
often endangered fome of the buildings ; and feldom retire into
their proper channels without committing depredation. In other
refpeds, the diflance from the fpring is attended with the happiefl
confequences to the patients, who ride on horfe-back to drink at it
twice a day, and promote the eflicacy of the water by joining fo
wholefome an exercife with it. The road which leads to the
IJDring is of a romantic appearance, being condudted along the fides
.of very Ikep mountains the whole way, whole projedtions and
gullies have not unaptly been compared to the folds or plaits of a
inan's coat. It is not in all parts of fufficient width for a wheel-
carriage to pafs, nor very fecure even for horfes, if they flnould be
ikittilh ; for here and there it over-hangs the river at a great ele-
vation ; and thefe precipices have no other fafeguard againft fuch
kind of accidents, than the trees wliich grow upon their face.
Among thefe mountains is great abundance of iron ore. The pre-
fence, indeed, of this metallic fubftance is, in the opinions of fome,
fufficiently evidenced by the quality of the waters iflliing from
them ; but it is not probable they will ever be explored for the
fake of obtaining it.

The

BOOK II. CHAP, VIII. 165

The firft vifit paid to the Hygasian fount is generally attended
with fome terror ; but this foon wears off; and I have known
ladies, who, from a very cautious fnail's pnce, proceeded gradually
to a quick trot, and at laft to a hand-gallop, along this road, em-
boldened by habit, and animated by the infpiriting effeils of the
water. To prevent getting wet with ludden fliowers, which fre-
quently defcend from the furrounding cloud-cnpped fummits, little
(heds are erefted at fliort intervals, ftretching acrofs the road, under
which the bobelins may take refuge. Thefe fliowers are generally
tranfient, though fometimes heavy while they lafl. The hill-fide
along the road, for the moft part, confifts oi Jirala and large mafles
of a brown, brittle flone, which Aides off in thin flakes, fmooth,
and fliining. The foil above is a deep, rich mould, chiefly vege-
table ; and it abounds with fnull rills of very fine water. The
extraordinary cures performed by the Bath-fpring induced the le-
giflature of the ifland, from motives of humanity, to take it under
their fandion, and extend fo noble a remedy to thofe poor inhabi-
tants who might want the means of procuring fubfiftence and me-
dical advice, whilft under its operation. They formed the town
into a corporation by law j granted it a public fcal ; diredled the
manner of laying out and afligning the lots of ground ; caufed
thirty Negroes to be purchafed, for keeping the road leading to the
fpring in conflant good repair, and planting vegetable provifions
for the ufe of poor peifons reforting hither ; and appointed a libe;al
falary for a phyfician, to be refideiit in the town, atid adminifter to
the poor gratis. For the better accommodation of the latter, they
founded an liofpltal in the fquare, divided into convenient wards and
apartments. The reigning fpirit of the inhabitants zealoufly feconded
thefe charitable provifions. Many pcrlons of fortune took up lots,
and began to eredl houles. The Iquare was foon adorned with the
hofpital, a public lodging-houfe, and a billiard-room. It became
the fafhion every year for a crowd of company to aflemble here
from all quarters of the ifland. The pow'ers of mufic were exerted;
the card-tables were not idle; and, in fliort, from a dreary defert,
it grew into a fcene of polite and fecial amufements. This (alas !)
was of no long continuance. The unfortunate [lolitical divifions,
which afterwards prevailed iluring the adminilbation of a certain
2 hot-

,66 JAMAICA.

hot-headed governor, deftro^yed all that harmony between families
which, while it fubiifted, luid been the principal canfe of making
this place an occafional retreat ; where they had ufcd to n::cet (.ach
otl>er in friend[hi[i, and united their talents of pleafing. The icene
became changed ; party-rage fucceeded ; the partizans of the dif-
ferent faftions could not endure the thouglit of mingling together
under the fame roof; and the more moderate pcrfons grew indif-
ferent to a place, where cheartulnels, confidence, and mutual
refpeft, no longer held any fway. From this period began its de-
cline. Mod of the houfes that were built have, from negleft and
want of inhabitants, gone into decay ; the half-finilhed frames of
fome, whicli were jull beginning to rear their heads, have moul-
dered into duft. The billiard-room is in ruins; and, m 176S, I ob-
ferved the tattered remains ot a once fuperfine green cloth, which
■covered the table, all befmeared with the ordure of goats and other
animals, who took their nightly rcpofe upon it. At this time,
the town was reduced to about nine or ten habitations. The hof-
pital was converted into a barrack for a company of the regulars.
Two lodging- houfes ftill remain; but they are much in want of
repair, and leem inclined to partake of the general ruin. The fa-
lutary ftream, which Providence has fo benevolently granted for
the relief of human mifery, is ungratefully (I had almofl: faid im-
pioufly) fuffered to glide away negleded and unheeded to the
ocean, as if it had entirely loft its former virtues. There is no-
thing more reproachful to the oeconomy and good-fenfe of the
principal men in this ifland, than fo (hameful a negle<fl. Will it
be imputed to indolence, to caprice, or inconfiftencc, tiiat, after fo
much folemnity and parade in eftablilhing the town ; after fo much
apparent happinefs derived from the inftitution ; fuch munificent
provifions for the lick poor; after advancing the plan fo far towards
maturity; they have devoted their whole fabric to fubverfion? It
is much to be regretted, that a fcheme attended with fo large an
expence, and fo well calculated for the public health and entertain-
ment, has been fo unaccountably dropped; when a imall annual
fund, fet apart for the purpofe, would have fupported all the build-
ings eredled here for the general ule or amufement. The hofpital
is built of a kind of white free-ftone, of which there are leveral
I quarries

BOOK ir. CHAP. Vlir. 167

quarries in the nciglibourhood : it is of the fame quality as that
wliich abounds in the parilhes of St. Anne and Weftmoreland ; it
is very foft, and ealily wrouglit when firll: dug, but grows hard after
expofure for fome time to the air. The foldiers, on their fiifl ar-
rival here, became fiekly. This was imputed to the conftant damp-
nefs of the walls ; for which reafon they were afterwards plai-
ftered ; and it was thought they grew healthier ; but in the year
1768 tliey had no lefs than twenty-five on the lick lilt; nn.d upon
enquiry it was found, that they were fubfiftedon falt-fi(h, falt-beef,
and bifcuit, not the beft in quality ; and were allowed frefh pro-
viiions only one day in the week.. The fait provifion was brought
from Kingfton, and came at a much dearer rate than frefli victuals,
which the neighbourhood affords. Of bifcuit, for example, not
more than five or fix could be bought for ie\e.n pence-halfpenny ;
and that quantity cannot be thought more than flifficient for a
foldier's daily allowance of bread. Whereas fifty plantains were to
be had at Bath for the fame monev ; which are more than one Ibl-
dier could devour in a week. Frefh pork was to be got here cheaper
than the befl falt-beef; fowls likewife, and frefh fifh, were ex-
ceedingly reafonable. The number of ladies and gentlemen, who
had reforted here for the benefit of the water, amounted in two
years to only fixty-fix, by many fewer than ufed to meet here at one
time, when Bath was in its flourifhing sera.

Proceeding from Bath to the Eaftward, we pafs along the rich
banks of Plantain Garden River, through a fuccefiion of the finefl
fugar-plantations in the ifland. The foil in lome parts is a black,
vegetable mould, of great depth, intermixed with fhells ; in other
parts a deep, brick mould ; and, towards the river's mouth, the
land on each fide is extremely flat, which lubjefts it to be overflown
pretty regularly once a year by the river. Thefe floods generally
lay all the canes proflrate, and cover them with a rich fediment of
mud. But they f pring again after the water retires, and grow aflo-
nifliingly luxuriant, requiring no other manure than what this
river, like another Nile, fo invariably depolits. Yet the fugar pro-
duced here is commonly of a good complexion, though fairefl
and in greatefl quantity, if the feafbu continues dry durhig the
crop.

Thi&

168 JAMAICA.

This is the tra^ of cane-laiul which fuffers lefs than nny in the
\vliole idand by a long drowth ; tor the water is every where lb
near the furface, as to llipport a due vegetation, when the canes in
other pariflies are parched and dellroyed for want of rain. The
rich mould of Vere alone may difpute the preference with it for
depth and fertility ; but, I think, the land on Plantain Garden River,
being happily in a more fcafonable fituation, muft be efteemed fu-
perior; and, in ihort, on a general furvey of this Eaftern quarter of
the ifland, it appears rather more productive, and of better ftaple,
than the Weftern end. In regard to the natural produdions, it
contains a great many rare plants that are peculiar to it, with feme
others that are alfo obfervable in the Weft divifion ; and the reft
are fuch as are common to all parts of the ifland. Among thofe
of the firft clafs is the gum-tree, orfapium of Dr. Brown, who,
by fome miftake, has defcribed the parrot gum-tree for it, which is
a ipecies of manchineel, and bears not the leaft i:iffiniry to the gum-
tree in its parts of fruftification. It is probably a new genus, and
hitherto undefcribed. It grows to a very confiderable fize, and yields
a large quantity of a light-green, tranfparent, thick refin, or gum,
of little fmell. This is much ufed by the planters of the diftri£l
for burning in their boiling houfe-lamps. They once were found
here in vaft abundance ; but, from the continual ravage of the in-
habitants, who have cut down vaft numbers every year, without
the leaft remorfe, or any caution to plant a new race; it is not im-
probable, that, in a little time, the old ftock will become extind ;
for none of this clafs have been difcovered in any other part of the
country. The wood is coarfe ; but it fupplies tolerable ftaves for
■fugar-calks : a gentleman here got as many from one tree as made
one hundred hoglheads, or upwards of three thoufand ftaves ; from
wlience fome idea may be formed of the magnitude of thefe trees.

The air of the hilly part of this parifh is extremely healthy. At
Bath it is cool during the greater part of the year; which is owing
to its being ftiaded by the neighbouring high lands, and watered
with frequent fhowers. The air of the low grounds near the coaft,
efpecially where they are fwampy, or not drained, is by no means
io be reckoned healthy. The Negroes on the plantations which
border on Plantain Garden River are fubjed to frequent mortalities,

efpecially

BOOK II. CHAP. VIII. 169

efpeclally if their huts arc placed on the levels, which are damp,
and annoyed by conftant exhalations. The planters have wifely
fixed their own habitations in general upon elevated fpots, in order
to be fecure from floods, which have fometimes been fo violent on
the lower grounds, as to fweep away buildings, cattle, and
Negroes.

State of the Parifli :

Annual Produce

of Sugar.

Negroes.

Cattle. Sugar-plantations. | HoglheaJi. | Other Settlements.

1734.

6176

5488

1740,

6618

5256

1745^

7282

55(^'

I76I,

12300

1768,

14624

9007 66 1 9270 34

This parhh, it is apparent, has increafed very largely in its ftock
of Negroes and cattle ; and now contains near one hundred fettle-
ments. From the goodnefs of the foil, the number of rivers, and
plentiful fupplies of rain, it has the promifing appearance of be-
coming one of the mofi: populous and opulent in the whole ifland.

SECT. VI.

PORTLAND.

THIS pariOi is bounded on tl.e Eafl and North by the fea ;
Weft, by St. George, and part of St. David ; and on the South
and South-Eaft, by St. Thomas. The adjuftment of its boundary,
as the whole was formerly included in the parifli of St. Thomas,
has occafioned many difputes between the two parifhes, both of
them laying claim to the inhabitants of Manchineel, in the South-
Eaft quarter; who, though a£lually within the boundary of Port-
land, have generally paid their taxes in tlie parifh of St. Thomas.
But the law, by which Portland was firft formed into a diftinft
parilh in the year 1723, exprefsly makes White River the South-
Eaft boundary ; and, this limitation having been ratified by clear
recitals in feveral fubfequent laws, there appears no authentic
Vol. II. Z ground

170 JAMAICA,

ground at prefent for controverting it. This parifh comprizes a
vaft tracV of fine land ; but tiie iettlements are fcattered alone the
coaft ; and the interior parts are as yet unoccupied, except near the
Rio Grande on the North fide, where the moft diftant are not more
than fix miles from the fea. It is mountainous, and fubjed to
almoft continual rains, which are naturally caufed by the height
of the central ridges, and fo prodigious an extent of thick woods j
but they would undoubtedly decieafe here, as they have done in
the other diftrifts, if any confiderable part of this wildernefs was
cleared, and room given for a free paflage to the wind and vapours.
It contains eight or nine rivers, moft of them of no great note ;
the principal is B-io Grande before-mentioned, which has its
fource about fixteen miles from the fea, and becomes very confi-
derable by the accefiion of feveral itreams which fall into it. The
chief (hipping-places are, Port Antonio, formerly called St. Francis ;
Prieftraan's Bay ; and Manchineel Harbour. Port Antonio lies on
the North-Eaft part of the coaft, in about i8° ii' North latitude.
It comprehends two harbours, the Eaftern and Weftern, divided
from each other by a narrow peninfula,, of about three miles and
a half in length, on the point of which ftands Fort George. The
Ihip-channel leading into the Weftern harbour pafles between this
point, and Lynch's, or Navy Ifland, and is about one mile over.
The entrance into the Eaftern lies between the South-Eaft point
of Navy Ifland and the main land, and about three miles from
fhore to ftiore. There is alfo a fmall channel on the Weft fide of
the ifland; but it is extremely narrow, and obftrucled with very
extenfive fand l)anks; fo that the deepeft part can only admit boats.
It is alfo rendered dangerous by a reef of rocks, ftretchiiig from
the North-Weft fide of the ifland, between two and three leagues
towards the main land. This ifland is three miles and a half in
length, by about one and a half in uidth, and lies in an oblique
diredtion South-Eaft and North- Weft. Towards the fea it is in-
acceflible, on account of the rocks and flioals which guard it on
that fide ; but on the fide next the harbour there is very deep water
clofe in, fo that men of war coming in have fwept the trees with
their yai-ds. The harbours are land-locked, and capacious enough
to receive a very large fleet.

This

BOOK ir. CHAP. VIII. 171

This part of Jamaica, lying only about thirty-fix leagues from
Cape Tiberon, on the Weft end of Hifpaniola; and the difficulty
confidered whicli our men of war have fometimes encountered in
turning up againft the trade-wind, and currents from Port Royal, in
order to weather the Eaftern point of Jamaica ; together with the
commodious fituation of Port Antonio, which opens diredly into
the Windward Paflage ; gave rife to the fcheme of fortifying and
adapting it as a place of rendezvous for the fquadron in time of
war. In the year 1728, the aflcmbly pafled an a£l approjiriating
twenty acres of land on I.ynch's Ifland for the convenicncy of
eredting ftore-houfes and wharfs for his majefty's naval ftores, and
careening the fhips of war. In the year 1733, this work was iu
ereat forwardnefs ; and rear-admiral Stuart, who then commanded
on the flation, finding the air of the illand unhealthy, ordered tlie
wood to be cut down and burnt. Unfortunately, inftead of hirino;
Negroes to perform this laborious talk, it was afligned to detach-
ments made from the crews of the Lion, Spence, and fome other
fhips of war; of whofe incapacity for it Dr. Lind has given us
the following melancholy account :

Many of thefe men were feized at once with a fever and deli-
rium. This phrenzy attacked a man fo fuddenly, and with fo
much fury, that with his hatchet, if not prevented, he would have
cut to pieces the perfons who flood near him. Orders were ifl'ued,
that, as foon as the men were thus feized, they fhould be bled, and
immediately fent on board their rcfpcctive fliips. The confequence
was, that all who were carried on board quickly recovered ; whereas
thofe who remained on fhore either died, or underwent a dangerous
fit of ficknels. This calamity, and the peace which not long after
happened, occafioned the projecl to be dropped, although the go-
vernment had been put to a great expence in ereclmg feveral flore-
houlesi and in i urchafing the ifland in propriety. Theie buildings
having fince gone to decay, and the inlrabitajits in the neighbourhood
made free to pull down and ufe luch of the materials as were fer-
viceable to them. The reafons for reluming this fcheme are at
prefent extremely flrong, fince the French have laboured lb fuc-
cefsfully in fortifying and compleatiug a very large town at Cape
Nicola Mole ; u-hich lying only lixteen leagues and a half from the

Z 2 Eaflernmofl:

172 JAMAICA.

Eafternmod: point of Cuba, they have got a key, which as effec-
tually locks up the navigation of the Windward Paflage to the
Eaft, as the Havannah, in the liands of the Spaniards, fecures it to
the Weft by the Gulph of Florida; the confequence of which muft
necelfarily be, in any future rupture with France and Spain, that^
■without a very ftrong convoy of feveral men of war, not a mer-
chant-fhip will have the leail chance of getting home : and I think
it is evident, from all the pains and expence which the French
have been at in making tlieir eftablifliment at the Mole, that they
defigned it as an effetSlual curb upon the Jamaica trade, and for nor
other purpofe : becaufe the country that environs it is rocky,,
barren, and unfit for plantations of any fort. It is plain, there-
fore, that they had not agriculture in view; and it is mod pro-
bable, that, in time af war, they will always take care to keep a
number of men of war and frigates at the Mole, or cruizing be-
tween it and Cape Maize, to intercept our homeward-bouiid trade,
which of courfe will fliU an ealy prey, unlefs we have always fa
large a fleet on the ftation, as to be able to block up theirs, or di-
fpute fuperiority of force with it. As a check therefore upon their
fortrefs, it would feem abfolutely necefliiry, that Port Antonio
fhould be ftrengthened with fortifications, and the former plan re-
vived of accommodating it for the reception, refitting, and careen-
ing, of his majefty's ftiips: and, in order to guard againfl that:
havock, vs'hich the employment of felling trees, and clearing,
ground, in the Weft-Indies, has never failed making among Eu-
ropeans, efpecially if unfeal'oned to the climate ; the legiflature of
Jamaica ought, in regard to the importance of this concern ta
their properties, either to purchafe fifty Negroes, or levy that num-
ber in rotation from different eftates, to be employed, under proper
white overfeers, to clear away all the wood upon the ifland, and
affift in carrying on other laborious works that may be required.
The raifing them by levy might be made very equitable, if, at the
fame time, their relpe£live owners were to be paid a certain juft rate
per day, for their maintenance and hire, out of the public funds ;.
and the expence to the ifland would be very trifling.

The

BOOR II. CHAP. VIII. 137

The hire, for example, of fifty Negroes, at 61. per head

fer ami. 300 o o

Their fubfiftence, at -jkd. each^^r day, is, per ann. — 566 19 3

866 19 3.
Hire of two fuperintendents, or overfeers, at 140/. each, 280
Cloathing and medicines, at 30 j. cac\\ per ann. (I fup-

pofe the tools to be furnirtied by government), — 75 o o

Whole of one year's expence to the ifland Is, fler-

ling, 872/. 16 s, ']\d.\ currency, 1221 19 3

It is not probable, if thele Negroes were to be duly taken care
of by the fuperintendents chofen for this purpofe, that any of them
would die within the twelvemonth, fuppofing them to be healthy
and able when delivered ; and none others fhould be accepted ; but,
for greater equity to the individuals to whom they belonged, tlicy
might be fairly valued by three or more difinterefted magiflrates
before their going on fervice, and any deficiencies at the year's end
made good by the public accordingly. In order to form a body of
labourers, to be kept afterwards conftantly employed in building
fortifications or other works, feveral draughts might every year be
made, from the gaols, of fuch flaves as are fold out for pay-
ment of their fees ; and, in miiny cafes, the fentence of death, or
banilhmcnt, might be commuted for perpetual labour in the king's
fervice; and a piece of land appropriated near the port for their
provlfion-ground, that their fubfidence might, for the future, be
attended with no expence, either to the illand, or to the crown. No
time can be fo convenient for condudling fuch a plan as the prefent
interval of peace ; and, being carried on with vigour, we fliould
have in another war this fure afvlum for the fquadron, from whence
it might faily forth to diilreis the enemy, defend our homeward-
bound fleets, and give protedlion to our fhips coming from Britain
to Jamaica, or coalting round from the North to the South parts of
the ifland.

When the duke of Portland was governor, a town was proje5:ed
on Pattifon's Point, bordcrin.s; on the harbour, which was to be

called.

174 . J A ^'I A. i C A.

called Titchheld, after a manor belonging to his grace in Hamp-
llure. One hundred acres were aliigned by acSl: of aflembly for this
inirpofe ; to which were added three liundred and fifty acres for a
common. A quarter- feffion for the peace v.'as to be held here four
times a year ; the port was made a port of entry and clearance ;
and the receiver-general, fecretary, and colleftor, were ordered to
keep deputies here, who wepe allowed a falary of 70/. each per
annum. This town was laid out, but not built ; for, the projeft be-,
fore-mentioned not being carried into efFeft, and the parifh conti-
nuing but very thinly fettled, there was not a fufficient encourage-
ment to induce perfbns to build ; nor trade, nor manufa6lure to give
a town fupport; fo that, at prefent, here are not above fifteen or
twenty ftraggling houfes about the harbour. The making this one
rtation for the fquadron would be the fureft: means, not only of en-
cou ratting a town here, but of multiplying fettlements in the neigh-
bourhood, by the demand there would be for hogs, poultry, plan-
tains, and other provifions ; and, in regard to trade, this port lies
conveniently for opening fome intercourfe with the Eaft end of
Cuba, and the fmall Spanifh veflels of St. Domingo, who might
ileal along fliore to the I fie of Vache, and eafily make this port.
5ome beneficial traffic might likewife be occafionally carried on
with the French for their indigo, in return for oui* Britifli hard-
wares, and a few other affortments. I am not without hopes, that
the legiflature of Jamaica will, in time, be rouzed into a ferious
attention to the further improvement of their country, by a few
eafy meafures, which require only judgement In fetting them on
foot, and unabated perfeverance m conducing them to a happy ef-
feft. No part of the ifland feems to claim their affiduity more,
than this extenfive parifli of Portland; which, from all the reports
-of furveyors who have traverled its recefies, contains immenfe
trads of very rich land, finely w-atered, though Itill covered with
thick woods. The moft popular work they have hitherto done in
it, is th^ roail which pafles through an almoft uninhabited wild,
from Bath to Port Antoiiio. It traverfes a trail of near fixty thou-
fand acres, which has not a fmgle fettlement. The former road,
from Titchfield to Bath through Manchineel was at Icall thirty-
four miles in length. Upon a reprefentation to the houfe of af-

feinblv,

BOOK JJ. CHAP. VIJI. J 75

fcmbly, in 1769, that a road from Titchtield through Nanny-
Town, and over Break-heart Hill, would be (horter by twenty-
three miles; that the lands through which it muft pafs were very
fit for the culture of provilions ; and that it might not only be-
come the means of fupplying the Bath plentifully with all manner
of provifions and poultry, but of fettling a large tra£l: at that time
ufelefs, and of fubfifting many poor families in Portland, then in
very indigent circumftances ; three hundred pounds were granted
towards making it. No fum was ever voted to a better defign ;
but it required ftill further alhllance, to render it paflable for loaded-
mules, or carriages ; and therefore has not yet produced all thole
advantages that the petitioners expected from it, the expence of
the undertaking being rated at icoo/. The aflembly therefore have
fince added 300/. more, the pariOiioners engaging to raife the re-
maining 400/. by a fubfcription. I am not fond of paffing cen-
furesj yet I muft take leave to fay, that even in the fecurity of
Port Antonio, fo ufeful a retreat for the Ihipping in war-time,
there has appeared a very finguhu inattention. The fort, which
was built here to command the channels of entrance, and whicb
is extremely well-defigned for that intention, is a baftion of twenty-
two embrazures, inclofed to the Southward from flank to flank by
barracks to receive feveiity men, and an apartment for the com-
manding officer. It was once mounted with about twelve guns,
twenty-four pounders. This fortrefs, at which a company of fol-
diers is generally garrifoned, we (hould fuppofe to deferve full as
much cf the public care as the Rock Fort at Kingflon Harbour;
but the condition of defence in which it was left during the late
war may be judged of from the following fl:ate, as given in the
year 1768 ; viz.

The guns all unfit for fervice, and without carriages*

No wadhooks, fpunges, ladles, or rammei's.

The platforms fw the guns entirely decayed^

No flag ; the beat unfit for fervice ; the roof of the magazine
very leaky, and no door; the furgeon's room untenantable; the
roof of the commanding officer's houfe, and barracks, wholly out
of repair; the foldier's barracks without platforms ; nohofpital; the
guard-houfe tumbled down ; and no place of confinement, &c. &c.

To

17-6 JAMAICA,

To the bunour of the allembly, however, let It be mentioned,
that, upon feeing this miferable catalogue of dilapidations, they
immediately granted fome provifion for putting it in a better ftate ;
and I lliould not iiave quoted the report, but for the fake of re-
marking the expediency there feems of having an engineer, or in-
fnedor-oeneral of the barracks and fortifications all round the
ifland ; whole province it (hould be, once in every year at leaft, to
vifit them all, examine their (late, take account of their ammuni-
tion, ftores, and habiliments, and report them to the governor, who
xvould regularly lay the account before the aflembly.

By a method of this nature, they would be duly acquainted with
the condition of thofe defences, which are too remote to admit of
infpe6lion from their own committee ; and I think it will alfo be
acknowledged, that their ftores would be better taken care of, and
lefs wafte committed.

The road from Bath pafles by Moore Town, Inliabited by the
Maroon Negroes ; who firft took up their refidence on the Weft
fide of the parifli, bordering on St. George, at a place called Nanny
Town ; which they afterwards deferted. I'heir prefent town is
much better iitiiated for giving fpeedy protection to the eftates on
each fide the Rio Grande. The South-eafI: divifion of the parifli,
adjacent to Manchineel Harbour, is well-fettled, and promifes to
become very populous. The-harbour is capacious and fecure, de-
fended by a battery of ten guns, which is not fo ftrong a fortifica-
tion as it feems to require, efpeciaily if Port Antonio fliould not
become a ftatlon for men of war. Between tliefe two ports is
another confiderable fliipping-place, at Prieftman's River. The
whole number of fettlements in this parifli is between eighty and
ninety ; very few, in proportion to its extent. It remains for
time to difcover the many natural produftions and curiofities which,
there is reafon to believe, are not fparingly diftributed through fo
vaft a fpace of mountains and vallies, as yet but little explored.
As yet we are only informed of a hot mineral fpring, which rifes
■on the North fide of the fame mountainous ridge that gives birth
on the oppofite fide to the Bath Ipring. It is reafonably conjec-
tured to be only another vein proceeding from the fame refervoir ;
2 there

BOOK II. CHAP. VIII. 17-7

there being, as it is faid, no perceptible difference in their heat, tafte,
and medicinal operation.

State of the Parifli :

Annual Produce.
Sugar-works. \ Hogfteads. | Oihcr Settlements.

Negroes.

CattJe.

1734.

640

125

1740,

775

178

1745.

^^25

^37

1761,

^354-

1768,

-813

I65I

29 I 133^ \ 57

This parifh is certainly much improved. The legiflature pafled
feveral ads tending to invite fettlersinto it; and a coniiderable part
of thofe who at prefent occnpy it, or their anceflors, came hither
under their fandion. I have endeavoured to point out the defedls
in thofe ads; conceiving, that, if they had been framed upon a
more effedual plan, the parifli might by this time have acquired
double the number. It is fubjed: to fome local incouveniencies,
which lay the fettlers under difficulty j for which reafon, the en-
couragements to beginning new plantations cannot be too great ;
for thefe inconveniencies will grow lefs, in proportion as it becomes
more populous. The great trad of mountain covered with high
woods occafions almoft inceflant rainy weather at a fmall diflance
inland from the coaft ; and the navigation to Kingfton for fupplies
of necefl'aries, or difpofal of produce, is tedious and hazardous,
particularly in war-time. Their woods require, therefore, to be
laid open ; and a trading town is wanted. By multiplying fettle-
ments in the interior diftrid, the firfl: might be gradually effcded ;
and the fecond would naturally attend the multiplication of fettle-
ments. The foil of the iTiountains, and indeed all the interior part,
is extremely well-fuited to indigo ; and this manufadure might be
revived here, and carried on with great fuccefs and advantage.
But it mufl be the province of the legiflature to pave the way for
it, by giving fuch aids of Negroe labourers as will leave little fur-
ther to be done, by the new fettlers invited over, than to exercife
their ikill in building their works, cultivating the plant, and con-
duding the procefs to perfedion. The obtaining a colony of
perfons, who are well acquainted v/ith the whole art of managing
the indigo, will, I imagine, be attended with no great difficulty, if
Vol. II. A a fuitable

178 JAMAICA,

fuitable encouragements are given. It is certain, that, if fuch a
manufadure fhould upon trial be found to anfwer, there is vacant
land enough in this parifh to furnilh much more than would fa-
tisfy the confumption of Great-Britain ; and the richnefs of the
foil affords jufl motives for expecting that indigo might be produced
here of the hneft quality.

I have omitted to mention, that this parifh is without a church..
The incumbent's ftipend is 100 1, per annum; but he does not refide.
The fervice is performed in fome planter's houfe, about once or
twice in the year. It may appear extraordinary, that the legiflature
fhould, in the example of this and fome other parifhes, have pro*-
vided a flipend for a minifter, without at the fame time providing,
a houfe of prayer. An a6t paffed here, in 1681, empowers the
juftices and veftry of every parifli, at their annual meeting in Ja-
nuary, to lay a reafonable tax on the inhabitants, for the main~
tenance of the minifter and poor ; and for ereding convenient
churches, and repairing fuch as are already made, and providing
convenient feats in them. The ereding of churches is, therefore,
only made a fecondary obligation, and as fuch difpenfed with by
the junior parifhes, under the plea of poverty, which will probably
avail them, till a more ardent zeal in the eaufe of religion, than-
hitherto has been raanifefted, fhall infpire the houfe of reprefen-
tatives, and lead them to enquire into the merits of this pretence-

SECT. VII.

St. George, in the Precind of St. Mary.

THIS parifh is bounded on the Eafl by Portland ; Wefl-,. by
St. Mary; North, by the fea; and South, by the parifhes of St.
Andrew and St. David. It is watered by about fixteen rivers and
principal ftreams; the largeft and moft noted are, the ^gtia Alta^-
or Wag-water, which forms the Weftern boundary ; the Buff Bay;
Anotto, Spanifli, and Swift- The former of thefe, being joined
near the coaft by feveral other ffreams, forms a canal, navigable by
boats from Anotto Bay (into which it difcharges), about two
miles inland ; which is a great conveniency to thofe fettlements
that border upon it. The bay is common to this parifh and St.
2 Marv,

B O O K If. C HAP. Vlir. 179

Mary, and is their principal fliipping-pLice : it is a good road, ex-
cept in the time of year when the Norths prevail, to whofe vi-
olence it is too much expofcd. The face of the parifli is for the
mofl: part very hilly; and the Blue Mountain Ridge, after inter-
fering Portland, continues its lofty battlements from Eafl: to Weft
through St. George's, engrofllng the whole of its Southern diftrict.
The inconveniencies of much wet, and a diftant market, which
have retarded the population of Portland, have likewife attended
this parifh, and perhaps in a feverer degree ; fo that it is fliU to be
confidered in its infmcy.

The lands adjacent to the coaft are not fettled for more than four
miles from the fea, and in fome parts not more than one. The
diftridt behind comprizes about fixty-five thoufand acres of wilder-
iiefs, whofe foil and natural produftions are at prefent unknown :
this vaft tra£l has only one road cut through it, which pafles from
Kingflon through Liguanea, and, crofiing the centre near the
Negroe-town called New Crawford, terminates at the coafl. The
land hitherto fettled in fugar-plantations turns to better account,
and is lefs laborious, than what we meet with in Portland ; but as
yet no trial has been made with canes above the diftance of two
miles from the fea. The mountainous region behind contains,
probably, a very great variety of foil ; which, though too rich at
firfl: to produce fugar, would yield a large quantity of fine rum, or
indigo : this latter is confidered as a great impoverifher of land, and
therefore very fit to prepare a rich foil for the fugar-cane. It is
pretty evident, on contemplating the face of this parifli, that it is
not likely to make much further progrefs until more roads fliall be
formed through fo extenfive a wood-land ; for, although many
thoufand acres have been patented, they were, for the greater part,
forfeited, and the remainder left unfettled by the proprietors on
this very account : they found it impraelicable to get at their lands
after they had patented, orpurchafed; and of courfe were unable
to make any ufe of them. The firft ftep towards further improve-
ments here will therefore naturally commence with opening new
roads of communication ; which may allure the proprietors of
plats on each fide to begin fettlements. It cannot be expefted, that
individuals will undertake this talk, or incur fo much expence, on

A a 2 the

i8o JAMAICA.

the diftant view of profits, not to be acquired till after feveral years
of diligent application, and many further charges. It rauft be ex-
ecuted vX the public coft, as it is not likely to be ever atchieved by
any other means. Nor would the expence be thrown away; ilnce
every fettlernent, once eftabliflied. makes a return by adding fome-
what to the fecurity of the idand, to its trade, opulence, and re-
venues. In order to prove which, let us examine the advantages
of this nature which the parilh even now contributes. Here are
about fixty fettlements in all, whofe quota of the poll-tax amounted
to about 391 /. for one year ; which, at an equal average, comes to
6/. 10s. each. Every new fettlernent formed here may therefore
be reafonably concluded to give the i-evenue an annuity of 6/. ioj..
in that tax alone. If we allign this, on a moderate computation,,
as the one-half of the whole taxes levied, confifling of various
branches, the annuity will appear i^I.per annum, without taking,
into account the confumption of tools, food, cloathing, and other
articles ; which to the meanefl: fettler cannot be rated at lefs than
^ol. per annum. The proje£lIng of new fettlements therefore, and
encouraging them till efteduated, when confidered in this view,
feems a moll profitable adventure for the legiflature to engage in,
and well deferves their moft ferious attention. To form roads
which may be perfedly firm, eafy, and commodious, is doubtlefs a
bufinefs of much time, labour, and charge : for thefe very reafons
(if they are admitted to be true), the lefs expectation Ihould be in-
dulged, that poor families will be able, or, if able, willing to de-
vote their induflry to road-makhig, inftead of agriculture. But,
when the public takes this work in hand, the cafe is very different.
The more perfed it caufes the road to be made, the better affured
it becomes of alluring iiiliabitants to fix themfelves on each fide
of it. The returns for thefe expenditures may be tardy ; but they
will be certain, and always, increafing ; and (what is not to be
over^lookcd), the money, thus laid out for fuch laudable purpofes,.
will remain to circulate in the ifiand, and give employment to
many of its inhabitants, without impoverhhlng the public.

There is nothing very remarkable in this parifh (at lead that has
f.vllen within my knowledge), except a fait lake, called Alligator
Pond, extending from Fig Tree to Buff River Bay, and feparated

from

BOOK If. CHAP. VIII. i8i

from the Tea by a narrow flip of fandy land. It is near five miles
in length, and about half a mile wide in the broadeft reach. There
is no traditi^on in what manner it was formed, whether by an
earthquake, or an inundation of the Tea; probably both concurred.
The air of this, as of all the Northiide parifhes, is in general
healthy ; and it may be remarked jiere, as at the Weft end, that
the hills decline gradually towards the lea, and Iwell as they recede
from it towards the mid region of the illand. The moft unwhole-
fome ftate of the atmofphere in thefe parts occurs during the May
rains ; when the wind, fetting from the Southern points, has to-
pafsover an immenfe tra6l of woodland, before it reaches the fet-
tlements on the North fide ; but it rarely produces any other fe-
vers than intermittents, which here are aot much regarded, as they
are not often attended with any dangerous confequences.

This parifli is not yet provided with a church. The incum-
bent's flipend is looL per annum; and the living, like that of Port-
iand, a mere finecure.

Having no materials for a more particular account of St.George,.
I (hall conclude with.

The ftate of it ;

Aiinunl Produce.
Sugar-works. | Hogfrieads. | Otlier Settlauciits.

Negroes.

ChttFe.

i734»

1085

1485

1740,

969

1024

1745.

I I 63

I 136

1761,

2147-

1768,

2765

3421

12- I 1200 j 48

NotwitlUlanding the ravages committed in it by the Maroon Ne-
groes before their reduftioOi it is apparent this parifli has made
Gonfiderable progrefs in the laft twenty years ; bur, as a fugar-parifl>,
is as yet of very fmall importance. T^e means by which it may
be improved I have already touched upon, as the befl: that offer to
my judgement; and in this, light only I fubmit them to the dif-
cuflion of abler politicians.

To recapitulate the preceding detail of this county: it has for
its metropolis, Kingfton, where the affiaes 'are hqld in January,,
April, July, and Odober.

State'

i8a

Negroes.

39'542

JAMAICA.

State in 1768.

Annual Produce.
Cattle. Sugar-works. Hogflieads.

21,465 146 15,010

Re£lories and Stipends.

250 o o
200 o o
250 o o
100 o o
250 o o
100 o o
lOO o o

Kingfton,

St. Andrew, — ■

Port Royal, — •

St. David,

St. Thomas in the Eaft,

Portland,

St. George, —

12

50

o o

Churches, ■

Chapels,

Synagogue,

5
o

■Oilier Settletvients,

3H

CHAP. IX.
CORNWALL

CONTAINS about 1,522,149 acres, and has five pariflies, and
nine towns and hamlets, viz.
Parifhes. Towns.

Xacovia,

St. Elizabeth,

Weftmoreland,

Accompong, Negroe- l
Town, J

Hamlets.
Black River.

Hanover,
St. James
Trejawny,

{Savannah la Mar, the
county. town

Lucea.

r,the J

Queen's Town, nUasl^
Beck ford Town,
/ilias the Savannah.

St. James, |^^"T' ^

Lrurry s, Negroe Town.

Trelawny, Negroe Town, Marthabrae,

SECT.

BOOK IL CHAP. VIIL 183

SECT. I.
St. ELIZABETH.

THIS parifh is bounded on the Eafl by the parifhes of Claren-
don and Vere; on the Weft-, by Weftmoreland; on the North,
by St. James and Trelawny ; and on the South by the lea. It is
watered by the Black, Y S, Heclor's and Broad Rivers, and feve-
ral fmall rivulets. Of thefe the two former are the moft: capital.
The Y S rife s, firft:, in the South-Weft: angle of St. James's parifti,
in a very fmall ftream; and, after a courfe of about two miles,
hides itfelf under-ground, and emerges at about half a mile's di-
ftance in a large body of water, at about thirteen miles from the
coaft; then, after a moderately winding courfe of thirteen miles
and a half, foils into the Black River. The Broad River rifes in the
Eaftern quarter of the parifti, about fix miles from the fea; firft:
emerging in a morafs, called Cafliue, through which it makes
its way for about the fame number of miles, till it unites with the
Black River. The latter firft emerges in the North divifion, at the di-
ftance of fixteen miles from the neareft part of the coaft, and me-
anders about thirty-four miles before it reaches the fea, having its
ftiream very much enlarged by the various tributes it receives du-
ring its paft'age ; fo that, in inoft parts, it is from one hundred and
fifty to two hundred feet wide. This is the nobleft river in Ja-
maica, and is navigable by boats and barges for many miles.
About mid-way, and at the Forks, where it meets with the other
two rivers I have mentioned, it fweeps through a large tra6l of
morafs. The road, paiTing over the May-day Hills to the Weft
end, croffes this and YS over two handfome bridges.

This great Weftern road, which leads from Spanifli Town, tra-
verfes St. Jago Savannah, and the bridge of Milk River, in Cla-
rendon ; not far beyond which is the eftate which belonged to the
late lord Ol — ph — t. Soon after leaving this, the afcent begins
over May-day Hills, continuing rocky for about half a mile, till it
narrows into a gloomy path between two hills, over-hung with the
interwoven boughs of trees on each fide, which form an agreeable
fhade. At the end of two or three miles further on is a fmall

plantation

ig4 JAMAICA.

plantation and pimento-grove ; and, beyond this, the way opens
fuddenly upon a pretty rifing lawn, on the higheft part of whicli
ftands a little villa, belonging lately to Mr. W — fin— y, who is faid
to be a natural fon of the late duke of L — ds. This villa over-
looks a diminutive vale, through which the high road pafles, and
extends its narrow profpefb to another delightful, rifing fpot, of a
circular form, and fringed with flately trees. A number of kids,
lambs, and (heep, are paftured in the glade, or roam on the fides of
the adjacent hills, which are fenced in with a wall of craggy m^oun-
tains, richly cloathed with wood. In rural charms few places ex-
ceed this little fpot. The road acrofs this affemblage of high
lands is extremely curious in every part, and worthy the traveler's
attention. There are none in England, nor I believe in Europe,
refembling it. It divides the May-day Ridges, as it were, through
the middle ; the breadth of which, from Eaft to Weft, is upwards
of fourteen miles; it is about fifty feet in width, and confined on
each fide by a majeftic wood, that is almofl: impervious to the fun.
The lofty trees, fo clofe arranged, form a living wall ; and, inter-
mingling their leafy branches, afford a cooling fhade during the
greater part of every day throughout the year. The Tavern of
Knock-patrick (belonging alfo to Mr. W — ftn — y), the next fet-
tlement we come to, flands very commodioufly, and ei joys a
moft excellent climate. The Englifh beans, peafe, and other cu-
linary vegetables of Europe, grow here, in moft feafons of the
year, to the utmoft perfeftion. A gentleman who fupped here
could not help remarking, that the vi£luals were literally brought
fmoaking-hot to table; a phanomenon ftldom obferved in the
low lands, where the air is fo much more rarefied. A fpecies of
the tarantula fpider is faid to be often found in this part of the
country. The woods abound with paroquets, and pigeons of va-
rious forts. The laghetto, and other ufeful trees, fuch as maho-
gany, cedar, pigeon-wood, &c. This tavern ftands in the midft
of thefe woods, and as yet has but a very fmall traft of cleared
ground about it. Every appearance of the road to the Wcftward of
it is fimilar to what is obferved on the approach to it from the Eaft-
ward, till the hills begin to decline, and the parifh of St. Elizabeth
breaks upon the view. From the different parts of this declivity,

the

BOOK IL CHAP^ IX. 185

the profpects are finely variegated, and, from fome ftations, are
extended not only over the champaign-country of this parifli, but
into great part of Weftmoreland many miles :' but one of the mofl:
pleafing fcenes is, the fpacious tra6l of open land, called Labour-
in-vain Savannah, which appears partly of a vivid green, and partly
cfaruflet colour. One fide of it is girt about with romantic hills
and woods; the other, towards the South, is wafhed by the fea;
the middle fweep is graced with fcattered clumps of trees and
under-wood; which objedls all together combine in exhibiting a
very piclurefque and beautitul appearance.

" From this the profpe£l varies. Plains immenfe
" Lie ftretch'd below ; interminable meads,
*' And vaft favannahs ; where the wand'ring eye,
" Unfix'd, is in a verdant ocean loft.
" Another Flora here, of bolder hues,
*' And richer fweets, beyond our garden's pride,
" Plays o'er the fields; and fhow'rs with fudden hand
*' Exub'rant fpring ; for oft' the valleys Ihifc
*' Their green embroider'd robe to fiery brown,
*' And fwift to green again ; as fcorching funs,
" Or ftreaming dews and torrent-rains prevail."
One would almoft incline to think, that Thompfcn, and his
Pegafus, had made the tour of this region ; fo appofitely has he
defcribed it.

South of Effex Valley Mountains, are dlflinguifhed the high
lands, and fand hills near Pedro Bluff. Thefe, it is true, are
fome additions to the profpeft, but upon reflexion difpleafe the
eye, as they are in general fo poor and barren, as to difdain all
kinds of cultivation, and only yield in wet feafons a fcanty paflu-
rage for fheep and the younger cattle. About the foot of May-
day Hills, the bread-nut trees grow luxuriantly, and afford to the
bordering fettlements great abundance of nourifliing fodder for
their flock.

The principal capes, or head-lands, on the coafl are Pedro Bluff,

and Luana Point ; the former of which gives fhelter to an anchor-

ing-place for fmall vcflels in Pedro Bay, lying to the Weftward of

it. Between this and Luana Point is Black River Mouth, defended

Vol. n. B b by

i86 JAMAICA,

by feveral banks of fand ; within them is a fine road for (Tiips of
large burthen ; and near this is therefore eflablilhed the chief bar-
quadier for all the plantations and fettlements in the parifli [dj.
The Eaflern fide retains its antient name of Palleta, or Parratee
Bay. The Spaniards had a fmall village here, which was deftroyed
by a detachment of the army under colonel D'Oyley. This part
is fwampy, and principally inhabited by Mulattoes, Quaterons,
and other Cafts ; a poor, but peaceable and induftrious race, who
have long been fettled here, and live by fifhing and breeding
poultry. If it was not for the fhoals at the mouth of the river,
there is depth and room fufficient in it to anchor, and keep afloat,
a very great fleet of capital fliips. But, though it is not navigable
by vefl'els of burthen, it is, as well as its branches, of very eminent
fcrvice to the inhabitants of the adjacent country, by enabling
them, at fmall expence and trouble, to bring their fugars, rum,
and other kinds of produce, by water-carriage, down into the
bay. He£lor's, or One-eye River, which rifes near Wallingford-
plantation, in the North-Wefl diftrid, after a zig-zag courfe of
about twelve miles, difcharges into Black River. The Eaftern
branch of it enters into a very high ridge of mountainous land,
extremely well-wooded, and filled with mahogany and other va-
luable timber, and difembogues again at three miles diftance.
The arch-way under which it pafles is of a rude, Gothic appear-
ance, about twenty feet in height, but rifing and falling alter-
nately within ; where it is fupported with pillars, the nuclei of
which are of a very fine, white free-flone; and in fome parts of
this cavern are large J}rata of marble. The water deepening as we
advance forwards under the mountain, it is not an eafy matter to
explore this remarkable adit for any very confiderable extent;-
though, for a good diftance from the mouth, it does not reach much
above the knees. However, it may be claimed among the more
beautiful natural curiofities in the ifland, and merits a further in-
veftigation. This, with the YS (fo called from the Galic word
Y S, which fignifies crooked, or winding), and the other dreams
which empty themfelves into the Black River, contribute chiefly

[^] Near the mouth is often caught the rtianatti ; which has given name to fome aiijacent
mountains,,

£0

B O O K II. CHAP. IX. 187

to its importance. The road or harbour is guarded not only by
the (hoals, but by two batteries ; the firfl, .1 publick one, of five
guns, fix to uliie-poundcrs, built on a little eminence near the fea;
the other, a private property, belonging to Mr. Crutcher. Ex-
clufive of thefe fortrefles, the variation of the fands renders the
entrance difficult, and dangerous to thofe who are not well ac-
quainted with it. The barracks ftand at about a quarter of a mile
from the bay ; are capable of receiving thirty men, and generally gar-
rifoned with a party of regulars. The church is about the fame
diilance from the village of Black River, a handfome edifice of
brick, lately re-built. The parfonage-houfe flood on Middle-
quarter-Mountains, in a dry, elevated, and very pleafant fituation,
in the centre of the glebe ; but, not long fince, was unfortunately
burnt to the ground by an accident. The redlor's ftipend is 200/.
per annum ; but he has likewife a confiderable income from the la-
hour of about twenty Negroes, which, in confequence of an ad of
aflembly, pafied in the year 1753, for difpofing of fundry parcels of
land belonging to the parifh, were purchafed with the value of the
fales for the ufe of the re^flory ; and, by another aft pafl'ed in 1764,
all the parcels of land then undifpofed of were directed to be fold,
and the nett-money applied to the buying a trail of provifion-ground
contiguous to the old glebe, and to be annexed to it in perpetuity:
fo that the whole of the glebe confifts of, at leaft, two hundred
acres of fine paftureand provifion-land ; and the value of the living
is computed to be between fix and feven hundred pounds a year.
By the road-fide, not far from the parfonagc, is a very curious ob-
jeft, viz. a large fpreading fig-tree, whofe boughs overfliadow the
road. It is about thirty feet in height, and out of its fummit ap-
pears to grow an elegant thatch-tree, of about ten or twelve inches
diameter, which has a branched top diftincl from the other, and
rifing twelve or fifteen feet above it. The wild fig-tree is, in its
infant ftate, only a poor, weakly, climbing plant, like the tendril
of a vine, which rears itfelf from the ground by the friendly help
of fome neighbouring tree, and fhoots out feveral delicate radicles,
which entwine about the fupporter, and gradually extend them-
felves downwards as the flem increafes. This at length attains to
the fummit, multiplying its branches and radicles, which in pro-

B b 2 ccfs

i88 JAMAICA.

cefs of time reach the earth, where they foon take root, and be-
come fo many new ftems to feed and fuftain the parent phint.
This now begins to enlarge in dimenfions, and, expanding its bark,
forms by degrees a trunk, or cafe, around its fofter tree, which,
if not compofed of very firm materials, is Hable to have its vege-
tation entirely checked by the parafitical embrace. A fpeedy decline
is the confcquence. At laft it dies; and then ferves only to nourifii
with its dufl the luxuriance of the reptile, that has fupplanted it.
The reafon why this thatch-tree has efcaped the like fate may be,
that it was probably at full-growth when it was firft invaded;
and the denfity and hardnefs of its bark, which render it almoft
impenetrable by the keeneft inftrument, have made it capable of
refifling the utmoft impreffion and efforts of its treacherous gueft.

The town of Lacovia, which ftands about {even miles inland
from the bay, between the Y S and Black rivers, has its name per-
haps from a corruption of the Spanifli words la-agua-via, the wa-
tery way, or lago-via, the way by the lake ; for this part of the
country, being very low and flat, is fometimes overflowed with
water, from the large morafs which furrounds it ; but, as the
roads are now raifed confiderably, it is feldom, if ever, impaflable.
This town contains two good taverns, for the accommodation of
travellers, and about twelve or fourteen houfes, moftly inhabited
by Jews. Here is alfo acourt-houfe, for more conveniently holding
the quarterly feffion of the peace, petty-courts of common-pleas,
ele6lions, and veftry- meetings, it being fituated nearly in the
middle of the pariHi.

The face of the parhh is various. The Eaftern divifion is walled
in by fucceffive ridges of high mountains, dirtinguifhed by the
names of Carpenter's, Don-Figuerero's, and May-day. Towards
the North, it is bounded by thofe of Edmund's Valley, and the
Blue Mountain Chain, which difl'ociate it from St. James and Tre-
lawny. Accompong and Charles Towns, inhabited by Maroa
Blacks, lie among thefe mountains, in the North-well part of the
paridi. Befides thefe,. are fmaller chains, which run in different
points; as Effex. Valley Range, Eafl: and Wefl, near the coaft ;.
Top Hill, lying parallel ; and the high land of Pedro Bluff, ex-
tending from the Cape, Eaftward, along the fliore. In the centre

5 o^

BOOK II. CHAP. IX. 1S9

of the parifh arc Santa Cruz, and Burnt Savannah Mountains,
lying North-weft and South-eaft. A little further back, arc thofe
of Nafl'au and Lacovia. To the South-weft of thefe, are Middle-
quarter Mountains, running N. N. E. and S. S. W. and the
Weftern boundary is crofted by New Savannah and Luana Moun-
tains, tending N. W. by W. and S. E. by E. Sucli a multitude of
eminences not only ferve to attract frequent rains, but contain re-
fervoirs for affording the conftant fupply of water neceflary to feed
the innumerable fprings, rivulets, and thofe larger colleftions,
which are perpetually flowing through every part of the lower
grounds, and fpending themfelves in the ocean. The lands be-
tween, and at the feet, of thefe different mounds, admit of a great
variety of foils. In the Eaftern diftrid they confift of favannah,
for the moft part dry and infertile. The moft noted are Pedro
Plains, Bull, Labour- in -vain (a name perfedly defcriptive of Its
nature), Naflau, and Burnt Savannahs. In thefe parts there are
but few fugar-plantations, though a great number of very fine
penns for breeding horned cattle, horfes, mules, fheep, and goats,
as well as poultry of all kinds. The foil of Middle-quarter Moun-
tains, in the South-weft, is ftony, though not altogether fo un-
produilive ; but the plain of Luana is a continued fand, and co-
vered with palmeto-trees, which, though large and flouriftiing, are
a fure indication of its poverty^ The rich veins of mould adapted
to the fugar-cane are bordering upon the Y S and Black rivers ; but
a vaft fcope, of not lefs than twenty thoufand acres in the whole,
lies fcattered in wafte morafs, which, could it be drained, might
form many capital plantations^ No attempt of this fort has vet
been made, at leaft that I have heard of; but it promifes to yield:
a very great return to any of the proprietors, who fliall have fpirit,
ability, and patience, fufficient for profecuting fuch an experiment,.
It lies in three principal divlfions, each of which is pervaded by
a river. The remoteft part is didant only ten miles from the fea,,
and might have its produfts fent by water-carriage the whole way..
The other two approach to the very mouth of Black River; and
all of them are well circumftanced for water-mills. The land in
this ifland has, from its firft fettlement, been out of nil proportion
too. much for its average-ftock of inhabitants ; but, if it ftiould

evec

I90 JAMAICA.

ever become populous, thcfc neglecled portions will undoubtedly
he brought into culture. In the year 1764, a projeft indeed was
talked of here for building a bridge acrofs Black River, near its
mouth, in order to open a communication with the Eaft and Wefl:
fides ; by which means, it was allcdgcd, and with great appearance
of reafon, that the contiguous lands might foon be improved [^];
•which at prefent they cannot well be, on account of the inconve-
nient and expenfive mode of pafling acrofs in a ferry-boat, for
which each paffenger pays yl{f. a time ; and often it happens, that
it cannot be ferried at all. The fum of 2500/. was propofed to be
raifed within tlie parifli, for carrying this fcheme into execution;
but I do not find that it has been hitherto attempted. This exten-
five fpace of undrained, fwampy ground circumjacent, renders the
habitations on the bay unfavourable to health. So it proved to a
company of the 66th regiment, quartered here in 1764. In the
month of Auguft they were attacked with putrid fevers and dyfen-
teries, fo fiital to them, that three men were buried in one day ; an
inftance of great mortality, confiderlng the fmall number of which
the company confided. This ravage is to be afcribed to no other
caufe than the exhalations reeking from the marfliy foil around
riiem, which, in that hot feafon of the year, imparted an evil
^ifpofition to the atmofphere. Some of the other quarters 011
the coafts are not lefs unwholefome, from fimilar caufes; which I
ihall occafionally fpeak of. This regiment, which was chiefly can-
toned in different parts near the fea-ftiore, buried in this year no
lefs than one hundred and two men ; whereas the 36th, whofe
quarters lay moftly at Spanifti Town, Port Royal, Moiquito Fort,
and Clarendon (two detachments only, I think, being pofted on
the coaft in the oat-parilhes ; one at Old Harbour, the other at

[f] The land contiguous to the banks of this river is alledged by forae to be of an infertile na-
ture ; which they afcribe to this caufe, that the water, being uncharged with foil, aftbrds no vege-
tative depofit, like moll other rivers of the ifland, when it overflows ; but rather does mifchief, by
leaving a petrifaftive, barren fubllance behind. If this be true, it furnifties anoiher argument in
favour of draining and embanking tlie adjacent grounds; by which means, the river-water, being
hindered from Ipreading, might be confined within the cuts. The lownefs of fituatioii induces a
probability, that any fuch depofit is but very fuperficial, and that at a very fniall depth the natural
foil is rich, and when duly turned up would become highly produdiive. Befides, there certainly
mull have been no fmall quantity of vegetable mould accumulated in the courfe ot fo niany ages,
by the annual decay of plauts and herbage on the furface.

Pore

BOOK II. CHAP. IX. 1 91

Part Maria), loft no more than thirty men. They both arrived
from Europe in the month of June. And hence may be deduced
fome ufeful remarks with regard to the fituations moft proper, or
moft baneful, to troops fent hither from Northern climates ; which,
if poffibly it can be avoided, fhould not be brought down to fwampy
places near the coail: ; for, in the inland barracks, they would pro-
bably enjoy their health and vigour unimpaired, and fo be in fitter
condition for effeiftive fervice; or, by the refidence of one or two
years, become fo thoroughly feafoned to the climate and manner of
living, as to be lefs fufceptible of malignant diftempers, in cafe of
their being afterwards, upon any emergeiK:y, marched into un-
wholefome quarters on the coaft.

State of the Parifli :

Annual Produce.
Negroes. Cattle. Sugar-plantations. | Hoglheads. [, Other Settlements,

1734, 7046 9184

J74O, 6641 9695

1745. 7S75 ^3S^^

J761, 9715

1768, loiio 16947 ji j 2600 [ 150

From this view it appears to be improving; but it contains neat-
eighty thoufand acres o-f land as yet unfettled ; the greater part of
this is mountainous, though capable of producing coffee, and other
valuable commodities. The air of the low lands is iiot; and they
have a plentiful flock of molkeetos ; but the hilly parts in general
are temperate and pleafant-

S E C T. IT.
WESTMORELAND:

THIS parilli was formed in the year 1703, out of St. Eliza-
beth, by which and a part of St. James it is bounded on the
Eaft ; on the South and Weft, by the Sea ; and on the North, by-
Hanover. Its rivers are Bluefields, in the Eaft divifion ; Bonito,
or Cabarito Eaft Branch ; and Cabarito Weft Branch ; which in-
terfedl it about the middle diftrift ; and New Savannah River,-
which rifes further Weftward. It has likewife fome fmaller
ftreams ; and, on the North-eaft, the Grcit River, which difchargss.

5 Olii

,^2 J A M A I G A.

on the North fide coaft of the illand, makes the dividing limit. It.
contains feveral head-lands, and fome good harbours; of the
former, along its Southern fliore, are Parkinfon's, or Palmeto
Point, Crab Point, Cape Bonito or Bluff, Cabarito and Palmeto
Points. From the laft-mentioned to South Cape Negril, which is
the Land's-end, is a ridge of moderately high eminences, called
the Negril Hills; the fhore iron-bound, and lined with rocks. On
the Weft end are this Cape, Cunningham's Point, and North
Cape Negril, which divides this parifh from Hanover. Eluefields
Bay Hes Weftward, within Crab Point. It is fpacious, and has
fuch excellent anchorage, with lb fme a watering-place, that it is
the conftant rendezvous, in time of war, for the homeward-bound
fleets and convoys, intending to fleer by the way of Florida Gulph.
The river, which falls into the bay, rifes fuddenly about three
.quarters of a mile from the fliore, and turns two mills in its way.
Here is the fecond great barquadier for the plantations in this parifh.
Wefl of this bay lies Savannah la Mar, latitude North about i8^ 13',
flieltered on one fide by Blufl" Point ; on the Weft, by Cabarito.
The road leading into VVcftmoreland from St. Elizabeth crofles the
boundary at a place called the Wells, and proceeds for eight or
ten miles along a dreary, narrow lane, oppofite Parker's Bay, till it
reaches Bluefields. Near this part ftands, on an elevated fpot, the
dwelling-houfe of Mr. Wh — e, called Bluehole, which commands
an extenfive profpe6l over the fea to the Southward, and over the
Weftern diftrid of the parifh. This is a modern building, con-
ftru6led with flone, fortified with two flankers, and loop-holes for
mufquetry, and defended, befides, towards the fea with a barbette
battery of fix guns, nine-pounders. But, notwithftanding thefe
muniments, it was taken during the laft war by the crew of a
Spanifh privateer, who plundered the houfe, carried away the
owner and his brother prifoners, and treated them extremely ill:
fortunately for them, they were re-taken, together with their ene-
mies, upon whom the Englifh captors did not retaliate, as they
well deferved.

From the foot of this hill, the paflage is frequently made acrofs
the bay, about four miles, to a place called the Cave, where the
barquadier {lands. This is built of timber, and projeded to a con-

fiderable

BOOK II. CHAP. IX. 193

fiderable diflance into the fea, for better convenicncy of fhipping
goods. Here mofl of the fugars, rum, mahogany-plank, and other
commodities of the neighbouring eftates, are put into boats, or
lighters, to be carried on board fuch (hips as are to export them,
and lie either at Savannah la Mar, or the upper end of the bay.
The road from hence continues rough and ftony, till it reaches
Sweet River, fo called from the tranfparency and purity, of its
waters, which fall into the bay. After paffing this, and a long
tedious lane, the face of the country opens at once upon the view,
and appears truly beautiful from the continued fucceflion of well-
cultivated fugar-eftates and rich paftures. The rains in this parlfh
being ufually heavier than in moft others on the South fide of the
ifland, and the country in general flat near the fea, the roads are
confequently for the moft part deep and dirty, and in the rainy
feafons fcarcely paflable. Savannah la Mar, though it is the prin-
cipal barquadier, has neverthelefs but a very indifferent harbour, or
rather road, for the (hipping. The water is (hoal, and againft the
afl'aults of the fea it is defended only by reefs of funken rocks, and
a few fand-banks, which are apt to (liift. Nor is it much better
guarded againft enemies. The fort, which coft the pariftiioners
upwards of fixteen thoufand pounds in building, is extremely ill-
contrived, and perpetually fapped by the fea. Formerly it was
mounted with eighteen or twenty guns, moftly of too fmall a ca-
libre; and, indeed, both from its ftruduie and furniture, it never,
could have promifed any fecurity except againft privateers. Unlefs
it has very lately been repaired, it is in a very ruinous condition.
It was never compleated ; and, the South curtain being under-
mined, the wall on that (ide is almoft all tumbled into the fea. As
for the baftions, they are for the moft part unfinifhcd. Of this
fort we may juftly fay,

Vis conjili expers, mole fuh fud.
*' Ill-counfel'd force, by it's own native weight,
'• Headlong to ruin falls."
The pari(hioners thought perhaps that they had a right to lay out
their money in what manner they pleafed; and therefore, confulting
(as one would imagine) neither engineer, nor any other perfon
better (killed than themfelves in fortification, they rcfolved to
Vol. II. C c throw

194 JAMAICA.

throw away one half of it into the fea, and with the other ere6l
this mif-fhapen pile, as a lading monument to convince poftcrity of
the inexpertnefs of their fore-fathers in military architefture. At
the entrance is a fmall magazine, and a barrack for about a dozen
men. Mofl of the guns are difmounted ; and dilutes are therefore
fired from a battery of fourteen Imall pieces, ranged before the
court-houfe. This building was ere£led in 1752, for holding a
court of common-pleas in matters of debt not exceeding 100/.,
quarter-feflions of peace, eledions, and veftry-meetings. In 1758,
the afiize-court for the county of Cornwall was appointed by law
to be holden here; in confequence of which, the jurifdiftion was
greatly enlarged. Two years before, this port, together with
Kingfton, Montego Bay, and St. Lucia, was by adt of parliament
made free, for the importation of live cattle, and all other com-
modities except fugars, coffee, pimento, ginger, melafles, and
tobacco, the growth or produce of any foreign colony in America ;
and for the export of Negroes, and all other legally imported com-
modities in foreign Hoops or fchooners having only one deck. The
advocates for this bill, and the fubfequent one (cap. lii. 6 Geo. III.
which permits the importation of foreign melafles, paying only a
duty of one penny per gallon), alledged the great utility of ad-
mitting Negroes and provifions to be brought into our Weft-India
iflands from the foreign colonies, and in foreign bottoms, in order
that they might be plentifully and cheaply fupplied. On the other
hand, it was obje£led, that Ireland and the North-American pro-
vinces were very able to furnifh our iflands with much more pro-
vifions than they could confume ; that, if the price of Negroes is
high, this may arife from fome mifmanagement in the African trade;
but that it does not appear that foreigners can buy them at a cheaper
rate ; if they do, the trade requires to be better regulated ; but, if
they buy them upon equal terms, the high price is a gain to the
Britifli merchants ; that the capital miflake in thefe bills lay in the
.latitude of encouragement which they gave to the employing a
greater number of foreign fliipping and feamen than are at pre-
sent employed, and confequently diminifliing thofe of Great-
Britain. Nor is this evil remedied by allowing the exportation of
Negroes, ^nd certain other commodities from our iflands, to fuch

foreign

BOOK II. CHAP. IX. 19^

foreign colonies, fince the fame foreign bottoms, which import
provifions, melaffes, cotton-wool, and indigo, into our plantations,
will undoubtedly endeavour to make bullion or fpecie the chief
article of their return-cargoes. The bill therefore feems, on this
prefumption, in an efpecial manner to favour the navigation and
commerce of the Dutch, and fuch North-Americans as are, from
tlie nature of their employment, adopted foreigners ; who readily
obtrude their veflels into an opening of this kind, and aflually be-
come the principal carriers of French fugars and coffee into the free-
ports, whence they carry a return chiefly in money or bullion for
the French iflands. It was faid, that, if provifions are dear in our
iflands, this happens from a peculiar obftacle, namely, *« that the
" North-American vefiels would willingly bring them as much as
" they want, if they could but be fure of a back-lading ; but that,
*» from the difficulty of procuring one, they carry their provifions
*' to the French iflands, and fell them cheaper than they would at
" our own, becaufe they can take in at the French iflands a back-
*' lading of melafles." This inconvenience was intended to be
obviated, in part, by the latter of the a6ls mentioned, admitting
the importation of French melaflfes into our iflands, which may
help to load back the North- American vcflTels : but upon this it is
rightly obferved, that the importation of their fugars ought like wife
to have been allowed under certain reftridions, and for feveral
flirong reafons ; viz. the North-Americans would then have no pre-
tence, nor indeed any adequate inducement, to go to the French
iflands for a back-lading ; they would bring their provifions to a
better market at our iflands, and be able to procure the very re-
turns they want ; for it is not to be fuppofed they refort to the
French merely to take in their melafles ; the French fugars are their
primary objed, and furely they would rather receive them at Ja-
maica without rifque, than run the hazard of getting them clan-
defl:inely from Hifpaniola. If we could become the carriers to Eu-
rope of all the fugars which the French iflands produce, it would
certainly be very much for our interefl to become fuch ; but, whe-
ther we are or not, their produce will find its way to the European
markets, either in their own, or feme other bottoms,

Cc2 \Ve^

196 JAMAICA.

We are then to confidcr, that the North- Americans are carriers
every year of a certaui proportion of their produce ; and in all like-
lihood will fo continue. The queflion therefore is, whether it
would not be more advantageous for Great-Britain, that this pro-
duce fliould be firfl brought into our own iflands, to be afterwards
taken from thence to Europe by Britifh carriers ? And it clearly
appears to be fo, becaufe this double voyage tends to the employ-
ment of more Britifh (hipping. This fhipping would receive all,
or the greateft ihare of, the freight, which is now paid to fo-
reigners, or to North-Americans; befides the further benefit of
fupplying fugars to thofe European markets which the French and
Dutch at prefent monopolize. In refped to our iflands, they would
be more plentifully furnilhed with provifions, and be able to keep
lip their flock of filver fuflficient for circulation, or to remit the
fuperfluity to Britain, inflead of feeing it drained away to the
French iflands. Nor need the planters apprehend the lowering the
value of their own produce. There may be, it is true, a greater
quantity and aflbrtment of fugars at their markets ; but the increafe
of demand, and of (hipping, to take it off their hands, muft ne-
cefifarily be in proportion ; fo that the augmentation of one will
keep pace with, and prevent any mifchief from, the increafe of
the other. This point is regulated by the European markets,
which will (till require to be fupplied as heretofore ; and the an-
nual quantity fupplied for their confumption cannot be at all af-
feded, whether it is brought to them from Hifpaniola, or from
Jamaica. As this confumption is permanent, fo muft be the de-
mand; both will co-operate to relieve the ifland-markets, whilft
they have (hipping enough to facilitate the carriage to Europe ; and
(hipping is naturally attraded by well-ftocked markets, and a cer-
tain and profitable freight.

Thefe motives, for permitting our own (hips to carry French
produce, with a view to improve our commercial dealings with
the North- Americans, and re-eflabli(h an export of fugars to the
foreign markets in Europe, appear, I think, of fome weight, and
merit ierious confideration ; in order that the feverat free ports,,
opened in this Ifland, may become of more extenfive utility to the
trade of the mother-country, than in their prefent (late they (eem

^capable

B O O K 11. C H A P. IX. 197

capable of. The a6l of parliament was certainly well-meant, but
it has produced an effe£t very contrary, in fome refpcds, to what
was intended.

Of all the blunders committed by our ftatefmen refpedling co-
lony-trade, none perhaps have turned out more injurious, than the-
branding his majefty's fhips and tenders, in the year 1764, with
cuftom-houfe commifTioners, under pretence of rigoroufly execu-
ting the navigation-adl ; in confequence of which meafure, and the.
flri£t orders accompanying it, the SpaniCh traders were wholly pro-
Icribed from entering the ports of this ifland. The folly and igno-
rance of thofe who projefted and abetted this French-Spanjfh
fcheme cannot he more expofed, than by (hewing the lofs which'.
Great-Britain fufcained in confequence of it, and which will ap-
pear from the following comparative account of the exports to-
Jamaica :

Value, Sterling, £ s. </,

1763, (Before thefe regulations took place) — 584,978 o o

1764, .^— 456,528 o o

1765, 415,624 o o

1766, 415,524 o o.

1767, (Firfl year of the free-port ad) — 467,681 o o

This lofs, in adual diminution of exports, amounts, at a medium,,
to 146, 134/. Reillng per amium. But, when we take into the ac-
count what would have been gained on the return-cargoes, and
compute the fuper-lucratioa on the prime-cod only at 30/. per cent,
the lofs in four, years amounts to upwards of 700,000/. We may
venture, indeed, without any exaggeration, to pronounce it near
a miUion. And, what is worfe, we have every reafon to believe,
thaP FraQce, by the. immediate tranflation of this trade to her co~
ionies, gained at leafl: the fu-U amount of what Great-Britain loft.

Second to this enormous meafure, were the orders given (rather
unwifely), in a public manner, in November 1765, for the free ad-
miffion of Spanifh veflels into all the colonics. Little regard was
paid to this invitation by the traders.

Exclufit ; revQcat. . Redeaiii ? Non •,/: me obfccret.
" He" (the minifter) " kicks us out of doors; then he calls us
"back. Shall we return ? No; not if he fhould intreat ua.
«' on his knees."

4- The

jp? JAMAICA.

The free-poft acl was then let go as the (heet-anchor. Great ad-
vantages would probably have refulted from this meafure, if it had
been thought of and tried immediately after the war, inftead of
commiffioning cruizers to dcftroy the trade : and although it may
have prevented a total wreck of this valuable commerce ; yet it
came perhaps too late, and under too many difadvantageous cir-
cumflances, to make any adequate reparation for the damages we
have fuftained, and are ftill liable to fuftain.

The trading inhabitants of the ifland required nothing more than
very ftrid and pofitive private injunftions to the governor and
port-officers, not to allow or to praftife exadlions upon thofe fo-
reigners who came hither ; whereby they had at different times
been much difcouraged. The ad of navigation, fo far as regarded
thefe particular bottoms importing live (lock and bullion, was al-
ways relaxed, and never rigoroufly obferved here ; becaufe it ap-
peared repugnant (fo far as regarded thefe imports) to the fpirit
of commence, and the plain intereft of Britain. Thefe were there-
fore already free-ports in every beneficial fenfe ; and the traffic
went on in lilence and fecurity. But fo foon as government inter-
fered, with a view to do no more than was already virtually done,
fo public a declaration of favouring this commerce, and laying open
what ought to have remained clandeftine, naturally awakened jea-
loufy in the bread of that power, whofe policy it has ever been to
defeat and impede, as much as poffible, every fuch attempt.
Guards, cautions, and penalties, were multiplied, and held to
their vigilance and execution with fuch unabating feverity, as had
never before been obferved.

What would be the confequence, if the port of Boulogne, or
Dunkirk, in France, was to be opened by a public arret, exprefsly
for the importation of fmuggled wool from Great-Britain? Surely,
the whole Britifh nation would take alarm, and Britiffi guarda-
coftas would immediately be commiflioned, without number, to
prevent theefFet^ which an invitation fo authoritatively given might
be likely to produce. It is notorious, that large quantities of Por--
tugal gold have been privately gleaned from Portugal, and brought
hito this kingdom. But, if government fiiould, from a fond
defire to fwell the tide, and procure the ft ream to flow hither in

a publick

BOOK II. CHAP. IX. 199

a publick channel, Iffue proclamations for exprcfsly encouraging the
importation of gold coin from Portugal ; is there any doubt, but
every Brltifh veliel, and their crews, would be fcarched in the mort:
rigorous manner before they were fuffered to depart from Lifbon and
Oporto ? or may it not rather be queftioned, whether anv Britifh
vefl'el would ever be admitted to enter them apain ?

I have faid enough to point out the ill confequence of this mea-
fure, and the ground of complaint among the Jamaica-traders, who
are all fenfible that, inftead of being ferved by it, they have loft
what perhaps may never be retrieved. And, unfortunately, things
are fo circumftanced, that a repeal of the free-port law would only
tend to make bad matters worfe. We mud therefore leave it to
the operation of time, and the dexterous management of thofe
parties who are to be reciprocal gainers by this traffic, to revive it
again extenfively. It is a very juft obfervation I have fomewhere
met with, that, confidering the native wants of Spain, the vaft
expences (he is at in endeavouring to prevent her colony-fubjedls
from fupplyingthemfelves with various conveniences in a clandeftinc
manner, which they cannot procure, at leafl: in fufficient quantity,
or equally cheap, by any other channel at prefent ; — That, notwith-
flanding all thefe precautions, no lefs than fifteen millions of every
annual cargo have been fuppofed to belong to foreigners ; and that
it is, in every view, fo much for the intereft of that nation to culti-
vate the friendfhip of Britain, and admit the latter to a fair and
regular commerce by treaty : — Thefe circumftances confidered, it
is amazing that ihe fhould rather have chofen to reje£l what might
fettle a perpetual harmony between the two nations, and to perfift
in thofe ftubborn maxims, of whofe inefficacy fhe has had fo
long and uniform an experience. It is in vain for her to expedi,
that her numerous fubje£ls here will obey thofe refcripts, in the
breach of which their natural wants, as well as their intereft and
inclination, concur. Inftead of an equitable tariff, admitting the
free importation of certain enumerated goods and manufactures
from Britain ; fhe has often unneceffiirily infulted and provoked its
vengeance : and the iflue of all her quarrels has only ended in
wafte of her treafure, lofs of fhips, and the affording more conve-
nient opportunity for the fubjeds on bpth fides to profecute that
6 very

200 JAMAICA.

very intercourfe which flic meant to obftruft ; infomuch that It
never has attained to (b flourifliing and a£live a ftate as during the
time of open war. By a different fyftem of policy, fhe might
have enjoyed a ftrift alhance with the greateft maritime power in
the world, capable and ready to fight her battles, and de-
fend her againfl: the united forces of all the other European ftates ;
whofe merchants might have largely augmented her revenue [/],
by regular payment of the bullion-duties, and have united with
her in keeping off every interloper ; for it had then been their in-
tereft to put a flop to every inlet of contraband traffic, and make
every return which honour, good faith, and gratitude, could
prompt. Thus might Spain, inftead of being one of the pooreft',''
become one of the richeft and moft refpe6lable powers in Europe ;
if it were not for the infatuation of thofe impolitic counfels which
fo long have kept her at variance with Great -Britain.

But it is now time to return to Savannah laMar, hitherto the me-
tropolis of Cornwall ; though Montego Bay feems to tread clofe on
its heels, and in a few years will probably difpute this pre-eminence.
The number of veflels which enter and clear here is from fixty to
feventy per annum ; and the tonnage, exclufive of coafters, has by
fome been computed per average at eleven thoufand five hundred.
The town, not many years ago, pofl'effed a very flourifhing trade.
It is fituated commodioufly for a correfpondence with Truxillo,
Honduras, and the Mofquito-fliore ; being not more than one hun-
dred and five leagues from the bay of Honda, and the pafTage equally
Ihort and fpeedy, as the trade-wind ferves both in going and re-
turning. Near this trail lie, fcattered along, the little cayes and
iflands of Serranilla, Quitofveno, Serrana, Roncador, Sanda Gata-
lina or Old Providence, and St. Andreas, &c. Serrana took its
name from Auguftin Pedro Serrana, who was wrecked upon it, and
lived here feven years. San6la Catalina was a celebrated place of
refort for the buccaneers, is about fifty leagues from Cape Gracias
a Dlos, and contains feveral good harbours; for which reafon it
feems a very proper ftation for fmall cruizers in war-time. The
.town, at prefent, is but fmall, confifting only of one tolerable
ilreet, and about fifty or fixty fcattered houfes. Moft of the pro-

J/J A fifth of all the treafure (hipped from their American dominions.

duce

B O O K II. C HAP. IX. 201

duce of Weftmoreland, befides fome of what belongs to St. Eli*
zabeth and Hanover, is (hipped from this port. Underneath the
court-houfe, or hall of jultice, are the barracks, capable of re-
ceiving feventy men, and garrifoned with a company of the re-
gulars. The fituation, in point of health, is by no means ap-
provable ; for to the Weftward of it lies a tra£t of undrained mo-
rafs, at leafl: feven miles in length, which at certain times of the
year cannot fail of producing milchievous eft"e6ls. It is overfpread
with mangroves, and below the level of the fea, and therefore
not ealily to be drained. Cabarito Eaft River difcharges its ftream
into it, and contributes by this means not only to feed the lagoon-
water, but in fome degree to refrefh it. Whether the river could
be converted into a drain, by banking and retrieving the ground ou
each fide, is a point I cannot determine; but it may be worth ex-
amination. This river has two good bridges of timber acrofs it,
and is navigable in boats about twelve miles inland to a public bar-
quadier at Paul's ifland. The land on which the town is built is
flat and low, fubje£l therefore to thofe exceflive heats and putrid
vapours, which, in the months of July and Auguft, occaiioa fatal
maladies in habits unfeafoned to fuch places of refidence. In 1768,
a very neceffary acl was palled, the better to fecure this town from
accidents by fire. Coopers were prohibited from making fires ex-
cept within an inclofed yard, furrounded by a brick or flone-wall
of eight feet height, having only one door, and that placed to the
Weftward ; and the magiflrates were empowered to caufe all huts
and other buildings covered with thatch to be pulled down. The
hamlet of Queen's Town ftands about two miles North from Sa-
vannah la Mar. It confifts of a few houfes tolerably well built;
but is a place of no note as yet. This is more ufually called Beck-
ford Town, or Savannah, the land having been given in lots of
from five to twenty acres by the late Richard Beckford, efq; and
regularly laid out for ftrcets, with a large fquar.e left in the centre
for a church. At the Well: end, between the two capes of Negril,
is Long Bay; where is good anchorage, and fhelter from tem-
peftuous winds. It is conveniently fituated for our men of -war,
during any rupture with Spain, to lie in wait for the Spanifli veflcls
paffing to or from the Havaunah ; and here admiral Bembow col-
VoL. 11. D d leftcd

202 JAMAICA.

Jefted his fquadron in i 702, when he was looking out for Du Cafle,
It is not as yet made convenient for fliipping of produce, being
rendered ahnoft inacceflible on the land-fide by means of a large
morafs, extending the whole length, comprehending upwards of
fix thoufand acres, which in time may probably be drained and
cultivated, as the Black Morafs which lies near the centre of the
parifh has fuccefsfully been. It contains large quantities of grafs,
boar-wood, Santa Maria thatch, and mountain cabbage trees; and
is interfperfed with fmall lilands, full of bread-nut and other hard
timber trees, and fome mahogany ; which prove the foil to-be very
deep and rich. Three flreams, or rivulets, take their rife in it,
and empty themfelves at Negril Harbour, and Long Bay. When
the wind fets hard-in upon this part of the coafl from Weft and
North-Weft, they are frequently repelled ; and by this means
overflow the lower grounds. Yet the draining of this tra6t appears
extremely pradlicable, and by means of the rivers, if proper flood-
gates and banks were formed, after the method pradtifed on the
flat coafts of Lincolnfliire and Suftex. The Eaftern range of the
morafs has a fine, fubftantial cky ; but the part neareft the fea is of
a loofer texture, though poflibly it might become more folid, if it
could be reclaimed from the water, which at prefent faps and oozes
through it. It is the refort of wild pigeons, and hogs, in great
abundance ; and the rivulets are ftored with plenty of excellent fifti
and land-turtle.

This parifh has a chapel for performing divine fervice, though
fcarcely opulent and populous enough to afford a good church. The
chapel is built witli timber, and ftands in the favannah, about the
diftance of one mile from the town of Savannah la Mar.

Some years ago, there was an exceeding good church, of white
free-ftone, built in the form of a crofs, about feven miles from the
bay : but the parifhioners falling into a violent difpute, whether
they (hould repair it, or ereft a new one at Savannah la Mar, the
roof was unable to wait the ifl'ue, but tumbled in ; and, the point
not having fince been brought to a final determination, it remains
a ftately ruin, to add one proof more to the million of the deplo-
rable effefts which attend religious fquabbles. As the two parties
could not agree, the church (which formerly was no uncommon

cafe)

BOOK ir. CHAP. IX. 203

cafe) fcems to have taken the dccifion upon itfelf, and by wilful
dilapidation endeavoured to convince them, that it will at lea{l be
the cheaper plan for them to build a new tabernacle than repair the
old one. As no houfe of refidence has been provided for the reftor,
he receives 50/. a year in lieu of one. The redlor's ftipend is 250/. ;
hut his whole income has been computed at not lefs than 700/. In
the year 1710, a Mr. Thomas Manning devifed the bulk of his
eftate to trullees, for the j)urpofes of founding a free-ichool near
Beckford Town, maintaining and educating poor children of the pa-
ri(h till the age of fourteen. In 1738, an aft was pafled for more
effedlually executing this charitable bequefl:. The trullees were in-
corporated, empowered to build a fchool-houfe, receive children,
appoint tutors, and prelcribe rules and orders, under a common
feal, for its better government. I fhall take occafion hereafter to
offer fome remarks in regard to this and other fimilar foundations,
which have not in general anfwered the good ends of their in-
ftitution.

In the Eafl: part of the parifli, near Scot's Cave, were fettled the
Surinam planters in 1675, and in 1699 the remnant of the Scotch
Darien colony, who may now be traced by the names of feveral
fettlements hereabouts, as Cullodcn, Auchindown, &c. From
the former, this divifion was called Surinam quarters. The {d-
vannahs, or low lands, of Weftmoreland are in general rich and
fertile, but, if negleded for any time, become as inuch infefted
with logwood as thofe in St. Catharine's are with the opopinax.
The air of thefe parts is hot, but tolerably healthy, except near
the fhore. The Eaft and North-eafl diftrift, being very mountai-
nous, is not yet peopled. Towards the Weft, or land's-end, the
hills diminifh. Many of the planters houfes are fituated on thefc
eminences, and enjoy a very pure and healthy air, though fubjedl
to very heavy and frequent rains, occafioned by the colleftion of
vapours, blown hither from the Eaftward, over the whole length
of the ifland, by the trade-wind: thele are often impeded in their
courfe, either by the higli ridges, or Wefterly airs, and then they
fall very copioufly. This plentiful irrigation, though productive
of fome inconveniencies, yet conduces to the fertility of the plan-
tations, and fecures their crops with fo much regularity and cer-

D d 2 taintv.

204 JAMAICA.

tainty, that it may be efteemed one of the moft eligible for fugar

in the whole ifland, both in regard to quantity, and excellence of

quality.

On leaving Savannah la Mar, the road to Hanover croffes Caba-
rito River twice, at no great diftance, by two bridges, about eight
or nine feet wide, conftrufted with planks laid acrofs fome beams,
but unprovided with any fide-rails to guard paflengers from tumbling
over. This river takes its rife among the Hanover Mountains, a
little to the Eaftward of King's Valley. At Black Morafs it fepa-
rates into two flreams, one of which empties itfelf into the fea at
Savannah la Mar, as already mentioned ; the other, a little to the
Weftward of it. Thefe flreams, although they run upwards of
eighteen or twenty miles through the country, are neither of them
navigable, except for canoes. From hence to Albany plantation
the way is, in general, very flat, confined, and fwampy. This
brings us to the Delve barracks, which were built in confequence
of the inlurreftion in 1761, and capable of accommodating one
hundred men. They ar£ fituated near the foot of Hanover Moun-
tains, tolerably well conftruded, and judicioufly ported. They
fland on a dry fpot near the dividing line of the two parifhes, three
or four miles diftant at lead from the morafly ground of Negril,
and are well enough contrived to anfwer moft of the purpofes for
which they were intended, being fufficiently ftrong to refifl: any
force that a band of rebellious Negroes could bring againft them.
They are alfo built in a place moft likely to be infefted with fuch
difturbancesj for it is a part of the country where there are a great
multitude of flaves, and few proprietors of eftates refide; and
where the neighbourhood is filled with woods and thickets, that
might the oftener tempt them to mutiny, by the fhelter they afford,
if they were not kept in awe by thele barracks, from which a fmall
detachment might harrafs and prevent their committing any ex-
tenfive outrages. This building is, however, defedive in fome
refpefts. The hofpital for the fick is only divided from the com-
mon room by a boarded partition, full of chinks; by which means
there is a continual paftage open for malignant and noxious ef-
fluvia to infedlthe healthy. The number of loop-holes is likewife
too Ihiallj there not being more than five or fix ; fo that very little

annoyance

BOOK II. CHAP. IX. 205

annoyance can be given from it in cafe it fliould beclofely befiegcJ.
The window-fhutters are of bullet-tree-wood (fo called, becaufe an
inch-board of it is bullet-proof); but, if thefe windows are to be
opened in the time of attack, in order that the garrifon may fire
upon their enemy, which they could not otherwife do, for want of
loop holes, their bodies muft neceflarily be much expofed, and the
ftiuttcrs of no ufe to Ikreen them. The roads, for three milqs after
leaving Albany, afford a profpeft delightfully variegated. Towards
the North, the late commodore F — rr — ft's plantation, and feveral
others, are feen flretching along the fkirts of the Hanover Moun-
tains, which arejufl behind, and feem to over-hang them. The
ground towards the South appears uneven, poor, and of a reddifli
foil; full of brakes and irregular clumps of trees, and uncultivated ;
ferving only to feed a few young cattle that graze fcantily among the
bufhes. Point Negri! lies about three or four miles Weft of Al-
bany. The morafiy land embracing it renders the air of the ad-
jacent eflates damp and unwholefome. Eaftward, the view is ter-
minated by another range of mountains, covered with a foreft of
mahogany and other gigantic trees. Between thefe different moun-
tainous barriers lies the road to Hanover, through the fertile glade
called King's Valley, which exhibits a lively and pifturefque fcene.
Though not above half a mile acrofs, it is inimitably contrafted
throughout. It abounds with delicious fprings and cooling rivulets,
refrelhing the land through which they glide. The lofty mountains
on either fide twice every day extend their grateful fhade over the
whole, and veil the richly-cultivated fields below from the fun,
prelerving the canes from taint in times of drowth, to which the
champaign lands, in many parts of the ifland, are much expofed.
There are, befides, in this fequeftered vale, two or three Imooth
fugar-loaf hills, that rife to confiderable elevation, and whole
ever-green and (loping fitles yield palturage to numerous herds of
cattle.

The whole machinery of this charming fpot is highly pleafing ;
for, abftra£led from its natural beauties, it is decorated with fome
handfome plantation-houfes ; at one of which (called Glafgow)
fituated on a riling ground, is a battery which was of great ufe in
protefting the eftates here during the Negroe rebellion.

From

^o6 JAMAICA.

From hence the road into Hanover is by a fteep afcent, or rather
pafs, of about a mile in length, fo narrow, that two horles can
Icarcely go a-breaft. From the llunmit of it, the eye takes in, at
once, a rural fccne enriched with every embellifl-iment of art and
nature. The landfchape is inimitably fine, and mocks defcrip-
tion: canefields, 'villas, paftures, clumps, groves, and rivulets,
are promifcuoufly fpread over the whole of its fwelling wavy fur-
face. Thefe extend two or three miles from the centre of the
prorpe£l, having about one- half filleted, as it were, with a range
of hills enveloped with thickets, and a fliaggy mantle of vene-
rable trees; the other, ikirted by the Weftern ocean. This diflridl
of the parifli exceeds moft others, as well in the configuration and
wild arrangement of all its parts, as in the peculiar nature of its
foil, which is a kind of fuller' s-earth, foapy and rich ; fo conge-
nial to the fugar-cane, that a long and uninterrupted culture feems
not in the leaft to have exhaufted, or even impaired, its fertility.
The fugars made here moft referable thofe of Liguanea, remarkably
fine, and inferior to none in the Weft-Indies. But I (hall not anti-
,cipate further the defcription of Hanover parifli.

State of the Parifti :

Annual Produce.
Negroes. Cattle. Sugar-plantations. | Hogdieads. \ Other Settlements,

3734' 9°8i ^9^5

1740. ^^^55 89-^

J745. ^2131 8320

1761, 15158

1768, 1 5186 13750 69 I 80CO I 96

There needs no other proof, to (hew how greatly it has im-
proved of late years. It is very capable of being advanced ftill further
in its produft, if brceding-ptnns (hould ever be formed in the
North-eaft mountains, and the lowland-penns be converted mto
fugar-plantations. The road, which has lately been compleated
from E>eane's Valley, in this pari(h, to the Bogue in St. James's,
is (kilfully conduded and well-fini(hed, and will probably invite
the proprietors of land, contiguous to it on each fide, to open and
fettle their lots. This road is now the grand communication be-
tween

6

BOOK n. CHAP. IX. 207

tween the two parifhes, and extremely convenient to both, as the
affize- court is held at Savannah la Mar.

The natural curiofities in this parifh, hitherto difcovered, are
but very few; though the want of them is, doubtlefs, compenfated-
by the variety of its natural beauties, in point of wood, water,
and profpeds. At Ricketts's Savannah, in tlie Weflern diftrift,
two mineral fprings were difcovered not long fmce. A gentleman-
of the faculty, who tried fome experiments upon them, affirmed,,
as I am told, that they were not inferior to the celebrated Geron-
ftere fpa ; and that, on being adminiftered, they have proved effi-
cacious in the fame diforders which that fpa io fuccefsfully,
relieves,.

SECT. III.

H A N O V E Ro.

THIS parifh is bounded on the Eaft by Great River, which di-
vides it from St. James ; on the Weft and North, by the fea ; and
on the South, by Weftmoreland. It was not formed till the year
1723 ; when it was taken out of the laft-mentioned parifli. It
contains feveral rivers, but none of them remarkable, fcarcely any
rifing more than four miles from the coaft. The principal head-
lands are North Negril and Pedro on the Weft, and Roundhill
Bluff on the North. Proceeding from Weftmoreland, the firft
fhipping-place we meet with is Orange Bay, lying within North
Negril, a capacious road, and good anchorage. About a league
North from this, lies Green Ifland Harbour. But the chief bar-
quadier is at Sancta Lucia Harbour, about ten miles further on the
North coaft. Green River is navigable by boats upwards of two
miles, and has many agreeable meanders, affording as many dif-
ferent profpe6ls. Its banks are cloathed on each fide, either with,
groves of plantain, banana, and other trees, or with fugar-canes,
to within about half a mile of the mouth, where the breadth-
expands to fifty feet at leaft; and it falls over a little fhallow bar
into the bay ; here the fides are morally, and have rather a wild
and unpleafing appearance. Green Ifland Harbour and Orange Bay
are the moft North-weftcrn parts of Jamaica. The former takes

its

aoS JAMAICA.

its name from a little ifland at the offing, about half a league di-
Ihnt from the main land. On the Weft fide of the harbour is a
fmall battery of nine guns, fix-pounders, to guard the entrance,
and is kept in excellent order; but if, inftead of the battery, a fort
had been erefted here, inclofing the barrack, a garrifon of forty or
fifty men might hinder any privateer, or fmall iliip of war, from
croliing the bar, and landing their crew ; but, whilft it continues
open towards the Weft, it is liable to furprizes. Befides the nine
guns mounted at the battery, there are two more at a diftance from
it, near a fmall tavern, where the main battery was firft intended ;
and eleven embrazures completely built.

North-eaft from this harbour is another fmall bay, commodious
enough for fliipping ; on the Weft fide of which is a ftrong bat-
tery, of feventeen or eighteen guns, built and maintained at the
private cxpence of Mr. J — s, whofe eftate lies contiguous. This
battery has embrazures for twenty-one guns ; and thofe already
mounted are fix and nine-pounders.

Not far from hence is Orange Cove, near Point Pedro, a part of
Hanover, beautiful beyond delcription. So various, lb pidurcfque,
and admirably fine, is the combination of all the detail which
unites in forming this landfchape; and the whole fo nicely inter-
woven and difpofed ; that it feems almoft impofiible for either
painter or hiftorian to give any thing like a faithful iketch of it.
Here has nature exerted all her plaftic powers, in Jaying out and
arranging the ground-work ; and art has likewife put forth her
whole Ikill, in vying with or aflifting her in the machinery, com-
pofed of a thoufiind decorations. Wherever the pafting eye de-
lights to wander, it meets with a fuccefiion of objefts, throughout
an extent of many miles, equally new, ftriking, and lively. In
one divifion is icen a wide plain, richly carpeted with canes of the
emerald tint, differently fliadcd, and ftriped with fringes of log-
wood, or penguin-fence, or, inftead of this border, with rills of
cryftal water. In another rifes a high-fwelling lawn, linooth and
fertile, whofe gently-doping bofom is embelliflied with herds and
flocks, and whofe fummit is crowned with Negroe-villages, or
clumps of graceful trees. Here, on a neighbouring hill, is a wind-
mill in motion ; boiling-houfcs, and other plantation-buildings, at

the

BOOK II. CHAP. IX. 209

the foot: there, in the various duties which cultivation excites,
are labourers, cattle, and carriages; all biKkly employed. In ad-
dition to theie animated Icenes is a boundlcfs profpecft of the iea,
which fkirts the diftant horizon towards the North ; and, on the
other hand, a wood-capped battlement of hills, that fliuts in the
Southern view. Delicious as the face of this part of the country is,
it fcarcely exceeds in beauty the profpcft of Lucea and its environs.
The harbour at the entrance is half a mile acrofs ; and, continuing
its channel for about one mile inland, expands at once into a cir-
cular bafon of nearly the fame fpace in diameter every way; the
anchoring-ground every where good, and depth of water from four
to fix fathom.

The town is inconfiderable, confifling only of one large flrect,
and about forty or fifty fcattered houfes. It (lands on the South-
VVefl fide, upon a fwampy bottom ; but no part of it is feen from
the road, until it is adually entered. The land behind and on each
fide is hilly : fo that the view from it is only open towards the
water. Two or three rivulets creep through it, more noifome than
the antient canal of Fleet-ditch. At the bottom of the harbour,
the Eaft and Weft Lucea Rivers difcharge their ftreams. Thouah
raifed to the dignity of a free port, its trade as yet is not very cx-
tenfive. The number of veflels which enter and clear here may be
reckoned at about fifty to f\xty fall per ^mium ; but the harbour is
very capable of receiving three hundred top-fail fhtips at a time,
were there but inducements to attract them. During the lafl war,
this town carried on a very aftive trade ; but this has been difcou-
raged fince by captures and other lofies ; fo that at prefent it is far
from being in a profperous condition. The prefent fituation is ill-
chofen, and naturally unadapted for healthful refidence. But the
port is conveniently fituated for traffic with the South- Wefl: parts of
Cuba ; and, enjoying as it does fo fine a receptacle for (hipping, it
is well defcrving of the public patronage. The fort, which com-
mands the entrance, ftands on the Weftern point, a fmall penin-
fula, and is built on a rock, rifing about twenty feet above the level
of the fea. It is very compleat in its defences, having embrazures
for twenty-three guns, of which twenty are mounted from fix to
nine-pounders, and in good condition for fervice ; fo that it is ca-
VoL. II, E e pable

zio JAMAICA.

pable of making a tolerable refiftance. The barracks for fifty men
are at a fmall diflance to the Southward. Thefe, like the others
before-fpoken of, are feparated only by a boarded partition, full of
holes, from the hofpital, which is very inconfiderately placed at the
windward-end; fo that a large quantity of the foul putrid air,
proceeding from thofe who are unhappily affected with any virulent
or epidemic diflemper, is immediately taken into the lungs, and
refpired by thofe who are, and probably might otherwife long con-
tinue, in found health. The houfe defigned for accommodation
of the officers is, with as little propriety, ereded to leeward of the
barracks, kitchen, and other neceflkry offices; whence all the
foetid effluvia, that reek from thefe fources, are wafted upon thole
who are flationed here in garrifon. A want of proper regulation
in thefe particulars is but too common in mofl of the maritime bar-
racks throughout the ifland; and not only the poor foldiers, but the ■
ifland itfelf, may fuffer greatly, if it fliould not be remedied, .
The circumftance has been overlooked perhaps, as generally is the
cafe in this country, where the genuine parents of ficknefs are not
fcrupuloufly traced out. But it is to this miftaken difpofition, I
am perfuaded to believe, that the unhealthinefs of the garrifon, at;
particular times, has been chiefly owing ; for, fuppofing only one
or two men to lie fick in the hofpital of a malignant fever, they
may contaminate the atmofphere fo much in twenty-four hours,
as to render it morbid and infectious to the healthy who are lodged
in a fituation to be fufceptible of its pernicious efFe£ts. This misfor-
tune actually befel the garrifon in 1764, compofed entirely of men
newly-arrived from Europe.. One or two falling lick of putrid
fevers, the diforder foon grew epidemic. Thofe who probably
would have efcaped (at lead any bad fymptoms) if they could have
breathed a refrefliing air, were poifoned with the flench of the
hofpital and offices ; and feveral were feized with fevers of an ano-
malous kind, which feldom or never occur unlefs from fome fuch •
pre-dii'pofing caufe. In fa6t, the ficknefs fpread fo rapidly, that, .
in a (hort time, hardly ten men of the whole company were able
to do duty. Errors of this nature, though apparently trivial in the
opinion of many, ought not to be flighted, when the value of mens
lives comes to be rated. And, fince the modern difcoveries of

learned

BOOK II. CHAP. IX. 211

learned pliyficians have taught us to confider a vitiated air as a prin-
cipal agent in the acute dii'eafes moft common to hot climates, the
publick of the ifland fliould, as far as poflible, endeavouf to alle-
viate this inclemency, and confult the prefervation of health and
vigour among thefe detachments at the out-ports. Good fenfc, hu-
manity, and a regard to their own fecurity, all confpire to enforce
this recommendation. Situated on an agreeable fpot, about half a
mile from the town, and near the fort, is the church, built a few-
years fince by the parifhioners, at the expence of yoool. and up-
wards. It is a plain, neat building of brick, decently pevved, and
provided with every convenience fuitable to the good purpofes for
which it was intended, except bells, though the tower is capacious
enough to hold a ring of five or fix. The living, perquifites in-
cluded, is efteemed worth about 400/. currency. On the oppofite
fide of the harbour is the Point Plantation ; diftinguiOied for its fine
fituation, commanding the town, fort, church, harbour, (hipping,
and a diflant view continued for many miles over rich cane-fields
and a country moft elegantly diverfified ; fo that few parts of the
ifland prefent a greater afl'emblage of delightful objeds in one
profpedl.

Here, as well as at Greenwich, in the neighbourhood, and
moft of the frontier plantations near the North coafl, are fmali
batteries, erefted at the private expence of the refpeftive owners of
thofe plantations, which in time of war fupply the want of king's
Ihips, and are ofufeto intimidate the privateers from landing, to
carry off Negroes, cattle, and other moveables.

The face of this parifii is, in general, hilly ; and, towards Weft-
moreland, it is flanked with that ridge of mountains common to
both. The air is eftecmed healthy, and will be more fo, when
greater progrefs is made in cutting down its woods ; the Eaflern
and South-eafl: divifion not being as yet occupied with any fet-
tlement.

Lvicea has a cuftom-houfe, under dire£lion of a colle<5lor and
cunptroller.

E e 2 ■ State

212

J A

M A I C A.

State of the Parifh :

Annual Produce.

Negroes.

Cattle.

Sugar-plantations. | Hoglheads. |

-i734>

3339

1774

1740,

4863

2631

^7^S^

^IS^

3054

1761,

10498

1768,

^157^

8942

71 1 7500

Other Settlementi,

2S
Confidering Hanover as a modern parifh, it has advanced fur-

prizingly, and contains more fugar-works than fome of three times

the extent; which is a fure proof of the fitnefs of the foil for this

cultivation. There are few other in the ifland that, in the fame

time (little more than thirty years), can boaft of having iiicreafed

their ftock in the proportion of four to one ; which is actually the

fadl in refpe£l to Hanover; fo that it bids fair to vie with thofe

efleemed the richeft in Jamaica,

SECT. IV.
St. J A M E S.

THIS parKh is bounded on the Eaft by Trelawny ; Weft, by
Hanover; North, by thefea; South, by St. Elizabeth. The prin-
cipal rivers are Great River, on the Weftern boundary ; Martha-
brae, on the Eaftern ; and Montego, which falls into the bay of
that name. Great River rifes in the furthefl Southern extremity
of the parifli, meandring a courfe of" about thirty miles, and, col-
ledting fome other dreams in its way, grows pretty large where
it difembogues into the fea at the Weft angle of the bay, and about
five miles from the town of Montego. This river is the natural
boundary between tliis pajiOi and Hanover; but, although it is
pretty wide at its mouth, and penetrates fo confiderable a way into
the country, it is at prefent not navigable above three or four miles,
and that only for boats and canoes. At the mouth it is crofted by
a ferry.

The Montego River falls into the Bay about three quarters ("f a
mile "Weft from the town. The coaft of this parifli has no -lead-
land of any note, nor any harbour, except Montego ; but t^'iis is
very fufficient. The extent of the parifli from North ^^ South

being'

BOOK n. CHAP. TX. 213

being near twenty-four miles, it contains of" courfe a lar.ie run of
unfettled lands. The iettlements reach between, thirteen and four-
teen miles back from the Tea : but there is a (pace ftill behind them
of one hundred thoufand acres, or upwards, yet uninhabited, ex-
cept by the Maroon Negroes, of Furry's and Trelavvny Towns ;
who polleiring a grant of fifteen hundred acres, there remain al^out
ninety- eight thoufand for cultivation. This land is- mountainous,.
but laid to be inferior to none in fertility; and, as St. James is now
become the moft thriving dillrid in tlie ifland, fome extenfion will,
probably be made every year. One great fource of this flourilhing
Hate has been the rapid increafe of the town and its trade from
very fmall beginnings. It contains at prefent, by computation,
about four hundred houfes, moftly built of brick, and fome of
them inhabited by opulent merchants ; one of whom carried on
the Guiney branch with fo much fuccefs, as to remit bills, in the
year 1771, to Great-Britain, for near 50,000/. fterling, on account
of new Negroes alone ; and, as only two of thefe bills (which
were both under 300/.) were protefted, we have, in this inftance,
the ftrongeft indication poffible of the happy circumftances en-
joyed by the planters in this part of the country. The town, fi-
tuated in about 18° 3,0' North latitude, flands on the North-ea{\
fide of a fpacious bay, along the feet of a range of moderately hilly
land, which fomewhat incommodes it by intercepting the breeze.
The flreets are laid out with tolerable exaftnefs. In the bay, the
water is from four to thirty fathom: the channel leading into it is
guarded, on the Eafl and Wed:, by a reef and funken rocks ; but
far in there is excellent anchorage, and room for a large fleet of
fhips. On the South-well part of the bay is a clufler of little
iflands, covered with mangroves, and other maritime trees. Be-
yond thefe iflands is another fpacious harbour, but of no ufe at pre-
fent; fince it us impoflible for any veffel of burthen to fail into it,
on account of the fhoal-water on one fide, and the iflands on the
other ; though it is affirmed, that a pafliige between them might
be opened at no very great expence. It is likewife fuppofed to be
defe»ded by the fort (fituated about half a mile from the town to
the iV)rth-caft, on a fmall point of land), which mounts fome
guns, a^d may he occafionally garrifoned by a party of regulars,

for

2,4 JAMAICA.

for whofe reception the parifnloners erefted barracks capable of
liold'mg one hundred nicn, witli their officers. As the fituation of
thefe barracks is high, and on a rock by the harbour-fide, they
would be pleafant and healthy, if the trees and buflies, v/hich are
fufFered to grow io luxuriantly near them, were cut down; and if
a further improvenient war. made in refpe6l to the accommodations
provided for the officers, which are very inconveniently placed.
' The fort Is, or lately was, in a ftate of decay ; and fcarcely deferves
to be rebuilt, as it does not, from its fituation, appear to have been
-ever, capable of guarding the entrance ; fmce, at the fpot where it
• now flands, the channel is fo wide, that any veflel might enter the
bay without danger from its artillery, and afterwards come to an-
chor unmolefted, Tlie guns (eleven in number) are of too fmall
a fize to range a fufficient dillance, and (what is flill worfe) fo ho-
ney-combed and ruft-eaten, and fo crazily mounted, as to make
it dangerous to fire them ; which was fatally experienced by a
gunner, who was fhattered to pieces on letting off ^feudejoye after
the furrcnder of the Havannah to the Englifh forces. Though a
more eligible fpot may be appropriated to the next fort, and though
the prefent is not worthy to be rebuilt, I muft take leave to fay,
that thefe ruins, like others of a fimilar kind in many defencelefs
parts of the ifland, have happened chiefly for want of a trifling
fum every year expended in neceflary repairs, and particularly the
painting, or tarring, the guns and their carriages. In truth, the
fortifications planted about the harbour of Port Royal and King-
flon, being the only ones which receive an annual vifitation from
the commiffioners of forts and fortifications, are kept in better re-
pair than any other ; and, becaufe there was a time when no other
part of the ifland was fortified, or of fo nriuch importance as that
diftricl, it is therefore flill the cuflom to expend the whole fortifi-
cation-fund, and feveral thoufand pounds more per annum, upon
them ; while others at the out-ports are utterly neglected, and left
to be kept up at the expence of private perfons, or of the parifKJS
in which they have been ereded, and where the inhabitant-- ai'S
glad, on every convenient occafion, to lefien their aflefliTipits as
much as they can, and perhaps take no thought about tl'eir fcts
.and batteries, except in time of adual war, Thi^ pro,eeding of

the

BOOK it; chap, IX. 215

the leglflative branches is much the fiime as if a man, by clapping
a hehnet upon his head, fliould think himlclf perfeclly invulne-
rable, though all the reft of hid body remains expofed. But, in
order to maintain thefe defences along the coaft, which are necef-
fary, not only to fuch pariQies, hue to tiic whole ifland ; the af-
fembly, we may venture to think, might every year call for an,
exa(5t and faithful report of their condition ; and,, if no portion can
be fpared out of the fortification-fund, the juflices and veftry miffhc
at leaft be obliged, in the more opulent of thefe p:iri0ie3, to raife a
fmall annual fum, by fome eafy and permanent mode, which (hould
conftitute a fund to be applied folcly to the repair of their refpec-
tive fortifications.

Thefe fentiments arife from confidering the improved flate of
Montego Bay; the vaft value of its trade; its buildings, rents,
goods, and {hipping ; the opulence which is likely to centre in it ;
and the hazard to which all thefe may become expoled, on any
fudden revival of war, from the attacks of a few daring privateers.
As it is now, with juflice^ deemed the emporium of the Weftern
part of the ifland, it certainly merits to be. well guarded, and in-
deed feems entitled to come in for a yearly fhare of the public
money, which hitherto has been partially iavifhed upon the en- -
virons of one principal port, as if they were the only quarters
which an enemy could attempt, or that were worthy of the public
defence.

Montego Bay, in the opinion of the beft judges, is growing very
faft into a place of fo much confequence and wealth, that, in the
event of a war, it will be a capital negledl of government, fhould
itibe left unprotC'lfed by a ftrong fort, or one. or two men of war
for guard-fliips.

The {hipping of every kind, that enter and clear at this port, are, .
one year with another, about 140 ^nW per annum, and continually
ou the increafe; as it not only lies fo commodious for i'oreign trade,
but employs near about eleven thoufand tons for the produfts of the
adjacent di{lri(Sb; this being the great mart for iup|)]ying it with
Negroes and other ncceflaries, that formerly ufed to be bought at
Kjugfton, W'hich has therefore- fuflered a fevere blow from this new
eiiablilhment. For the like rexifon,. among otheis, the town of

Lucea

216 JAMAICA.

Lucea has mride fo little progrefs ; the chief trade and bufinef;, for
the Northern leeward part of the ifland being engroffed and con-
centered at Montego.

The eftabli{hment of a trading town neceffirily attradls artincers
in various branches, and other numerous dependents. Hence a
great convenience refults to the fettlers around in the country-parts,
from the eafy method by which they can accommodate themfelves
with what they want. But a far greater advantage accrues to them
from the yearly confumption of their produfts in fuch a town,
which gives birth and fiipport to a multitude of petty fettlements
for cultivating proviiions of different forts to anfwer that con-
fumption. Such a town muft therefore add confiderably to the
population of the country; and itfelf derive a reciprocal profit from
the fale of goods to, and tranfa<il:ion of bulinefs for, the more opu-
lent plantations, which furnifh ftaple or exportable commodities ;
and this profit will be large and durable in proportion to the fertility
of the neighbouring foil. Now, the lands in this parifii being very
productive, and fo many thoufiind acres ftill remaining to be here-
after gradually employed, here feems to be a morally certain pro-
fpe£l, that this town, being conftituted upon the mofl permanent
fupports, can never decline fo long as the flaple produdls of the
ifland are worth any thing at the home-market.

I have eliewhere taken notice of the rapid augmentation of fet-
tlements in this part of the country of late years ; which is really
amazing, and will fo appear from the comparative table, that, like
the foregoing, is brought down no lower than the year 1768 : but
I am well informed, that at leafi: twenty or more fugar- works may
be added to the lift at the prefent time.

Behind the town, to the Southward, is a long range of uncul-
tivated mountains, clad, like mofl others in this country, with
lofty trees. The road which croflles this to Montpelier is excellently
conftru£led, and opens an avenue into a vale behind, containing
many thoufand acres of rich foil, a fmall part of which only is at
prefent brougi)t into culture. But, as improvements are moving
on here at a furprizing rate, there is good reafon to believe, that
the whole of this fine tradl will, in a few years, be overfpread

3 with

BOOK II. CHAP. IX. 217

\vith canes, and make a prodigious addition to the exports and im-
ports of this parifh.

The land towards the Eaflern diflridl of it is of a reddifli cafl,
•and fmgvUarly porous quaHty, lying on a clayey fubftrate, ex-
cellently well adapted to the lugar-cane. Towards the Weflern
parts it has more of the loamy foil, but not much lefs fertile. The
produce of lands here in general is really amazing. I have beca
told the following anecdote in confirmation of this remark. A
perfon rented a traft from the proprietor on a leafe of eleven years,
conditioned to furrender it back, at the expiration of the term,
compleatly planted with canes, &c. and furniflied with proper
works. But, before the term expired, the leliee is faid to have
gained by the bargain a clear profit of 30,000/. Others, from the
very meaneft and fmalleil: beginnings here, have acquired very
large fortunes. It is related for a fadl, that a poor man and his
wife, poffefiing a grant of a fmall parcel of land, planted fome part
of it in canes with the labour of their own hands. From thefe,
when they were ripened, they made fliift to exprefs the juice,
which they boiled in an old cauldron, and manufaftured a little
fugar, with which they went to market. By degrees, and the
inceffant application of their induflry, they augmented their pro-
duce, till they gained fufficient to purchafe a Negroe. By the fame
means, they increafed their labourers, and the importance of their
cftate; till, at length, they became proprietors of a valuable fijgar-
work, which is now enjoyed by the furvivor, and by the mofl ho-
nourable title.

It is impoflible to particularize the various natural produftions
of this parifh, fo fmall a feftion of it being as yet laid open to view ;
but, from what has hitherto been difcovered, it is wanting in no
article conducive to the pleafureand convenience of the inhabitants.
In mofl parts it abounds with excellent ftone both for lime and
building; and in fome, as about the neighbourhood of Montpelier,
what is obtained from the quarry, refcmbles that of St. Anne be-
fore-defcribed, whofe texture, when firft dug, is fo foft as to be
ealily worked with the faw, or the chifibl. It remains, for its fur-
ther better population, to form two good roads of communication,
one leading into Weflmoreland, the other to St. Elizabeth's. The
former is at prefent well attended to ; but the latter, by the way
Vol. II. V f of

2i8 JAMAICA.

of Chefterfield, has been thought ill conflrufted, and inconvenient
on other accounts, as it paffes over a great deal of boggy land, and
very fteep hills. It has therefore been propofed to lead the road
from Montego Bay, through Spring- mount eftate, into Hardyman's
penn; thence to Ellerflea plantation, to Naffau, the centre and
moft thriving part of St. Elizabeth. It is faid, that the land,
through which this road would go, abounds in fine materials to
render it firm and durable ; that it could be made fit for carriages
from the bay to Ellerflea for 1600/. and would be the beft way for
travelers from Hanover and St. James to go to Spanifh Town, being
only a day's ride, or fixty miles extent, over level grounds, fromSpa-
nifh Town to NaflTau, and thirty-fix from thence to Montego Bay ; in
all ninety-fix : finally, that, by opening fo eafy an intercourfe between
the feat of government and the Weftern parts of the ifland, now
advanced into fo flourifhing a ftate, a multitude of conveniences and
benefits might be expeded to refult to the whole ifland ; of which
latter pofition there can be no doubt, if the former ones are as
practicable as they appear plaufible; fince a commercial ifland, like
the human body, will always enjoy the befl health and moft
aftive vigour, when the circulation is carried on, freely and with-
out impediment, from the heart ta the extremities, and back again
from thefe to the heart.

As St James was but recently divided into two parlflies, I am
obliged in the table to confider it asftill indiftin£l, to make the de-
tail comply with the former eflimates: however, I fhall endeavour
alfo to form another ftate of the number of Negroes and cattle con-
tained in it, as difliinft from Trelawny.

State of the Parlfli :

Anniuil Produce.
I Hogdieatls. | Other Settlements^.

Negroes..

Cattle.

Siigar'Works.

1734.

2297

109.9

1740,

2588

1204

i745»-

4907

1961

about 20

1761,

14729

1768,

21 749

^5^37

95

1768, Proportion"

diftinft from
Trelawny by

• 1 001 a

'JOOf,

SS

computation, .

Increase, in fwen-

■)

ty-three years,

nbout

1 16842

13176

7S

2500

1 1000

5080

85

00

14

102
78

The

BOOK If. CHAP. IX. 2,9

The progrels therefore of this parilh, for the tune, exceeds that
of any other in the iflaiid ; and at prefeut it takes the lead of aljj
the annual produce of fugar being at leafl: twelve or fourteen thou-
fand hogfheads.

The hills in general near the coaft, and to feme diftance from
it, are rocky, but l)ear good provifions. The canes are planted in
the glades and richer patches, and yield a very excellent fugar.
This, being the mofl: Northern part of the ifland, and full of riling
grounds, enjoys an healthy air, and promiies long life to the inte-
rior fettlers, who increafe very faft. The flowed: progrefs leems to
be made in the Eallern and Southern divifions, which are over-
fpread with ranges of mountain, requiring nothing but good roads
to promote their fettlement. On this fubje£l I m^ay be thought,
perhaps, to have expatiated fufficiently. I (hall only further ob-
lerve, that, nature having in this and other parts of the ifland
walled-in many of the richefl: fpots in the world, it remains for
the legiflature to make them acceflible, by opening a paliage for
thofe induflrious fubjeds who are willing to labour the foil, if they
were but as able to get at it ; and in no part of the ifland will fuch
afllfl:ance turn more beneficially to the public account than in this
parifh.

In the town is a cufl:om-houfe, under tlie diredion of a collector
and comptroller, deputy naval-officer, receiver-general, and fecre-
tary. The re£lor's ftipend is 200 1. per annum; but, confidering
the extent and populoufnefs of the parifli, his income cannot be
eftimated at lefs than 700/. A printing-prefs has lately been fet
up here, furnifhed with a very beautiful type, and gives birth to a
Aveekly paper of intelligence. There feems a ftruggle between
this town and Savannah la Mar for the afcendency, Ibmewhat fi-
milar to what has happened between Spanifli Town and Kingfton ;
but t!ie oftenfible object of difpute is ditterent. Savannah la Mar
having declined in proportion as Montego Town has increafed, the
latter, being far more populous, and more thriving in its trade, be-
came defirous of having the aflize-court alternately held. This
perhaps was confidered, by t'he partizans of the elder lifter, as a
firft rtep towards removing the leat of jufHce, and transferring it
wholly to Montego Bay. It was oppoled with great warmtli ; and

F f 2 the

220 JAMAICA.

the rights of feiiioiity prevailed. But it is probable, that as the bu-
finefs of the court mufl: be in proportion to the number and opu-
lence of the inhabitants, To this claim of feniority will yield in
the end to the conveniency of the people of Montego and Tre-
lawny ; at leaft fo far as to eftablifh an alternate court, as firfl: pro-
pofed : by which means, the eafe of trade may be confulted in the
leaft partial manner, and the new eftablifhment be reafonably fa^
voured, without ruining the older one.

It is ajuft remark of Dr. Browne, that thofe towns, which,,
fince the decay of the Spanifh trade, have been fupported chiefly by
{landing courts and the calamities of the people, are rather a pre-
judice than an emolument to the community; while they harbour
fo many dependents in idlenefs at the expence of the induftrious,
who might have proved very fervlceable members, had they been
diftributed about the ifland, and their thoughts turned more upon,
the advancement than the diftrefling of fettlements.

S E C T. V.

T R E L A W N Y..

PROCEEDING from St. James to Trelawny, the road lies,
for the moft part, along the coaft, without having any objedl more
pleafing to the eye than, on one fide,, a profped of the fea, and on
the other a chain of (haggy mountains, which run along the North
fide of the ifland in one almoft uninterrupted range, except where
they are indented by creeks and bays, and cleft as it were by rivers.
In fome other parts are alfo recefles, affording room for plantations
and pafture-grounds J but, in general, their foil is good; and fuch
of them as are cultivated, produce here, as on the South fide, great
plenty of corn, plantains, coft'ee, pimento, yams, caflada, and
moft other forts of Weft-India provihons, as well as- many kinds
of European vegetables. But although, towards the Eaft, the hills
feem retired further from the fea than in the Weftern parts of St*
James, there are few diftrids of Jamaica of a more wild and bar-
barous afpeft than the tradl which lies to the Eaftward of Long-
Bay, till the cultivated parts of Trelawny open to view. This
newly- baptized parifti is divided from St. James on the Weft by a

North

BOOK ir. CHAP. IX. 221

North and South line, interfefting New Canaan eflatej from St.
Anne on the Eaft, by the Rio Bueno; on the North it is bounded
by the Sea; and Southerly by St. Elizabeth. .Its capital river is
the Marthabrae, which takes its fource among the mountains,
about twelve miles didance from the coaft, as commonly fuppofcd ;
for, there being no fettlement near the fpring-head, it is not exadly
known. It lerpentines through a courfe of about tliirty miles be-
fore it reaches the harbour ; from wiience it is navigable by canoes
and boats, for fome miles, to the bridge. The depth of its water
is fufficient for much larger vcliels, except at the mouth, where a
bar, occiifioned by the fund difgorged from the ftrcam, and repelled
by the tide, obftruils the navigation. The village of Marthabrae
flan ds about two miles above the mouth, on a rihng ground not far
from the bridge, and confifts of about thirty houfes or more ; as
the late partition of St. James has of confequence tended to the efta-
blifliment of a new town here, w'hich may grow in fize in propor-
tion as the lands, at prefent unfettled in the parifh, are brought into
culture. The river which glides by it abounds with fifh of various
kinds ; and the courfe fo delightfully twining, that its banks might
be laid out in gardens,, with a view to pleafure, as well as utility,
which is an additional circumftance in favour of the town's increafe.
The harbour is defended by a fmall fort, placed on Point Man-
grove, which projedls into the fea on the Wcfl fide. The only
fault in its llrudure feems to be the narrownefs of the gorges of the
baftions,. and of the baftions themfelves ; in which the guns cannot
traverfe fo freely as they ought. The fpot whereon it ftands, and
all around it, being altogether fuampy, there is reafon to fufpedl
that without draining thefe quarters will not be very healthy. In
other refpedts this fortrefs is well fituated for guarding the entrance,
or channel, w.hich.runs at right angles to it about North-Eafl: ; nar-
row, and hemmed. in by reefs and ihcals on either fide, for near a
mile. The barracks, for tlic accommodation of one hundred men
and officers, are at a fmall diftance.

The harbour is covered, towards the Eafl: and North-Eafi:, by a
femicircular fweep of the main land on that fide, and by a fmall;
iflatul ; fo that within it is not only capacious, but well (helteredi
from the fea.

The

422 J A M A I € A.

The' country hereabouts, for a few miles, is well cultivated;
but, feme miles further to the Eaftward, it ftill wears a favage
afpeft, though by no means unfufceptible of great improvements,
and valuable plantations. In the Eafternmon: part is a fucceHion of
fine pimento walks, which continue, with little interruption, be-
yond Rio Bueno, the boundary between Trelawny and St. Anne,
and through a confiderable extent of the laft-mentioncd parifli.
The beauty of thefe fpicy groves, which are likewife interfperfed
with the orange, limon, ftar-apple, avogato-pear, wiW cinnamon,
and other favourite trees, among which feme impetuous river rolls
its foaming flood, or babbling rivulet, gently trails along in glitter-
ing meanders, furnilhes a fubjed worthy fome darling of the Mufes.
Even paradife itfelf, defcribed by the pen of Milton, exhibits but
a faint reprefentationof them, when he fays,

" Whofe rich trees wept odorous gums and balm.

*' Others, whofe fruit, burnifli'd with golden rind,

" Hung amiable — Hefperian fibles true. —

*' If true, here only ; and of delicious tafte.

*' Betwixt them lawns or level downs, and flocks

*• Grazing the tender herb, were interpos'd;

** Or palmy hillock. Or the flow'ry lap

** Of fome irriguous valley fpread her flore,

*' Flow'rs of all hue, and without thorn the rofe.

*' Another fide, umbrageous grots and caves

" Of cool recefs. Mean while, the raurm'ring waters h\l

*' T>own yon flope hill, difpers'd, or in a lake

« That to the fringed bank, with myrtle crown' d,

" Her cryflal mirror holds, unite their flreams.

" The birds their choir apply. Airs, vernal airs,

*' Breathing the fmell of field and grove, attune

" The trembling leaves. While univerfal Pan,

<' Knit with the Graces and the Hours in dance,

*' Led on th' eternal fpring."
The parifh extends about fifteen miles in depth, and is fettled,
but imperfe6lly, to the diftance of fix miles only from the fea. A
fpace remains behind of eighty thoufand acres, and upwards, un-
inhabited J and concerning which we know nothing more at pre-
j fent.

BOOK n. CHAP. IX. 223

fent, except that it is very mountainous, no public road being tra-

verfed as yet through any part of it ; fo that it is almofi: as much

an undifcovered country, as the regions bordering on the Soutli

pole. But fo large a tra£l contains, probably, valuable timbers,

rich veins of foil, and a variety of other ftores of wealth and

euriofity.

It may be proper, as my Iketch of the different pariHies is

drawing near to a clofe, that I fliould here recapitulate the feveral

parcels of fuppofed cultivated land, which have been noticed to lie

in wildernefs, and without an inhabitant.

Acres. Morafs.

ii«-iii r f between St. Anne and Cla-i o c ^ • ■>

Middlefex, J , , libo,ooo, of which

t rendon, about J

{St. Thomas in the Eaft, — ■>
Portland, (-133,000 — 8000
St. George, J

,St. Elizabetii, —
Weftmoreland, —

St. James,

^Trelawny, —

5-97,000 34,000

exclufive of the large vacant tracts in all the other parifhes, which,
if the computation I made in treating upon this fubje£l be near the
truth, amount to 1,753,000 acres of plantable or cultivable acres
more. But, if the amount in all. was only one million, I may
furely hope to be juflified in the propofitions which I have offered,
tending to fhev/ the expediency of forming roads, and of intro-
ducing fettlers, where fo vaft a fpace remains unoccupied; as well
as in the happy confequences I have deduced as ncceffarily attendant
upon the execution of a liberal plan of improvement ; whether con-
fidered with refpecft to tlie firength, the trade, the opulence, and
falubrity, of the iilaiid, or to the extenfion of the commerce, ma-
nufa6tures, navigation, and profits, of Great-Britain.

Confiftent with the preceding, order^ I fliall now give a ftate of
this parifli for 1768, proportioned to the other divilion of St. James,,
from which it was {o lately fevered.

Cornwall,

284,000 — ■ ' •■ 26,000

Annual ProJuce.

Negroes.

Cattle.

S, g3r-plantatuins.

Hoi^Oieads.

Other Scttlcmet^ts

^'7i9

8,30

40

. 7920

66

3768,.

This

224 J A M A I C A.

This is not to be deemed the prefent ftate, becaufe the flock and
produce may well be fuppofed to have been conftantly increafing
ever fince the year mentioned. I have therefore only fubmitted this
fcheme for the fake of pr.eferving uniformity, agreeably to iny firfh
defign of bringing the progrcfs of the feveral parifl:\es down to
ir68; beyond which, I have not been able to obtain any very
exat£l calculation.

General State of the County £)f Cornwall.

County-town, iravannah la Mar, where the Ailizes are held in the

months of March, June, September, and December.

Annual Produce.
Negroes. Catfle. Sugar-plantations. Hogdieads. Other Settlements.

60616 54776 266 29100 383

Re6lories and Stipends.

St. Elizabeth,

Weflmoreland, —
Hanover, ■
St. James, -^— — .
Trelawny, •

£

s.

d.

200

0

0

250

0

0

200

0

0

200

0

0

200

0

0

£ 1050 o o
Churches, 24 — Chapels, 2; — Synagogue, o.
From hence will appear, that this county, though poflefTIng
fewer Negroes and cattle than Middlefex, is neverthelefs more
productive. This may be afcribed to the greater frefhnefs of the
land in general ; to the greater quantity of feafonable rains, and of
cane-land, fituated more conveniently with refpeft to Ihipping-
places. The North fide parishes labour under the inconvenience of
late cropSj l^igli infu ranee, a voyage homewards in the mod dan-
gerous feafonof the year, and a high freight to the Kingflon mar-
ket. All thefe are attended with double charge in war-time. Not-
withftanding thefe obftacles, we find that moft of them are in a
flourifliing condition. The parifhes of St. George and Portland
feem to be the only exceptions. The quantity of fugar produced
in both of them together is not ^qual to the half of what is made
in St. Mary's. There are natural difficulties with which the fettlers
in them have to ftruggle. To thefe are added the others before-re-
cited, to which the reflate liable in common. Perhaps a bounty

.«f

BOOK 11. CHAP. IX. C25

of twenty (hillings per hogfhcad might bs fome encouragement to
the feebler fettlers ; it would at leafl enable them to carry their fu-
gars to the Kingfton market freight-free ; for it is not the leaft of
the misfortunes attendant upon their fituation, that they are obliged
to pay nearly thrice as much, for the traniport of a hogfhead of
fugar to that market, as a (hipper at Old Harbour on the South
fide. But the preffure of this tax will appear in a more confpicuous
light from the following table of

WATER-CARRIAGE from Kings rosf to the Out-Ports.

Out-ports.

Old Hnrbour and PeaV Bav,
Withy Wood & Milk River,

Salt River, ■

Black River,

White-houle, near Scot's 1
Cove, St. Elizabeth, — J

The Hope,

Wellmorelaiid, .

Hanover and all North lide,

Rlorant Bay,

Port Morant,

, Yallah's Bay,

Hhds.

Ti

urccs.

Barrels.

Firkins

Hoes and

Small

.-ind

and

Bills.

Bundles.

Puneh.

Boxes.

i. it.

.f.

J.

J.

./.

u r/.

i. iJ.

J. //.

7 6

3

9

2

6

J 3

1 2"

7--

8 9

3

9

2

6

I 3

7 1

7f

S V

3

9

2

6

' 3

« i_

Ik

12 6

5

0

3

9

I izh

' 3"

li

I3- 0

7

6

3

9

I icJ

I \o\

1\

16 3

S

9

s

0

2 6

t loi

7l

18 9

10

0

<{

0

2 6

I J0|-

/ 2

zo 0

10

0

i

0

2 6

2 6

' 3

8 9

S

0

3

-9

I lOf

r 3

1\

10 0

s

0

3

9

I lOj

I loi

1\

8 9

4

4i-

3

'1

I 3"

74

.,1

y i"

WATER-CARRIAGE, .as above, continued.

Out-ports.

Cotton

Pimento

Tobac-

per

per

co per

Cwt.

Cwt.

Cwt.

.<. li.

^. ./.

s. d.

z 6

r io|

I lOi

3 9

2 6

2 6

3 9

2 6

2 6

4 4i

3 i^

3 >i

4 4*

3 i|

3 'i

4 4l

3 'i

3 If

4 4^

3 'i

3 If

5 0

3 9

3 9

3 9

I- I0|

I 10?-

3 9

I IQi

I lOi

2 6

' 3

J 3

Hooj)s,

Ofna-

Large

Ibues, bricks.

brigs.

bun-

/<•/• 3/.

per piece.

dles.

s. d.

s. d.

J. d.

25 0

I 3

I 3

25 0

I 3

' 3

25 0

' 3,

I 3

30 0

: io\

I 3

33 9

I lOi

I 3

33 9

I lOf

I 3

35 0

I loi

I 3

40 0

3 li

2 6

25 0

I 3

I 3

25 0

I 3

I 3

20 0

I 0

I 3

Ginijcr
per Cwt,
or Bat;.
^. d.
I o
I o
I o

' 3
I 3

rof

9

o
o
o

Boards,

and
Planks.

s. d.

20 o

= 3 .f

23 'i

25 o

25 o

27 6

3; o
23 If
23 «i
20 o

Old Harbour and Peak Bav,
Withy Wood &: Milk River,

Salt River,

Black River,

White-houfe, near Scot's ]
Cove, St. Elizabeth, — J

The Hope,

AVeftmoreland,

Hanover and all North lidc,

Morant E.ay, — —

Port IMorant,

Yallah'sBay,

Thefe charges are advanced, by an a6l of aflembly, fifty per cent.
in time of war. From hence will appear the utility of eftablifhiiig
Port Antonio as a place of trade; by which means the fettlers iu
both parifhes would be relieved from this heavy burthen, and put
in a condition of meeting their fellows-planters of the richer diftrids
upon a more equal footing at the Britifli market.

It remains only for me to fay, that as the perfefting thofe roads
nlready ftruck through the interior part of tlie country, and opening

Vol. II.

<^S

others

226 JAMAICA.

others wherever fuch a communication is wanting, appears to be
the firft great leading meafure towards a morecompleat fettling and
peopling of this ifland ; fo I can with pleafure bear teftimony to the
laudable fpirit which at prefent actuates the gentlemen refident
there, who, in a late feflion of aifembly, beftowed no lefs than
5,000/., by public grant, towards forming or compleating twenty
very necefl'ary roads in the following parishes ; a munificence
which, faithfully applied, will redound not more to the credit of
their good fenfe, than to the general benefit of the ifland.

Weftmoreland, from Hamberfly's Penn, to Lenox Plantation.

Ditto, from Glafgow Eftate, to Lucea in Hanover.

Ditto, from Dean's Valley, to Great River in St. James.

Hanover, from Lucea along the mountains, to Mofquito Cove.

St. James, from Great River, through Seven-Rivers, to Mout-
peller.

Ditto, from Great River, through Montpelier, to the Bogue

Eftate.

St. Elizabeth, from Moroe's Craal, to Chefterfield.

St. Anne, from Ocho Rios Bay, to Dun's River.

Ditto, from Dry Harbour, to the Cave in Clarendon.

St. Thomas in the Vale, to St. Mary.

Ditto, to St. Anne.

Ditto, over Monte Diablo.

St. Mary, from Guy's Hill, through Bagnal's, to Rio Nuevo-Bay.

St. George, from Kingfton, through Cold Spring, to Buff-Bay.

St. David, from the head of Yallah's River, to Roger's Cornerj
leading to the Barquadier at Yallah's Bay.

Ditto, and Port Royal, from the conflux of the Hope aiKl Hoghole
Rivers, to Yallah's River, near its jun6tion with Green-River.

St. Aadrew, from Moore's Eftate, to Wagwater River.

St. Thomas in the Eaft, from Port Morant Harbour, to the Bath.

Portland, from Bath, over Break-heart Hill, to Titchfield.

Ditto, from Titchfield, to Prieftman's River, being part of tlie
high road from Rio Grande.

hi ia.Oi, the great improvements, made in many parts of the ifland
of late years, are principally to be aicribed to the meliorated ftate
of the roads J to the more general ufe of water-mills; to an im.-

proved.

BOOK II. CHAR IX. 2^7

proved Ikill in every branch of plantation-occor.omy ; and (in the
W'eflern diltrid) to the importation of Negroes immediately into
the ports of Savannah la Mar and Montcgo; as well as to tl)e na-
tural excellence of the canc-land in that diiliriil.

Oh revifing what has been laid in refpe»5l to the fhipplng whicli
load at this ifland, and their tonnage, I perceive I lliall be thought
to have greatly under-rated them. Errors on this head may vcrv
well happen, for want of an average-table, as no two fucccflive
years are perhaps equal in the calculation, and as the number and
quantity are yearly increafing,

Mr. Leflie, in his account publiflied in the year 17^9, fuppofeJ
the annual produce of fugar equal to feventy thoufand hogflicadi;,
of fifteen hundred pounds weight each ; which was certainly a
miftake. From this pojiulntiim lie endeavoured to (heA-, that five
hundred fail, weiglit fifty thoufand tons, and manned hy at leaf!: fix
thoufand feamen, were at that time loaded with the produce of the
colony ; and he deduces the advantages to Great-Britain in the fol-
lowing manner :

Seamen maintained, 6000

Perfons fubfifted in Britain by the building and outfit of

this fliipping, 14000

Maintained and enriched by the imports into Britain, zooco

Mouths fed by the return of Britifli manufiiclures, merchan-
dizes, and commodities, 40000

Ditto, by retailing thefe products, computed at loooo

In all (exclufive of inhabitants in the illand), 90000

Whoever is well informed of the growth of Jamaica will rea-
dily difcern, tiiat this detail, inftead of being conformable to the
ftate of it at that period, was, in fa£l:, only an anticipation of what
has fince happened. But, to fpeak of the prefent time, the produce
in fugar is augmented by many thoufimd hogflieads; rum and me-
lafl'es in proportion. Coflee makes a very capital article of export ;
and indigo begins to be confpicuous. Several new ports are opened,
whofe trade is in a very promifing way. The progrefs, in fhort,
fmce the time Mr. Leflie wrote, has been aflonifhingly great ; in-
fomuch that I do not know, whether the following computation
is not ftill rather too diminutive; viz.

G g 2 Shipping

228 JAMAICA.

Shipping employed (including Britifli and North-American, and

exclufive of coafting veflels), — — 700 fail.

Tonnage, ■ ■ 900CO tons.

Seamen, ■ ■ loooo

From which it is eafy to conceive (without minutely recapitu-
lating the fubjed) how vaftly profitable this ifland is to the mother-
country in every view ; whether by employing fuch multitudes ot
her manufadurers and artificers of all kinds, or of Britifh and
American failors, fliip-builders, and all the trades and occupations
dependent upon them. Such is the value of this flourifliing co-
lony to Britain ! Whence we may rightly conclude, how enormous
and irreparable the lofs mull: be, fhould it ever devolve into the
hands of any other power. In refped to the quantity of fugar
which the ifland may be capable of producing, in addition to what
it now yields, it is no eafy matter to fpeak with ablolute preci-
fion, on account of the unequal crops obtained from different foils,
and the diverfity of fituation ; thofe which are remote from the
coaft, or which have bad or indifferent roads for their carriage, or
cannot have the conveniences of wind or water-mills, requiring a
much greater tra6t of land for pafturage than others. But, in or-
der to form fome conjedure on this head, let us firfl confider that
the implanted land, lying chiefly within the mountains, and di-
fiant from the fea, muft in general be fubjed, more or lefs, to the
inconveniences I have enumerated ; and therefore the allowance for
pafture, or grafs-land, fhould in general be rated accordingly. Let
us fuppofe, then, a traft of three hundred acres compleatly fettled,
and duly apportioned in canes, provifion, pafture and grafs, wafle,
and wood for fire and repairs ; and that this eftate, in the fituation
before-reprefcnted, yields, cotnmimibus annis, one hundred hogfheads
of fugar, and about forty-two puncheons of rum. Admitting
then, that here are only five hundred thoufand acres of cane-land
unplanted ; thefe, according to the eflimate, are capable of pro-
ducing one hundred and fixty-five thoufand hogsheads, and feventy
thoufond pundieons ; the duties on which amount to 7^7,500 A.
-or upwards. The computation may be eafily led on to the fliipping,
the feamen, the confumption of manufadures, and other numerous
appendnges, which necefiiuily and invariably follow this augmented
ilate of cultivation.. But all thefe are, by this time, fo obvious to

5 ^^^

BOOK ir. CHA^. '^^ _2o

the apprehenfion of every reader, that I need not piocee-^ »a .^L ^^ ,
date them any further.

Having now gone through the feveral counties and par fhes in a
manner which, though difcurfive and imperfe£l, I hope mav be ef-
ficient to give a tolerable idea of their ftate, in regard to fettlemtnts,
ports, rivers, productions, advantages, and defeds, it may not be
improper to exhibit a general review of the whole.

Reprefen-
tatives in
Aflembly.

r^vO 0

m M

M

Reftor's
Stipends,

per aim.

o o c

^ ^-^ W-,
r^ N o

O

o

Cha-
pels.

r) 0 N

-i-

Churches

r^ ^ N

CO wi .tj-

N

Free
Negroe
Towns.

>- M N

»^

Villages

and
Hamlets.

O V t^

r>»

a

«^

■+

■+

n

rri

H

o'j

•A

ro

-1-

ro

o

,r;

n

o

^

00

o

CO

-1-

O

H

rt

•

-a

o

o

O

n

c

O

o

o

_•—

r^

.«*-

Urt

o-

09

<d

■^

oj

'"'

N

<J

^ «

•

O^sO vO

^

bO c

n

to -+VO

>^

:3 rt

o

VO

tog;

.

n tr^sO

to

-. xO I^

• o

*j

u-» •+ l^

i^

,<?

O^ " •*

•-o

U

U-\ <S lo

ro

vC »■« vo

-J-

> VI

Tl-^ «

o

:2P

I-^ t>-o

O C^ O

o

bO

VC W.O

so

^

"

y.

u

A

3

-§ " s

n

o

UJ 5 o

O

^

<. wo

t-<

o

.§ i

H g

Q
Z

-J

o

•u

C/2

o

H
«>

M

<!
f-i

«

w

o

-)

w

o
U

>

o

l>-.

.j:^

.^i

(^

H

r — 'S ^

1

r>

o

•+ .+

o

o o o

o

0

o

-T!

M-OO

ro to O

o

w^ »-^ v^vO

r)

to to o

v<>

4J rt

^

t^oo

<^

o

"-" t« r^

r)

-C ^

^

» « '

.

tn

o

o o o

E i

o

CI

o o o

O

•-r

n

O ^ t<

J)

VI)

to

eJa.

,^3

•-. ri «N

-^

.

<o

O

o o o

*

O

o o ~c

c ■i'
< —

ro

n

O 00 -

.->

<^

VO »^-CO

X'

to

to -^o

>

.

O

o

v^, O -

.-■

I^

n

W-, -t- ><-.

o

■^ -J-O sO

^ ^

■^

^

c^.

O O to

CJ

l-H

I-I

to o wo

'»J

(>•

to

O CO I^

VO

-^-Xi n Vvi

u

r^oo

00 ti to

O

o

vO

033 O H-

-t-

o

()

-t

fO

'1 o o

O

-^ o

I*-,

n

-^ o o

"o

&0

X)

V.O

OS

N VO O

VO

CO

o

- -t lO

SO

« l-H «

»~«

._

oo

n

to

^»K3

VO — oo

t-

>

t;;

"-o

Ts

r^

ro

"it ^vD VO

1

1

H

VO

1— M

I^

1^

f^ f^ t^

».. »-| Ht

w

c:

^

aj

OJ

>-»

o

^J

i-<

f— t

The

230 JAMAICA.

The following table may ferve to fliew the comparative flatc of
the pariflies in regard to their contribution of public taxes, taking
the firft-mentioned as the largeft contributor, and fo defcending in a
feries of diminution to the loweft, or Port Royal, wliofe propor-
tion, compared with the firft, is only as one to eighteen ; and hence
fome idea may be formed of their comparative wealth :

1 St. James(includingTrelawny), ii St. Thomas in the Vale,

2 Clarendon, 12 Vere,

3 Weftmoreland, 13 St. John,

4 St. Thomas in the Eaft, 14 Kingfton,

5 Hanover, 15 St. Dorothy,

6 St. Elizabeth, 16 St. George,

7 St. Mary, 17 Portland,

8 St. Andrew, 18 St. David,

9 St. Catharine, 19 Port Royal.
10 St. Anne,

A comparative table, intended to fhew the traffic carried on by
captains of fliips, and other tranfient dealers, at the different out-
ports : and the proportion which they fcverally bear to Kingfton;
from which fome judgement may be formed of the number of
Ihipping that refort to each refpedliveiy :

Montego Bay, One Fifth.

St. Anne, Savannah la Mar, One Fifth.

Old Harbour, One Ninth.

St. Lucea, — — One Fifteenth.

Black River, One Eighteenth.

Carlifle Bay, *— OneTwenty-fecond.

The others, — Not computed.

An eflimate of the number of coaches, and other wheel -carriages
of pleafure, kept in the leveral parilhes :

Kingflon,

St. Catharine,

St. Andrew, ■

Clarendon, •

Wef moreland, .

Vere, .

St. Elizabeth,

BOOK II. CHAP. IX. 231

St. Dorothy, ■ -70

St. James, — - c^

St. Thomas hi the Vale, 1. . ■ 25

St. Anne, - 14:

St. David, ■' — — J

St. Thomas hi the Eaft, — 4

Portland, i

Total. 1498^
The number of thefe carriages is not in exa£l proportion to the
value of property ; for it is to be confidered, that, in regard to the
richer parifhes, fome of the proprietors refide more commonly in
town ; fome, on account of bad or hilly roads, keep no carriage in
the country ; but many more are abfent from the ifland, and keep
theirs in Great-Britain. They are by no means to be regarded as
articles of luxury in Jamaica: they are neceflary to the inhabi-
tants for their conveniency in point of health, and in traveling
from place to place ; but, confidering their hafty decay in this cli-
mate, and the coftlinefs o-f their workmanfhip, they form no con-
temptible article in the lift of Britifh manufaflures which this
ifland confumes; and, as the roads become more and more im-
proved, the number of them will doubtlefs increale.

The general poft-office for the ifland is kept in the town of
Kingfton. This place is in the appointment of the poil-malier ge-
neral of Great-Britain, and fuppoled worth about 1000/. (lerliiig
per antmm. With refpedl, to any convenience which the inhabi-
tants at prefent derive from it, much cannot be faid ; nor can, in-
deed, the deputy well afford to make it more ufeful to them, until
the roads fliall be further improved, and the country better peopled.
The feveral mails are difpatched from Kingfton but once a week ;
and, if a merchant there fends a letter by this conveyance to his
correfpondent at Savannah la Mar, he muft wait twelve days before
he can receive an anfwer. The prefent deputy, however, has had
the credit of regulating the inland poft upon a better plan thaa any
of his predeceflors^

The

232 JAMAICA.

The following are the diftances computed at his office ; agreeably
to which the poftage is demanded and paid.

South Side Poft.

From to

Kingflon

Spani(h Town

Old Harbour Market
Clarendon Crofs

Pepper St. Elizabeth
Lacovia — — — —
Black River '

Savannah la Mar —

From

Kingflon —
Spanifli Town
Salt Gut, —
St. Anne, —
Rio Bueno,
Marthabrae —

Kingfton,
Anotto Bay,

to

Spanifli Town, ■
Old Harbour Market,
Clarendon Crofs,

Miles comp»
- 1 8

Pepper St. Elizabeth,
Lacovia, ■

Black River, — —

Savannah la Mar,Wefl:moreland,
L,ucea,

North Side Poll:.

SpaniOi Town,

Salt Gut, St. Mary's, —

St. Anne's Port,

Rio Bueno, — — — — .
Marthabrae, Trelawny,
Montego Bay, St. James,

Anotto Bay, St, Mary,
Port Maria,

12

12

37

12

Miles comp.
- 18

40
20
20

'7

25
140

From

to

Windward Poft.

Kingflon —
j5loIus Valley
Petersfield —

^Eolus Valley, St. Thomas in the Eafl,

Petersfield, ditto, —

Morant Bay, ditto, ■ —

Morant Bay — Port Morant, ditto, ..

Port Morant — Bath, ditto, —

Amity Hall, ditto, —

Manchineal, —

Bath

Amity Hall —
Manchineal —

Port Antonio, Portland,

Rates

BOOK II. CHAP. IX. 233

Rates of the Inland-poftsge, for any Diitance not exceeding fixty

Englifli Miles.

s. d.

Single, o 7 1 Jamaica currency, or i Rya!.

Double, I 3 — 2 ditto.

Treble, i 3 — 2 ditto.

Ounce, I loi — 3 ditto.

For any Diflance upwards of fixty, and not exceeding one hundred

Englifh Miles.
,1.
7I Jamaica currency,

3

Single, 0
Double, 1
Treble, i
Ounce, 2

or

1 Ryal.

2 ditto.

3 ditto.

4 ditto.

IU2 - .. —

6

For any Dillance upwards of one hundred, and not exceeding

two hundred miles.

Single, I 3 Jamaica currency, or 2 Ryals.

Double, I loi — 3 ditto.

Treble, 2 6 — 4 ditto.

Ounce, 3 9 — 6 ditto.

And in Proportion for every Ounce Weight.

Rates of Poflage from this Ifland to Great-Britain per Ad:

9 Anne, c- 10.

s. J. Sterling. s. el. Jamaica Currency.

Single, I 6 2 i

Double, 3 o 3 4|

Treble, 4 6 6 3I

Ounce, — — 6 o 8 4I

Merchants accounts exceeding one fhect of paper, bills of ex-
change, invoices, and bills of lading, are all to be rated and taxed
as fo many feveral letters, ^^r 6 George I.

Confideiing the great and continual commerce which this ifland
maintains with the mother-country, and the extenfive correfpon-
dence carried on by letter with merchants, abfentees, and others ;
the frequent orders for infurance and for goods, the tranfmillion-in-
voices, bills of lading, bills of exchange and accompts, with dupli-
VoL. II. H h catcs;

%34 JAMAICA.

cates; we may fuppole the revenue gains a confiderable annual fum
from thefe articles; perhaps, the clear emolument, to fpeak within
compafs, is not lefs than 6000/. Aerling, or upwards. The office
was firfl erefted in Jamaica in the year 1687, and one Mr. James
Wade appointed poft-mafter. This has been produced as one ex-
ample, among others, of parliamentary fupremacy in the levying
uf internal taxes within the colonies ; but, as the conveniency
arifmg from it to trade and commerce was undoubtedly the original
ground of its inftitution, io the fenfe of this conveniency gave it an
eafy admiffion into the colonies, flill indulges its exiftence, and
muft continue to do fo, unlefs the rates fhould be increafed to a de-
gree of oppreffion ; in this event it muft deftroy itfelf, of whicli
the revenue-officers are probably well fatisfied.

C H A P. X.

Siaie of the Clergy.

TH E Clergy of the eftabliffied church have had a footing in
this ifland only fi nee the Reftoration of Charles II. Crom-
well took care to furnifli the army with fpiritual as well as carnal
weapons. 1 think there were no lefs than feveii allotted to this fer-
vice; but they wer€ fanatical preachers; a fort of irregulars, who
foon made way for more orthodox divines. It has always been a
rule, inour Weft-India iflands, to affimilate their religion, as well
^as laws, to thofe of the mother-country. It is no wonder, there-
fore, that popery became the favourite fyftem in Jamaica during
the reign of James II. And the charader of this religion was per-
fectly well fupported by the fpirit of perfecution which was let
loofe againft all non-conformills. The Revolution under king
William happily expelled or fubdued thefe fuperftitions, and gave
the inhabitants, at one and the fame time, the enjoyment of re-
ligious and civil liberty. Recantations became frequent; induftry
Tevived ; and the ftubborn rage of bigotry was melted into peace
and concord. Charles II, although fecretly profeffing the Roman
faith, cannot be accufed of having exercifed feverity againft: its ad-
veriaries. Good fenfe taught him to difcern the expediency of

granting

BOOK II. CHAP. IX. Z2S

granting toleration in thefe diflant parts of his dominion ; for I do
not fufpect that he meant fo much to favour men of the Roman C.\-
thohc perfuafion, as to flock tliefe infant-fettlemcnts wirli ufefiil
people. In his inflru6tions to the governors, he diretfis, '' for the
*' encouragement of perfons, of different judgements and opinions
*' in matters of religion, to tranfport thcmfclves, witii their
*' effeds, to Jamaica; and that they may not be obftrufled and
*' hindered under pretence of fcruples in confcience," to difpcnfe
with the taking the oaths of allegiance and fupremacy to thofe that
fhould bear any part in the government (the members and officefs
of the privy council only excepted), and to find out lome other
way of fecuring their allegiance ; and in no cafe to let any man be
molefled or dilquieted in the exercife of his religion, provided he
(liould be content with a quiet, peaceable enjoyment of it ; not
giving therein any offence or ibandal to the government. But tlie
governors themfelves were flriftly enjoined, in their own houfe and
family, to the profefiion of the Protefhmt religion, as preached
in England ; and to recommend it to others as far as miglit be
confiflent with the peace of the ifland. This toleration was after-
wards much narrowed by the acls of parliament affecfing papifts ;
which are fo far admitted in force here, as to preclude them from
exercifing any office, or place of truft, the oaths of abjuration and
fupremacy being indifpenfably required to be taken before admiflioa
into any fuch office or place, or a feat in the legiflature. But mea
of all perfualions are ftill received here as inhabitants; the natura-
lization-a6l, pafTed in Jamaica, only obliging aliens to take the
oath of allegiance : nor is any man ever queflioned here about his
religious principles [^], The bilhop of London claims this as a
part of his diocefe ; but his jurifdiition is renounced, and barred
by the laws of the ifland, in every cafe, except fo far as relates or
appertains to eccleliaftical regimen of the clergy ; which imports
no higher power than that of granting orders^ and giving palloral

[g\ In 17^9, an aiH: was pafltd " for preventing dangers that may arife from difguifed, as well
*' as declared, Papirts." But, this not being found to anfvver the purpofes for which it was intended,
{ind, on the contrary, having onlv ferved to difcouragc weU-aftected Proteftants from coming over
to iettle in the ifland, it was repealed in the j-ear t"oIlo\ving. It ii fuid to have been leveled agaim^
«ne particular gentleman, a member of the legillatiire, and a papift ; who hrtd made himfdt ottcu'
five to a party which at that time exifted in the houfe of allt;mbly,

H h 2 admonitions;

236 JAMAICA.

admonitions; for it is queftioned, whether he can fufpend any
clergyman here, either ab officio, or a benefiao; fince it is cxprefsly
enaded, by :i(k of aflembly, " that no ecclefiaftical law, or ju-
" rifdidlion, fhall have power to enforce, confirm, or eftabliih,
" any penal mul»5ls, or punifhment, in any cafe whatfoever:" and,
as the deprivation either of a living, or its emoliunents, is virtually
a mulft, and adually a puniOiment, the opinion is ftrong againft
his right of interpofition. The governor, as fupreme head of the
provincial church, and in virtue of the royal inilrudions, is vefted
with a power of fufpendinga clergyman here, of lewd and diforderly
life, ab officio, upon the petition of his parifhioners ; and I can re-
member one example of this fort. The governor indufts into the
feveral rectories within the ifland and its dependencies ; the parties
firfl: producing before him the teftimonials of their being regularly
in orders, and taking the ufual oaths. The cuftom of tythes has
never been in ufe here : inftead of them, the feveral ftipends are
cftablifhed by law, and levied by thejuftices and veflries ; who are
iikevvife empowered to appoint and limit the fees for chriftening,
marriage, churching, and burial. No minifter is to dem.and or
take his ftipend for any longer time than he (liall actually officiate in
his parifh, ficknefs only excepted ; fo that a iufpenfion ab officio is,
in fadl, a fufpenfion alfo a beneficio. They are required to regifter
births, chrillenings, marriages, and burials. Thefe entries are
declared authentic records, to be received as fuch in any court of
juftice; and the ftcaling, razing, or embezzling of them is made
felony. Every beneficed minider is, ex officio^ a freeholder to all
intents and purpofes, and accordingly admitted to vote at eledlions
of aflembly-membcrs. He is alfo to be conftantly one of the
veflry; and no vefiry can make any order, without firff giving
timely notice to the miniiier, that he may attend if he thinks fif.
The ordinance refpeding non-officiating is but vaguely exprefled ;
however, it has been thought ftrong enough to juftify the church-
wardens and veflry in refufing to pay the ffipend, in cafe their
reSor fhould wilfully refufe to perform theduties of his cure. It is
fuppofed, that non-refidence is implied, becaule in the reftor's ab-
fence, the parifliioners are left to bury their own dead; and a wil-
ful negledt of the performance of any duty is much the fame, \n

effedf^

BOOK II. CHAP. IX. 237

effe^l, as a pofitive denial. The ftatute, 21 Henry VIII. excu/cs
from refidence in threecafes; ift, the want of adwelling-houfe, or
the inconvenience of one too fmall, or mean, to receive and ac-
commodate the re6lor's family: adly, ficknefs, or where, by ad-
vice of a phyfician, a removal into another air is, bond fide ^ ne-
ceflary for recovery of health; 3dly, employment in the king's
fervice. In Jamaica, the juftices and veftry of each parifh, where
there is no parfonage-houfe, are required, either to hire one of
^o I. per annum rent, or to purchafe or build one of 500/. value.
Under this limitation, which is fo unequal, it may be fuppofed
that they cannot buy or build a very convenient habitation witli
fuitable offices. The fum allowed ought to have been Soo/.
which would have held a nearer proportion to the fum allowed for
hiring; 50/. being little more than the annual intereft of 800/.
In general, they are well lodged, except in thofe parifhes where
the re£tor's immorality, or bad difpofition, has created him fo many
enemies, that his flock would rather he fliould live any where than
among them. The fecond difpenfation, in regard to ill health,
and change of air for recovery, has always been readily indulged
here in its full latitude. As to the third, the chaplains attending
the governor, or the council, or aflembly, are excufed ; the former
at all times; the two latter, during the feffions. But the fame
minifter having ulually been chaplain both to the governor and
council, and holding the living of Spanifli Town, where the go-
vernor refides, and the council meet, no inconvemence has hitherto-
refulted. But pluralities are not allowed here; and, if ever they
fhould be attempted, the people will be greatly incenfed, having
feverely felt the inconveniencies arifmg from the combination of
many places in one perfon.

The teftimonials required to be produced, before indudion into
any living here, are, that the candidate be qualified according to the
canons of the church of England, bj having taken deacon's and
prieft's orders ; which teftimonials mufl, after the governor's ap-
probation, be recorded in the fecretary's office. They are not ta
celebrate any marriage without banns have been three times pub-
lifiied in the parifh-church to which the parties belong, or without
a hcencc from the governor, under penalty of icc/. By a rule

Q.f

23^ JAMAICA.

of the governor's court of ordinary, for better preventing furrcp-
titious marringes of orphans, or minors ; affidavits, in fuch cafes^
are required to be filed of the guardian's confent ; without which,
the governor does not ufually grant a licence. Formerly, the
cuftom in thefe iflands was, to be married by the juftices of the
peace ; for in tliofe days a clergyman was not always at hand. The
lame practice Itill fublifts, as I am informed, at the Mofquito fliore,
and fome of the other dependencies. And it is certain, that a mar-
riage, celebrated hi this manner in Jamaica, even now, if according
to the form of words in our liturgy, would be valid in law, and
lupport the right to dower or thirds. The Jamaica law reftrains
none from performing the ceremony, except minifters not qualified
with the teltimonials before-mentioned; and the penalty, impofed
upon others who folemnize without banns or licence, does not tend
to declare fuch marriages void. The chaplains of the council and
alTembly have a falary, of loo/. each, for reading prayers, every
morning during feflion, previous to entering upon bufinefs. They
are not called upon, as in England, to preach anniverfliry fermons.
Of the character of the clergy in this ifland I fliall fay but little.
There have feldom been wanting fome, who were equally refpec-
table for their learning, piety, and exemplary good behaviour:
others have been deteflable for their addidion to lewdnefs, drinking,
gambling, and iniquity ; having no controul, but their own fenfe
of the dignity of their function, and the cenfures of the governor.
The fcandalous or irreproachable demeanour of many will chiefly
depend on their own quality of heart, or that of the commander in
chief. If the cloth has fuffered difgrace and contempt from the ac-
tions of a few ; we muft neverthelefs confider the major part,
worthy the public efteem and encouragement. Some labourers of
the Lord's vineyard have at times been fent,\vho were much better
qualified to be ret.iilers of falt-fifh, or boatfwains to privateers, than
minifters of the Gofpel. It is recorded of a certain rector of one
of the towns, that, having the bodies of three deccafed feamen
brought to him one day for interment, he thought to make quick
work of.it by only one reading of the burlal-fervice. The brother
tars,. who attended the folemnity, infifted upon three feveral readings,
ill hpnour.of their comrades. The rector was obftinate. Words

grew

B O O K II. C H A P. X. 239

«resvhigli; a:id at length the difpute came to blows. The parfoii,
the clerk, and all the congregation, engaged pell-mell. Nor long
the battle raged; for divinity proved vidorious, after hurling two
or three of the combatants headlong into the very grave that had
been prepared for their inanimate friends. Of another (a French-
man) it is faid, that, preaching one day, in his ufual broken Englifli,
"ou the fubje6l of the lall. day, he entertained his audience with the
comparative condition of the good and the finful ; informing them,
" dat dey would be feparate, de goat on de left bond, de moutons
" on de right." Ridiculous charadlers of this ftamp (hould bring
no flander on the clergy in general ; they refleil difnonour alone
upon thofe patrons in England, who would make no fcruple in
fending ov«r their footmen, to benefit by any employment in the
colonies, ecclefiaftical or civil.

If the bifhop of London could legally exercife the right (which
fome fay he claims) of infpeding the conduft of the clergy here,
and fubjefling the fame, when neceflary, to ecclefiaflical cenfures
and punifliment ; yet his lordfliip's refidence at fo great a diftance,
and the engagements of his diocefe at home, would be obftacles to
his working a thorough reformation in Jamaica. His cenfures, in-
deed, though buJ: fparingly infli6l:ed, might neverthelefs produce a
good effeft, provided all the clergy of the ifland had been regularly-
trained at one of our Englidi univerfities, and early verfed in the
knowledge of our religion. But, when perfons are fent hither
barely qualified according to the canons of the church, and the laws
of the land, as to ordination, licence, &c. and thereby entitled to
the very fame privileges and favour, whether they have been bred
at Cambridge, at Oxford, or St. Omer's, in an univerfity, or a cobler's
fliop ; whether they have been initiated in the proteflant, or in the
popifh religion ; whether their language is Englifli or French, or
neither: I fay, fo long as the -caflTock is fuffered to be put on liere
with fo little difcrimination, not all the exhortations of all the
bifhops in the world could poffibly make the clergy of this idand
a refpeftable body of men. Let us, however, venture to aflert in
iheir favour, that, although fome pertiaps may be found, v.'ho, in
their moral conduct, would difgrace even the meaneft of mankind,
there are others, and in a much greater number, who, by their ex-
^^ ample

2+0 J A M A I G A.

ample and their do6lriiie, would do honour to their profcftloii in
any part of England.

CHAP. XL

MINES.

r"|~^HE firfl: adventurers who reforted to this ifland conceived
I very llmguine expedlations of finding gold and filver mines.
They were told of a fdver jninc, that had been worked by the Spa-
niards, fomewhere in the Hcalthfhire Hills, in St. Catharine ; but
they were not able to difcover it. Still the flattering prolpea en-
couraged two or three principal gentlemen of tlie iflaiul to folicit
for an exclufive patent for working fuch mines. This they ob-
tained, and made fome attempts ; which failed of fuccefs, and
broudit fuch heavy expences upon them, that they were glad to re-
linquilh the projed, and lurrendered their patent. After all, the re-
port of the Spanifh iilver mine was probably no other than a fic-
tion. However, that the mountains contain both that metal and
gold is very certain, as well as that the Spaniards obtained fome of
the latter from the river-courfes ; in which method they were in-
ftrudled by the Indians, who, in Hifpaniola and this ifland, ufed to
procure it in the fame manner. The inhabitants of Peru and Mexico
purfuc the fame method at this day. They dig in the angles of
fome fmall brook, where by certain tokens they expe£l to find the
grains, or particles, of gold. In order to carry oft' the mud, they
admit a frefli flream upon it, and keep turning it up. As foon
as they perceive the gold fand, they divert the fl:reani into another
channel, and dig up the foil with hoes or pick-axes, and convey it
upon mules to certain bafons, joined together by fmall conduits.
Into thefe bafons they let a fmart flream of water, to loofen the
earth, and clear away the grofler parts ; the Indians flanding all
the time in the bafons, and throwing out the ftones or rubbifh.
The gold flill remains in the fediment, mixed with a black fand,
and fcarcely vilible, till further depurated by more wafhings. In
fome of thefe colleclions are gold grains, as large as bird-fhot ; in
others have been found lumps of it, from two or three ounces to a
5 pound

BOOK II. CHAP. XI. 241

pound weight: and this way of procuring gold is juftly thought
far more profitable than digging for it in the mines. In Popayan,
the procefs is very little different. They fl:ir and dilute the mafs
in the bafons till the mofl ponderous parts, as little flones, fand, and
gold, remain at the bottom. They then go into the bafon, with
wooden buckets, made for the purpofe, in which they take up the
fediment; then moving them circularly and uniformly, at the fame
time changing the waters, the lefs ponderous parts are feparated ;
and at laft the gold remains at the bottom of the buckets, clear
from all mixture. It is generally found in grains, as fmall as thofe
of fand, and, for that reafon, called oro en po ho ; though fome-
t'lmes pep/fas, or feeds, are found among ft it, of different lizes ; but
generally they are fmall. The water ifluing from the firft bafon is
flopped in another, contrived a little beneath it, where it undergoes
the like operation, in order to fecure any minute particles, which,
from their extreme tenuity, might be carried off by the current of
water, mixed with earth and other fubftances: and, laftly, this
water is palled into a third bafon ; but the favings here are generally
inconfiderable. The labourers mofl commonly ufed are Negroe-
flaves; and whilfl: fome are bufied in wafhing, others bring earth ;
lb that the wafhers are kept in continual employment. The finenefs
of this gold is generally of twenty-two carats ; fometimes more,
even to twenty-three ; fometimes indeed it is under, but very fel-
dom below twenty-one [/?>].

There is no doubt but, by a long courfe of praftice, the Spa-
niards have made feveral improvements upon the original Indian
procefs, which was more fimple and tedious. The Rio Minho,
in Clarendon parifh, has by fome been fuppofed to derive its name
from the Minho in Portugal. Others imagine it was fo called from
fome mine in its neighbourhood, known to the Spanifh inhabitants ;
and 1 think there is ground for this conjeflure; for, a few years ago,
one of thefe lavaderos was difcovered 01* its bank at Longville
plantation, in that parifh, which flill remains tolerably perfedl.
Here is a terraffed platform, with feveral bafons chifleled out of
rock; the interftices being filled up, here and there, with a very
hard cement, or mortar, to render the furface fmooth. Joined to

[/^] Ulloa.

Vol. II. I i this

242 JAMAICA.

this platform is a pretty large fragment of a gutter, made for con-
ducing the river-water into the bafons. This feems to be a con-
vincing teftimony, that the bed of this river has afforded the gold
fand, vvaflied down perhaps from fome of the mountains among
which its courfe hes; and a further proof is, that bits of gold have
fomctimes been found after floods. The late Mr. Alderman Beck-
ford pofl'efled a plantation on the oppofite fide of the river. Manjr
years ago, when he was in the ifland, the manager for this eftate
brought to him one day a fmall piece of v£ry fine gold, which,
had been picked up in the fand of the river ; and, at the fame time<
advifed him to lend for a ikillful metallurgifli as he would probably
difcover a rich mine within his own land hereabouts. To this
propoial Mr. Beckford made no other reply, than '< whilfl we
" havegot fo protitable amine above ground" (pointing to the
cane-pieces), " we will not trouble ourfelves about hunting for any
«*■ under ground." And he was certainly to be commended for the
prudence of his anfwer; fnice, not to mention only the many thoUf
fand of Indians and Negroes deffroyed by the Spaniards in Peru and
Mexico in mining, and fo little to the advantage either of indi--
viduals or their nation, how many great fortunes have there not
been annihilated by undertakings of this fort,, which have rarely,
yielded a profit in the end commenfurate to the heavy expences
that attended the condufting of them ; and particularly in hot cli-
mates, where the fubterraneous vapours are known to be of fo ma-
lignant a nature, as to kill, or at-leafl difable, very fpeedily the
floutcfl: labourers! I am aware, that the manner of procuring
gold by means of lavaderos is not liable tp any fuch obje<Slion.
It is neither an expenfive nor unhealthy bufinefs ; and therefore, if
the art of difcovering the river fand, in which gold has generally
been found, could be revived in Jamaica, by fending for: an^ Indian
or Spaniard fufBcjently intelligent, there might be no harm in'tryr
iog fome experiments with the fand of thisxiver, where it has ac-
tually, been found; as well as Jome others in th?. ifland, where jt;
might reafonably be expeded.

The mountains abound, with copper ore of various fpecies ; the
green and livid ore; and the fliining dark ore, or vitrious copper*
Thefe two kinds are the richefl: as yej: difcovered here, and.thoughc^

equal;

BOOK II. CHAP. XI. H3

equal to fomc of thofe that are efteemed the of firft clafs in Europe ;
the matrix in which they are engaged anfwcring botli to the ham-
mer and fire with equal eafe. Two mines were worked tor i'omc
time in the Liguanea Mountains ; but neitlier of them produced
any thing correipondent to the charges that attended tliem. The
undertaking was too important for two private men of no very ca-
pital fortunes; and perhaps they required the management of per-
fons more experienced in the procefs. It ferved only to convince the
curious, thatfuch metals were to be found here; and thi?, I appre-
hend, is all the advantage that accrued, either to the proprietors, or
to the publick. Yet one of thefe mines w as laid to have produced ;
nolefs than a ton per week ; but perhaps this was only a bubble re-
port, or the harveft was foon at an end. Schemes of this kind
are moll fuccefsfully carried on by large companies, or aflbciations;
whofe feveral flocks united would bear the contingent expence, till
the work is brought to anfwer. But there has been fuch a mul-
titude of frauds and knavifh pradiices committed, from time to
time, in mining-adventures, that fuch projeds are not at prefeut
likely to meet with any countenance. It is, however, to be re-
gretted, that the copper and lead mines in this ifland had not been
more effedlually profecutedj becaufe, upon the computation that
every fugar eflate, which produces one hundred hogfheads per
annum, muft be at a certain expence oi b^ I. per annum for coppef
and lead alone, it will appear, that the ifland expends 45,000/., or
thereabouts, every year, in thefe articles, which might be faved.
The Spaniards certainly were more intelligent, or met with
better fuccefs ; for the bells, which hung in the Great Church at St.
Jago de la V^ega when the Englifh took pofleffion, were call of
copper produced in the ifland. Lead ore likewife abounds here,
richly impregnated with filver, which renders the folution of it in
aqua forth milky ; but it is not found in any regular bodied veins,
which, among other reafons, obliged the gentlemen, who had been
engaged in the lead-works of Liguanea, to drop the undertaking,
after they had been at a great expence in building a very compleat
fet of works, and carried on the manufadlure for fome time. The
ore, when in fermentation with aqua forth, throws up a confidc-
rable quantity of fulphur; and hence it has been conje(5tured, that

I i 2 fome

244 JAMAICA,

fome of the fulphvireous fprings In the ifland derive their qualities
from this fource. The varieties of the lead ore found here are the
fubgraiuilated, linked with filver; the lamellated, fhlning ore, in
the fame union ; the black-gloHy ore, linked with copper, and lefs
impregnated with filver; and the black, lead ore, largely admixed
with copper, and feldom rich ; but the matrix is mellow, and eafily
fluxed [;']. Stibium has been frequently found in thefe lead mines.

Iron ore has been difcovered in many parts of this ifland ; but
the very large quantities of black fand, which are thrown on many
parts of the South fide coaft, efpecially near the mouths of rivers,
having been hurried down by floods, are much more acceffible, and
with little pains. This fand is obfervable almofl every where in
the roads and gullies after hard rains ; fo that the foil of the fa-
vannahs, as well as that of the mountains, is impregnated with it.
The inhabitants ufe it in common, like what is called in England
the black writing-fand. It is freely attradted by tlie magnet ; but
does not anfwer, it is faid [/], with the acid, or fire. However, it
mufl be referred to future experiment to difcover, whether it be
not endued with the fame properties as the Virginia black fand ;
particularly as, upon trial of the Virginia fand fome years ago (an
account of which is given in Lowthorp's Abridgement of the Phi-
lofophical Tranfadlions, vol, II.), aquafortis produced no ebullition,
and fluxing obtained no regulus, nor any fiibftance that would apply
to the magnet, except a thin cruft, that adhered to a piece of char-
coal, which dropped into the crucible during the fufion. For which
reafons, this fand was imagined to be very flightly engaged with
iron ore, and in fuch a manner, as that the metallic particles could
not be feparated and fixed by the ufual procefs. But Mr. Home,
fufpefting thefe experiments not to be decifive, conceived that the-
fand was not altogether and fimply iron; but that it was ftrongly
united with a very flubborn, fixed, and permanent earth, which
could not be feparated from it without fome extraordinary as well
as powerful! means. The Ingenious artift, proceeding upon this
fuppofition, fpread about eight or nine ounces of the fand, unmixed
with any addition, upon an iron plate, over a ftrong fire, and gave
it a very powetful torrefaftion, or roafting, to try if by that means

[;■] Browne..

he

BOOK ir. CHAP. Xr. 245

he could not relax and loofen the component parts to fuch a degree,
as to make the reparation and redu£tion of the metal more eafy,
when he Ihould bring it to the furnace. He then mixed it up with
a flux of a very peculiar, but gentle nature, which he had befor?
made ufe of for other purpoies with great fuccefs [/('], and com-
mitted it to the furnace, where he urged it, by a very flrong fire,
for about three hours, and upon taking it out found the event an-
fwerable to his moft languine expedlations ; for in the bottom of
the crucible he found rather more than half of the fand he had put
in reduced to a very fine, malleable metal. Being now convinced
that the fand was a very rich iron ore, he acquainted fome of his
friends with the difcovery ; who being largely engaged in trade
with the part of the American continent from whence it was
brought, he hoped the gentlemen in that part of the world would,
in confequence, purfue experiments with it on a more extenfive
plan. And he informs us, that Mr. G. Elliot having fmce made
trial of it, the event proved encouraging much beyond his expec-
tation ; inlbmuch that eighty-three pounds of the fand were found
to produce a bar of excellent iron, weighing fifty pounds. Mr.
Elliot fmelted this iron, in a common bloomary, in the fame
manner as other iron ore is fmelted ; excepting this difi^erence, that
the iron fand is fo pure, and fo clean wa(hed, that there is not a
fufficient quantity of cinder, or flagg, to perform the fmelting ; and
be was therefore obliged to add either the flagg which ilfues from
other iron ore, or elfe fome bog-mine ore, which abounds with
cinder. In this way, he fays, it is capable of being wrought
as bog-ore, or bog-mine. There is fo much of this fand in America,
that he thinks there is more iron-ore in this form than any other..
The fpecimens of iron, lent by Mr. Elliot from America, were
tried by Mr. Horne, and found to poflefs all that agreeable tough-
uefs and dudility for which the Spanifh iron is lo defervedly fa-
mous. And he concludes with giving his opinion, that, by this
difcovery, we may obtain a more pure and better kind of iron than
any w^e have hitherto been pofTefl'ed of [/].

Jf the experiments of thefe gentlemen are to be relied upon, tiie
American fand yields more in value than the richeft and beft ore

[i\ This preparation he has not comnaunicateii. [^ Home's Eflays on Iron and Steel.

^2 hitherto

246 JAMAICA.

hitherto found in Europe ; for the latter ufually produces no more
■than from fixty to eighty pounds out of one hundred weight ; and
when the facihty of collc6ting the American fand, without the la-
bour of much digging, is taken into account, together with the
difpatch and little expence of waflung and preparing it for fufion,
it will fu-rely juflify this claim of fuperiority. It may therefore
merit enquiry, whether tlie Jamaica fand does not contain the very
fame principles which there is every rcafon to believe it does; in
which cafe, it may become an article of profitable export to Great-
Britain, after having been too long ncgleded as of no value.

C H A P. XH.
SCHOOLS.

THE great importance of education, in forming the manners,
enlightening the minds, and promoting the induftry and
happinefs of a people, is no where more obvious than in countries
where it is not attainable. It at once excites our pity and regret,
that Jamaica, atrifland more valuable and extenfive than any other
of the Britifli fugar-colonies, fhould at this day remain unprovided
with a proper feminary for the young inhabitants to whom it gives
birth. This unhappy defedl may be looked upon as one of the
principal impediments to its efFedual fettlement.

I would by no means have it underflood, that I mean to dimi-
ni(h any emoluments which Great-Britain derives from this co-
lony : I am fenfible, that the education of the Jamaica youth is at-
tended with an yearly gain to the mother- country. What I would
fugged is, that the eftablifhment of one or more feminaries in Ja-
maica, upon a certain circumfcribed plan, would infallibly prove a
means of augmenting the profits which Britain draws from thence
(though not in the very fame, yet in other channels) ; and, if llie is
proved to gain more, it matters not in what line.

it has too long been the cuflom for every father here, who has ac-

[quired a little property, to fend his children, of whatever com-

jplexion, to Britain, for education. They go like a bale of dry

/goods, configned to fome fador, who places them at the fchool

wliere he himfelf was bred, or any other that his inclination leads

him

BOOK II. CHAP. XII. 247

him to prefer. The father, in the mean while, fends remittance
upon, remittance, or diredsa liberal allowance, that his fon may
learn the art of fqviandering from his very infancy ; and, not unfre-
quently, to gratify a little pride of heart, that little mafler may ap-
pear the redoubted heir to an affluent fortune. But, alas ! it fome-
times happens, that he fends no remittances: by which unlucky
omiffion,, his child is thrown upon the hands of the fa£lor, who
throws him upon the hands of the pedagogue; and, between both,
the poor wretch undergoes as much negled and ill ufige, as if he

\ was a charity-boy ; and, in either cafe, too often comes from the
feet of Gamaliel ignorant, vicious,, idle, and prodigal; a difgrace
to his friends, and a nuifance to his country. Iffufferedto remain
in England, under the notion of finifhing his manners, we find:
him> in the other view, in general rolling on the wheels of money,
into every fpecies of town-debauchery ; lavlftiing in one week what
would maintain a poor family for a twelvemonth ;. the conftant

I dupe of artifice ; the fure gudgeon of every knave and impoftor-
What a difadvantage is it to young men, of naturally ftrong paf-
fions and lively fpirits, that they have not the watchful attention-
of a parent, to check their intemperate fallies, to condud them.,
into the ways of prudence, and habituate them in the praftice of
felf-denial ! How much to be regretted, that the fond father,,
whilft his fon thus remains unemployed in ufeful purfuits during
the moft headftrong career of his life, is wearing himfelf out with,
inceffant toil and anxiety, to no other effeft than feeding the paf-
fions of an indolent or profligate fpendthrift ! Without a parent,,
or monitor, at his elbow, to hold him under due awe and fubordi--
nation, and gratified with plentiful fupplies of money, he foon ac-.-
knowledges no other governor than his own inclination, and takes-
pleafure for his preceptor. Few will venture to retrain him, who-'
either doubt their authority to, controul, or who fufpeft that fuch.
an interpofition may either wear the appearance of too fcrupulous a
rigour, or prove detrimental, fome time or other, to their intereft.
in bufinefs. . , ;:•...,

The education of the youths r^W/Zf^ from this (land is, in ge-.
nerai, fo mifmanaged, that, was it not for their innate good qua-
lities, not one in ten would ever arrive at. the. age of difcretion, or/

return,

248 JAMAICA.

return to- liis native country with any other acquifitlon than the
art of fvvearing, drinking, drefling, gaming, and wenching. It is,
I own, a laudable zeal in a parent, who is fohcitous to confer on his
children the bleflings of hberal education. But it is furely a pal-
pable miftake, that leads hin^ to give their minds a wrong turn ;
and really pernicious to their welfare, that they fhould be brought
up in a manner totally unfuitable to their future ftation. He fhould
learn to diftinguifli, that to train up his fon to no profeffion is, by
no means, the way to make a gentleman of him ; zdly, that, if he
intends him for a profeflion, the fyftem of his education fhould be
particularly adapted to it; jdly, that to aflign him a profeflion, and
at the fame time leave it in his own free choice to apply to the
lludy of it or not, or to furnifli him with the inftruments of idle-
iiefs and diflipation, when his mind fliould be engaged in the pur-
fuits of ufeful knowledge, is no more than enjoining him to per-
form a talk, and bribing him at the fame time to leave it unper-
formed ; 4thly, that one uniform plan, or fyflem, of fcholaftic in-
ftrudlion cannot be indilbriminately proper for all youths, however
various their fortunes, capacities, or the refpe<Slive walks of life
into which they are afterwards to pafs.

Let me now afk, what are the mighty advantages which Britain,
or the colony, has gained by the many hundreds who have received
their education in the former ? The anfwer may be, they have
fpent their fortunes in Britain, and learned to I'enounce their native
place, their parents, and friends. Would it not have been better
for both countries, that three-fourths of them had never crofTed
the Atlantic r Their induflry is, in general, for ever lofl to the
place where it might have been ufefully exerted ; and they wafte
their patrimony in a manner that redounds not in the leafl to the
national profit, having acquired a tafte for pleafure and extravagance
of every kind, far fuperior to the ability of their fortunes. Surely
this can be no public acquifition, unlefs it be proved, that the king-
dom is more enriched and benefited by a thoughtlefs prodigal, than
by a thrifty, iuduflrious citizen. The education they ufually re-
ceive in Great-Britain does not qualify them for ufeful employment
in Jamaica, unlefs they are bred to fome of the learned profeflions ;
which neverthelefs are not fuitable to all, becaufe thofe profeflions

would

BOOK n. C H A P. XII. 249

[^would foon be overftocked in the ifland, if every youth configncd
from thence was to be trained to phyfick, divinity, or law, and
becaufe ex qnovis ligno non ft Mercurius. They generally leavv.^
Britain at that critical age when the blood beats high. They re-
gret their exile from the gay delights of Loiidon, from the connect
tions of early friendfhip, and perhaps the foftcr attachments of
love. The impreffions of all thefe remain lively and forcible.
With this riveted prejudice againft a colony-life, it is not to be
wondered at, that they embrace the firfl convenient opportunity of
returning to their favourite purfuits and focial intimacies. Such is
often the over-fond liberality of Wefl-India parents, in "ordering a
too large allowance for their fons in Biitain, that thefe youths are
not only invited by this means to negled their ftudies, and com-
mence men of pleafure, but are readily elevated into a deftru£tive
opinion, that they have been fent thither merely to pafs away their
time agreeably, and that it is not meant they fliould perplex them-
felves with dry and abftrufe literature, as their fortune will enable
them to live independent of fcience or bufmefs, Senfible there-
fore of their exemption from paternal reflraint, they joyoufly ad-
here to this conclufion, and follow the fedudlions of levity, caprice,
and vicious indulgence, without refle£l:ion. Of the many (Indents
at law, natives of Jamaica, who after compleating their terms in
London have returned to aflume the gown, I have not heard of one
who ever gained 5 /. a year by his practice. I'his ilTue we muft not
afcribe to any defe^l of parts, but to a youth fpent in foppery, li-
centioufnefs, and prodigality, under a total renunciation of every
other fludy. Many I have noted, who, arriving there after having ^
(as it is called) finiped their education in England, appeared un^-
pardonably illiterate, and poflefled of few attainments beyond what
I have already enumerated. Some I have obferved, who, being
endued with tolerable genius, acquired more real knowledge and
gentlemanly accomplifliments, in one twelvemonth after their ar-
rival, than they had gained by fixteen years refidence in London ;
and this from being led at once into a fcene of public bufmefs, and
the company and converfation of intelligent men. Having pointed
out fome principal fources of that imperfedt education which our
young men in general receive, I fhall add a few thoughts in refpefl
Vol. 11. K k to

250 JAMAICA,

to the other fex. If a feminary in this ifland is expedient for boySy.
it is ftill more fo for girls. The necefHiry branches of their in-
ftruftion ufually lie within a fmall compafs. They require not the
elements of Greek, Latin, or Hebrew ; nor the precepts of the
univerlitj, nor the theory of the fciences, mechanic arts, or learned
profeffions.. Readings writing, arithmetic, needlework, dancing,
and mufic, will, with the additional helps of their own genius,
prepare them for becoming good wives and mothers. There are
many parents in this ifiand, who, having a numerous family of
children of both fexes, and barely able to attbrd their fons an edu-
cation, in Britain ; they either fend for a governante, to in(tru6b
their daut^hters, or keep them uninftrufted, except by fuch cafual'
tuition a& may be h»ad from itinerant muiic or dancing mafters. The
utility of a board ing-fchool for thefe girls, where their number-
might admit of employing the ablefl teachers, where they might
be weaned from the Negroe dialeft, improved by emulation, and
gradually habituated to a modeft and polite behaviour, needs not,
1 think, any argument to prove it. Young ladies, fo far accom-
phfhed as, 1 think, they mightbe on a well-conduded plan, would
infenfibly acquire, on their emerging into public life, the remaining
graces and poliOi which are to be attained in genteel company and
converfation. They would, by this means, become objeclsof love
to the deferving youths, whether natives or Europeans, and by the
I force of their plealing attraftions foon draw them, from a loofe at-
jtachment to Blacks and Mulattoes, into the more rational and
ihappy commerce of nuptial union.

Upon enquiry, in the year 1764, iHto the flate of the feveral
foundations in this ifland, it appeared that confiderable fums had
been given and bequeathed for the purpofeof erefting free-fchools ;
fome of which remained unapplied; and others had been fo ill-
managed, that the public derived but very trivial advantage from
them.

Thefe foundations are r

3 ft. Manning's, in Weftmoreland, founded hi 1710.

2d. Onein Vere, by charitable donations, 1740.

3d. In Spanifh Town, by devife of Peter Beckford, efq; 1744.

4th. In Kingfton, by devife of John Woollmer, goldfmith, 173^.
2 5th. At

BOOK ir. CHAP. XII. 251

-5th. At Halfway-Tree, St. Andrew's, by dcvife of Sir Nicholas
Laws, 1695. He gave two acres and a half of land, with a houfc
for a free-fchool ; conditioning, that any parifliioncr, paying 5/.
per annum^ or 50/. down, towards advancement of the fchool,
might lend his child thither for inftriKftion. This donation, bv a
law palled in 1738, was eftablilhcd, under the cowtroiil of go-
vernors, to make reguktions, appoint teachers, &c.; but I do not
find that it fucceeded.

6th. At Old Woman's Savannah, in Clarendon, by a donation
of three acres of land, andfundry fubfcriptions, 1756.

7th. About 1769, or 1770, Martin Rufeii, of theparifh of Han-
over, devifed his eftate, confifting chiefly of pcrfonalty, for erecting
and eftablifhing a free-fchool in that parifli ; but the particular va-
lue of this donation, does not yet appear. The aflemblj^ however,
have {hewn a defire to promote it, by granting 500 /. towards its
■eftablifliment.

All thefe foundations, except that at Old Woman's Savannah,
were limited to receive boys of the refpedlive parifh in which they
lay; which, together with their bad regulation, has been a prin-
cipal caufe of their failing. None promifed fo well to anfwer, on
a general plan, as that at Old Woman's Savannah, fituated as it was
in a very healthy climate, in the centre of the ifland, and in the
midft of feveral fmall fettlements. No lefs than 2000/. was raifed
by voluntary fubfcription for carrying on the neceliary buildings.
About the year 1758, it was opened, and condu61:ed fuccefsfully for
about feveii years. The air was found lb healthy, that, out of
eighteen youths, the difciples of the laift preceptor, not one was
afflidled with any fever or acute diflemper during their relidence in
it. But, at the time when this academy was brought to a tolerable
ftate of maturity, it all on a fudden fell into decline under feveral
impediments. The firfl was the fmall allotment of land, which
was not fufficient to enable the mafter to keep cows or flieep, or
rear poultry, for the necefl'ary fubfiflence of his boarders ; fecondly,
the great difficulty (under this circumflance) of getting provifions ;
thirdly, the total want of fome certain eflabliflied fund, to afford a
falary for the head-mafler, and keep the buildings in repair. The
aflembly, in 1 764, taking into confuleration the means by which

K k 2 this

252 JAMAICA.

this feminary might be rendered more effeftual, propofed to place
k under the public fanilion, and appoint governors and truftecs by
h\v. They likewife intended, that one hundred acres of land
fliould be purchafed contiguous to the Ichool ; and that twenty,
acres fliould be cleared and fenced; and 500/. be granted to truflees
for this purpofe ; and, being of opinion that 50/. per anmitn^
though as little as could be allowed for fchooling, board, wafliing,
and lodging, was too large a fum for pcrfons of middling fortunes
and numerous families to afford, they propoied that the naafter fhould
give board, wafhing, and lodging, for 30/. a year, and education
for 20/., of which no more than 5/. to be paid by the reipeftive pa-
rents, or guardians; and the remaining 15/. by the public. Such
were their good intentions ; which, if carried to effeft, might have
rendered this a veiy flourilhing inftitution. But, before any bill
could be framed, the houfe became involved in a hot difpute with
the o-overnor, which was followed with feveral diflblutions, and an
utter interruption of bufinefs for a year, and half; after which, fuch
a variety of other matters called for prefent attention, that this
affair was not refumed. In the mean while, the mailer, for want
of the publicfupport, of which he began to defpair, found himfelt
under neceffity of quitting it, and of betaking himfelf to foma
other employment, that might yield him a better maintenance. In
confequence of his refignation, the buildings,, on which fo much
money had been expended, remained without a tenant: and, in
J 767, the land and buildings were vefted, by ad of aflembly, in
truftees, with a power. to fell the fame, and apply the money to the
purchafe of land and eredion of a fchool-houfe in fome other part
of the parifli. The pream.ble of the a6l alledges^ that the fituatiou
bad been found improper : but this remains to be proved.

If the aflemibly Ihould hereafter be convinced of the very many
benefits which this ifland might reap from a well-concerted plan
of this nature ; there is no pa.rr of it better calculated for a public
fchool than this Savannah.

The principal points refpeding fituation are ;•

111, That it Ihould be retired, free from the contamination of
thofe vices which infeft towns and places of much public refort.

2dly, That it fliould be on a dry, healthy fpot, in an. air entirely

free

BOOK ir. CHAP. XII. 253

free from fwampy and other noxious exhalations; and fupplied with
pure and wholeiome water, for drinking and culinary ufes.

^dly, That it (hould be in the near ncij^hbourhood of fevcral
minor fettlemcnts, for the conveuieiice of procuring fmall Itock
and other neceflary provifions.

4thly, That the roads leading to it fhould be good and
paflable..

Every one of thefe requifites are enjoyed at Old Woman's Sa-?
vannah. Nor is it in any of tliem liable to objection, except that
the road leading to Old Harbour is fo long, as to render the car-
riage of goods from thence in general tedious. Yet this difficulty
would eafiJy be furmounted, if eftabliihed prices were formed fot
the carriage of goods, as there are feveral teains which conflantly
life tills road ; or a (horter carriage might be opened to- St. Anne's
Bay. I propofe, therefore, that a fquare (hould be laid out here,
about the fize of the parade in Spanifh Town. On one fide of it
ihould ftand the fchooi-houfe ; oppofite to this, a chapel, for the.
regular performance of divine fervice. The Eaftern fide of the
fquare fliould be occupied with the mafler's dwelling-houfe ; and
in each of its wings a convenient fuitc of apartments, for the ac-
commodation of boarders. Facing this range of building, fliould
be difpofed fome convenient offices.

One hundred acres of land contiguous ffiould be purchafed by
the public; and part of it cleared, fenced, and properly laid out
for pafturage and other ufes. To which ffiould be added, fx cows
and a fmall flock of fheep. Eight or ten Negroes fl-iould likewife
be provided, to be under tlie care of a white overfeer, at 80 or
lool.per annum w-ages, to clear the land, repair fences and roads,
and do other necefl'ary work.

The mafter ihould be under the coutroul of a certain ivumber of
truftees, the governor for the time being to be one; a quorum of
whom Ihould annually meet at the fchool, to examine the condi-
tion and management of it, with full power to. rectify abufes, di(-
charge the mafter, and appoint in his room; and to lay a flate of
their proceedings before the legiftature at their annual ieliion.

For the better proteclion of the boys, and to guard againfl: any
calamity likely to happen from, in^u^re^5lions among the Negroes,.

a defcnfible

254 JAMAICA.

a defenfible barrack {houkl be built at a convenient diftance ; where
a party, either of foldiers or militia, fliould always be kept on
•duty. Tliis garrifon would anfwer a double purpofe, by giving
likewife a protedion to this part of the country, which requires it ;
and would have the further advantage of being one of the heal-
ihiefl: cantonments in the whole ifland.

For the better fupply of this garrifon and the fchool, a Negroe
market Ihould be held here once a week, for poultry, hogs, and
fuch other provifions as thefe people ufually deal in.

A certain number of white fervants fhould be conftantly kept,
in proportion to the number of boarders, that the latter might not,
by a too early familiarity and intercourfe with the Negroes, adopt
their vices and broken Englifh.

The articles to be taught here fhould be reftrifted to reading,
writing, arithmetic (including book-keeping), the Spanifh and
French languages, furveying, mechanics, together perhaps with
fuch inftruftions in agriculture and botany as relate to the im-
provement of the vegetable productions of the ifland. The pu-
pils might likewife be taught mufic, dancing, fencing, and the mi-
litary iHanual exercife, to qualify them the better for a courfe of
life which requires agility and ftrength of body, and occafionally
the ufe of arms. The expences of boarding, wafhing, lodging,
and tuition, Ihould be regulated by law upon juft and equitable
terms, fuitable to the general price of neceflaries, and the circum-
flances of the middling inhabitants- Nor would it be a raif-placed
generofity, if the public fliould contribute a certain allowance to-
wards the education of each boy ; or at Icaft certain falaries to the
jmafter and his aflifl:ants, which would enable them to carry on the
undertaking on terms better fuited to the ability of parents.

Refliriding the fcheme of education to thefe limit?, I purpofely
-exclude all thofe youths, whofe fortunes qualifying them for the
learned profeflions, or to cultivate thofe fublimer degrees of erudi-
tion proper to their rank, ought to purfue fuch fl:udies in Europe,
or North- America, becaufe it were vain to expert that they could
attain them to a due accomplifliment in this ifland.

I confine the plan to the children of perfons who do not look fo
iiigh, and who would be content to fee their fons virtuoufly trained

under

BOOK n. CHAP. XII. 255

under their own eye, and at a moderate expence, to fuch branches
of knowledge, as may qualify them to be induflrious planters, fm-
veyors, book-keepers, mechanics, ufefiil members of this commu-
nity, rather than be (hipped oif to Britain ; from whence it is a
great chance, but they might return with a thorough averfion to,
or incapacity for, thefe or any other laudable employments. And
here let me remark a little on the felnlh and illiberal fentiments of
thofe men who, in the exuberance of their contrivances for en-
riching tlie mother -country, oppofe every eflablifhment for educa-
tion in the colonies, decry them as injurious to the intereft of Bri-
tain, and would fain have the whole generation of infants regu-
larly fhipped home to learn their A, B, C. Thefe politicians are
not fathers, or at leaft have thei'- bofoms fo fleeled with avarice,
as to have loft all feeling for their fellow-fubjedts in thefe remote
parts. The gain, made by the paftage of thefe poor infants,, is, it
is true, in favour of the balance arifing to Great-Britain from her
freight. But let this pitiful earning be weighed againil: the ha-
zard of their lives, and the extreme agony which fo many tender
parents muft fuffer at parting,, through a cruel neceffity, from-
their beloved oft'spring, which perhaps they never may fee again,
Exclufive of humanity, this circumftance muft alfo be contem-
plated, in the view of fecial policy, as a bitter grievance, which
to avoid, many perfons have declined contrading marriage, left tliey
Ihould thereby be driven into a diftrefs fofevere; and which has
forced others, under the intolerance of fuch a feparation, to leave
the colony prematurely, inftead of devoting themfelves, as other-
wife they would have done, to ti;ie further improvement of their
eftates. So that, in confequence of this local defeat, the iQand is
become far lefs populous and cultivated than we fliould find it, if
provifion had been made for retaining both the parents and their
children within it.

I fhall now fuppofe a feminary properly founded in the Ifland,
and happily conduded on fuch a plan, as that the middling fami-
lies might think themfelves under no fuch neceffity of fending their
children to other countries for a decent education.: and becaufe, for
better illuftrating the argument, we muft endeavour to fix fome
certain number of them to be fo retained in the illand, let this

iiu.m.ber

256 J A M A I C A.

number he called two hundred. I (hall be told, that thefe boys,
if fent to England, might probably expend there 30/. flerling ^^^^-r
hQ:[d^ per iin?iuin, one with another, in cloathing, food, &c. to the
amount of 6000/. But, on the other hand, if we fuppofe thcfe
bovs to remain in Jamaica, will it not be found, that Great-Britain
would gain full as much by them in limilar articles? The dif-
ference of climate will certainly require double at lead the quan-
tity of articles for cloathing every year, and of a much more ex-
penfive fabric ; their books, and many items of food and accom-
modation, muft be procured from Britain at an enhanced price : fo
that, if any thing near an exa£l eitimate could be framed, it muft,
i think, appear very convincingly, that thefe children would con-
fume a much greater quantity, or value, of BritiOi manufaftures
and produdls by flaying in Jamaica, and confequently conduce more
to the national profit in this way, than if they had been tranf-
ported into Britain. But it is to be further confidered, that every
one of thefe natives of the ifland will be equal to two unfeafoned
Europeans in ability to undergo the fitigues of bufinefs and labo-
rious exercifes here ; be better qualified, by gradual initiation from
their infancy, to underfland and execute the ufeful plans of life
for which they are defigned ; that they will, by habit and nature,
prefer this country to every other, and therefore diligently fettle
themfelves in it. The ifland, it is evident, would, in the progrefs
of one generation only, contain a far greater number of families
than it now poflefles ; it would be much more extenfively fettled ;
and Great-Britain would gain, in courfe, a proportional acceCs of
profit, by their confumption of manufaftures, their ingenuity, and
improvements. I am warranted in drawnng this confequence ;
fince it is well known, that a family, refiding in Jamaica, confumes
more of Britifli manufadlures, and gives employment to many more
fubjefts in Great-Britain, than the fame family would do, was it
tranfplanted into that kingdom [/«]. So much for the objeftions

which

[ni] We may apply, upon this occafion, wliat a modern writer lias faid on another. Let us
fuppofe a traft of country that yields a rent of .^'OjOOo /. a year ; the whole of which is enjo) ed
by one great man. In all probability, above 40 of the ^o is fpent in the capital, in a prohifion
of elegancies ; flowing into the pockets of the induftrious, it is true, but the inJi.flrious in what?
ivliv, the furnifhers of luxurious eatables, delicate cookcrj-, and French wines; the exhibitors of

public

BOOK II. CHAP. Xir. 257

which are to be expefied from that quarter. Some of more wcjo-ht
may arife in the ifland itfelf, by reafoii of the expence attending
fuch an eftabhOiment ; but, in fome degree to obviate this, I would
propofe the confohdating of all the foundations and charity-fchools,
whoie incomes united would greatly contribute to fupport the new
inftitution, although, in their prefent ftate, they are of very little
•other ufe than the bellowing fo many annuities upon five or fix
perfons under the title of fchoolmafters.
The income of Spanifh Town fchool is about £. 190 per am. and

has rarely extended to more at a time than 14 bovs.

Woolmer's, in Kingflon, ■ , .. oqq 1 '

Vere School, ——— oqq 6

Manning's (I fuppofe about the fame), 300 6

Of the refl I am not informed, but believe

they are entirely dropped. £. 1090 41

Not therefore to fpeak of the reft, here are four fchools, with as
many different mafters ; all of whom have regular fiilaries, although
their pupils are, all together, not amounting to one half the number
which one mafter in England is able enough to take charge of.

Thefe, and all other unexecuted benefadions of the like kind,
being lumped into one fund, the propofed fchool fliouJd be open
to receive as many foundation-boys from each refpe-flive town, or
tparifh, as they had been ufually known to have at their refpeftive
free-fchool, one year with another j and upon the very fame terms
of board, maintenance, and inftruftion : by which equitable per-
miflion, no injury would accrue to thefe pariflies; but, at the fame
time, it is prefumed, that the good intentions of the feveral tefta-
tors, and other benefadors, would be much better fulfilled.

public fliews and entertainments ; Italian fingers, nnd French dancers ; the indullrious gentr^• of
Newmarket and White's ; in a word, in the encouragement of precifely that fpecies of indulby
which is pernicious to the welfare of a kingdom. Thus the income of this trad of land is ex-
I pended very litde to the benefit of the kingdom at large, or the fpot in particular.

Adjoining to this fpot lies another of the fame rent, but belonging to a thnufand freeholders, of
50/. fcr anr.. each, living in their neat manfions on their rents in the midll of as many, or
perhaps more, tenants. What a population is here ! and what a confumption of necefliiry manu-
faaurcs, and home-produfts ! What a difference to the public between the ends of fuch indullry !
the one is for ever exerted to tlie raoft beneficial purpofes ; the ot!>er, to the moft pernicious ones.

POLIT. iisS.

Vol. II. L 1 It

258 JAMAICA.

It Is adonlfliing to obferve the gentlemen of this ifland fo laviHi
in fome refpefts of public money, and fo inattentive at the fame
time, to a matter of this interefting concern ; for what can be more
fo, than to wean the inhabitants from that detrimental habit of emi-
gration, that unhappy idea of confidering this place a mere tem-
porary abode, efpecially as fueh numbers are, from unexpefted
turns in life, laid under a neceflity of remaining in it, and bringing
up a race of children, whom, for want of a feminary, they no
fooner begin to take delight in, than they are forced to wi(h
they could erafe from their remembrance. Thefe very people
have not hefitated to difburfe near 70^000/. in the fpace of nine
years upon fortifying the ifland, who never thought of voting a
feventieth part of that fum towards rendering it much more eflen-
tially fecure, and much better proteded, by falling on eaiy means,
of making it populous. The condition of the North-Americans
would at this time have been deplorable indeed, if they had been
equally improvident. But it is 'a proof of their wifdom and re-
gard for pofterity, that in everyone of their townlhips, there is
provifion made for a fchoolmafter ; fo that the lowefl of their peo-
ple are not left deftitute of feme education. For thofe of more li-
beral fortune, there are colleges founded under able profeflbrs ;
where phiiofophy has already dawned with a luftre that altoniflies
the oldeft focieties of the learned in Europe, and commands their
moft refpeftful attention. It is fhocking to think, that, through
a defeft of this generous fpirit, or a want of fteddinefs and refo-
lution, no fuch meafures have yet been efpoufed in our ifland.
But our hearts muft bleed, when we reflecSt on the many unfor-
tunate children who have periflied ; fome by fliipwreck ; fome by
explofion [«] ; others by neglect after their arrival in- England. To
enumerate thefe fatalities, would be a melancholy recital, and
perhaps only lerve to revive paternal affliction. VViiat bleffings
then will await tliat aflembly, who Ihall patriotically relblve to-
prevent this barbarous neceflity, and thefe forrowtul events, in
future! They will, indeed, be juftly ftyled the fathers of their
country, and merit immortal honour.

[«] Several weie delhoycii in this inannei' on niip-bonrd, a few years fincci

I have

BOOK II. CHAP. XII. 25^

I have chiefly confined my thoughts to a fchool for boys. If
another for girls flioulJ likewife be approved, perhaps a fituatioa
nearer one of the towns, as at Halfway-tree, in St. Andrew's,
miglit be molt proper, in order to accommodate them eafier with
the necefl'ary mafters. This fchool would be bell regulated under
a felcifl committee of the principal ladies in the ifland, the go- .
vernor's lady being the patronefs. Thefe fuperintendants might
annually be chofen by ballot; and the legiflature no further in-
terfere, than in fupporting the foundation, and regulating the terms
of admiflion.

The expence annually attending the boys feminary cannot be
exadlly computed ; neverthelefs, as a calculation may not only
convey fome idea of what it will require, but ferve as a ground-
work for concerting a regular plan of fuch an undertaking, I take
the liberty to offer the following :

The head mafter, annual falary, jT. 28c to £. 300

An affiflant, ■ ■ 140

A Botanical profeflbr, ■ 140

A phyfician, ■ 1 40

A teacher of mufick, — . 70

A ditto, of fencing and the manual exercife, -— 70

A dancing-mafter, — — ,^ ... ■ 70

An overfeer, ■ ■ • .. ■ 1 ■ 80
Two white fervants, at 35/. each, 70

1060
Neceflaries for ten Negroes per cinn. at 60 x. each, 30

1090
A botanic garden, fituated near the fchool, might be laid out, and
{locked with thofe plants of the ifland, or of the Southern con-
tinent, mofl: diftinguiflied for their virtues in medicine, or value for
commercial purpoles. It is certain, that nature has not only fur-
ni(hed this ifland with feveral vegetable produdions ufeful in trade
and manufactures, but likewife an unlimited variety of medicinal
balms, barks, and roots, adapted to the cure of moil diftempers
incident to the cHmatc.

L 1 2 The

ito JAMAICA.

The perfbn made choice of for mafler (hould not be allowed to
follow any other avocation ; which might engrofs too much of his
time, to the negle<fl of his pupils; and for thisreafon any beneficed
clergyman might be unfit, becaufe his parochial duties would pro-
bably claim a great part of that attention, the whole of which
ought folely to be employed in the affairs of the fchool.

My wi(h to render this ifland more flourifhing far outftrips my
ability to propound the means. In this cafe, the (incerity of an
honeft intention muft atone for the imperfe»5lions of argument.
The rectitude of a n:ieafure is one thing; the means of ac-
complifhing it, another. Many perfons are able todifcern the for-
mer, who fearch for the other with hefitation. But, as the aflem-
bly poffefles happily the power of conducing mod ufeful plans to
effed, I cannot but indulge the hope, that it may hold a fubje(5l of
this importance not unworthy its moft ferious deliberation.

CHAP. XIII.

Ofibe Inhabitants,
SECT. I.

THE inhabitants of this ifland may be diflinguiflied under the
following clafles : Creoles, or natives; Whites, Blacks, In-
dians, and their varieties; European and other Whites ; and im-
ported or African Blacks.

The intermixture of Whites, Blacks, and Indians, has generated
feveral different cafls, which have all their proper denominations,-
invented by the Spaniards, who make this a kind of fcience among
them. Perhaps they will be better underflood by the following
table.

Direct lineal Afcent from the Negroe Venter.

White Man, = Negroe Woman.

White Man, = Mulatra. ' i

I

White Man, = Terceron^

\

White iVIan, = Qiiateron.

■White Man, =; Qviinteroiu
Whi.th»

JMediate

BOOK II. CHAP. XIII. 26r

Mf.diate or Stationary, neither advancing nor receding,

Quatcion, = Tcrccrou.-
Tcntc-cncl-ajie.

Retrograde.

Mulatto, = Terccron. Ncgroc, = Mulatci. Indian, = Mulatta. Ncgioc, zr Indian.

Saltatras. Sambo de l __vr Mcuize. S;imlio dc 1 _ Sambo dc

Mulaita, |--^'-S"'e- ji.a;.,,,^ ]- Mulatto.

Negroe. Givcro [o].

In the SpaniHi colonics, it is accounted moft creditable to mend'
tlie breed by afcending or growing whiter ; infomuch that a Qua-
teron will hardly keep company with a Mulatto ; and a Mcftize
values himfelf very highly in comparifon with a Sambo. The
Giveros lie under the imputation of having the worft inclinations
and principles; and, if the cafl is known, they arc banifhed.
Thefe diflindlions, however, do not prevail in Jamaica; for here .
the Terceron is confounded with the Quatcron ; and the laws per-
mit all, that are above three degrees removed in lineal defcent from /
the Negro anceftor, to vote at ele^flions, and enjoy all the privileges /
and immunities of his majcfty's white fubjeds of the ifland. The'
Dutch, I am informed, tranfcend the Spaniards very far in their
refinement of thefe complexions. They add drops of pure water
to a fingle drop of dufky liquor, until it becomes tolerably pel-
lucid. But this needs the appofition of fuch a multitude of drops,
that, to apply the experiment by analogy to the human race,
twenty or thirty generations, perhaps, would hardly be fufficient to
difchargc the (lain.

The native white men, or Creoles, of Jamaica are in gcncraltall j^
and wcU-fhaped ; and fome of them rather incHncd to corpulence.
Their cheeks are remarkably higli -boned, and the {bckets of their
eyes deeper than is commonly obferved among the natives of Eng-
land ; by this conformation, they are guarded from- thofc ill cfFeds
which an almoft continual ftrong, glare of fun-fliine might other-
wife produce. Their fight is keen and penetrating; which rentiers
them excellent markfmen : a light-grey, and black, or deep hazel,
are the more common colours of the pupil. The eiYeS: of climate
is not only remarkable in the Hruclure of their eyes, but likcwifd

[o] Perhaps from G'Jiro, a butcher,

in

2-62- J A jVI A I C A.

in the extraordinary freedom and fupplenefs of their joints, which
enable them to move with eafe, and give them a furpriling agiUty,
as well as graccfulnefs in dancing. Although defcended from Bri-
tilh anceflors, tliey are ftamped with thefe chara^leriftic deviations. .
Climate, perhaps, has had fome fliare ih producing the variety of
feature which we behold among the ditterent focieties of mankind,
Scattered over the globe: fo that, were an Englifiinian and woman
to remove to China, and there abide, it may be queftioned, whe-
ther their defcendants, in the courfe of a few generations, conftantly
refiding tliere, would not acquire fomewhat of the Chiriefe caft of
countenance and perfon ? I do not indeed fuppofe, that, by hving
in Guiney, they would exchange hair for wool, or a white cuticle
for a black: change of complexion muft be referred to fome other
caufe. I have fpoken only of thofe Creoles who never have quitted
the ifland ; for they, who leave it in their infancy, and pafs into
Britain for education, where they remain until their growth is pretty
well compleated, are not fo remarkably diilinguilhed either in
their features or limbs. Confining rayfelf to the permanent na-
tives, or Creole men, I have this idea of their qualities; that they
are in general fenfible, of quick apprcheniion, brave, good-natured,
affable, generous, temperate, and fober; unfufpicious, lovers of
freedom, fond of fecial enjoyments, tender fathers, humane and in-
dulgent mafters ; firm and fmcere friends, where they once repofe a
I confidence ; their tables are covered with plenty of good cheer,
i.and they pique themfelves on regaling their guefts with a profulloii
.of viands ; their hofpitality is unlimited ; they have lodging and
.entertain.ment always at the fervice of tranlient Grangers and tra-
velers; and receive in the mofl friendly manner thofe, with whofe
,chara£ler and circumftances they are often utterly unacquainted [^] ;
they affetfl gaiety and diverfions, which in general are cards, bil-
liards, backgammon, chels, horfe-racing, hog-hunting, fliooting,
fifhing, dancing, and raufic ; the latter in particular they are formed
jio enjoy with the nicefl feelings ; and their ear for melody is, for
^the moll part, exceedingly correal. This, indeed, has alfo been re-
marked of the Creole Blacks, who, witliout being able to read a

[p] One obvious proof of this is, that there is fcarcely one tolerable inn throughout the whole
ifland, except at a great d.iila«ce from any fcttleinent.

fingle

B O O K: II. CHAP. XIII. ^2

fingle note, are known to play twenty or thirty tunes, country-
dances, minuets, airs, and even fonatas, on the violin ; and catch,
with an aflonifliing readinefs, whatever they hear played or lung,
efpecially if it is lively and flriking.

There are no people in the world that exceed the gentlemen of
' this idaud in a noble and dihnterelled munificence. Such a dif-
pofition deferves to be commemorated ; and I fliall therefore think
it incumbent on me to give Ibme examples of it. After the de-
ceafe of the duke of Portland, it was well known that he died in
very iiidil^-'erent circumftances. From the time of his death, the
dutchefs and her fiunily were provided with a regular and fplendid
table, fuitable to her rank, at the public charge ; and, as flie could
not have the convenience of returning home in a man of war,
the aflembly caufed a fliip to be equipped for her with every proper
accommodation, and added to this mark of refped a very con-
liderable prelent in money. They have been often accufed, and
very unjufrly, of wilfully feeking occafions to quarrel with their
governors. On the contrary, they have never failed in liberality
and a juft deference to thofe governors who have deferved well bv
the mildnefs and equity of their adminiftratlon.

They made an augmentation of 2500/. per annum to the go-
vernor's ufual falary ; erected a magnificent houle for his reiideijce ;
and purchafed lands, for his better convenience, at no lefs expence
than 1 2,000. Their gratitude to their governors would have been
manifefted more frequently, if more occafions had been given for
exciting it. Among other inflances of this fenfe they have of good
ufage, let me mention, that, upon the death of the Jate worthy
governor Sir William Trelawny, the allembly paid no trivial com-
pliment to his merit, by giving his remains an honourable interment
at the public charge; the expence amounted to 1000/. fterling.
But, what was a more confpicuous indication of their regret for
the lofs of fo efleemed a man, there was not a peribn of any con-
fideratlon, in the county where he died, who did not attend him to
the grave, and with looks that befpoke the the finecrity of their
affli£lion. But this natural propenfity to fuch a<Slions of benevo-
lence as do honour to mankind cannot fhew itfelf fo often in a public
manner, as in the more filent walks of private life.

An

264 JAMAICA.

An officer died here, leaving his wife and feveral children in verj
ereat didrefs. No fooner was their unfortunate coadition made
known, than relieved by private contributions amounting to a very
large fum. Another officer's widow, in fomewhat fimilar circum-
ilances, except that (he^was left unincumbered with a family, met
with the like generous fupport. And here I muft not pafs over a
flill more ftriking anecdote of this amiable difpofition. 1 fliall re-
late it faithfully as near as I can recolleft. A certain planter,
liaving taken offence at the behaviovn- of his fon, refolved to difin-
herit him. He accordingly devifed away the whole of his eftate
to a gentleman of diflinftion in the country, for whom he enter-
tained a particular efteem ; and foon afterwards died. The devifee
was furprized and Ihocked when the will was fliewn to him. He
fent for tlie young man; and, upon his arrival, delivered into his
hands a deed which he had jufl: executed, reconveying to him all
his paternal eftate, adding to this effeft ; " Your father meant to
*' be my friend ; it is my duty to be yours. I give you back his
" eftate ; it is now yours by jufl inlieritance : go and enjoy it; and
«« be affined that you may always depend on my befi: fervices and
** advice fo long as your future condud: fhall entitle you to claim
*' them." An admirable example this of refined virtue and prin-
ciple, untainted with felfifli or mercenary bafenefs. Though
fimply no more than the effufion of a mind controuled by juftice,
humanity, and moral reditude; yet, in this age of callous ve-
nality, it deferves to be applauded as an a£l of felf-denial, not very
commonly met with in other parts of the world. Without mul-
tiplying fuch narratives, 1 (hall only declare, that Iknow but very
few natives of the ifland, among the clafs of gentlemen, who, in
the like cafe, would not have aded in the fame truly noble
manner.

Some years ago, feveral new fettlers, who had arrived in confe-
quence of different ads paffed for their encouragement, were bound,
hy an exprefs condition, that, after the expiration of the firft fe-
ven years, they ffiould be obliged to re-imburfe the treafury for
the expence of their pafTage, and a twelvemonth's fubfiftence ad-
vanced upon their firft coming over. In 1749, there were fifty of
them found indebted to the public, on this account, no lefs
I than

BOOK II. CHAP. XIII. 265

than ']\'j^l- This fum the afl'embly readily remitted, and difcharged
them entirely from the obligation \c[\.

This will be luppofed an a6l of political generofity, and of a dif-
ferent nature from the examples before given ; for which reafon I
have placed it lafl in my catalogue, as it is confidered perhaps more
referable to the Ipirit of patriotifm, than the impulfes of humanity ;
though to have adted othcrwile would have betrayed, I confefs,
but a fmall fhare of either.

With all thefe praife-worthy qualities, the Creoles have fome
foibles in their difpofition. They are fubjcdl to frailties in common
with the reft of mankind. They are poflclied with a degree of fu-
pinenefs and indolence in their affairs, which renders them bad
oeconomifts, and too frequently hurts their fortune and family, u
With a ftrong natural propenfity to the other fex, they are not
always the moft chafte and faithful of huibands. They are liable
to fudden tranfports of anger; but thefe fits, hke hurricanes, though
violent while they laft, are foon over and fubfide into a calm : yet
they are not apt to forget or forgive fubftantial injuries. A lively
imagination brings every circumlhmce prefentto their remembrance,
and agitates them almoft as much as if it had occurred but imme-
diately before. They are fickle and defultory in their purfuits;
though unfliaken in their friendfhips. From this caufe perhaps it
is, that various fchemes, both in pleafure and bufinefs, have been
eagerly ftarted, and then fuddenly dropped, and forgotten as if they
had never cxifted. They have fome tinfture of vanity, and oc-
cafionally of haughtiiiefs ; though much lefs of the latter than for-
merly. That diftant carriage, which was gained here infenfibly
by habit, when the planters employed fix times the number of white
fervants, whom, together with their Negroes, they might think it
prudent to keep under a due awe and fubordination to authority,
has worn away in courfe of time with the caufes of it. They are
too much addicted to expenfive living, coftly entertainments, drefs,
and equipage. Were they but more abftemious in thefe refpedls,
and more attentive to good hulbandry on their plantations, there

\/i\ In 1758, wasafimilar aft of remiffion of 6501/. hi. 8 «'. to fixty fettlers. I have not the
Icaft doubt, for my own part, but that thefe remiflions were the pure effects of compalfonate fenti-
inentj, and not the offspring of a political liberality.

Vol. II. M m are

266 JAMAICA.

are few who would not amafs confiderable fortunes, and render their
pofterity opulent. But they are fond alfo of monopolizing large
trails of land, buying up all around them, and attempting to fettle
new eftates before the old one is cleared of debts. By this means,
and impofing on themfelves by a fpecious mode of payment, in
giving their own bonds, and taking upon them the debts of other
men, they become harrafled and unhappy ever after. Finding
themfelves unable to depofite when the day of payment arrives,
they are either reduced to be Haves for life, in hopes to redeem, or
luftaln, the whole of a large territory thus acquired ; or to plunge
deeper and deeper in debt and diftrefs, by fubmitting to every fpecies
of fraud and extortion that may gain them a little refpite; till per-
haps, after a tedious conflift, they leave at their deceafe their whole
fortune to be torn piece-meal, and their family turned adrift, to
make room forfome worthlefs upftart, who has poffeffed cunning
and villainy enough to accumulate money, or obtain credit, fuf-
ficientfor becoming the proprietor. It is a fettled maxim, " that
" you arenotdiftinguiihed, or of any note, unlefs you are in debt.'*"
In other words, you are no body, unlefs you make yourfelf literally
fo. But what Ibrt of a levee is to attend luch pre-eminence? A
banditti of creditors and deputy marflials, who, for their own fakes,
not the planter's, wifli him well for a while, that they may be the
better ; as a flight of vultures would rather make their repaft on a
fat carcafe, than a lean one ; and will pick either the one or the
other to the very bones before they quit it.

Moft of the old Creole families are allied, by the inter- marriages
I/' among their anceftors before the ifland was populoufly fettled.
The fame remark may be made on many other communities in the
world, which have fprung from a few fiimilies ; for example, the
WeKh and Scotch. The natives in general prefer pure water to
any other beverage. Punch feems almofl: profcribed from the
politer tables ; though, when it is made with rum of due age, ripe
fruit, and not too ftrong, it is a very pleafant, refrefhing, and
wholefome drink, and one of the beft appropriated to a hot climate.^
Madeira wine is in more efteem than claret, not only becaufe it is
cheaper, but as the greatcil: heat of the air only ferves to improve
its flavour, and as it is not apt to ferment in the ftomach. It is ge-
nerally

BOOK II. CHAP. XIII. 267

nerally drank here diluted with water; and in this ftate it may be
regarded as a very powerful antifeptic. They arc exceflxvely fond
of chocolate, which fome drink morning and afternoon in pre-
ference to tea. Formerly the men ufed to indulge in 2^ Jicjlo in
their hammocks every day after dinner. They drefled in waiftcoats
and caps ; never wearing coats nor wigs, except at church, or on
public occafions. Thefe modes, copied from the Spaniards, have
long been difufed ; and at prefent they follow the Englifti fafhions,
only fludyingcoolnefs andeafe. They indulge in the fruits of the
country, particularly fuch as are mod nutritious; and fwallow
pepper without moderation, which is alfo the principal ingredient
m their oHos or pepper-pots, a compofition highly efteemed here
even by the Europeans.

The planters of this ifland have been very unjuftly ftigmatized ^
with an accufiition of treating their Negroes with barbarity. Some
alledge, that thefe Have-holders (as they are pleafed to call them,
in contempt) are lawlefs bafhaws, Weft-India tyrants, inhuman
oppreflbrs, bloody inquifitors, and a long, &c, of fuch pretty names.
The planter, in reply to thefe bitter inveftives, will think it fuffi-
cientto urge, in the firit place, that ^^ did not make them flaves,
but fucceeded to the inheritance of their fervices in the fame man-
ner as an Englifli Yquire fucceeds to the eftate of his anceftors ; and
that, as to his Africans, he buys their fervices from thofe who have
all along pretended a very good right to fell; that it cannot be for
his intereft to treat his Negroes in the maimer reprefented ; but that
it isfo to ufe them well, and preierve their vigour and exigence as
long as he is able. The antagonifts, though willing to allow that
he is felf-interefted in all he does, can hardly admit this plea;
although it is evident, that the more mercenary a planter's dilpofi-
tion is, the ftronger muft the obligation grow upon him to treat
his labourers well, fince his own profit, which he is fuppoied.
alone to confult, muft neceftkrily prompt him to it. In proving him
therefore to be fuch a mercenary wretch, they eftedually confute
the charge of cruel ufage; fince the one is utterly incompatible with
the other [r]. " But," lays Mr. Sharpe, brandiftiing his two-
edged

[r] Elquemeling, who was himfelf an indented fetvant to the French Weft-India company
about the year 1664, has defcrlbed very feelingly the diffsreuce between the condition ot a Ne-

M in 2 groe-

268 J A M A I C A.

edged Weapon, « the planter makes no fcrople to gain by wearing
*' out his flaves with continual labour, and a Icanty allowance,
*• before they have lived out half their natural days ;" and he com-
pares this excefs of conftrained labour to " the mercilefs ufage
praftifed in England over poft-horfes, fand-affes, &c." Soon after
this declamation, he tells us, " that the allowance of food is not
«' given to a flave for his own fake, but merely for the interefl of
♦' his mailer; to enable the (lave to continue his daily labour in the
« fame manner as the foddering a horfe, or fattening of cattle for
« flaughter, becaufe the food is given on no other confideration
*« than for the profit of the owner."^ Then he gives us a quotation
from the learned and reverend Mr. Godwyn, " that the planter
" confiders this allowance of provlfion as expedient and fit, in-
♦* order to enable his Negroes to undergo their labour, without
« which, himfelf cannot get riches and great cftates ; but nothing
*' for the wretch's health and prefervation !" Now, with all fub-
miffion to this profound advocate and his co-adjutor, I prefume,

groe-flave and that of a white contraft-feivant, in his time, and affigned the true caufe of it.
Speaking, firft, of his countrymen at Hifpaniola, he feys, " the fervants commonly bind them-
" felves to their matters for three years ; but their mafters, having no confcience, traffic with
" their bodies as with cattle at a fair, felling them to other mafters as they do Negroes. Yet, to
" advance this trade, fome perfons go purpofely into France, and liktwife to England and other
" countries, to pick up young men and boys, whom they inveigle and tranfport ; and, having
" once got them into the iflands, they work them like horfes ; the toil impofed upon them being
" much harder than what tliey enjoin the Negroes, their flaves ; tor thefe they endca\our to pre.
" ferve, being their perpetual bond-men ; but, for their white fervants, they care not whether
" they live or die, feeing they are to ferve them no longer than three years.

" The planters of the Caribbee I-fles" (he alferts) " were Hill more cruel to their white fer-
" vants." And he names a Frenchman, at St. Chriflopher's, " who had killed above a hundred with
" ftripes and blows. In regard to the Englifli" (he fays), " they did the fame with theirs ; and
" that the mildeft cruelty they exercifed towards their fervants was, that, when they had ferved fix
" years of tteir time (the ufual term of their contracts being feven), they ufed them i'o ill, as
" forced them to beg their mafters to fell them to others, tliough it were to begin another fervi-
•' tude of feven years ; and that he had known many v.ho had thus ferved fifteen or twenty
♦' years."

The low price at which thefe fervants were furniflied by the French company to the planters,
being no more than from 4/. lo.i. to 61. i^u fterllng/fr head, was another caufe of their ill
ufage ; fince the lofs fuftalned by their death was confidered, by the purchafer, as very trifling,
and eafily to be replaced.

At prefent, it requires no argument to prove, that the enormous price of Negroe-flaves mud
procure them an indulgent and careful treatment even from owners of an inhuman difpofition ;
and with fuch men, however felfifh the motive is, ftill the effcft may be no lefs favourable to the
Have.

that.

BOOK II. CHAP. XIII. 269

diat, if the enabling his Negroes to undergo their labour, by al-
lowing them expedient food, be the true motive, as they affirm it
is, for the planter's care of his Negroes; the fame motive mufl
necefl'arily induce him to be equally alfiduous for the prefervatioii
of their lives and health. This, indeed, is imj^lied; fince, if they
are abandoned to ficknefs, or fufFered to perifh for w ant of his care,
he mull of courfc be deprived of the benefit of their labour, which
alone (as they rightly obferve) is the foundation of his riches.
Thus the planter is affirmed to take care of the life and healtli of
his Negroes, that he may profit by their labour; and yet to let
them die through barbarity and negleft ; by which he mufl
eventually be a. lofer of all that benefit. In one paragraph he is
made to ftarve and wear them out before they have half finiflied
their term of life ; in the next he is faid to allow them plenty of
food, to fupport them in the continuance of their labour. How'
they can be hacked and ftarved to death, like pofl-horfes, 01'
fand-afl'es, and yet fattened like oxen for Leadenhall-market, at one
and the fame time, is ib far beyond the humble limits of a planter's
comprehenfion, that it mufl be left to be further reconciled and
explained by thefe two fagacious writers ; and the perplexing
aeriigma, they are defi red to lolve, is,- by what means it comes to
pafsi that the planter gains equally, whether he ftirves and deflroys
them, or whether hefeeds and takes care of them ?

1 will aliert, in my turn, and I hope without iiiconfiftency or
untruth, that there are no men, nor orders of men, in Great-Bri-
tain, poficfied of more difuiterefted charity, philanthropy, and cle-
mency, than the Creole gentlemen of this ifland. 1 have never
known, and rarely heard, of any cruelty either pra>5lifed or tole-
rated by them over their Negroes. It cruelties are praftifed, they
happen without their knowledge or confcnt. Some few- of their
Britilh overfeers have given proofs of a favage difpofition ; but in-
ftances are not wanting to (hew, that, upon juft complaint and in-
formation of inhuman ufage, the planters have punifhed the a«flor
as far they were able, by turning him out of their employ, and
frequently refuting a certificate that might introduce him into any
other perfon's. Thefe barbarians are imported from among the li-
berty-loving inhabitants of Britain and Ireland. Let the reproach

then

270 JAMAICA, '

then fall on the guilty, and not on the planter. He is to thank
his mother- country for difgorging upon him fuch wretches as fome-
times undertake the management of Wefl-India properties; and,
by wanton torture infli<5ted on the flaves confided to their charge
(the refult of their own unprincipled hearts and abominable tem-
pers), bring an unmerited cenfure on the gentlemen proprietors,
who are no further culpable than in too often giving this employ-
ment to the outcafts of fociety, becaufe, it may happen, they can
get none better.

America has long been made the very common fewer and dung-
yard to Britain. Is it not therefore rather ungenerous and unmanly,
that the planter fliould be vilified, by Britifla men, for the crimes
and execrable mifdeeds of Britiih refugees ! It is hard upon him
,to fufter this two-fold injury, tirft by the wafle of his fortune in
the hands of a worthlefs fervant, and next by fuch unfair imputa-
tions upon his charadler. There is, I allow, no country exifting
without fome inhuman mifcreants to difhonour it. England gives
birth to fuch, as well as other flates ; but I would not, from this
reafon, argue that every Englifliman is (according to Voltaire) a
favage.

The planters do not want to be told, that their Negroes are hu-
man creatures. If they believe them to be of human kind, they
cannot regard them (which Mr. Sharpe infills they do) as no better
than dogs or horl'es. But how many poor wretches, even in Eng-
Vland, are treated with far lefs care and humanity than thele brute
animals! I could wifh the planters had not too much realbn on
their fide to retort the obloquy, and charge multitudes in that king-
dom with neglecting the juft refpeft which they owe to their own
fpecies, when they fuffer many around them to be perfecuted with
unrelenting tyranny in various fliapes, and others to perifh in gaols,
for want of common neccliinies ; whilft no expence is thought too
great to beflow on tlie well-being of their dogs and horfes. But,
to have done with thefe odious comparifons, 1 fhall only add, that
a planter fmiles with difdain to hear himfelf calumniated for tyran-
nical behaviour to his Negroes. He would wifh the defamer might
be prefent, to obferve with what freedom and confidence they ad-
drefs him ; not with the abje*5l prolhation of real flaves, but as
4 their

BOOK ir. CHAP. XIII. 271

their common friend and father. His authority over them is like
that of an antient patriarch : conciliating afFedion by the mildnefs
of its exertion, and claiming refped by the juftice and propriety of
its decifions and difcipline, it attra£ls the love of the honeft and
good ; while it awes the worthlefs into reformation. Amongft
three or four hundred Blacks, there muft: be fome who are not to ■
be reclaimed from a favage, intraftable humour, and a6ls of vio-
lence, without the coercion of punilhment. So, among the whole
body of planters, fome may be found of naturally auflere and in-
human tempers. Yet they, who acV up to the dignity of man,
ought not to be confounded with others, whofe odious depravity
of heart has degraded them beneath the rank of human beings.
To caft general refledlions on any body of men is certainly illi-
beral ; but much more fo, when applied to thofe, who, if their
conduct and charadlers were fully known to the world, would ap--
pear fo little to deferve them.

The French treat the gentlemen of their Weft-India fettlements^
in a very different manner. " It is with great juftice," faysBoffu,.
" that we reckon the Creoles noble in France. Their fentiments
" are fo noble and delicate in every ftation of life, that they per-
" fedly well merit that appellation."

I fhould implore pardon of the ladies, for not having given them:
the precedence which is their due : but I difpatched the gentlemen^
firft, that I might pay the more attention to the lovelier fex. Fe-
minine beauties and virtues are to be found in every clime, the
growth of every foil. The Creole women are perfeiftly well-
Ihaped ; and many of them remarkably handfome. In general,
they have exceedingly good teeth; which fome have imputed to"^
tlie pains they conftantly take in cleaning them with the chaw-
ftick ["j], which guards them from the fcurvy. They prefer cho-
colate to tea; and do not drink any liquor fo hot as is cuftomary
with women in England. It feems to be a vulgar error, that fugar
caufes the teeth to decay. It is certainly an anti-feptic, and un-

[j] A fpecies of rhamnus. It is of a bitter talle, and contains a great quantity of fixed air;
both of which qualities render it a vcrj' proper correiflor of any putrid flough that may happen to ■
lodge betv\'een the interftices of the teeth. It is cut into Imall junks, of three or four inches in
length ; one extremity of which, being firft foaked a little while in warm water, is foon formed ■
into a foit bruih by chawing; from whence it derives its popular name.

juftly.

272 JAMAICA.

juftly bears that blame ; which, for the moft part, Ihould rather be
thrown on the negleft of cleanHnefs. The ladies of this ifland
eat large quantities of it in fugar-cakes, or what is called pan-Ju~
gar [/], and confedionary. I knew a man here, who was excef-
fively fond of fugar and its preparations. During the crop-feafon,
he not only ufed to eat plentifully of it, but mixed fyrup and
water for his common beverage at meals. At the age of about
eighty years, he had his teeth flill compleat, perfe6lly white and
found. He informed me, that he never was afflidled with the
tooth-ach in his life. His head was covered with good black hair,
without any vifible intermixture of grey, or the lead lymptom of
baldnefs; and he was ftrong, hale, and lively. He imputed the
foundnefs of his teeth, his unchanged hair, and ai^ivity, to his
never having drunk malt-liquors, wine, or fpirits of any kind ; his
only drink being plain water, the pureft he could get, or mixed
with fugar. He would probably have attained to a much greater
age, if it had not been for an accident, occafioned by his own te-
merity.

Kalm, accounting for the bad teeth of the ladies in Pennfvlvania
and other North-American provinces, oppofes the vulgar notion of
bad qualities in fugar upon very probable grounds. He obferves,
that women, who ufed no fugar in their tea, had equally bad teeth as
the reft j that the men in general were lefs liable to this misfortune ;
and that the Indians, living in the fame air and country, were re-
markable for good teeth. He afcribes the decay of them to their
drinking tea too often, fomctimes no lefs than thrice a day, and
too hot. Some females may titter at the good Dr. Hales's experi-
ment with a pig's tail, which being dipped into a cup of tea,
heated to the degree in which it is ufually drank (viz. thirty degrees
above the blood-heat), the Ikin was fcalded in a minute, fo as to
make the hair come off eafily. But he juftly concludes from hence,
that the frequent drinking of fuch hot liquor is hurtful, agreeably
to the general aflertion of phyficians. And I may add, that the
ableft dentifts have concurred in their teftimony, that it is particu-

[c] The fyrup in the tache, or laft clarifier, adheres in a thick cruft to the rim, fomewhat rc-
fembling brovvn fugar-candy. This is taken oft", and partes under the name of pan-fugar. Cakes
are alfo made by mixing a httle powdered ginger and cinnamon with the clarified fyrup; and,
after pouring it on a plate, it hardens, and is lliced into little fcjuares.

larly

BOOK II. CHAP. XIII. 273

larly cleftru£live of the enamel of the teeth. No people in the
world have finer teeth than the native Blacks of Jamaica; and
none devour greater quantities of fugar. Few of the Creole ladies
fip their tea till it cools to about milk-warmth, nor oftener than
once, or at the utmoH: twice, a day. But they, who have been
brought up in England, where they were accuftomed to drink it
almoft boiling-hot, and to debauch in it too freely, are many of
them fo much addided to, and confirmed in this praftice, that
they cannot break themfelves of it here without much reluflance.
And hence perhaps it happens, that the natives of England, and
thofe Creoles who have been educated in England, have not in
general fuch good teeth, as others who have never been out of the
ifland [«].

A crooked or deformed Creole man or woman, unlefs fuch at the
time of their birth, or diftorted by fome mifchance, would here be
a rarity to be gazed at.

The method ufcd here in rearing children fecures the graceful
form of their perfons, and is a certain proof of maternal good
fenfe. From the time their infants area month old, they are al-
lowed no other bed than a hardmatrafs, laid upon the floor; and,
inftead of a flieet, they repofe on a fmooth (heep-fkin, which is oc-
cafionally fhifted, for the lake of cleaulinefs. They are clad loofe
and light, go without the incumbrance of ilockings, are bathed
regularly in water every day, and expofed freely to the air ; fo that
no part of the world can fhevv more beautiful children. The girls
are not fuffered to wear flays (thofe abominable machines for the
de{lru£lion of fhape and health) ; but, as well as the boys, are
indulged in fuch a cool and unconfined attire, as admits the free
extenfion of their limbs and mufcles.

[a] Some reftrift the bad effects of fugar entirely to what is refined, which is fuppofed to be
impregnated with lime, iifed in the procefs ; and the corrofive power of this fubftance npon bones
is well known. But it is fearcely probable, that even a ftrong folution of lime in water could pro-
duce this erofion of the teeth, unlefs they were daily rubbed with it ; and even then it is far from
being certain. But combine this alkali with an acid (as it is in fugar), and furely its effcft mull be
greatly altered. We may lemavk, however, the inconfiltence of writers; fome of whom blame
the acid in the fugar ; others, the alkali of the lime; thus imputing the effcft to nvo contrary
principles. The very finall quantit)' of lime, that can remain intermixed, is certainly not an-
fwerable to the fufpicion ; but, if it even (houlj be thought to defcrve it, the muftovado, or unre-
fined, will (land clear of it.

Vol. II. N n Manv

274 JAMAICA.

Many of the good folks In England have entertained the ftrange
ophiion, that the children born in Jamaica of white parents turn
fwarthv, through the efFc(ft of the climate; nay, fome have not
fcrupledto fuppole, that they are converted into black-a-moors. The
truth is, that the children bora in England have not, in general,
lovelier or more tranfparent Ikins, than the offspring of white pa-
rents in Jamaica. In the Southern parts of the ifland, they have
none of that beautiful venneille, (o much admired in England ;
but, though expofed, as lively children neceflarily mufl: be, very
much to the influence of fun-Hiine, their (kins do not acquire the
Eii^lifli tan, but in general grow pale, and of a fainter white.
The genuine tan of the fun hero, on faces of healthy, grown perfon-s,
who are a good deal in the open air, is a iuffulion of red. The na-
tives of both fexes are very remarkable for tliis kind of complexion;
and it t^ives them the appearance of fiinguine habits, and vigorous
heajth. The brunettes, or thofe of a naturally thick and unper-
fpiring Ikin, frequently become browner, a^ they advance in years,
and feem to be tinged with a bilious fecretion, which circulates
with the blood, and lurks in the fmaller vefl'els, inftead of pafling
off as it does in other habits, by the outlets of perfpiration. The
many Mulatto, Quateron, and other illegitimate children fent over
to England for education, have probably given rife to the opinion
before-mentioned; for, as thefe children are often ient to the moft
expenfive public fchools, where the hiftory of their birth and pa-
I rentage is entirely unknown, they p:.fs under the general name of
Weft-Indians ; and the bronze of their complexion is ignorantly af-
j cribed to the fervour of the fun in the torrid zone. But the ge-
nuine Englifh breed, untainted with thefe heterogeneous mixtures,
is obferved to be equally pure and delicate in Jamaica as the mother
country.

The practice of inoculation, according to the modern improve-
ments, has been very fuccelbfuliy ufed here. I fliall be forgiven,
I am fure, by the ladies, for a fliort digrefhcn on this lubje6t, and
for introducing the following fenfible remarks upon it:

"> Of thofe who take the fmall-pox cafually, one in feven is
«< found to die. But, of fifteen hundred patients inoculated in
^' England by the furgeous Ranby, Hawkins, and Middleton, three

*' onlj

ROOK II. CHAP. XIII. 275

" only mifcarried, /. e. one in five hundred. Now, not to mcn-
*' tion that tlie hazard is, by a long experience fince, reduced al-
" moil: to nothing, according to this computation, which has never
" been invalitlated ; in every five hundred perfons inoculated, fe-
" venty lives are prelervcd to Ibciety ! Let the computation be
" extended to the probable number inoculated every year, from the
" time wlien the pra6lice began to obtain generally, and to thefe
" add the pofterity derived from the marriage of thefe redeemed
" peifons, as they advance to maturity ; and we fliall find a poh-
" tive and happy increale of people, continually rifing up, and
*' flaring out of countenance all declaimers againft the prac-
'■' tice [w]."

I tliought I might, without impropriety, give tills quotation at
large, becauie I have obferved iome tender mothers in the ifland led
away by vani terrors, or influenced by predeflinarian fcruples ; not
conddering, that the hand of the Almighty has pointed out this
ealy method of preferving his creatures from the horrid ravages of
this difeale, the feeds of which are probably congenial to our very
frame, and from whole infedion very few are exempted ; nor per-
ceiving the force of pofitive evidence, which, through a long courfe
of experience, has demonftrated, that inoculation is almofl: an infal-
lible means of rendering it harmlefs. Nothing can be more mild
than the diforder in Jamaica, received in this manner. Infants, of
one month old, have gone through it very fafely. The working
Haves followed their ufual occupations with the puftules upontJieir
bodies, without inconvenience ; and even bathed themfelves in the
rivers, without any ill confequence. When a preparation was ufed,
they either had no puftules, or at leaft fuch as never came to a fup-
puration. Two very moderate dofes of the mercurial medicines,
and as many gentle purgatives, with an interval of three or four
days between them, were found fufficient. With relpeft to chil-
dren at the breaft, care was only taken to keep their bodies gently
lax during the continuance of the eruptive lymptoms ; and, after
the eruption, to correal any gripings with daily dofes of teftaceous
powder, and a few drops of tin^. thebaic, at night. The eruption
generally appeared, on thefe young fubjeifts, about the fixth day ;

[ii] Critical Review,

N n 2 and,

276 JAMAICA,

and, in grown peiTons, about the eighth or ninth. They were
conftantly in a free air in the fhade, and fuffered no confinement;
being reflrained only, in diet, from animal food, fait, and fpirituous

liquors.

Of fifteen hundred Negroes, of all ages and habits of body, who
were inoculated here by o«^/>r^^///o«^r, not one died. Such plain
fafts fhould weigh more than argument in fupprefling groundlefs
apprehenfions ; and teach every mother, that the wilful confignment
of her helplefs little ones to almofi: certain death, when flic might
exert the probable means of faving them, is abfokite murder in ef-
feft, and little fliort of it in guilt. The infant is incapable of
judging for itfelf, or of exercifing a freedom of, choice. But to the
parents God has imparted reafon fufficient to condu£l their unin-
itrufted charge, and proteft it from impending evils. In ufing their
beft endeavours for this purpofe, they manifeft a truly religious
obedience to their Maker, a due affedion for their offspring, and a
fubmiffion to the rules of good fenfe. And, whatever the event
may prove, they are confcious of having afted with the heft
intentions, which will furely be moft acceptable to that Being,
who

" Preferreth the upright Heart, and pure."

Whilfl: I render all due praile to the Creole ladies for their many
amiable qualities, impartiality forbids me to fupprefs what is highly
to their difcredit; I mean, their difdainingto fuckle their own help-
/ lefs offspring! they give them up to a Negroe or Mulatto wetnurie,
without refleding that her blood may be corrupted, or confidering
the influence which the milk may have with refpeft to the difpo-^
fition, as well as health, of their little ones. This (hameful and
favage cuftom they borrowed from England ; and, finding it relieve
them from a little trouble, it has gained their general fandion.
How barbarous the ufage, which, to purchafe a refpite from that
endearing employment To agreeable to the humanity of their fex,
fo confonant to the laws of nature, at once fo honourable and de-
lightful to a real parent, thus facrifices the well-being of a child!
Notwithftanding every precaution they take to examine the nurfe
of their choice, it is a million to one but fhe harbours in her blood
the feeds of many terrible diflempers. There is fcarcely one of

thefe

BOOK II. CHAP. XIII. 277

thefe nurfes who is not a common proftitute, or at leafl: who has not
commerce with more than one man ; or who has not Tome latent
taint of the venereal diftemper, or fcrofa, either hereditary, or ac-
quired, and ill-cured. The place of a nurfe is anxioofly coveted
by all of them, as it is ufually produ<flive of various emoluments
to them ; and on this account they are fure to keep lecret any ail-
ment they labour under, however detrimental to the child, rather
than be turned off. The mothers in England are at leaft able to
find fome healthy labourer's wife ; and none of them, I venture to
believe, would fend their infants to befuckledin any of the brothels
of London. It is true, the Creole ladles have not the fame ad-
vantage; they can meet with none other than unchafte nurfes;
and this is another unanfwerable argument to prove the necefTity
of their adminiflering their own breaft, in preference to one that
they are under fo many reafons to fufpeft is not equally proper.

Numberlefs have been the poor little vidims to this pernicious
cuftom. Many innocents have thus been murdered; and many
more have fucked in difeafes, which rendered their life miferable,
or fuddenly cut (hort the thread of it.

A misfortune attending mioft of thefe children is, that they are
extremely fubje^t to worm-diforders imbibed with the milk; for I
have frequently icen thefe vermin difcharged from babes of three
months age. But it is more ufual to fee them looking healthy and
well till they reach the tiiird year ; when they frequently decline
all at once, and from this caufe. They are often too much
crammed with the fruits and roots of the country, which at this
tender age are apt to generate a large quantity of vifcid (lime in
their bowels, that affords a w/^wj for the worms to depofite their
eggs. The more common kinds which infefl them are the afca'
rides, and tania or tape worm : both thefe forts are eftedually ex-
pelled with a deco6lion of the anthelmenthia, or worm-grafs, which
grows naturally in the South parts of Jamaica; and fometimes the
oleum ricini, or nut oil, is adminiftered in fmall and frequent dofes
with fuccefs.

The down of the cow-itch pods, given in the proportion of one
part to three parts of honey or fyrup, to the quantity of one tea-
fpoonful morning and evening, for a week, has been found, by

repeated

27S JAMAICA.

repeated trials and long experience, to be equally deflruclive to
tliem ; care being only taken to give a proper dofe of rhubarb, or
other niikl purg.tive, in order to carry oft rlie dead worms.

An old woman here lormerly performed feveral wonderful cures
of tliis kind, with no other remedy than fat pork, witli which fhc
fed her little patients ; and, no doubt, it acted upon the worms in
the like manner as the oily compofitions frequently prefcribed,
which are found to dcftroy thcfe animalcules by flopping up
their pores.

Another i'i:iisfortune is, the conftant intercourfe from tlieir birth
with Negroe domeftics, whofe drawling, diflbnant gibberifli they
infenfibly adopt, and with it no Imall tinfture of their aukward
carriage and vulgar manners; all which they do not eafily get rid
of, even after an Englifh education, unlefs fent away extremely
young.

A planter of this ifland, who had feveral daughters, being ap-
prehenfive of thefe confequenccs, fent to England, and procured a
tutorefs for tlem. After her arrival, they were never fuffered to
converfe with the Blacks. In Ihort, he ufed all his vigilance to
preferve tiieir language and manners from this infedion. He fuc-
ceeded happily in the delign ; and thefe young ladies proved fome
of the mod aarceable and well-behaved in the iflaud: nor could it
be diftinguifhcd from their accent, but that they had been brought
up at fome genteel boarding-fchool in England ; inlbmuch that
they were frequently afkcd, by (hangers, how long they had re-
.fided in that kingdom. Until a proper feminary can be eftablifhed,
every mader of a family here might purfue the like method, at
leafl: with his daughters, who are generally kept more at home
.than boys. But a mother, who has been trained in the accuflomed
mode among a herd of Negroe-domeltics, adopts the fame plan,
for the moft part, with her own children, having no idea of the
impropriety of it, becaufe flie does not difcern thofe fingularities,
in fpeech or deportment, which are fo apt to ftrike the ears and
.eyes of well-educated perfons on a firft introduction to them.

The ladies, hov/ever, who live in and about the towns, being
.often in company with Europeans, and others brought up in Great-
Britain, copy imperceptibly their manners and addrcfs ; and become

better

BOOK II. CHAP. XIII. 279

better qualified to fill the honourable (lotion of a wife, and to head
their table with grace and propriety. Thole, who have been bred
up entirely in the fequeftercd country parts, aiul had no oppor-
tunity of forming themfelves either by example or tuition, are
truly to be pitied. \Vc may fee, in iome of thefe places, a very
fine young woman aukwardly dangling her arms with the air of a
Negroe-iervant. lolling almoft the whole day upon beds or fetters,
her head muffled up with two or three handkerchiefs, her drefs
Joofe, and without flays. At noon, we fuul her employed in o-ob-
bling pepper-pot, feated on the floor, with her fible hand-maids
around her. In the afternoon, fhe takes her _/5"£/?c/ as ufual ; while
two of thefe damfels refrefii her face with the gentle breathings of
the fan; and a third provokes the drowfy powers of Morplieus bv
delicious Icratchings on the Ible of either foot. W'lien (lie rouzes
from (lumber, her Ipeech is whinmg, languid, and childifh. When
arrived at maturcr years, the confcioufnefs of her ignorance makes ■
her abfcond from the fight or converfation of every rational crCc-v-
ture. Her ideas are narrowed to the ordinary lubje^^s that pais
before her, the bufmels of the plantation, the tittle-tattle of the
parifh; the tricks, Juperftitio.is, diverfions, and profligate dif-
omirfes, of black fervants, equally illiterate and unpohfhcd.

Who IS there, that does not lincerely deplore the lot of this un-
happy tramontane, and blame the inattention of the leglflature to
that important article. Education! To this defect we mull: attri-
bute all that cruel ridicule and farcafm, fo frequently iavifhed upon
thefe unfortunate females by others of their fex, who, having ex- ,
perienced the blefliuLis of a regular courfe of inflruclion at fchool,
are too oflentatioufly fond of holding in derifion what thcv ou^ht
to look upon with candour and concern. What ornaments to fo-
ciety might not thefe negleclcd women have proved, if they could •
have received the fame degree of liberal polifli ! On tlie other
hand, deprived thus of the means of culture and refinement, ill-
furnifliej as they are with capacity for undertaking the province of
managing domelHc concerns, uninformed of what pe.tains to oeco-
iiomy, order, and decency; how unfit are they to be the compa-
nions of fenfible men, or the patterns of imitation to their daugh-
ters!. how incapable of regulating their mamiers, enlightcnijig

their

Tv

280 J A M A I C A.

their underftanding, or improving their morals ! Can the vvifdom
of lecriflatLire be more ufefully applied, than to the attainment of
thele ends ; which, by making the women more defirable partners
in marriage, would render the ifland more populous, and refidence
in it more eligible ; which would banifli ignorance from the rifing
generation, reftrain numbers from feeking thefe improvements, at
the hazard of life, in other countries ; and from unnaturally re-
viling a place which they would love and prefer, if they could en-
joy in it that neceflary culture, without which life and property
lofe their relifli to thofe who are born, not only to inherit, but to
adorn, a fortune.

Tlie women of this Ifland are lively, of good natural genius,
frank, affable, polite, generous, humane, and charitable ; cleanly
in their perfons even to excels ; infomuch that they frequently
bring on very dangerous complaints by the too free ufe of bathing
at improper periods. They are faithful in their attachments j
hearty in their friendfhips ; and fond, to a fault, of their children,
except in the fmgle inftance which I am grieved to have been
obliged to expatiate upon. They are temperate and abftemious in
their diet, rarely drinking any other liquor than water. They are
remarkably expert at their needle, and indeed every other remale
occupation taught them; religious in their lives and fentiments;
-and chafte without prudery in their converfation. In horfeman-
fhip, dancing, and mufic, they are in general very accompliftied :
■in thefe acquired qualifications they excell, more or lefs, according
to the opportunities that have fallen in their way of cultivating
their natural talents, which are very good, and lufceptible of ex-
tenfive improvements. As a foil to the brilliant part of their cha-
ratSler, I mufi: acknowledge, although with great reludlance, that
they yield too much to the influence of a warm climate in their
liftlefs indolence of life. But it is chiefly the fault of the men, if
they do not aflemble till dinner is ferved up, or retire from it with
tlie cloth, to doze away an hour or two, or enjoy a feparate tete a
tele in Ibme adjoining chamber, leaving the men to their bottle. I
have heard it reported of the mafter of a family, that, regularly
after dinner and one circulation of the bottle, he nfed to throw out
broad bints that it was time for all females in company to with-
6 draw ;

BOOK II. CHAP. XIIL 28f

draw; and, when this fignal was difiegarded, gave fo indecent
a toaft, as drove them immediately out of the room ; a pradlice fo
brutal, that it would merit the baftinadoe even among Hottentots.
This unfocial cuflom, however, loies ground, as the men are lefs
attached than formerly to the pleafures of getting drunk. In the
genteeler families, converfation between the two parties is kept up
for a coniidcrable time after dinner. Tea, cotfee, and cards, fup-
p\y the pqffe I emps of jovhl fongs and voluptuous bumpers. They
now contrive, for the moft part, to have a feledl apartment, or
drawing room, for rejoining the ladies after a Ihort reparation ;
and the cuftomary intermixture in large companies, of placing the
beaus and belles alternately, tends much to promote this polite
intercourfe between the two fexes. Formerly the married men
and bachelors ufed tocarouze together almoft every day at taverns;
the fpirit of gaming then prevailed to a great excefs ; and the name '
of a fam'ily man was held in the utmoft derinon.

That irregular courfe of life was accompanied with innumerable
evils. Many gentlemen of rank in the country impaired their for-
tunes, and reduced their families to the brink of ruin. It was
not at all unufual to fee one of them, after lofing all his money,
proceed to ftake his carriage and horfes that were waiting to carry
him home ; and, after lofing thefe, obliged to return on foot.
Drunken quarrels happened continually between intimate friends ;
which generally ended in duelling. And there were very fevv- who
did not fliorten their lives by intemperance, or violence.

The prefent flate of reformation therefore is a very happy
change; which, by re-uniting the fexes, has promoted temperance,
urbanity, and concord. A want of proper education and good
maternal examples has rendered fome women here extravagant in
their expences, and very indifferent oeconomifts in their houfeold
affairs. They employ too numerous a tribe of domeffic fervants,
and are apt to trufl too far their fidelity, which is not always proof
againft ftrong temptations. From twenty to forty fervants is no- /
thing unufual. Perhaps it may not be unpleaflint to the reader, to
fee a lilt of one of thefe houfehold eftabliiliments. I fliall there-
fore prefent him with the following:

I Butler, 2 Footmen, or waiting-men.

Vol. II. Go i Coach-

9

282 \ JAMAICA.

T Coachman, i Key, or fiore -keeper,

I Poftlllion, I Waiting-maid,

1 Helper, 3 Houfe-cleaners,

1 Cook, 5 Waflicr-wonien,

1 Anirtant, 4 Sempflrelies.

^'' Thefe amount all together td twenty. If there are children in

the family, each child has its nurle ; and each nurfe, her affiftant
boy or girl ; who make a large addition to the number. Mod of
/thefe are onboard-wages, from three to four xVAs per week, beildes
their cloathing ; with which they feem to live very comfortably.
A fpeculative writer fuppofes it very feafible, in order to increafe
the number of white inhabitants, that every family fliould employ
white domeftics inftead of Negroes. But he did not reflect, that
even in Britain there is no one clafs of the people more infolent and
unmanageable than the houfe-fervants. Their wages are enormous ;
the charge of maintaining them, their wilful wafte, idlenefs,
profligacy, ingratitude of difpofition, and ill behaviour in general,
are fo univerlally, and (I believe) with good realbn, complained
of, that mod families confider them as necefliiry evils, and would
■gladly have nothing to do with fuch plagues, if their rank or ffa-
tion in life, or their own imbecillities, could poffibly admit of their
keeping none. What then mull: be the cafe in Jamaica, if thefe
gentry are found fo ungovernable and troublefome in Great Britain?
None of them would leave home, to ferve in the colony, except for
very extravagant wages: even thofe that might pafs over would
focn difcover, that, by the policy of the country, there fubfifts a
material diftiui^ion between tiiem and the Negroes. If they Ihould
chance to meet with any black fervants in the fame family, they
would impofe every part of the drudgery of fervice upon thefe poor
creatures, and commence ladies and gentlemen. The females
would attend to no work, except pinning their lady's handkerchief;
and the men, to no other than laying tiie cloth for dinner, and
powdering their matter's hair. The governors ufually bring over
•white fervants with them ; but are very glad to get quit of them,
and fall into the modes of the country. The Negroes arc certainly
much better fervants here, becaufe they are more orderly and obe-
dient, and conceive an attachment to the families they ferve, far

ftronger

ROOIv II. CFIAP. Xni. 283

ftrongcr than may be expeded tVom tlie ordinary u hitc domefl-tcs :
at lead, the inhabitanrs of the ifland feem to be of this opinion;
for thofe gentlemen, wliorc ample fortunes admit rlieir aFordlii;^
the expence of importing and maintaining white fervants, inclinu
iinivcrfally to prefer the Bhicks ; nor wiii thcv, I beheve, ever
\vi(h to incrcafc popuhuion, and frrengthen their fecuritv, by tl^e
introduction of Enghfh valets and frifleurs into their families; the
debauched morals, and diiVoIute praftices of this race of men,
would do more hurt among the Blacks bj the force of example,
than their ability for defending the country could do good. The
iort of men, be(l: qualified for increafing the number of Whites, arc
the Ibber, frugal, and indudrious artilicers ; together with the
poorer farmers and graziers, a hardy uleful people, and mofl fit
for occupying the unfettled delarts, and changing the woods and
wildernefles into flouri(hing paftures and plantation.s.

But to return to what concerns t!ie ladies. Scandal and goflip- 1
ing are in vogue here as well as in other countries. A natural vi-
vacity and openneis of temper are apt to betray the unguarded
into little indifcrctions, which are fumetimes diligently aggravated
and blackened with the tongue of malevolence and envy. Yet few
are more irreproachable in their adions than the Creole women :
they err more in trivial follies, and cajirices unreftrained, than in
the guilt of real vice. And, it" we confider how forcibly the warmth
of this climate mull: co- operate with natural inflinft to rouze the
pafllons, we ought to regard chaftity here as no mean effort of fe-
male fortitude ; or, at lealf, judge not too rigidly of thofe lapfes
which happen through the venial frailty and weaknefs of human
nature. They have not yet learned thofe artifices and difguifes
which women of the world can afl'ume when they pleafe to veil
their fentiments and condu^Sl. Their g'liety inclines them to be
fond of drefs, balls, and company ; and, confidering the fmall circle
of public diverfions in this iiland, it is not furpriling that they
fhould feek to gratify their inclinations by every hvely amulement
of this fort that prefents itfelf I muft add, that they poflefs fome
(hare of vanity and pride ; and that fome few join to the latter an
high and over-bearing fpirit, which, not having been duly checked
in their infancy, is apt to vent itfelf in turbulent fits of rage and

O o 2 clamour,

284 JAMAICA,

clamour, "to the unfpeakable difturbance of the poor animal, whofe
misfortune it may be to be linked in the nuptial bonds with fuch a
temper. Fain would I wifh to relate, that the more gentle and
efleemable fair-ones apply themfelves to repair the deficiencies of
an imperfeft education, by giving fome leifure hours to the mod:
approved authors, by whofe help they might add the delights of a
rational converfation to thofe abundant graces which nature has
bellowed upon them. It is a pity that fuch excellent talents fliould
lie wafle, or mifemployed, which require only cultivation to make
them fhine out with dignity and elegance. To pleafe the eye, re-
( quires only the flcill of a common mercenary harlot ; but to capti-
: vate the heart, and charm the mind, a woman muft divert herfelf,
! as foon as poflible, of grofs ignorance (that fofter-mother of pride),
i filly prattle, and conceited airs ; fl^e muft endeavour, by diligent
reading and obfervation, to enlarge her notions, banifli her preju-
dices, and ftock her intelle£t with fuch improvements, as may en-
able her to bear her part in a fenfible converfation. By thefe eafy
means, flie may fave many a blufl:, when common fubje<£ls ate dif-
cuflcd, of which flie ought not to be ignorant ; (he will entertain
her company in a rational manner, and with correal language, and
not expofe her hufband to be hooted at, for his folly in tying him-
felf for life to a pretty idiot. That audacious flanderer, Dr. Browne,
accufes fome of the ladies here of flaying tlieir faces with the
cauftic oil of the caihew-nut, in order to acquire a new Ikin.
" The procefs" (he fays) " continues fourteen or fifteen days; du-
" ring which they fuffer the moft exquifite torture, which tlieir
*' vanity enables them to fupport with Chriftian patience." And
yet it feems to be to very little purpofe ; " for" (he adds) '< all
" this bliflering leaves the countenance much more deformed, than
" any fpots or freckles could have made it. Happy," (quoth he)
*' had tiiey been equally attentive to the improvement of their
«' mind, which they too frequently neg1e6f ; while they bear fo
*' much pain, to caft their Ikins, in imitation of fuakcs and-
<« adders."

The dodlor, like many other old batchelors, had ftrange flincies
about the operations of the toilet, or (to believe the beft of him)
took a hint, from fome girlifh freak of this kind, which might

have

BOOK II. CHAP. XIII. 285

have come to his knowleJge in the courfe of his medical praftice,
to inlinuate that this colmetic was in general ufe. But the women
here lo univerfally underftand the cauftic nature of this oil, that
they never attempt to open the nuts with their own fingers, for
fear of burning them. All families have the kernels ferved up at
their table in a variety of different preparations. And hence I judge
it impoffible, that any woman, pofleffing two grains of feul'e, could
think of befmearing her whole face with fuch a liniment, which
erodes like aquafortis, though flie might ufe the kernels in emul-
fion. I rather fufpeft the doctor's credulity was impofed upon by
fome wag; and that he feized this occafion to have a fling at the
ladies, who are therefore much obliged to him for fo ingenious a
tale, as well as for the fting at the end of it.

It is remarked here, that the women attain earlier to maturity ,-
and fooner decline, than in the Northern climates : they often
marry very young, and are mothers at twelve years of age. They
confole themfelves, however, that they can enjoy more of real ex-
iftence here in one hour, than the fair inhabitants of the frozen,
foggy regions do in two. The temperance of their life carries
them on, notwithllanding, to a good old age ; it being no un-
common thing to fee women here of eighty or ninety years, and
upwards. A few years fince, a venerable matron died at the age
of one hundred and eight ; and I remember one of ninety-fix, who
enjoyed all her faculties unimpaired, excepting her fight, whicli
truly was fomewhat the worfe for wear. Many of the other fcx
too, who, by conllitution or from prudence, avoid ftrong liquors
and hurtful excefles, arrive at the fame periods of longevity with
fewer infirmities than accompany the fame ages in England, where
old folks are generally fhriveled with cold, and overwhelmed with
catarrhous defluxions, the natural fruits of a rav/, wet atmofphere»
In Jamaica, the warmth and equable flate of the air is friendly to-
age ; and the nutritious quality of its foods preferves vigour and a
lively flow of fpirits.

Intemperance and fenfuality are the fatal inftruments which, in
this ifland, have committed fuch havoc, and fent their heediefs vo-
taries, in the prime of manhood, to an untimely grave. It is-
owing to thcfe dcftru£tive caufes, that v/e perceive here fuch a-

number-

286 J A M A I G y\.

number of young ^v^dows, who are greedily fuapped up by di-
ilrefled bachelors, or rapacious wiilowers, as foon as the weeds are
Jaid afide. Sir Nicliolas Lawes, formerly governor of the iHand,
uled to fay, tlvat the female art of growing rich liere in a fnort
time was comprized iji two lignificant words, " marry and burvy

To fum up the charatfler of the Jamaica ladies, I fliall conclude
with this jemark ; that, confidering the very great defeats in their
education, and other local difadvantages, their virtues and merits
feem juftly entitled to our highefl: encomium ; and their frailties and
failings to our mildefl: cenfure.

SECT. 11.

THE natives of Scotland and Ireland feem to thrive here much
better than the European Englifli. They bring founder confuta-
tions with them in general, and are much looner provided for.
The national partiality, which is made an accufation againft the
gentlemen of the two former parts of the Britifli empire, is lb far
attended here with very good confequences ; for their young coun-
trymen, who come over to feek their fortunes, are often beholden
to the benevolence of thefe patrons, who do not fuffer them to
languifh and fall into defpondence for want of employment, but
take them under friendly protedtion ; and, if they are well difpofed,
they are foon put into a way of doing fomething for themfelves.
The gentlemen are therefore, in my opinion, very often unjuftly
cenfured for doing what humanity requires. This hofpltable ala-
crity to affift and befriend their countrymen, in a place where they
might otherwife become deflitute of fupport, and fick of life, pro-
duces likewife an event very favourable to the colony, by inviting
into it frequent recruits of very able haiids, who add not a little to
its population and ftrength. The offspringof this part of Britain are ex-
tremely numerousandflourifhingin Jamaica. Ihave heard acomputa-
tionmade of no fewer thanone hundred of thename of Campbel only
adtually refident in it, all claiming alliance with the Argyle family.
There are likewife numbers, who, though related to other noble
flocks of the North, deferve much more refpe£l: from their own in-
trinfic worth, than from their illuftrious confanguinity. Jamaica,
^ indeed,

B O O K II. CHAP. XIII. 28;

Indeed, is greatly indebted to North-Brita'm, as very near one third
of the inhabitants are either natives ot tliat country, or dcfccndants
from thofe who were. Many have come from the fame quarter
every year, lefs in queft of fame, than of fortunes ; and fuch is
their induflry and addrefs, that few of them liavebeen difappolnted
in their aim. To fay the truth, they are fo clever and prudent
in general, as, by an obliging behaviour, good fenfe, and zealous
fervices, to gain efleem, and make their way through every ob-
flacle. The EngliOi were never charged with a want of bene-
volence; but, in the exercife of It, they refemble the blind god-
defs Fortune, who fcatters her favours with her eyes fhut before
all that happen in the way to fcramble for them. Abfl:ra£led from
the line I have drawn, the extenfion of friendftiip to an undeferving
man, for no other reafon but becaufe it was his lot to have been
born in the fame parifh, and in preference to one of far greater merit
who chanced to be born two or three hundred miles further diftant,
is illiberal and unmanly, and betrays a mind enflaved, in the moft
contemptible degree, to meannefs and ignorance. In this ifland no
diftindtions ought to fubfiH:, but of good or bad citizens. They
who would feem to maintain any other by their conducff, however
they may atTecft to difdain them with their lips, are of narrow fouls,
and no true friends to the Intereft and peace of the ifiand.

The lower order of white people (as they are called here) are,
for the moft part, compofed of artificers, indented fervants, and re-
fugees.

The firft live well here, and get high prices for their work [.v].
Of the fecond clafs, great numbers uled formerly to be brought

from

[x] I fdcSt a few articles, from wluch fome idea may be formed of the expence of building in
this illand ; ami, tor better comparilbn with the Loiitbn prices, the fums are all reduced to
fterling.

/. s. J. I. s. d.

Mafonry", /if r perch, —— _— . o 4 c-^

Reduced bi Ick-work, per rod, ■ — - ■ 1615

Bricks, /cr /«///. with carriage, 2 2 10

Laying ditto, /fr ?«;//, ■ o 14 i\

Paving ditto on edge, ^fr yard, — — o 3 6|

Ditto ditto flat, ditto, o i 9}

Lime, /Sfr hogdiead, . o 3 zi fo 03 6|

Scantling, plank, and board, per mill, feet, .— — — 811 5

Hardi

288 JAMAICA.

from Scotland, where they were aftually kidnapped by fome man-
traders, in or near Glafgow, and fliipped for this ifland, to be fold
for four or live years term of fervice. On their arrival, they ufed
to be ranged in a line, like new Negroes, for the planters to pick
and chufe. But this traffic has ceafed for fome years, fince the
defpotifm of clanfliip was fubdued, and trade and induflry drove,
out lazinefs and tyranny from the North of Scotland. The arti-
ficers, particularly flone-mafons and mill-wrights, from that part
of Britain, are remarkably expert, and in general are fober, frugal.,'
and civil ; the good education, which the poorefl of them receive,
having great influence on their morals and behaviour. I do not
know whether the overfeers of plantations fliould be confidcred in
a fcparate clafs : they are, for the mod: part, fuch as have paffed
through a regular courfe of fervice in the agriculture of this coun-
try ; and, if they are fcnfible and thrifty, they enjoy very com-
fortable lives, and fave enough out of their falaries to buy a fettle-
inent of their own : fome of them have even become pofleflbrs, in
time, of very large properties, and made a very refpedtable figure
here. Subordinate to the overfeers are the plantation book-keepers,
warehoufe or ftore-keepers, diftillers, tradefmen, and drivers, or
fub-overfeers ; but for tliis lafl: office Negroes are moftly employed.
The crimp's office has fupplied no fmall number of inferior fer-
vants. This office has the fingular faculty of qualifying any man
^ whatever for any art or myftery he inclines to follow in the co-

lonies, and by no other magic than a common indenture; car-
penters, who never handled a tool ; bricklayers, who fcarcely
know a brick from a ftone ; and book-keepers, who can neither

Hard timber, per hundred feet, ■

Belt Carolina fhingles, per mill, about —

Roofing, boarding, and (liingling./fr fquare,

Door-frames, each,

Window ditto,

Framing, lathing, and fliingling roofs, per fquare,

Iron work, /icr pound,

Flat and fquare bars, bcr pound,

Twenty-penny nails, per mi.'.. ■

Ten-penny nails, Liiito, —

Six-penny nails, ditto,

Spike nails, per pound, — -—

/. s.

d.

/. s.

d.

I 12

i|

to 11^

8f

2 17

i|

3 II

l\

3 4

li

2 17

^i

I >5

8|

2 tj

i^

0 0

8f

0 0

81

0 17

0

0 10

3

0 5

41

o \0^

write

BOOK ir. CHAP. xrir. 289

write nor read. Many of thefe menial fervants, who arc retained
for the fake of favlng a deficiency, are the very dregs of the three
kingdoms. They have commonly more vices, and much fewer
good quahties, than the flaves over whom they are fet in authority;
the better fort of which heartily defpife them, perceiving little or
xio difference from thcmfelves, except in Ikin, and blacker de-
pravity. By their bafe f;miiliarity with the worrt-difpofed among
the ilaves, thaydoavery great injury to the plantations; caufing
difiurbances, by feducing the Negroes wives, and bringing an
odJum upon the white people in general, by their drunkennefs and
profligate aftions. In fa6t, the better fort of Creole Blacks difdain U^
to aflbciate with them, holding them in too much contempt, or
abhorrence.

Although the gaol- delivery of Newgate is not poured in upon
thisifland; yet it is an occafional afylum for many who have de- ^
ferved the gallows. Thefe fellows are no fooner arrived, than they
cheat away to the right and left, and off again they flart; carrying-
all away with them, except the infamy of their proceedings,
which they leave behind, as a memento^ to fhew the impropriety of
admitting any other than honefl men to be members of an in-
duftrious colony.

Formerly convi£l-felons were tranfported hither ; but the in-
convenience attending the admiflion of luch milcreants obtained the
inhabitants a relief from them. While the traffic for Scotch fervants, y^
lafted, the legifiature of the ifland lent their helping hand to give it
encouragement; and, in 1703, it was enaded, that a mailer of
any fhip, importing thirty white men fervants at one time, fhould
be for that voyage exempted from paying all port-charges, if any
of the fervants fo brought in fnould happen to remain undifpofed of
at the expiration of thirteen days after their arrival, the receiver-
general was direfted to take charge of them, upon paying to the
importer a certain fum /^r head. He was then to fend them to
the ctijios of that pariiTi, where the greateft deficiencies were ; and
the treafury was reimburfed by the perlon, or planter, en whom
they were quartered. It is curious to remark the prices which at
that time v,tre fet upon thefe fervants, and to compare them with
what are paid at prefent. ,

Vol. IIo Pp Every

290 JAMAICA.

Every fervant, English, Scotch, Welfli, or of the Iflands
of Jerfey, Guernfey, or Man, if in time of war, per

head, ' ■ — — Currency, ^ 1 8

If in time of peace, — — . 14

Irifli fcrvants, in time of war, 15

Ditto, in time of peace, — — ■ ' 12'

Convifts are excepted out of this a£l:; and none have of late
years been fent over, unlefs to the regiments, whofe fervice here
is not much advanced by fuch recruits. The caule of this depre-
ciation of the Irifh I am not informed of; but poffibly they were
more turbulent, or lefs fkillful in work, than the others. They^
are in very different eftimation in South GaroHna ; where what'
are denominated bog-trotters, or fuch as have been accultomed tor-
the bogo-y grounds of Ireland, are- in great requeft for cultivating
their rice-fwamps, for which work they are particularly excellent,
and generally turn out very induftrious.

But to compare the different expence of indented fervants in^
1703 and now. At that time they were obliged, by a law of the'
ifland, to ferve feven years, if under eighteen years of age; and,
if above that age, the term of four.
The fervice therefore of a man, above eighteen
years old, might then be purchafed for a terrrt
of four years, in time of peace, for — — £ ^4

Such a fervant, at the prefent time, would con-
trail only for four years, at from ^^I. to 40/.
per annum, befides his pafllage. He therefore
cofts the importer, for his paifage, ■ — £ 14

His wages for four years, at the lowefl rate of

o^^l. per annum, 140 154.

The difference is, • — 140

A planter therefore could, at that time, hire eleven fervants at
no greater charge, for importation and lervicc, than is now given foe
one. The proportion of deficiency will fland as follows-:
1703, A proprietor of joo Negroes, 120 head of flock,.,

quota of fervants 17 ; charge, -r'. '^.^- 23S

1770, A proprietor of 300 Negroes, 120 head of frock,
quota of fervants 1 1 ; charge, — •— — r 1694

BOOK II. CHAP. XIII. 291

It is no wonder, therefore, that the planters <Io not fiipply their
deficiencies as formerly, by importing indented fervants, but rather
pay the penalty, \vi]ich was fixed, in the year 1715, at 13/. per
annum, and rarely exceeds that fum now, it being feldom doubled ;
or clfe pick up any tranfient vagabonds that chance to fall in their
way, and will ferve for 15/. or 20/. a year.

The firll deficiency-law, paffed in 1681, required a greater pro-
portion. According to this, the fame proprietor muft: have kept
thirty-three. This may account for the greater proportion of
white inhabitants in thole days, when fuch fervants were to be pro-
cured at the mofl trifling expence, and maintained at a very cheap
rate. In their condition, they were little better than (laves during
their term of fervice. They were allowed yearly three fhirts, as
many pair of drawers, flioes and ftockings, and a hat or cap;
which were probably of very wretched fl:ufl\, as the penalty for not
making fuch an allowance was no more than forty fliillings. Their
fubfiftence was direfted to be four pound weight of good flefli or
filh per week, with a fufficient quantity of plantation provifion, fuch
as yams, &c. ; and they were fubjefted to various penalties for
mifdemeanour; viz.

For laying violent hands on their employer ; a twelvemonth's
axtra fervice. — Embezzling or wafting goods, of above 40 j-.
value ; two years extra fervice. — Getting a fellow-fervant with
child ; a fervice of double the time the woman had to ferve. —
Marrying without the confent of their mafter or millrefs ; two years
e-A'/r^ fervice. — Abfenting from fervice without leave; one week's
fervice for every day's abfence. — Wilfully catching the venereal,
or other difeafe ; or ivilfully getting broken bones, bruifes, &c. ;
. to ferve double the time thereby led, and for all charges thereby
occafioned, at \os. a month, after the expiration of their in-
dentures.— Concealing a fervant, or Have; one year's fervice, or
a whipping of thirty-nine laflies, at the option of the injured party,
on conviftion before a juftice. — Stealing timber, or tanning-bark;
3/, penalty, upon convidion. — Forging a certificate of freedom;
on conviftion, to be pilloried, and lofe both ears.

The only material provifions in their favour were, that they
fliouid not be whipped nahcJ, without order of a jufliceof the

r P 2 ■ peace ;

292 JAMAICA.

peace; nor be turned off, when grown infirm, under pretence of

giving them freedom ; nor be buried until the body had been

viewed by a jufticeofthe peace, conftable, tything man, or two

neighbours.

But the penal" claufes of thefe afts have long fince been extinft ;
and at prelent the white Indented fervants are laid under few re-
ftriiflions, except fo far as refpedts their ferving out their term.
And by a later law, pafled in 1736, the milbehaviotir of fervants
durino- their contrail:, and all differences between them and their
mafters (^overfeers of lugar -plantations excepted) are to be heard
and determined before two jufiices of the peace, according to the
nature of the cafe, and without appeaJ, fave that they are to infli6t
no punifliment extending to life or limb. Where they have not
frefli meat, they are allowed four barrels of beef per annum, with
flour, or bread-kind in proportion ; but, in general, their allowance
is not limited; and the tradefmen and better fort mefs with this
overfeer of the refpeftive plantations, unlefs he thinks proper to
keep a feparate table forthera, which is fometimes the cuftom on
very large eftates, where they rarely eat any falt-meat, except for
a forenoon luncheon.

Any mafter of a (hip attemptiiig to carry off the ifland, or run
away with another perfon's white indented fervant, without a dif-
charge from the employer, is, on conviftion, to be adjudged guilty
of felony, without benefit of clergy, and to fuffer accordingly.

Many of the artificers who have come under thefe contra£ls, if
they were fober and diligent, have fettled afterwards in the ifland,
and acquired very handfomc fortunes, particularly the Scotch.
That part of Britain has likewife fumiftied fome of the ableft fur-
veyors known here. There are generally twelve of thefe, wh'o
are commiffioned by the governor, give bond in 300/. for the
faithful execution of their office, and are put under feveral regula-
tions by law. This bufinefs was formerly very profitable ; and ffiU
is fo in the hands of able draughcfmen, the charges of making
plans being extremely high : befides. the ignorance xind knavery of
furveyors, formerly employed to run out the w. od-lands, have
caufed fuch errors as to breed numberlefs difputes concerning the
true fixings and boundaries even to this day ; and the adjuftraent

of;.

BOOK. If. CHAP. XIII. v,^3

of ihcfe contentions is a perpetual fund for employing and fup-
porting the profelibrs of the geometric art.

The Jews were very early I'ettlcd in this ifland, attra(n:ed no leG
by the quantity of gold and filver brought into circulation here,
than the mild difpolition of the government towards them. In
fome of the other fugar-iflands they were prolcribcd, by admittino-
the evidence of pagan flaves agalnft tliem in the courts of juftice.
Yet, although this government was comparatively lenient, they
w<:re opprcliLd, in fome inftances, conformably to that perfecuting
fpirit which zealous Chriftians ufed antiently to manifeft towards
all tliofc who differed from them in matters of faith, particularly
Jews, Turks, and Infidels. But it mult be owned, that the raf-
cally tricks, for which both antient and modern Jews have always
been dirtinguilhed, may have ferved not a little to embitter the po-
pular hatred agiiiuft tliCm. In 1681, a law paffed In Jamaica to
prevent clipping and falfifying of coin, and debafing of gold and
filver wares. The Jews were, at that time, the principal workers
in 'gold and fdver. Tlieir fondnefs for this craft in all ages is re-
markable, and proves the gainfuinefs of it ; and it is ftill more fo,
tliat perhaps there feldom has been fuch a law enacted in any coun-
try, which did not abound with thefe Jewifli artifls.

I think it was in the reign of William III, that the council of
this ifland addreffed the crown to expel all the Jews from this part
of the Britifli dominions, not for the fubftantial reafon above al-
ligned, but for a very whimfical one, viz. becaufe " they were de-
" fcended from the crucihers of the bleffed Jefus." I need not
mention, that his majelly did not think fit to comply with their re-
quell. The gentlemen were not deep enough read in hiftory to
difcover, that the Romans, and not the Jews, puniflied by cruci-
fixion. But, if they fuppofed the Jews of Jamaica to be the li-
neal delcendents fromthat part of the Jerulalem mob wliich ac-
cufed our Saviour before the Romati governor, and, by importuning
for his execution, hectime par/ icipes cn'minis, and fo tranimitted the
guilt down to their third and fourth: generations; we mufr admire
their Ikill in pedigrees, who could thus trace the line of dcfcent
through a courfe of near feventeen centuries. - In thefe days of ig-
norance, and long after, they were not taxed like other fubjects,

but.

294 JAMAICA.

but obliged to raife among them a certain annual tribute, which
the aflembly varied at pleaCure. During the government of Sir
Thomas Lynch, they were aflcffed the annual fum of 750/., be-
fldes one fliilling in the pound on their rents. In governor Molef-
worth's time, they began to make a confiderable figure, and were
permitted to ered fynagcgues, and perform divine worfliip according
to their own ritual. And from this period we begin to date their
deliverance out of bondage in the ifland.

It is uncertain, whether at the fiime period they purchafed the
intereft of a commander in chief to obtain the royal inftruftion,
forbidding the governor for the time being to give aflent to any bill
impofmg this partial taxation ; but it was probable from this origin
their cuftom began of prefenting every new governor, upon his ar-
rival, with a peace-offering, confifting of a purfe of doubloons, I
have heard, that the firfl oblation of this fort was, for decency-fake,
conveyed in a pyc ; whence it has obtained this nick-name. The
■fnialler douceur, prefeuted to a lieutenant-governor, is ftyled a tart;
"and the flill fmaller perquifite, to the fecretary, a tartlet \_y\ Op-
preflion had taught them, that no argument was fo powerful as
this in foliciting for proteflion. It muft be acknowledged, how-
ever, that thefe people have fhewn themfelves very good and
tifeful fubjec^s upon many occafions. When the French invaded

Pllloles.

[_>>] Their prefeiit to a new governor In cliief has generally been, as I am told, about 200

*Fo a lieutenant-governor, — ■ ■ ' - ■ 1 50

To a prefident, I fiippofe the llime.

To the governor's, fi^c. fecretary, —— C^q

I fliall take the opportunity of inentioning here, what I omitted in the proper place, that the
governor's fecretary has no "tixetl falary ; nor any fees allowed by law, except a trifling fiwn oil cer-
-tificates of freedom taken out, which are renewal^le only once in feven yeaiis: but his income is
rated by foine at about 1000/. flerling per annum; and by others much higher. It arifes from
the gratuities he receives on all civil and military commillions and warrants iifiied by the governor,
efpecially upon entrance of the latter into office ^ at which time' it has been often the pradlice to
renew fuch commillions, &c. merely to put money into the fecretary's pocket. And fome go-
vernors have condescended to take a fhare in the profits ; for they are i'lmetimes confiderable, fitty
pilloles h.iving often been given for aii honorary poff in the militia. ' Other emoluments accrue
from let-paflfs, granted to foreign veilels entering Port Royal harbour (« hich may be recktined
among the number of impolitic rcllric^ions laid upon the trade of tiio illaiid) ; likewife from
orders lor furveying crown-lands, and_/«/j; and, in fhort, tVom every other inftrument veiling
any ofKce, preferment, or commilfion, within the governor's gift or appolritu^cnt. F>ut the prin-
.cipal harveitis gleaned, intiiaeof v.-ar, t'rora the grant of letters of muniue, and flags of truce.

this

BOOK If. CHAP. XIII. 295

this ifland during the government of Sir William Bccfton, they
oppofed the enemy with great courage. Their knowledge ot fo-
reign languages, and intercourfe with their brethren, difpcrfed over
the Spaniih and other Weft-India colonies, have contributed
greatly to extend the trade, and incrcafe the wealth, of the ifland ;
for they have always been tlie chief importers of bullion : and the
riches they acquire to themfelves are expanded in effect to .the
public welfare j for they are not mere brokers and money-holders
that may remove ad libit urn; they are allowed to purchafe lands and
tenements, and ailually poffefs a large fliare of both. This gives
them a folid attachment to the interefl: and fecurity of Jamaica ;
which they coafider as their home. Their affe£lion is flill further
flrengthened by the ali'urance, that, under other governments, they
would not be Indulged with the enjoyment of the fame rights,
privileges, and immunities, which they now hold undifturbed.
The provincial law?, it is true, lay them under fome few rcflrici
tions (if they can be properly called fuch, for they rather leem ex-
emption:? from burthen, than privations of any benefit).

They may not officiate, nor write, in any of the public offices.
They muft lupply their deficiencies out of their own nation, and
not by indented Chriftian fervants; but they are allowed to hire
Chriftians tor this purpofe.

Tlieir religion necefiarily excludes them from exercHing any poft
under the government above the rank of conflable ; but the policy
of the Ifland requires ail of them, without dlftindion, to bear arms
in the militia. If they cannot, on accouiit of their religion, hold
pofls of profit, they are neveithelei's excufed, for the fame reafon,.
from troublefome offices, that have no profit anijexed to them,
which are here exceedingly numerous: fo that the balance, upon
the v;iiole, feems much in their tavour. The lenity of the laws,
which tolerate them in^ the free exercife of their relioion and cu-
ftoiTis, permit them to hold landed property, protedt them equally
with other fubjeds in the pofledion and enjoyment of it, and load^
them with no partial or oppreffive taxations, altogether forms a
vfery ample compenfation for t!ie want of a voice in tlie legiflature,
er courts of jufticc. They are confequently contented and har^py
under this government ; and would be more fo, if it was not 'or

their

2^6 J A M A r G A.

fheir own little fchifms in religious matters ; for they are divided
into two tadlions, or Iccls ; one of which, called the Smoiije JewSi
are not acknowledged orthodox by the reft, on account of their
having, through the rigours of the inquilition in the Portuguefe and
Spanilh dominions, relaxed in fome indilpeniable rituals, or inter-
niarried with Chriftians ; by which abomination, they have pol-
luted the pure Ifraeliciili blood with the corrupt ftream of the
Gentiles. The Smoufcs have therefore a diftmcl conventicle, or
meeting, of their own, at a private houfe, where they vociferate, to
the great difturbance of the neighbourhood.

The chief men among the Jews are very worthy perfons, and
ought not to be reproached for the vices and villainies of the lower
rabble, fince they ftrive all in their power to put them in the way
of earning their livelihood honeftly : and, although foir-e fraudu-
lent bankruptcies now and then happen among the poorer and
more knavifli tribe ; yet there are no common feggars of their
nation, the elders having an eftabliflied fund for the relief of all
their poor. They traffic among the Negroes chiefly in falt-fiHi,
butter, and a fort of cheap pedlary wares, manufadured by their
brethren in England. But among the chief men are leveral very
opulent planters, and capital merchants, who are connefled with
great houfes in the city of London. It has been a very ftriking
remark, that the multitude of them fettled in this ifland, the
purchafes they are continually making both of houfes and lands,
and the vaft wealth they coUedively have flaked here, are fure in-
dications that they are delighted with the mildnefs and equity of
the government, and reft fatisfied, that their property is entirely
fafe, and fecurely held ; from a convidion, " that a place of fuch
*' great importance to the mother-country will never be negleded,
" nor fail of receiving all due care and proteftion." Some perfons
have affirmed, that the Jews of this ifland are not fuch rigid ob-
fervers of the Mofaic ritual as their brethren of other countries.
Many of them have been charged with the heavy accufation of
gratifying their appetites now and then with a pork dinner without
licence ; and others are faid to purchafe a difpenfation for it of the
rabbijj after the manner of Roman catholic epicures in the Lent
feafbn. Indeed, the Weft-India pork is of fo exquifite a flavour,

that,

BOOK II. CHAP. XIII. 297

that, if Moles had ever taflcd it, he certainly would not have been
lb unkind towards his followers as to include it in his catalogue of
uon-eatables ; for I do not know any thing more likely to convert
a Jew who wavers in faith in this part of the world, than the temp-
tation of this delicious food ; and it may be owing to the juft con-
lideration of human frailty, that the rabbis here are too politic to
interdi6l abfolutely the moderate ufe of it to the members of their
congregation, or perhaps to abftain wholly from it themfelves. In
regard to other feds, fome quakers were formerly fettled here,
I who came principally from Barbadoes. They had a meeting-houfe
in Kingfton and a burial ground, lituate Weft from the town,
the walls of which are ftill remaining. They afterwards difperfed,
and the greater part retired to New-England and Philadelphia.
Very few here at this time openly profefs themfelves of this order.
The chief inducement for their quitting Jamaica probably was no
other than the indifpenfable obligation nnpofed by its laws, on
every man in the illand, to bear carnal weapons in the militia. This
ordinance was incompatible with their non-refifting tenets ; and all
fuch as adhere to them fo rigidly, are doubtlefs very unlit inhabi-
tants for a fugar-colony, which cannot be defended either from
foreign or inteftine enemies by a flock of Iheep. In 1732, there
appears to have been a remnant of them in the illand^; for a law,
palled in that year, entitles them to vote ateledions, proving their
qualification by affirmation, infteadof oath.

A party of Moravians are fettled here, who in fome particulars
feem to hold refemblance to the quakers. They are chiefly, I
believe, confined to an eftate in the parifh of St. Elizabeth. In
the year 1763, the freeholders of that parilli prefented a petition to
the aflembly, letting forth, " that, for fome years part, many per-
«' fons, who called themfelves Moravians, had arrived there ; that
" they always refufed to do military duty, pleading an exemption
*' by .aft of parliament, of which they had particularly availed
*' themfelves during the late rebellions; that it was conceived fuch
*' a pretext entirely frullrated the ends of the deficiency-law, and
*' prevented a number of white perfons, capable of bearing arms,
*' from being employed upon the eftates where thefe drones had
« met with encouragement." It does not appear that the aflembly
Vol. IL Q q interfered

298 JAMAICA.

ihterfered at all in this matter. It was thought fufficient, perhaps,
that they fliould be left to thofe penalties and articles of war, to
which men of every perfuafion are liable in this ifland during naar-
tial law. The evafion of thefe fchifmatics is not founded on in-
difputable grounds ; for the aS; of parliament (22 George II.
cap. 30 [z]), which they fet up to fkreen themfelves, feems re-
ftrided to the congregation of iin'itas fratrnm^ or Moravians, fettled
in the North- American provinces. This a6l admits them to the
privilege of making folemn affirmation, inftead of oaths or affi-
davits, in civil cafes ; and difcharges them from perfonal fervice
in a military capacity, provided they pay fuch fum of money as
may be afl'efled or rated on them, in lieu of perfonal fervice: and,
to prevent all doubt of their being of the congregation, they muft
piroduce a certificate of their being members of it, figned by fome
bifhop of their church, or paftor, neareft to the place of their re-
iidence; and mud likewife folcmnly affirm, that they are members
as before mentioned ; othtrwife they are not entitled to the benefit
of the adl. It feems pretty evident from hence, that this a6b-does
not extend to Jamaica, becaufe the laws here exempt no man from
military fervice, except the council and fuperannuated perfons ; and
admit no fine or aflefiment in lieu of any man's perfonal duty,.
Every proprietor of landed eftate here holds under cxprefs condi-
tions contained in his patent, that he fhall perfonally bear arms to
repel invafions, and fupprefs infurreftions; and his refufal to do
fo would make his patent voidable. It is true, the owners of thefe
Moravian properties, being non-refideut, efcape from perfonal fer-
vice; but they ought to employ fuch agents, or fervants, in the
management, who will yield due obedience to the laws of the
colony. That exemption cannot poflibly be legal, or juflifiable, .
which, if it extended to all, would endanger the ruin of the co- -
lony. What, for example, would become of it, if the feduftioa
of their example Ihould make converts of all the mihtia in the
iOand, fo that every man of them might turn Moravian, and fet
vip the pleaof confcience to excufe himfelf from his proper fhare of
the general duty and fervice, which the very being of the ifland

•[a] N. B. This aiTl -prohibits them from ferving on juries, or being evidences in criminal

T has

BOOK II. CHAP. XIII. 299

has rendered indifpeniable to all? The confequence is evident. la
order, thereforCj that tliis fed may quietly enjoy their religious
feruples, but at the farjie time make then) inofFenfive to the public
weal, every Moravian proprietor ought to compound for the per-
fonal fervice of himfelf, his lubftitutes, and fervants, who arc
mennbers of the fame church, by being fubjefled to a double de-
ficiency-tax; which is the only fair compenfation, becaufe it
leaves them the alternative of providing an equal number of fer-
vants who will 6ght, in the room of thofc whofe hands are tied
up by confcience. Nor is this repugnant to their principles; for
although they refufe carrying arms, yet they profefs willingncfs
to contribute towards the pecuniary charge of war; which the
quakers refufe. Of the two fe£ls the Moravians are therefore the
better citizens, .fince nothing can be more hateful in the prefent
flate of the world than the pufillanimous doftrine of non-refiilance
againft an invading enemy.

The Moravians poflefs a large tratR: of land in the province of
Philadelphia, W'here they have a fettlement called Bethlem, and
are very zealous in converting the Indians. They publifh no creed,
nor confeffion of faith; ufe mufical inftruments in their worfhipj
and preach in an enthufiaftical drain. The ftyle of their hymns
has fuch a pruriency and wantonnefs in it, as can fcarcely be recon-
ciled with the chafte fervour of a truly pious mind. They are faid
to encourage marriage among their young people, but in a ftrange
way; for they are obliged to caft lots, in order to preferve ati
equality among themfelves. Whether their doctrines are ftriftly
confident with good morality, or not, w^e are not particularly in-
formed. Kalm mentions, that at Philadelphia, where they have
a large meeting-houfe, they ufed to perform fervice, not only twice
or three times every Sunday, but likewife every night after it grew
dark, till they were interrupted by fome wicked young fellow?,
who accompanied every line and ftanza of their hymns with the
fymphony of an inftrument which founded like the note of a
cuckoo. And, upon repeated ferenadings of this kind, they dif-
contlnucd their no^fturnal conventions. We are to fuppofe, that
nothing pafled among thefe godly people in the dark but what was
extremely decent and proper; yet the convenience which this veil

Q q 2 might

300 JAMAICA.

might adminifter to the pra£lical performance of thofe rapturous-
carefles, ravifliing extafies, thrilling tranfports, with all the kiffings,
pantings, fighings, dyings, which fill up the lufcious meafure of
their pialmody, might doubtlefs be apt to ftrike the imaginations
of the prophane, and incline them to fufpeft, that the faints behind
the curtain voluptuoufly mingle a little of the fenfual with their
fjiiritual feelings.

Thefe which I have mentioned are all the fchifmatics publickly
avowed in Jamaica : not but there are many Roman catholics,
and diflenters, who enjoy their refpedive opinions in private, with-
out feeking to form themfelves into diftind congregations, or to put
themfelves to the expcnce of maintaining preachers or paftors.

The laws of the ifland are favourable to the admiflion of fo-
reigners. They empower the governor, by inftrument under the
broad feal, to naturalize any alien who may come to fettle in the
ifland, having firft: taken the oath of allegiance : but they are re-
quired, within thirty days after their arrival, to give in their
names, trades, vocations, &c. to any ciijlos^ or chief magiftrate, and
apply for their letter of naturalization.

They are then declared entitled to the fame immunities, rights,,
laws, and privileges, of the ifland, and in as full and ample man-
ner, as any of the king's natural-born fubjeds, or as if they them-
felves had been born within any of his maje;T:y's realms or domi-
nions. And, in order that fuch patents may be obtained at littfe
charge, the governor is to receive five pounds currency, and his
fecretary ten fliillings, each, and no more, for paffing them.

This matter is further regulated by adl of parliament, pafled
13 George II.; the objed whereof feems to be, that aliens, tranf-
porting themfelves into any of the Britifli colonies, fhould becorrie
entitled to the rights of natural-born fubjeds, on condition that
they remain and refide therein for a certain term of years: for
a multitude of tranfient peifons, transferring their effeds, per-
haps for the fiike of traffic, and having no fixed abode, nor making
any fettlement, would add nothing to the fecurity of a colony ;
but, on the contrary, might do it hurt, by carrying off the profits,
gained on their trade, to be fpent in a foreign dominion, and by
excluding many real Britifti merchanti and traders, who would

otherwife

BOOK ir. CHAP. XIII. -oi

0'

ofherwife have fettled in tlie colony. It enafts, that all perfoiTi;,
born out of his majefty's liegeance, who fhall refide for the fpace
of feven years, or more, in any of his American colonies ; and
that fhall not have been abfent from thence above two months at
any one time ; and that fliall take and fubfcribe the oaths of alle-
giance; or, if quakers, fubfcribe the declaration ; or, if Jews, with
the omifllon of fome Chriftian expreifions) ; and fhall alfo fubfcribe
the profellion of their Chriftian belief (Jews excepted), as direded
by the flatute, i William and Mary, before any judge of the co-
lony they fhall refide in ; and fhall have received the facrament of
the Lord's-fupper in fome proteflant or reformed congregation iu
Great- Britain, or in the laid colonies (quakers and Jews ex-
cepted), within three months of his or her fo qualifying, and
producing a certificate thereof, figned by the minifter of the con-
gregation, and attelted by two wirnefles ; a certificate of all thefe
preliminaries, having been complied with under the refpeidive
colony feal,. fhall be a fufficient proof of his or her being thereby
become a natural-born fubjeil of Great-Britain to all intents and
purpofes whatfoever : and the fecretary of the colony fliall annu-
ally tranfmit, to the board of trade and plantations, lifts of the
faid perfons fo naturalized, to be regiflercd in their office : pro-
vided that fuch perfons fhall not thereby be enabled to be a privy-
counfellor, or a member of either houfe of parliament, or capable
of taking, having, or enjoying, any office, or place of truft, within
the kingdoms of Great-Britain or Ireland, either civil or military ;
or taking any grant from the crown of any lands, tenements, &c.
within the faid kingdoms.

In the conftrudion of this a£l, I do not apprehend,, that the ab-
fence of two months implies any thing more than a remov*al to
fome other dominion, or territory, of fome foreign prince. An
alien, qualified as the law direds, may have his domicile, or fixed
habitation, in one of the Britilh colonies, and neverthelefs, by
reaibn ofhls vocation, either of" a merchant or feaman, be oblieed,,
from time, to time, to pais to and fro between that and fome other
Eritlili colony, fb as to be abfent necefiarily above two months at
one time. But, where his freehold and family are located, there
is (properly fpeaking) his domicile, or home. And it would be In-

confiflenfi.

,^ej 'J AM A I G A.

confiftent w?th the liberal fpirit and meaning of the a6t to fay, that

an alien, having qualified in Jamaica, and purchafed a icttlement

: in that ifland, but making a. voyage eveiy year to the North-Ame-

• rican continent, in the way of trade, or for health, which might

• caufe him to be abfent from Jamaica fomewhat more than two
-months, fliould therefore forfeit his acquired riglit of a natural-born

fubjecl:. It is more reafonable to conclude, that a refidence in any
of the Britifli American colonies for the term of feven years, with-
. out teving bec;i abfent above two months from Britilh territory
during that Ipace, effeftually meets the intention of the a6l.

Foreign proteftants, naturalized under tiie Jamaica law, poffefs
. all the rights of natural-born fubje6ls cimad that ifland. They may
purclwfe lands, or inherit, or take grants from the crown; iiave a
right to reprefent, and be reprefented, in the affembly, if they en-
joy the neceflary qualification in e(l:ate ; and may hold and cxercife
places of truft in the military and civil departments; for fome of
them have aded under commiffion as field-officers in the militia,
judges in the fupreme court and common-pleas, juftices of the
peace, &c.; and the late fecretary, Mr. Ballaguirc, was a natura-
lized German. But I do not remember any in the privy-council.

The claufe, 7 and 8 William III. § 12, ena6ling, " that all
** places of trufl, or what rehates to the treafury of the Britlfli
" Weft-India iflands, (hall be in the hands of native-born fubje^ls
*' of England or Ireland, or of the faid iflands," feems not to ex-
clude thofe who by naturalization are made natural-born.

The foreigners, who have taken the benefit of thefe ads, are
not very numerous in Jamaica ; but, if any townfhips fliould be
Tormed in the central parts of the ifland, perhaps none would be
fitter for the purpofe of inhabiting them than French proteflants.

I fhall next confider the flate of the foldiers quartered here.
The ifland flood but little in need of regular forces, for its defence,
till about the year 1730; when the depredations and outrages,
committed by the Maroons (or wild Negroes, as they were called)
had gone on to fuch a length, that the fettlements were in many
parts deferted, and the inhabitants thrown under the oppreffion of
very heavy taxes, for fupporting a continual intefliiie war, which
•gf:eatly interrupted the bufinefs of their plantations. Thefe mo-
tives

BOOK ir. CHAP. Xlir. 303

tfves engaged governor Hunter to foliclt the duke of Newcaftlc
(then at tlie head of the miniftrj) for two regiments of foot ;
which were accordingly detached from the garrifon of Gibraltar
to their affiftance. The people were told, that thefe troops would
be no burthen to them, for that they were to be vidualed and paid
at the national expence, as they had before been at Gibraltar,
However, the viiftualers not arriving in due time, the aflembly
were called upon to make fome provifion for them in the interim ; •
to which they confented, and pafled a bill for this purpofe, to have '
a duration for fix months only. The governor had aliiired them, .
that, fo foon as the vi51;ualers Hiould arrive, the provifions tijey '
brought fhould be diftributed inftantly among the troops, that the
ifland might not be unneceflarily put to any further expence for
their fubfiftence. But no fooner were tlicy arrived, than he caufed
the provifions to be fold, and retained the proceeds in his own ;
hands, meanly taking advantage of the prcffing neceflity which the
inhabitants were under of keeping the regiments, at any rate, for
their defence. This proceeding, fo di (honourable on the gover-
nor's part, firft gave rife to the country-pay, or allowance, which
is. now granted by annual bilL Thefe troops were, foon aftewards, .
difbanded here ; and fuch of the men as inclined to ftay were
formed into eight independent companies, and kept in pay by the
ifland until the Negroes were brought to fubmiflion ; which hap-
pened in the adminiftration of governor Trelawny, about die year
1739, In the year 1745, they were incorporated into a regiment,
.and the command given to that governor. They then became in-
titled to receive pay from the crown ; but, neverthelefs, the af-
fembly made an additional provifion of twenty fliillings per week
to each officer, and five fliillings to each private. This pay has fince
received confiderable augmentation ; and it is at prefent upon tho
foljowing eftablifliment : ,

P^rWeek.

T6' every lieiitennnt-colonel, major,!

captain, lieutenr.nt, or cnfisjn, | i O o

Captain's lodging, ! 2; lu6 o o Mmiecl officer.

His wite, 10 g

5 o

Child,

aerjcant, corporal, diuin, or private, — 50 13 ■. (■ Kon-commif-

'-.'■m' 39 9i?o>J9i:o^ fioiied iuui

d^.ijUl, , . . 3 .0 6 10 0 J L private.

For

204 JAMAICA.

For Lodgings. Per Annum,

Xieutenaut-colonel, — — A S"*

Major ' 50

Lieutenant, enfign, or furgeon, ^ 20

They are likewife allowed to buy their rum free of the ifland
.duty, which is a faving of from \ s. to \s. 6 </. ^(?r gallon ; an ad-
vantage purpofely given them by the legiflature, that they might
be enabled to buy it of the bed quality, inftead of debauching with
the balderdafh liquor, fold under the name of rum by the keepers
of retail fhops.

The fubliftence ia, in the three towns of St. Jago, Kingfton,
and Port Royal, paid into the hands of the men; but. In
the country-quarters, to their commanding officers, for the ufe
of the foldiers. A diverfity of opinion has prevailed in regard
to this mode of payment ; as the foldiers in fome of the
country quarters have, in one or two inftances, appeared to
have been defrauded of their dues, or fupplied with putrid and un-
wholefomeprovifions, which were fold to them much above their
prime-coft. It was argued, that, with money in their hands, the
jnen might purchafe much better in quality, and more in quantity,
of frefli meat and wholefome victuals; and that every country-
barrack would attrail a market for the fale of hogs, poultry, frefli
£fh, fruits, and roots, which are articles produced and vended by
almoft all the Negroes.

On the other hand, it was alledged, that, by paying the al-
lowance in money to the common ioldiers, they would become,
in fome degree, independent of their officers ; that they would
diffipate it in fpirituous hquors, grow enervated with tipling, re-
laxed in their difcipline, and impaired in their vigour and health.

I do not take upon me to reconcile thefe difterent opinions ; but
.certain it is, that all the men are not prone to drunkennefs, in par-
ticular thofe who have wives and children ; that they prefer frefli
meat to fdt, and the many excellent roots, pulfe, and herbs, of the
ifland produce, to bifcuit, which will not keep any long time
nndecayed in this climate ; that a pound of frefli meat is far more
nutritive, and will go much further in fatisfying hunger, than a
pound of beef hardened with fait ; that falt-beef creates an arti-
!iicial thirfl: ; and that this produces a conftant appetite for drink,

and

BOOK II. CHAP. XIII. 305

and therefore mofl likely, either to make fots of thofe men who
were not fuch before, or to confirm others more inveterately, in
their drunken habits ; and, laftly, that money and a demand are
the only things rcquifitc to procure a regular aiid well-ilipplied
niaikct in a country which abounds with provifion. There is,
moreover, a very great diiference in the air and fituation of the
dillbrent barracks; lb that, in fome of them, a diet on fait pro -
vifioi), concurring with any local depravity of the atmofphere,
may difpofethc body to very malignant diftempers; while, in other
barracks, the fame diet may prove much lefs injurious to a foklier's
hcaltii. Thus, of fifty uni'eafoned men, quartered at an inland
barrack for three years, not one died of any diftemper; though
otber companies of the fame regiment, quartered on unhealthy
fpots near the coail, were (ickly, and buried feveral of their men.
I would not mean to infinuate any thing to the difadvantage of fo
refpedtable a body as the officers in general are ; but fome among
them are not immaculate; nor is it to be fuppofed but they are
fubjeft, like other men, to human frailties. The worthier part of
them, I am convinced, upon a due confi deration of the fubjed,
might fall on Ibme plan of regulation, to the end that thefe bene-
volent aids, which the inhabitants grant to the poor foldiers and
their families, may not be mifapplicd ; that their health fliould be
effectually confulted, as well by feeding them with wholefome pro-
vifions, as by reftraining them from the immoderate ufe of fpi-
rituous liquors.

An officer, who attends flri(51:ly to the health of his men in botli
cafes, certainly renders the molt eflential ferviceto the king and to
the public, and makes the beft return to the good intentions of the
people, by thus fupporting the ability of the troops, to give that
protection in time of needy which, I conceive, is the chief delign of
their being Rationed in this ifland.

By the encouragements given to the troops, the fervice here is
become far lefs difagreeable than in mofl other parts of the Wefl-1
Indies. The private men, who are married, are, by living in a
regular manner, more healthy than the unmarried. The children
are very little burthenfome to their parents; and, when a woman
has the misfortune of lofing her hufband, (he continues but a fliort
Vol. II. Rr time

3o6 JAMAICA.

time in a ftate of viduity : the fame reafon, which in England
might deter any fuitors from addrefling her, namely a crowd of
children, is here the certain recommendation to a number of can-
didates for the honour of her hand; and happy is he, who fucceeds,
and gains her in marriage; for he enters into prefent poflefTion of
her children's pay, which continues even though fome of them
may be capable of earning an Income with their own hands. And
from this fource, for every able-bodied foldier thus fent abroad
from Great-Britain, that kingdom may poffibly receive back, at
the time the forces are recalled, a large flock of young recruits, to
fupply the lofles occafioned by death during the abode of the re-
giments in Jamaica. But, if any flay behind, they probably ac-
quire more riches to the nation by exerting their induflry in the
colony, than they could have done had they returned to the mo-
ther country.

The author of a pamphlet, entitled, " Confiderations upon the
«' Military Eflablifhments of Great-Britain and her Colonies," re-
commends to government, " that the troops, intended for garri-
" fonlng the Weft-Indies, fhould, after palling three years at New-
** York, be removed to the Weft-Indies ; and, after three years
" longer ftay to garrifon thofe parts, fhould be recalled home,
" being firft compleatcd to their full numbers before their return to
" Britain ; and fuch numbers to be fupplied by the refpedtive iflands
*« and colonies." The former part of this fcheme feems plaufible
enough, becaufe the vicinity of New- York to the Weft-Indies
may admit of fuch a remove with great expedition and facility ;
and becaufe the troops, after enduring three North-American fum-
mers, which are even hotter than the fame feafon of the year in
our Weft-India iflands, may be fuppofed tolerably well feafoned to
the change. But their cloathing fhould be very different for the
Weft-India fei:vlce from what might be thought neceffary in North-
America ; and they ought to arrive at their Weft-India deftination
in December, January, February, or March, that they might not,
in feparating to their country-quarters, be expofed to either the in-
clemency of the rainy feafons, or the great heats of the fummer
months. The author's propofitlon about recruiting the regiments
oi> the fpot is by no means admiliiblc with refpe<5t to the Weft-In-
dia

BOOK II. CHAP. XIIL 307

(iia iflands; for, if it was praflicable to make fuch drains from
thefe iflands, already in want of white men, for fuch a purpofe,
they would occafion a very great infecurity, by wafting the fubftan-
tial ftreno til of every colony every third year, and by that means
endanger our fettlements in them, without effeding any collateral
benefit either to the army or nation ; for fuch recruits would be of
very little fervice after their emigration to Europe ; the change to
a damp, cold climate, and hard duty, would foon render them in-
valids. Befides, their inlilling of hired and indented fervants (for
none other are likely to offer) would inevitably obftrud the planting
bufinefs, and occalion continual quarrels and law-fuits between the
planters and the military ; which, in their confequences, mio-ht
prove extremely embarrafiing to government both abroad and at
home.

The laws, for inftance, of Jamaica inflift a penalty of 200/. oh
any captain, or commander, of any (hip, attempting to carry away
a hired or indented fervant as a failor or palTenger. They make
the carrying off any fuch fervant, by any perfon, felony, without
benefit of clergy; and impofe a penalty likewife of 20/. on every
perfon hiding, hiring, or employing, a hired or indented fervant
without a difcharge from his laft mafter or employer, attefted by a
juftice of the peace. The parliament, no lefs attentive to the fe-
curity and welfare of the Wefl-India iflands, in 1746, pafled an
adl to prevent the imprefling of mariners in thofe parts ; and, in
1756, when the defence of the North-American provinces required
that indented fervants fliould be inlifled, they took care to reftrain
the permiffion, by the mofl exprefs words, to " the Britifh colo-
'< nies upon the conlifient of America;" which evinces their cau-
tion, that no pretence might be made for extending this a6l to the
Weft-India colonies.

The North-American recruits arc, in general, unfit for the
Weft-India fervice ; for which reafon (unlefs there appears any in^
vincible neceflity to juftify Tuch an expedient), it might be more ad*
vifeable to recruit from Europe than from that continent ; for the
North-Americans are far lefs hardy than the Europeans, and,
during the laft and former war, died in numbers whenever they
were removed to a diftance from home. It is very difficult for

R r 2 them

3o8 JAMAICA.

them to inure themfelves to a climate ditFerent from their own ;
nor do they bear tranfplanting into the Southern colonies fo well
as the Eritiih, Irilh, Germans, or Swifs. I cannot therefore but
furmiie, that fuch a proje£t, if carried into execution, would prove
in the iffue no better than a plan for facrificing triennially fo many
hundred poorviftims, and eflentially diftreffing the fervice. In the'
expeftation of two thoufand effedlive foldiei-s to be conflantly kept
here, the inhabitants expended near 1 00,000/. in building barracks
for their accommodation ; which are fo difpofed among the different
pariflies, that they are calculated to afford a general protection to
the internal parts, and capable of holding more than that number
of men, befides their officers. But, in 1764, when the 49th and
74th regiments were relieved, the people had the mortification to
find, that, inftead of two regiments of one thoufand men each,
they were to be protected by two of four hundred and fifty each;
which was lefs than one half the complement they expe6led; and
confequently their barracks, on which they had laid out fuch large
fums of money, raifed by taxes, which fell very heavily on the
planters, for three years, were left to moulder into decay, for want
of being tenanted.

The fmalleft number that ought be cantoned here, for the in-
ternal fecurity of the ifland in time of peace, is an eftabliflTment
of one thoufand and thirty-five effedlives, to be diftributed ac-
cording to the plan hereafter defcribed ; by which, everyone of the
new barracks would be garrifoned, and kept from going to decay ;
and the guard fo well balanced in the refpeftive counties and pa-
rifhes, in proportion to the danger they may feverally be expofed to
from fudden infurredlions, as would probably be an effe*Slual curb
upon the mutinous and difaffeifled. But, to form a body for this
eftablifliment, either two reduced regiments fliould be raifed to five
hundred and twenty-five mien each; or one regiment, under the
name of the Royal American, be compleated to one thoufand and
thirty-five men. In time of war, if government fhould judge two.
regiments necefllary for the better defence of the ifland againfl fo-
reign enemies, it will appear from the following ftate of the bar-
racks, that they are in a condition to accommodate between two
and three thoufand men exclufive of their officers.

4. Prefent

309

County.

BOOK II. CHAP. XIII.

Prefent State of the different Barracks:

I'aiifl), Situation of Barracks. Number of Troops they can re-

ceive, exclufive o( Officers.

f St. Catbaiiiic,

St. Jatjo dc la Vega,

Ditto,

Fort Auijufta,

St. Dorothy,

Old Harbour,

St. John,

I'oint Hill,

St. Mary,

Hac;r.als,

Wijaicfex, <

Ditto,

Port Maria,

Ditto,

Auracabeflii,

Ditto,

Anotto Bay,

St. Anne,

Port St. Anne,

Claiendon,

Chapel,

LVere,

Carlille Ba}-,

'Port Royal,

Fort Charles,

Kin;;fton,

Kingfton,

Ditto,

Rock Fort,

St. Andrew,

Stonv Hill,

Surrv, •^

St. Thomas in theEall,

Morant Ba}',

Ditto,

I'ort Morant,

Ditto,

Bath,

I'onland,

Fort George,

^St. George,

Gibraltar Point,

fSt. Elizabeth,

Black Rh-er,

Weftraoreland,

Savannah la Mar,

Connvall, ) Ditto,

Delve,

Hanover,

St. Lucia,

St. James,

Montego Bay,

Marthabrae,

300
300
70
70
70
60
60
70
70

ICO

50

300

200

70

120

70
70

30
70

100

47
100
100

1220

9^5

447

Total in the three counties, 2572

Befides thefe, there are feveral old barracks, which were built
during the war with the Marons, and are fHU kept in repair ; viz.
in Middleiex fix; Surry two; Cornwall three; in all, eleven;
which are capable of holding a confiderable body of men, if oc-
cafion ihould ever require their being garrifoned [<;?]. A governor
once replied, when he was folicited for a party to be quartered at
one of the inland barracks, " that his majelty's troops were fent
*' hither to guard the coafls, not to proteft the internal diftrifts
'« from Negroe infurgents." But it is boped that every admini-
firation will not be guided by fo abfurd a policy. The men of pro-
perty in this ifland pay an ample contribution, in order that it may
be protedted, not fo much from French or Spaniards, as againfl
the machinations of the many thoufand flaves, which, in proportion
as the fettlements advance further and further into the heart of the

[rt] Thefe would be moil convenient for receiving the corps of rangers propofed, under the
head of " Militia."

country,

3IQ JAMAICA.

country, grow the more formidable from their multitude : I fpeak
chiefly of imported Africans, who are the moft to be feared. Men
mufl firft believe their life and fortune tolerably fecure, before they
will venture to fettle. But if the troops, inftead of being gar-
rifoned in the internal parts, where the greatefl: danger lies, where
the fettlements are few and fcattered, and incapable of defending
themfelves, are ranged along the coafts, which in time of peace
. require, no fuch guards, and at any time are leafl: healthy, and too
remote from the centre to afford a feafonable relief; can the in-
•liabitants be faid to receive that degree of proteftion from tiiem»
to which they are entitled ? It may perhipsbe never prudent to
leave the maritime forts without fome garrifon, to prevent fur-
prizes ; and the larger towns require a fufficiently ftrong guard,
for many obvious reafons. To anfwer therefore every one of thefe
purpofes, we may fuppofe the following eftabli(hment of a corps,
for this fervice, to confifl: of

Twenty companies, of fifty privates each, looo

Two field-officers,

Twenty captains.

Twenty lieutenants.

Thirty furgeons mates.

Two furgeons in chief.

Forty ferjeants.

Twenty corporals, -== — — — — ' 134

The complement total, 1034
The offices of barrack-mafters and adjutants might be executed
by fome of the wwr of officers.

For their cantonment in time of peace, I propofe the following
fcheme; by which it will appear, that the principal towns and
port are well guarded, and the mofl unfettled diftri^ts as well de-
fended, as the number can admit on the fcale of an equal protedion.

Head-

BOOK II. CHAP. XIII.

Head-qiiarterJ, St. Jago de la Vega,

3»

County.

Pnrini.

Situation.

N« of each
Garrifon.

Total in each.
County.

"St. Catlmrlne,

St. Jago,

100

Ditto,

Fort Augnfta,

"S

St. Dorothy,

Old Harbour,

'S

St, John,

Point Hill,

50

MiiUlefes, .

St. ^Iar>-,
Ditto,

Port Maria,
Auracaheflii,

2;

12

Ditto,

Anotto Bay,

12

St. Anne,

Port St. Ar.n?,

'S

Clarendon,

Chapel,

SO

.Vcre,

CarlilleBay,

12

456

'Port Royal,
Kingrton,

Port Royal,

150

Kingllon and Rock Fort,

75

St. Andrew,

Stony Hill,

io

Sr. Thomai in the Eall,

Mora at Bay,

12

Surry,

Ditto,

Port IMorant,

13 ^

Ditto,

Bath,

25

Portland,

Fort George,

fO

^St. George,

Gibraltar,

fO

424

■St. Elizabeth,
Weftmoreland,

Black River,

^5 ■

Savannah la Mar,

25

Cornwall, -

Ditto,
Hanover,

Delve,
Lucea,

=5
25

St, James,.

Montego B.-iy,

50

Marihabrae,

Total, I0J5

The additional expence to the illand for their maintenance would
(by the bed calculation I can make) not exceed the prefent annual
fupply more than 7000/., even allowing one third of men and
officers to be married, and to have one child each at an averacre;.
which is certainly a very large reckoning ; fo that the ifland, if it
be thought ncceflary, is capable of fiipporting fuch an augmen-
tation; much more fo (it may be imagined) at tliis time than fome
years ago, when the aflembly petitioned for a conftant eftablini-
ment of two thoufand men, which would have brought upon them
an additional charge, of at ieaft 18,000/. ^^r annum.'

In regard to the ftate of health of the foldiers here, the following-
table will convey fome idea of it. I have already noticed feveraL
caufes of their ill health in particular cantonments, which may
admit of fome fit regulations for their remedy. The complementv'
of the two regiments, landed here in June, 1764, and lately re-
lieved, confifted, as I am informed (at four hundred and fifty each
reduced eftablilhment), of nine hundred effeiSlives ; and it is proper

to

:;,!« JAMAICA.

toremarkj that the 36th was kept at head-quarteis and neighbour-
hood ; and the 66th at the out-pofts.

Deaths.
Reghiient ^^th. Regiment 66th.

1764,

— 30 — 102

5> - — 53 — 32

6, 30 — 30

7, 22 — . 30

8, 27 . — 41

9, 29 — 32

1770, 42 ' — 43

.1771, ^ — 22_

Totals, 261 ■ -- — - — 233

Aveviige, per afmu/n, 324. — — — 41 1

According- to this table, of the 36th there died, per annum, one
in every fourteen ; and, of the 66tli, one in every eleven. The
fmalleft lofs of the 36th was about one in twenty ; and, of the
66th, about one in nineteen. The havoc among the 66th, on
the firft year of their arrival, I have accounted for, in fpeaking of
the quarters of Black River and fome otlier out-pofts. In that
year a detachment was fent on the Havannah fervice ; and the ftflte.
of the troops appeared, from the return then laid before the af-
fembly, as follows; viz.

Detachment, ____ ^00 Men

Eftedives remaining, — — 301

In the hofpital, - • • 104

Of thofe in hofpital, the governor mentioned that feveral were re-
covered fit for duty fince the laft returns had been made; and that
others were in a fair way.

The calculations, which Dr. Price has made, are ;
Deaths, — i in 2o|, London ; — i in 19I, Vienna; — per annum.-

Now, it is worthy experiment, whether, by proper diet of frefh
meat, a moderate allowance of the- bed rum, and care in re-
moving all nuifances, and fources of putrid diftempers, from the
feveral barracks in this ifland, the deaths might not be reduced to

the

BOOK IT. CHAP. XIII. 31 j

the flandard of London or Vienna. Let us however compare the
above account (bad as it may feem) v/ith two examples, one taken
from the Eatl, and the other from the Well-Indies. It was not long
fince given in evidence, before the Houfe of Commons, that the
climate of the Eaft-Indies deflroyed 700 out of 1000 men, in one
campaign after their arrival. On the expedition to St. V'incent, one
regiment buried 122 in one year, and 309 in tliree ; tlie average of
whicli is about i in every 4. The truth is, as Dr. Lind has well
oblcrved, that every ifland in the Weft-Indies, and other parts of the
world, has its healthy and unhealthy fpots. The nature and exigen-
cies of tlie fervice prevent the troops, fent over to garrifon our
larger iflands, from being kept on any one particular fpot, which
might be fele^led on account of its good air ; in fome cafes neceffity,
in otliers inattention to the important evils, which originate from
leemingly trifling caufes, have occaiioned the eredion of barracks in
very improper ficuations ; near fwainps, the oozy banks of rivers,
and {linking lagoon waters. Sometimes an injudicious pofition of
the fick wards and offices, has thrown a conftant annoyance of an
impure air upon the healthy ; and fometimes a tendency to ficknefs,
and bad fevers, has arifen from the very materials with which the
barracks have been built. Thus, the barracks in Clarendon and at
Bath, being of ftone, were found infalutary to the men lodged in
them, until the walls were lined with plaifter. Some fpecies of
fione are extremely porous, imbibing and tranfuding moifture free-
ly ; others are lo firm and compavfl in their texture, that they con-
denfe the watery particles in damp weather upon their furface, which
trickle down the fides of walls, or pafs oft again in a reek. Stone
buildings, without lome precautions, are not wholefome habitations
in the Wefl-Indies. They ought to be furrounded with a flied, or
piazza, to keep off the beating of heavy fhowers ; the walls within
Ihould either be lined with a facing of brickwork, plaiftered, or of
boards, fet off about i or 2 inches, leaving a fpace behind for the
free circulation of air between, in order to prevent their becoming
damp. The ill contrivance of the barrack at Lucea, I have noticed
in the account of Hanover parifh ; if the hofpital there, thcfterco-
rary, and kitchen, were changed to leeward of the dwelling, this
barrack is in other refpeds not ill fituated for health. The lame
Vol, II, S f remark

314 JAMAICA.

remark may be applied likewife, to fome other barracks in the iflatid,
which require more windows for admitting the air, proper remedies
for damp walls, the draining away of ftagnant water, and removal
of the fick wards and offenfive fmells, to a quarter where they
may not incommode the men who are in health.

Reafon and experience point out, that men, coming from a cold
into a hot climate, fliould make the change at that feafon of the
year, when the degree of heat is leaft at the place of their de-
itination ; by which means, the tranfition will be more gradual,
and therefore produdive of a lefs violent fhock to the conflitution.
On their firft arrival, the change of climate moft commonly brings
on a diarrhoea. If the men at this time, and during tlie fucceeding
twelve months, are not hindered from befotting thcmfelves with
new rum, or from dieting too conflantly upon lalt fifh, fait beef or
pork, and rancid butter ; they will probably be feized with violent
fevers of the putrid clafs, and it may be expelled that many of them
will die.

The mofl: wholefome beverage for them would be fugar and

water, with or without a moderate allowance of old rum; what is

ftill preferable, is the cool drink, prepared here by many of the free

Negroe and Mulatta women, who vend it cheap to the foldiers. It

is made with a mixture of fugar, guaicum chips, and ginger, infufed

together in hot water, and afterwards worked into a ferment with

a piece of frefh gathered chaw-flick ; which, by the quantity of

fixed air contained in it, foon excites a confiderable froth, and

imparts a flight bitter, of a very agreeable flavour. This drink,

when cool and depurated, is racy and pleafant, extremely whoJe-

Ibme, and, if taken in too large quantities, intoxicates in fome

degree, but without caufing any ill effedl to the conflitution.

This liquor might eafily be brewed twice or oftener in the week,

at the barracks, and drank by way of a change. The plantains,

yams, and caflava bread, are nutritious, wholefome, and, after

a little ufe, preferred by moft of the foldiers to flour bread or

bifcuit at their principal meal, and are far cheaper. The potatoes and

cocos are not lefs nourifhing. Haifa pound of what is called in

England make-iveight beef, confifling of the coarfer parts, with

iome of thefe roots, the efculent herte of the country, fuch as the

colalu,

BOOK 11. CHAP. XIII. ^i^

colalu, ocra, ^c. every where to be had in ahundancc, with a
fmall ieafoning of the country pepper to corredl their flatulence,
would make a moft wholefome and ftrcngthening mefs for one or
two men, and at no greater charge than about 6 J. or at mofl
y ^d. currency.

Particular attention ought likewife to be given to the quality of
the water, with which the men are fupplied. The barracks at Port
Royal and Fort Augufta are ferved from the Rio Cobre, a perfon
being paid about 400 /. /'^r ^«;z«;« for this purpofe : it would pro-
perly be the furgeon's duty to examine this water from time to
time, left, to fave a little trouble, it fliould be taken up too near
the mouth of the river, and fo be impregnated with the fait water
in the harbour : it ought likewife to be fufiered to fettle for fome
time in calks or jars, that it may not be drank in a turbid ftate,
which would probably occafion fluxes.

It was intended, fome timefince, to form a ciftern at Port Royal,
to be lined with lead, for holding water for the ufe of the troops
quartered there : but it may not be impioper to remark here, by the
way, that water, ftanding for any time in a leaded veflel, becomes
impregnated with thepoifonous qualities of that metal ; and from late
difcoveries, and many well-attefted facls, has been found to produce
cbftinate conftipations, and cholicky diforders in the bowels, and not
unfrequently paralytic complaints. The water at Rock Fort is
brackifli andunwholefome ; but the officer commanding there, being
allowed a boat, and fix Negroes to navigate it, might eafily fupply
tliat fmall garrifon from Kingfton. At thofe places (if any fuch
there are in this ifland) where none other than brackifh water can
poffibly be procured, it may be rendered potable and wholefome by
diftillatioii [/']; or by fuffering it to percolate through land, with which
feveral puncheons, open at one end, might be filled to one third of
their depth.

Coolnefs of drefs is another eflential article, whenever they arc
on a march in the country. When lieutenant colonel Spragge

[i] Cap'ain Walli?, of his majcfty's (hip Dolphin, mentions, that in 5 hours and a quarter's iVilYd'
lation, he obtained horn 56 gallons ot fea water fix and thirty gallons of frefh, at an expence of
nine pounds weight of wood, and fixty-nine pounds weight of coals. Thirteen gallons and two
f^iarts remained in the Hill; and that which came off, had no ill tafte, nor (as he had often
experienced) any hurtful quality.

Voyage round the World, vol, I. p. 5 1 ^.

3/2 commanded

3i6 JAMAICA.

commanded a party of the forty-ninth regiment, agalnft the
Maron Negroes, he provided his men with flannel jackets hned
with hiien ; this was their only covering overthe fliirt. In the day-
time, they wore the linen next their bodies, and at night the
woollen : in this drefs, they were cool by day, fufficiently warm at
nioht, and went through an aftonifliing courfe of fatigue, without
injury to their healths ; not one of the party having fiillen fick
during tlie whole time of their being on that fervice.

The !av>>s of the ifland contain very few particulars relative to
the regular troops. The hiring, conceahng, employing, entertain-
ing, or carrying off any foldler belonging to any regiment quartered
here, or feaman belonging to any of his majefty's Ihips on this Na-
tion, without a difcharge from their commanding officer, llibjeds
the offender, upon conviftion, to the penalty of 50 /.; and the perfon
io hired, &c. is admitted an evidence, and entitled to one half the
£ne for informing.

A foldier, maimed or wounded in any publick fervice, is to be
cured and maintained at the publick charge [c],

A lot of land at Bath is referved for ereding an infirmary for
fick foldiers, labouring under complaints remediable by the waters;
and another lot for a burial-ground.

Contiguous to all the old country barracks, one hundred acres are
allotted for the ufe of the foldiers, v;ho may be pofled in them ; but
•iis they have received no garrifons fince the pacification with the
Marons, the mod part of thefe lands have been given up to the
gentlemen poflelTed of plantations near them, on condition of keep-
ing the buildings in conftant good repair.

I Hiall clofe this account of the white inhabitants, by obferving
en the very capital errors which feem to have been committed by
different writers in refpedt of their number; for fome have not
Icrupled to aflert that, in 1720, the ifland contained 60,000 Whites;
and that, in 1740, the number was but little reduced. It is impoffible
to reconcile thefe accounts with the reprefentation made by the
board of trade to the houfe of lords in 1734, when 7,644 was
itated as the whole number of Whites at that time upon the ifland.
I have fuppofed the prefent number (in the preceding parts of this

[r] idSi.

work)

BOOK II. CHAP. XIII. 317

work) about i 7,000 exclufive, of trantients, ibldiers, and feaa^cn. At
the very lowell I could not dedud more than 1000 from this calcu-
lation ; for the towns, villages, and hamlets certainly contain altoge-
ther not leisthan 9000 ; and 7000 will not bethought too many to
allow for the lligar plantations, penns, and fmaller lettlements. In
175c, a gentleman of ability in the illand made the computation,
that it contained 10,000 planters, merchants, Ihopkeepers, hired
and indentured fervants, and artificers; or upwards. To fuppofe
therefore an advance of fix thoufandor mor^, fnice that period, con-
lidering the vail multiplication of houfes and fettlements, both in the
towns and country parts, feems not at all extravagant. The account
of its population about the time of the great earthquake at Port
Royal, as cited by Dr. Browne, and put at 17,307, is evidently er-
roneous, having been copied from the eftimate taken when Sir
Thomas Modiford was governor, about the year 1670 ; which con-
founds the Whites with the Blacks, and clafles the whole under the
general title of the inhabitants. A more accurate lift was given, du-
ring the government of Sir Thomas Lynch, in 1673, ^vhich I have
quoted at length. This makes the Whites 8,564, and the whole
number of inhabitants, of all complexions, 18,068. We find bv
Sir William Beefton's paper (in thefirft book,) that in 1664 the num-
ber of regimented Whites was no more than about 3000; which,
being fuppofed one half of the whole, makes 6000, befides tiiofe
employed in privateering, which may be reckoned about 800;
total 65800.

In 1670 they muflcred for the militia, 2,720
And on board privateers, 2,500

5,200
Allowing two fourths of that number
for women and children, or — 2,600

The whole flock of Whites amounted to 7^0", or only 764 leis than
in the year 1673, which gives an increale of about z^o per annum.
In the year 1678, according to the fame account, the mihtia

muftered 4,526

Allowance forfeamen, who were
reduced very much in number in
confequeuce of the American

treaty ;

J

5,8 JAMAICA.

treaty ; and betook themfelves,
fome to planting, and lb incor-
porated with the land-men ; and
fome to piracy in other parts of
the Weft-Indies, — 5°^

5,026

Women and children — I2JH
and the whole number appears

to have been about — 7,539; by fome, computed 10,000.

Several defertions happened aboutlhiFtime and afterwards, in con-
fequence of fome arbitrary meafures of government ; which doubt-
lefs reduced the number, and retarded the increafe of the colony:
the number which left the ifland was computed at five hundred or
upwards.

About the year 1702, the Negroes imported were S43, exported
27; fo that no more than 516 remained to fupply all the planta-
tions in the ifland. Even in 1720, their confumption amounted to
no more than 2,249; ^""^ i" ^734' ^° 2,904. If therefore we con-
fider the demand for Negroes, as one fure teft to judge of the in-
creafing population of a Weft-India colony, which it manifeftly is;
and that the inhabitants were all this while kept almoft perpetually
in arms, to oppofe the Marons, who deftroyed many infant fettle-
ments, and hindered others from being formed ; I do not think, that
the number of Whites can be fuppofed to have rifcn at any time
much above 8, or 9,000, until the pacification with thofe difturbers.
The author of an ingenious tra£t (entitled " Account of the
European fettlements in America") allots 25,000 Whites to Jamaica.
If he had meant all the refident Whites, and thofe of white extrac-
tion, he would not probably have been very wide of the true ftate ;
but, if his eftimate includes none other than the unmixed Whites,
1 judge it much too high an allowance, and the rather, as he has
not favoured us with any Jaia, or grounds whereby we might exa-
mine how far it fhould be relied on.

For a general rule of loofe calculation, perhaps allowing nine
Whites to everyone hundred Blacks, will come neareft toexaftnefs.
To take one example, the board of trade rcprefented the number
to be 7,644 in the year 1734. In that year, the number of Negroe

flaves

BOOK II. CHAP. Xlir. 2^^

flaves In the ifland amounted to 86,546. Multiplying therefore 865
(the number of hundreds) by 9 ; the product is "/ty^S, or only
141 difference.

Agreeably tothe fame rule, we maytry whatmaybefLippofedthepre-
fentnumber, allowing theflavesto be at this time increaled to 170,000,
and they probably exceed, becaufe many new fugar works have been
formed fince the year 176S; therefore, 1700"]

X [gives 15,300 Whites, or

9j

700 only diff^erent from the loweft number I have prefumed them.
It would be more agreeable to go upon fure grounds ; but where
information is defe£live, as in this cafe, we can only take fome
Speculative line for our guide; and this appears to me to draw as
near to precifion, as may be reafonably expeded [^J .

(J) The many nautical, or feafaring terms of expreffion, in ufe here among the planters from time
out of mind, were probably introduced by the firft Englifli fettlers ; who, for fome years, alternately
followed privateering, and planting. I (hall enumerate a few of them, with their explanation :
Cook-room. Kitchen.

Lee-v-'arii. Every place fituated to the Weftward.
Ifind-xard. The contrary.
Store-room. Warehoufe for goods.
Stoakcr. The Negroe appointed to fluff fuel into the holes under the boilers. Probably from the

wordjloaied ot lloppcd as a fhip's pump.
Boafjwiiin of the mill. The Negroe who attends the mill-gang, or feeders.
To rig the mill. To get it ready for putting about.
Mill-tackling. The mule-traces, fe'c.
Sweets. The arms or levers belonging to the main roller.
Skids. Poles, or levers ufed tor putting calks into a boat from the fhore.
Stanchions. Upright pieces of timber in the curing-houfe.

Gangiiay. Interval orfpace left tor palTage through the middle of the curing-houi>,
Co:. A fcttee.

yi-vonifig. ' j

Bread-kind. Such roots and fruits of the country as are ufed intlead of bread.
To jerk. To fait meat, and fmoak-dry it.
Eirth. An office, place, or employment.

Teddf. > Liquors, w^hofe choiceft ingredient is rum.

Kia-devil.)

Hand the mug. Carry or bring the mug.

BiVi'l. Inftead of cup. — As " a bowl of tea," of chocolaog, or both ; which term exprefles the

large morning-potations of our anceftors here.
Cow. Is the bucancer terra, to fignify all forts of horned cattle, ^c,

SECT.

320 J A M A 1 C A.

SECT III.
Freed Blacks ami Mulattos.

THFRE were three chiTes of freed perfons here. The lowelt
y comprehended thofe who were releafed from flavery by then- owner's
nianu minion, either by will or an inftrument fealed and deli-
vered, and regiftered either in the toll-book or the fecretary's office.'
They were allowed no other mode of trial, than the common flaves,
(i.e.') " by twojuftices and three freeholders ;" for they were not
fuppofed to have acquired any fenfe of morality by the mere aft
of manumidion ; fo likewife they were not admitted evidences
againft white or other free-born perfons, in the courts of juftice,
nor to vote at parochial nor general elections.

The fecond clafs confifled of fuch as were free-born. Thefe were
allowed a trial by jury, and might give evidence in controverfies at
law wich one another, and in criminal cafes; but only in civil
cafes againft white perfons, or againft freed-perfons, particularly
endowed with fuperior privileges.

The third contained fuch as, by private aSis of aflembly, became
entitled to the iame riglifs and privileges with other Englifh fubje(51;s
born of white parents, except that they might not be of the coun-
cil noralfembly ; nor judges in any of the courts, nor in the pub-
lic offices, nor jurymen. Some of them are likewife precluded from
voting at elections of aflembly-members. There are not any con-
fiderable numbers who have enjoyed the privileges annexed to this
latter cUafs ; they have chiefly been granted to fuch, who were in-
heritors of large eftates in the ifland, bequeathed to them by their
white anceftor.

The freedom of the two former claffes was much enlarged in
1748, when a law pafled, allowing the manumitted, as well as
free-born, to give evidence againft any freed-perfons enjoying the
liberty of white fubjefts, provided, in refpedl to the manumitted,
they have received their freedom fix months at leaft antecedent to
the time of their offering fuch evidence ; and if they Ihould be
7 convidcd

B O O K ll. CHAP. Xlli. 3ai

cohvi^led of wilful and corrupt perjuryj they are made liable to the
fame puniniment, as the laws of England infliiSl on this offence.

Thus it appears, that they hold a limited freedom, fimilar to
that of the Jews ; and it has been often fuggeftcd by very fenfible
men, that it is too circumfcribed, more efpecially in reference to
thofe who have large patrimonies in the ifland ; who, without any
probable ill confequence, might be permitted to have a vote in the
veftry, and at the eleftion of members to ferve in the aflembly ; to
write as clerks in fome of the offices ; and hold military com-
miffions in the Black and Mulatto companies of militia ; which
privileges I will not difpute: but, for many reafons, it were better'
to confer them on particular or feleft perfons, of good education
and morality, than to extend them by a general law to many, who,
it muft be confefTed, are not fitly qualified for this enlargement.

The defcendants of the Negroe blood, entitled to all the rights
and liberties of white fubjeds, in the full extent, are fuch, who
are above three fleps removed in the lineal digrefllon from the Negroe
•venter exclufive ; that is to fay, real qidnterons, for all below this
degree are reputed by law Mulattos.

The law requires likewife, in all thefe cafes, the facrament of -^
baptifm, before they can be admitted to thefe privileges. Some few
other reftridions are laid on the firft and fecond clafs. No one of
them, except he poffefTes a fettlement with ten flaves upon it, may
k'eep any horfes, mares, mules, afles, or neat cattle, on penalty of
forfeiture. This was calculated to put a flop to the prafbice of
llaughterihg the old breed on commons, and putting their own
marks upon the young.

But two juftices may licenfe any fuch freed-perfon to keep fuch
ftock, during good behaviour.

They who havfe not a fettlement, as juft mentioned, muftfurnifli
themfelves with certificates of their freedom, under the hand and
fc^I of a juftice, and wear a blue crdfs on the right (houlder, on
pain of imprifonment.

If convicted of concealing, enticing, entertaining, or fending off
the ifland, any fugitive, rebellious, or other Have, they are to for-
feit their freedom, be fold,' and bani(hed.
\^o L. II, T t Thefe

322 JAMAICA.

Theie are the principal ordinances of the laws affetliitg the com-
mon freed -perfons ; whence the policy of the country may be eafily
meafured. The reilraints, fo far as they are laid upon the loweft
order juft emerged from fervitude, and who have no property of
any confequence, feem very juftifiable and proper ; but in refpeft to
the few who have received a moral and ChrilHan education, and
who inherit fortunes confiderable enough to make them independ-
ant, they may be thought capable of feme relaxation, without any
prejudice to the general welfare of the colony; for it deferves ferious
refleftion, that moH: of the fuperior order (for thefe reafons) pre-
fer living in England, where they are refpedled, at leaft for their
fortunes; and know that their children cao enjoy of right all thofe
privileges, which in Jamaica are withheld from their pofleflion.
xy The flaves that moll commonly gain a manumifiion here from
their owners, are

I. Domeilicks, in reward for a long and faithful courfe of
fexvice.

I 2. Thofe, who have been permitted to work for themfelves,
only paying a certain weekly or monthly fum ; many of them find
means to fave. fufficieint from their earnings, to purchafe their
freedom. . . .... , .. . ,.

3. Thofe who have efte^^ed fome efiential fervice to the public,,
ii'uch as revealing a confpiracy, or fighting valiantly againfl rebels
I and invaders. They have likewife generally been requited with an
'annuity, from the publick treafury, for- life.

I Some regulation feems expedient, to give the firfl mentioned the
means of acquiring their freedom, without the temptation of con-
verting it into licentiouihefs.

In Antigua, every white perfon who beftows this boon upon
his flave, accompanies it with fome further grants enabling him to
enjoy his new ftation v/ith advantage to himfelf and the community,.
The law there compels all thefe freed-men, who have not lands
wherewith to form a fettlement, to enter themfelves into the fer-
vice of fome family. In Jamaica, where land is a. cheap com-
modity, this is not the cafe. The Negroe receives his manumifiion,
but not always a provifion for his .future fubfiftence ; this, defedt
therefore impels many of them to thefts and other illegal practices,

for

book: II. c II A p. XIII. 323

fov a maintenance. A liberty of this fpecies is baneful to fo-
ciety ; and it fecms to be the proper objeft of legiflature, to make
thefe afts of private bounty fubfcrvient to, inftead of leaving them
fnbverfive of, the publick good.

From five to ten acres of ground might very well be fpared upon
any planter's edate. Five acres of good foil are abundantly fuffici-
ent for one fuch freed Negroe. It may be faid, that fuch a condi-
tion, tacked to thefe grants, would hinder men from rewarding their
faithful flaves with liberty ; but, on the other hand, in a publick
view, it is better that the Negroe (hould continue an honeft and in-
duftrious flave, than to be turned into an idle and profligate free-
man. All however that is here meant is, that, in imitation of the
Antigua law, all thofe freed-men, who have neither lands to culti-
vate, nor trade to follow, fliould be obliged to enrol themfelves
in fome white family, as domefticks ; a lift fhould annually betaken,
and regiftered, of all the clafles, and their occupations annexed to
their names.

I come now to fpeak of the Mulattoes and other calls, who (in
common parlance) all pafs under that appellation. Upon enquiry of
the aflembly, in the year 1762, into the devifes made by laft wills to
Mulatto children, the amount in reality and perfonalty was found in
value between two and three hundred thoufand pound. Thev included
four fugareftates, feven penns, thirteen houfe?, befides other lands un-
fpecified. After duly weighing the ill confequences that might befall
the colony, by fuffering real eftates to pafs into fuch hands, a bill
was palled, " to prevent the inconveniencies arifing from exorbi-
" tant grants and devifes made by white perfons to Negroes and the
«« iflue of Negroes, and to reftrain and limit fuch grants and devi-
•' fes;" this bill enaded, that a devife fcom a white perfon, to a
Negroe or Mulatto, of real and perfonal eftate, exceeding in. value
2000 /. currency, Ihould be void. It has been objefled by many, •
and with great warmth, to this law, " that it is oppreflive in it's ,
" effeft, tending to deprive men of their right to difpofe of their
" own effedts and acquifitions, in the manner moft agreeable to
** their inclinations". It may not be improper, therefore, to exa- .
mine a little into the fair flate of the queflion. That it is repug- ■
nant to the fpirit of the Englifli laws, is readily granted, andfois
. ' T t 2 Negroe ^

324 J A M A I C A.

])Iegroe Jlavery : the queftion tiUerefipre ai;ifing froiT^^ t;hls c9inparifo;i
will, be, Is th^rq or not; a local ij^c^ffity for laying many reftraints
ip this colony, wher,e {lav^-hpMi^g Ip legally, eftatplilh^d, whigh.
leftraints do not exift, nor are politically expedient^, ia^ Ip^ijigland,
\;vhere fiay^ryis not tolerated?, It i5;a fjrfl principle, i^iid ijo^to be
contrpyerted, in political and civil as yelL as in moral government,
that if one p.er.fon does any aft, which if every other or even maijiy
others of the fame focipty were to.doi, mufl b^ attendpd with injuri-
ous confequences to that fociety, fuch an af?: cannot in. the nature
of things be legal nor warrantable. All focietjes of men, where^
ever conftituted, can fubfjft together only by certain obligations
and, reftriftions, to which all the individual mcm^Ders muft necef-
farily yield obedience for the general good ; or they can have no
jufl: claim to thofe rights, and that protection, w,hich are heldby all,
under this common fanction.

In countries where rational freedom is. mod enjoyed, as in Eng-
land, the laws have affixed certain bounds to mens paffions and.
inclinations, in numberlefs examples ; fo a fuccellion to eftates thqre
is. regulated more according to the rules of policy, and the good
of the community, than to the hnv of. nature^ hmply. cpnlidered ;
therefore, although a man may be defirous, nay thinks he has a na-
tural right, to determine who fhall enjoy that property from time
to time after his death, which he acquired by his induflry while
living, the law of England, abhorring, perpetuities as hurtful to th^
fociety, defeats this purpofe, and readily gives it's afliftance to bar
fuch entails.

The right of making devifes by will was eflabliflied in fome
countries much later than in others. In England, till modern
times, a man could only difpofe of one third of his moveables from
his wife and legitimate children j and, in general, no will was perr •
mitted of lands till the reign of Henry the Eighth, and then only a
certain portion ; for it was not till after the Reftoration, that the,
power of deviling real property became fo univerfal as at prefent.
The antient law of the Athenians diredled that the ftate of the de-
ceafed (hould always defcend to his legitimate children ; or, an fai-
lure of fuch lineal defcendants, fliould go to the collateral relations.
In many other parts of Greece they were totally difcountenanced.
1 In

BOOK II. CHAP. XIII. 315

r« Rome they were unknown till the Jaws of the twelve tables
were compiled, which firft gave the right of bequeathing ^ aiid'
among the Northern nations, particularly the Germans, teftaraents
were not received into ufe. By the common law of Englaiidv fincc
the conqueft, no eftate, greater than for term, of years, can be di-f-
poled; of by teftaraent, except only in Kent: and; in fome antient
burghs, and. a few particular manors, where dieir Saxon immunities
by particular ijiduJgence fubfilted. And though the feodal refrraint
on aliena,tions by deed vaniihed very early, yet this on wills con-
tinued for fome centuries after:, from, an apprehendon of infirmity
and impofition on: the teftator in exiremis ; which made, fuch devifes
fufpicioys. Every diftincl country has ditferent ceremonies and re-
quifites to make a will compleatly valid ; and this variety may ferve
to evince, that the right of making wjlls and difpohng of property
after death is merely a creature of the civil, or municipal laws, which-
have permitted it. in fome countries, and denied it in others ; and
even where it is permitted by law, it is fubjeded to different re-
ftriftions, in almoft every nation under Heaven, In England, par-
ticularly, this diverfity is carried to fuch a length, as- if' it had been
meant to point out the power of the laws- in regulating the fuccefTioii
to property ; and how futile every claim muft be, that has not it's
foundation in. the pofitive rules of the {fate [e]. In the fame king-
dom, the inftitution of marriage is regarded as one of the main links
of fociety, becaufe it is found to be the bed fupport of it. A pro-
mifcuous intercourfe and an uncertain parentage, if they were uni*-.'
verfal, would foon diflblve the frame of the conffitution, from the
infinity of claims and contefled rights of fuccefiion : for this reaibn,
the begetting an illegitimate cliild is reputed a violation of the Ibcial
compads, and the tranfgreflbrs are punifhable with corporal cor-
redion \^f~\- The civil codes were fo rigorous, that they even made
baftards incapable, in fome cafes, of a gift from their parents. The
deteflation in which they have been held by th^ Englifh laws is
very apparent, and may be inferred from the fpirit of their feveral
maxims :. as, " Hseres legithnus eft quern 7iupUa demonftrant &c. [^1."

[<■] Blackftone.

[./■] 18 Eliz. 7 Jac. I.

\g\ A legitimate child is he that is born after wedlock, '

«' Cui

326 JAM A ll^CA A.

« Cui paler r/I popufus, noii habet ille patrenl [-^]". " Qui txJamnafo-
'hcoitir uafcuntnr, inter liberos noii computentur." So they are
likewifc ftyled <■<■ flit nulUus\jy^ becaufe their real father is fuppofed
to be uncertain, or unknown. The lenity however of the Englifh
law. at prefent, is fatisfied only with excludmg them from inheri-
tance, and with exading a competent provifion for their mainte-
nance, that they may not become chargeable upon the pubHck.

The inftitution of marriage, is doubtlefs of as much concern in the
c-olony, as. it.is in the mother country: perhaps more fo; becaufe a
life of celibacy is not equally hurtful in the latter, wdio may draw
recruits to keep up her population, from the neighbouring ftates of'
Europe. But the civil policy of the two countries, inrefpeil: to fuc-
ceflions to property, differ very materially; fo that, if three fourths of
the nation were flaves, there can be no queftion but that the law
of lafl wills would be modified to a different frame, perhaps carried
hack again to the antient feodal dodrine of non-alienation, without
confent of the lord; which reftraint was fuited to the policy of thofe
times, when villeinage prevailed. A man's right of devifing his
property by will ought juftly, therefore, from the conffitution of
our Weft India colonies, to be more circumfcribed in them, than is
fitting ill the mother flate. A fubjeft (for example) in Jamaica
ought not to bequeath his whole perfonal eftate which may be very
confiderable, to a flave ; and, if he (hould do fo,itiseafy to conceive
that it would be utterly repugnant to the civil policy of that ifland.
The Jamaica law permits the putative father to leave, whatwill be
thought, a very ample provifion, in order to fet his baftard forward in
tUe world; and in all cafes where the father, having no legitimate
kin, to whom he may be willing to give his property, where that
properry is large;, and his illegitimate child may be, by the polifh
of a good education, and moral principles, found w'ell deferving to
poffefs it ; ther-e can be no queftion, but he might be made legitimate
-and capable of inheriting, by the power of an ad of aflembly ;
ftnce the fame thing has been done in fimilar cafes in England,
by a£t of the parliament. It is plain, therefore, the policy of the

f/j] The oifspiing of proniifcuous coujunftioiis has no father. Marriage alcertains the

:f,ither.

[/] Baflards are not endowed with the privilege oJ children. No man's children.

law

BOOK II. CHAP. XIII. 327

law only tends to obviate the detriment refulting to the fociety,
from foohfh, and indifcriminate devifes ; leaving in the bread ot"
the legiflature to ratify others particularly circumllanced, and
which might not be fo likely to produce the fame inconveniences.
It is a queftion eafily anlvvered, whether (luppofing all natural im-
pediments of' climate out of the way) it would be more for tlic in-
terefl of Britain, that Jamaica fliould be polTefled and peopled by
white inhabitants, or by Negroes and Mulattos? — Let any man
turn his eyes to the Spanifh American dominions, and behold what
a vicious, brutal, and degenerate breed of mongrels has been there
produced, between Spaniards, Blacks, Indians, and their mixed pro-
geny ; and he mud be of opinion, that it might be much be better
for Britain, and Jamaica too, if the white men in that colony would
abate of their infatuated attachments to black women, and, inftead
of being " grac'd with :i yeIio%v ofspring twt their otvn [_k'] ," perform
the duty incumbent on every good cittizen, by raifing in honourable
wedlock a race of unadulterated beings. The trite pretence of mod'
men here, for not entering into that date, is « the lieavy and in-
" tolerable expences it will bring upon them." This, in plain
Englifli, is nothing more than exprefiing their opinion, that fociety
fhall do every thing for them, and that they ought to do nothing'
for fociety ; and the folly of the means they purfue, to attain xhv^
felfifh, ungrateful purpofe, is well expofed, by the profuiion and
mifery into which their diforderly connexions often infenfibly
plunge them. Can we pofhbly admit any force in their excufe,
when we obferve them lavifliing their fortune with unbounded libe-
rality upon a common proftitute? when we fee one of thefe vota-
ries of celibacy grow the abje(5i, paffive flave to all her infults,
thefts, and infidelities ; and difperfe his eflate between her and her
brats, whom he blindly acknowledges for his children, when \i\
truth they are entitled to claim twenty other fathers ? It is true, the
ilTue of a marriage may fometimes lie under fufpicion, through
theloofe carriage of the motherj biu.pu which fide does the vvcipht
of probability red, on the virtue of awife, or the contiuenee-of/a
proditutei i;: , :.::. ,; .:

■-.,'■ \ ... Very

328 .■ f A M A I C A.

Very indigent men may indeed, with more colour of propriety,
urge fuch an argument in their defence; but the owner of a large
fortune pofiefles what is a vifible demonftration, to prove the
fallacy of his pretence. Such a man is doubtlefs as able to maintain
a wife, as a miftrefs of all the vices reigning here; none are fo fla-
grant as this of concubinage with white women, or cohabiting with
Negrefles and Mulattas, free or fiaves. In confequence of this
pra6tice we have not only more fpinfters in comparifon to the num-
ber of women among the natives (whofe brothers or male relations
poflefs the greateft part of their father's patrimony) in this fmall
community, than in moft other parts of his majefly's dominions,
proportionably inhabited ; but alfo, a vaft addition of fpurious
offsprings of different complexions : in a place where, by cuftom, fo
little rcftraint is laid on the paffions, the Europeans, who at home
have always been ufed to greater purity and ffridnefs of manners,
are too eafily led afide to give a loofe to every kind of fenfual delight:
on this account feme black or yellow quafJieba is fought for, by whom
a tawney breed is produced. Many are the men, of every rank,
quality, and degree here, who would much rather riot in thefe
goatifli embraces, thaii fliare the pure and lawful blifs derived from
matrimonial, mutual love. Modefty, in this refpedl, has but very
little footing here. He who fliould prefume to (hew any difpleafure
againft iuch a thing as fimple fornication, would for his pains be ac-
counted a funple blockhead ; fince not one in twenty can be perfuaded,
that there is either fin ; or fhame in cohabiting with his flave.
Of thefe men, by far the greateft part never marry after they have
acquired a fortune ; but uflier into the world a tarnifhed train of
beings, among whom, at their deceafe, they generally divide their
fubftancc^ It is^ not a- little curious, to confider the ftrange
manner' in; which fome of them are educated. Inftead of being
tiiughtany mechanic art, whereby they might become ufeful to the
iflaud, and enabled to fupport themfelves; young Fiifcusy in whom
the father fondly imagines he fees the refle(£led dawn of paternal
genius, and Mlfs Fulvia, who mamma protefts has a moft delicate
ear for mufic and French, are both of them fent early to England,
to cultivate and improve the valuable talents which nature is fuppofed
to have fo wantonly beftowed, and the parents, blind with folly,

think

BOOK II. CHAP. XIII. 329

think they have difcoveied. To accomplifli this end, no expence
nor pains are fpared; the indulgent father, big with expedtatioiJ
of the future eclat of his hopeful progeny,

" dildains
'* The vulgar tutor, and the ruftic fchool,
*' To which the dull cit' fends his low-born fool,
*' By our wife lire to London are they brought,
" To learn thofe arts that high-bred youths are taught ;
" Attended, dreft, and train'd, with coft and care,
'* Jufi: like fome wealthy duke's apparent-heir."
Mafter is fent to Weflminfter, or Eaton, to be infl:ru<£led in the
elements of learning, among ftudents of the firfl: rank that wealth
and family can give : whilft Mifs is placed at Chelfea, or fome other
famed feminary ; where flie learns mufic, dancing, French, and
the whole circle of female bon ton, proper for the accomplhhment
of fine women. After much time and money beftowed on their
education, and great encomiums, year after year, tranfmitted (by
thofe whofe interefl: it is to make them) on their very uncommon
genius and proficiency, at length they return to vifit their rela-
tions. From this period, much of their future mifery may be
dated. Mifs faints at the fight of her relations, efpecially when
papa tells her that black ^apeba is her own mother. The young
gentleman too, after his introdudion, begins to difcover that the
knowledge he has gained has only contributed to make him more
fufceptible of keen reflexions, arifing from his unfortunate birth.
He is foon, parhaps, left to herd among his black kindred, and
converfe with ^lajljee and Mingo, inftead of his fchool-fellows.
Sir George, or My Lord; while mademoifelle, inftead of modifli
French, muft learn to prattle gibberifh with her coufins Mimba
znAChloe: for, however w'cll this yellow brood may be received in
England, yet here fo great is the diftinftion kept up between
white and mixed complexions, that very feldom are they leen to-
gether in a familiar way, though every advantage of drefs or for-
tune (hould centre with the latter. Under this didinction, it is
impofiible but that a well-educated Mulatta muft lead a very un-
pleafant kind of a life here; and juftly may apply to her reputed
father what Iphicratesfaid of his, " After all your pains, you have
Vol. II. U u *' made

X

330 JAMAICA.

** made me no better than a flave ; on the other hand, my mother
« did everything in her power to render me free." On firft arriving
here, a civiUzed European may be apt to think it impudent and
fhameful, that even bachelors (hould publickly avow their keeping
Negroe or Mulatto miftrefies ; but they are ftill more fliocked at
leeing a group of" white legitimate, and Mulatto illegitimate,
children, all claimed by the fame married father, and all bred up
tof^ether under the fame roof [«/']. Habit, however, and the pre-
vailing fafhion, reconcile fuch fcenes, and lefl'en the abhorrence
excited by their fiifl imprelhon.

To allure men from thefe illicit connexions, we ought to re-
move the principal obftacles which deter them from marriage.
fThis will be chiefly etfefted by rendering women of their own
1 complexion more agreeable companions, more frugal, trulty, and
faithful friends, than can be met with among the African ladies.
Of fome probable meafures to cfFeft this delireable purpofe, and
make the fair natives of this illand more amiable in the eyes of the
men, and more eligible partners in the nuptial flate, I have already
ventured my feutiments. A proper education is the firfl: great
point. A modeft demeanour, a mind divefied of falfe pride, a
very moderate zeal for expenfive pleafures, a Ikill in oeconomy,
and a condu»5t which indicates plain tokens of good humour, fide-
lity, and dilcretion, can never fail of making converts. Much,
indeed, depends on the ladies themfelves to rcfcue this truly ho-
nourable union from that f;i(hionable deteflation in which it feems

[//;] Reafon requires, that the mafter's powci" fliould not extend to wlv.a does not appertain to
his fervice. Slavery fhould be calculated for utility, not tor plealure. The laws of chalUty arife
from thofe of nature, and ought in all nations to be refpeded. If a law, which preferves the
challity of flaves, be good in thofe ilates where an aibitrary power bears down all before it, how
much more fo will it be in monarchies ! and how much more llill in republics ! The law of the
Lombards has a regulation which ought to be adopted by all governments. " If a mailer debauches
".his flave's wife, the flave and his wife (liall be free;" an admirable expedient, which, without
feverity, lays a powerful rellraint on the incontlnency of mafters. The Romans erred on this
head : they allowed an unlimited Icope to the mailer's luft ; and, in fome meafure, denied their
flaves the privilege of raari-ying. It is true, they were the lowell part of the nation ; yet there
fliould have been fome care taken of their morals, efpecially as, in prohibiting their marriage,
they corrupted the moralb ot the citizens.

So thinks the inimitable Montefquieu. And how applicable thefe feutiments are to the llate
of things in our ifland, I leave to the difpalfionate judgement of every man there, whether raar-
iied or fingle.

to

BOOK ir. CHAP. xiir. 33t

to be held ; and one would fuppofe it no very arduous taflc to make
themfelves more companionable, uleful, and efteemable, as wives,
than the Negrelles and Mulattas arc as miftreffes : they might, I
am well perlliaded, prove much honefter friends. It is true, that,
if it fhould be a man's misfortune to be coupled with a very profli-
gate and extravagant wife, the difference, in refpecl to his fortune,
is not great, whether plundered by a black or by a white woman.
But fuch examples, I may hope, are unfrequent without the hufband's
concurrence ; yet, whenever they do happen, the mifchief they oc-
cafion is very extenfive, from the apprehenfions with which they
flrike multitudes of fingle men, the viler part of whom endeavour
to increafe the number of unhappy marriages by every bafe art of
feduilionj while others rejoice to find any fuch, becaufe they feem
tojuftify their preference of celibacy, or concubinage. In regard
to the African miftrefs, I fhall exhibit the following, as no un-
fuitable portrait. All her kindred, and mod commonly her very
paramours, are faftened upon her keeper like fo many leeches ;
while Ihe, the chief leech, confpires to bleed him ufque ad deltquium.
In well-difl'embled afFeftion, in her tricks, cajolements, and in-
fidelities, (he is far more perfe6lly verfed, than any adept of the
hundreds of Drury. She rarely wants cunning to dupe the fool
that confides in her; for who " fhall teach the wily African
*' deceit?" The quinteffence of her dexterity confifls in perfuading
the man (he detefts to believe (he is moft violently fmitten with
the beauty of his perfon ; in fhort, over head and ears in love with
him. To eftablifh this opinion, which vanity feldom fails to em-
brace, (lie now and then afi^eds to be jealous, laments his ungrateful
return forfo fincere a pafTion ; and, by this flratagem, (he is better
able to hide her private intrigues with her real favourites. I have
feen a dear companion of this (lamp deploring the lofs of her de-
ceafed cull with all the feeming fervency of an honeft afteclion,
or rather of outrageous forrow ; beating her head ; (lamping with
her feet ; tears pouring down in torrents ; her exclamations as wild,
and geftures as emphatic, as thofe of an antient Roman orator in
all the phrenfy of a publick harangue. Unluckily, it foon ap-
peared, that, at this very time, (he had rummaged his pockets and
efcrutoire; and concealed his watch, rings, and money, in the

U u 2 feather-bed

332 JAMAICA.

feather-bed upon which the poor wretch had jufl: breathed his lafl:.
And fuch is the mirror of almoft all thefe conjunftions of white
and black ! two tindures which nature has diflbciated, like oil and
vinegar. But, as if fome good was generally to arife out of evil,
fb we find, that thefe connexions have been applauded upon a prin-
ciple of policy ; as if, by forming fuch alliances with the (laves,
they might become more attached to the white people. Perhaps,
the fruit of thefe unions may, by their confanguinity with a certain
number of the Blacks, fupport fome degree of influence, fo far as
that line of kindred extends : yet one would fcarcely fuppofe it to
have any remote effedl ; becaufe they, for their own parts, defpife
the Blacks, and afpire to mend their complexion ftill more by in-
termixture with the Whites. The children of a White and Qua*
teron are called Englilh, and confider themfelves as free from all
taint of the Negroe race. To call them by a degree inferior to
what they really are, would be the higheil: affront. This pride of
amended blood is univerfal, and becomes the more confirmed, if
they have received any fmattering of education ; for then tl:iey look
down with the more fupercilious contempt upon thofe who have
had none. Such, whofe mind has been a little purged from the
groflefl: ignorance, may wifh and endeavour to improve it ftill
more; but no freed or unfreed Mulatto ever wifhed to relapfe into
the Negro. The fa6t is, that the opulent among them withdraw
to England ; where their influence, if they ever pofleflcd any,
ceafes to be of any ufe. The middle clafs are not much liked by
the Negroes, becaufe the latter abhor the idea of being flaves to-
the defcendants of Haves. And as for the lower rank, the ilTue of
cafual fruition, they, for the moft part, remain in the fame flavifli
condition as their mother; they are fellow-labourers with the Blacks,
and are not regarded in the leaft as their fuperiors. As for the firft-
mentioned, it would probably be no diflervice to the ifland, to regain
all thofe who have abandoned it. But, to ftatethe comparifon fairly,
if their fathers had married, the difference would have been this;
their white offspring might have remained in the colony, to
ftrengthen and enrich it: the Mulatto offspring defert and impo-
verifh it. The lower clafs of thefe mixtures, who remain in the ifland,
are a hardy race, capable of undergoing equal fatigue with the Blacks,

above

BOOK II. CHAP. XIII. 33^

above whom (in point of due policy) they ought to hold fome de-
gree of diftinilion. They would then form the centre of con-
nexion between the two extremes, producing a regular eftablifh-
ment of three ranks of men, dependent on each other, and rifing
in a proper climax of fubordinatiou, in which the Whites would
hold the higheft place. I can forefee no mifchief that can arife
from the enfranchifement of every Mulatto child. If it be objedted,
that fuch a plan may tend to encourage the illicit commerce of
which I have been complaining ; I reply, that it will be more likely
to reprefs it, becaule, although the planters are at prefent very in-
different about the birth of fuch children upon their eflates,
knowing that they will either labour for them like their other
flaves, or produce a good price, if their fathers fliould Incline to
purchafe them ; yet they will difcountenance fuch intercourfes as
much as lies in their power (when it ihall no longer be for their
interefl: to connive at them), and ufe their endeavours to multiply
the unmixed breed of their Blacks. Befules, to expeil that men.
will wholly abftain from this commerce, if it was even liable to-
the fevereft penalties of law, would be abfurd ; for, fo long as
fome men have paflions to gratify, they will feek the indulgence
of them by means the mofl agreeable, and leafl inconvenient, to
themfelves. It will be of fome advantage, as things are circum-
ftanced, to turn unavoidable evils to the benefit of Ibciety, as the
beft reparation that can be made for this breach of its moral and
political inftitutions. A wife phyfician will flrive to change an
acute diftemper into one lefs malignant; and his patient compounds
for a flight chronic indiipofition, fohe may get relief from a violent
and mortal one. I do not judge fo lightly of the prefent ftate of
fornication in the ifland, as to fuppofe that it can ever be more
flourifliiiig, or that the emancipation of every Mulatto child will
prove a means of augmenting the annual number. The retrieving
them from profound ignorance, affording them infl:ru£lion in
Chriflian morals, and obliging them to ferve a regular apprentice-
ihip to artificers and tradefmen, would make them orderly fubjeils,
and faithful defenders of the country.. It may, with greater weight,
h.e objeded, that fuch a meafure would deprive the planters of a,

part

3

334 JAMAICA.

part of their property ; and that the brhiging up fo many to trades
;uid mechanic arts might difcourage white artificers.

The firfl: might be obviated, by paying their owners a certain rate
pfr head, to be deterniined by the legiflature. The fecond is not
ihfurmountable; for few or noiie will be mafter-workmen ; they
will ferve as journeymen to white artificers j or do little more than
they would have done, if they had continued in flavery ; for it is
the cuftom on moft eftates at prefent to make tradefmen of them.
But, if they were even to fet up for themfelves, no difadvantage
would probably accrue to the publick, but the contrary. They
would oblige the white artificers to work at more moderate rates ;
which, though not agreeable perhaps to thefe artificers, would ftill
leave them an ample gain, and prove very acceptable to the reft of
the inhabitants ; for to fuch a pitch of extravagance have they
raifed their charges, that they tax their employers juft what they
think fit; each man of them fixes a rate according to his own fancy,
unregulated by any law ; and, (hould his bill be ever fo enormous
or unjuft, he is in no want of brother tradefmen in the jury-box to
confirm and allow it. I fhall not hereprefume to di£late any entire
plan for carrying this fcheme into efFedl. This muft be left to the
wifdom of the legiflature, and be made confiftent with the abilities
of the treafury. In general only I may fuppofe, that for every fuch
child, on its attaining the age of three years, a reafonable allow-
ance be paid to the owner : from that period it becomes the care of
the public, and might be provided for, at a cheap rate, until of an
age fit for fchool ; then be inftru£led in religion ; and at the age
of twelve apprenticed for the term of four years ; after this, be re-
gimented in his refpeftive diftrift, perhaps fettled near a town-
Ihip ; and, when on militia or other public duty, paid the fame
fubfiftence per day, or week, that is now allowed to the Marons.
The expediency muft be feen of having (as in the French iflands)
fuch a corps of aftive men, ready to fcour the woods upon all oc-
cafions ; a fervice, in which the regulars are by no means equal to
them. They would likewife form a proper counter-balance to the
Maron Negroes ; whofe infolence, during formidable infurreftions,
has been moft infufferable. The beft way of fecuring the alle-
giance of thefe irregular people muft be by preferving the treaty

with

BOOK ir. CHAP. XIII. 335

with them hiviolate : and, at the fame time, awing tliera into the
confervation of it on their part by fuch a powerful etjuipoife, com-
pofed of men diflimilar from them in complexion and manners,
but equal in hardinefs and vigour.

The Mulattos are, in general, well-fliaped, and the women well-
featured. They feem to partake more of the white than the black. -
Their hair has a natural curl; in fome it rcfembles the Negroe
fleece; but, in general, it is of a tolerable length. The girls ar-
rive very early at the age of puberty ; and, from the time of their
being about twenty-five, they decline very faft, till at length thev
grow horribly ugly. They are lafcivious ; yet, confidering their
want of intT:ru6liou, their behaviour in public is remarkably de-
cent ; and they afteef a modefty which they do not feel. They arc-
lively and Icnfible, and pay religious attention to the cleanlinefs of
their perfons : at the lame time, they are ridiculoufly vain, haugh-
ty, and irafcible. They poffefs, for the moil: part, a tendernefs of
difpolition, which leads them to do many charitable a61:ions, efpe-
cially to poor white perfons, and makes them excellent nurfes to
the fick. They are fond of finery, and lavifh almoft all the motiey
they get in ornaments, and the moll: expenfive forts of linen. Some
few of them have intermarried here with thofe of their own com-
plexion ; but fuch matches have generally been defe6live and bar-
ren. They feem in this refpetl to be adually of the mule-kind,
and not fo capable of producing from one another as from a com-
merce with a diftindl White or Black. Monfieur Buffbn obferves,
that it is nothing ftrange that two individuals flnould not be able to
propagate their fpecies, becaufe nothing more is required than fbmc
flight oppofition in their temperaments, or fome accidental fault in
.the genital organs of either of thefe two individuals : nor is it
furprifing, that two individuals, of different fpecies, fliould produce
other individuals, which, being unlike either of their progenitors,
bear no refemblance to any thing fixed, and confequently cannot
produce any thing refembling themlelves, becaufe all that is requi-
fite in this produdion is a certain degree of conformity between
the form of the body and the genital organs of thefe different ani-
mals. Yet it feems extraordinary, that two Mulattos, having In-
tercourfe together, fliould be unable to continue their fpecies, the

woman

336 JAMAICA.

woman either proving barren, or their offspring, if they have any^
not attaining to maturity; when the lame man and woman, having
commerce with a White or Black, would generate a numerous if-
fue. Some examples may poflibly have occurred, where, upon the
intermarriage of two Mulattos, the woman has borne children ;
which children have grown to maturity: but I never heard of fuch
an inftance ; and may we not fufpe£l the lady, in thofe cafes, to
have privately intrigued with another man, a White perhaps? The
fufpicion is not unwarrantable, if we confider how little their paf-
fions are under the reftraint of morality ; and that the major part,
nay, almoft the whole number, with very few exceptions, have been
files de joye before they became wives. As for thofe in Jamaica,
whom 1 have particularly alluded to, they married young, had re-
ceived forae fort of education, and lived with great repute for their
chafte and orderly conduft ; and with them the experiment is tried
with a great degree of certainty : they produce no offspring,
though in appearance under no natural incapacity of fo doing with
a different connexion.

The fubjed is really curious, and deferves a further and very at-
tentive enquiry ; becaufe it tends, among other evidences, to efta-
blidi an opinion, which feveral have entertained, that the White
and the Negroe had not one common origin. Towards difproviiig
this opinion, it is neceffary, that the Mulatto woman (hould be
pad all fufpicion of intriguing with another, or having communi-
cation with any other man than her Mulatto hufband ; and it then
remains for further proof, whether the offspring of thefe two Mu-
lattos, being married to the offspring of two other Mulatto parents,
would propagate their fpecies, and fo, by an uninterrupted fuccef-
fion, continue the race. For my own part, I think there are ex-
tremely potent reafons for believing, that the White and the Ne-
groe are two diftinft fpecies. A certain philofopher of the prefent
age confidently aver?, that " none but the blind can doubt it." It
is certain, that this idea enables us to account for thofe diverfities
of feature, ikin, and intelledl, obferveable among mankind ; which
cannot be accounted for in any other way, without running into a
thoufand abfurdities.

Th«

BOOK II. CHAP. XIL. ^37

The antlent fiithers of the Chriflian church, difliking tlie Co-
pernican fyftem, pronounced it damnable and lieretical for any one
to maintain the dodlrine of the antipodes, and the annual motion
of the earth round the fun. According to the ecclefiaftical fyftem
of thofe days, the fun was made to revolve above three hundred
and twenty thoufand miles in the fpace of a minute; but it is found
more rational to conclude, and more eafy to believe, that the earth
makes one revolution on its own axis once in twenty-four hours ;
and we have living teftimonies of its having been circumnavigated,
and the doiftrine of antipodes confirmed beyond a doubt. The
freedom of philofophic enquiry may ftill proceed to extirpate old
prejudices, and difplay more and more (to the utter confufion of
ignorance and bigotry) the beautiful gradation, order, and har-
mony, which pervade the whole feries of created beings on tiiis
globe.

Of the number of the free Blacks and Mulattos in the ifland I
have before given an eftimate. They increafe very faft. By an
ait, patted in 1761, they were all required to take out certificates
of their freedom, to be figned by tiie governor. This was a very
proper method to come at the knowledge of their number. la
176^, or 1763, they were found as follows:

Total in tlie
3 Counties.

f^Iiadlefex.

Surrj\

Cornwall.

St. Catharine,

872

Kingfton,

1093

St. Elizabeth,

2J8

St. Thomas in

the Vale,

4+

Port Royal,

103

Wcftmoreland,

189

St. John,

67

St. Andrew,

56

Hanover,

6^7

St. Dorothy,

58

St. David,

22

St. James,

26

Clarendon,

130

Sr. Thomas in the Eafl,

H

Vere,

172

Portland,

27

St. Anne,

78

St. George,

32

St, Maty,

100

'sO'_ 1397 ^10 3408

They are flnce increafcd to upwards of three thoufand feveii
hundred, principally in the towns ; and, I think, we may
reckon about one thoufand five hundred of them for fencible men,
fit for able fervice in the Militia.

I fliall conclude this account of them with a hearty recommen-
dation of fome plan, both for inftru£ling them in morality, and
regimenting their fencible men, to be employed by rotation on
conftant duty. I need not recapitulate my former arguments.
Vol. II. X X tending

^38 JAMAICA,

tending to illuftrate the utility, and even necefiity, of adoptiiig
{bis meadir?,

SECT. IV,
M A R O N S[/j.

WHEN the Spaniards retreated before the army under com-i
^na^d pf Venables, they had with them about one thoufand fivQ-
hundred Negroes and Mulattos, many of whom were (laves. Some
jidhered to their maflers ; while otbers diiperfed^ thirty or forty in
^ gang, ^o different parts of the mountains, chuling their own
leaders ; from whence they made frequent excurfions, to harrafi
^he Englifli foldiers, who had been reprefsnted to them as blood-
^hlrfty heretics, that gave no quarter. They frequently killed (kag-,
glcrs nea,r th? head-quarters •, and one night grew fo bold, as to fire
\\ houfe in the very town. Major-general Sedgewick prophefied,
ii> his letter to Thurloe (1656), that thefe Blacks would prove
|hor^\s in our fides j tiving as they did in the woods and mountains,
3 kind of life ng-tural and agreeabl6 to them. He adds, that they
gave no quarter to hh men^ but deftroyed them whenever they
found opportunity, fcarce a week pafling without their flaying one
or two i and, as the foldiers gre\Y more fecure a,nd carelefs, they
became more euterprifing and bloo.dy. *' Having no moral fenfe"'
continyes he, " nor underftanding what the ^awa and cufloms of";
«' civil nations mean, we neither know how to capitulate ordif-
*• (jourfe with, nor how to take, any of them,. 3utj be affu,red, they
<.' muft either be deftroyed, or brought in upon fome terms or-
i' other; or elfe they wiH prove a great difcouragement to the fet-.
*< tling of people here.'' What he foretold actually ca-nje to pafa.
At the latter en4 of the fa^me year (1656)4 the army gained fome
trifling fuccefs againfl them ; but this was foon afterwards feverelj
letaliated by the (laughter of forty foldi,ers.j cut off as, they wece
carelefsly rambling near their quarters. A party was immediately
lent ip. quefl pf the enemy, came up with, a,nd killed feveii, or eight;

[.'] Pfobubly deriyed from the Spanifti Marrano, a porker, or hog of one year old. The nara^?-
^as firlj given to. the hunters ot wild hogs, to dillinguifh them from the bucaniers, or hunter* o^
Hiidcattte .".nd h5)rfes,

of

BOOK II. CHAR XIII. 33,^

ur' them. The follownig year, they difcovered the place where
the Blacks held their ufual rendezvous, and gave them fomo an-
noyance. But they ftill found means to hold out, until, being hard
prefled by colonel D'Oyley, who, by his final overthrow of the.
Spaniards at Rio Nuevo, having taken from them all hope of fu-
ture fuccour from their antlent friends, they became vcrv much
ftreightened, for want of provifions and ammunition. The main
party, under the command of their captain, Juan de Bolas (whole
place of retreat, in Clarendon, ftill retains his name), furrendered
to the Englifli on terms of pardon and freedom. But other parties
remained in the mod inacceilible retreats within the mountainous
wilds; where they not only augmented their numbers by procre-
ation, but, after the ifland became thicker fown with plantation?,
they were frequently reinforced by fugitive flaves, and at lenc^th
■grew confident enough of their force to undertake defcents upon
the interior planters, many of whom they murdered from time to
time ; and, by their barbarities and outrage, intimidated the Whites
from venturing to any confiderable diltance from the fea-coaft.
One of thefe parties was called the Vermaholis Negroes; in ouell:
of whom captain Ballard was fent, in the year 1660, with a de-
tachment, and took feveral of them prifoners. In 1663, the lieu-
tenant-governor Sir Charles Lyttelton, and his council, iHbed a
proclamation, offering to grant twenty acres of land jf^tr head, and
their freedom, to all fuch of them as would come in. But I do not
find that any of them inclined to accept the terms, or quit their
lavage way of life. On the contrary, they were better pleafed
with the more ample range they polledkl in the woods, where
their hunting-ground was not yet limited by fettlements. They
took care that none of the latter fhould be formed; and, for this
purpofe, butchered every white family that ventured to feat itfelf
any confiderable diftance inland. When the governor perceived
that the proclamation wrought no eftecl upon their favage minds,
Juan de Bolas, who was now made colonel of the Black regiment,
was fent to endeavour their redudion ; but, in the piofecution of
this fervice, he fell unfortunately into an.ambufcade, and was guc
in pieces. In March, 1664, captain Colbeck, of the White mi-
litia, was employed for the fame purpofe. He went by fea to the

X X 2 North

340 JAMAICA.

North fide; and, having gained fome advantages over them, he re-
turned, with one who pretended to treat for the reft. This em-
bafly, however, was only calculated to amufe the Whites, and gain
fome reipite ; for they no fooner found themfelves in a proper con-
dition, and the white inhabitants lulled into fecurity, than they
began to renew hoftilities.

Thefe Bhicks poflefled feveral fmall towns in different divinons
of the country; and, about the year 1693, commenced open war,
iiaving cholen Cudjoe for their generalillimo. They continued to
diftrefs the ifland for about forty-feveu years; and, during this
time, forty-four aiRs of afiembly were palled, and at leaft 240,000/.
expended, for their fuppreflion. In 1730, they were grown fo
formidable, that it was found expedient to ftrengthen the colony
againfl them by two regiments of regular troops, which were af-
terwards formed into independent companies, and employed, with
other hired parties, and the whole body of militia, towards their
leduftion. In the year 1734, captain Stoddart, who commanded
one of thefe parties, projected and executed with great fuccefs aa
attack of their windward town, called Nanny, fituated near Car-
rion-crow Ridge, one of the higheft mountains in the ifland, in
the neighbourhood of Bath. Having provided fome portable fwi-
vel-guns, he fdently approached their quarters, and reached witliin
a fraall diflance of them undifcovered. After halting for fome
time, he began to alcend by the only path leading to their town.
He founil it fleep, rocky, and difficult, and not wide enough to ad-
mit the paffage of two perfons abrealT:. However, he furmounted
thefe obftacles; and, having gained a fmall eminence, commanding
the huts in which the Negroes were lodged all faft afleep, he fixed
his little train of artillery to the b:fl: advantage, and difcharged
upon them fo brifkly, that many were flain in their habitations,
and feveral more, amidft the confl:ernation which this furprize oc-
cafioned, threw themfelves headlong down precipices. Captain
Stoddart purfued the advantage, killed numbers, took many pri-
foners, and, in (hort, fo compleatly deftroyed or routed the whole
body, that they were unable afterwards ta effect any enterprize of
moment in this quarter of the ifland.

About

BOOK 11. CHAP. XIIL 341

About the fame time, another party of the Blacks (having per-
ceived that a body of the mihtia, Rationed at th© barrack of Bair-
iiaJ's Thicket, in St. Mary, under command of colonel Charlton
and captain Ivy, ftrayed heedlefsly from their quarters, and kept
no order) formed an ambufcade to cut them off, and, whilft the
officers were at dinner, attended by very few of their men, the
Aiarons rulhed luddenly from the adjacent woods, and aflaultei
them. Several pieces were diicharged ; the report of which
alarmed the militia, who immediately ran to Uieir arms, and came
up in time to refcue their officers from deftrudion. The Marcus
were repulfed, and forced to take flielter in the woods; but the
militia did not think fit to purfue them far. Some rumours of
this IkirmiOi reached Spanii'h Town, which is dlflant from the fpot
about thirty miles ; and, as all the circumflances were not known,
the inhabitants were thrown into the moft dreadful panic, from
apprehenfions that the Marons had defeated Charlton, and were in
full march to attack tlie town. Ayfcough, then commander in
chie.f, fell in with the popular fear, ordered the trumpets .to found,
the drums to beat, and in a few hours colle6led a body of horfe
and foot, who went to meet the enemy. On the fecond day after
their departure, they came up to a place, where, by the fires which
remained unextinguifhed, they fuppofed the Marons had lodged the '
preceding night. They therefore followed the track, and ioon after
got fight of them.. Captain Edmunds, who commanded the de-
tachment, difpofed his men for action ; but the Marons declined
engaging, and fled different ways. Several, however, were flain
in the purfuit, and others made prifoners. Thefe two vidlories
reduced their ftrength, and infpired them with fo much terror,
that they never after appeared in any confiderable body, nor dared -
to make any ftand. Indeed, from the commencement of the war
till this period, they had not once ventured a pitched battle; but
ikulked about the Ikirts of remote plantations, furprifing ftragglers, ,
and murdering the Whites by two or three at a time, or when
they were too few to make any refiftance. By night they feized
the favourable opportunity, that darknefs gave them, of ftealing
into the fettlements ; where they fet fire to cane-pieces and out-
houfes,, killed all the cattle they could find, and carried off the

Haves. >

342 JAMAICA.

Haves into captlvit)'. By this daftardly method of conduifling the
war, they did infinite niilchief to the Whites, without much ex-
poling their own perlbns to danger ; for they always cautioufly
avoided fighting, except with a number fo difproportionately infe-
rior to them, as to afford them a pretty lure expedation of vitlory.
They knew every fecret avenue of the country ; fo that they could
either conceal themfelves from purfuit, or form ambufcades, or
fliifc their ravages from place to place, according as circumftances
required. Such were the many difadvantages under which the
Englifli had to deal with thefe defultory foes ; who were not redu-
cible by any regular plan of attack ; who poflefled no plunder to
allure or reward the afliiilants j nor had any thing to lolt, except
life and liberty.

Previous to the fucceffes above-mentioned, the diftrefs into which
the planters were thrown may be colle(fted from the fenfe which
tlie legiflature expreiled in fome of their afts. In the year 1733,
they fet forth, that thefe Blacks had within a few years greatly
increafed, notwithftanding all the meafures that had then been
concerted, and made ufe of, for their fuppreflion ; in particular,
that they had grown very formidable in the North-Eaft, North -
Weft, and South- Weft diftrids of the ifland, to the great terror
of his majefty's fubjefts in thofe parts, who had greatly fuffered by
the frequent robberies, murders, and depredations, committed
by them ; that, in the pariflies of Clarendon, St. Anne, St. Eli-
zabeth, Weftmoreland, Hanover, and St. James, they were con-
fiderably multiplied, and had large fettlements among the moun-
tains, and leaft acceflible parts ; whence they plundered all around
them, and caufed feveral plantations to be thrown up and aban-
doned, and prevented many valuable trafts of land from being cul-
tivated, to the great prejudice and diminution of his majefty's re-
venue, as well as of the trade, navigation, and confumption, of
BritiOi manufa<flures; and to the manifeft weakening and pre-
venting further increale of ftrength and inhabitants in the ifland.
We may learn from hence what extenfive mifchief may be per-
petrated by the moft defpicable and cowardly enemy. The af-
jembly, perceiving that the employment of flying parties had
proved ,inetFe6lual, by the length of their marches, the difficulty

of

jBOOK II. CHAP. XIII, 343

of lubfifting them in the woods for To long a time as the fcrvice rc-
quiicd, and the facility with which the Marons ckKled their jnir-
fuers, ordered feveral defenfible houfes, or barracks fortified with
baftions, to be creeled in different parts, as near as poffible to the
enemy's mod favourite haunts : in every oric of thefe they placed
a llrong garrifon, who were regularly fubhfted, and roads of com-
»-nunication were opened from one to the other. Thefe garrifons
were compofed of white and black (hot and baggage Negroes, who
were all duly trained. Every captain was allowed a pay of lo/. ;
the lieutenaiits each ^/,; ferjeants 4 /. ; and privates 2/., ^(?r month.
They were fubjecled to rules and articles of war; and the whole
body put under the governor's immediate order, to be employed
conjunftly, or fepar-ately, as he (hould fee occafion. Their general
plan of duty, as dire6i:ed by the law, was to make excurfions from
the barracks, fcour the woods and mountains, and deftroy the pro-
vifion-grouuds and haunts of the Marons j and, that they might
not return without effediug fome fetvice, they were required to
take twenty days provifion with them on every fuch expedition.
Every barrack was furuifhed befides with a pack of dogs, provided
by the church-wardens of the refpec^ive parifhes; it being forefeen,
that thefe animak would prove extremely ferviceable, not only in
guarding againftfurprizes in the night, but in tracking the enemy.

This arrangement was the moil judicious hitherto contrived for
their effedual redudion ; for fo many fortrefles, Rationed in the
very centre of their ufual retreats, well fupplied with every ne-
ceffary, gave them a condant and vigorous annoyance, and, in
fliort, became the chief means of bringing on that treaty which
afterwards put an end to this tirefoine war.

About the year 1738, the aflembly refolved on taking two huit-
dred of the Mofquito Indians into their pay,, to. haften the fup-
preffion of the Marons. They pafled an, adt,. for rendering free
Negroes, Mulattos, and Indians, more ufeful,^ and forming them
into companies, with proper encouragements. Some floops were,
difpatched to the Ihore; and that number were brought into the.
ifland, formed into companies under their own officers, and allowed
forty fhilllngs a month for pay, befides flioes ; and white guides
were afiigned to coiiduift them to the enemy. In this, fervice they-

gave

344 JAMAICA.

gave proofs of great fagacity. One of their white conductors, hav-
ing fliot a wild hog whilft they were on a march, the Indians told
him that was not the way to furprize the Blacks, for the noifc
ferved only to put them upoii their guard; and that, if he wanted
provifions, they could kill the game equally well with their arrows,
or lances, without giving any alarm. It was their practice to ob-
ferve the mofl: profound filencein marching to the enemy's quarters;
and, when they had once hit upon a track, they v.'ere fureto dif-
cover the haunt to which it led. They eftefted conliderable fer-
vice ; and were, indeed, the moft proper troops to be employed
in that fpecies ofaftion, which is known in America by the name
of biiJJj-fghting. They were well rewarded for their good con-
duit; and afterwards difmifled to their own country, when the pa-
cification took place with the Marons. In 1741, the ailembly
fhewed a further mark of efteem for thefe honell Indians; for,
being informed that fomc traders belonging to the iQand had made
a practice frequently of ftealing away, and felling their children as
flaves, which occafioned the Indians of Darien and Sambla to
.withdraw their friendlhip from the Engliih, and embrace alliance
with the Spaniards ; they palled a bill, enading, that all Indians,
imported into the ifland for fale, (hould be as free as any other
aliens or foreigners; and that all fuch fales ihould, ipfo faSio, be
void; and the buyer and feller be liable to a penalty of 50/.
each. In 17395 governor Trelawny, by the advice of the principal
gentlemen of the ifland, propofed overtures of a peace with the
Maron chiefs. Both parties were now grown heartily wearied
out with this tedious conflict. The white inhabitants wirtied re-
lief from the horrors of continual alarms, the hardfliip of military
duty, and the intolerable burthen of maintaining an army on foot.
The Marons were not lels anxious for an accommodation : they
were hemmed in and clofely befet on all fides ; their provifions
deftroyed ; and themfelves reduced to fo miferable a condition by
famine and inceflant attacks, that Cudjoe (whom I converfed with
many years afterwards) declared, if peace had not been ofiered to
them, they had no choice left but either to be ftarved, lay violent
hands on one another, or furrender to the Englifh at difcretion.
The extremity, however, of their cafe was not at that time knowi>

to

BOOK II. CHAP. XIII. 545

to the wliltc inhabitants ; and the articles of pacification were
therefore ratified with the Maron chiefs, who were colonel Cudjoe,
captains Accompong, Johnny, Cuffee, and Quaco. By thefe ar-
ticles it was iVipulatcd, that they and their adherents (except fuch
as had fled to them within tuo years preceding, and might be
willing to return to their owners npon grant of full pardon and
indemnity, but otherwife to remain in fubjedlion to Cudjoe)
fliould enjoy perpetual freedom : that they fhould poflefs in fee
fimple one thoufand five hunditd acres of land nearTrehuvny-Town,
in the parifli of St. James ; have liberty to plant coffee, cacao,
ginger, tobacco, and cotton ; and breed cattle, hogs, goats, and
any other flock, and to difpofe of the fame; with liberty of hunt-
ing any where within three miles of any fettlement [?/].

That they, and their fucceffors, fliould ufe their beil endeavours
to take, kill, fupprefs, and deftroy, all rebels throughout the
ifland, unlefs they (hould fubmit to the like terms of accommo-
dation [o]. That they Hiould repair at all times, purfuant to the
governor's order, to repel any foreign invafion : that, if any white
perfon fhould do them injury, they (hould apply to a magiilrate for
redrefs; and in cafe any Maron fhould injure a white perfon, the
oifender fliould be delivered up to juftice: that Cudjoe, and his
fuccefl'ors in command, fhould wait on the governor once a year,
if required : that he and his fucceflbrs fliould have full power to
punifh crimes committed among thcmfelves by their own men,
punifliment of death only excepted ; and tliat, in capital cafes, the
offenders fliould be brought before a juftice of peace, in order to
be proceeded againfl:, and tried like other free Negroes: that tu'o
white men fhould conflantly refide with Cudjoe and his fucceflbrs,
to keep up friendly correfpondence. The command of Trelawny
Town was limited to Cudjoe during life; and, after his deceafe, to
Accompong, Johnny, Cufiee, and Quaco ; and, in remainder,
to fuch perfun as tlic governor for the time being may think fit to

[a] One thoufand acres have Ukewifc been alTigned to Accompong's Town, in St. Elizabeth's ;
and due proportions to the other towns ; fccurcd to tlitir vcfpcftive Ncgroe inhabitants in j)er-
jietuity; and a penalty ot 500/. ordained againll any pcrl'on convicted ot" dilliirbing their pof-
fcffion.

[ff] This alludes to captain Quae, of the w indward party, who did not come iu till the fol»
lowins' year.

Vol. II. Y y appoint.

346 JAMAICA.

appoint. Thefe are the moft material articles recognized by the
law. It likewife provides, that no perfon (hall feize, detain, or
diflurb, any of the Negroes in the pofleffions and privileges thereby
granted, under penalty of 500/.; and it allows them, for appre-
hending and bringing in run-away flaves, 10 s. per hctid, with a
poundage of is. bd. for money difburfed, befides mile-money, ac-
cording to the diflance. Thefe were tlie Negroes belonging to the
leeward towns, Trelawny and Accompong, the former in St.
James ; the other in St. Elizabeth. Some years afterwards, upon
feme difference arifing among the Negroes at Trelawny, as I have
heai'd, concerning the right of command, a fray enfued. The
town divided into two factions ; one of which adhered to a new
chief, named Furry, and removed with him to another fpot, where
they formed a new town, called after his name. In 1740, the like
accommodation was entered into with Captain Quao, of the wind-
ward party ; the purporti: of which is much the fame as the pre-
ceding, except that they are prohibited exprefsly from planting
any fugar-canes, except for their hogs; and are to be tried for capital
crimes, like other Negroes. The command, upon Quao's death,,
is fettled to devolve to Captain Thomboy ; remainder to Apong,
Blackwall^ Cla(h ; and afterwards to be fupplied by the governor
for tlic time being. It was likewife conditioned, that all fugitive
{laves, who liad joined Quao's party, or had been taken prifoners
by them within three years antecedent, fliould be delivered up to
their refpedive owners, upon affurance of pardon and good ufage.
This windward party now occupy Scot's Hall, in St. Mary; Moore
Town (formed upon the defertion of Nanny Town), in Portland
and Crawford; or. Charles Town, in St. George,
. By lubkquent laws, the premium for taking up run-aways was
augmented tO'^I. pt'r head [p'j, and forae other providons enafted:
viz. that any Negroes in thefe towns, committing tumult and di-
fhubance, Ihall luffcr iuch punilhment as the white fuperintendant,,,
with four tov/nfa.en, and the captain commandant, fhall infiitf,
not extending; to life : that the p-overnor fhall iffue commiilions
for trial of the oiTeaders : that they fhall not abfent themfelves

[/d ^'7 "" ^'^ pafled fitue, viz. in the year 1769, the preiniitro is redi'ced to 2/. ^«- head, or !b
jTiudi on'y iis the iiKi^lftrate may deem meet ; and mile-money at the rare of j{J,fa- mile.

from

BOOK ir. CHAP. XIII. 347

from tl^eir refpedlive towns, without leave in writing from their
refpeclive commanding officer, under penalty, upon convidfion be-
fore two jurtices and three freeholders, of being deprived of free-
dom, and tranfported off the ifland : the hke penalty, for enticing
Haves to run away. They are alfo forbidden to purchafe flaves, ■
under penalty of forfeiture, and loo/. fine, to be paid by the feller,
or other perfon concerned.

Thefe Negroes, although inhabiting more towns than at firfl-, arc
diminifhed in their number by deaths, and cohabitation with flaves
on the plantations, indead of intermixing with each other. They
have been very ferviceable, particularly the leeward parties, in fup-
prefTing feveral infurreftions. Their captains are diftinguiflied with
a filver chain and medal, infcribed with their names: they wear
cockades, and are regularly commiflioned by the governor. It is
cuftomary for the governors to give audience to their chiefs once a
year, and confer fome mark of favour, fuch as an old laced coat or
waiflcoat, a hat, fword, fufee, or any other articles of the like na-
ture, which feem moft acceptable. They are pleafed with thefe
diflinftions; and a trifling douceur of this fort beftowed annually,
accompanied with expreffions of favour, wins their hearts, and
ftrengthens their dutiful attachment. It is probable, they would
be much honefler allies, and more faithful liibje£ts, if fome little
pains were taken to inftil a few notions of honefly and religion
into their minds. The ere6tion of a chapel in each of their towns
would be attended with very fmall expence ; and here they might
regularly attend divine worfliip once a week. A fmall addition to
the re6lor's falary would enable him to vilit and dilcourfe to tiiem
occalionally. The white refidents ought to be thoroughly exa-
mined by the governor; and^care be taken, that they are men of
good morals, fober, and promoters of order and peace in their
leveral tov.'ns. They fhould be punifhed with exemplary feverity,
whenever found guilty ot oppreflion, or other ill ulage. And the
articles of treaty Ihould never be infringed by leglflature, while tlie
Negroes conform to them on their part : but, when any deviation is
made, it ought in juftice to affecl only the contravenors of them.
Good faith, good uiage, and moral inftrudion, as tar as they may
be capable of it, are the bed guarantees of their firm allegiance ; a

Y y 2 different

348 JAMAICA.

different meafure of conduft will neceffarily render them difcon-
tented and troublefome.

Tedious and expenfive as the war was, which continued for fo
many years before they could be brought to terms, the event was
very happy for the ifland. The multitude of parties kept on foot,
to inveft their quarters, led to the difcovery of various tracts of
exceedingly fine land, unknown before. Many of thefe were
brought into cultivation foon after they were reduced; and the
roads, which were cut from time to time through the woods, for
the better carrying on of military operations, were in confequence
found of great ufe to the new fettlers, for carriage of their goods.
The treaty, moreover, gave a fecurity to young beginners in the
remote parts, even againfh any machinations of their own ilaves :
fo that this conteft, which, while it lafted, feemed to portend no-
thing lefs than the ruin of the whole colony, became produftive
of quite contrary efFefls in the end; infomuch that we may dare
the flourifliing (hite of it from the ratification of the treaty; ever
lince which, the ifland has been increafing in plantations and opu-
lence.

Their manner of engaging with an enemy has fomething too
fingular in it to be palled over. In the year 1764, when governor
Lyttelton palled through St. James parifli on his leeward tour, the
Trelawny Marons attended him at Mont ego Bay, to the number of
eighty-four, men, women, and children. After the white militia
belonging to the parifh were reviewed, the fencible men of the.
black party drew up, impatient to fliew their martial (kill. No
fooner did their horn found the fignal, than they all joined in a
mod hideous yell, or war-hoop, and bounded into a£lion. With
amazing agility, they literally ran and rolled through their various
firings and evolutions. This part of their exercife, indeed, more
juftly deferves to be flyled evolution than any that is pradifed by^
the regular troops; for they fire (looping almoll to the very ground;
and no fooner is their piece difcharged, than they throw themfelves
into a thoufand antic geftures, and tumble over and over, fo as to
be continually fnifting their place; the intention of which is, to
elude the fliot, as well as to deceive the aim of their adverfaries,
which their nimble and almofl: inftantaneous change of pofition

renders

B O O K II. CHAP. XIII. 349

renders extremely uncertain. In fhort, throughout tlieir whole
manoeuvres, they fkip about like fo many monkies [q'j. When,
this part of their exercife was over, they drew their Twords; and,
winding their horn again, they began, in wild and warlike cnpers,
to advance towards his excellency, endeavouring to throw as much
ravage fury into their looks as poffible. On approaching near him,
fome, with a horrid, circling flourifh, waved their rufty blades
over his head, then gently laid tliem upon it ; whiHl others clafhed
their arms together in horrid concert. They next brought their
mulkets, and piled them up in heaps at his (est, which fome of
them defired to kifs, and were permitted. By way of clofing the
ceremony, their leader, captain Cudjoe, in the name of all the reft,
flood forth, and addrefled his excellency aloud, deliring the conti-
nuance of the great king George's fivour and prote>Stion ; and that
his excellency, as his vice-gerent, would adminlfter right and
juftice to them, according to the happy treaty and agreement fub-
fifting between them and the white people of the tfland.

To this the governor replied, that they might depend upon the
favour and proteftion of the great king George ; and of his own
conftant endeavours likewife, that right and juftice flTOuld be always
done them ; and alfo, that he would take c;ire, that the good un-
derftanding, then fo happily fubfifting between the white inhabi-
tants and them, fiiould inviolably be preferved; provided that they,
on their parts, continued to be always active and ready in obeying
their commanding officer, and doing whatever elfe they had, in the
treaty, folemnly promifed to perform. To this they all aftented ;
and then, having a dinner ordered for them, and a prefent of. three
cows, were difmiiTed, and went away perfeclly well latisfied.

I have no certain account of the number of thefe Negroes in
their feveral towns at prefent ; but the following was tlie ftate of
them in the year 1749 [r].

[1;] A b'jcanicr hi fiorlan tells us, that, having 'landed with a parry at Cofta Rica, the toil at"
ftwotJns was fulhcieiitly compenfated with the pleafure of killing the monkies ; for at thcle they -
ufually made fifteen or iixteen fhot, before they could kill three or four ; fo nimbly did they elude
their hands and aim, even after being much wounded: and that it was high fun \.o fee the females
carp,- their little ones on their backs, juft as the Negroes do their children.

[;■] According to a late return, the Negroes of Moore Town are increafed to two hundred ; but
the whole number of fighting men does not exceed one hundrcil and fifty ; and the vvhole number
of Negroes in alt tlietowus li not augmented much beyond the above lill ot the year 1749-

7 Totals..

350 JAMAICA.

Totals. Men, Women. Cojs. Girls.

276 Tielav^'ny Tawn, St. James, 112 8^ 40 ^g

85 Accompong's, St. Elizabeth, 31 2: 13 16

i}3 Crawford, or Charles Town, St. George, 102 80 26 2C

70 Nanny, or Moore Town, Portland, 28 21 o i ;

664 j::?';"'\".^\;%^;;i;*^y'] not then formed." ^73 ^'i 88 ~

* [ '^ runy s, in bt, James, J

The pay to thefe Negroes, when they are upon fervice, is,

To each captain, — — per day, 026

Ditto private, yx.

This expence is charged to the annual fund of 500 /. appropriated
for the ufe of parties. We may add to this the following eftablifli-
ment, augmented fmce 1 769 ; viz.

To a fuperintendant-general, Currency, £ 300

To three white fuperintendants, at 200/. falary each, per am. 600

To one ditto, of Trelawny Town, 300/. ditto, — ■ 300

To one ditto, of Scot's Hall, 100/. ditto, — 100

To five white refidents, 40/. ditto, — 200

For parties as above, brought down, ■ ■ 500

/ Total, ^^r annum, f 2000

The expence of a curate, to perform divine fervice, baptize,

&c. as propofed, may be put at 50/, each, — ->___ £ 250
Which would be no great addition to the annual charge. And it is
not to be forgotten, that all this money remains to circulate in the
ifland, and is of advantage to the (hop- keepers, who fupply thefe
Negroes with feveral fmall articles for their cloathing and con-
fumption.

END OF THE SECOND BOOK.

THE

[ 35' ]

THE THIRD BOOK.
CHAP. I.
NEGROES.

IS H A L L divide this people into two clafles, the native, or Cre-
ole blacks, and the imported, or Africans ; but, before I come to
ipeak of thofe who inhabit Jamaica, I rtiall beg to premife fome re-
marks upon the Negroes in genei-al found on that part of the African
continent, called Guiney, or Negro-land. The particulars wherein
they differ moft effentially from the Whites are, firft, in refpeft to their
bodies, viz. the dark membrane which communicates that black colour
to their fkins [a],, which does not alter by tranlportation into other

climates,

[a] AnatomLfts fay, that this reticular membrane, which is found between the Epidermis and the
Ikin, being foaked in water for a long time, does not change its colour. JVIonlieur Barrere, who
appears to have examined this circumftance with pecuHar attention, as well as Mr. Winflow,
fays, that the Efiilirmis itfelf is black, and that if it has appeared white to fome that have examined
it, it is owing to its extreme finenefs and tranfparency ; but that it is really as dark as a piece of
black horn, reduced to the farne gracility. That this colour of the Epiiicnnis, and of the ikirr,
is caufed by the bile, which in Negroes is not yellow, but always us black as ink. The bile iu
white men tinges their (kin yellow ; and if their bile was black, it would doubtlefs communicate the
fame black tint. Mr. Barrere affirms, that the Negroe bile naturally fccretes itfelf upon the £//»
dermis, in a quantity kifficient to impregnate it with the dark colour tor which it isfo remarkable.
Thefe obfervations naturally lead to the further ijueltion, " why the bile in Negroes is black r"

Mr. Buffun endeavours to refolve the former part of this enquiry, by fuppofing that the heat of
climate is the principal caufe ot their black colour. " That excellive cold and excellive heat produce
'• fimilar effeds on the human body, and acl on the Qcin by a certain drying quality, which tans it ;
" that originally there was but one fpecies ot men ; and that difiercnre of climate, of manner of
" living, of food, of endemical diftempers, and the mixtures ot individuals, more or lefs varied,
" have produced the diftinCtions that are now vifible ; and that this black colour of Negroes, if they
" were tranfplanted into a cold c-hmate, would giadually wear olfand difappear in the courfe of ten
"or twelve generations."

But, to admit the force of this rcafoifing, we mull fuppofe the wcild to be much older than
has been generally believed. The jEthiopiau is probably not at at! black-crnow than he was in the
days of Solomon. The nations ot Nicaragua andGuatimala, on the American continent, u ho lie
under the fame parallel of latitude as the inhabitants ot Guiney, have not acquired this black linAurtv
although many more generations have pafTed lince they were firft difcovered by the Europeans than
Mr. Buffon thinks futficient for changing a Negroe from black to white. How many centuries mull
have revolved before that continent was difcovered, may be imagined from the populous llate of it
in the days of Americas \'efpucius, and the prodigious length ot time required for a nation or large
fotiety, of men to grow up, become powerful, warlike, and tolerably civilized, as the Mexicans

were !

352 JAMAICA.

climates, and which they never lofe, except by fuch difeafes, or cafu-
alties, as deftroy tlie texture of it ; for example, the leprofy, and ac-
cidents of burning or fcalding. Negroes have been introduced into the .
North American colonies near 1 50 years. The winters, efpecially at
New York and New England, are more fevere than in Europe. Yet
the Blacks born here, to the third and fourth generation, are not at all
different in colour from thofe Negroes who are brought dire(^ly from
Africa ; whence it may be concluded very properly, that Negroes, or
their pofterity, do not change colour, though they continue ever fo
long in a cold climate.

Secondly, A covering of wool, like the beftial fleece, inftead of
hair.

Thirdly, The roundnefs of their eyes, the figure of their ears, tu-
mid noftrils, flat nofes, invariable thick lips, and general large fize of
the female nipples, as if adapted by nature to the peculiar conformation
of their childrens mouths.

Fourthly, The black colour of the lice which infeft. their bodies.
This peculiar circumftance I do not remember to have feen noticed
by any naturalifl; ; they refemble the white lice in fhape, but in ge-
neral are of larger fize. It is known, that there is a very great va-
riety of thefe infects; and fome fay, that almofl: all animals have their
peculiar fort.

Fifthly, Their beftial or fetid fmell, which they all have in a
greater or lefs d<gree ; the Congo's, Arada's, Quaqua's, and Angola's,

were ! Fuvther, as this change is fuppofeJ by Mr. Buffon to be gradual, fome proof of it would
doubtlefs appenr in the courfe of one or two centinies. But we do not find, that the pollerity of
thofe Europeans, who Hrlt fettled in the hottell parts ol the Wefl Indies, are tending towards this
black complexion, or are more tawny than an Englifliman might become by redding five or fix
years in Spain, and expofing himfelt to the fun and air during his refidence. It would likewife
happen, that the progeny of Negroes brought from Guiney two hundred years ago, and tranf-
planted into a colder climate, would be comparatively lefs black than the natives ot that part of
Atrica, from whence their progenitors were removed ; but no fuch effeft has been obferved. And
ialHy, the whole fabric of Mr. Bulfon's hypothefis is fubverted at once, by the race of j^iiJ/iocs,
in the very heart of Guiney ; who, although fubjed to the fame intenfe heat of climate, which,
he fa)s, has caufed the black colour of Negroes, are unaccountably exempted from the ir.fiuerkce
of this caufe, though equally expofed to it. Without puzzling our wiis, to difcover the occult
j eaufcj of this divcrfity of colour among mankind, let us be content with acknowledging, that
•i ' it was jail as eafy for Omnipotence to create black-lkinned, as whiie-lkinncd men ; or to create
ftve million.' of human beings, as to create one fuch being.

particularly

BOOK III. CHAP. I. 353

particularly the latter, who are likewife the moft ftiipld of tlie Ncgroc
race, are the moft offenfive; and thofe of Senegal (who are diltinguHluU
from the other herds by greater acutenefs of underftaiiding and uiild-
nefs of difpofition) have the leaft of this noxious odour.

This Icent in fome of them is fo ex'ceffively ftrong, cfpccially when
their bodies are warmed either by exercife or anger, that it continues
in places wliere they have been near a quarter of an hour.

I fliall next confider their difparity, in regard to the faculties of the
mind. Under this head we are to obferve, that they remain at this
time in the liime rude fituation in which they were found two thoufand
years ago.

In general, they are void of genius, and fcem almoft incapable of
making any progrels in civility or fcience. They have no plan or
lyftem of morality among them. Their barbarity to their children
debafes their nature even below that of brutes. Tliey have no moral
ienfations} no tafte but for women; gormondizing, and drinking to
cxcefs ; no wifh but to be idle. Their children, from their tendercft
years, are fuffcred to deliver themfelves up to all that nature fuggefls
to them. Their houfes are miferable cabbins. They conceive no plca-
fure from the moll: beautiful parts of their country, preferring tlic
more ftcrile. Their roads, as they call them, are mere fheep-paths,
twice as long as they need be, and almoft impafiable. Their country
in moft parts is one continued wildcrnefs, befet with briars and thorns.
They ufe neither carriages, nor beafts ot burthen. They are rcpre-
fented by all authors as the vileft of the human kind, to which they
have little more pretenlion of refemblance than vv'hat arifes from tiicir
exterior form.

In fo vaft a continent as that of Afric, and in fo great a variety
of climates and provinces, we might exped to find a proportionable
diverfity among the inhabitiuts, in re<jard to their qualifications of
body and mind ; ftrengtb, agility, induftry, and dexterit_\*» on the
one hand ; ingenuity, learning, art<^, and Iciences, on the other. But,
on the contrary, a general iniiformity runs through all thefe varloui
regions of people ; fo that, if any difference be found, it is only in
degrees of the fame qualities ; and, what is more ftrangc, thofe of
the worfl kind j it being a common known proverb, that all people
on the globe have fome good as well as ill qualities, except the
VpL. II. Z 7- Africans.

354 JAMAICA.

Africans. Whatever great pcrfonages this country might anciently
have produced, and concerning whom we have no information, they
are now every where degenerated into a brutifii, ignorant, idle, crafty,
treacherous, bloody, thievifh, miftruftful, and liiperftitious people,
even in thofe ftates where we might expefl to find them more
polifhed, humane, docile, and incluftrious. It is doubtful, whether
we ought to afcribe any fuperior qualities to the more ancient Afri-
cans ; for we find them reprefented by the Greek and Roman authors
under the moft odious and defpicable charader ; as proud, lazy, de-
ceitful, thievifii, addifted to sll kinds of luft, and ready to promote
them in others, inceftuous, flivage, cruel, and vindictive, devourers
of human fieOi, and quafTers of human blood, inconftant, bafe, and
cowardly, devoted to all ibrts of fuperftition ; and, in fhort, to every
vice that came in their w^ay, or within their reach.

For the honour of human nature it were to be wiHicd, that thefe
defcriptions could with juftice be accufed of exaggeration ; but, in re-
fpeft to the modern Africans, we find the charge corroborated, and
fupported by a confiftent teftimony of fo many men of different na-
tions, who have vifitcd the coall, that it is difficult to believe they have
all bsen guilty of mifreprefcnting thefe people ; more efpecially, as
they tally exadly with the charader of the Africans that are brought
into our plantations. This brutality fomewhat diminiflies, when
they are imported young, after they become habituated to cloathing
and a regular difcipline of life ; but many are never reclaimed, and
continue favages, in every {tn(e of the word, to their latcfl period.
We find them marked with the fame bcftial manners, Itupidity, and
vices, which debafe their brethren on the continent, vv'ho feem to be
diftinguifhed from' the reft of mankind, not in perfon only, but in
poffelling, in abftrad, every fpccies of inherent turpitude that is to be
found difptrfed at large among the reft of the human creation, wn'ii
fcarce a fingle virtue to -extenuate tiiis fliade of charafter, differing in
this particular from all other men ; for, in other countries, the moft
abandoned villain we ever heard of has rarely, if ever, been known
importioned with fome one good quality at leaft, in his compofition.
It is allonifhing, that, although they have been acquainted with Eu-
ropeans, .and their manufadures, for fo many hundred years, they
have,, in all this feries of time, manifelled.fo little tafte for arts, or a

genius

BOOK III. CHAP. I. 255

genius either inventive or imitative. Among fo great a number of
provinces on this e.vtenfive continent, and among fo many millions
of people, we liave heard but of one or two infignificant tribes, who
comprehend any thing of mechanic arts, or manufaflure ; and even
thefe, for tlie nioft parr, are faid to perforin their work in a vciy
bungling and llovcnly manner, perhaps not better than an or^u-
outdng might, with a little pains, be brought to do..

The Chinefe, the AL-xicans, the Northern Indians, are all cclc-;
hrated, fome for their expert imitation of any pattern laid before
them ; others for their faculty of invention ; and the reft for the in-
genuity of their fevcral fabrics. There was not a tribe of thefe In-
dians, from the Mexican to the Caribbean, that was not found to pof-
fefs many amiable endowments. In the hotteft region of South Ame-
rica the natives were eflTeminate, lels robufl and courageous than the
Noithern inhabitants ; but none of them addicted to the brutal prac-
tices common to the Negroes, lying under the fame parallel of cli-
mate J on the contrary, thefe Indians are reprefented as a docile, in-
offenfive, fagacious, and ingenious people. The Northern Indians,
we know, have, ever fince they came to the knowledge of Europeans,
difplayed an elevation of foul, which would do honour to the moft
civilized nations. It muft be agreed, (fays Charlevoix J that the nearer
we view them, the more good quahties we difcover in them ; mofl; of
the principles, which feem to regulate their condud, the general max-
ims by which they govern themfelves, and the effcntial part of their
chara£ler, difclofe nothing of the barbarian.

The Negroes feem to conform neareit in character to the ^^ayp-
tians, in whofe government, fays the learned Goguet, there reigned a
multitude of abufes, and eflential defefts, authorized by the laws, and
by their fundamental principles. As to their cuftoms and manners,
indecency and debauchery were carried to the moft extravagant heioht,
in all their public feafts, and religious ceremonies ; neither was their
morality pure. It offended againft the tirft rules of reftitude and
probity ; they lay under the higheft cenfure for co\xtoufntfs, perfidv,.
cunning, and roguery. They were a people without taftc, without
genius, or difcernment ; who had only ideas of grandeur, ill under-
ftood: knavifh, crafty, foft, lazy, cowardly, and fervile, fuperftitious
in excefs, and extravagantly befotted with an abfurd and monftrous

Z z 2 theology ;

356 JAMAICA.

theology ; without nny iklll in eloquence, poetry, mufic, architet^ure,
iculpture, or pninting, navigation, commerce, or the art military.
Their intellcft rifing to but a very confufed notion, and imperfecl idea,
of the general objedts of human knowledge. But he allows, that they
Invented ibmearts, and fome fciences ; that they had fome little know-
ledge of aftronomy, geography, and the mathematics ; that they had
fome few good civil laws and political conftitutions ; were induftrlous
enou"h adepts in judicial aftrology ; though cheir Ikill in fculpture,
aftd architedure, rofe not above a flat mediocrity. In thefe acquifi-
tions, however imperfed, they appear fur fuperior to the Negroes, vvlio,
perhaps, in their turn, as far tranfcend the ^-^^gyptians in the fuperlative
perfeftion of their worft qualities.

When we refled on the nature of thefe men, and their difBmilarlty
to 'the reft of mankind, muft we not conclude, that they are a different
fpecics of the fame genus f Of other animals, it is well known, there
are many kinds, each kind having its proper fpecies fubordinate thereto ;
and why fhall we infift, that man alone, of all other animals, is undi-
verlified in the fame manner, when we find fo many irrefiftible proofs
which denote his conformity to the general fvftem of the world ? In
this fyftem we perceive a regular order and gradation, from inanimate
to animated matter; and certain links, which conned:!: the {ti\tr:\\ getter a
one with another ; and, under thefe genera, we find another gradation
of fpecies, comprehending a valt variety, and, in fome claffes, widely
differing from each other in certain qu:ilities. We afcend from mere
inert matter into the animal and vegetable kingdoms, by an almoft im-
perceptible deviation; and thefe two are again nearly connefted by a
very palpable fimilitude ; fo that, where the one ends, the other feems
to begin. When we proceed to divide and fubdividc the various claf-
fes of animals-, we perceive the fame exaft lubordination and clofe affi-
nity between the two extremes combining all together in a wonderful
and beautiful harmony, the refult of infinite wifdom and contrivance.
If, amidft the immenfe variety of all animate beings which people the
uni'erfe, fome anim:il, for example, the body of a man, be leledcd
to ferve as a criterion, with which all the other organized beings arc
to be compared ; it will be found, that, although all thele beings exift
abftradedly, and all vary by differences infinitel)" graduated, yet, at the
fame time, there appears a primitive and general defign, or model, that

may

BOOK Jll. C II A P. I. 2S7

may be very plainl) traced, and of which the degradations are miich
flower than thole of fhapc, fii^ure, and other ex.ternal appearances.
For, befides the organs of digefl:ion, circulation, and generation, be-
longing to all animals, and without which the animal muft ceafe to
be an animal, as it could neither fubfift, nor propagate its fpecies ;
there Is, e\cn in the parts which principally contribute to the variety
of exterior forms, a prodigious refemblance, which ncceflarily reminds-
us of an original model, after which every thing feems to have
been worked. The body of a horfe, for inftance, which, at firfl:
fight, feems fo different from that of a man, when properly compared
part by part, inflead of furprizlng us by the difference, fills us with
aftonifhment at the lingular and almoft: complete refemblance we find
between them ; for, take the Ikeleton of a man, incline the bones of
the pelvis, fliorten the bones of the thighs, legs, and arms, lengthen
thofe of the feet and hands, conned the phalanges, extend the jaws^
fhorten the frontal bone, and, Inflly, lengthen the fpine ; this Ikeletcn,
inftead of refembling any longer the remains of a man, will be the Ike-
kton of a horfe. It may be eafily fuppofed, that, by lengthening the
fpine and the jaws, the number of the vertebrae, the ribs ar.d teeth are
increafed at the fame time ; and it is only in the number of thefe boneSy
which may be confidercd as neceflary, and the protrading, lliorten-
ing, or junflion of the others, that the Ikeletcn of the body of this
snimal differs from that of the human body. But, to carry thefe re-
femblances flill further, let us feparately confider fome parts effential
to the figure ; the ribs, for inftance, which will be found in man, in
all the quadrupeds, in birds, fiflies, and even the veftiges of them,
may be traced to the very tortoife, where a delineation of them plainly
vrppears in the futures under the fliell. Let italfo be confidcred, that
the foot of a horfe,, though in appearance lb different from the hand of
a man, is yet compofed of flmilar bones ; and that, at the extremitv
of each of our fingers, there is the fame horfe-lhoe fliaped liitle bone,
which terminates the foot of that animal ; let It then be decided, whe-
ther this latent refemblance be not more aftonifliing than the vilible
dltferences ; whether this conftant conformity, and continuing model,
followed from man to quadrupeds ; from quadrupeds to the cetaceous
fpecies-; from them to birds; from birds to reptiles; from reptiles to
fillr, G?c. in which are always found the eflential parts, as the heart,
2 intcfline:s.

3s3 JAMAICA.'

■iiiteftlnes, the fplne, the fenfes, &c. do not feem to indicate, thnt the
•Supreme Being, at the crcatioit of animals, intended to make ufe of
-one model; varying ir, at the fame time, in every poihijie manner,
^that man might equally admire the fimplicity of the plan, and the mag-

K-^ .nificenceof the execution [(1^].

■^ When we come to examine the exterior figures of an_v particular

clafs of animals, we find them marked with a moft remarkable vari-
ety. To inrtance, for example, the dog kind, who have fome of them
fo near an affinity to. the wolf and fox ; there is more difference be-
tween the mailiff and lap-dog, than between the horfe and the afs ;
•;and what two anim:ils can be more unlike, than the little black Giii'
ney dog, of a fmooth fkin, without a lingle huir upon it, and the rough
Ihock dog r From thcfe let us pafs on to the monkey-kind, or anthrO'
fomorphits, fo called by naturalills, becaufe they partake more or lefs
.of the human fhape and dlfpofition ; we here obferv'e the palpable
link which unites the human race with the quadruped, not in exterior
form alone, but in the intelleftual quality. The variety of them is fo
•great, that a complete catalogue has never yet been made. Condamine^
who traveled through the country of the Amazons, faw fo many,
that he affirms, it would take up fome length of time to write out a
lift of their names. As t'lir however as they are yet defcribed, we
trace them from the cynocephalus, which mofl: refembles quadrupeds
in the fiiape of its head, through a variety of the ape kind, which
have tails and pouches, to thofe which have fliorter tails, and fome-
what more of the human vifage ; to thofe which have no tails, who
have a callous breech, whole feet ferve occafionally for hands, which
conftitute them of the order oi qiiadriuiuiins, or four-handed animals,
and who more commonly move on all-ti)ur than ereft, to tlie cephiis,
or gibbon, of Bulfon ; from thcfe we come to the o'-an-outafig fpecies,
who have fome trivial refemblance to the ape-kmd, but the ftrongeft
fimilitude to mankind, in countenance, figure, ftature, organs, eredl
pofture, anions or movements, fotid, temper, and manner of living.

The few which have been brought into Europe, being extremely
young, were, from a popular error, denominated pigmies ; for it is
affirmed on every authority, that they grow to the ordinary fize of

\h] Buffon.

man.

BOOK III. CHAP. I. 359

man. Mr. BiiflTon, who has examined this curious fubjeft with great
attention, defcribes them thus ; " The oran-outang has no pouch, tail,
nor callofity, on his hind parts ; thefe parts, and the calves of his legs,
are plump and flefliy, differing intircly from the ape and monkey. All
his teeth are the fame as the human, his face is broad, naked, and taw-
ney, his cars, hands, feet, breaft, and belly, arc likewifc without
hair, and of the fame tawney complexion ; the hair of his head is like
that of a man, ami defcends in a forelock on each temple ; the hair on
his back and loins is thin, and in fmall quantity ; he grows from Jtve
to fix feet in height."

The nofe is flat, the breaft of the females furnifiied with two paps,
and they are fubjeft to the periodical flux. The latter charafteriftic,
which is common alfo to the monkey-clafs, was not unobferved by
the ancient Egyptians, who drew a fingular advantage from it in
their aftronomical regifters ; for they kept the cynocephalus, and other
monkies, in their temples, in order to know, with tol rable certainty,
by this means, the periodical conjunftions of the fun and moon.

Lewis le Compte, in his Memoirs of China, aflerts, that in the
llraits of Molucca he f.iw fome of four feet \n height, that walked
erect, and had fices fhaped like thofe of the Hottentots at the Cape.
They made a noife like a young child ; their paffions appeared with
a lively expreffion in their countenances ; they feemed to be of a ten-
der difpolition, and would kifs and embrace thofe they weie fond of.
Doftor Tyfon, giving an account of a young male brought from An-
gola (afterwards differed), obferves, that he pofTeffed the like tender-
nefs of difpolition towards the Tailors on board fliip. He would
not affociate with the morikies bi'ought in the fame fhip, but fhunned
their company. He ufed to put on his own cloaths ; or, at leaft,
whenever he found a dilHcult}' in managing any part of his drefs, he
would take it in his hand to' fome of the company, fignifying (as it ■
were) his deiire that they ihould help him.

Mr. Noell fpeaks of apes, which he faw in Guiney, and calls barris
(which Mr. Buifon takes to be a fynonym of the oran-outang), who
walked ereft, and had more gravity, and appearance of undcrfland-
ing, than any ether of the ape kind, and were paffionattly fond of
women. ^

t I /uuiteus,

35o J A M A I C A.

LinnKU?, upon t'ne authority of fome voyage-writer?, affirms, that
they converfe together in a kind of h'ljjlng dialeft ; that they poflel's
thought and refli.xion, and believe the world was made for them,
&c. but Mr. BufTon, with good reafon, fufpeds that Linnasus has
■confounded the nlbinoe with the oran-outaiig.

The oran-outangs are laid to make a kind of huts, compoftd of
boughs interlaced, whicli fcrve to guard them from the too great heat of
the fun [c].

It is alfo a'.'erred, that they fometimes endeavour to furprize and
carry off Negroe women into their woody retreats, in order to enjoy
them.

Monfieur la Brofle fays, he knew a Negrefs at Loangs in Guiney,
who had refided three years with them; he aflerts that they grow to
the height oi fix to /even feet, have vaft mufcular ftrength, and de-
fend themfelves with flicks. He bought two young ones, a male of
fourteen months, and a female of twelve. They fat at table, ate of every
thing without dillinftion, handled the knife and fork, and helped
themfelves, drank wine, and other liquors ; made themfelves under-
Itood by the cabbin boy, when they wanted any thing, and, upon the
boy's refufal to give them what they feemed to defire, they fhewed
fymptoms of violent anger and difgufl. The male falling lick, was
twice blooded in the right arm, which relieved him ; and afterwards,
whenever he found himfclf indifpofed, he pointed to his arm, as if he
knew what had don? him good in his former illnefs. I muft own,
this account contains fome particulars very extraordinary ; for a child
of the fame age, in England, would be regarded as wonderfully for-
ward, if it (hould exhibit the like proofs of fagacity. But, if we
allow to thefe oran-outangs a degree of intelle£l not re llrifted wholly
to inftinft, but approaching", like the frame of their organs, to an af-
finity with the hiuiian, we may eftablifia the credibility of this rela-
tion, by fuppoling that like, the human inhabitants of Guiney, they
arrive three or four years earlier at the age of puberty, or matu-
rity, than the inhabitants of Northern climates : and confcquently
that their faculties, in general, bloflbm and expand proportionably
earlier.

[(■] Job foil.

Mr.

BOOK Ilf. CHAP. I. 361

Mr. Grofie reports, that two young ones, fcarcelv two feet high
(probably under two years of age), which he prefented to the governor
of Bombay, refembled mankind in all their aftions. If they were
gazed at when in bed, they covered with their hands thofe parts which
modefty forbids to expofe. They appeared dcjefted under their cap-
tivity ; and the female dying on board fhip, her comrade exhibited
every token of heart-felt afflidion, rejecled his food, and did net fur-
vive her above two day;.

Guat, fpeaking of a female which he faw at Java, fays, her fea-
ture was very large ; that (he refembled (Irongly fome Hottentot wo-
men he had feen at the Cape ; that flie made her own bed every dav
very properly, laid her head on the pillow, and covered herfelf with
the quilt. When flie had a pain in her head, (he bound it with a
handkerchief. — Several other particulars, he fiys, might be enumerated,
that were very fingular ; but he fulpefted that thefe animals are often
brought, by a habit of inftruftion, to do many of thofe feats, which
the vulgar regard as natural ; this, however, he only gives as a matter
of conje£lure.

Gemelli Careri aflerts to have {ttn one that cried like an Infant,
and carried a mat in its arms, which it occafionally laid down and
repofcd upon. Thefe apes, fays he, leem to have more fenfe than
fome among mankind ; for, when they are unable to find any fruits
in the mountains for their fubfiftence, they come down to the fea
fliore, where they catch crabs, lobfters, and fuch like. A fpecies of
oyfter, called tdclovo, frequently lie on the beach. The apes, on per-
ceiving any of them gaping, chuck a ftone between the fhells, which
hinders them from clofing, and then proceed to devour them without
any apprehenfion.

Francis Pyrard reports, he found the barns in the province of Sierra
Leon, in Guiney ; that they are corpulent and mufcular, and fo docile,
that, if properly initruded while they are young, they become very
good fcrvants.

Father Jarrle fpeaks of them in the fame terms ; and the tefti-
mony of Schoutten agrees with Pyrard on the fubjcdt of the education
of thefe amimals ; he fays, they are taken with nets, that they walk
ereft, and can ufe their feet occafionally as hands, in performing cer-
tain domeftlc fervices, as rinfelng of glafles, prefenting them to drink,
VolJI. a a a turning

362 JAMAICA.

turning fpits, and the like. Thefe and other examples are quoted
by Mr. Biitfon, who confiders thefe animals, fpoken of by voyagers
under dliTerent appellations, to be only varieties of the oran-outang ;
and in ihis light he mentions the jocko, which he favv publickly (hewn
at Paris. This animal always walked in an ereft pofture ; his car-
riap'e was rather aukvvard, his air deje6ted, his pace grave, and move-
ments ledate ; he had nothing of the impatience, caprice, and milchief
of the baboon, nor extravagancies of the monkey ; lie was ever ready
and quick of apprehenfion ; a fign or a word was fufficient to make
him do what the baboon and others would not without the com-
pulfion of the cudgel or whip. He prefented his hand to re-conduft
the perfons who came to viht him, and flalked with a ftately gait
before them. He fat at table, unfolded his napkin, wiped his lips,
helped himfelf, and conveyed the victuals to his mouth with the fpoon
and fork; poured the drink into a glafs, brought the tea-things to
the table, put in the fugar, poured out the tea, let it ftand till It was
cool enough for drinking, and all this with no other inftigatlon than a
fign or word from his mafter, and often of his own free "ccord ; he
was of a courteous, tender difpofition ; he fpent the fummer at Paris,
and died the following winter at London, of a cough and confump-
tion. He ate of every food indifferently, except that he feemed to
prefer confedionary, ripe and dried fruits, and drank wine in mode-
ration.

This creature was about 2| feet tall, and, according to the tefii-
mony of the perfon who brought him to Europe, not above two years
old; Mr. Buffon, therefore, imagines that at his full Ihuure he would
have attained above five feet, fuppofing his growth proportioned ta
that of mankind.

The pipmy defcribcd, and diflefled, by Dr. Tyfon, was not more
than two feet in height, and ftill younger, or under two years old,,
for his teeth and fome other ofiifications were not entirely formed.

The eiuntial differences between the body of the oran-outang and
that of a man, are reduced by Mr. Buffon to two, namely, the con-
formation of the OS ilium, and that of the feet ; the bone of the ilium.
is more clofe or contrafled than in man. He has calves, and flefhy
pofteriors, which indicate that he is deftined to walk ercft ; but his toes
are very lung, and the heel prefled with difficulty to the ground : he

runs

BOOK III. CHAP. I. 363

runs with more eafe than he can walk, and requires artificial heels,
more elevated than thofe of fliocs in general, to enable him to walk with-
out incovenience for any length of time. Thefe are the only parts
in which he bears more refemblance to the ape kind than to man ;
but when he is compared with the ape, baboon, or monkey, he is found
to have far more conformity to man than to thofe animals. The In-
dians are therefore excufable for aflbclating him with the human
race, under the appellation of oran-outang, or wild man, fince he re-
fembles man much more than he does the ape, or any other animal.
All the parts of his head, limbs, and body, external and internal, are
fo perfectly like the human, that we cannot (fays he) collate them toge-
ther, without being amazed at a conformation fo parallel, and an or-
ganization fo exaftly the fame, although not refulting to the fame af-
feSfs. The tongue, for example, and all the organs of fpeech are the
fame in bath, and yet the oran-outang does not /peak ; the brain is
abfolutely the fame in texture, difpofition, and proportion, and yet he
does not think ; an evident proof this, that mere matter alone, though
perfeftly organized, cannot produce thought, nor fpeech, the index of
thought, unlefs it be animated wath a fiiperior principle.

His imitation and mimickry of human geilures and movements,
which come {o near in fcmblance to the rcfult of thought, fet him
at a great diftance from brute animils, and in a clofe affinity to man.
If the effence of his nature confifts entirely in the form and organiza-
tion of the body, he comes nearer to man than any other creature, and
may be placed in the fecond clafs of animal beings.

If he is a <:xfdX\xx^ fni geneiis^ he fills up the foace between man-
kind and the ape, as this and tlie monkey tribe fupply the interval
that is between the oran-outang and quadrupeds.

When we compare the accounts of this race, fo far as they appear
credible, and to be relied on, we muft, to form a candid judgement,
be of opinion that Mr. Buffon has been rather too preci^-itate in fomc
of bis conclufions.

We obferve that, in their native countries, they are not thoroughly
known ; they live fequeftered in deep woods, poilefs great ftrength
and agility of body, with probably fufflcient running to guard againll,
as well as nlmblenefs to elude, furprizes. The Negroes and Indians
believe them to be favage men ; it is no wonder that, lor the moll: pjrt,

A a a 2 thev

364 J A M A C A.

they are fearful of approaching the haunts of this race ; and that from
feme or otlier of thefe caulcs, none have been obtained for infpec-
tion in Europe, except very young ones, who could not cfcape their
purfucrs.

So far as they are hitherto difcovered to Europeans, it appears that
they herd in a kind of fociety together, and build liuts fuitable to their
climate ; that, ^vhen tamed and properly infti'ucted, they have been
brouoht to perform a variety of menial domeftic fervices ; that they
conceive a paffion for the Negroe women, and hence mull; be fup-
pofed to covet their embraces from a natural impulfe of defire, fuch
as inclines one animal towards another of the fame fpecies, or which
has a conformity in the organs of generation.

The young ones exhibited in Europe havefhewn a quicknefs of ap-
prehenfion, and facility of imitation, that we ihould admire very much
in children of the fame tender age.

The conformation of their limbs denotes beyond all controverfy,
that they are deiVmcd to an ercft pofidon of body, and to move like
men. The ftrufture of their teeth, their organs of fecretion, digeftion,
&c. all the fame as the human, prove them entitled to fublift on
the fame aliments as man. The organs of generation being alike,
they propagate their fpecies, and their females luckle their young', in
the fame manner.

Their dlfpofition fliews a great degree of focial feeling ; they feem
to have a fenfe of (hame, and a fhare of fenfibility, as may be inferred
from the preceding relations ; nay, fome trace of reafon appears in
that young one, which (according to Le Brofle) made figns expref-
iive of his idea that " bleeding in the arm had been remedial to
" his difoider." Nor mull we omit the expreffion of their grief by
Ihedding tears, and other paffions, by modes entirely refembling the
.human. Ludicrous as the opinion may feem, I do not think that an
oran-outang hulband would be any difhonour to an Hottentot female ;
for what are thefe Hottentots r — They are, fay the mofi: credible wri-
ters, a people certainly very ilupid, and very brutal. In many refpeds
they are more like beafls than men ; their complexion is dark, they are
fhort and thick-fet; their nofes flat, like thofe of a Dutch dog ; their
lips very thick and big ; their teeth exceedingly white, but very long,
and ill fet, fome of them flicking cut of their mouths like boaps

tufks :

BOOK III. CHAP. I. ^6^-

talks; thfir hair black, and curled like wool; they arc very nimble,
and run with a fpeed that is almoft incredible ; they arc very dif-
agrceable in their perlbns, and, in fiiort, taking all things together,
one of the meaneft nations on the face of the earth [^].

Has the Hottentot, from this portrait, a more manly tigure than the
oran-outang? I fufped that he owes, like the oran-outaiig, the celcritv"
of his fpecd to the particular conformation of his foot ; this, by the
way, is only my conje£lure, for he has not as yet undergone anato-
mical invefligation. That the oran-outang and fome races of black
men are very nearly allied, is, I think, more than probable ; Mr. Buf-
fon fupports his dedudions, tending to the contrary, by no decliive
proofs.

We can fcarcely fpeak more of the oran-outang race than wc
might of any newly difcovered people, the meafure of whofe facul-
ties we have not yet had fufficient opportunity to examine.

We have feen their bodies hitherto in miniature only, which con.-
veys very little further information of their intellect than might be
gained from the view of a pidure, or a flatue.

But, if we reafon about them from analogy, they poffefs all thofe
organizations which indicate, according to LePluche[fl, the pre-emi.-
nence of man over brutes, and (hew him born to govern them.

Thefe tokens of fuperiority are, ift, The advantages received from
the ereift pofition of his head and body. All the brute fpecies re-
cline towards the earth, and creep upon it. Man alone walks with
his head upright, and by this attitude maintains himfelf in full liberty
of adion, and command. 2d, The expreffion in his countenance, from
the multitude of mufcles which are diftributed through the extent
of his face. 3d, The liberty of governing all, and varying his actions
according to the exigency of circurnftances, is the firft help which
man experiences from the ?iolfk pofition of his body. 4th, But the
analogy of his (hape, with the things around him, is a new fource
of eafy methods to him in making himfelf tnajlcr of all. What we
have juft remarked of the whole frame of the body of man, and of
tlie exact proportion. betweerL his fliape and that univerfal fway whicii
is alloted him, we may again obferve in his legs and arms. 5th, His
legs fupport him with an air of dignity, that fets him off, and be-

\jl\ Commodore Rogge-.vein's voyage. [c] Spiftaclc. de I.i Natutc. ,

fpeaks-.

366 JAMAICA.

fpeaks him a mafcr : by a particular form, and by mufcles peculiar
to them, they perform a multitude of aftions, and fituntions, adapted
to the feveral exigencies of his government, but ufelefs and denied
to his Jlavcs, the inferior animals ; his legs grow lels and lefs towards
the ground, where they terminate in a balls flattened on purpofe to
fuftain the body, by giving it a noble and firm attitude, without clog-
ging the freedom of its motions by the largenefs of bulk. 6th, The
mufcles and nerves, which produce fo many ftretchings, retraftions,
jerks, flidings, turnings, and operations of all kinds, have been all
collefted into one bundle, neatly rounded behind the fliin-bone ; this
mafs becomes a commodious pillow, fit to lay and reft the tender
bones upon, fo very neceffary, and fo brittle. I pafs by a great many
other marks of precaution, thefe inftruments are evidently full of; but
I muft not omit obferving, that the two columns of the body al-
ways afcend thicker and thicker, not only to lay the body upon a
proportionable prop, but alfo that it may lie foft, when it wants to
eafe itfelf of its fatigues. 7th, The arm and hand together contri-
bute ftill more to the exercife of the authority of man. Since man
has an arm, I fay, he is mafter of every thing on earth ; this muft na-
turally follow ; that being truly the token and inftrument of a moft
tffe£lual fovereignty. The arm of man being an univerfal inftru-
ment, his operations and government extend as far as nature itfelf. By
■ftiffening, it performs the funflions of a lever, or bar. When bent in
the feveral articulations which divide it, it imitates the flail, the bow,
and any other kind of fpring. By doubling the fift, that terminates
it, it ftrikes like a mallet. When it rounds the cavity of the hand, it
holds liquids like a cup, and tranfports them as a fpoon would do.
By bending or joining its fingers clofe to each other, it makes
hooks, nippers, and pincers of them. The two arms, ftretched out,
imitate the balance ; and, when one of them is fhortened, to fupport
fome great burthen, the other, extended out immediately on the oppo-
fite fide, conftitutes an equilibrium. But it is extenuating the merits of
the arm and hand, to compare them with our ordinary inftruments. In
truth, the arm is both the model and the foul as it were, of all inftru-
ments wlialfoever; it is the foul of them, as the excellence of their efiedls
does always proceed from the hand and arm that dire«5t them j fince
they are all lo many imitations, or extenfions, of its diflerent proper-
ties.

BOOK III. CHAP. I. 367

ties. 8tb, One may know the dejiination, and general power, of man,
in the fame manner as we know the peculiar deftinatlon of the eye,
arm, or leg ; the proportion of thefe inftrtwients, with certain cffeSlSy
points out to us the intention oj the Creator. 9th, One might be apt
to think, that his ftomach confounds him with the other animals, fince
they all have a ftomach, and digeft; as well as he does ; yet his verv
ftomach ferves to evidence his general dominion. The cormorant, the
diver, and the hern, have a ftomach fitted to digeft the flefli of a fifli.
They are never feen obferving, as the dove does, the departure of the
ploughman, who has been juft fovvlug his ground. The lion and
tiger have a ftomach fit to digeft the flefli of terrcftrial animals ; you
would in vain tie them up to the rack or manger, and reduce them to
a few oats, or the grafs of your meadows. The horfe overlooks the
hen, that turns up the ftraw he treads upon. The beafts of burthen,,
who exhauft their itrength in our fervice, are no lefs valuable on ac-
count of the cheapnefs of their food ; and in vain fhould we attempt
to reward their labour, by offering them meats of the moft exquifitc
tafte, from which they would turn away with loathing. Thele ani-
mals are then, from the very dilpofition of their ftomach, tied dov/n
to a certain kind of food j but man alone is unreftraiued ; and, as he
has on his tongue the difi.ernment ot all the favours that are diftri-
buted among other animals, he has likewife ia his ftomach the faculty
of digefting whatever is wholefome and nourilhing. God has given-
him hands, that he might lay hold of, and falhion, whatever can nou-
rifli» cure, and defend him j and a ftom.ich capable of digefting the
foods tried by his palate. But the ftomach of man is not the prin-
cipal part of his body ; that lecms by its runfticns to have a nearer
affinity with that of anim ils, at the lame time that it has a degree of
excellence that raijes it much above thc.'i. It is the fame with his-
other organs. 10th, The lips are the ramparts of the gums ; the lat-
ter are the fence of the tongue, and of the roof of the mouth. They
are a couple of true bulwirks, not only form:ng an incloilire round
the tongue, hut alfo ferving as a balis to the two rows of teeth.
Thefe inflruments,. chiefly appointed to grind and difTolve, are a bony,
fubftance, perfectly hard, and covered with enamel, which embellifhes-
the mouth by its whitenefs, and preferves, by its firmnefs, thofe
precioui tools from the friction of mafly foods, and the infinuation-
3. of.

368 J A M A I C A.

of penetrating liquors. The incifory teeth fill the fore-part ; they
are thin at tlie edge, like a wedge, and fliarp as knives. The can'ins
are rounded, longer than the reft, and ending in a point. . All the
reft have a fquare furface, that grows wider and wider, the further
they are fet within the mouth ; thefe are the molares, or grinders.
From the variety of their feveral operations, thefe teeih camprehend
in abftratt all the powers of cutting, dividing, and triturating, that
are partially difperfed among other animals; they accommodate to
every fpecies of vegetable as well as animal food ; and, together with
the ftomach, fliew, that man was formed to derive bis fuftenance
from both or either of theie alimentary clafles, at his pleafure. The
wonders of man's organization are multiplied through every part of
his body, infomuch that anatomifts confefs, that the ftrudure is,
to any ftrict enquirer, an abyfs, which fwallows up both our eyes
and reafon. iith. The human voice, merely as a voice, is not ex-
traordinary, fince other animals have a voice as well as man. But
fpeech puts an immenfe diftance between man and the animak. The
merit of fpeech does not confift in noife, but in the variety of its
infleftions and univerfality of fignification. Man can exprefs his
thoughts very variouOy. If making one's felf underftood is the fame
as fpeaking, we may of courfe fpeak with the foot, the eye, or the hand.
A man, who feems tranfported with joy, or overwhelmed with grief,
has already told us many things before he opens his mouth. His eyes,
his features, his geftures, his whole countenance, correfpond with his
mind, and make it very well underftood. He [peaks from head to
foot: all his motions are fignificant, and his expreffions are as infinite
as his thought. But his voice takes place of thefe figns whenever he
pleafes, and is not only equivalent to them, but even fufficient alone to
explain diftindly what they cannot exprefs when combined together.
Speech was fuperadded to all thefe figns,that man fiiould not want any
means of explaining himfelf clearly. In every thing, man alone unites
the prerogatives that have been granted but lingly to any particular
fpecies, and his dignity arifes from the right iije to which his reafon
enables him to apply his corporeal powers and fenfes.

If then, the pre-eminence of man over the brute creation be difplayed
in the ftrud'lure of his body, and the feveral infgnia which the ingeni-
ous author has enumerated, it follows of courfe, that the oran-outang

poffe fling

BOOK III. CHAP. I. 369

polfeffing the fame ftrufture and organization, is alfo defiined to the
like precedence and authority. The fole diftin£lion between him and
man, muft confift in the meafure of intelleftual faculties ; thofe facul-
ties which the moft fkilful anatomift is incapable of tracing the fource
of, and which exift independent of the Jiruclure of the brain ; thefe
powers are rendered vifible only in the reUiIt they produce, through
the intervention of the bodily organs. Hence it is certain, that the
oran-outang, though endued with brains and organs of a ftrudure not
to be diftinguiflied from thofe of man by the ablelT: anatomifts, fiill re-
mains very far inferior to our idea oi a. perfect human being, unlefs he
alfo is endowed with the faculties of rcafon and perception, adapted to
dired him in the application of that mechanifm to the fame ufts as we
find it applied in a rational man. According to Mr. Buffon, he has
eyes, but fees not; ears has he, but hears not ; he has a tongue, and
the human organs of fpeech, hut fpuihs tiot ; he has the human brain,
but does net th:nk\ forms no comparifons, draws no conclufions,
makes no refleftions, and is determined, like brute animals, by a po-
fitive limited inftinft. But in truth, we know not the meafure of
their intellect, nor can form a competent judgement of it from one or
two young animals, that were (hewn for a few months in France and
England. Dogs, and fome other brutes, have been made, by dint of
tlows, rewards, and conftant exercife, to vary their motions in a very
furprifing manner, according to the defires and fignals of their teachers;
but in thefe cafes, the aftual Ikill has been fuppofed to refide in the
teacher, and thatno juft argument can be drawn from hence to prove
any particular dexterity in them, much lefs any defign of theirs, or
degree of perfeftion acquired by reafoning: the monkey tribe indeed
form fome exception, who, even in their wild ftate, fliew a voluntary
delight and readinefs in mimicking human a61ions, of which there are
an infinite multitude of well-attefied proofs. When we come to view
the fi:rufture of the oran-outang, we are forced to acknowledge, that
his aiStions and movements would 7iot be natural^ unlefs they refembled
thofe oi man. To find him therefore excelling the brute animals in
the dexterity of his manoeuvres, and aptnefs of his imitations, does not
excite our admiration, fo much as the readinefs of apprehenfion, with
which, in his flate of impuberty or childhood (if I may fo exprefs my-
felf ), his performances before luch a variety of fpedators were ufually
Vol. II. B b b accompanied.

37b JAMAICA.

accompanied. How far an oran-outang might be brought to give ut-
terance to thofe European words (the lignlfication of vvhofe founds, it
is plain from BuflTon, and others, he has capacity to underftand, fo as
to conform his demeanour and movements to them voluntarily at the
immature period of life, when his mental faculties are in their weakeft
ftate), remains for experiment. If the trial were to be impartially
made, he ought to pafs regularly from his horn-book, through the re*
gular fteps of pupilage, to the fchool, and univerfity, till the ufual
modes of culture are exhaufted upon him. If he fhould be trained up
In this manner from childhood (or that early part of exillence in
which alone he has been noticed by the learned in Europe), to the age
■ftf 20 or 25, under fit preceptors, it might then with certainty be de-
termined, whether his tonsue is incapable of articulating human lan-
Tiiaees. Jjut ir, m that aavai'ceu age, and after a regular procefs of
education, he (hould fiill be found to labour under this impediment,
the phaenomenon would be truly aitonilhing , for if if be alledged,
that he could not produce fuch founds for want of the fentient or
thinking principle to excite the organs of fpeech to fuch an eflTetl , fllll
we fhould expcft him capable of uttering founds refembling the
human, jufl as well as a natural idiot, or a parrot, can produce them
without the agency of thought. For my own part, I conceive that
probability favours the opinion, that human organs were not given
him for nothing : that this race have fome language by which their
meaning is communicated; whether it refembles the gabbling of tur-
kies like that of the Hottentots, or the biffing of ferpents, is of very
little confequence, fo long as it is intelligible among themfelves : nor,
for what hitherto appears, do they feem at all inferior in the intellectual
faculties to many of the Negroe race ; with fome of whom, it is credi-
ble that they have the moft intimate connexion and confanguinity.
The amorous intercourfe between them may be frequent ; the Negroes
themfelves bear teftimony that fuch intercourfes aftually happen ; and
it is certain, that both races agree perfectly well in lafcivioufnefs of
difpofition [f\

But

[/] An ingenious inodern niithor has fuggefted many flrong reafons to prove, that the faculty of
fpeech is not the gitt ot natiiie to rtian ; that articulation is the work vf art, or at leal! oi a habit ac-
quired by culloni and exercife; and that mankind are truly in their natural llate a miitum pecus. He
inftances the cafe of Peter the wild youth> caught in the Ibrefts of Hanover, who (he tells us) was

a man

BOOK III. CHAP. 1. 371

But if we admit with Mr. Bnffon, that with all this analogy of or-
ganization, the nran-outang's brain is a fenfelcfs icon of the human ;
that it is mcer matter, unanimatcd with a thinking principle, in any,
or at leaft in a very minute and imperfed: degree, we nnifl then infer
the flronoeft conclufion to eftablifli our belief of a natural diverfitv
of the human intelleft, in general, ab origine; an oran-outang, in this
cafe, is a human being, quoiui his form and organs; but of an inferior
fpecies, quoad his intelled ; he has in form a much nearer refemblancc
to the Negroe race, than the latter bear to white men; the fuppofition
then Is well founded, that the brain, and intelledual organs, fo far as
they are dependent upon meer matter, though flmilar in texture and
modification to thofe of other men, may in fome of the Negroe race
be fo conllituted, as fiot to refult to the fame effeSfs ; for we cannot
but allow, that the Deity might, if it was his plea/ure, diverfify hii
works in this manner, and either witliholfj tVie fuperior principle en-
tirely, or in part only, or infufe it injo the different clafles and races
ot human creatures, m luch portions, as to form the fame gradual
climax towards perfedion in this human fyftem, which is fo evidently
defigned in every other.

If fuch has been the intention of the Almighty, we are then per-
haps to regard the oran-outang as,

•' — the lag of human kind,
" Neareft to brutes, by God delign'd [^]."
The Negroe race (confining of varieties) will then appear rifing pro-
greffively in the fcale of intelle£l, the further they mmuit above the
oran-outang and brute creation. The fyftem of man will feem more
confiftent, and the meafure of it more compleat, and analagous to the
harmony and order that are vifible in every other line of the world's
ftupcndous fabric. Nor is this conclufion degrading to human nature,
while it tends to exalt our idea of the Infinite perfedtlons of the Deity ;

a man in mind as well as body, yet was not only mute When firft caught, but continued fo for 30
years after, having never learned to fpeak, notwithftanding his conftant intercourfe with mankind
fiuring ihat fpace. This would feem to prove, that the want of aiticulation> or exprefling ideas by
fpeech, does not attbrd a pofitive indication of a want of intelleft : fince the difficulty arifing from
ihe mechanifm of fpeech, or pronunciation, may to fome organs be infurmountable. Singular ex-
amples of this kind may happen, but they are rare. To find a whole fociety of people labouring
under the fame impediment, would be really wonderful.

[«•] Prior.

B b b 2 fof

372 JAMAICA.

for how vaft is the diftance between inert matter, and matter endued
with thought and reafon I The feries and progreffion from a lump of
dirt to a perfeft human being is amazingly exteniive ; nor lefs fo, per-
haps, the interval between the latter and the mod perfect angelic
being, and between this being and the Deity himfelf. Let us (hake off
thofe clouds with which prejudice endeavours to invelope the under-
ftanding ; and, exerting that freedom of thought which the Beft of
Beings has granted to us, let us take a noon-tide view of the human
genus ; and fhall we fay, that it is totally different from, and lefs per-
fect than, every other fyftem of animal beings? The fpecies of every
other genus have their certain mark and diftlnftion, their varieties, and
fubordinate claffes : and why ihould the race of mankind be Angularly
indifcriminate?

;" — In the catalogue they go for mefi,
"■ As hounds anu-'^{"£vhounds, mongrels, fpaniels, curs,
" Shocks, water-rugs, ana Jdemi-wolves, are 'clep'd
" ^// by the name of dogs; the vaiued file
'* Difiinguifhes the fwift, the flow, the fubtle,
*' The houfekceper, the hunter; everyone
«' According to the gift, which bounteous nature
♦« Hath in him clos'd; whereby he does receive
" Particular addition, from the bill
*' That writes them all alike; — And fo of men — "
fays that faithful obfervcr of nature, our immortal Shakefpear; and
with him fo far agrees that truly learned and fagacious naturalift Monf.
Buffon, who inveftigates the marks of variation among mankind in
the following manner: " Men differ from white to black, from com-
pound to fimple, by the height of ftature, fize, adivity, firength,, and
other bodily charafteri flics; and from the genius to the dolt, from ihe
greateft to the leaft, by the meafure of intelle^r That there are fome
phyfical diftinftions, in refpeft of perfon, I think, requires no further
demonftration; and that men vary ftlU more in intelleft, is almofl
equally evident. On our entering Africa towards the European con-
fine on the North, we firft meet with the Moors, a race of tawny menj
who pofTefs many vices^and fome virtues; they are acute, indufti'lous,
and carry on trade and manufaftures ; next to thefe, are a mixture of
Moors and Arabs t we then arrive at the gum coafl, or country of

Senaga,

BOOK III. CHAP. I. 373

Senaga, whofe Inhabitants are an intermixture of blacks and the two
former [/)]. Next to thefe lie the Jaloffs, Phulis, and Mandingo
Blacks ; the former of whom are the mofl: humanized and induflrious
of any on the coaft; yet they are varioufly defcribed by travelers,
fome commending them for amiable qualities, others accufiiig them
of the vvorft; fo that, to judge impartially, we are to fuppofe that tiiey
poflefs both, and differ only from each other in degree; but the Man-
dingoes are reprefented as little better than their Southern neighbours
on whom they border. From hence we proceed through the different
diftrids called the grain, ivory, gold, and flave coaft, to Angola; all
thefe we find occupied by petty Negroe ftates, whofe character is
nearly uniform, and who fcarcely deferve to be ranked with the hu-
man fpecles. The kingdoms of Angola and Benguela, having been
chiefly peopled by the Giagas an interior nation, the inhabitants are
fjid to be favages in a fliape barely human. The Giagas were a tribe
that poured out of the inland parts, ravaged and plundered almoft
every coimtry bordering on the coaft, deluging them like the Goths
and Vandals of Europe, and intermixing with moft of the conquered
ftates, particularly Angola and Benguela. They are defcribed as a
barbarous race, hardened in idolatry, wallowers In human blood, can-
nibals, drunkards, praftlfed in lewdnefs, oppreffion, and fraud ; proud
and flothful, curfed with all the vices that can degrade human nature,,
poflefling no one good quality, and in fliort more brutal and favage
than the wild beafts of the foreft. From thefe, the Angolans borrow-
ed their horrid cuftom of butcherinp- a vaft number of human vl^lims.

O

at the obfequles of their kings and relations, as well as that of feafting
iipon human fiefii, and preferring it to any other ; infomuch, that a
dead flave was of more value at their market than a living one: the
former practice Indeed obtained in almoft if not all the other pro-
vinces on the coaft, and has only been dlfcontmued by the greater ad-
vantage that offered, of felling their flaves and captives to the Euro-

[0] The Moors inhabiting on one fide of the Senaga are wanderers, removing from piace h'
place, as they find pallurage tor their eattle. The Jaloffand PhuUs Negroes, fettled on the otliti
fide of the fame river, live ia villages. The Moors have fuperiors, or chiefs, of their own free elec-
tion; the Negroes are in fubjection to their kings, who are veiled with a very arbitian' power.
The Moors are fniall, lean, and ill- looked, but have a lively, acute genius; the Negroes are largL-,
fat, and well-proportioned, but filly, and of a flender capacity. The country inhabited by the
Moors is a barren defart, almoft deftitute of verdure; that ot the Negroes is a fertile ioll, abound-
ing with paflurage, producing grain, and trees of feveral kinds. Le Maire,

2r pean

374 JAMAICA,

pean traders, Inftead of putting them to death. After leaving Ben-
guela we arris^e among the Hottentots, whofe women are fo remarka-
ble for a natural callous excrefcence, or flap, which diftinguifhes them
from all others of the fame fex in the known world. Thefe people
are of a dark nut, or dingy olive complexion, and in all other refpefts,
fave what have been noticed, are like the other Negroes in perfon.
They are a lazy, ftupid race ; but pofl'efs benevolence, liberality, in-
tegrity, and friendfliip; they are hofpitable and chafte, have fome ap-
pearance of a regular form of government among them, and the bar-
barities they practife are more the refult of antient cuftoms, whofe
fource is now unknown, than any innate cruelty of their difpofitions.
Thefe people have feveral mechanic arts among them; but their lan-
guage is guttural, and inarticulate, compared by fome to the gabbling
of enraged turkey-cocks, and by others to the rumbling of wind a
pojleriori. As we approach towards Abyffinia, the North Eaft con-
line of Negro-land, we find the Blacks well (haped and featured, and
for the moft part having lank black hair inftead of wool, though not
very long. The Abyffinians are reprefented to be of a brown olive
complexion, tall, of regular and well-proportioned features, large
fparkling black eyes, elevated nofes, fmall lips, and beautiful teeth;
the charafter of their minds is equally favourable; they are fober,
temperate, fenlible, pious, and inoffenlive.

The Red Sea divides thefe people from the Arabs, who. In com-
plexion, perfon, and intelle6l, come ftill nearer to the Whites or Per-
lians, their next neighbours, whofe valour, quick parts, and huma-
nity, are juftly celebrated.

Having now compleated this tour, we are ftruck with one very per-
tinent remark; the natives of the whole traft, comprifed under the
name of Negro-land, are all black, and have wool inftead of hair j
whereas the people in the mofl torrid regions of Libya and America,
who have the fun vertical over them, have neither the fame tinflure
of (kin, nor woolly covering. As we recede from Negro-land, this
blacknefs gradually decreafes, and the wool as gradually changes to
lank hair, which at firft is of a fiiort flaple, but is found longer, the
further we advance [/']. We obferve the like gradations of the intel-

ie£lual

[(■] I admit there is fome variety both in colour and feature among the different nations of the
Negroes; fome are lighter thau others by a fhade or two, and fome have fmaller features ; but this

diverfity

BOOK III. CHAP. I. . 375

leflual faculty, from the firft rudiments perceived in the monkey kind,
tx> the more advanced ftages of it in apes, in the oran-outang, that type
of man, and the Guiney Negroe; and afcending from the varieties of
this clafs to the lighter calls, until we mark its utmoft limit of pcr-
feflion in the pure White. Let us not then doubt, but that every
member of the creation is wifely fitted and adnpted to the certain ufes,
and confined within the certain bounds, to which it was ordained by
the Divine Fabricator. The meafure of the feveral orders and varie-
ties of thefe Blacks may be as compleat as that of any other race of
mortals; filling up that fpace, or degree, beyond which they are not
deftincd to pafs; and difcriminating them from the rell of men, not in
kind, but \n /pedes.

The examples which have been given of Negroes born and trained
up in other climates, detract not from that general idea of narrow,
humble intelledt, which we affix to the inhabitants of Guiney.
We have feen /earned horfes, learned and even talking dogs, in Eng-
land ; who, by dint of much pains and tuition, were brought to
exhibit the figns of a capacity far exceeding what is ordinarily
allowed to be polTefiTed by thofe animals. I'he experiment has not
been fully tried with the oran-outangs; yet, from what has hitherto
been proved, this race of beings may, for aught we know to the
contrary, poflefs a fliare of intelledt, which, by due cultivation,

tliverfity only ferves to llrengtlien my aTgument; theie is likewife a vaiietv in the colour of their
wool, for I have feen fome perfeiftly reddifh.

The natives ot the Lidlan peninfula, betwixt the rivers Indus and Ganges in the Eaft Indies,
have the African black complexion, the European features, and the American lank hair, but all na-
tive and genuine.

It is not a variety of climate that produces various complexions. Ameiica lies from 6f degrees
North lat. to 55 deg. South lat. comprehending all the various climates of Europe, Afia, Africa,
and America. The American complexion is every where peimanently the fame, only with more
or lefs of a metalline luilre. Between the Tropics, and in the high Northern latitudes, they are
paler; in the other parts, of a copper colour, have thin lips, jet black lank hair, and no beards; in
the high Northern and Southern latitudes, they are tall and robuft; between the Tropics thev are
(hort and fquat. Douglas. — The greatell alteration caufed by difference of climate feems to confift
in enlarging or depreffing the ftature ; relaxing or contrafting the mufcles, and articulations of the
limbs; lengthening or lliortening the bones; and, in confequence perhaps, rainng or depreffing, in
a fmall degree, fome particular features. The natives of Madagafcar have neither fiich flat nofes
nor dark complexions as the Guiney Negroes; there are fome of them faid to be mere hnciet/; and
moft of them have long hair : they are by mod travelers pronounced to be lively, intelligent, fenfi-
ble of gratitude, and poifeffed ct inany amiable qualities; fo that it is not without regrtty that tve
find them treated ast the nioJl abjcdt Haves by the French, on their fcttlements in Mauritius. '

might

376 J A M A-'i -'C'A:^^

might ralfe them to a nearer apparent equality with the human,
and make them even excel the inhabitants of ^mqua, Angolay and
JVhidah. Mr. Hume prefumes, from his obfervations upon the
native Africans, to conclude, that they are inferior to the reft of the
fpecies, and utterly incapable of all the higher attainments of the .
human mind. Mr. Beattie, upon the principle of philanthropy,
combats this opinion; but he is unfortunate in producing no de-
inonftration to prove, that it is either lightly taken up, or incon-
fiftent with experience. He likewife makes no fcruple to confound
the Negroes and Mexican Indians together, and to deduce con-
clufions from the ingenuity of the latter, to (hew the probable
ingenuity of the former. We might reafonably fuppofe, that the-
commerce maintained with the Europeans for above two centuries,
and the great variety of fabrics and things manufadured, which
have been introduced among the Guiney Negroes for fuch a length
of time, might have wrought fome effedl towards polifliing their
manners, and exciting in them at leaft a degree of imitative in-
duftry; but it is really allonifhing to find, that thefe caufes have
not operated to their civilization; they are at this day, if any credit
can be given to the moft modern accounts, but little diverted of
their primitive brutality; we cannot pronounce them infufceptible
of civilization, fince even [^J apes have been taught to eat, drink,
repofe, and drefs, like men ; bnt of all the human fpecies hitherto
difcovered, their natural bafenefs of mind feems to afford leaft hope

\k'\ The docility of many among the brute creation, is a fubjed which the pride of man is
not very fond of examining with a too critical iiivelligation ; but none is more curious; the
enqifny is humiliating to thofe who would fondly confider man as poflefiing fomething of an
angelic nature ; they think it degrades them to allow brutes a reafoning faculty; yet there are
not wanting proofs of fomcwhat very like it, efpecially in thofe animals with whom we are nioft
converfant, and therefore have more frequent opportunities ot fludying. l^opc, more free in his
opinion, calk the elephant " halt-reafoning;" the relations that are given of the fenfibility of
this animal appear to many perfons ahnoll incredible.

Mr. Toreeu affirms, that, when he was at Surat in 175 1, he had an opportunity of remarking
one, whofe mafler hail let it out to hire for a certain fum/fr day. Its emploj'raent was, to carry
timber for building, out of the river; which bufinefs it difpatched very dextroufly under the
command of a boy, and afterwards laid one piece upon another in fuch good order, that no man
could have done it better.

The docility of monkeys and apes is iHU fuperior. One of the latter, trained in France, ^^'as
not long fmce exhibited in London. He performed a variety of equilibres on the wire with as
much expertiiefs as the moft noted human artifls that have appeared before the public in tliis
walk.

of

BOOK IIF. C H A P. I. .77

of their being (e\'cept by miraculous iuterpoiition of the divine Provi-
dence) fo far refined as to think^ as well as adt like perjeU men.

It has been laid, that the nature of their governments is unfa-,
vourable to genius, becaufe they tolerate -flavery ; but genius is
manifejh-d in the right frame of government : they have republics
omong them as well as monarchies, but neither have yet been known
produdtive of civility, of arts, or fcienccs. - I'heir geniijs (if it can
be fo called) confifts alone in trick and cunning,, e;rial^ling,Lhem,
like monkies and apes, to be thievifii and mifchievqus, with a pe-
culiar dexterity. They feem unable to combine ideas, or purlue
a chain of reafoning ; they have no mode of forniint^ calculations,
or of recording events to poflcrity, or of communicating thoughts
and obfcrvations by marks, charadlers, or delineation j or by tliat
method fo common to mofi: other countries in their rude and primi-
tive ages, by little poems or fongs : we find this pradice exilled
formerly among the ^Egyptians, Phoenicians, x^rabians, Mexicans,
and many others. The ancient inhabitants of Brazil, Peru, Vir-
ginia, St. Domingo, and Canada, preferred, in poems of this kind,
fuch events as they thought worthy of tiie knowledge of future
tinges, and fung them at their public feflivals and folemnities, Arith-
metick, aftronomy, geometry, and mecha'nicks, were, in other focie-
ties of menjamong the firft fciences to which they applied themfelves.
The origin of arts and foieaces in other. countries has te^n afcribed to
their uniting in focieties, inllead of leading: a gregarious life; their
neceiTities, the inftitution oi la'ws. and- government, and the leifure
vvjiicli thefe alTdrded for indulging in fuch refearches. It ma\' be
faid,' that the Negroes are not affeScd by this necefTity wlijch has
affeded other 'people > that thtip'Toii is wonderfully produdtive;
that their country abounds with food ; that the warmth of their
climate m'akcSicl'oathing fbperfiuous ; but no futh pretences re-
ftrained the South American'?^! and others living under the fame
parallel of climate, from cloathing themfelves.

The art of making garments was invented in the mildeft climates,
where there was the lealt need of any covering for the body; necefhty
alone therefore could not be the caufe of mens cloathing tlienifclves.

The Negroes live in focieties ; fome of their towns (as they are

called) are even faid to be very extenfive ; and if a life ot idlensfs

Vol. JI. C c c implies

378 J A M A I C A.

implies leifure, they enjoy enough of it. In regard to their laws
and government, thefe may, with them, be more properly ranged
under the title of cuftoms and manners ; they have no regulations
didlated by forefight : they are the fimple refult of a revengeful
felfirti fpirit, put in motion by the crimes that prevail among them;
confequently their edicts are moftly vindidive, and death or flavery
the almoft only modes of punilhment ; they feem to have no polity,
nor any comprehenfion of the ufe of civil inftitutions. Their pu-
niHiments are actuated either by a motive of revenge or of avarice;
they have none to balance the allurements of pleafure, nor the
flrength of the paflions, nor to operate as incitements to induftry
and worthy adions. In many of their provinces they are often re-
duced to the utmoft ftraights for want of corn, of which they might
enjoy the grcateft abundance, if they were but animated with the
fmallefl: portion of induftry. li no rules of civil polity exifi: among
them, does it not betray an egregious want of common fenfe, that
no fuch rules have been formed ? It it be true, tliat in other coun-
tries mankind have cultivated fome arts, through the impulfe of the
neceffities under which they laboured, what origin (hall we give to
thofe contrivances and arts, which have fprung up after thofe ne-
ceffities were provided for ? Thefe are furely no other than the
refult of innate vigour and energy of the mind, inquifitive, inven-
tive, and hurrying on with a divine cnthufiafm to new attainments.
The jurifprudence, the cuftoms and manners of the Negroes, feem
perfeftly fuited to the mcafure of their narrow intelle<ft. Laws
have juftly been regarded as the mafter-piece of human genius :
what then are we to think of thofe focieties of men, who either
have none, or fuch only as are irrational and ridiculous .''

Religion and Religious Opinions among the Negroes.

They are faid to have as many religions almoft as they have
deities, and thefe are innumerable; but fome have been taught to
believe the exiftence of a fupreme God. Thefe fay that God is
partial to the Whites, and treats them as his own children, but
takes pleafure in afflidling the Blacks with a thoufand evils; that
they are indebted to him for nothing but fhowers, without which
the earth would not afford them provifions ; but even in this, they

alledge

BOOK III. G H A P. I. 379

alledge he is only the undefigning caufe, and for the effeft they
are obliged to the fertihty of the foil. Man's creation they allert
to have happened in the following manner: in the beginning,
black as well as white men were created; nay, if there was any
difference in time, the Blacks had the priority. To thefe, two forts
of favours were prefented ; to the Blacks, gold ; and to the Whites,
the knowledge of arts and fciences. It was from choice, that the
Blacks had gold for their fliare : and, to punifli their avarice, it was
decreed they fliould ever be flaves to the white men ; they are
fully perfuaded that no country but Afric produces gold, and that
Blacks can never attain the knowledge of letters [;«].

The Mocas not only worfliip, but eat, fnakes ; now adore,
and prefently devour, their deity. In this however they are not
unexampled by fome ftates in Europe; I mean thofe pious canibals,
one elfential part of whofe faith it is to believe, that they verily and
fubftantially eat the flelli, and quaff the blood, of their God.

The fnake is likewife a favourite divinity among many other of
the Negroe ftates, and particularly the Whidahs. In 1697, a hog
that had been teazed for fome time by one of thefe reptiles, killed
and gobbled it up. The marbuts, or priefts, went with their
complaint in form to the king; and no one prefuming to appear
as council for defendant hog, he was convidted of the facrilege,
and a warrant iflued for a general malfacre of all his fpecies through-
out the kingdom. A thoufand chofen warriors, armed with cut-
lades, began the bloody execution ; and the whole race of fwine
would have been extirpated from Whidah, if the king (who loved
pork) had not put a flop to the dreadful carnage, by reprefenting
to the marbuts, that they ought to reft fatislied v.'ith the fevere
vengeance they had taken.

Of fome Cifiofiis anmig thetn.

In hot climates, bathing is one of the highefl luxuries; it is no
wonder then that we find their inhabitants'^ univerfally adopt this
agreeable pradlice, cfpecially as cattle, wild beafts, and other qua-
druped animals, ufe it for their refrefliment. The Negroes teach
their children to fwim at a very tender age; hence they become

[«] Bofman.

C c c 2 expert

3^0 J A iM A I C A.

expert divers, and are able to continue an incredible length of time
under water; hence too they incline to fix their dwelhngs on the
fea coaft, or the banks of the rivers, to fave themfelv.es the trouble
of a long walk. . , .

In thele climates the brute creation fly to ihelter from the rain ;
the Negroes likewife avoid it with extreme anxiety; if they are
catched in a fhower they clafp their arms over their heads to d(.fend
them, run with all the fpeed they can to the neareft retreat, and
feem to groan at every drop that falls upon them ; to preferve their
bodies the better from it, they rub them over with palm oili
as the aquatic birds hefmear their plumage with the oily liquor
exprefied f:om the glands which nature has provided them
with. Their women are delivered with little or no labour; they
have theretoi'e no more occafion for midwivet., than the feiBale
oran-outang, or any other wild animal. A woman brings forth her
child in a quarter of an hour, goes the fame day to the fea, and
waflies herfelf. Some have even been known to bring forth twins
v/ithout a (hriek, or a fcream ; and it is leldom they are confined
above two, or, at mofl, three days.

Immediately before her labour fhe is condud^ed to the fea fide
or a river, followed by a number of little children, who throw all
manner of ordure and excrement at her in the way, after which
{he is W-^fhed with great care. Without this cleanly ceremony,
the Negroes are perfuaded that either the mother, the child, or
one of the parents, will die during the period of lying-in. Thus
they feem exempted from the curfe inflided upon Eve and her
daughters, " I will greatly multiply thy forrow ; in forrow (halt
" thou bring forth children."

Medicine.

The origin of the invention of medicine is intirely unknown;
fome afciibe it to chance, others to obfervation on the coudud of
brute animals; both probably combined. We know that the Nor-
thern Indians difcovered that herb, which is an antidote to the
venom of the rattle fnake, by the latter means. Brutes are bo-
tanifts by inftindt ; whether man in his rude ftate poflefles any

fimilar

BOOK III. CHAP. I. 3^,

fimllar inftincl we are uninformed, but probability is in the afiir-
niative.

Tlic chief medicaments among the Negroes are lime juice, car-
damoms, the roots, branches, leaves, bark, and gums of trees, and
about thirty different herbs. The latter have been experienced
in many cafes wonderfully powerful, and have fubdued difcafes
incid«nt to their climate, which have foiled the art of European
furgeons at the factories. However, t!,e Negroes generally apply
them at. random, without any regard to the particular fymptoms
of the difeafe ; concerning which, or the operation of their i/ialeria
mcdica, they have formed no theory.

Rjq::e?nclrng relates, that when he and his companions were
amufmg themfelves at Cofla Rica with fliooting at monkies, if one
of them happened to be wounded, the reft flocked about him,
and while fume laid their paws upon the wound, to hinder the
blood from ifiuing forth, others gathered mofs from the trees (or
rather probably fome fpecies of {\.y^i\c fungiisj and thruft into the
orifice, by which means they flopped the eflufion. At other times
they gathered particular herbs, and, chewing them in their mouth,
applied them as a poultice; all which, fays he, " caufed in
" me great admiration, feeing fuch ftrange adtions in thofe irra-
" tional creatures, which teftified the fidelity and love they had
" for one another."

From what fource did thefe monkies derive their chirurgical ikill
and knowledge ? From the fame, no doubt, whence the Negroes
received theirs — the hands of their Creator ; who has impartially
provided all animals with means conducive to their prefervation.

Diet.

Maize, palm oil, and a little ftinking fifli, make up the general
bill of fare of the prince and the flave ; except that they regale
themfelves, as often as they can, with nqua vlt^^ and palm wine [;z],
Their old cufcom of gormandizing on human fiefli has in it fome-
thing fo naufeous, fo repugnant to nature and reafon, that it would
hardly adniit of belief, if it had not been attefted by a multitude
of voyagers ; fome of whom aflirm to have been eye-witnclTc? of it,

[.v] Er.'bot.

and.

582 f A M A J c: A.

.md, wh.it ii iLo/!'..:^cr, by report of Negroes tliemfelves imported
tVom that oir.itineut hito our coloi)ies \o]. The difficulty indeed
of believing it to be true, is tnuch leireued when we refled: on the
fanguinary, cruel temper, and fiithy pra6i:ice> of thefe people, in
other refpecTis ; many Negroes in our colonies have been known to
drink the bloorl of their enemies with great apparent relifli ; and at
Renin, Angola, and other kingdoms, they at this day prefer apes,
inonkies, dog's ^cih, carrion, reptiles, and other fubftances, ufually
deemed improper for human food, although they abound with hogs,
iheep, poultry, nlli, and a variety of game and wild-fowl ; why
ihould wc doubt but that the fame ravenous favage, who can feaft
on the roaRed quarters of an ape (that mock-maiij, would be not
lefs delighted with the fight of a loin or buttock of human flelh,
prepared in the fame manner ? This opinion tnuft be ftrengthened
by confidering the idea they entertain of the ape fpecies; for they
efteem them as fcarcely their inferiors in humanity ; and fuppofe
they are very able to talk, but fo cunning withal, that, to avoid
N.'^orking, they diffemble their talent, and pretend to be dumb.

They are moft brytal in their manners and uncleanly in their
diet, eating fle{h alrnoft raw by choice, though intolerably putrid
and full of meggots. Even thofe that inhabit the fea coaft, though
well provided with other viduals, are fo ravenous that they will
■devour the raw guts of animals. The unhealthinefs of fome of the
European factories here, has been imputed in great meafure to the
abominable cuftom of the natives, of expofmg their h(h to the fun
till they become fufficiently ilinking, fly-blown, and rotten. This
-caufes a flench, which fills all the atmofphere in the neighbourhood;
and, though infupportably oftenfive to the Europeans, it does not

[y] The exirtence of canibals or man-eaters is now unqueftionably proved, by the late dif-
xoveries made by Mr. Banks and Dr. Solander, in their voyage to the South Sea ; where they
found, in the country called "Nevi-Zealand, a people who fed upon human flefh. The author 01
'" The Origin and Prpgnj's of language," fays, he is well informed ot a nation in the inland parts
of Africa, where human flcdi is expofed to iale in the market, as beef and mutton are among us ;
this agrees with the accounts which have been formeily given by fome travelers, and which
till latelv have not met with much credit; for this increduhty, the before mentioned ingeniou*
author aflit'ns a very fuiTicient reafon. " Thafe, faj-s he, who judge of mankind only by what
" they fee of the modern nations of Europe, are not, I know, difpofed to believe this ; but
•" they may as well not believe that there are men, who live without cloaths or houfes ; without
" corn, wine, or beer; and without planting or fowing."

2 feem

BOOK III. CHAP. r. 383

fcem to affetft the Blacks with any other than the mofl dcHcious
lenlations.

At their meals they tear the meat with their talons, and chuck
it by hand fulls down their throats with all the voracity of wild
beafts ; at their politeft entertair)ments they thruft their hands all
together into the dilL, fometimes returning into it what they have
been chewing. They ufe neither table-cloths, knives, forks, plates,
nor trenchers, and generally fquat down upon the bare earth to their
repaft.

Their hofpitality is the refult of felf-love; they entertain ftrangers
only in hopes of extrading fome lervice or profit from them ; and
in regard to others, the hofpitality is reciprocal; by receiving them
into their huts, they acquire a right of being received into theirs
in turn. This in fadl is a fpecies of generofity which gives no
decifive evidence of goodnefs of heart, or rectitude of manners,
except in thofe countries where no advantage is expeded to be
made by the holl.

In fliorr, their corporeal fenfations are in general of the groffeft
frame; their fight is acute, but not corred ; they will rarely mifs
a ftanding objedt, but they have no notion of fliooting birds on the
wing, nor can they projedl a ftraight line, nor lay any fubftance
fquare with another. Their hearing is remarkably quick ; their
faculties of fmell and tafte are truly beflial, nor lefs fo their com-
tr.crce with the other fex ; in thele ads they are libidinous and
ihamelefs as monkies, or baboons. The equally hot temperament
of their women has given probability to the charge of their ad-
mitting thefe animals frequently to their embrace. An example
of this intercourfe once happened, 1 think, in England [/>] ; and
if luft can prompt to fuch exccfiTes in that Northern region, and in
defpight of all tiie checks which national politenefs and refined
fentiment'5 impofe, hov/ freely may it not operate in the more ge-
jiial foil of Affic, that parent of every thing that is monftrous in
nature, wliere tliefe creatures are iVequent and familiar j where the
pall'ions rage without any controul ; and the retired wilderneis pre-
fents opportunity to gratify them without fear of detedion !

[■^] Ti is f-iiil the laily conceived by her paramour, whicli gave occafwi to the Stat. 25 Hen. VIII.
which U'Sf purpofi-ly exttiided to woircn. a? well ci= mci-..

CHAP.

w

'/

384 JAMAICA.

CHAT. II.

GuiNEY Slaves.

f^fT^HE part of the African continent whence tlie Negroe flaves
_1^ are tranfported, begins at the river Senaga, and terminates at
the river Quanza, in Angola; comprehending a fiiore of little lefs
than 2000 leagues in extent, and including the feveral divilions
before enumerated.

It is computed, tliat, for thefe hundred years pafl, not lefs than
40,000 have been fliipped from thence every year upon an ave-
rage ; which, if true, makes the whole amount not lefs than four
millions.

It is a matter of furprize to fome, that fo large and continual a
drain has not depopulated this country. But, independent of the
prodigious extent of Afric, there are many folid reafons given why
this depopulation has not, and cannot happen. The ftatc of flavery
in ufe here does not hinder depopulation, as it doubtlefs would in
a civiHzed part of the world, where liberty is highly prized. A
man or woman of fenfibility, that fenfibility encreafed by reflexion,
and perhaps ftudy, would, under the yoke of flavery, be deaf to
all the calls of inclination, and refufe giving being to wretches
doomed to inherit the mifery their parents feel in fo exquifite a
manner. The idea of Jlavery is totally different in Afric. Ex-
c'lufive of the entire abfence of keen fenfations, the flaves of a fa-
mily are confidered as no mean part of it; fcarce any of them are
fold, except for very great crimes. The owners are full as careful
of bringing them up as their own children. For in the number of
their flaves conlift their wealth, their pride, and dignity ; and
therefore they fLevv an attention to preferve and multiply them,
fimilar to that of an European merchant, in the care and improve-
ment of his money.

Slaves likewife, v/ho have any abilities, are allowed to make the
moft of them ; by which means they grow rich, and able to pur-
chafe flaves for themfelves; in this, it is fiid, (I know not with
what truth) they meet with no interruption, provided they ac-
knowledge their fubfervience from time to time, and pay a tribute,

or

BOOK III. CHAP. IT, 385

or make fatlsfaflory prefents to their owner and his defcendants.
Elegance of thinking finds no place here; the air is foft, the food
ftimulating, and the paffions unreflrained. Child-birth is attended
with little or no danger or difficulty. The fruitfulnefs of the foil
leaves no room to fear that children will become burdenfome; and,
this anxiety being removed, nature does the reft.

Many families ally themfclves by marriage as foon as the children
are born, without any other ceremony than the confent of parents
on both fides. Such as have made free with the paliion before
marriage, are not the lefs refpedted by their hufoands, or the public :
on the contrary, they arc efteemed the better qualified to enter into
matrimony, and are accordingly often preferred to ablolute ve/lals.

Scarcely any of the prifoners taken in battle are now put to
death, but are almoft all fold, and brought to fome part of the coalt.
Polygamy univerfally prevails, and contributes greatly to popu-
loufnefs. Of this we may form fome judgement from Hafflcquift's
account of Egypt; he informs us of a Turk, who by feveral wives
had 40 children ; of another who had at once in his haram feventy-
feven women all with child by him ; and a third who had by eight
wives, in ten years, eighty children, all of whom lived to mature
age. But to produce examples of the like kind among the Negroe
provinces; Bofman, in his account of Whidah, mentions that he
had frequently feen fathers who had upwards of two hundred chil-
dren. Upon interrogating a certain captain of the king's guards
concerning the number of his fiimily, he replied with a figh, that
he. was unhappy in that particular, not having above feventy living*
Bofinan then aflced him how many had died, and he anfwered feventy.
Thus a family of 140 children is by no means looked upon as ex-
traordinary [q\.

Of the flaves fhipped from the coaft, not a fixth part are women ;
and this happens from there being fewer female criminals to be
tranfported, and no female warriors to be taken prifoners. The
number of females born exceeds the males, and though fome
Blacks in the inland countries have ten, others an hundred wives,
yet by the ftridleft enquiries from the inland merchants, it appears
that no man goes v/ithout a wife from a fcarcity of women ; and that

[q] Mod. Univ. Ilift. vol. xvi, p. 402.

Vol. II. D d d although

386 J A xM A I C A.

although the richefl; have many wives, the pooreft are not thereby
precluded from having one or two; in fhort, that an unpaired man
or woman is leldom or never (cen.

Thus of many hindrances to population in Europe, not one takes
place in Afric ; and fuch is the rapidity of propagation here, that it
fhould feem there would be a fuperabundance of inhabitants, if
the flave trade did not take fo many off. Certain it is, that in many
parts of Afia the climate and other circumftances are fo much more
favourable than the foil, that whilft the people multiply, the famines
deftroy; for this reafon, in fome parts of China, fathers fell or ex-
pofe their fupernumerary children. It feems from hence very pro-
bable, that Afric not only can continue fupplying the Weft Indies
with the fame quantities as hitherto j but, if necelTity required it,
could fpa-e thoufands, nay millions more, and continue doing the
fame to the end of time, without any vifible depopulation.

Thefe circumftances, together with the incurable ignorance and
unfls-ilfulnefs of the natives, fpread over a country of fuch extent,
abounding with gold and a multitude of other rich commodities,
highly prized in Europe, feem to point it out as an obje<fl of moft
valuable commerce to the trading and manufaduring nations of
that quarter; we find accordingly, that Britain alone employs
50,000 tons of ft:jipping in it, and imports from thence to the
amount of above half a million fterling, exclufive of the flaves.

The populoufnefs of this country, and fpirit of the people, make
it reafonable to fuppofe, that the conftitution of flavery has been of
fome thoufand years exiftence among them. Their commerce in
flaves muft be fixed exceeding early. Jofephus, giving an account
of the trade carried on by Solomon [r] with Ophir, which he
places in Africa, mentions that, " befides gold and filver," there
v/ere brought to the king, " x, -m-oXvg eKstpixi;, AlSiovrsg re, x, "anSriJcol^"
*' much ivory, Blacks, and monkeys," which are the lame com-
modities that form the chief part of their trade at this day. Solo-
mon however had no occafion for any great number of Blacks j
they were bought perhaps chiefly for attending the fcraglios of
princes, high-priefts, and other great officers of ftatej or for adding
variety to their retinues. Jn fome of the fubfequent ages, from the

[?•] About the year before Chiift 1000,

decline

BOOK iir. CHAP. II. 387

decline or ruin of thofe petty kingdoms which had ufed to traffic
with them, the demand grew lels and lels, until the Ncgroe pro-
vinces had no communication left, except with their neighbours,
the Arabs and Moors.

The want of more extenfive vent for their fuperfluous people,
occafioncd thofe horrid methods of diminiQiing them, of which we
read in hiftory, by facrificing them to their tettiflies and great men j
butchering their captives in war, and, in moft of the provinces,
devouring human flefli ; which perhaps fupplied them with a per-
manent kind of food, and made it lefs neceffary for them to break
through their natural abhorrence of labour, and take the pains
either of cultivating the earth, or laying up provifions againft un-
feafonable years. Man's fiefli was then in fuch cheap eftimation
among them, that they would give ten or twelve flaves for a horfe :
Labat cites an example of one being fold for forty flaves.

"The Portuguefe, who were the earlieft Europeans of the modern
ages that had any intercourfe with thefe people, and firft came
among them about the year 1450, found flaves an eftablifl-sed article
of their inland commerce with one another, and hence conceived
the idea of turning this local medium of traffic to account, by pur-
chafing flaves to work their mines in South America. It is not
improbable too that they thought it a meritorious aft to refcue fo
many human vidims from fuffering death and torture, under fuch
idolatrous and favage cuftoms ; and thus make their private gain
compatible with the fuggeftions of humanity and religion.

It was the South-wefl: part which the Portufruefe firfl: crew
acquainted with. iMany years pafled before the Englilh entered
into the flave trade j in 162 1, when captain Jobfon touched at the
river Gambia in the North-wefl part, the inhabitants offered him
feveral flaves in exchange for goods; but he refufed, alledging
" that the Engiifli did not trade in themj" for a long time after,
this traffic was regularly adopted by many of the different European
ftates, fo abundant were flaves, and io eager the natives to furnifli
themfelves with brandy, trinkets, and other novelties, that, even in
1730, Snelgrave tells us, he purchaftd a child for a bunch of beads,
worth no more than half a crown. But, to fpeak of the prefent

D d d 2 flate

388 JAMAICA..

flate of this trade, the rivalflilp of the Europeans, the bad manage-
ment of fome factories, and the overbidding of others, have opened
the eyes of the craftj' natives to their intereft, and fuch a compe-
titiou being extremely favourable to their avarice, they have gra-
dually railed the price to 23/. and 24/. per head for able men and
women ; but, rating the price at 20 /, at medium, the annual profit
to the Africans is 800,000/. lierling, out of which their petty fove-
reigns on the coafi: draw a tribute, by way of capitation tax on all
that are exported, of not lefs than 70 or 80,000/.; the moft of
which, if not the whole, arifes from the extrufion of thofe, who,
agreeably to the primitive frame of their conftitution and ufages,
would but for this trade have been put to death, and lb loft to their
country, without any refulting benefit. The love of gain, which
enables them the better to gratify their pride, flcthi and debauched
inclinations, animates them in fupplying the trade as at prefent
condudtedj and although it may lead to fome adls of violence and
injuftice among them, yet it has leflened the number and atrocity
of thefe ads, and is attended with fuch pleafing confequences to
them, that it is probable they never will let it drop willingly.
The flaves in general are,

1. Such as are captived in war.

2. Such as are fold by their brutal parents, or hufbands.

3. [Native flaves fold by their owners, generally for fome crime.

4. Such as are free born, but condemned to forfeiture of freedom
for fome flagitious offence.

Of the latter fort there is a great number; fince to their natural
vices is fuperadded, in fome provinces, a long lift ol conflrudlive
crimes, for which the puniftiment afljgned by their kings and great
men is, a fine or flavery.

In fome places, offences of all forts, except treafon, are atonable
with money ; but, that being deficient, the penalty is flavery. In
others all crimes and offences, great and fmall, are punifhed with
flavery.

An owner here has the abfolute dominion over his flaves, their
bodies, life, and goods, as the kings have over thofe of their vaffals.
He may kill or fell his flaves and their children at pleafure ; and

parents

BOOK III. CHAP. II. 389

parents confider their own offspring, as creatures wholly in their
power, to be difpofed of jufi: as they think proper. The children
uniformly follow the condition of their mother: if (lie is a Have,
they continue fuch, though the father be free. All their work is
performed by their women and flaves, and the latter are in place of
beads of burthen. Hence the chief riches among all the Negroe
dates confid in the number of their (laves. If they treat them at
any time with particular indulgence, it appears to arife folely from
the advantages derived from their fervice, and the fear of their
elopement; but the third offence of this fort is punillied by death,.
or fale to the traders, at the pleafure of their owner; their care of
the children of their flaves is founded upon the fame interefled
motive; for thefe are their wealth: and many breed flaves, like
cattle, to make profit by the fale of them, either to the more opu-
lent natives, or to the Black or White traders. Before the Euro-
peans traded to this coaft, their flaves, as well as prifoners of war,-
ufed to be facrificed' to their divinities ; flaughtered or buried alive
at the funerals of their princes and chief men, and at all great
feafts. Slaves and prifoners were indifcriminately devoured; and
in fome provinces were regular markets, at which the aged and
infirm were publicly fold for thefe ufes. There is even fome reafon
to believe, that in the interior countries thefe cufloms ftill prevail
in a degree, though much fewer are butchered than former! 3^
Indeed, the profits by felling in trade all thofe whom formerly they
ufed to put to death, in fo m.)ny various modes, and for various
caufes, either from revenge or fuperflition, for food or amufement,
are io great, that it is probable but very few of their flaves, prifoners,
and criminals, are now put to death. As they confider their flaves
merely as their neceffary beaR-s during life, fo they treat theii: bodies
with no mark of humanity after their deceafe. In moft of the
provinces they do not beflow even interment upon them, but throw
their carcaffes in any open place, and leave them a prey to wild
animals; in a few. places only they cover them with earth, but
without any ceremony.

The emoluments they draw from their flaves, in one way or
other, operate as a perpetual incentive to tiieir encouraging popula-
tion.

390 JAMAICA,

tion (already fo favoured in feveral local circumftances, as has been
mentioned) to the utmoft of their power; in order that they may
never want a fufficient number for their domeftic fervices, for agri-
culture, and other purpofes ; befides enough of fupernumeraries, to
fupport and augment their revenues arifing from trade with the
Europeans. Slaves may therefore be now confidcred with them,
d,Ct\.\^\ ftaple produdfs, as much as wool and corn are to Great Britain.
They have gained by this means a conftant vent for all their rogues
and vagabonds ; and the tranfportation of them is fo far from being
a burthen to then" flates, as the cafe is with refpe£l to the European
nations, that it is highly lucrative to them. Thus they are relieved
from their vilefl criminals, with a large profit into the bargain ;
whilft the European plantations in America are made the common
receptacle of thefe abandoned outcafts ; and are become as ufeful to
the African provinces, as fcavengers to a dirty town, or Virginia and
Maryland to Britain. It is clear, that the African flates have juft as
oood right as any European power, to banifli their criminals to
other parts of the world that will receive them ; it is certainly
^crreeable to the principles of humanity, that captives alfo fhould
be exiled, rather than cruelly tortured to death ; and by banifliment
of all thefe viiflims for life, they reap this fure benefit, that they
are effeftually prevented from returning to repeat again their former
courfe of criminal or hoftile pra6lices ; nor is the indemnification
for thefe practices trifling, which accrues to the refpedlive ftates,
from the fale of their bodies to the Europeans.

In England, multitudes are hanged, and many more fcnt to the

plantations and fold into flavery; fome for a term, others for life.

Such as are executed, can no longer commit injury nor do good; but

of the many hundred wretches tranfported, many find methods of

returning, and generally, if not univerfally, follow the fame trade of

villainy as before, till they fufFer the ult'imum jus of hanging. It

may be faid of our Engliih tranfported felons, as of the Negroe cri-

ininals, that neither of them go into a voluntary banhhment; but

it muft be allowed, that the Africans may with equal juftice fell

their convids, as the Englifli fell theirs ; and equally well veft a legal

right to their fervice in the purchafers. The argument that fome are

wrongfully puniflied in this way, is nothing to the purpofe ; it holds

equally

BOOK III. CHAP. II. 391;

equally refpeding each government ; for how many examples have
we continually, of innocent perfons condemned to death or banifli-
ment in England, upon falfe evidence? and if this occurs, as it
frequently does, in a country that bo.ifts of its righteous laws, and
equitable forms of juftice ; we ought not to be furprized, that the
fame events happen in Africa, where juftice is fo ill adminiftered
through the natural barbarity of the people. Exclufive therefore of
this argument, the African ftates having the power of difpenfing
life or death j they are likewife empowered to regulate the conditioiv
upon which life is granted, where it has been adjudged by their forms
of proceeding to be forfeited to their laws, or cuftomary ufages. It
may juftly then be queftioned, whether this baniniment is to be
termed involuntary ; fmce the parties, knowing what muft be the in-
evitable penalty of their doing Co or fo, miglit have avoided falling
under it ; but by committing offences to which the penalty is annex-
ed, they wilfully fubjedt themfelves to the confequential puniihment^
which is no other than flavery, perpetual or temporary, at the
pleafure of their purchafers; to whofe difcretion the fellers have
left it. But although it is well known that ninety-nine out of one
hundred of the ilaves fhipped from Africa, are now convi6led felons,,
whole lives were forfeited, and whofe punllhment has been com-
muted for flavery to the Europeans ; this ta6t is denied, upon a fup-
pofition, " that Africa could not have fo many felons yearly as there
" are flaves thus fold." To elucidate this, let us only confider,
that Great Britain has above two thoufind con.vicled felons yearly ;
Africa does not fell any thing near two hundred thoufand flaves
yearly; yet that would be only in the proportion of one hundred to
one ; and Africa is not only one hundred, but perhaps one thoufand'
times larger and more populous than Great Britain. It would not
be wonderful then, if from thence were to be fliipped every year
two hundred thoufand convi6ls ; thefe in fact would be juft fo many
lives faved, and rendered ufeful to the community ; which advantages
would be wholly loft, were the flave trade univerfally given up ; for
as the Africatis are naturally thieves and villains,, though flavery is
the certain punifhment now on their conviction, the breaking up of
the flave trade might indeed alter the punilhment to that of death,,
but would not reform them ; and that this would be the fuie conle-

quence^

392 JAMAICA.

ciience, may be judged from the well- attefted fad, that if the {laves
which the Africans bring to market are fo old or blemiflied, that
they cannot get what they think a fufRcient price for them, they
will cut their throats before the faces of the Europeans [j]. To abolifh
this trade, is therefore no other than to refign them up to thofe dia-
bolical butcheries, cruelty, and carnage, which ravaged their pro-
vinces before the European commerce with them began.

It appears from the fulled evidence, that the provinces bordering
upon the coafl: do not fend any of their own natives into banhh-
ment, unlcfs for atrocious crimes; the major part are brought from
the interior parts, where thefe Haves are an eftablifhed article of
traffic; fome few captives of war, the reft convifts, or criminal per-
sons, born in a ftate of pure ilavery ; and over whom their owners
cxercife, agreeably to their ufage and conftitutions, the moft abfolute
•will and power.

We are informed, that the Black merchants travel many hundred
inlles, and colled them from theutmoft: extremities of Afric; great
numbers, fold from Angola, having been brought from the interior
parts of ^Ethiopia, on the borders of the Indian ocean; and at Sabi,
and in other provinces, inland, regular markets are held, where are
to be fold men, women, children, hogs, flieep, goats, &c. incom-
inon. We find therefore, that thefe fupplies are drawn, by a variety
of channels, from every part of this extenfive continent ; every pro-
vince contributing a few; fo that by the time thefe feveral quotas are
affembled at the coaft, or grand fliipping-place, they may well
amount to a very confiderable multitude.

If a Negroe, fo purchafed, fhould, upon being tranlplanted into a
country where freedom is truly underllood, afpire to get free from
that bondage in which he has always lived, or to which the judge-
ment of his fociety has decreed him ; I acknowledge there are no
means of preventing his attempts, but by an exertion of force. Few
men (except thofe Africans who live in their own country in a ftate
of fervility) are without the defire of enlargement. Thefe Africans
know not what freedom is, until they enter our colonies; and there-
fore can have no paflion for a ftate, whofe qualities they are igno-
rant of. In regard to other countries, and other men, the laws of

[s] Treatife on the Trade from Great Bmain to Africa, 1773.

different

BOOK III. CHAP. II. 39J

clitFerent ftates, aware of this furor for liberty, have taken care to lay
reftraints upon it. In England, for example, the common labourers
are obliged, by force of penal inftitutions, to. remain content with a
very limited portion of liberty. The felons baniflied to America
would foon evade their fentence, if not conllrained to obedience by
fuperior ftrength. Without this curb, no man would fuffer himfelf
to be deprived of his perfonal freedom for debt; no feaman would
fubmit to be prefled, no Ibldier to be retained in the fervice, no
highwayman to be hanged. A labourer in England never confented
to the laws which impofe reltridions upon him ; but there is in
every government a certain fupreme controuling power, included in
the ibcial compa<5t, having the energy of law, or publidied and de^
clared as the law of the land ; by which every member of the com-
munity, high and low. rich and poor, is refpedively bound : it is in
truth an aflbciation of the opulent and the good, for better preferving
their acquifitions, againft the poor and the wicked. For want>
complicated with mifery and vice, generally feeks relief by plunder-
ing from thofe who are better provided. An African is as much
bound by this fupreme power, as the Englifh labourer.

If then every African ftate has from the eariieft ages, as far as wc
can trace, not only tolerated a property in men, but aflerted and exer*-
cifed a right of felling their criminals, (laves of war, and native
flaves, to any one that would buy them, in this transfer is implied as
much right of property in the vendee, as in the vender : no one
queftions in that country, not even the criminals and Haves them-
felves, this right of felling, and acquiring a property; it is univer-
fally acknowledged; nor is the will of the party fold, ever confulted;
he admits the vender's right, as part of the law or ufage of his fo-
ciety ; and this precludes all idea of illegal durefs, and proves that the
right of perfonal property over fuch, as are purchafed out of a ilate
of pure flavery, is lawfully continued to the fubfequent owners.

No one doubts, but that every contraft made in Afric for the pur-
chafe of a flave, is there underftood by the three parties, the buyer,
the feller, and the perfon fold, to be perfeclly firm' and valid ; the
one knows what he buys, the other what he fells, and the third,
that his fervices are thus become tranflated to his new owner ; he is
confcious likewife, that he himfelf would acquire the fame right.

Vol. II. E e e fhould

394 J A M A I C A.

fhould he ever become a flave-holder ; accordingly we are told, that
in certain provinces, the flaves are permitted to grow rich enough to
become themfelves the buyers and proprietors of flaves. The com-
mencement of this bondage therefore in Afric is fo very far from
being illegal, that (refpefting the laws and cufloms of that conti-
nent) it is univerfally admitted and fandtified by publick notoriety,
eftablifhed ufage, and the general full confent of all the inhabitants.
Surely, avoj^age from Afric to any other country, where this claim
of property is continued, cannot diliblve the bargain.

In regard to captives of war, fold as flaves, it appears that they
come under that flate by an act of their own, which cannot be
deemed otherwife than voKintary. It is evident, from the hiftory
we have of the Negroe flates, that the mofl: potent among them
cannot pretend to be enfured from flavery ; for it may become the
lot of every one that ventures a battle. It is confiftent with every
maxim of equitv, reafon, and juftice, that a perfon reduced to this
clafs, to which he intended reducing his conqueror, does (on the
principle of enflaving, or of being cnflaved) fubmit knowingly
and voluntarily to the event. Among Chriflian princes at war with
each other, Grotius obferves, that this pra6lice of enflaving prifoners
has entirely ceafed. But ftill fome (hadow remains among them
of the original power, which the- viftorsexerciled over thejr captives.
Their perfonal liberty is reftrained, until they eitli'er bind themfelv^s^
not to relume arms, or until a valuable confideration is ]>'aid flar
their enlargement ; this confids either of a pecuniary ranfom, or an
exchange of man for man, which is the fame as giving value for
value. It is faid, that a Negroe chieftain fparcs the life of his
captive, which fhews (according to the civilians) that he is under no
abfolute necedity of killing him. But Who is to be judge of this
neceffity, tlie civilians or the chieftain? This proves only a com-
mutation of the mode, by which the chieftain feeks to be rid of,
and to deprive his enemy of further capacity to do him hurt. His
rage and his fears ufcd formerly to meet fatisfaclion by two v»-ay3,
either by putting him to cruel death, ar by holding him in llridl
boiidage ; thefe both fecu red him from future attacks. If he fpared
his life for a time, it was only to make him drag on a miferable
exiilence, under continual hard treatment; and by a lingering mifery

adminifter

BOOK III. CHAP. ir. 595

admlnidei* more zeft to implacable vengeance. This was the
tuttom before the Europeans vilitcd the coaft. But this trade di-
verted the thirft of blood, and the refinements of malice, into the
love of gain ; and now the pradice of banifliment not only gratifies
this powerful incentive, but confults their fccurity equally well as
the antient mode, by removing their enemies, and effed:ually pre-
venting their repetition of hoftility.

They, as well as the Europeans, confider their prifoner as one
who is to be redeemed with a price. They hold his body as their
abfolute property ; and the prifoner, from the moment of his cap-
tivity, as well as before he was made a prifoner, knows the full
latitude of that power ; he is confcious there is a price fixed upon
his head ; if he is redeemed from death by his countrymen, he is
fenfible that he becomes juflly their debtor, and no lefs fo if, his
countrymen refufuig to ranfom him, he is redeemed by others. VVe
form an erroneous idea of the Negroes, if we fuppofe that they prefer
death to life; or that, upon the choice being offered, they would not
rather be perpetual fervants to a man of tolerable humanity, than be
mangled and butchered by their inhuman conquerors. But without
entering into the fubtle diftindions of civilians, which would lead
us too far, it is certain, that the Negroe dates at prefent encounter
with each other, with a view chiefly to acquire as many flaves as they
can : flaves being their real wealth, whether retained for their own
ufe, fold to other Negroe flates, or to foreigners ; and all parties
among them well underftanding this to be, if not the motive^ at leafl:
the fare iflue, of all the wars in which they engage, they cannot be
faid to fuffer injuflice who meet with that tate, which they either
defign for others, or have reafon to expe£t themfelves.
, It is faid, that many are kidnapped into our plantations. This
however is a fa6l which wants to be proved. The trade is not now
to beeflimated by the manner in which it was originally carried on
(when irregular rovers of many nations made defcents upon the
coaft), but as a regularly conduced, and eftabliflied plan. Our a£ts
of parliament, and the African company, ftriclly prohibit the buying
any pnnyard or ftolen Negroe, under fevere penalties ; and the flaves
bought by the fadlories always undergo a review of the chief men of
the place, to prevent any fuch being fliipped otF; their interefl

E e e 2 makes

3f6 JAMAICA.

makes this caution necefllhry, becaufe very dlfagreeable confeqneiiceg
might enfue to tlie trade, if it Ihould be negleded; for, many years
ago, when any violences of this nature were pradifed, they not only
put a ftop to commerce at the particular place where they
happened, but alarmed the neighbouring dillrifts; and fuch injuries
were ufually retaliated upon innocent navigators, who afterwards
touched there, and were often furprized and murthered by the na-
tives. Almoft every aft of this fort, perhaps, has thus been atoned
for at the price of blood ; and it is therefore highly improbable that,
under thefe circumflances, any fuch thefts can at prefent be com-
mitted ; nor would any planter knowingly purchafe Negroes ob-
tained in that furreptitious manner, through a juft fear, that they
would either fhorten tlieir lives with pining after their friends and
country, or take every opportunity of eloping from him; events
which he has not equal reafon to expeft from exiles, whom their
country has renounced, and vomited forth.

Banifhment being now fubllituted throughout mofl part of the
Negroe territory in Afric, in place of death ; it is not furprizing,
that the convicts and captives entertain horrid notions of it, and
often flruggle for relief before they quit the coaft. Many of them,
it is probable, when they have committed fiults, were threatened to
be fold to the Europeans ; and this menace may be often ufed, as the
nam.e of Marlborough was by women in F^-ance, to frighten their
children into good behaviour. Perceiving that this is the general
courfc of punifhment, infllded on very capital crimes, they natu-
rally apprehend it to be a moft fevere and cruel pena-lty. This ap-
prehenfion mufl dwell upon their minds the more, as they remain
ignorant of the fate which has attended the many other thoufand
exiles, their predeceflbrs, none of whom return to tell the tale ; fo
that, no doubt, their imaginations paint the change in the mofl ter-
rific colours. Thefe prejudices are flrengthened by the neceflity
there is for treating them as condemned criminals and viiftims,
from the time of their firft delivery into the hands of the Negroe
merchants, by whom they are conduced through the country tied
together with thongs to prevent their efcaplng ; at the faftory they
are fliackled for the like reafon, and on board fliip they meet with
the like treatment. Thefe precautions are injurious to their health,

and

BOOK III. CHAP. n. jg;

anJ confequently to the intercfl of the traders ; but they feem in-
evitable. The many acls ot violence they have committed, by
murdering whole crews, and delhoying fliips, when they had it left
in their power to do fo, have made this rigour wholly chargeable on
their own bloody and malicious difpofition, which calls for the
fame confinement as if they were wolves or wild boars.

Several of the Negroes imported into our colonies, having been
qneftioned, as Toon as they had learned Englifh enough to be under-
ftood, what opinion they had conceived in Afric of their future defti-
nation among the white people; it appeared from their anlwer, that
fome of thele poor wretches believe that they are bought in order to-
be fattened, rojfted, and eaten. Others fuppofe, that the Europeans
buy them to make gunpowder of their bones ; and Du Pratz fays,
that the French Negroes imbibe a notion from their infancy, that the
\vhite 4nen buy them to drink their blood ; which, he tells us, is
owing to this; that when the firlt Negroes iaw the Europeans drink
red wine, they imagined it was blood ; fo that nothing but experience
can eradicate thefe falfe terrors: but as none of the flavcs, who have
had that experience, ever return to their own country, fo the fame
prejudices continue to fubfifton thecoaft: of Guiney, where they are
purchafed. Some, who are Grangers to the manner of thinking
among the Negroes, imagine, that thiscan beof nobad confequence.
But there are many examples of the contrary, efpecially if the
Negroes, on their firft arrival, meet with no other (lave who can.
talk their dialect, and quiet their fears; for thefe have often caufed
fome to hang or drown themftdves, and others to run awav.

To thefe prejudices may be afcribed the reluftance they fo often
manifeft, on leaving Afric. They who are fold for heinous crimes,
as well as others who are fold for trivial faults, or perhaps no faul'
at all, are equally fufceptible of thefe apprehenfions. The merely
leaving their country, can work no fuch etfeil on the minds of thole
who are fenfible that, if they had remained in it, or fliould return to
it again, they muft inevitably fuffer death. Snelgrjve mention?, that
when he was on the coaft, in i 730, the king of Old Calabar, tailing
fick, caufed (by advice oih.hmarbuts)'^ child about ten months old to.
be facrificed to his fetifhe, or divinity, for recovery. Snelgrave faw
the child, after it was killed, hung up on. the bough of a trec^and a

live

398 J A M A I C A.

live cock tied to It, as an addition to the fpell. Being afterwards on
another voyage at the fame place, he beheld the fame king fitting on a
Itool under a fiiady tree, and near him a little boy tied by the leg to a
flake driven into the ground, covered with files and other vermin, and
two marbuls (landing by. On enquiry he learnt, it was intended to
be facrlficed that night to their god Rgbo, for his majcfty's profperity.
Snelgrave redeemed the child at the king's own price, and carrying his
bargain on board (hip, found that this infant's motlier had been fold to
him the very day before ; whofe joy on thus meeting again with her
fon, fo unexpeftedly refcued from the brink of flaughter, he patheti-
cally dcfcribes; adding, that the ftory coming to be known among all
the Blacks on board, it difpelled their fears, and impreffed them with
fo favourable an opinion of the white men, that although he had three
hundred in all, they gave him not the leaft difturbance during the
voyage. When their prejudices were diflipated by fo llriking an ex-
ample of humanity (hewn to a Negroe, they perceived the Whites
were not fuch bugbears as they had been induced to believe, and grew
happy and peaceable, on finding that a white matter was likely to be
more merciful towards them than a black one.

The objedion, that many die in tranfportation to the colonies, does
not bear againll the trade itfelf, but againft fome defefl: or impropriety
in the mode of conducing it. A fimilar objeftion may lie againft
cooping up debtors or other prifoners in a clofe unwholefome jail ;
fending; convids to America huddled together in fmall veflels; cram-
ming Ibldiers into inconvenient tranfport fliips j or imprefled men into
clofe tenders, or ill-conifruded (hips of war; by all which means vaft
multitudes have perifhed, without any bead-roll taken of their num-
ber, though, it is probable, the lift would run fliockingly high. To
what end are the contrivances of ventilators, &c. but the prevention
or diminution of this mortality? But the mortality is fully evinced in
point of fa6t, by the many expedients which have been recommended
by humane perfons to render it lefs frequent.

The captains, I believe, to whofe charge they are committed, are
careful of their healths to the utmoft of their, power, confiftent with
the fifety of their own lives; their intereft, and that of their employ-
ers, depends much upon it. But captains, and other feafaring men,
are not often philofophers or phyficians; nor all as difcerning as a

Linde

BOOK III. CHAP. II. 399

Lindc or a Macbride. The African merchants will, for their own
fakes, adopt every expedient that may conduce to the good health and
condition of thefc cargoes [/] ; but even with the utmoft care it may
liappen, that an epidemic difeafe may break out during the paflagc;
probably the fmall-pox or fluxes. Accidents of this nature cannot be
totally excluded; and it is fome fatisfa6i:ion to refleft, even in this cafe,
that nioft, or all of the poor wretches, if it were not for the trade,
would have met with an untimely and more painful end in their own
country; it is better furely, that a few fliould perifh by fuch cafualties,
than that all fhould die by the hand of an executioner. That in the
native Africans fide of Negroes to our fliipping, various frauds have
been committed, and perfons Improperly and unjuflly fold; that mer-
chants of ihips have been inhuman; that planters have been wantonly
cruel, may be fuppcfed from the enormity ot crimes feen every day in
the moft civilized flates. To thefe abufcs, efficacious remedies fliould be
applied ; and the African merchants will own the higheft obligations
to government, if by falutary laws it can alleviate any dlftreiles fuf-
fered by thofe, whofe labour fupports our colonies, and enriches oui
mother country. But, to fay the truth, it muft be confeflcd, that
the difference between the condition of the Negroes in general in
Africa, and in our colonies, is fo great, and fo much happier in our
'colonies, that they themfelves are very fenfible of it. I once interro-
gated a Negroe, who had lived fcveral years in Jamaica, on this fub-
je<5l. 1 aiked him if he had no defire of re-viliting his native country?

[/] The benefit of ventilators in tranfport rtiips has been found very great. In a Liverpool
iliip which had ventilators, not one ot Soo flavcs died, except only a child, born in the voyage;
but ill leveral other flave fliips without ventilators, there died 30, 40, ^o, or 60 in a fliip.

Capt. Thoir.pfon, of iheSuccefs tranfpoir, with 200 preJJcJ mai, delivered out of gaol with dif-
tenipers on them, were all landed fate in Georgia (1749), though they had been detained near a
twelveniontli on boai'd ; which ««£■(>/»«»« good lack the captain attributed to his ventilators.

Capt. Crammond, with 392 Haves bound to Buenos Ayres, carried all of them fafe by the fame
means, except \2 onlv, who were ill with a flux when they came on board. lu the) ear lyjfj,-
ventilators being put on board the French vcHels in the flavc trade at Bourdeaux,. it was tound that
by the ufe of theiu, inilead of one-fourth lofs in long pafiages from Africa to (lieir plantation,-;, the
lofs feldom exceeded' a twentieth ; and one veflel faved 308 out of 3 : z (hues, in fpight of moll te-
dious-calms, -and a lingering paflhge. So in. the Nova Scotia tranfport (liips, 12 to ' i more \» ere
. found 10 die in.unvcntilatcd than in ventilated iliips, JLiks, en /"ait-Litors.

Thefe'examples will prove, that the ftiip cHir.ers of both nations. have nor been wanting in the
exerciTe of means for preferving the lives and health of the flaves Iranfported from Africa; but it
rapperif* obvious, thatEnglifir convids and recruits fcnr over the water were fnbjecl to equal morta-
lityi- till the^ like means v.'cre nfed tor their prefervation.

#1 ■ ■ ^^^

400 J A M A I C A.

his reply was to the followhig effect; that he would much rather flay,
live, and end his days, where he was. That he could not live lb com-
fortably in his own country ; for in Jamaica he had food and cloathino-
as much as he wanted, a good houfe, and his family about him; but
that in Africa he would be deftitute and helplefs, without any fecurity
to his life, or any of thofe enjoyments which now rendered it com-
fortable. Although fome few of thefe poor wretches may have inex-
orable tyrants for their mafters, who may treat them worfc perhaps
than any perfon of humanity would treat a brute; yet, in general, the
cafe is very different, and one thing is felf-evident, that it being fo op-
pofite to the intereil: of any planter thus barbaroufly to treat, or inhu-
manly to work his Haves to death ; if ever fuch inftances of cruelty
happen, the owner is, without doubt, either a fool or a madman.

Many of the Negroes in this ifland, the tradefmcn, and fuch as are
iifually called Houfe Negroes, live as well, or perhaps much better, in
point of meat and drink, than the poorer clafs of people do /i\i England;
and not one of them, even to the plantation labourer, goes through
half the work; for even thofe who cultivate the lands, are not without
indulgence, and frequent intervals of recreation.

If, indeed, we fuppofe a man bred up and habituated to a ftate of
fure^/lavery ^mong numberlefs others in the fame predicament, fubjedl
to the vilell: fpecies of bondage ; that his life, his perfon, his food, and
acquilitions, are all at the abfolute and arbitrary difpofal of his owner,
as much as if he were a meer ox or (heep ; and that he is in hourly
peril of being damnified in lome one or other of them, by the wanton
cruelty or caprice of his owner; let us then imagine this unhappy
wretch conveyed into another region, and among a people very differ-
ent from the laft, in government, manners, and difpofition; where his
fervitude is tempered with lenity, where he is permitted to enjoy a
little property undifturbed, where his life, his body, his food, and
raiment, are prote<Sled and affured to him by public regulations ; can
we hefitate one moment to fay, that his yoke is now become eafy,
his burthen light? and (hall we not conclude, that fuch a being,
though perhaps averfe at firft to the change, through erronepus im-
preflions, and utter ignorance of his future defliny, will foon difcern
the more happy circumftances of his new condition, and really think,
that, compared with the paft, his prefent fervices are perJeB freedom.

3 i^

BOOK Iir. CHAP. II. I 461 i^

In this liglit, if we are impartial, we ought to examine the fubjedl:;
not ufing flavery as an indefinite term, but confidering how far juft
our particular idea or definition of it is, when applied to this or that
fet of men, who live In a different part of the world; fince what is
ckcmed flavery in one place, is far from being reputed fo in another:
a Briton therefore, who has always lived in fruition of a rational free-
dom, muft not judge of every other man's feelings by his own ; be-
caufe thev vvlio have never experienced the fame Britifh freedom, or
any degree near to it, cannot poflibly hold the fame opinion of flavery
that a Briton does; for they know not how to diftinguifh it; and
with fuch, the fervitude they live under, has neither horrors nor
hardfhip.

Among men of fo favage a dilpofition, as that they fcarcely differ
from the wild beafts of the wood in the ferocity of their manners, we
muft not think of introducing thofe polifhcd rules and refinements,
which have drawn their origin and force from the gradual civilization
of other nations that once were barbarous. Such men muft be ma-
naged at lirft as if they were beafts j they muft be tamed, before they
can be treated like men. Ridiculous is it, when the argument re-
gards fuch men, to fay, that they do not come into our colony-fcrvi-
tude under regular cowpaSisl True, they do not; for, if they did, they
would no longer be flaves, in the ufual acceptation of the term. As
Haves, they come into the colony from their native country ; but the
difference lies in this, they were flaves, abjedl flaves in Africa, and fo
would have continued, with infinitely greater difadvant:;ges than they
experience in the colony. In the former, they were fubjeft to all the
feverities of the moft brutal and licentious tvrannv, under men living:
in fomethinsf worfe than a ftate of nature. In the colonv, the owner
of the flave receives him with a tacit agreement that his ferviccs fhall be
requited with neceflary food and cloathing; a juft proportion and in-
terval, of reft:; Ibme leifure too for his own particular emoluments; a
weather-tight and convenient habitation; a profpedl of many tempo-
rary and occafional douceurs; and even of an independence, if his de-
ferts fhould claini it. Add to this, that his life is proteded by law,
and that his owner holds not an unlimited power over him. He en-
joys a more narrowed decree of liberty than fome fubjects In Britain,
but in feverai refpecls a much larger extent than fome others. Under

Vol. II. Fff the

402 JAMAICA.

the penal laws of Jamaica, he Is (in general) entitled to equitable
modes of juftice, trial, and judgement; from other laws he derives
proteftion, immunities, and emoluments. In his habitation, cloath-
ing, fubfiftence, and poffeffions, he is far happier and better provided'
for than moll of the poor labourers, and meaner clals, in Britain. It
is not therefoi'e a mere found, importing flavery, that makes men Haves;;
the Negroes here are not the more To for the title; although the com-
mon ideas of uninformed perfons lead them to think of their condi-
tion in the very worfl: fenfe which that term admits. In truth, on
many plantations, and under mild mafters, if they receive not hire in
money, they receive an equivalent in the neceflaries and conveniencies
of life, and the peaceable enjoyment of their private acquifitions; and,,
what is flill better, good ufage, and proteflion from injuries ; which
are a more current coin amongft the honefl and free-minded, than,
money iifelf.

It does not follow, becaufe thefe flaves are delivered into the hands
of Europeans by the Negroe merchants or potentates, to be dealt with
as they think proper, that the Europeans ailert any power of inflift-
ing cruelty upon them ; or believe, there is any merit in abftaining from
mifufage of thefe poor wretches ; who might poffibly have been put to
death, if they had not redeemed them.

In faft, the mod humane of tlie Europeans, among whom I furely
may efteem the Britilh, hold them only in what Grotius and other
authors diilinguiOi as a legitimate, equitable fpecies of fervitude; in-
cluding a fort of compaft, by which (abftrafted from the right ac-
quired hy purchafe J one man owes to another perpetual fervices lor the
prefervation of his life, for his fuftenance, and other neceflaries ; and
this is founded on the principles of reafon. The maftcr does not ex-
tend his power over his flave beyond the bounds of natural equity, but
a reciprocal obligation conne<!n:s them; protedVion and maintenance on
the one hand, fidelity and fervice on the other ; this obligation has
nothing in it oppreffive, but, on the contrary, gives the Have a cer-
tainty of for,d and conveniencies;- which others often want, who hire
out their labours by the day. To this effeft fays alio Gronovius,-
" foraftnuch as the majiler is bound to give food to his flave, fo Is the
Have bound to make a return or retribution by his labour; this duty
is equally permanent on both fides :" and this is the kind of fervitude

exifting

BOOK III. CHAP. II. 403

txifling in Jamaica; the laws of which iinpofe fuch an obligdtion upon
every owner of flaves, and punifh all who fail of conforming to it.

From the furvey I have taken of the African Negroes, and the na-
ture of the flavtry exifting among them, it will not, I think, be de-
duced, that the people they export undergo more havdfliip or injury
by the tranfition, than they would have fuffti-ed in their own countryi.

The captives of war, inftcad of being inhumanly flatightered, pafs
into a ftate of fervitude, it is true ; but it is fuch a ftate, that, under
Chriftian maflers, who, I venture to fay, are not fuch tyrants as the
African flaveholders, they enjoy indulgence proportioned to, and of-
ten far tranfcending, the merits of their behaviour; the comforts, even
I may add, the pleafures of life; and not a few obtain their freedom .

Such as are banifhed for crimes and mifdemeanors, have reafon to
rejoice at the fentence ; which reprieves them from fome horrid mode
of execution, and prolongs their exiflence.

Should any be imjuflly exiled, they may think them felves happy in
being placed beyond the reach of a cruel and favage governmei:t.

If they were flaves in their own country, or had forfeited their free-
dom by fome crime, they have no right to repine at the want of it in
the country to which they are driven. They were already flaves, and
have only exchanged their owner and laws; the former, for one lefs ar-
bitrary ; the latter, for one more beneficent and gentle than they before
had experience of. In general, they gain life, for death ; clemency, for
barbarity; comfort and convenience, for torture and mifery ; food, for
famine. Infomuch that, after fome trial of their new condition, under
a mafter who in fa£l purfues his own intereft beft in treating them
well, they would account it the higheft a6l of inhumanity to be fent
back to their native country.

The choice of Negroes for different purpofes requires experience,
and particular attention ; for there is not only fome variety in their
paffions and bent of mind, but, from the conftitution of their native cli-
mates and local manners, they inherit a variety of different diflempers.
The Coromantins, and many others of the Gold Goafl: flaves, are
haughty, ferocious, and ilubborn. The Minnahs, timid and defpond-
ing, apt to deftrov themfelves upon the leaft, and often without any,
provocation. The Mundingo Negroes are very fubjcft to worm dif-
orders; the Congos to dropfics. The Ebo men are lazv, and averfe

4a4 J A M A r C A.

to every laborious employment ; the women performing almoft alf the
work in their own country ;. thefe men are fullen, and often make
away with themfelves, rather than fubmit to any drudgery: the Ebo
women labour well, but are fubjeft to obftruftions of the menffrua^
often attended with fterility, and incurable. The Congos, Papaws,
Conchas, Whidahs, and Angolas, in general, are good field labourers,
but the lafl-mentioned are mod ftupid. The Negroes brought from
Senegal are of better underfi:anding than the reft, and fitter for learn-
^ Ing trades, and for menial domeHic fervices. They are good com-
manders over other Negroes, having a high fpirit, and a tolerable
fliare of fidelity:. but they are unfit for hard work; their bodies are not
robuft, nor their conftitution vigorous. The delicacy of their frame,
perhaps, has fome effeft on their minds, for they are eafier difciplined
than any other of the African Blacks. The Aradas are thought to ex--
eel all the reft in knowledge of agriculture, yet their fkill is extremely-
incompetent. The Congos, and Gold CoaftNegroes, in generalj are
good fifliermen, and excel in making canoes.

It has been remarked of the Guiney Negroes,, that, although they are
for the greater part of ftrong, healthy bodies, they rarely live to a de-
terminate old age in their own country. . A Negroe there of fifty is-
reckoned a very old man indeed; and at forty they appear debilitated.'
This fhort fpan has been attributed to their excelfive vencry: Buflfon'
afcribes it to polygamy ;, but in Egypt, and the hotter parts of Afia,.,
where polygamy prevails, the inhabitants are found to attain great;
ages. So, in Jamaica, if they are not far advanced in years when .
brought over, they have been known to attain to. 80 and 90, or up-—
wards; but 50 and 60 are extremely ufual.

G H A P. Ill,

Of the Creole Slaves^^«J African Negroes /// Jamaica, .

TH E general charader of o-ur Creole fla^-es may be fummedup ia.
the words of an old proverb, " Like mafter^ like man." They •
are capable of being made diligent, and moderately fiuthful.; or. the re--
verfe, juft as their difpofitions happen to be worked upon.i It cannot •
b£ doubted, but the far greater part of them are more inclined to a life .
Qjf idknefs and eafe, .than a life of labour: yet the regular- dlfdpline .
x:, ■■■■ J to^

BOOK III. CHAP. III. 405

to which they are inured from their infancy, hecomes habitual nnd na-
tural.to them, as it does to foldiers, fiiilors, and fchool -boys ; nntl, like
the latter, their principal addrcfs is fhewn In finding out their malk-r's
temper, and playing upon it fo artfully as to bend it with moft con-
venience to their own purpofes. They are not lefs ftudious in fifting
their itlafter's reprefentative, theoverfeer; if he is not too cunning for
them, which they foon difcover after one or two experiments, they
will eafily find means to over-reach him on every occafion, and make
his indolence, his weaknefs, or fottifhnefs, a fure prognoftic of feme
comfortable term of idlenefs to theiu: but, if they find him too intel-
ligent, wary, and adive, they leave no expedient untried, by thwart-
ing his plans, mifunderftanding his orders, and reiterating complaints
againfl: him, to ferret him out of his poft : if this will not fucceed,.
they perplex and worry him, efpecially if he is of an impatient, fretful'
turn, till he grows heartily fick of his charge, and voluntarily rcfigns
it. An overfeer therefore, like a premier minifter, muft always exneft
to meet with a fadVion, ready to oppofe his admmifi ration, righ.!: ::r
wrong; unlefs he will give the reins out of his hands, and fiiffer the
inobility to have things their own way; which if he complies with,
they will extol him to his face, contemn him in their hearts, and very
foon bring his government into difgrace. But fuch a man, if he is
gifted with good-nature and humanity, will eafily get the better in
every flruggle; for thefe are qualities which the Negroes prize in their
fiiperiors above all others. Some overfeers, unlefs fliarply looked
after, have been known to play the tyrant; and where this is the cafe,
we cannot blame their black fubjcfts for wifliing a change, nor for
their zealous endeavours to effed it. The old woman was much in
the right, who prayed for the life of the tyrant Dionyfius, fearing, that
if he died, {he might fall under the dominion of a fuccedbr, ftill more
odious and diabolical. It Would be an aft of humanity, refltding the
higheft honour on the legiflature of Jamaica, if the gentlemen who
compofe it (hould, in Imitation of the French, proniulge a code of
laws and ordinances rcfpefting tlie Negroes, more particularly in the
treatment of them upon their plantations; reftraining and puniiliing, in
an exemplary manner, all fecrct practices of barbarity ;- that thofe men,
wi>ofe callous hearts are impenetrable to the feelings of human nature, -
luaj be affeftcd in fome degree Iw a dread of legal pains and penalties, •

4o6 J A M A I C A.

Were this duly attended to, and proper encouragement given to in-
formersj it would be inipoffible to ail fuch private oppreflion-! often ;
becaufe, out of the whole poiTe of white fervants on each plantation,
there might always be fuppofed one or more, who, from th^ abhor-
rence of fuch pra£lice3, if not the allurement cf reward, would quickly
impeach the tyrant. At the fame time, the \'ery apprehenfion of fuch
a confcquence would infallibly check the mo!l hardened ; efpecially
if, in addition to other punifliment, the law fliould difqualify the
offender from ever again exercifing his profeffion, or olfi.e, within
the ifland.

If every owner of a plantation refided upon it^ there would be no
caufc for the interpofition of legiflative authority j but it is well
known, that a great many eftates belonging to different abfentees, and
lying in diftant parts of the ifland, are often given up to the charge of
one agent only, who cannot poffibly refide at all, nor vifit them very
frequently. Matters are then left to the difcretion of overfeers, whofe
chief aim it is to raife to themfehes a charaiiler as able planters, by
encreafing the produce of the refpedive eftates ; this is too frequently
attempted, by forcing the Negroes to labour beyond their abilities j
of courfe they drop off, and, if not recruited incefihntly, the gentle-
inan fleals away like a rat from a barn in flames, and carries the credit
of great planterfliip, and vafl: crops, in his hand, to obtain advanced
wages from fome new employer in another difirlcl of the ifland. The
abfentees are too often deceived, who meafure the condition of their
properties by the large remittances fent to them for one or two years,
without adverting to the heavy loffes fuftained in the produdion of
them ; and they find, too late, their incomes fuddenly abridged, and
the liuews of their eftate waffed far below their expeilation. It might
be of fervice to many of them, if they could bring themfelves to live
more within bounds ; be content with a moderate equal remittance,
fuch as they know is proportioned to the ftrength of their labourers ;
and once, in a certain number of years, revifit their plantations, in or-
der to regulate their future meafures from the plain evidence of their
own eyes and ears.

When once they have fhot beyond the mark of oeconomy, and become

involved in England, they grow infenlible to every other canfidera-

tion than how to extricate themfelves ; which is commonly atchieved

1 by

BOOK rir. c II A p. III. 407

By exhaufting the vigour of their only fuppcrters ; when a little pa-
tience, retrenchment of expences, and moderate uniform crops vv-ould
probably bring about what they wifli, without any lofs to their capi-
tal. Humanity operates here like virtue ; ft Is its own fure reward-
It is a planter's beft intereft to be humane ; and it is clearly moft con-
ducive to his honour and peace of mind.

The great Chrillian precept " of doing unto others what we would
*■* that they fliould do unto us," fpeaks pathetically to every rational
breaft ; though few among us paufe perhaps to alk ourfelves this can-
did queftion : How fhould I wifh to be treated, if I was in a ftate of
fervitude, like thefe my fellow creatures ? Doubtlefs we would wifli,
that our mafter might be a Chriftian in praftice, as well as principle,
and render our condition as eafy as poffible, by a mild and compaf-
lionate ufage. Let every overfeer and planter then only adl the part
of that mafter,^ and not be feduced, by a fooliQi vanity, to plume
himfelf on his happier lot, or fancy that he is created to be the ty-
rant, not the friend, to mankind. I (hall not attempt to give a com-
plete defcription of all the cuftoms and manners of our Creole Ne-
groes, iince many of them are not worth recording ; and, in confe-
quence of their frequent intermixture with the native Africans, they
differ but little in many articles.

In their tempers they are in general irafcible, conceited, proud, in-
dolent, lafcivious, credulous, and very artful. They are excellent
diffemblers, and fkilful flatterers. They poffefs good-nature, and
fometimes, but rarely, gratitude. Their memory foon lofes the traces
of favours conferred on them, but faithfully retains a fenfe of injurits;
this fenfe is fo poignant, that they have been known to difl'emble iheir
hatred for many years, until an opportunity has prefented of retali-
ating ; and, in taking their revenge, they fhew a treachery, cowaixiite,.
and deliberate malice, that almoft exceed credibility. A ftupid inlen-
fibility of danger often gives them the fpecious appearance ofdauntlefs
intrepidity ; though, when once thoroughly made fenfible of it, none
are more arrant cowards'. A blind anger, and brutal rage, with them
ftand frequently in place of manly valour. The impreifioai of fear,,
naturally accompanied with cunning and wariaels, make tbem always,
averfe to any other mode of engaging with an cneni}', than b^ am-
bufcades, and furprizcj and in all their boxing matches with one

anotlicr,,

4oS JAMAICA.

another, one may obferve their efTorts diredled by iiiallce, fo Toon as
their fury is raifed. When they have been .employed again ft the re-
bellious Oaves, each party meeting in a wood, have difpcrfed in an
inftantj and every man iingled out his tree, brhlnd which he fhel-
tered his perfon, and fired. After the nrft volley, one party gene-
rally fled ; but, if both (lood their ground, the next conflict was
made with cutlafles, in the management of which they are lurprifingly
active and iliilful, ufing cither hand alternately, as they fee occjhon.
But they would never be brought to withftand horfe, platoons, or
fcrewed bayonets ; nor to engage in an open place. Wlicn they did
not fucceed at the firlt fire, they trufted to the lightnefs of their heels,
rallied at fome diftance, if not too clofely purfued, and returned again
to the bufh-fight. They are remarlsr?ble, like the Norih American
Indians, for tracking in the woods ; difccrning the veftige of the per-
fon, or party, of whom they are in qutft, by the turn of a diie^i leaf,
the pofition of a fmall twig, and other infignifica t maiks, which an
European would overlook ; but I have known fome white Creoles not
lefs expert at this art, which they acquired, as they laid, by frequently
ranging the woods after wild hogs or runaways. The Neproes know
each other's haunts and artifices, much better than the Whites ; and,
probably, iorm their conjectures, by refl.tfting which way they would
fteer their courfe, if they were purfued themfelves. In marching
through a wood they walk in enfilade, but i^iK) not always keep filence.
Sometimes, when engaged with ciltlafles, they will fight very deipe-
rately, and ftand to it with the infenfibility of pofts, till ihey almoft
hack one another to pieces, before either will furrender.

They are in general excellent markfmen at a landing (hot, their
eye quick, and fight fo clear, that they feldom mifs ; yet their vilion
(as I have before remarked) is the worfl: poffible for the regular pofi-
tion of any thing. They cannot place a dining-table fquare in a
room ; I have known them fail in this, after numberlefs endeavours ;
and it is the fame in other things. So that fuch as are bred carpenters and
bricklayers, are often unable, after many tedious and repeated trials with
the rule and plumb-line, to do a piece of work (Iraight, which an ap-
prentice boy in England would perform with one glance of his eye in
a moment. It is fomevvhat unaccountable, too, that they always
mount a horfe on th.e oif-fide. Their ideas feem confined to a very

few

BOOK III. CHAP. III. 409

few objects ; namely, the common occurrences of life, food, love, and
drefs : thefe are frequent themes for their dance, converfation, and
mufical compofitions.

The African, or imported Negroes, are almoft all of them, both
men and women, addi6:ed to the mofl: beftial vices, from which it is the
more difficult to reclaim them, as they are grown inveterately con-
firmed by habit from their very infancy. In Guiney they are taught
to regard a dram, as one of the chief comforts of life ; they grow up
in this opinion : and I have feen fome of them forcing the precious
liquor down the throats of their children, or ■pickaninnies^ with the
fame eagernefs that indulgent mothers in England fhew, when they
cram their little favourite with fugar-plumbs. In thieving they are
thorough adepts, and perfedly accomplillied. To fet eyes on any
thing, and endeavour to poflefs it, is with them intirely the fame>
From this caufe it happens, that, upon their being brought into the
plantations, they are foon engaged in quarrels, which fometimes are
attended with fatal confequences ; for, when they are prompted to re-
venge, they purfue it ngainft one another with fo much malevolence
and cruelty, that the punifhment exa61ed is generally beyond all pro-
portion greater than the offence can poffibly merit. It is therefore
mofl: prudent for a planter to wink at petty offences againft himfelf,
but to chaftife all thofe who are found guilty of doing injury to the
perfon, or property, of their fellow Blacks; by which means he will
be the conflant referee and umpire of their difputes ; and, by accom-
modating them agreeably to juflice and right, prevent his Negroes
fi'om having recourfe to open violence, or fecret vengeance, againft
each other ; which are too often perpetrated with a blind and unrelent-
ing hatred ; in purfuit whereof many have been killed outright, others
maimed, ajid not a few deftroyed by the flower operation of fome
polfon. I

The Creoles, in general, are more exempt from ebriety, that parent
of many crimes 1 1 have known feveral, who rejeded every furt of
fpirituous liquor with loathing, and would drink nothing but water.
If the Negroes could be refl^rained intirely from the ufe of fpirits in
their youth, they would probably never become very fond of dram-
drinking afterwards. I have often thought, that the lower order of
white fervants on the plantations exhibit fuch deteftable piiliires of

Vol. IL G g g drunk-

4ro J A M A I C A.

drunkennefs, that the better fort of Creole Blacks have either concelred
a difgufi: at a pradice that occafions fiich odious cffefts, or have re-
fnuned from it out of a kind of pride, as if they would appear fupe-
rior to, and more refpedlable than, fuch beaftly white wretches. Ba
this as it may, there is nothing furely can more degrade a man, than
this voluntary rejedlion of his rational faculties ; deprived of which,
he finks below the lowed rank of brutes. The Creole Blacks differ
'much from the Africans, not only in manners, but in beauty of
fliape, feature, and complexion. They hold the Africans in the ut-
moll: contempt, ftiling them, " fait- water Negroes," and " Guiney
•■' birds ;" but value tliemfelves on their own pedigree, which is reck-
oned the more honourable, the further it removes from an African, or
ti"anfmarine anceftor. On every well-governed plantation they eye
and refpeft their mafler as a father, and are extremely vain in refleft-
ing on the connexion between them. Their mafter's chai-a61:er and
repute cafts, they think, a kind of lecondary light upon themfelves,
as the moon derives her luftre from the fun ; and the importance he
acquires, in his ftation of life, adds, they imagine, to their own efti-
mation among their neighbour Negroes on the adjacent efiates. Their
attachment to the defcendants of old families, the anceftors of which
were the mailers and friends of their own progenitors, is remarkably
ttrong and afteftionate. This veneration appears hereditary, like clan-
fhips in the Scotch Highlands ; it is imbibed in their infancy, or
founded perhaps in the idea af the relation whkh fubfifted betweerj,
and connefted them in, the bond of fatherly love and authority on the
one fide, and a filial reverence and obedience on the other ; nor Is this
t'ffeft, however it arifes, unmixed with fomewhat of gratitude, for the
favours and indulgencles conferred on their predeceflTors ; fome fruits
of which they themfelves have probably enjoyed by devife ; for, even
among thefe flaves, as they are called, the black gi'andfather, or father,
direfts in what manner his money, his hogs, poultry, furniture,
cloaths, and other effefts and acquifitlons, fhalt defcend, or be difpofed
ef, after his deceafe. He nominates a fort of truftees, or executors,
from the neareft of kin, vvho difiiribute them among the legatees,
according to the will of the teftator, without any moleftation or
interruption, moft often without the enquiry, of their mafler ; though
fome of thefe Negroes l>ave been known to poflefs from 50/. to 200 A

at

BOOK III. CHAP. III. 4n

•at their death ; and few among them, that are at all hiduftrlous and
fmgal, lay np lefs than 20 or 30/. For in this Ifland they have the
greateft part of the fmall filver circulating among them, which they
gain by fale of their hogs, poultry, fifh, corn, fruits, and other com-
modities, at the markets in town and country.

They in general love their children, though fometimes they treat
them with a rigour bordering upon cruelty. They feem alfo to feel a
patriotic aflfedion for the ifland which has given them birth ; they re-
joice at its profperity, lament its lofTes, and intercft themfelves in the
affairs and politics that are the talk of the day. Whoever has ftudied
their dilpofition and fentiments attentively, will be of opinion, that,
with mild and humane ufage, they are more likely to become the de-
fenders than the deftroyers of their country. As a large fliare of va-
nity and pride may be obferveable among them, fo the better fort ap-
pear fenfible to fliame. I have known a very confiderable number of
them on a plantation kept in due decorum for feveral years, with no
other difcipline than keen and well-timed rebukes; and my obferva-
tions have tended to confirm me in opinion, that our Creole Blacks
(for I fpeak of them only) may, with a very moderate inllrudion in the
ChrilVian rules, be kept in good order, without the whip. Rafli cor-
reftion has often rendered them llubborn, negligent, and perverfe,
when they might have been influenced chcari'ully to perform everv
thing required of them, by judicioufly working on their vanity; by
beftowing feafonable rewards and encomiums on their praife- worthy
condutl, and by iVniging reproaches for their mifdemeanors. There
are many artifices to be prattifed with the greatefl: fuccefs ; fuch as,
degrading for a while from fome employment efleemed among them
a port of dilVuiftion, and authority ; holding them up to the ridicule
of their fellow Blacks, and the like. What they endure, upon thefe
occafions, has nothing in it ot that fcnfe of vile abafement, which
corporal inflictions are apt to produce ; and whenever corporal punifli-
ment is carried to extreme, it is fure to excite a hearty and indelible
contempt and abhorrence for the infllclor.

The force of ridicule, on the contrary, brings u:!on them the cut-
ting fneers of the other Negroes, and always turns tlie edge of their
contempt and rage from their mafter, to themfelves ; and hence they
may fmart more feverely under fuch r^prehenfion, than they would

G g g 2 under

412 JAMAICA.

tinder the fcourge. Every overfeer has not the patience, or talents,
to qualify him for this mode of governing, but all (hould endeavour
at it ; and, for this purpofe, it is neceflary for each of them to fludy
well the temper of every Creole Black under his particular command,
to learn fomewhat of their private hiftory, and never betray any fign
of heat or pafiion in his admonitions.

The firft and chief requifite therefore is to know how to command
his own temper ; for, without having gained this advantage, he is
totally unfit to be a manager of other mens ; but having once gained
this point, he need not doubt of pafiing through a fuccefsful admi-
niflration.

It is certain, that the Negroes, fo far from fuffering any inconveni-
ence, are found to labour with moft alacrity and eafe to theinfelves in
the very hotteft part of the day. The chillnefs of the morning air in
this ifland feems to cail a damp upon their fplrits, and renders them
for a time feeble and torpid ; one fees them creeping flowly out of
their huts, bundled up with thick cloathing, fhivering, and uneafy ;
but as the day advances, they grow more and more aftive and alert.
The opennefs of their pores gives a free tranfpiration to bad humours;
and they would enjoy robuft health, under^the hardefl: toils expedient
here, if they were lefs prone to debauch, and venereal excefs. They
love warmth in the night, and never fleep without a fire in their
hut; the watchmen too, in the open air, lay themfelves upon a board,
i''' by a rouzing fire, and fometimes fo near, as to fcorch their very fkins;
for it is to be obferved, that thefe no(5lurnal guards, like thofe of
London, after a comfortable repafl: in the evening, have no objedion
to amufe themfelves, for the remainder of the night, with a dog's
fleep. They account flioes and llockings very ufelefs incumbrances ;
and the foals of their feet, by conftant expofure, acquire the callofity
and firmnefs of a hoof j but fome, who are to take a journey over very
rocky roads, prepare themfelves with fandals, cut from an ox-hide,
which they bind on with thongs. They dread rain upon their bare
heads almoft as much as the native Africans ; perhaps, their woolly
fleece would abforb it in large quantity, and give them cold. When
they are caught in a fliower, it is very common to fee them pull off
fliirt and jacket, and fometimes their breeches or trowfers, all which
they wrap up in a bale, and place upon their heads. They are fond

of

BOOK III. CHAP. III. 413

of covering this part of their bodies at all times, twlfting one or two
handkerchiefs round it, in the turban form, which, they fay, keeps them
cool, in the hotteft funfhine. The fame cuftom prevails among the
Eaftern nations, and probably from the like rcafon ; even the free
Mulatto women here think themfelves not compleatly dreft without
this tiara, and buy the fined: cambric or muflin for the purpofc, if
their pockets can afford it. The Creole white ladies, till lately, adopted
the praftice fo far, as never to venture a journey, without fecuring
their complexions with a brace of handkerchiefs ; one of which being
tied over the forehead, the other under the nofe, and covering the
lower part of the face, formed a compleat helmet. The Negroes ufe
their heads, inftead of their fhoulders, or backs, for carrying all forts
of burthens; with a dried plantain leaf they plait a circular pad,
which they call a coita ; upon this, the load refts, and preferves their
wool from being rubbed off. This cuftom enlarges, and ftrengthens,
the mufcles of their necks, in an amazing degree ; and it is really
wonderful to obferve, what prodigious loads they are able to carry
in this manner, with the greateft apparent eafe ; infomuch, that they
will even run with them, and affirm, at the fame time, with a laugh,
that they feel no weight ; perhaps, the perpendicular pofition of the
load, and the equilibre which, from habit, they know well how to
give it, produce this facility of carriage, while the incumbent pref-
Aire is diminifhed in proportion to the velocity of their progreffive
movement under it ; this, however, is no more than happens every day
with the London porters, fome of whom will carry 300 lb. weight.
The cotta ferves likewife for another purpofc; on the voluntary divorce
of man and wife, it is cut in two, and each party takes half; as the
circle was a fymbol of eternity, and the ring of perpetual love or
fidelity, fo this ceremony, perhaps, is meant to exprefs the eternal
feverance of their mutual affection. Their diet confifts generally of
pulfe, herbs, plantains, maize, yams, or other roots, prepared with
pork, and fifh, frelh or fait ; faltcd beef, herrings, jerked hog, or
fowls. Salt fi(h they are extremely fond of, and the more it ftinks,
the more dainty ; they make likewife a kind of pudding, with pounded
maize ; and fometimes of the fweet potatoe, which they call a pota-
toe-pone ; their broths, or pots (as they are termed), are well feafoned
with the country peppers; ochra is a principal ingredient ; and they are

extremely

>4T4 Jamaica.

extremely reliflVing, and nutritive ; but they come doubly recom-
mended by the clcanlinefs of preparation, their cooks ufually wafhing
their hands three or four times, whilft they are about it ; I mean the
Creole Blacks, and better fort of the Africans; for as to the reft, they
■feed with all the belliality peculiar to the genui'ie breed of Guiney.
Cane rats are much in efteem, and, when roafted and (luffed, are faid
to have a delicate flavour i but, to Ctc them impaled before the fire
with their goggle eyes and whiikers, is enough to turn an European
ftomach ; the Creoles wafli their mouths, as foon as they awake in the
morning. About noon is their ufual time of balhing, in fome river
open to the fun. They firft wet their bodies all over, then roll in the
fand, and plunge into the water ; this method ferves to cleanfe their
tkins, as well as foap, or a flefli brufli.

They are all married fin their 'way) to a hufband, or wife, pro
tempore, or have other family coimexions, in almoft every parifli
throughout the ifland ; fo that one of them, perhaps, has fix or more
hufi)ands, or wives, in feveral different places; by this means they
find fupport, when their own lands fail them ; and houfesofcall and
refreflimcnt, whenever they are upon their travels. Thus, a gene-
•al correlj^-ondence is carried on, all over the ifland, amongft the Creole
Blacks ; and moft of them become intimately acquainted with all af-
fairs of the white inhabitants, public as well as private. In their
houfes, they are many of them very neat and cleanly, piquing tbem-
lelveson having tolerably good furniture, and other conveniencies. In
their care for their children, fome are remarkably exemplary. A Negroe
"has been known fo earnefl; and fincere in the tuition of his child, as
to pay money out of his own pocket for fmith's work, to keep a
truant fon employed, during his apprenticefliip to that bufinefs, that
he might not become remifs in acquiring a proper knowledge of it,
for want of work. They exercife a kind of fovereignty over their
children, which never ceales during life ; chaftizing them fometimes
with much feverity ; and feeming to hold filial obedience in ir.uch
higher eftimation than conjugal fidelity; perhaps, becaufe of the whole
number of wives or hufljands, one only is the objeft ot particular
fteady attachment 4 the refl:, although called wives, are only a fort of
xjccafional concubines, or drudges, whofe aiTin;ancc the hufband claims
in the culture of his land, fale of his produce, and fo oh ; rendering

to

r

BOOK III. CHAP. III. 415

to them reciprocal a6ts of friendfhlp, when they are in want. They
laugh at the idea of a marriage, which ties two perfons together indif-
folubly. Their notions of love are, that it is free and tranfitory.

This is well known to their white gallants, for even the autho-
rity of a mader muft bend to the more abfolute empire of Cupid ;
nor is the fable beauty (except a very common hack) to be won,
without fome previous addrefs and courtfhip; in the progrefs of which
the powerful charms of gold muft generally lend their aid, to make
the moft paffionate fuitor fuccefs>ful j thefe belles allowing nothing
more of their perfons than their head, hands, and feet, to be at their
mafter's difpolal. Their propenfity to lazinefs is chiefly confpicuous
among the domeftic fervants, who are never more happy than when
they can find a commodious poft, pillar, or corner of a houfe, to loll
again ft, whilft they are taking a nap, I have even fcen them fall fafk
afleep, whilft attending at table, behind a gentleman's chair. Like fome
other animals, they are fond of caterwauling all night, and dozing all
the day. If they indulge in fleep at night, one muft fuppofe they are
very little difturbed with anxious thoughts. Their repofe is perfcftly^
found; infomuch that fometimes they are rouzed with the utmoft
difficulty J the loudeft clap of thunder, or the report of a cannon at
their ear, would not wake them. On the plantations I have ieen
fome, but they are moftly Africans, fo exquifitely indolent, that they
have contraded very bad ulcers on their feet, by fuffering multitudes
of chiegos to neftle and generate there, rather than give themfelves the
trouble of picking them out.

Although lome domeftics are very trufty fervants ; the greater num- -
ber are fo, merely becaufe they have no fit inducement to be other-
wife, or no means of bettering their condition. But when occafion
offers, of ferving themfelves by a roguifh fhift, adieu fidelity I You may
■confide a fum of money to a Negroe's charge, and he will deliver
it punttually ; but, beware of leaving any ium cafually in his way,
for he would not be able to refift the temptation of ftealing it; his
fidelity, in. the former cafe, arifes from his defire to imprefs you with
the beft opinion poffible of his honeft dealing, in order that you may
afford him more convenient opportunities of pilfering from you, with-
out immediate deteilioa. It refledts no great honour on their dif-?.
pofition, that the freed Blacks and Mulattos are obferved to treat

their

416 Jamaica.

their (laves with extraordinay harflinefs, snd fomet'mies even barbarity ;
a fure charafteriftic of a vindidlive, bafe, and cowardly mind.

The domeftics are remarkably adroit in the negociation of all in-
trigues, and affairs of gallantry ; and fhew a peculiar delight on being
entrufted plenipos, to affifl at thefe congrelies of love. Upon thefe
occafions, the brain of a Spanifli enamorato, or an Italian cecifbeo,
cannot be'more fruitful of expedients. The fuperftition of thefe Blacks
is carried to very lingular lengths, although the more poliflied
among them believe in a future ftate of reward and punifhment ;
they do not confider certain a ft s to be criminal, which are ufually re-
puted fuch among true believers. — Murder is with moll of them
efteemed the higheft impiety. — Filial difobedience, and infulting the
aflies of the dead, are placed next. But as for petty larcenies, affairs
-of gallantry, fornication, ^c. they are reputed only peccadilloes, which
are fufficiently punilhed in this world, with the baftinadoe, or the dif-
tempers occafioned by them. I'he greateft affront that can poffibly
be offered a Creole Negroe, is to curfe his father, mother, or any of
his progenitors. This generally provokes a fpeedy revenge on the ag-
greflbr, after every other mode of provocation has failed. They firmly
believe in the apparition of fpeftres. Thofe of deceafed ftiends are
Juppies ; others, of more hoftile and tremendous afpeft, like our raw-
head-and-bloody-bones, are called bugaboos. The moft fenlible among
them fear the fupernatural powers of the African obeah-men, or pre-
tended conjurers ; often afcribing thofe mortal effects to magic, which
are only the natural operation of fome poifonous juice, or preparation,
dexterouily adminiftered by thefe villains. But the Creoles imagine,
that the virtues of baptifm, or making them Chrillians, render their art
wholly inefFedual ; and, for this reafon only, many of them have de-
lired to be baptized, that they might be fecured from Obeah.

Not long fince, fome of thefe execrable wretches in Jamaica
introduced what they called the tnyal dance, and eftabliflied a
kind of fociety, into which they invited all they could. The lure
hung out was, that every Negroe, initiated into the myal fociety,
would be invulnerable by the white men ; and, although they
might m appearance be (lain, the obeah-man could, at his pleafure,
reflore the body to life^ The method, by which this trick was

carried

ROOK III. CHAP. III. 417

c-arried ou, was by a cold iiifiifiou of the herb branched colaluehiX ;
which, after the agitation of dancing, threw the party into a pro-
found fleep. In this ftate he continued, to all appearance lifelefs,
no pulfe, nor motion of the heart, being perceptible ; till, on being
rubbed with another infufion (as yet unknown to the Whites), the
efFe£ls of the colalue gradually went oft, the body refumed its
motions, and the party, on whom the experiment had been tried,
awoke as from a trance, entirely ignorant of any thing that had
pafl'ed iince he left off dancing. Not long ago, one of thefe
myal men, being defirous of feducing a friend of his to be of their
party, gave him a wonderful account of the powerful effcds pro-
duced by the myal infufion, and particularly that it rendered the
body impenetrable to bullets; fo that the Whites would be per-
fcftly unable to make the lead imprefliou upon them, although
they were to (hoot at them a thoufand times. His friend liftened
with great attention, but feemed to doubt the truth of it exxeed-
ingly ; but, at length, propofed to the other, that, if he was
willing to ftand a (hot, he (hould be glad to make the experiment ;
and, if it turned out as he pretended, he himfelf would then moft
readily confent to be a myal man. To this the other agreed, not
imagining, perhaps, that matters would come to extremity ; or elle
convinced in his own mind of the reality of what he a(rerted.
Having prepared himfelf, he flood up to receive the (hot. His

[«] This herb is a fpccies of y<)/.7/;:/w, and is the<7,/i<rrrt_^'-a;'d of Brafil. Pifo, iit,. Browne, 174.
It is very common in the lowlands of Jamaica. It is alfo called the j'olanum fomnifirum qfficinalf.
The Negroes make ufe of it daily for food in their brolhs ; and it is found, by long experience,
to be a pleafant and wholefome green. Barham fays, he was furprlzed to lee the Angola Negroes
eat it as we ufe fpinnage in Europe, without any prejudice, it has fo rtrong a rtfemblancc to the
deadly nightfliade. Pifo fays, " that the rind of it, bniifed and lleeped in water, intoxicates fifh
" fo, that they maybe eafily taken, but does not kill them." The juice is cooling and re-
llringent ; the leaves, applied to the head in phrenetic fevers, give eafe. 'It is probable, its nar-
cotic qualities arc dellroyed by the fire in boiling ; but that the crude juice, or a cold infufion of
the bark and leaves, would be found to poflefs them in a high degree ; »ihich agrees with Pifo's
account of the efiec^s on filh. The myal gentry make the infufion with rum. In regard to the
other Intufion, which puts an end to its operation, we can only conjecture. It is pollible, that,
by frequent trials, the Negroes have found pretty accurately the length of time which the flcep
may laft, and fo take care to proportion the dofe. Befides, it lias lately been djfcovered, that ve-
getable acids, fach as lime-juice, vineg.ar, &c. arc antidotes to the eifeft of opium, and all vege-
table poifons, taken internally : their external application has not been tried ; but might probably
anfwer the fame purpofe, efpecially towards the decline of the fleepy fit ; :tnd I think it is not
unlikely, that thef(; Negroes ufe them to revive their inval men.

Vol. II. H h h ' friend

4i8 JAMAICA.

friend fired, and killed him dead. This accident, with the cir-
cumftances leading to it, were loon made known ; and, for fome
time, brought the priefts and their art into great difrepute among
all their converts. The dexterity of thefe priefts, or conjurers,
in the preparation of poifons, has been mentioned by many authors.
Kalm obferves, that this art is known to the Negroes of North-
America, in the provice of Pennfilvania ; and that they frequently
pradife it on one another. This poifon does not kill immediately ;
for fometimes the fick perfon dies fome years after : but, from the
moment he receives the poifon, he falls into a decline, and enjoys
but few days of good health. Kalm fays, they commonly employ
it on fuch of their brethren who behave well; are beloved by their
mafters ; and feparate, as it were, from their countrymen, or do
not like to converfe with them. There are likewife other reafons
for their enmity ; but there are few examples of their having
poifoned their mafters. Perhaps, the mild treatment they receive
keeps them from it ; or they fear a difcovery, and that in fuch cafe
their punishment would be very fevere[w]. Sir Hans Sloane
gives one or two inftances of this praftice in Jamaica. And Dr.
Barham tells us, that the favannah flower, which grows exceed-
ingly common in all the lowlands of that ifland, has been made ufe
of for this purpofe. It is a fpecies of dog's bane; the apocynum
ereElum of Sir Hans Sloane, p. 206 ; the nirium of Browne, p. 180.
It is one of the rankeft poifons in the world. Barham fays, he law
but two drachms of the exprefied juice given to a dog, which
killed him in eight minutes ; but that it may be fo ordered, that it
fhall not deftroy a perfon in many days, weeks, months, or years.
Some call it the Spanifh gilly-flower. Some years paft (continues
he) a practitioner of phyfick was poifoned with this plant by his
Ncgroe-woman, who had fo contrived it, that it did not difpatch
him quickly; but he was feized with violent gripings, inclination
to vomit, lofs of appetite, and afterwards fmall convulfions in fe-
veral parts of his body, a heftic fever, and continual wafting of
his flefti. Upon application to Dr. Barham for advice, he gave him
fome nhcindiroba kernels, to infufe in wine, and drink frequently ;
which cured him in time ; but it was long before the convuHive

[iu] Kalm's Tiayels into North- America.

fymptoms

BOOK III. CHAP. III. 423

of every fentcnce ; after which, he drinks up the refidue of the
mixture, and may therefore be faid litGnxMy to ftval/ozv the oath,
which is to this effedt. If I have (ftolen this hog, fowl, corn,
or — as it may happen to be the cafe), may the grave dirt make my
bowels rot! may they burft and tumble out before my face! may
my head never ceafe to ach ! nor my joints to be tortured witli
pain ! &c. Regularly, the oatji ought to be adminiftered by an
obeah man ; but their fuperftition makes them hold it in great re-
verence and horror, even when adminillered by any other Black,
efpecially by an old man or woman : but they do not apprehend any
ill confequence will arife from breaking it, when tendered by a
white perfon.

They have good ears for mufic; and their fongs, as they call
them, are generally impromptus, without the leaft particle of
poetry, or poetic images, of which they feem to have no idea.
The tunes confift of ^folo part, which we may flyle the recitative,
the key of which is frequently varied ; and this is accompanied with
a full or general chorus. Some of them are not deficient in
melody ; although the tone of voice is, for the moft part, rather
flat and melancholy. Inftead of choofing panegyric for their
fubjed-matter, they generally prefer one of derifion, and not un-
frequently at the expence of the overfeer, if he happens to be near,
and liilening: this only ferves to add a poignancy to their fatire,
and heightens the fun. In the crop feafon, the mill-feeders en-
tertain themfelves very often with xh&{Q jeux d'efprit in the night-
time ; and this merriment helps to keep them awake.

Their merry-'watig is a favourite inftrument, a ruftic guitar, of
fourftrings. It is made with a calibafh ; a flice of which being
taken off, a dried bladder, or ikin, is fpread acrofs the largeft
feflion ; and this is faftened to a handle, which they take great pains
in ornamenting with a fort of rude carved work, and ribbands.

The goomhah, another of their mufical inllruments, is a hollow
block of wood, covered with fheep-{kin Gripped of its hair. The
mufician holds a little flick, of about fix inches in length, iTiarpened
at one end like the blade of a knife, in each hand. With one
hand he rakes it over a notched piece of wood, fixed acrofs the in-
ftrument,. the whole length, and crofles with the other alternately,,

7 ^fing,

424 JAMAICA.

ufing both' with a briik. motion ; whilft a fecond performer beats

with all his might on the fheep-flcin, or tabor.

Their tunes for dancing are ufually brilk, and have an agreeable
compound of the vhace and larghetio, gay and grave, purfued al-
ternately. They feem alio well-adapted to keep their dancers in
juft time and regular movements. The female dancer is all lan-
guiihing, and eafy in her motions ; the man, all a(5lion, fire, and
gefturej his whole perfon is varioufly turned and writhed every
moment, and his limbs agitated with fuch lively exertions, as ferve
to difplay before his partner the vigour and elafliicity of his mufcles.
The lady keeps her face towards him, and puts on a modeft demure
look, which (he counterfeits with great difficulty. In her paces
(he exhibits a wonderful addrefs, particularly in the motion of her
hips, and fteady pofition of the upper part of her perfon: the right
execution of this wriggle, keeping exait time with the mufic, is
efteemed among them a particular excellence ; and on this account
they begin to pra£life it fo early in life, that few are without it in
their ordinary walking. As the dance proceeds, the mufician in-
troduces now and then a paufe or reft, or dwells on two or three
fiani[fimo notes ; then ftrikes out again on a fudden into a more
Spirited air; the dancers, in the mean while, correfponding in
their movements with a great corrednefs of ear, and propriety of
attitude; all w^hich has a very pleafing effed.

In the towns, during Chriftmas holidays, they have feveral tall
robuft fellows drefled up in grotefque habits, and a pair of ox-
horns ou their head, fprouting from the top of a horrid fort of
vizor, or malk, which about the mouth is rendered very terrific
with large boar-tufks. The mafquerader, carrying a wooden
fword in his hand, is followed with a numerous croud of drunken
women, who refrelh him frequently with a fup of anifeed-water,
whilft he dances at every door, bellowing out yohn Connul with great
vehemence ; fo that, what with the liquor and the exercife, moft
of them are thrown into dangerous fevers ; and fome examples have
happened of their dying. This dance is probably an honourable
memorial of Jolm Conny, a celebrated cabocero at Tres Puntas,
in Axim, on the Guiney coaft ; who flourhhed about the year 1720.
He bore great authority among the Negros of that diftrid. When

the

BOOK m. CHAP. m. 425

the Pruflians deferred Port Brandcnburgh, they left it to his

charge; and he galkntly held it for a long time againft the Dutch,
to whom it was afterwards ceded by the Pruflian monarch. He is
mentioned with encdmium by feverrtl of our voyage-writers.

' In 1769, feveral new maiks appdared ; the Ebos, the Papaws,
&c. having tlieir refpedive Connus, male and female, who were
dreffed in a very laughable Ityle.

Thefe exercifes,- -although very delightful to themfelves, are not
fo to the generality of the white fpedators, on account of the ill
fmell which copioufly tranfudes on fuch occafions ; which is rather
a coriiplication of ftinks, than any one in particular, and fo rank
and powerful, as totally to overcome thole who have any delicacy
in the frame of their noftrils. The Blacks of Afric aflign a ridi-
culous caufe for the fmell peculiar to the goat; and with equal
propriety they may well apply it to themfelves. They fay, " that,
•''iii the early ages of mankind, there was a fhe-divinity, who u fed
** to befmear her perfon with a fragrant ointment, that excited the
*' emulation of the goats, and made them refolve to petition her,
•' to give them a copy of her receipt for making it, or at leall a
** fmall fample of it. The goddefs, incenfed at their prefumpcion,
*■' thought of a method to be revenged, under the appearance of
*' granting their requell. Inftead of the fweet ointment, (he pre-
<' fented them with a box of a very foetid iiiixture, with which
*' they immediately fell to bedaubing themfelves. The flench of
*' it was communicated to their pofterity ; and, to this day, they
" remain ignorant of the trick put upon them, but value them-
" felves on pofleifing the genuine perfume; and are fo anxious to
" prefcrve if undiminifhed, that they very carefully avoid rain, and
*' every thing that might poffibly impair the delicious odour."
This rancid exhalation, for which fo matiy of the Negroes are
remarkable, does not feem to proceed from uncleanlinefs, nor the
quality of their diet. I remember a lady, whofe waiting-maid, a
young Negroe girl, had it to a very difagreeable excefs. As (he
was a favourite fervant, her miflrefs took great pains, and the girl
herfelf fpared none, to get rid of it. With this view, Ihe con-
ftantly bathed her body twice a day, and abftained wholly from
fldt-fifh, and all forts -of rank food. But the attempt was limilar
Vol. II. I i i to

426 JAMA rianA/^af

to wafhiug the Black-a-moor white ; audi, ^fter a long coui-fe of
endeavours to no purpofe, her miftrefs found there was no remedy
but to change her for another attendant, fomewhat lefs odoriferous.

The labouring Negroes are all allowed, by their mafters, a frock
and trowfers for the men, and the women a jacket and petticoat of
olhabrig, belides woollen fluff; but tradefmen,; amid the better fort,
are generally fupplied likewife with checks, haiidkerchiefs, hats,
and caps; and the laws of the ifland oblige e.v^ry owner to give
his Negroes proper cloathing. What they receive annually in this
manner compoles their working-drcfs : but there are few of them
who do not acquire lufficieiit profit, by their hiickfLpring traffic,. to
furnifh themfelves with a wardrobe of better cloaths tor holitiayr-
wear; upon thefe they beftow as much -finery as ,theij;pircum-
flances will permit, invariably preferring the gaudieft colours. ,-, -

They fupply theii- ignorance of letters by a kind of technical
memory. Few of them can alcertain their own age, or that^ of
their children ; but, when queifioncd about any event that has
happened in the courfe of their lives, they recur to a ftomij a par-
ticuhirly dry or wet feafon, and the like, and reckon by the nqmber
of Chriflmafes they recolledl; fince thofe periods.. Thus, i£ you
alk a Negroe how long ago it was that he left Africa, he anfwers,
eight, ten, twelve Chriftmas, according as the cafe happens to be,
or according to his remembrance. They have no computation .for
the fra£tional parts of a year ; and confequently can never fix any
fadt or event nearer than about a twelvemonth before or after the
time when it occurred. They reckon the ages of their children,
tlieir horfes, and dogs, in the fame manner. They give their dogs
as many names as a German prince ; or more frequently call them
by a whole fentence, as, Run-brtjk-you-catch-iim^good, &cc. The
Africans fpeak ^their refpeilive. dialeds, with fome mixture of
broken Englifli, The language of the Creoles is bad Englifli,
larded with the Guiney diale£t, owing to their adopting the African
words, in order to make themfelves underftood by the imported
flaves; which they find much eafier than teaching thefe flrangers
to learn Englifli. The better fort are very fond of improving their
language, by catching at any hard word that the Whites happen
to let fall in their hearing ; and they alter and mifapply it in a

flrange

BOOK IIL C H A P. III. 4^^

fymptoms left him. This plant is an ever-green ; and it is re-
marked, that no animal will meddle with it, although in the
greatell drought, and when no other green thing appears. The
root, dried and powdered, is purgative. The milky juice of the
plant is a fevere cauftic, and takea away warts and ring-worms.
Barham gives another inftanceof its deleterious eifeds. A Negroe
having fome rum in ajar, ignorantly flopped the mouth of it over-
night with fome leaves gathered from this plant, one or two of
which fell in, and fo imparted their noxious quality to all the hquor.
The next morning, he drank fome of it himfelf, and diftributed
drams to fcveral of his countrymen ; but, in lefs than two hours,
they were all feized with violent vomiting, and tremors all over
their bodies. Upon the alarm being given, a furgeon was fent for j
but, before he could arrive, three of them expired, and another
lay at the pomt of death. Some Indian arrow-root was imme-
diately got, bruifed, and the expreffed juice adminiftered. The
firft glafs revived the Negroe that appeared to be dying; the fe-
cond brought him to the ufe of his fpeech ; and, upon repeated
dofes, he continued mending till he was perfectly recovered. The
nhandiroba is a climbing plant. Pifo, p. 259, calls it likewife
acaricobo, ambuyaembo, and caapeba ; and thus defcribes it. It is
a fpecies of climbing ivy. Its leaves are difpofed like the ivy ;
fomewhat roundifli ; and, as it were, terminating in three points,
green, fmooth, andglofly; the flowers fmall, of a dulky pale hue ;
the fruit round, green, fhining, about the fize of a large apple, the
upper part appearing with a circular indentation, and at the centre
three lines uniting together at the extremity in an obtufe angle.
The fruit on the inlide is difpofed fomewhat like the walnut, but
in three diftind cavities, appearing, upon taking off the rind, per-
feftly white, and containing an oily kernel, of a pale yellow
colour, inclofed In a pellicle. From this kernel an oil is ex-
trafted, which may be ufed for lamps, and holds a long time in
burning; but it is of no ufe for food, becaufe it is extremely bitter,
as well as the fruit. Barham fays, the firft time he met with this
plant was in St. Thomas in the Vale ; where he faw it climbing
and running up to the top of very high tree=. It happened to be
in fruit. Its leaf much refembles the Englilh ivy ; but the fruit

H h h s is

420 JAMAICA.

is like a green callbafh; only it has a circular black line round it^
and two or three warts or little knobs. The infide of the (hell is
full of white, flattifh beans, inclofed in a white membranous lub-
ftance ; and, when thoroughly ripe, the fruit turns of a brownifli
cafl^, like a ripe calabafli. The beans or nuts are then of a lightifh
brown colour, covered with a thin, hard crufl:, in which is a
whltifh kernel full of oil, and exceflively bitter. The nuts are ge-
nerally ten or twelve in a fliell, clofe and comprefled ; fo that,
after being taken out, they cannot be replaced. He fays, the Spa-
niards call it ^r/7/^; and the Negroes, that he employed to gather
it, called it fabo. It feems to be a fpecies of the fevillea foliis
cordath angulatls, Linnsei, Sp. PI. Angl. " antidote cocoon of
*' Jamaica ;" whofe kernels yield a great deal of oil, of a bitter
tafte, and uled here for burning. The Negroes infufe thefe kernels,
when dried and fcraped into a powder, in rum, to relieve pains in
the flomach. They alfo efteem them antidotes to poifon. But
the pod feldom contains above three, or at mod four, feeds ; and
therefore it cannot be the fam.e as Barham's. Browne mentions
very imperfe6l]y, p. 373, a plant which he faw growing, on the
windward part of Montferrat, at the lide of Kaby's Gully; which
bore white bloflbms, fucceeded by many large apples, containing a
number of large comprefled feeds, difperfed in the pulp of the fruit ;
which probably is the fame as that defcribed by Baiham.

But to return. The Negroes wear the teeth of wild cats, and
eat their flefh, as a charm for long life; for they hold the vulgar
opinion, that a cat has nine lives. Thus, by aflimilation of the
cat's flefli and juices into their own, they imagine they can enfure
longevity, and a power of fuftaining great fatigues. Many a poor
grimalkin has fallen a viflim to this ftrange notion. Bits of red
rag, cats teeth, parrots feathers, egg-fhells, and fifh-bones, are fre-
quently ftuck up at the doors of their houfes when they go from
home leaving any thing of value within (ibmetimes they hang
them on fruit-trees, and place them in corn-fields), to deter thieves.
Upon converfing with feme of the Creoles upon this cuftom, they
laughed at the liippofed virtue of the charm, and ftid they prac-
tifed it only to frighten away the falt-water Negroes, of whofe de-
predations they are moft apprehenfive. Their funerals are the very

reverfe

BOOK III. CHAP. III. 421

reverfe of our Englifh ceremony. The only real mourners are the
hulband, wife, or very near relations of the deceafed; yet even
thefe fometimes unite their voices to the general clamour or fong,
whilfl: the tears flow involuntarily down their cheeks. Every fu-
neral is a kind of feflival -, at which the greater part of the com-
pany aflume an air of joy and unconcern ; and, together with their
iingnig, dancing, and mufical inflruments, cotifpire to drown all
fenfe of affiidtion in the minds of the real mourners. The burthen
of this merry dirge is filled with encomiums on the deceafed, with
hopes and wiflies for his happinefs in his new ftate. Sometime*
the coffin- bearers, efpecially if they carry it on their heads, pretend
that the corpfe will not proceed to the grave, notwithftanding the
exertion of their utmofl ftrength to urge it forwards. They then
move to different huts, till they come to one, the owner of which,
they know, has done fome injury to, or been much difliked by, he
deceafed in his life-time. Here they exprefs fome words of indig-
nation on behalf of the dead man; then knock at the coffin, and
try to footh and pacify the corpfe : at length, after much perfua-
fion, it begins to grow more paffive, and fuft'ers them to carry it on,
without further flruggle, to the place of repofe. At other times,
the corpfe takes a fudden and obffinate averlion to be iupported on
the head, preferring the arms; nor does it peaceably give up the
difpute, until the bearers think proper to comply with its humour.
The corpfe being interred, the grave is but flightly overfpread with
earth. Some fcratch up the loofe mould, with their backs turned
to the grave, and caft it behind them between their legs, after the
manner of cats which have juft exonerated. This, they fay, is done^
to prevent the deceafed perfon from follo'wing them home. When
the deceafed is a married woman, the hutband lets his beard re-
main unfliaved, and appears rather negligent in his attire, for the
ipace of a month ; at the expiration of which, a fowl is drefled ac
his houfe, with fome mefTes of good broth, and he proceeds, ac-
companied by his friends, to the grave. Then begins a fong, pur-
porting, that the deceafed is now in the enjoyment of compleat fe-
licity ; and that they are afl'embled to rejoice at her ffate of blifs,.
and perform the lafh offices of duty and friendfhip. They then lay
a confiderable heap of earth over the grave, which is called co-

vering

422 JAMAICA.

vering it ; and the meeting concludes \vi:h eating their colhition,
drinking, dancing, and vociferation. After this ceremony is over,
the widow, or widower, is at hberty to take another fpoufe im-
mediately ; and the term of mourning is at an end.

TheNegroe funeral calls to mind the late-wake oi \\\t highlands
in Scotland, thus dcfcribed by Mr. Pennant. The evening after
the death of arty perfon, the relations and friends of the deceafed
meet at the houfe, attended by bag-pipe and fiddle. The nearefl of
kin, be it wife, fon, or daughter, opens a melancholy ball, dancing
and greeting (/. e. crying violently) at the fame time. This conti-
nues till day-light, but with fuch gambols and frolics among the
younger part of the company, that the lofs which occafioned them
is often more than fupplied by the conlequences of that night. If
the corpfe remains unburied for two. nights, the fame rites are re-
newed. Thus, Scythian-like, they rejoice at the deliverance of
their friends out of this life of mifery. The coranich, or finging
at funerals, is ftill in ufe in fome places. The fongs are generally
in praife of the deceafed, or a recital of the valiant deeds of him
or his anceftors.

Cambden, in his account of the antient Irhh, mentions their
cuftom of ufuig earned reproaches and export ulat ions with the
corpfe, for quitting this world, where he (or flie) enjoyed fo many
good things, fo kind a hufband, fuch fine children, &c. There
feems a ftriking conformity between this antient rite and that in
ufe among the Negroes.

The Negroes flrew grave-dirt on the highway when any thing
is ftolen from them, intimating this curfc : " May the thief be re-
*' duced to the fame ftate and condition as the corpfe which lies bu-
*' ried in the grave whence this dirt was taken ! may his exiftence
" be fhort! may he not live to enjoy his theft! but be crumbled
»' and trampled under foot, like the foil of a public road !"

This dirt is a material ingredient in their folemn oaths, which
are adminiftered in the following manner, A fmall quantity of
the earth is mixed with water in a calibafli. The perfon who
tenders the oath dips his finger into the mixture, and croffes va-
rious parts of the juror's naked body, repeating the following im-
precation as he touches each part, the juror aflenting at the clofe

of

BOOK III. CHAP. III. 427

ilrangc mdnnef-'; but a tolei>able colktStion of them. giv,(^s,, an air of
knowledge and iipportaiice ?in the eyes of their, brethren, which
tickles their vanity, and makes them more affiduous in flocking
themfelves with , this unintelligible jargon. The Negroes feem
very fond of redupliqations, to exprefs a greater, or ilpfs quantity of
any ithing ; as walky-ivalky, talky-t<^lky, ivaJJ.y-'wqfjy, nappy'tiappy,
tie-tie^ lilly-lilly, fiini'fum: fo 3«g--^-i^«^i (wood-an;s)j dub-a-dah{^My
olio, made with maize, herrings, and pepper); bra-bra (another of
their diflies) i ^T^«fli?-^r^Wt' (augmentative fize, or grandeur), and
fo forth. In their converfation, they confound all the moods,
tenfes, cafes, and conjugations, without mercy: for example ; I fur-r
prjzB (for, I am furprized) ; me glad J or fee you (pro, I am glad to fee
you) ; how you do (for, how d'ye do?) ; me tank you; me ver well \
dec. This fort of gibberifh likewife infecls many of the white
Creoles, who learn it from their nurfes in mfancy, and meet witli
much difficulty, as they advance in years, to fliake it entirely oiF,
and exprefs themfelves with correftnefs.

Many of the plantation Blacks call their children by the African
name for the day of the week on which they are born; and thefb
names are of two genders, male and female ; as for inflance :
Male. Female. Day.

Cudjoe, Juba, Monday.

Cubbenah, Beneba, Tuelday.

Quaco, Cuba, Wednefday-

Quao, Abba, Thurfday.

Cuffee, Phibba, Friday.

Quamin, Mimba, Saturday.

Quafhee, Quaflieba, Sunday.

There are fome other words, that are remarkable for the different
fenfes in which they are uled ; viz.

Original Import. Common Iinport. DiaVct.

Mungo, Bread, Negroe's name, ^ Mundingo.

Bumbo, Alligator, P^ulcnr^um muliehre. Idem,

( Name of a plant, the berries of uliich "j
Coffee, Goodmorrow, i yield an agreeable morning rcpafl >Fii'.i.

L to many of the Negroes, J

Guinna)-, Guinee, Devil, Name of the flave country, Jaloff, FuU.

Sacgara, Brandy, Sangrce, or Strong Negus, IJem ^

Tate, The Polkriors, Tete, the head in French, Jalotf.

Kenne-keiine, Small-land, Ksm;, Gra.-c. Ci'iis, Lat. Muutlingo.

Buaw, Devil, Bullock (Negroe phrafe), . Idem.

I i i 3 Some

n

4:28 JAM A I C Ai

Some good pevfons haveexprefled their wifheS', that the planta-
tion Negroes might be all converted to the Chriftian faith. The-
planters would be the laft to oppofe fuch a fcheme, if it were
thought pradicable ; well knowing, that their becoming trud
Chri(Uans would work no change of property, and might poflibly
amend their manners. But few, if any, of the African natives,
will liflen to any propofition tending to deprive tiiem of their fa-.
vourite fuperftitions and fenfual delights* The Portuguefe mif-
fionaries at Congo, perceiving, upon experience, that a. religion, in-
culcating rigid precepts of morality, felf-denial, honefty, and ab-
flinence from women and drunkennefs, was not at all relifhcd,,
contrived to form a medly of Paganifm and Cliriftianity } which
was more acceptable, and has gained them many converts," only
the exterior ceremonies and facraments being indifpenfably en*
forced ; while, in other refpeds, they are left to the antient modes
ef their country. 1 have known fome Creole flaves defire to be
baptized; but they had no other motive than to be prote£led from
the witchcraft of obeiah-men, or pretended forcerers ; which af-
fords a plain proof of the influence which fuperftition holds over
their minds. But the mere ceremony of baptifm would no more
make Chriflians of the Negroes, in the juft fenfe of the word,
than a found drubbing would convert an illiterate faggot-maker
into a regular phyfician. The Rev. Mr. Hughes fupports the flime
opinion. *' To bring them," fays he, " in general, to the know-
•' ledge of the Chriftian religion is undoubtedly a great and good
*' defign, in the intention laudable, and in fpeculation eafy ; yet, I
*♦ believe, for reafons too tedious to be mentioned, that the diffi-
*» culties attending it are, and I am afraid ever will be, infurmoun-
*• table." This will appear lefs extraordinary, when we confider,
that very few of the North-American Indians, who are far more
civilized and enlightened people, have as yet been perluaded to
embrace Chriftianity, notwithftanding the inceffant and indefati;-
gable labours of French- and Englifh miffionaries for fo many
years. Not many of thefe pious men have crowned their apoftle-
lliip with any other iflue than by becoming enrolled in the ho-
nourable lift of martyrs. No perfuafion, I am induced to think,
can wholly recall tliem from, putfuing the favourite bias of their

minds

BOOK Iir. CHAP. III. 429

minds towards their prcfent Ij/ftem ; which lays no penalty or pe-
nance on their fcnfual pleafurcs, impofes no reftraint of decorum,
and which tolerates their unlimited indulgence in thofe vices and
delightful abfurdities which are exprefsly reprobated by the Chri-
ftian dodirincs. The laws of Jamaica require the planters to do
their utmofl: for converting their Negroes, and caufing them to be
baptized, lb foon as they can be put into a fit capacity of fentiment-
to admit of it. But their general inappetency to become converts,,
together with their barbarous ftupidity, and ignoraiice of the
Englifh language, which render them incapable of underflanding
o.r realbning upon what is faid to them, would foil the moft zealous
endeavours. Befides, the planters are averfe to exert an authority
and conftraint over their minds, which might wear the appearance
of religious tyranny. They do not think the caufe of Chriftianity
at all honoured by adding involuntary profelytes; they hold it
rather for a fhameful hypocrify and infult to the true worfhip. But,,
when any of their Negroes have made requefi: to be baptized, I never
knew, nor heard, of a planter's having refufcd compliance with it.
The Creole Negroes are the fitteft fubjeds to work upon ; and,
with fome pains (as they have better knowledge of the Englidi
tongue), they might probably be brought to retain fome of the ele-
ments of Chriflianity. It would certainly be produ6live of good,
confequences, if the more fenfible part of them were to be baptized,
and occafionally intruded, as far as they can be made to under-
ftand, in the morality and fundamental points of our holy faith. In-.
order to this, the baptifmal fees payable for Negroes ought to be
fixed, by the juftices and veflry in each parifh, at a very low rate ;
the prefent ordinary rate of i /. 3J. 9^., paid by the owners, being
enormoufly h.igh. A Popifli miflionary would perform the cere-
mony gratis^ and be happy at the occafion ; but, in fome other
eflabliihments, we too often find, that it is, no fee ^ no holy water \
no pay, noSwifs. Bofman (hrewdly obferves, " that, if it were-
" poffible to convert the African Negroes to Chriftianity, the
" Roman Catholics would probably fucceed much better than any
" other fed; becaufc they agree in fome points, fuch as abftinence
*' from particular kinds of food on certain days, &c. and in their
*' mutual attaclunent for ceremony and fuperftition." In fad,

the

4-30 JAMAICA,

the vulgar herd 15 much more affefted by thofe things which ftrike
the eye, than what are dire6led to the heart. Negroes are the
apteft fubjeds in the univerfe to be kept in iubordination and dif-
ciphne by the awful ceremonies, the indulgencies, injunftions,
mummery, and legerdemain, of the Romifh church and its mi-
iiirters. Hence it is, that, in the French fettlements, we find
•them as much, if not more, reftrained by the fnperftitions of that
communion, than by the rigour of edifts and codes. I have feeu
many of them provided with ftore of crolles, relicks, and coii-
fecrated annulets ; to which they paid the moft fmcere veneration,
though wholly uninformed of any thing more than the efficacy
of thefe baubles, the neceflity of adoring the Blefled Virgin and a
few chofen faints, the power of their prieft to abfolve fins, and the
damnable ftate of all heretics. They had alfo acquired a Pater
NoJJer, a few Ave Maria s, and the right method of croiling them-
ielves, and counting their beads, morning and evening.

I doubt not but that, in the French churches belonging to their
iflands, they have images of black faints, like the Portuguefe at Ma-
deira, for the particular devotion of thefe poor wretches. Thefe
arts our eflablifhed church difdains and abhors, it being founded
^n the principles of reafon, and therefore adapted only to rational
niinds ; which, by their own natural ftrength, are capable to judge
of its rectitude, and embrace it on account of its purity and re-
finement from that very grofsnefs which pleafes, while it enflaves,
other minds, that are clouded with ignorance. Next to the Romiih
forms, perhaps thofe fyftems, which are fet off" with abundance
of enthufiaftic rant and gefticulation, would operate moft power-
fully on the Negroes; fuch as Quakerifm, Methodifm, and the
Moravian rites. The Romifli pra6lices we find at leaft beneficial
in the French iflands, co-operating with ftate-policy, and contri-
buting ftrongly to maintain their flaves in peaceable fubjedion. lu
our colonies, w« are in want of fo potent a co-adjutor to our mu-
nicipal laws; and, from this caufe, one (hould think, are more li-
able to be difturbed by iufurredions, than the French iflands ; to
which end alfo another local difference would feem much to con-
duce. The Negroes in the foreign colonies are habituated to the
iight of a defpotic frame of government, which controuls their

raafters

BOOK III. CHAP. III. 431

mafters from higheft to loweft, and aflimilatcs their condition
nearer to that flate of fervihty under which they hvc themfelves.
But, in our iflands, the word liberty is in every one's mouth ; the
aliembHes refound with the clamour of, " hberty and property;"
and it is echoed back, by all ranks and degrees, in full chorus. The
Whites are nearly on a level ; and the lowed can find the way of
bringing the highefl to public juHice for any injury or oppreflion.
The Negroes here grow habitually fomiliar with the term ; and
have that objedl ever obvious to their fight, which is wholly with-
held from, or at lead but dimly fecn by, the French Blacks. To
the fame effeft is the remark of Montefquieu : " The multitude
" of flaves has different effefts in different governments. It is no
" grievance in a defpotic flate, where the political flavery of the
'* whole body takes away the fenfe of civil flavery. Thofe, who
" are called freemen, are in reality little more fo than they who
" do not come within that clafs. This makes it therefore a matter
'•• of indifference, whether, in fuch ffates, the (laves be few or nu-
" merous. But, in moderate flates, it is a point of the highefl: im-
" portance, that there fhould not be a great number of flaves. The
" political liberty of thofe flates adds to the value of civil liberty ;
" and he, who is deprived of the latter, is deprived alfo of the for-
" mer. He fees the happinefs of a fociety, of which he is not io
" much as a member: he fees the fecurity of others fenced in by
•' laws ; himfelf, without any protedion : he fees his mafter has a
" foul which can enlarge itfelf ; while his own is conflirained to
*' fubmit to a continual depreflion. Nothing more afllmilates a
" man to a beafl, than living among freemen ; himfelf a flave.
*' Such people as thefe are the natural enemies of the fociety } and
" their number muft be dangerous. It is not therefore to be won-
" dered at, that moderate governments have been fo frequently di-
" flurbed by revolts of flaves ; and that this lb feldom happens in
" defpotic flates !"

It has been a matter of furprize to fome, that the Negroes in '
our colonies do not increafc in that natural proportion \^h!cli is
obferved among mankind in other countries, and to a remarkable
degree among the Blacks of Afric. Some writers, perceiving the
large and continual importations made every year, and whicii are

found

432 JAMAICA.

found expedient for the carrying on our plantations in thefe parts,
attribute this wafte to the too fevere labour and oppreffion they ard
forced to undergo. But this is an erroneous conjedure: the au-
thors, not having refided in thefe colonies, were not fufficicntly in-
formed, to attend to other caufes, which prove more deftrudive
than the fevered: toil ; nor to thofe which throw impediments in
the way of a regular propagation.

It was computed formerly, that fix new Negroes were required
annually to every hundred, to keep up the flock in Bar-badoes.
The prefent import at Jamaica does not exceed, upon an average,
fix thonfand per annum ; which is about the rate of four to one
hundred.

In the year 1761, when a draught of two thoufand Negroes was
made here, to be fent on the Havannah lervice, the whole number
of flaves in the illand, according to the account then taken,
was 146805

I do not exadly know the number that returned from
that expedition. Several deferted, and fome were killed-;
but I iiippofe the non-returned, from the beft enquiry I
■can make, amounted to about eight hundred'; which-, '-'"'i
being dedufted from the above total, there remained about - 146000
In 1768, by an account taken, there were found — — 1-66904

So that the whole ftock was augmented, in feven years, 20904

The import, at the average of 6000 per ann. [.v], was 42000

From which dcduding the augmentation, • 20904

There appears a dead lofs of - - ■■ ■ - 21096

which is equal to about 3000 per anniim\ and, at35/. flerling per
head, makes 1050C0/. annual lofs in value ; a moft aftonifhing
film! Upon mofl of the old fettled eftates in this ifland, the number
of births and deaths every year is pretty equal, except any ma-
lignant diforder happens. The deaths, which conftitute the

[a-] I bare put the average at 6000, though perhaps it is too fmall a number, confidcring the
brifknefs of the African trade during part of ihc time, and that a great many French Negroes
were brought in from the conquered iflands. The average for fome of the years in this fe-ries was
■goco ; but others fell fliort. In the i)refent comi«Kation, tlie greater the average! is proved to
have bten, the higher rauft the lofs appear. But 1 have chofen rather to be under than over.

major

BOOK III. CHAP. III. 433

major part of the above annual balance, are of native Africans.
Hence therefore appears the miftake of the writers before-men-
tioned ; for it is well known, that thefe new Negroes are always
much indulged during the fivii two or three years after tlieir arrival,
being put to the gentlefl: work, that they may be gradually fea-
foned to the change of climate, and trained by a (low and cafy
progrefs to undergo the fame degree of labour as the reft. If then
all this care and preparation be neceffary, and not only neceflary,
butaftually attended to, it may be alked, by what means it comes
to pafs, that we obferve lo great a decreafe among them ? In reply
to this, feveral reafons may be given.

Thefe Negroes are few of them exempt from a venereal taint ;
and very many have, at the time of their arrival, that dreadful
diforder, the y^ivs, lurking in their blood. It is faid (1 know not
with what truth), that the furgeoas on board the Guiney fliips ufc
methods to repel it, by a mixture of iron-ruft with gun-powder
and lime-juice, in order to remove all external fvmptoms of it be-
fore they are expofed to fale. There is fome reafon for believing
that fuch wicked frauds have been practifed ; becaufe it is no un-
common thing to fee a w'hole parcel of new Negroes, within a
few weeks after they are brought on a plantation, break out all to-
gether with this diforder, and efpecially if they have drunk the
cane-liquor in the boiling-houfe, which is very efficacious ia
throwing the venom out of the habit.

The plantation furgeons have depended chiefly on mercurial
preparations for a cure ; but it is found, that fuch medicines break
and impoverifh their blood, and fubjedl them to catch violent colds,
which often ftrike the matter in upon tlie nobler parts, and bring
on the joint-evil. Sometimes they fall into dropfies, which gene-
rally prove mortal; for this diibrder requires a very nutritious diet;
and experience proves, that, when left to nature, and the ufe of
flour of brimftone, to keep the humour in a conftant elimination
towards the (kin, it gradually wears off in about three years. Mer-
curials interrupt this natural crifis, and, inftead of curing, generally
either fix the diforder more rootedly in the habit, or give rife to
others of the moft dangerous kind.

Vol. II. K k k I have

434 J A M A I C A.

I have had occafion, in the courfe of feveral years, to m:irk the
fate of many hundred new Negroes ; and am pofitive, that a third
part of them have periflied, within three years after their arrival,
by this difeafe, through a miftaken method of treating it, and the
too eager deilre of tlieir owners, or an affectation of extraordinary
ikill in their dodtors, to make a fpeedy cure of it by fome mercu-
rial'«g/?r«w. Another miftake lias arifen, by judging from the ap-
pearance of an acrimonious humour, fo copioufly dilcharged, that
tlie patients required to have their juices correfted by proper
fweetenei'S of the blood, and a low, abftemious diet. Tliis error
has but lerved to haften their death. Inftead of oatmeal gruel, and
fuch weakening meffes, they ought to have their llrength fuftained,
during the progrefs of the eruption, and whilll it continues, with
hearty food, nourifliing broths, and the like ; which preferve the
blood in a balihmic, vigorous ftate, and enable nature to throw out
the latent virus. This diftemper, there is reafon to believe, holds
a near affinity with the fmall-pox ; at leail, it has been remarked,
that the natural fmall-pox, in thofe afflided with the yaws, is
commonly very mild.

Mercury has, in this climate, a great propenfity to fallvate; and
moft of the Negroes, by frequently taking mercurials for venereal
complaints, have their fluids fo impregnated with them, that the
utmoft caution is neceffary in adminilleriug fuch medicines. For
this reafon too, they cannot bear frequent repetitions of ftrong pur-
gatives ; the confequence of fuch copious evacuations being, almoft
always, a tendency to a dropfy.

The imall-pox has frequently made great ravage among them.
Sometimes they have been landed with this dileafe upon them j
and this has proved fo fatal, tliat I have known feven in ten die of
it, which is equal to feventy in a hundred, or fifty-fix more than
the computation made of thofe who die in England by this difbrder
taken in the natural way. The late method of inoculation, hap-
pily pradifed in this illand, promifes fair to put an end to fuch
dreadful examples of mortality ; and I therefore only mention this»
as one principal fource of depopulation which exilted here before
inoculation was brought into general ufe, which was not long ago.

Tlie

BOOK III. CHAP. III. 435

The removal of Negroes from a dry to a damp fituation, from
a South fide to a North fide parifh, has often been fatal to many.
New Negroes, lent into the mountains Immediately after their im-
portation, efpecially during a wet feafon, are almoft fuie of being
affiifted with fevere colds, pleurifies, fluxes, and other diflempers,
which prove their bane. Even the Creoles do not bear thefe re-
movals from places where, perhaps, they have refided from the
time of their birth. And it is inconceivable what numbers have
periflied, in confequence of the law for recovery of debts ; which
permits Negroes to be levied on, and fold at vendue. By this
means, they are frequently torn from their native fpot, their deareft
connexions, and transferred into a fituation unadapted to their
health, labouring under difcontent, which co-operates with change
of place and circumflances to fhorten their lives.

Some planters think it good policy to quarter their new Negroes
among the old fettled ones : but thefe hofls generally make their
guefls pay dear for their lodging and maintenance, forcing them to
be their " hewers of wood, and drawers of water ;" and, in fliort,
impofing on their ignorance without meafure or mercy, until they
fink under the opprefiion ; whillf the owner, a flranger to what
pafles, is furprifed to fee them continually on the decline, and gra-
dually confuming, without any fufpicion of the real caufe.

The introduftion of too many recruits at once has fometimes
proved fatal to them. It is very evident, that a fmall number can
be much eafier and better provided for, lodged, fed, and taken care
of, than a multitude. The planter therefore, who buys only eight
or ten at a time, will in the end derive more advantage from them,
than the planter who buys thirty ; for, by the greater leifurc and
attention in his power to befi:ow upon them, he will greatly leflea
the ordinary chances againil: their life, and the fooner prepare them
for an efFe£lual courfe of labour. The comparifon, indeed, founded
upon fad and obfervation, is, that, at the end of three years, the
former may poflibly have loft one fifth, but the other will molt
probably have lofl one half, of their refpedlve numbers.

The women do not breed here as in Africa ; for, in fliort,
it has never been the planter's care to proportion the number of
females to males: upon fome eflates there are five men to one.

K k k 2 woman.

436 JAMAICA.

woman. Now, the population of Afric, as has been fhewn, is
partly imputable to their larger proportion of women; infomuch
that, although the greatefl; man among their provinces may have
fifty, fixty, or more wives or concubines, yet the meaneft man is
fureofoneat leaft. The women here are, in general, common
proftitutes ; and many of them take fpecifics to caufe abortion,
in order that they may continue their trade without lofs of time,
or hindrance of bufinefs ; and, befides, their admitting fuch pro-
mifcuous embraces muft neceffarily hinder, or deftroy, conception.
We may add to-this the venereal difcale ; which, together with the
medicines taken, either to repel, or carry off the •virus., frequently
kills the foetus, and fterilizes both men and women.

Worms are extremely fatal to children in this climate, and de-
ftroy more than any other difeafe. Others frequently perifti, within
nine or ten days of their birth, by what is called here y^w-/^///;7g- ;
which is caufed by a retention of the ;;/^cowVwi : by not keepincr the
infimt fufficiently warm ; or by giving it rum, and aliment of hard
digeftion.

Moll of the black women are very fubjeft to obflrudions; from
what caufe I will not prelume to fay ; but, perhaps, they may be
afcribed, in part, to their ufing refcringent baths, or wafhing them-
felves in cool water at improper periods. Child-birth is not fo eafy
here as in Afric; and many children are annually deftroyed,
as well as their mothers, by the unlkilfulnefs and abfurd manage-
ment of the Negroe midwives.

Thus we find here are various caufes which prevent the multi-
plication of Negroes on the plantations ; not but that unfeafonable
work may fometimes be added to the lift; yet, in general, as it
is happy for thefe people, that the planter's intereft concurs with
the obligations of humanity in moft cafes that relate to the care of
them ; lo it is unneceflary to fay, that in the time of geilation,
they are treated with more than common indulgence, to prevent
any fuch accidents.

The knowledge of the caufe of any difeafe condudsus tothe me-
thod of cure. To augment our Negroes therefore by procreation,
we muft endenvour to remedy thofe evils which impede or fruflrate
its natural effect. And, to conclude, if the wafle of thefe men

(hould

BOOK III. CHAP. in. 437

fliouid become lefs, the price of them would fall; and the Hune
annual demand might be kept up, by extending our plantations,
which is now produced by the mortaHty of thei'e people ; eftates
would be gradually well-ilocked, and rendered more flourifhing ;
and the circumftances of the planters totally changed for the better.
The purchafe of new Negroes is the moll: chargeable article at-
tending thefe eftates, and the true fource of the diflrefTes under
which their owners fuffer; for they involve themfelves fo deeply in
debt, to make thefe inconfiderate purchafe?, and lofe fo many by
difeafe, or other means in the feafoning, that they become unable
to make good their engagements, are plunged in law-fuits and anx-
iety ; while, for want of fome prudent regulations in the right
hufbanding of their ftock, and promoting its increafc by natural
means, they entail upon themfelves a neccfiity of drawing perpe-
tual recruits of unfeafoncd Africans, the expcnce of which forms
only a new addition to their debts and difficulties.

I will not deny that thofe Negroes breed the beft, whofe labour
is leaf!:, or eafieft. Thus the domeftic Negroes have more children,
in proportion, than thofe on peniis ; and the latter, than thofe who
are employed on fugar-plantations. If the number of hogfneads,
annually made from any eftate, exceeds, or even equals, the whole
aggregate of Negroes employed upon it, but few children will be
biouglu up on luch eftate, whatever number may be born ; for the
mothers will not have futficient time to take due care of them ;
and, if they are put under charge of fome elderly woman, or nurfe,
as the cuftom is in many places, it cannot be fuppoied that they
meet with the fame tendernefs as might be expefted from their
parent. But, where the proportion of the annual produce is about
half a hogftiead for every Negroe, there they will, in all likelihood,
increafe very rapidly ; and not much lefs fo, where the 7-al'io is of
two hogfheads to every three Negroes, which 1 take to be a good
mefiie proportion ; agreeably to which, an eftate, making, commu-
nihus annh, two hundred hogftieads, ought to muftcr on its lift, old
and young, three hundred Negroes; and, if it makes three hundred
hogHieads, four hundred and fifty fuch Negroes: and fo on. hvy
eftate, fo handed, 7nay not only, ceeler'ts paribus, fave the expence of
buying recruits, but may every year afford foa:ie addition to the
2 ' " firft

438 ' f ^fl^^^I A 1 C A.

fiiR- number-, of which I have kno\vn iiicontefcable examples in Ja-
maica ; and although the iriatdre of the Toil here and there may
caufe Ibmc difterencc in refpecl to hard or eafy labour, yet it will
flill hold for a good general rule. There are very few plantations,
whofe foil is uniform throughout; and, where the foil is moft ftitT
and laborious, perhaps the yielding in fugar is equal on the whole ;
which works no ohjeftion to the rule. For example : if we fup-
pofe a North fide eflate of very fliff land, and compare it with one
on the South fide, whofe foil is of a free texture, and that each of
them yields, upon average, one hogrhead^^r acre round ; the South
fide eftate contains three hundred acres in canes, yields three hun-
dred hogfheads, mufters four hundred and fifty Negroes ; and the
North fide eftate, three hundred acres, yields three hundred hog-
fheads, and muflers four hundred and fifty Negroes. Although the
North fide hind is far more laborious, yet the annual plant being
far lefs, on account of the rattoon canes, which ftand feveral
cuttings, the mrf/ic proportion of labour upon both, for a given
number of years, may be found very even ; the South fide eftate
being obliged, perhaps every year, to hole and plant double the
quantity of ground.

The proportion, according to the before-mentioned rule, is one
liundred and fifty Negroes to one hundred hogftieads. An efti-
mate was made, not long fince, on this fubjeft, with reference to
the produce of each diftinft parifh. I know not how far it ma}/
be depended on in regard to exa£tnefs; but, if it comes any thing
near the truth, it proves that fome have more, but very few lels,
than the rate propofed. For better comprehending the table, I
ftiall clafs the different parifties according to the general condition
of their foils. The firft clafs contains thofe whofe foil is, compa-
ratively, the moft ftiff" and heavy ; the fecond, fuch as have the
iighteft ; the third, thofe whofe foil may be efteemed between
both.

Firft Clafs. Negroes to 100 Hhds.

St. Mary, 150 at par o

St. John, 168 exceeds by 18

Portland, ■ 182 ditto 32

St. George, « 158 ditto 8

Weftmoreland,

CHAP.

III.

439

to I GO

141

142

Hhds

•

lefs
ditto

9

8

171

exceeds

21

200

ditto

50

I 80

138

2CO

ditto

lefs

exceeds

3^
12

50

ibz

ditto

1 2

250

ditto

100

172

ditto

22

20+

ditto

54

127
120

1?2

lefs

ditto

ditto

23

3^
18

BOOK III.

Firfl Clafs. Negro

Weftmoreland,

Hanover,

Second Clafs.

St. Catharine,

St. Dorothy,

St. Thomas in the Vale,

Vere,

St. Anne,

St. Andrew,

Port Royal,

St. David,

St. Elizabeth,

Third Clafs.
Clarendon, »

St. Thomas in the Eail:,

St. James,

Thus, of the whole number, only fix appear deficient. I mud
own, that fuch general calculations are not entirely to be relied on ;
becaufe, in any individual parifli, upon a iurvey of the eflates
comprehended in it, (ome will appear to have more tlian their
complement, asid others to fall very fhort of it. Much likewife
depends on favourable or unfavourable feafons, good or bad ma-
nagement. In regard to births, they are probably as many as can
be expecled, under the obftacles which I have before enumerated;
and, when I fay that any cftate, having the juft proportion of
hands to the average quantity of its produce, may require no pur-
chafed recruits, I muft be underftood with an exception to fome or
otherof thofe obflacles; for, if its women are not numerous enough,
or if they are rendered unprolific by difeafe or their own bad prac-
tices, or their children precluded from reaching to maturity, no fuch
population can of courl'c enfue. It is worth every planter's attention,
to encourage the mothers, by little helps, to take good care of
their children. Some mark of diftinftion, or a reward, fliould
always be allowed to thofe who have fhewn the moil: affiduity in
refpedl to their cleanlinefs and health. A premium might be
air.gned for every new-born chikl ; and a fmall annuity to be con-
tinued

^4o j A M- A-' I G A.

tinned until its attaining the fourth or htth year. Thefe politic
•Tratuities woold not only endear the owner to the parents, but
prove a conftant incitement to their care, and at the fame time
enable ih.em to provide better, the feveral little necefiiiries wanted
to keep their infants cleanly and decent. If thefe meafures fliould
operate, as probably they would,' to the increafc of their families,
the cxpence attending them would be amply repaid.

I have obferved, in feveral accounts of our Weft-India colonies,
compaiifons drawn between tiie condition of the ilaves in them
and in the Frencli illands, very much to the difadvantage of the
former. It is faid, that the Negroes in the French colonies are not
left fo much to the planter's difcretion ; that their mafters are
obliged to have them inftrufted in the principles of the Chriftiau
religion ; that there are methods taken, at once to proted them
from the cruelty of their mafters, and preferve the colony from any
ill effeds that might arife from treating them with a lenity not
confiflent with their condition ; that the Code Noir, or fet of regu-
lations, purpofely framed for the Negroes, and eftablifhed by the
royal edift, as well as other ordinances relative to thefe poor crea-
tures, (hew a very jufl: and fcnfible mixture of humanity and ftea-
-dinefs ; and that thefe regulations have given the French, in their
colonies, a reputation for good dilcipline and clemency ; which de-
grades the Englifh planters, when their laws are brouglit into
comparifon. The Fench are thus held out as a pattern well de-
serving the imitation of the Britifh owners, and very properly, if
all thefe encomiums are founded in truth. But there is fome rea-
son to doubt their good eftttls ; and to believe, that, however
they may glow with humanity and maxims of prudence, they arc
not efficacioufly obeyed. Monf. Boflu, a French officer, who was
at Hifpaniola in 1751, gives fome right to draw fuch a conclufion ;
and I mufi fay, that his teftimony is of the greater weight, as the
French are well known to be very cautious of revealing whatever
can tend to diflionour their countrymen. He condemns the brutal
avidity of fome French planters; " who," he tells us, " force their
«' wretched flaves to luch hard labour, that they refufe to marry, ir»
•« order to avoid generating a race of beings to be enflaved to fuch
-*' maflers, who treat them, when old and infirm, worfethan their

*' dogs

BOOK III. CHAP. III. 44l_

•* dogs nnd liorfes. 1 have feen, adds he, a planter, whole name
" was Chaperon, v/ho forced one of his Negroes to go into a heated
"oven, where the poor wretch' expired ; and his jaws being fliri-
**' veled up, the barbarous owner faid, " I bsHeve the fellow
" laugiis," and took a poker to Air him up. Since this event, he
" became the fcarecrow among all the flaves, who, when they do
" amifs, are threatened by their maflers to be fent to Chaperon."
What are we to think of the edidts and ordinances of any country,
where fo horrid a monfter is fuffered to live with impunity ; fend
of how little efficacy is the celebrated Code Noir, in giving pro-
tection to the French Negroes ? Such afts of wanton, di'kbolical
cruelty, are a (landing reproach to the laws of any country ; the
iadt might have feenied incredible, had it been related by any other
than a Frenchman ; and, I think, we are fairly warranted to judge
from it, that what we have been told of their regulations is not
entirely true ; for how docs it appear that their Negroes are pro-
tected from the cruelty of their mafters, whilfl: fuch atrocious ex-
amples of the contrary are to be feen in their colonies ? This
queftion is impartially deduced, and proves, that fo far as refpedts
the perfonal well-being of the Negroes, thefe boafted laws are fpe-
cious perhaps in their complexion, but ineffeftual and feeble in their
real operation. It is not enough to make iawsj it is alfo necefTary
to provide for their execution.

However, we are fo fond of depreciating our own colonies, that
we paint our planters in the moft bloody colours, and reprefent
their Haves as the moft ill-treated and miferable of mankind. It is
no wonder therefore that Jamaica comes in for a large fhare of
abufe ; and even our common news -papers are made the vehicles
of it. I read in one of them not long fince, *■' that the cruel ufage
" ttnfliCled on Negro flaves in Jamaica by their mafters, is the
*' reafon why infurredlions there are more frequent than in the
*' French or other fugar-iflands." The firft enquiry to be made
in anfwer to fo invidious a charge is, whether the fadt here afTerted.
be really true ? and, 2dly, whether this frequency may not have
been owing to fome other caufe ?

Vol. II. L 1 1 Within

442 JAMAICA.

Within a few years pad, we have heard of them at Hifpaniola^

at Cuba, at the Brafils, at Surinam, and Rerbice, and at the Britifh

iflands of Tobago, Dominica, Montferrat, and St. Vincent. If they

fhould happen oftener at Jamaica than in the fmaller iflands, it

would not be at all furprizing, fmce it has generally contained more

Negroes than all the Windward Britifh ifles put together; and its

importations in fome years have been very great.

For inftance, in the year 1764, the importation was, 10,223.

And from January 1765 to Julyi766, one year and an half, 16,760.

So large a multitude as 27,000 introduced in the fpace of two years

and an half, furnifiies a very fufficient reafon, if there was no other,.

to account for mutinies and plots, efpecially as no fmall number of

them had been warriors in Afric, or criminals ', and all of them as

favage and uncivilized as the beafts of prey that roam through the

African forefts.

A general accufation can only deferve a general reply. If the
author of it had particularized any certain fpecies of barbarity
tolerated by law or cuftom, or in conftant ufe at Jamaica, it would
be incumbent on its advocates, either to difprove, or admit, the
exiftence of fuch particular fads. But a charge, which involves
a vii-hole country, ought to be well founded, and fupported by evi-
dence taken from notorious practice, or the fyftem of laws by
which that country is regulated. If a foreigner, being told of a
mother in England, fo void of natural feeling, as to fliut up her
own children in a dungeon, flarve and cruelly beat them ; of others,,
who flrangle their infants, cut their throats, or confume them in
ovens; of maflers and miflrefles fo brutal as to whip their appren-
tices to death j of daughters poifoning their fathers; nieces their
uncles; wives butchering their hufbands, and hufbands their wives;
with many other examples of barbarity, which the public chroni-
cles have recorded from time to time ; Ihould we not think
the foreigner extremely void of impartiality and good fenfe, if for
this reafon he was to charge all the people of England with being a
moil bloody, inhuman and unfeeling race? Yet there is full as
much caufe for it in this cafe, as in the former. The truth is,
that ever fmce the introdudtion of Africans into the Weft-Indies,

infurredlions

7

BOOK III. CHAP. HI. 44S

infurrefllons have occurred in every one of the colonies, Britifh as
well as foreign, at times. But the calumniator has not been more
erroneous in bringing the charge, than in the reafons affigned to
fupport it ; becaufe a faulty indulgence has been one leading caufe
of the diftarbances that have occurred in Jamaica; which is evi-
dently proved by what is fet forth in many of the laws pafled in
confequence of them, reftridling feveral fports, and prohibiting cer-
tain feltive aflemblies, which the Negroes had freely enjoyed be-
fore, but were made fubfervient to the forming and carrying on
of dangerous confpiracies. They were formerly allowed to affemble
with drums and mufical inftruments ; to dance, drink, and be
merry. This was permitted, becaufe it was thought an inoffenfwe
mode of recreation for them. But when thefe games were after-
wards converted into plots, they were with great juftice fuppreffed,
as riotous aflemblies of people are in England, and for the like
reafon J that, being perverted from their original intention to wicked
and unlawful ends, they became inconfiftent with the peace and
fafety of the community. Such prohibitions (of which there are
feveral) prove undeniably, the great latitude of indulgence, that has
been given to the Negroes of this colony ; and fhew the propriety,
and indeed neceflity, there has been of laying them under rellric-
tions, when that liberty was abufed. The innocent, it is true, were
unavoidably involved with the guilty in thefe reflraintsj but they
have ftill fufficient paftimes and amufements to divert them, with-
out offending againft the public welfare. In every country under
the fun the like commotions muft happen, where licentioufnefs
among the moft ignorant and profligate of the people is not reprefled
by the difcipline of laws, and the energy of good government ; and
where drunkennefs and luft, thofe great incentives to violence among
this order of men, are fuffered, as in Jamaica, to reign without
controul.

The heedlefs pradlice formerly of keeping large (lands of fire-
arms and cutlafl"es upon the Inland plantations, having only three or
four white men upon them, became a ftrong temptation to any
difaffedled or enterprizing Africans. It might well be expedled,
that throwing fuch magazines and fl:ores of ammunition in their
way, was a diredt invitation to them to rebel. The turning Co

L 1 1 2 many

444 JAMAICA,

many indefenfible houfes into arfenals for arming mutinous favages,.
was doubtlefs the very height of imprudence, tending not only to
generate projeds of hoftiUty, but to aff'ord the means of conducing
them with probable hope of fuccef?. Add to this, that many {hop-
keepers, from a flrange fpirit of avarice, have been known to fell
gunpowder privately to fuch confpirators, although they muft have
forefeen the afe to which it might be applied; and, to gain a few
fliilliiigs, even hazarded their own deftruftion j incredible as this
may feem, yet it is certain that fuch a practice has been carried on,
as two laws weie pafled, one in 1730, the other in 1744, to put ^
flop to it.

Another caufe of confpiracy may have been, a remote hope of
fonie Negroes, who, having heard of the freedom granted to the
Marons after their obftinate refiftance of feveral years, expecfted,
perhaps, that by a courfe of fuccefsful oppofition they might obtain
the like terms in the end, and a diftindl fettlement in fome quarter
of the ifland.

The vulgar opinion in England confounds all the Blacks in one
claf?, and iuppofes them equally prompt for rebellion; an opinion
that is groflly erroneous. The Negroes, who have been chief adors
in the feditionsand mutinies, which at different times have broke out
here, were the imported Africans ; and, confidering the numbers of
them who were baniflied their country for atrocious mifdeeds, and
familiarized to blood, malTacre, and the moft deteftable vices, we
Ihould not be aftonifhed at the impatient fpirit of fuch an abandoned
herd, upon being introduced to a life of labour and regularity.
The numbers imported would indeed be formidable, if they
continued in a body; but they are foon difperfed among a variety
of different efliatcs many miles afunder, by which means they re-
main a long time ignorant of each other's place of fettlement.
They often find themfclves mixed with many ftrangers, differing
from them in. language; and againfl others they hold a rooted an-
tipathy. But they are chiefly awed into fubjedlion, by the fuperior
multitude of Creole Blacks, with whom they dare not confederate,
nor folicit their concurrency in any plan of oppofition to the white
inhabitants..

Th.e.

BOOK III. CHAP. III. 445

The ringleaders of confpiracy have been the native Africans,
and of thefe the Coromantlns (land the foremoll. The Jamaica
planters are fond of purchafing the Negroes who pafs under this name,
in preference to thoi'e of the other provinces; but the French, and
fome other Weft-India colonies, will not knowingly admit them;
being fenfible of their dangerous tempers and unfitnefs for the
peaceable walk of hufbandry.

As the infurredions which have happened in our ifland have been
mifreprefented, I fliall give a fummary account of them, which
may ferve to illuftrate what has been advanced, and explain the
motives of them not to have been founded in the manner they have
been generally fuppofed, by perfons ill informed, or but little ac-
quainted with Jamaica.

The MiiroH or wild Negroes, of whom I have given the hiftory,
were improperly called rebellious. The compilers of the Modern
Univerfal Hijlory, in their account of the ifland, have fallen into this
miflake, and, giving a detail of the infurreflion that happened in
1761, they fpeak of it as " a revolt of thofe Negroes, who, fmce the
" late treaty with them in Mr. Trelavvny's government, Jiot having
" been fiifficicntly watched., had become io numerous and ftrong, that
*' they now meditated no lefs than the extirpation of all the white
" men in the ifland. "^

It is not an eafy matter to difcover what is meant by " their be-
" coming too numerous and ftrong, for want of being watched^'
nor how tiie watching of them could either thin their numbers,^
or weaken them : however, the whole is erroneous, and the very
reverfe is the trutiij for thefe Negroes have, as far as vvc have any
certain information, always adhered to the treaty, and were the
principal inflruments employed in fuppreffing that very infurrevStion.
The Jamaica laws have from the beginning termed them rebellious;
but they did not deferve the appellation, becaufe they were the free
defcendants from the aboriginal Sjanilh Negroes, who had never
come under any fubmifilon or allegiance to the Britifh government.
The rebellions (properly fpeaking) are confined to thofe Negroe
ilaves, who have at different periods renounced obedience to their
Britifh mafters, and fought to refcue themfelves from a life of
labour by force of arms ; and all thefe diilurbances are extremely
remarkable,, in that they have been planned and conduced by the

Coromantin:

446 JAMAICA.

Coromant'in Negroes, who are diftinguiflaed from their brethren by
their averfion to huibandry, and the martial ferocity of their difpo-
fition. The firft rebelHon of importance, on record, happened in
the year 1690, when between three and four hundred flaves,
belonging to Mr. Sutton's plantation in Clarendon, forced their way
into the dwelling-houfe, killed tbe white man entrufted with the
care of it, and feized upon a large ftore of fire-arms, powder and
ball, and fourfmall field-pieces, with fome provilions: at this time,
the interior fettlements, of which this was one, fituated near the
woods, were furnifhed in this manner with implements of defence
to withftand the afi!aults of the Marons, who frequently fallied out
in the night to attack them. The rebels, after this exploit, pro-
ceeded to the next plantation, and murdered the overfeer, but were
difappointed of being joined by the flaves belonging to it, who all
betook themfelves to the woods; upon this they returned to Mr.
Sutton's houfe, where they put every thing into a pofi:ure of de-
fence. By this time the white inhabitants of the neighbourhood,
having taken the alarm, colledled about fifty horfe and foot,
marched to beat up their quarters ; and, being joined by the way
with frefli fuccours, they increafed to a formidable body. On the
next day the militia began their attack, upon which the rebels
withdrew to the cane pieces, and fet fire to them, in order to
cover their retreat ; but a detachment of the militia having fetched
a little compafs, found means to aflault them in flank, whilfl: the
reft advanced upon them in front; unable to withftand this double
fire, the rebels immediately fled, but were fo briflcly purfued, that
many were killed, and two hundred of them threw down their
arms, and begged for mercy ; the red were afterwards either flain,
or taken prifoners; and the ringleaders of the confpiracy hanged.
I find no rebellion of any confequence for feveral years fubfequent
to this ; one reafon for which cefliation probably was, that the
Marons were endeavouring, by every means in their power, to bring
over the flaves in different parts of the ifland to their caufe; fuch
therefore as were difcontented with their condition, deferted to the
Marons ; but, feveral who took this ftep, performed fome previous
adl of outrage, by way of recommending themfelves to their new
iriends ; none was more horrid than what was committed on Mr.

B—

BOOK III. CHAP. HI. 447

B — of St. Anne ; a gentleman diftinguiflied for his humanity to-
wards his flaves, and in particular to one of his domeftics, on whom
he had beftowed many extraordinary marks of kindnefs. Yet this
ungrateful villain, at the head of a gang who were equally dif-
pofed to revolt, afTaulted his mailer whilft he was in bed ; Mr. B —
defended himfelf for fome time with his broad fword, but beinty
overpowered by numbers, and difabled by wounds, he fell at length
a vidlim to their cruelty; they cutoff his head, fawed his fkull
afunder, and made ufe of it as a punch bowl; and, after doing as
much further mifchief as they were able, they retreated into the
woods.

After the pacification made with governor Trelawney, no in-
furre6tion of moment occurred for many years. Some trifling
difturbances happened, and fome plots were deteded, but they
came to nothing; and indeed the feeds of rebellion were in a great
meafure rendered abortive, by the adivity of the Marons, who
fcoured the woods, and apprehended all Itraggling and vagabond
flaves, that from time to time defcrted from their owners. But in
the year 1760, a confpiracy was projeded, and conduded with
fuch profound fecrefy, that almoft all the Coromantin flaves
throughout the ifland were privy to it, without any fufpicion.
from the Whites. The parifli of St. Mary was fixed upon, as the;
mofl: proper theatre for opening their tragedy. It abounded with
their countrymen, was but thinly peopled with Whites, contained
extenfive deep woods, and plenty of provifions : fo that as the
engaging any confiderable number heartily in tiie fcheme, would
depend chiefly on the fuccefs of their firft operations, they were
likely to meet with a fainter refiftance in this parifli than in moft
others ; and fliould the ifl^'ue of the conflid prove unfavourable to
them, they might retreat with fecurity into the woods, and there
continue well fupplied with provifions, until their party fl)ould be
ftrengthened with fufiicient reinforcements, to enable their profe-
cution of the grand enterprize, whofe objed was no other than the
entire extirpation of the white inhabitants ; the enflaving of all
fuch Negroes as might refufe to join them j and the partition of
the ifland into fmall principalities in the African mode ; to be
diftributed among their leaders and head men. A principal in-
ducement

JAMAICA.

ducement to the formalion of this fchemc of conqLiefl wa?, the
happy circumftance of the Marons ; who, they obfcrved, had ac-
quired very cointortable fettlements, and a life of freedom and eafe,
by dint cf their prowefs. On the niglit preceding Ealler-Monday,
about lifty of them marched to Port Maria, where they murdered
the ftorekeeper of the fort (at that time unprovided with a gar-
riibn), broke open the magazine, and feized four barrels of powder,
a few mulquet-bal's, and about forty fire-arms. Proceeding from
thence to the bay, which lies under the fort, they met with fome
fiiliing-ncts, from which they cut off all the leaden finkers, made
of bullets drilled, Thefe Negroes were moftly cclle6led from
Trinity plantation, belonging to Mr. Bayley ; Whitehall, and
Frontier, belonging to Mr. Ballard Beckford ; and Heywood Hal',
the property of Mr, Hey wood. Mr, Bayley had been called up by
one of his domeftics, and, mounting his horfe, rode towards the
bay, in hopes that, by expoftulating calmly with the rebels, he
might periuade them to difperfe and return to their duty; but their
plan was too deeply laid, and they had conceived too high an
opinion of it, to recede.

Upon his nearer approach, he perceived they were determined
to act offenfively, and therefore galloped back with great expedition ;
a few random-lhots were difcharged after him, which he fortu-
nately efcaped, and rode diredlly to the neighbouring eftates,
alarming them as he went, and appointing a place of rendezvous.
In this he performed a very eflential piece of fervice to the white
inhabitants, who before were entire flrangers to the infurredtion,
and unprepared againft furprize; but this notice gave them fome
time to recollecfl themfelves, and to confult meafures for fupprefling
the infurgents. In the mean while, the latter purfued their way to
Heywood-Hall, where they fet fire to the works and cane-pieces,
and proceeded to Efher, an eftate of Mr. William Beckford, mur-
thering on the road a poor white man, who was traveling on foot.
At Efher they were joined by fourteen or fifteen of their country-
men. The Whites on that eftate had but juft time to (hut them-
felves up in the dwelling-houfe, which they barricadoed as well as
they could; unhappily they were deftitute of ammunition, and
therefore incapable of making any refiftance. The rebels, who knew

their

BOOK III. CHAP. III. 449

their fituation, foon forced nn entrance, nnirthered the ovcrfcrr and
another perfon, and nmngled the dodtor, till they fuppofed him dead;
in this condition they drew him down fev^eral fteps bv the heels, and
threw him among the other murthered perfons: his limbs flili appear-
ing to move, one of the rebels exclaimed, that " he had as many lives
as ^pnj's-" and immediately difcharged four or five flugs through his
back, fome of which penetrated the bladder. This gentleman was fo
dreadfully wounded, that the two furgeons, who afterwards attended
him, were every day fatigued with the multiplicity of bandages and
drelfings, neceflary to be applied upon almoft all parts of his bodyj
fo that his recovery was next to miraculous.

After this exploit, they ravifhed a Mulatto woman, who had been
the overfeer's kept miftrefs ; but fpared her life, at the requcfl: of fome
of the Eflier Negroes, who alledged, in her favour, that Hie had fre-
quently flived them from a whipping, by her interceffion with theover-
feer; confidering the hands into which fhe had fallen, this was thought
an a£l of very extraordinary clemency ; and, in faft, not owing really
to any merit on her part, as the overfcer bad only chofe to let his for-
givenefs appear rather to come through the importunity of another,
than from the lenity of his own difpofition. The do(ftor, notwith-
flanding his wounds, recovered afterwards. Yankee, a truliy flave
belonging to this eftate, behaved on the occafion with fignal gallan-
try; he was very aftive in endeavouring to defend the houfc, and
affift the white men; but, finding they were overpowered, he made his
efcape to the next ellate, and there, with another faithful Negroc, con-
certed meafures for giving immediate notice to all the plantations in
the neighbourhood, and procuring auxiliaries for the white inhabitaiUs,
The rebels, after this atfion, turned back to Heywood Hall and Bal-
lard's Valley, where they picked up fome frcfli recruits, fo that their
whole party, including women, Increafed to about four hundred. The
fatigues of the opening their campaign had lb exhaufted their fpirits hy
this time, that they thought proper to refrefh thcmfelves a little before
they renewed their hoftilities; havin:^ therefore a cood maoazine of
hogs, poultry, rum, and other plunder of the like kind, they chofe out
a convenient fpot, lurrounded with trees, and a little retired from the
road, where they fpread their piovilion, and began to carouze. The
white inhabitants, alarmed by Mr. Bayley, had aflembled in the mean

Vol. II. M m m time

450 J A M A I C A.

time about 70 or 80 horfe, and had now a fair opportunity of routing
the whole body; they advanced towards the place where the rebels
were enjoying themfelves, and luckily difcovered them by their noife
and riot, or they might have fallen into an ambufcade. The Coro-
mantins did not exhibit any fpecimen of generalfhip upon this occa-
fion; on the appearance of the troop, they kept clofe in the wood,
from whence they poured an irregular fire, which did no execution.
The drilled bullet?, taken from the lifliing nets, defcribed an arch in
their projcftion, and flew over the heads of the militia, rifter keep-
ing thtir ranks for fome time, it was propofed that they fhould dif-
mount, and pufli into the wood; but on examining their ammuni-
tion, the militia found their whole Itock, if equally divided, did not
amount to more than one charge each man ; they therefore held it
more advifeable, for the major part to Hand their groimd on the re-
ferve, while their fervants, and fome others well armed, advanced into
the wood clofe to the rebels, feveral of whom they killed; a Mulatto
man was faid to have flain three with his own hand, and a brave
North Briton about the fan)e number. The rebels, intimidated witii
this bold attack, retreated; but it was not judged proper at that time
to purfue them.

During all thefe tranfa6iions, two Negroes, belonging to Mr.
Bcckford, having taken horfe at the firfl: alarm, were on the road to
Spanifli Town, and traveled with fuch expedition through very bad
ways, that they brought the intelligence to lieut. governor Sir Henry
Moore, by one o'clock the fame day, who immediately difpatchcd two
parties of regulars, and two troops of horfe militia, by diiierent routs,
to the parifli; orders at the fame time were lent to the Morons of Scot's-
Hall Town, to advance by another road from the Eaftward, and a
party from the Leeward Towns were directed to enter by the Weft.
All thefe detachments were in motion as early as poflible, and no
meafures could have been more effectually taken. The lieutenant
governor happily poHtlfed, in addition to great abilities, uncommon
prefence of mind, prudence, and bravery, a moll: confummate know-
ledge of the geography of the illand, and of every road and avenue in
its feveral dillricts. By this means, he was enabled to take every fit
precaution, and form the moft proper difpolition of the foi'ccs, as well
for reducing the infurgents, as protefiing the ettates in thofe parts,
2 where

BOOK in. CII A p. III. 451-

where the flame might be expelled to kindle afrefli. Thefc detach-
ments, by forced marches, foon made their appearance in St, Marv,
and damped at once all the idc;is of conqiicft, which at firft had ele-
vated the rebels. They kept in the woods, rambling from place to
place, ftldom continuing many hours on one fpot; and when they
perceived themfelves clofe befet on all fides, they refohed to fell their
lives as dear as poffible. The Marons of Scot's-Hall behaved ex-
tremely ill at this jnnclure; they were the firft party that came to the
rendezvous; and, under pretence that fome arrears were due to them,
and that they had not been regularly paid their head-money allowed
by law, for every run-away taken up, they refuted to proceed agsinft
the rebels, unlefs a colleftion was immediately made for them; feve-
ral gentlemen prefcnt fubmiited to comply with this extraordinary de-
mand, rather than delay the fervice; after which they marched, and
had one engagement with the rebels, in which they killed a few. A
party of the 74th regiment lay quartered at a houfe by the fea fide, at
a fmall diftance from the woods; in the night the rebels were fo bold,
that they crept very near the quarters, and, having fiiot the ccntinel
dead, retired again with the utmoft agility from purfuit. Not long-
after this accident the regulars, after a tedious march throuph the
woods, which the fl:eepnefs of the hills, and heat of the weather, con-
fpired to render extremely fatiguing, came up with the enemy, and an
engagement enfued, in which feveral of the rebels were killed, and
lieut. Bevil of the regulars wounded. The different parties continued
in chafe of the fugitives, and ikirmiflies happened everyday; but in
the mean while, the fpirit of rebellion was fliewing itfelf in various
other parts of the ifland, there being fcarcely a fingle pariOi, to which
this confpiracy of the Coromantiiis did not extend. In St. Mary's
parifh a check was fortunately given at one efiate, by furprizing a fa-
mous obeiah man or prieft, much refpefted among his countrymen.
He was an old Coromantin, who, with others of his profeffion, hi;d
been a chief in counfelin"' and inftisatinp; the credulous herd, to whom
thefe priefts adminiftered a powder, which, being rubbed on their bo-
dies, was to make them invulnerable: they perfuaded them into a be-
lief, that Tacky, their generaliflimo in the woods, could not poffibly
be hurt by the white men, for that he caught all the bullets fired at
him in his hand, and hurled them back with deftrudion to his foes.

M m m 2 This

452 J A M A I C A.

This old Impoftor was caught whilft he was tricked up with all his
feathers, teeth, and other implements of magic, and in this attire fuf-
fered military execution by hanging: many of his difciples, when they
found that he was fo eafily put to death, notwithlianding all the
boafled feats of his powder and incantations, loon altered their opi-
nion of bim, and determined not to join their countrymen, in a caule
which hitherto had been unattended with fuccefs. But the fame of
general Tacky, and the notion of his invulnerability, flill prevailed
over the minds of other?, as that hero had ellaped hitherto in every
conflift without a wound. The tr'Je condition of his party was art-
fully mlfreprefented to the Coromantins, in the diflant parifhes; they
were told that every thing went on profperoufly, that victory attended
them, and that nothing now remained but for all their countrymen to
be hearty in the caufe, and the ifland mufi: fpeedily be their own.
Animated with thefe reports, the Coromantins on capt. Forreft's eflate,
in Weftmorcland, broke into rebellion. They furrounded the man-
lion- houfe, in wiiich Mr. Smith, attorney to Mr. Forreft, with fome
friends, was fitting at lupper; they foon difpatched Mr. Smith and the
overfeer, and terribly wounded captain Hoare, commander of a mer-
chant fliip in the trade, who afterwards recovered. Three other Ne-
groes. belonging to this eftate made their efcape privately, and alarmed
the neighbouring fettlements, by which means the white perfons upon
them provided for their lives, and took meafures which prevented the
Negroes on three contiguous eftates from rifing. A gentleman, pro-
prietor of one of thefe eftates, remarkable for his humanity and kind
treatment of bis flaves, upon the firft alarm, put arms into the hands
of about twenty; of whole faithful attachment to him, he had the ut-
moll; confidence: thefe were all of them Coromantins, who no foonei'
had got poffeirion of arms, than they convinced their mafter how little
they merited the good opinion he had entertained of them; for having
ranged themfelves before his houfe, they afiTured him they would do
him no harm, but that they muft go and join their countrymen, and
then fainting him with their hats, they every one marched off. Among
the rebels were feveral French Negroes, who had been taken prifoners
at Guadalonpe, and, being fent to Jamaica for fale, were purchafed by
capt. Forreft. Thefe men were the more dangerous, as they had been
in arms at Guadaloupe, and feen fomething of military operations; in

which

BOOK III. CH A P. III. 453

which they acquired fo much fkill, that, after the mafliicre on the
eftate, when they found their partifans of the adjacent plantations did
not appear to join them, they killed fevcral Negroes, fet fire to build-
ings and cane-pieces, did a variety of other milehief, and then with-
drew into the woods, where thev formed a ftron? breaft-work acrofs
a road, flanked by a rocky hill; within this work thev erefted their
huts, and fat down in a fort of encampment ; a party of militia, who
were fent to attack them, very narrowly efcaped bting all cut off.
The men were badly difciplined, having been haflily colle(fled ; and
filling into an ambufcade, they were ftruck with terror at the difmal
yells, and the multitude of their aifailants. The whole party was
thrown into the utmoft confufion, and routed, notwithftanding every
endeavour of their officers; each ftrove to fiiift for himfelf, and vvhilft
they ran different ways, fcarcely knowing what they were about, fe-
veral were butchered, others broke their limbs over precipices, and the
reft with difficulty found their way back again. This unlucky defeat
raifed the fpirlts of the Coromantins in this p.irt of the country, and
encouraged fo many to join the victorious band, that the whole num-
ber very foon amounted to upwards of a thoufand, including their
women, who were neceflary for carrying their baggage, and dreffing
their viftuals. This confequcnce (hewed, how ill-judged it was to
make the firfi: attack upon them with a handful of raw, undifciplined
militia, without advancing at the fame time a party in refervc, to fuf-
tain their efforts, and cover their retreat. In fuppreffing ihefe muti-
nies, the firft a(^ion has always been of the utmoft importance, and
therefore fhould never be confided to any except tried and well- trained
men. The winning the firft battle from the rebellious party, ufually
decides the iflue of the war ; it difconcerts the confpirators, not as yet
engaged, and who keep aloof, irrefolute whether to join or not; and it
intimidates all that are in arms, and moft commonly plunges them
into defpondency: the reverfe is fure to follow a defeat of the Whites
on the firft encounter ; and nothing can add greater ftrength to rebel-
lion, or tend more to raife the authority of the priefis and leaders who
have fet it on foot. Thefe remarks have been fully verified, In courfe
of the prefent, and every other infurrcdion that has occurred in this
Ifland. The infurgents in St. Mary, who opened the campaign, were
rcpulfed in the firft conflict, and from that tuuc grew diffieartened,

and

454 J A M A I C A.

and dimininilng in their numbers; their confederates in that parifli
looked upon their rout m ominous, and would not venture to aflbciate
with them in the undertaking, whilll thofe of Weftmoreland, who
would probably have given up the caufe, if they had met with a fevere
check at their firfl: outfet, v/ere now become fiuflied with a confidence
la their fuperioi-ity, and gathered reinforcements every day. How-
ever, they were not fufiered to remain long in this adlirance of fuccefs;
:i detachment of the 49th regiment, with a frefii company of niilitin,
and a party of the Leeward Marons, marched to attack them. The
regulars led the van, the militia brought up the rear, whilfi: the Marons
lined the wood to the right and left, to prevent ambufcades. The re-
bels collec^led behind their fortification, made fliew of a refolution to
defend their poft, and fired inceflantly at their opponents, though with
uo other injury than wounding one foldier. The officer, captain
Forfyth, who commanded the detachment, advanced with the utmoft
intrepidity, ordering his men to referve their fire, till they had reached
the bread:- work J at which time, they poured in fuch a volley, that
feveral of the rebels immediately fell, and the reft ran as faft as they
covild up the hill. A Mulatto man behaved with great bravery in
this a(!:lion; he leaped on the breaft-work, and affaulted the rebels
fword in hand. Having gained a lodgement, the troops declined a
puriuit, and carelefsly entered the huts, where they fat down to re-
frefii themfelves with fome provifions, of which they found a large
ftore; the rebels, perceiving this, difchargedfeveral random fhot from
the hill above them, which paffed through the huts, and had very
near been fatal to fome of the officers: the Marons, upon this, pene-
trated the wood at the foot of the hill, and afcending it on the oppofite
fide, and fpreading themfelves, fuddenly afilnilted the rebels in flank,
who were inftantly routed, and a great number killed, or taken pri-
foners. During the attack at the breaft-work, Jemmy, a Negroe
belonging to the late Mr. Smith, gave proof of his fidelity and regard
to his mafter, whofe death he revenged by killing one of the rebels,
and other fervices, for which he was afterwards rewarded with his free-
dom, and an annuity for life, by the afiembly. After this overthrow,
the Weftmoreland rebels were never able to a£t any otherwife than
on the defenfive; feveral fkirmiflies happened, in which they were
conftantly put to flight; their numbers were gradually reduced, and

many

BOOK III. CHAP. III. 455

many deftroycd thenifclves. About the lime of their breaking out,
feveral other confpiraciL'S were in agitation: in the Vale of Liildas, in
St. John's, the Coromantins had agreed to rife, ravage the cftates, and
murther the white men there; they fixed a certain day for commen-
cing hoftilities, when they were to break open ilie houle at Langher's
plantation, and feize the fire arms lodged there ; after which, they were
to (lay all the Whites they could meet with, fire the houfes and cane-
pieces, and lay all the coinitry wafte. Three Negroes, who were
privy to this machination, difclofed it to their overfecr, in confeqiience
of which, the ringleaders were taken up, and, upon convidtion, exe-
cuted; others, who turned evidence, were tranfportcd off the iiland :
and thus the whole of this bloody fcheme was providentially fruftrated.

In the parilh of St. Thomas in the Eaft, a Negroe, named Caifee,
who had been prefl'ed by fome Coromantins there to join with them
in rebelling, and deftroying the eftates and white inhabitants, declined
at firft being concerned ; but recollecting that fome advantages might
be gained to himfelf by a thorough knowledge of their Intentions, he
afterwards pretended to have thought belter of their propofals, and, pro-
fefl^ing his zeal to embrace them, he allbciated at their private cabals
from tiine to time, till he became mafter of the whole fccret, which he
took the firft opportunity to dlfcover, and moft of the confpirators
were apprehended.

Confpiracies of the like nature were likewife detected in Kingfton,
St. Dorothy, Clarendon, and St. James, and the partizans fecured.

In Kingfton, a wooden fword was found, of a peculiar ftructure,
with a red feather ftuck into the handle; this was Tiled among the Co-
romantins as a fignal for war; and, upon examining this, and other
fufpicious circumftances, to the bottom, it was difcovered, that the
Coromantins of that town had raifed one Cubah, a female flave belong-
ing to a Jewefs, to the rank of royalty, and dubbed her queen of King-
fon; at their meetings fiie had fat in ftate under a canopy, with a fort
of robe on her (lioulders, and a crown upon her head. Her mnjefty
was feized, and ordered for tranfportationj but, prevailing on the cap-
tain of the tranfport to put her afliore again in the leeward part of the
ifland, (lie continued there for fome time undifcovered, but at length
was taken up, and executed. Thefe circumftances fhew the great ex-
tent of the confpiracy, the ftri6l correfpondence which had been carried

on

456 JAMAICA.

on by the Coromantins in every quarter of the Ifland, and their ahnoft
incredible fecrefy In the forming their plan of infurreftion; for it ap-
peared in evidence, that the firft eruption in St. Mary's, was a matter
preconcerted, and known to all the chief men in the different diftrifts ;
and the fecret was probably confided to fome hundreds, for feveral
months before the blow was ftruck.

Some perfons furmifed, that they were privately encouraged, and
furnifhed with arms and ammunition, by the French and Spaniards,
whofe piccaroons were often feen hovering near the coaft; but there
feems no juft foundation for fuch an opinion: it is certain, the rebels
found an eafier means of fupplying themfelves with large quantities of
powder, ball, lead, and feveral ftands of arms, on the different eftates
where they broke out; on fome of thefc, they found two or three
dozen mufquets and cutlafles, which were not guarded by more than
two or three white men. The planters, as I have before remarked,
very imprudently kept thefe magazines, which were by fat too many
for their necefihry defence, and attrafted the notice of the Coroman-
tins, who are pradlifed in the ufe of arms from their youth in their
■own country, and are at all times difpofed for mutiny.

A frelh infurreftion happened in St. James's, which threatened to
become very formidable, had it not been for the aflivity of brigadier
Witter of the militia, and lieut. colonel Spraggeof the 49th, who dif-
perfed the infurgents, and took feveral prifoners ; but the reft efcaped,
and, uniting with the ftragglers of the other defeated parties, formed a
large gang, and infefted Carpenter's Mountains for fome time. Ano-
ther party of twelve Coromantins in Clarendon, whom their matter,
from a too good opinion of their fidelity, had imprudently armed, at
their own earneft intreaty, and fent in queft of a fmall detached band
of rebels, of whofe haunt he had gained intelligence, deferted to their
countrymen, but were foon after furprized, and the greater part of
them killed or taken. Damon, one of the Weftmoreland chiefs, w ith
a fmall gang, having poftcd himfelf at a place called Mile Gully in
Clarendon, a voluntary party, under command of Mr. Scot and Mr.
Greig, with three or four more, went in queft of them. They had a
long way to march in the night, through the woods, and acrofs a dif-
■ficult country ; but, having provided themfelves with a trufty guide,
they came up to the haunt about midnight, attacked the rebels without

lols

BOOK III. CHAP. HI. 457

lofs of time, killed the chief, and one of his men, wounded another,
and took two prifoners; for which fervice, the affembly made them a
genteel recompence, befides a good reward to the Negroes who affifted
them in this enterprize.

The rebels in St. Mary's, under general Tacky, ftill maintained
their pround. Admiral Holmes had difpatched a frigate to Port
Maria, which proved of great ufe for the fafe cuftody of prifoners,
who were too numerous to be confined on fhore, and required too
large a party of militia to guard them; but after they were removed
on board, where they were well fecured, the militia were ready to be
employed on more active fervice : no meafure, therefore, could be more
feafonable and judicious; and it was one good effeft of the harmony-
then fubfiltlng between the commander of the fquadron and the lieu-
tenant governor. The rebels now thought only of concealing them-
felves, and made choice of a little glade, or cockpit, fo environed with
rocky fleeps, that it was difficult to come at them; but, in this fitua-
tion, a party of militia and Mcirons, with fome failors, alTaulted them
with hand grenades, killed fome, and took a few prifoners. Soon after
this, they fuffered a more decifive overthrow; the M;z/-(?«j of Scot's -
Hall, having got fight of their main body, forced them to an engage-
ment; the rebels foon gave way, and Tacky, their leader, having fepa-
rated from the reft, was clofely purfued by lieut. Davy of the Marons,
who fired at him whilft they were both running a full fpeed, and fhot
him dead. His head was brought to Spanifli Town, and ftuck on a
pole in the highway; but, not long after, fiolen, as was fuppofed, by
fome of his countrymen, who were unwilling to let it remain expofed
in fo ignominious a manner. The lofs of this chief[j\'], and of Ja-
maica, another of their captains, who fell in the fame battle, ftruck
moft of the furvivors of their little army with defpair; they betook

themfelves

[y] He was a young man of good ftaturc, and well made; his countenance handfome, but ra-
ther of an effeminate than manly call. It was laid, he had flattered himfelt with the hope of ob-
taining (among other fruits ofviftory) the lieutenant governor's lady for his concubine. He did
not appear to be a man of any extraordinary genius, and probably was chofen general, from his
fimilitude in perfon to fome favourite leader of their nation in Africa. A gentleman, feveral years
fince, having fet up in a confpicuous part ot his plantation a bronzed ftatue ot a gladiator, fome-
what larger than the natural fize, the Coromantins no fooner beheld, than they were almofl: ready to
fall down, and adore it. Upon enquiry, the gentleman learnt, that they had difcovered a veiy
ilriking likenefs between this figure and one of their prince's, and believed that it had been copied
from him.

Vol. II. N n n Two

458 JAMAICA.

themfelvesto a cave, at the diftance of a mile or two from the fcene of
a61ion, where it was thought they laid violent hands on one another,
to the number of twenty-five j howevev, the Ahrons, who found them
out, claimed the honour of having flain them, and brought their ears
to the lieutenant governor, in teftimony of their death, and to entitle
therafelves to the ufual reward. A few miferable fugitives Hill fculked
about the v/oods, in continual terror for their fate; but at length, they
contrived to fend an embafly to a gentleman of the parifli (Mr.
Gordon), in whofe honour they repofed implicit confidence, and ex-
prelTed their readinefs to furrender upon the condition of being tranf-
ported off' the ifland, inftead of being put to death. This gentleman
had a congrefs with their leaders unarmed, and promifed to exert his
endeavours with the lieutenant governor; on their part, they feemed
well pleafed to wait his determination, and gave aiiurance of their
peaceable demeanour in the mean while. The lieutenant governor's
confent was obtained ; but under an appearance of difficulty, to make
it the more defireable ; and, upon intimation of it at the next private
congrefs, they one and all fubmitted, and were Ihipped off", purfuant to
the ftipulation. The remains of the Weftmoreland and St. James's
rebels ftill kept in arms, and committed fome ravages. In September
therefore (1760) the lieutenant governor convened the affembly, and
in his fpeech informed them, " That the various fcenes of diftrefs, ccca-
fioned by the infurreftions which broke out in fo many different parts
of the country, would have engaged him fooner to call them together;
but he was obliged to defer it, as their prefence was fo neceflary in the
fcveral diftridts, to prevent the fpreading of an evil fo dangerous in its
confequence to the whole ifland.

'^' That he had the fati^faftion to acquaint them, his expeflations
had been fully anfwered, by the vigilance and bravery of the troops
employed during the late troubles ; that the many difficulties they had
to encounter, only ferved to fet their behaviour in a more advantage-
Two of the St. Mary's ringlenders, Fortune andKingfton, were hung up alive in irons on a gib-
bet, eredied in the parade ot the town of Kingfton. Fortune lived feven days, but Kingfton fur-
vived till the ninth. Tlie morning before the latter expired, he appeared to be conviilfed from,
head to foot ; and upon being opened, after his deceafe, his lungs were found adhering to the back
fo tightly, that it required fome force to difengage them. The murders and outrages they had com-
mitted, were thought to jullify this cruel punilhment inflirted upon them /// tarorcnno others; but
rhey appeared to be very little nffeded by it themfclves; behaving all the time with a degree of
hardened infolence, and brutal in'.enfibiliiy.

5 ous.

BOOK III. CHAP. III. 459

ous light; and the plan now propofed for carrying on their operations,
had the faireil profpecl of totally fupprelfing, in a very fliort time, all
the difl:urbers of the public rcpofe.

" That the ready affiftance he had received from rear-admiral
Holmes, in tranfpcrting troops and provificn?, and in flstioning his
niajefly's fhlps where they could be of moft fervicc, enabled him to
make ufe of fuch vigorous meafure?, and emplov to advantage fiich a
for^e, that, nctwithftanding the formidable number of rebels which had
appeared in arms, and the many combinations which were formed
among the flaves throughout the ifland, their projects were rendered
abortive, and tranquillity again reftored, where total deftrudion had
been threatened.

" That nothing had been omitted to render the martial law as little
grievous as poffible to the inhabitants, although the long continuance
of it could not fail of being feverely felt by the community in general;
but the public fecurity required it; and to that, every other confidera-
tion gave place.

•' That the care which had been taken to introduce a proper dlfci-
pllne among the militia, had now put them on lo refpeflable a footlno-,
that they only required the aid of legiflature, to make them truly
ufeful. The great defers of the laft militia law were never more ap-
parent than during the late misfortunes, when the private foldier was
fupported in difobedience of his commanding officer's orders; and,
when called upon for his country's fervice, empowered, on the paj-
meat of an inconfiderable fine[»], to withdraw that affiftance, for
which he was enllfted."

The latter part of the lieutenant governor's fpeech alludes princi-
pally to the conduft of feveral privates in the militia, and particularly
the Jews, who refiifed to turn out and appear under arms on their fab-
bath, and other feftivals or fafts, making a religious fcruple ofconfcl-
ence their pretext, though it was well known that they never fcrupled
taking money and vending drams upon thofe days; ethers wilfully
abfented themfelves, and paid the fine, which came to much lefs than
their profits amounted to by flaying at home, and attending their
fhops. Imufl not here omit a little anecdote relative to thefe people:
one of the rebel leaders, having been taken prifoner inWefimoreland,

[3] Ten fliiilin:;s for lioii-njipearancc at mufier.

N n n 2 was

460 JAMAICA.

was confined in irons, in the barrack at Savannah la Mar, to wait his
trial. It happened that, on the night after his captivity, a Jew was
appointed to liand centry over him : about midnight the rebel, after
reconnoitering the perfon of his guard, took the opportunity of tam-
pering with him, to favour his efcape. " You Jews, faid he, and our
" nation (meaning the Coromantins), ought to confider ourfelves as
" one people. You differ from the reft of the Whites, and they hate
" you. Surely then it is beft for us to join in onecomnjon intereft,
" drive them out of the country, and hold pofleffion of it to ourfelves.
*« We will have (continued he) a fair divifion of the eftates, and we
" will make fugar and rum, and bring them to market. As for the
" failors, yf)U fee they do not oppole us, they care not who is in pol-
" feffion of the country, Black or White, it is the fame to them j To
" that after we are become mafters of it, you need not fear but they
" will come cap in hand to us (as they now do to the Whites) to
*« trade with us. They'll bring us things from t'other fide the fea,
*' and be glad to take our goods in payment." Finding the Jew's ar-
guments, in objeftion to this propofal, not fo difficult to furmount as
be had expected, he then finiflied his harangue with an offer, that,
" if he would but releafe him from his irons, he would condud: him
•' dircftly to a fpot, where he had buried feme hundred ofpifioles,
" which he fliould have in reward." The Jew w.is very earneft to
know whereabotits this hidden treafure lay, that he might firft fatisfy
his own eyes, that what he had been told was true, before he fiiould
take any further ftep; but the prifoner flatly refufed to let him into the
fecret, unlefs he was firft fet at liberty ; which condition the Ifraelite
was either too honeft or too unbelieving to comply with, but the
next day reported what had paflTed, to his officers.

The lieutenant-governor recommended to the houfe, the putting
the ifland into a better pofture of defence, and the paffing fuch new
reo^ulations for remedying thofe defedls in the laws, which the late
calamities had pointed out, as might beft fcem adapted to prevent
future attempts of the like nature.

The affembly immediately addrefled him, to proclaim martial law,,
in order to put an end to the rebellion ftill fubfifting in the Leeward
part of the ifland. They tranfmitted the thanks of their houfe to
admiral Holmes for the affiftance he had given ; who returned a very

polite

BOOK III. CHAP. III. 461

polite aiifwer, and affiired them, " that his greatcft pleafure would
" conhft ill the execution of his duty againil: his majedy's enemies,
" and in giving the utmofl: piotedion in his power to the trade and
" commerce of the ifland."

They likewife exprefl'ed their moft grateful fentiments of the lieu-
tenant-governor's vigilance and conduft, which had fo happily con-
tributed to the redu£lion of the rebels in one part, and would, they
hoped, very fliortly efteft their total luppreflion. For this end, they
applied their deliberations, and received the propofals of William
Hynes, a millwright by trade, who had been ufed to the woods, and
very ferviceable againft the rebels in St. Mary's. He propofed that
he fhould be empowered by the lieutenant-governor to beat up for
volunteers, and raife among the free Mulattos and Negroes a party
of one hundred fhot; with which he would march againlt the re-
bels in Weftmoreland, and do his utmoft to reduce them.

He defired to have two lieutenants and one enfign to be in fubordi-
nate command ; that the reward for their fervice fhould be equal,,
and that his party fliould be furnifhed at the public expence with
fuitable arms and accoutrements, money to provide neceflarles, and
a ftated premium for every rebel they fliould take or deftroy. This
fcheme was approved of, and a bill pafied for carrying it into im-
mediate execution. At the fame time feven companies, of thirty
men each, were draughted from the militia, and fifteen baggage-Ne-
groes allotted to each company, making in all tliree hundred and fif-
teen, who were ftationed by the lieutenant-governor in the moft ad-
vantageous pofts ; and troopers were difpofed in fuch a manner, as
to carry difpatches to and from them, with tlie beft expedition. The
afllembly granted 450 /. to be divided among the Marons of Tre-
lawny and Accompong Towns, in payment of their arrears due
to them, and to encourage their future fervices. Captain Hynes,
with his party, went in fearch of the rebels, and was four months
on the fcout ; at laft, after a tedious purfuit, he furprized them in
their haunt, killed and took twelve, and the remainder were after-
wards either flain or taken prifoners by other parties, or deftroyed
themfelves, which latter was the cataftrophe ot numbers ; for the
parties of militia frequently came to places in the woods, where feven
or eight were found tied up with withes to the bonghs of trees ; and

previous

462 J A M A 1 C A.

jn-evious to tljcfe felf-murders, they had generally maffacred their
women and children. The affembly ordered 562/. 125. 6 1^. to be
paid captain Hynes, for his difbiirfcmeats, and as a recompence for
his Cervices. Thus terminated tliis rebellion ; which, whether we
confulcr t'ne extent and lecrely of its plan, the multitude of the con-
fpirators, and the difficulty of oppofing its eruptions in fuch a vari-
ety of different places at once, will app ar to have been more formi-
dable than any hitherto known in the Weft Indies ; though happily
cxtinpuilhed, in far lefs time tiian was expeded, by tlie precaution
and jud^ ement of the lieutenant-governor in the difpofitlon of the
forces, the prompt affiftance of the admiral, and the alacrity of the
regulars, feamen, militia, and Marons, who all contributed their
fl-iare towards the fpeedy fuppreffion of it. The lieutenant go-
vernor, under whofe prudent conduft this inteftine war was fo fuc-
cefsfully brought to a conclufion, was a native of the ifl;;nd, and
had a property in it at ftake ; but if this may detraft any thing
from the merits of his exertion, it proves at leail:, how mucli more
may reafonably be hoped from the affiduity of a gentleman of the
ifland, who is interefted in its welfare, and in whom a perfeft know-
ledge of the country is fuperaddcd to natural ability and public
fpirit, than from others, who, having nothing to loie in it, may be
lefs anxious for its prefervation. There fell, by the hands of the
rebels, by murder, and in action, about fixty white perfons; the
number of the rebels who were killed, or deftroyed themfelves, was
between three and four hundred. Few in proportion were executed,
the major part of the prifoners being tranfported oft the ifland [a].
Such as appeared to have been involuntarily compelled. to join tliem,
were acquitted; but the whole amount of the killed, fuicides, exe-
cuted and tranfported, was not lefs than one thoufand ; and the
whole lofs fuftained by the country, in ruined buildings, cane-pieces,
cattle, flaves, and dilhurfements, was at leaft 100,000 /. to fpeak
within compafs.

[a] Mort of them were fent to the Bay of Honduras, which has long been the coininon rerep-
tacle of Negroe criminals, banifhecl horn this ifland; the confequence of which may, fome time or
other, prove very troublefome to the logwood cutters ; yet they make no fcruple to buy thefe out-
carts, as they coil but little. It is ditVcuk to find a convenient market for fuch flaves among the
neighbouring foreign colonies; but, if poflibly it could be avoided, thefe dangerous fpirits fliould
not be fent to renew their outrages in any of our own infant fettlements.

The

BOOK III. CHAP. III. 463

The afTcmbly, upon the lieutenant governor's recommendation,
proceeded to frame and pafs an aft, to remedy the evils arifing from
irregular meetings of flaves ; to prevent their carrying arms, or having
ammunition, or going from place to place without tickets ; to prohibit
the praftlces of obe'iah (or the arts of pretended conjurors) ; to reftrain
overfeers from leaving eftates under their management on certain days
(Sundays and holidays); aad to oblige all free Negroes, Mulattoes, and
Indians, to regifter their names in the veftry books of their refpeftive
pariflies, and carry about them a certificate, and wear (the crofs) a
badge of thrir freedom ; and, laftly, to prevent any captain, mailer,
or fupercargo, of any veffel, from bringing back convift tranfported
flaves. All thefe regulations were extremely prudent and necefTary ;
but they explain the defeSls hinted in the lieutenant governor's fpecch
to the houfe, and evince the abufe which has been made by the Ne-
groes of the indulgencies hitherto allowed them. The aflembly further
voted, that the feveral flaves, fent out againfl: the rebels during the late
rebellion, fliould receive the fame rewards for killing, or taking them
alive, as the Marons were entitled to, iipon producing a certificate to
the commanding officer, of their having etfefted luch fervice. They
alfo pafled an adl, for purchafing from their owners, and granting
freedom, to about twenty Negroe flaves, for their fidelity to the pub-
lic ; they fettled upon each of them an annuity for life, and gave them
a circular badge, or medal of filver, on which was engraved the date
of the year, with the words, " Freedom for bchig Honejl" on one fide,
and on the reverfc, " By the Country T

As thefe infurreflions and confpiracies had, for the mofl: part, ap-
peared upon eftates belonging to perfons refident in England, and the
expences attending their fupprefl^on occafioned a very enormous fum
to be levied in taxes, it was thought but equitable, that the propri-
etors, who, by their abfence, had left their flaves in want of a due
controul, and the perlonal influence of a mafter, and their eftates to be
defended by the perfonal fcr vices and hardfliips of other men, while
they themlelves were repofing in eafe and affluence, beyond the reach
of danger, ought to compenfate for their non-re(idence, by paying a
larger fli^re of the public charges, incurred in iom -- meafuic through
their means. They accordingly refjlved to double the deficiency
tax for the year 1761 ; and allow every proprietor refident wlthia.

the

464 J A M A I C A.

the ifland to fave his own deficiency for 30 (laves, or i 50 head of
cattle ; and all proprietors, under twenty-one years of age, fent off
for the benefit of their education, to fave half a deficiency. By thi>
meafure they threw an extraordinary weight of taxation, for that year,
upon the abfcntees. They likewife addreffed his majefty, that he
would be pkafed to give direftions, that the company of the 49th
redment, ftationed at the Mofquito fhore, and four companies of the
74th, at the coaft of Africa, might repair to, and join, their refpeftive
regiments in Jamaica. They reprefented, that many gentlemen, of
laro-e eftates in the ifland, were non-relidents, whofe influence over
their flaves, if refident, would, in all probability, contribute much to
the prevention of the mifchiefs arifing from rebellious confpiracies and
inl'urreftions ; and that they found themfelves under indifpenfable ne-
ceffity of follciting his majefty for another regiment, for the better
fecurity of the ifland ; and the rather, as they had pafled a bill, oblig-
ing the inhabitants of the feveral pariflies to ere£l barracks for the re-
ception and accommodation of more troops. They voted a large fum
for ftrenothening the fortifications, ordered a fiipply of ftores for the
forts, and diredted a powder magazine to be built at Spanifli Town.

On the 1 2th of Oftober, 1761, the aflembly met again ; when the
lieutenant governor, in his fpeech, li^formed them, that he had delayed
their meeting beyond the ufual time, in order that every meafure
might be enforced, which could tend to the prefer vation of the general
tranquillity, at that time happily reftored again, by the total JupfreJJion
of the rebellion, and to give them opportunity of fupporting, by their
prefence in their feveral diftri£ls, thofe refolutions, which were taken
for the internal fecurity of the ifland, and the prevention of future
attempts, to involve them again in calamities of the like nature. That
the advantages which muft attend the eredion of barracks in the differ-
ent pariflies, and the cantoning his majefty 's troops according to the
plan then laid down, were fo evident, that no one, interefted in
the welfare of that community, could difapprove of fo prudent a
meafure.

Thus, every meafure that could be fuggefted, either for remedying
the diforders under which the ifland had fuffered fo much, or for baf-
fling the machinations of future infurgents, or putting the forts and
fortifications into a refpeftable flate of defence agalnft foreign enemies,

was

BOOK III. CHAP. IH. 465

was proftcuted as far as the lieutenant governor's authority could
give it fan6tion, or the aflcmbly fecond his reccmmendations. Mr.
Lyttelton arrived as governor the following jear (February, 1762);
and the public tranquillity remained undifturbed by infiirfedions for
fome time. It was however well known, that feveral Coromantins,
who had aflually been in arms during the late commotion, whlld
their caufe wore a promifing afpeft, flunk away afterwards, and re-
turned again again to their duty, affefting great abhorrence at the be-
haviour of their countrymen, and even pretending that they had been
exerting themfelves in oppofition to the rebels. With good reafoii
therefore it was fufpected, by many perfons in St. Mary's, that thefe
deferters, who had taken \\\tf€tij}de, or oath, which they regard as in-
violable, would diffemble their genuine fentiments for the prefr;nt, and
wait a favourable opportunity to execute their bloody purpoff^s. Some
time in July, 1765, there was a private meeting in that pariOi, of
feveral Coromnntin headmen, who entered into a confpiracy for a
frefti infnrredion, to take plr.ce immediately after the Chriftraas holi-
days ; they bound the compaft with their fetifhe, according tocuftom,
and received affurances from all or mod of the Coromantins in the
parifli, that they would join. But the impatience of fome among
them to begin the work, hurried them on to rife before the day ap-
pointed, and difconcerted their whole plan ; for, on the 29th of No-
vember, at night, a Coromantin, named Blackwall, belonging to
Whitehall plantation, who had been tried formerly on fufpicion of
being concerned in the rebellion of 1760, and acquitted for want of
fufficient evidence, having previoufly feduced to his party nine Coro-
mantins on the fame eftate, but a little before imported from Africa^
fet fire to the works and tiafli-houfes, with a view to decoy the over-
feer, and other white perfons there, from their beds, to extinguifli it ;
and then to cut off their retreat to the dwelling-houfe, fecure the
arms lodged there, and proceed to murther them, without fear of
refinance.

Upon the firft alarm of fire, the overfeer and white fervants re-
paired to the works, as had been forefeen ; where they met with Black-
wall (who held a pofl of fome authority on the eflate), bemoaning
the fad accident, and uiewing great alertnefs in fetching water to fup-
ply the Whites, whom he advifed to get upon the roof?, where they
Vol. II. Goo might

466 JAMAICA.

might throw it on the flames with the heft advantage ; the overfeer,
not having the fmalkft diftruft of him, and wholly employed about
extinsjuifliing the fire, readily purfued his advice. In the dwelling-

houfe were Mr. B , and his fifter Mrs. B d, who had haftily

Hipped on their cloaths, and were ftanding in the piazza, at the front
of the houfe, and looking towards the conflagration ; when, all at
once, the nine confederates broke through the back-door, all llark-
naked, with the moft hideous yells, and fharpened bills in their

hands ; Mr. B was unfortunately very infirm, and had no chance

ofefcaping; while therefore he turned to expoftulate with them, they
furrounded and hacked him into a thoufand pieces. The pleafure they
enjoyed in mangling the body of this unhc^ppy gentlcn^an (who bad
only lodged here, by accident, in his way to Spanlfh Town) afforded
Mrs. B d an opportunity to jump out of the piazza, and run to-
wards the bottom of the hill on which the houfe flood ; but, before fhe
could reach fo far, (lie fell down ; in this (ituation (he was feen by
two faithful Negroe men, her domeflics, who flew to her affifiance ;
upon their coming up to her, fhe concluded no lefs than that (lie was
in the hands of the rebels, and deftined for immediate butchery ; but,
whilft flie was imploring for mercy, the fervants feized her in their
arms, and, with great prefence of mind, haftened with her as fafl: as
they could to the fide of a neighbouring riverj where they concealed
her amongfl the fedge and grafs, that grew very thick, injolnlng her
to lie clofe, whilft they were gone to look for more aflifiance. The
rebels, in the mean time, difpatched another gentleman, who, upon
the cry of fire, had come from the next eftate, and fell into their
cluthces. But the overfeer, and other Whites, on hearing the groans

of Mr. B , and the fhouts of his murtherers, fled to Ballard's

Valley, which efl:ate joins Whitehall -, where they called up the white
men to fecure themfelves, and prepare for their defence. The flames,
which were feen at a great dlflance, ferved as a fignal to other con-
fpiratof s ; fo that their number was now augmented to fifty or fixty ;
who, with the moft horrid acclamations, (having got pofleflSon of all
the arms at Whitehall, with powder and ball) began their march, paf-

fed clofe by the place of Mrs. B d's concealment, without perceiving

her, and proceeded on to Ballard's Valley. When they were got to
a fuflicient diftance, one of her trufly fervants returned, with great

caution.

BOOK III. CHAP. III. 467

caution, to the ftable, where, finding a horfe, he fixed on n pillion,
and, coming to his iniftrefs, carried her through bye-ways to another
eftate, and brought to the white people there the firft intelligence of
what had happened. Confidering the great danger to which that lady
was expofed, and that the moft trifling nolle, at the time when the
rebels pafled her retreat, might have betrayed it, her efcape appears
almofl: miraculous ; and it feems as if the hand of Providence had in-
terpofed, to protect her life, and make her two fervants the inftruments
of prefervation, whofe fidelity and addrefs cannot be too highly ex-
tolled. The rebels, being arriyed at the valley, laid cloie fiege to the
overfeer's houfe, which was garrifoned with about ten white men-.
This houfe was ei'etSed upon a ftone foundation, raifed fome height
from the ground, and furnifhed with loop-holes. The little garrilbn
made proper difpofitions for defence, and placed fome of their party at
the loop-holes below. The rebels were joined by feveral of their
countrymen on this eftate ; and, furrounding the houfe, began to ufe
the moft infulting language in their power, to provoke the Whites to
come forth, that they might enjoy the fatisfadion of killing them j but
finding this inefFedual, they prepared for burning the houfe about their
ears ; for this purpofe they collcded a parcel of dry trafh, which they
fattened to the extremity of a long pole, and one of their leaders fet-
ting his back to a loop-hole, kindled the tradi, and applied it to the
wood-work of the roof. At that inftant he was perceived by one of
the centries pofted below, who difcharged his piece at him ; the ball
ftruck againft the lock of a gun, which the rebel had in his hand, and
recoiling into his body, killed him upon the fpot. His fall threw the
reft of the confpirators into difmay, for he was one of their chiefs ;
upon which the garrifon, taking advantage of their fufpence, fallied
out with great fpirit, killed two or three, and difperfed the reft, who
immediately fled into the woods. Blackwall, the principal of the
gang, finding how matters were likely to end, detached himfelf from
his brethren, and a few hours afterwards prefented himfelf before his
overfeer in feeming terror, pretending he had narrowly efcaped being
put to death by his countrymen ; to avoid whofe fury, he had crawled
into a cane-piece, and there hid himfelf till that inftant. Parties were
Ipeedily colleded, who purfued the rebels into the woods, and reduced
them with but little difficulty.

O o o 2 Sufpicioa

46S JAMAICA.

Sufpkions ar'ibng, that this confpiracy was more extenfive than at
firfl: appeared, and iipoa recolkftioii that there had been a merry
meeting of the Negroes at Ballard's Valley two nights preceding
the infurre6lion, and that the Coromantins had feparated from the reft,,
a ftfiifl inquiry was entered into; and upon examining fome Coroman~
tins, who were moil lufpeded, they impeached feveral of their coun-
trymen ; frefh evidences produced further difcoveries, and at length
the plot was partly unraveled. It appeared that the Coromantins on.
no lefs than feventeen eftates in that parifh were engaged in the con-
federacy ; that Blackwall was the principal infligator ; and that the
premature rifmg at Whitehall was owing to the impetuoiity of one
Quamin, belonging to their gang, who would not wait the appointed
time ; fo that it is probable, if they had not met a repulfe foon after their
firfi: outrage, the infurreftion would have been general, from the en-
couragement their better fuccefs would have given to the reft of the con-
fpirators. Some among them regretted exceedingly the precipitate eager-
nefs of Quamin, and threw out infinuations that the Marons were in the
fecret, and that the infurredion was intended to have opened at once in
three different places, at a certain day foon after Chriftmas; that three'
days previo.ns notice was to be given of the exaft hour of rifing ; and
3S they hoped to find the white people off their guard, and to get pof-
feflion of fufiicient arms and powder, in the feveral dwelling-houfes,
they bad full confidence, that, by their precautions, and fecrecy, they
fliould carry all before them, and make amends for their former dif-
appointment ; they knew, that a large ftock of fire arms and ammu-
tion would be abfolutely neceflary ; one of their firll attempts there-
fore was to be, the furprize of the fort at Port Maria, which was
garrifoned by only a fmall number of fickly foldiers, whom they fup-
pofed incapable of making any refiftance ; thefe they were to drive
into the fea with their bill- hooks, and then proceed to maffacre ail the
Whites in that neighbourhood. A fecond party were to ravage theEaft-
ern quarter of the parifh, quite down to the very coaft ; whilfi: a third
hand fhould take their route through the Southern diftridf, and pe-
netrate by the woods to Sixteen-mile-walk, where they pretended
to have feveral affociates in readincfs ; then, uniting their forces, they
were to ILuT^hter, or force the white inhabitants to take refu":e on
board the fhips, after which they were to divide the conquered coun-
4 ^^7

BOOK III. CHAP. III. 409

try with the M.irons, who, they alledged, had made choice of the woody
uncultivated parts, as being moft convenient for their hog-hunting;
the Coromantins were to enjoy all the remainder, with the cattle and
llieep, and live like gentlemen; at leail they flattered themfclves, that
the governor would apply to the king of the white men, to put the
Coromantins upon the fame eftablifhment as tlie Marons, who, they
laid, were difguftcd at the little refpcft fliewn them, and wanted the
Coromantins to be incorporated with them, in order to become of more
confequence in the eyes of the white inhabitants.

This account of the defection of the Marons was fo improbable,
that the white people would not give any credit to it : ia the firft
place, it appeared not at all likely that X.\\t M irons, who had alwav'S
received the higheft encouragement from the legiflature and private
perfons, would hazard the lofs of their liberty and lives, by a trea-
Ibnable breach of the treaty; and upon the uncertain iffiie of an in-
teftine war, by the event of which, if fuccefbful to them, they could
gain nothing more than what they already enjoyed ; fecondly, they
were to admit a dangerous fet of confederates, diiVmd in intereft, and
iuperior to them in number, by twenty to one, who would undoubt-
edly give the law to, ar.d hold them in perpetual fuhjeilion. The
ftory was therefore fuppoled to be either the relult of a deep-laid policy,
to ftir up a jealoufy and difference bciween-the Marons and white
people, from which fome advantage might accrue to the Coroman-
tins in fome future infurre6tion ;.or elfe, if the Marons did really af-
foeiate in any fuch plan, they mufl: have done fo, from a wicked de-
fign of embroiling the Coromantins in frcfli rebellion, in the fuppref-
fion of which they might reap a conuderable emolument, as they
had heretotore experienced, by killing or taking prifoners. Something
like fuch a proje6l ufed to engage the frontier Indians in North Ame-
rica, who were never fo happy as when the French and Englini were
at war, becaufe they were fure of employment and reward, on one
fide or other; and for this reafon alone, many of their tribes were
exceedingly out of humour with the In ft treaty of peace, -which gave
the finllhing blow to thel'e contentions for the maitery, and to their
mercenary artifices. If therefore the Marons had any concern in the
plot, it is moft reafonable to believe that fuch muft have been their
true defign. The importance of this evidence naturally made the

p.irifhioners

470 • JAMAICA.

parifliioners defirous of examining ftill further, in order to get addi-
tional Tuihts, and guard themfelves againfl: a repetition of thefe horrid
attempts, which it appeared they had jiift grounds to apprehend ; but
the number of their militia was fo inconfiderable, that, after providing
the proper guards for the ditferent eftates moft expofed to danger,
thev had fo few left to take charge of theNegroe prifoners, that tlie latter
were treble their number ; fo that tlie magiftrates, whilfl they were
fitting on the trial of the rebels, were not without fear for their own
fafety, as they had no protecftion againft any fudden infurredlion made
in favour of the prifoners ; and, from the teflimony already given, it
was certain, that a very confiderable body of the Coromantins had en-
liCled in the confjiracy, befides thofe who were in cuftody. Remon-
ilrances were repeatedly made upon this head, and the expediency
dated offending round a fhip of war to Port Maria, as had been done
in the former rebellion, to receive the prifoners, there being no gaol
in the parifh, and only eighteen foldiers at the fort, who were in too
feeble a condition to render them any fervice. At this time, there
were no lefs than four companies quartered in Spanifh town, befides
what lay in the different forts adjacent, fo that it was thought a detach-
ment might very well have been fpared ; but the commander of the
fquadron fent no fliip, nor was a iingle man detached to reinforce the
parifliioners, who were therefore left to take care of themfelves; and,
defifting from further examination, through a regard to their own
imminent danger, what remained to be known of this black affair
was fmothcred at once, to the no fmall joy of the confpirators [b].

A committee of the affembly, appointed to enquire into the rife
and progrefs of this rebellion fome time afterwards, reported, That it
had originated (like mofi: or all the others that had occurred in the
ifland) with the Coromantins ; whofe turbulent, favage, and martial
temper was well known :

That their outrages had tended very much to difcourage the ef-
feftual fettlement of the ifland ; and, as a remedy In future, they pro-
pofed " that a bill fiiould be brought in for laying an additional higher
" duty upon all Fantin, Akim, and Afliantee Negroes, and all others
" commonly called Coromantins, that fhould, after a certain time, be
*« imported, and fold in the ifland."

[/>] Thirteen were executed, thirty-three tranfported, and twelve acquitted.

Such

BOOK III. CHAP. III. 471

Such a bill, If pafled into a law, would doubtlefs have ftruck at the
very root of the evil ; for, by laying a duty equal to a prohibition, no
more Coromantins would have been brought to infeft this country ;
but, inflead of their favage race, the ifland would have been fupplied
with Blacks of a more docile, tradable difpofition, and better inclined
to peace and agriculture ; fo that, in a few years, the ifland might in all
likelihood have been effedunlly freed of all fuch dangerous comblT
nations. Whether the conceit of fome few planters, in regard to the.
fuperior ftrength of the Coromantins, and greater hardinefs to fupport
field labour, ought to outweigh the public tranquillity and fafety, or
fhould be thought to atone for the blood of murthered white inhabi-
tants, the ruin of others, the defolation of eftates, and the into-
lerable charges of taxation thereby thrown iipon the public, not to
fpeak of the obftruftion of all trade and bufinefs during the martial
law, miift be left to the ferious confideration of a difpaffionate legifla-
ture ; the fupprellion of the Coromantins, in 1760 and i76i,cofl:the
ifland i 5,000 /. I have before eftimated the expence of making good
lofles fuftained, &c. at 100,000/..; and the ereding of parochial bar-
racks, in confequence of. that infurreftion, coft as much more. In the
whole, the ifland expended not much Icfs on that account than ap-
pears from the earlieil accounts to have been difburfed on the reduc-
tion of the Marons ; fonhh was no more than 240,000/.

No bill however was paffed, the meafure was oppofed, and it
dropped ; but the firft fruits of this oppofition burfl: forth the very
next year (1766), in a frefli difturbance, that happened on a gentle-
man's eftate in WeRmoreland ; where thirty-three Coromantins (for
no other were concerned), moft of whom had been newly imports
ed, fuddenly rofe, and, in the fpace of an hour, murthered, and
wounded, no lefs than nineteen white perfons; but they were foon.
defeated, fome killed, and the remainder executed or tranfported. Sq
that the owner fuftained a very confiderable lofs, and would him-
felf have fallen a facrifiee, had he been on the eftate ; for they entered
his dewelllng-houfe, and hacked every thing they found in it to pieces.
If fuch reiterated examples will not convince men of their errors, we.
muft fay, with an old Latin author, that,

^os Deus vidt perdere, frlui dementat, .

It

472 JAMAICA.

It 13 wortliy our remark, that the ringleaders of the St. Mary's
■rebellion, in 1760, belonged to a gentleman diftinguifhed for his
humanitVj and exceflive indulgence towards hisflaves in general, and
thofe in particular; his lenity fo far influenced him, that, upon their
complaint, he never foiled to difcharge their overleex", and employ
another more agreeable to them. No pretence of ill ufage was
alledged by any of the prifoners, in any of theie infurredions, by
way of extenuating their mifconduct;, the fole ground, and objeft of
their taking arms, as they unanhnoujly concurred in acknowledging,
was, tlie vain-glorious dellre of fubduiiig the country; and they
wanted neither ambition nor ielf-conndencr, to doubt their ability,
or luccefs, in accomplifhing this proje^V. It mull be allowed, that
confpiracies fo extenfive could not have been conceived, me-
thodized, and concluded upon, without various meetings of the
•confpirators, in different parts of the ifland ; and hence, there mufl:
appear to have been a very culpable inattention among the white
inhabitants, who negledted to keep a vigilant eye over theCoroman-
tins in general, during their hours of leilure or recreation ; for a
feafonable regard to their private cabals and feparate affociations
might have proved the means of deteding their plot, long before it
■was ripe for execution ; and to prevent, is always better, as well as
'cafier, than to remedy fuch evils. They fliould remember the
tlying words of one of the Coromantins executed in 1765, who
repented his having been concerned in the rebellion, and cautioned
the white perfons prefent, " never to truft any of his countrymen."
Much having been faid of this clafs of Negroes, who have indeed
been the heroes of my tale, it may not be unacceptable to give fome
account of their origin, and qualities.

The Negroes whopafs under this general defcription are brought
from the Gold coaft ; but we remain uncertain, whether they are
natives of that trait ofGuiney, or receive their feveral names of
Akims, Fantins, Afliantees, Quamboos, &c. from the towns fo
called, at whofe markets they are bought. That diflrid is populus
and extenfive J and may therefore afford a confiderable number of cri-
ininals every year for tranfportation ; however, whether they are
brought from Ibme diftance inland, or are the refufe and outcafl: of the
feveral provinces whofe names they bear; it is certain they are marked

with

BOOK III. CHAP. III. 4;r3

with the fame characters, which authors have given to the natives of
this part, who are fiud to be the moft turbulent and defperate of any
on the coaft of Guiney ; and that, were it not for their civil divifions,
they would become dangerous neighbours to all the furrounding
lliates. Bofman fays, " they are bold, hardy, and ftick at nothing,
*' where revenge or intercfl: is concerned ; they are lazy, rapacious,
" cunning, and deceitful ; much addicted to theft, drunkennefs,
" gluttony, lying, flattery, and luft j vain and haughty in their
" carriage; envious and malicious in the higheft degree, dilfemblino-
" their refentments, for many years, until a fit opportunity offers of
*' gratifying their thirfl of revenge ; they are the moft treacherous
" villains, and confummate knaves, yet known on that continent."

War and contention are their favourite amufements ; inured very
early to the ufe of fire arms, they are good markfmenj they go
naked, and their bodies by this means acquire a furprizing degree
of hardinefs, and ability to undergo fatigue ; but they have an invin-
cible averfion to every kind of labour, and particularly agriculture,
which they leave to their women. Their priefts, or obe'iah-men,
are their chief oracles in all weighty affr.irs, whether of peace, war,
or the purfuit of revenge. When aflembled for the purpofes of con-
fpiracy, the obeiah-man, after various ceremonies, draws a little
blood from every one prefent; this is mixed in a bowl with gunpow-
der and grave dirt ; the fetifhe or oath is adminiftered, by which
they folemnly pledge themfelves to inviolable fecrecy, fidelity to
their chiefs, and to wage perpetual war againft their enemies; as a
ratification of their fincerity, each perfon takes a fup of the mixture,
and this finifhes the folemn rite. Few or. none of them have ever
been known to violate this oath, or to defifl from the full execution
of it, even although feveral years may intervene. If defeated in
their hrft endeavours, they flill retain the folicitude of fulfilling all
that they have fworn ; dilTembling their malice under a feeming
fubmiffive carriage, and all the exterior figns of innocence and
chearfulnefs, until the convenient time arrives, when they think it
practicable to retrieve their former mifcarriage. If at length their
fecret defigns are brought to light, and that hypocrify can no longer
ferve their turn, they either lay violent hands on themfelves, orrefift
till they are difabled.

Vol. II. P p p To

474 JAMAICA.

To tlielr other illaudable qualities, they add thofe of ingratitude,
and implacable anger. Not the milded treatment, the moll: con-
defcending indulgence, can make the fmalleft impreflion upon them,
conciliate their friendfhip, or divert their avidity for revenge, after
they have received what they think an injury; they are utterly inca-
pable of forgetting or forgiving ; the higheft marks of f^ivour pro-
duce in them no fenfe of obligation or gratitude. Prompted by thefe
qualifications, and this infernal difpofition, they are always foremoft
in plotting, and heading mutinies; and the fame caufes generating
the fame invariable effeds, there is no doubt but they will ever
fupport an uniformity of charadler, and be found, by repeated ex-
perience, the moft unruly, infolent, flubborn, and dilafFeded fet
of labourers, that can poflibly be introduced upon our plantations.

Their language is copious, and more regular than any other of the
Negroe dialeds ; their mufic too is livelier, and their dances entirely
martial, in which they refemble the North Americans ; like them too
they defpife death (more through ftupidity than fortitude), and can
fmile in agony [c]. Their perfons are well made, and their features
very different from the reft of the African Negroes, being fmaller,
and more of the European turn. Their dances ferve to keep alive
that military fpirit, for which they are fo diftinguifhed j and the
figure confifts in throwing themfclvcs into all the pofitions and
attitudes, cuftomary to them in the heat of an engagement. Is it
not then a very injudicious and impolitic oblT:inacy in the planters,
who perfift, in defiance of reafon and experience, to admit thefe
dangerous fpirits among them? Nature does not inflruft the
farmer to yoke tigers in his team, or plough with hyienas ; fhe
gives him the gentle fteed, and patient ox : but it would be no lefs
abfurd far him to make ufe of wild beafts for thefe purpofes, than it
is for the planter fo vainly to attempt the taming of fuch favage
minds to peaceful indullry, and humble fubmifhon to his authority.
But, if he will perverfely continue to employ them, fome effcftual
regulations ought to be piovided, in order to break.tloat fpirit of con-

[.] Baibarlans nUvays die '.vitliout regret : what attachment have they to Ufe ? Tliey feel not the
pleafures of fuciety, the tlco ot atTei'tion, or of nature; their facuhies are in fuch a perpetual ftate
, iaf -ir*f?.ncy, that the fpace be'-weeu their bii.th and de;uh isfcarcely percepriblc.

Voltaire, Les Sauvages d'Europe.

federacy.

BOOK III. CHAP. III. 4;5

federacy, which keeps thefe Negroes too clofely aflbclnted with one
aiiotl;er. On many eftatcs, they do not mix at all with the oiher
flaves, but build their houfes diftindl from the reft ; and, herding
together, are left more at liberty to hold their dangerous cabals,
without interruption. Their houfes ought to be intermixed with the
reft, and kept divided from one another, by interpofing thofc of the
other Negroes, who by this means would become continual fpies
upon their condud. A particular attention fliould alfo be had to
their p/ciys, for thefe have always been their rendezvous for hatching
plots, more eipecially wlienever on fuch occafions any unufual refort
is obferved of their countrymen from other plantations ; and very-
particular fcarch ftiould be made after their obeiah-men, who,
whenever detected, fhould be tranfported without mercy. The
employers of this deteftable race owe thefe cautions at leaft to the
public, who have fuffered fo much in times paft from the total
negle6t of them. From the foregoing detail, which I have given
upon the moft credible and authentic teftimonies in my power to
procure, every candid perfon may judge, with how little regard to
truth the infurredlions, that have happened in Jamaica, are afcribed
to extraordinary cruelties exercifed over the flaves in that ifland ; I
think it will appear from inconteftable proofs, that fo impudent a
calumny could have no- other foundation than malevolence, com-
plicated with ignorance.

CHAP. IV.

FRANCIS WILLIAMS.

I Have forborne till now to introduce upon the ftage a perfonage, '.
who made a confpicuous figure in this ifland, and even attracted
the notice of many in England. With the impartiality that be-
comes me, I fliall endeavour to do him all pofllblejuftice; and (hall
leave it to the reader's opinion, whether what they fliall dilcover of ^
his genius and intelled will be fuHicient to overthrow the argu-
ments, 1 have before alledged, to prove an inferiority of the Negroes
to the race of white men. It will by this time be dilcovercd, that I
allude to Francis JVilliams, a native of this ifland, and (on to John
and Dorothy VVilUams, free Negroes. Francis was chcyoungcil of

P p p 2 three

476 JAMAICA.

three fons, and, being a boy of unufual lively parts, was pitched
upon to be the fubject of an experiment, which, it is faid, the Duke
of Montagu was curious to make, in order to difcover, whether, by
proper cultivation, and a regular courfe of tuition at fchool and the
univerfity, a Negroe might not be found as capable of literature as a
white perfcn. In fhort, he was fent to England, where he under-
went a regular difcipline of claffic inftruflion at a grammar fchool,
after which he was fixed at the univerfity of Cambridge, where
he (ludied under the ableft preceptors, and made fome progrefs in the
mathematics. During his abode in England, after finifhing his edu-
cation, it is faid (I know not with what truth) that he compofed
the well-known ballad of " Welcome, welcome, brother debtor,£5'c."
But I have likewife heard the fame attributed to a different author.
Upon his return to Jamaica, the duke would fain have tried his
genius likewife in politics, and intended obtaining for him a privy
feal, or appointment to be one of the governor's council j but this
fcheme was dropped, upon the objeftions offered by Mr. Trelawny,
the governor at that time. Williams therefore let up a fchool in
Spanifli Town, which he continued forfeveral years, where he taught
reading, writing, Latin, and the elements of the mathematics;
whilft: he afted in this profeffion, he feledled a Negroe pupil, whom
he trained up with particular care, intending to make him his fuc-
ceflbr in the fchool ; but of this youth it may be faid, to ufe the ex-
preflion of Feflus to Paul, that " much learning made him mad."
The abftrufe problems of mathematical inftitution turned his brain ;
and he flill remains, I believe, an unfortunate example, to fhew
that every African head is not adapted by nature to luch profound
contemplations. The chief pride of this difciple confifts in imitating
the garb and and deportment of his tutor. A tye perriwig, a fword,
and ruffled fhirt, feem in his opinion to comprehend the very marrow
and quinteffence of all erudition, and philofophic dignity. Probably
he imagines it a more eafy way of acquiring, among the Negroes, the
reputation of a great fcholar, by thefe fuperficial marks, which
catch their eye, than by talking of Euclid, whom they know
nothing about.

Confidering the difference which climate may occafion, and which

Montefquieu has learnedly examined, the noble duke would have

2 made

BOOK III. CHAP. IV. 477

made the experiment more fairly on a native African ; perhaps too
the Northern air imparted a tone and vigour to his organs, of which
they never could have been fufceptible in a hot climate; the author
I have mentioned will not allow, that in hot climates tiiere is any
force or vigor of mind ncceirary for human aftion, " there is (fays
*' he) no curiofity, no noble enterprize, no generous fentiment."
The climate of Jamaica is temperate, and even cool, compared with
many parts ofGuiney ; and the Creole Blacks have undeniably more
acutenefs and better underftandings than the natives ofGuiney. Mr.
Hume, who had heard of Williams, fays of him, " In Jamaica indeed
" they talk of one Negroe as a man of parts and learning ; but 'tis
" likely he is admired for very flender accompliftiments, like a parrot
" who fpeaks a few words pluinly." And Mr, Edwick, purfulng the
fame idea, obferves, " Although a Negroe is found in Jamaica, or
" elfewhere, ever fo fenfible and acute j yet, if he is incapable of moral
«' fenfations, or perceives them only as beafts do fimple ideas, without
" the power of combination, in order to ufe; it is a mark that diftin-
" guifhes him from the man who feels, and is capable of thefe moral
" fenfations, who knows their application, and the purpofes of them,
** as fuifficiently, as he himfelf is diftinguiflied from the highefl fpecies
*' of brutes [.^^]." I do not know, if the fpecimen I fhall exhibit of

[d] The diftinftion is well marked by Bilhop Warburton, in thefe words :
" ill, The Moral Sense : (is that) whereby we conceive and feel a pleafure in n'g/jt, and a
" diftafte and averfion to ivt-on^, prior to all reflexion on their natures, or their confequences. This
" is the firll inlet, to the adequate iilca of morality; and plainly the moll: extenlive of all. When in-
" ftinct had gone thus far, 2d, The Reasoning Faculty improved upon its didates; for re-
" flefting men, naturally led to examine the foundation of this moral jhife, foon difcovered that there
" were real, eflentlal differences in the qualities of human adions, eftablifhed by nature; and, con-
" fequently, that the love and hatred, excited by the moral fenjl; were not capricious in their opera-
" tions; for that the eflential properties of their objects had a fpecific difference." Hence arofe a
fenfe of moral obligation in ibciety, Hcc. Divine Legation, 'vol, I. p. 37.

It is this inllinft which difcriminates mankind from other animals who have it not, whereas in
other inlfiniffive impulfes all agree. But the queftiou is, whether all the fpecies of the human
kind have this inftinciive fenfe in equal degree? If the brutal inftinfls impel the African t-. fatisfy
his appetites, to run from danger, and the like; why does he not exhibit equally the tokens of this
moral inJlinU, if he really poireHes it? would it not infenfibly have gained admittance into their
habits of living, as well as the other inftim^s, and have regulated and directed their general man-
ners? But we have no other evidence of their pofl'eliing it, than what arifes from the vague conjec-
tural pofitions, " that all men are equal, and that the difparity between one man and ano'her, or
" one race of men and another, happens from accidental means, fuch as artificial refinements, edu-
«' cation, and fo forth." Certain however it is, that thefe refinements mull ncceffarily take place,
where the moral fenfe and reafoning faculty are moll abund.mt, and extenfively cultivated ; but
cannot happen, where they either do not exill at all, or, are not diflributed in fuch due portion, as
to work the proper afcendancy over the more brutal fpecies of inilinfl.

his

478 J A M A I C A.

his abilities will, or will not, be thought to militate againft thefe po-
rtions. In regard to the general charafter of the man, he was haughty,
opinionated, looked down with fovereign contempt on his fellow Blacks,
entertained the higheft opinion of his own knowledge, treated his pa-
rents with much difdain, and behaved towards his children and his
flaves with a fevcrity bordering upon cruelty ; he was fond of having
great deference paid to him, and exadled it in the utmoft degree from
the Negroes about him ; he affected a lingularity of drefs, and particu-
larly grave caft of countenance, to imprefs an idea of his wifdom and
learning; and, to fecond this view, he wore in common a huge wig,
which made a very venerable figure. The moral part of his character
may be coUefted from thefe touches, as well as the meafure of his wif-
dom, on which, as well as fome other attributes to which he laid claim,
he had not the modefty to be filent, whenever he met with occafion to
expatiate upon them. Of this piece of vanity, there is a very ftrong-
example in the following poem, which he prefented to Mr. Haldane,
upon his afluming the government of the ifiand; he was fond of this'
Jpecies of compofition in Latin, and ufually addrefled one to every new
governor. He defined himfelf " a wMte man afting under a black'
Ikin." He endeavoured to prove logically, that a Negroe was fupe-
rlor In quality to a Mulatto, or other caft. His propofition was, that"
** a fimple white or a fimple black complexion was refpeftively per-
feft : but a Mulatto, being an heterogeneous medley of both, was im-
perfeft, ergo inferior."

His opinion of Negroes may be Inferred from a proverbial faying,
that was frequently in his mouth j " Shew me a Negroe, and I will
fliew you a thief. '' He died, not long fince, at the age of feventj, or
thereabouts.

I have ventured to fubjoln fome annotations to his poem, and parti-
cularly to diftlnguifh feveral paflages In theclaffic authors, to which he-
feems to have been indebted, or to have had allufion ; there may be
other palFages which have efcaped my notice; I have added an Eng-
lifh tranflation in verfe, wherein I have endeavoured to retain the fenfe,
without wilfully doing injuftlce to the original.

Integerrimo et Fortiffimo

Viro

GEORGIO HALDANO, Armigeko,

Infuke J amaiccnfis Gubernatori ;

Cui,

BOOK III. CHAP. IV. 479

Cui, omnes morum, virtutumque dotes belllcarum.
In cumulum acceflerunt,

CARMEN.
DENIQUE venturum fatis volventibus annum [i?]

Cundta per extenfum lasta videnda diem,
Excuflis adfunt curis, fub imagine [J^j clara

Felices populi, terraque lege virens.
[g] Te duce. [/j] quse fuerant malefuada mente perada

Irrita, confpedlu non reditura tuo.
Ergo omnis populus, nee non plebecula cernet

[/6j Hsefurum collo te [/] relc'gq/j'e jugum,
Et mala, qus diris quondam cruciatibus, infons

Infula pafla fuit; condoluiflet onus
Ni vidtrix tua Marte manus prius inclyta, noftris

Sponte [k'j ruinofis rebus adefle velit.
Optimus es fervus Regi fervire BritannOy

Dum gaudet genio [/] Scotica terra tuo :
Optimus heroum populi [w] fulcire ruinam;

Infula dum fuperefl ipfe [«] fuperftes eris.
Vidtorem agnofcet te Guadaloupa, fuorum

Defpiciet [o] merito diruta caftra ducum.
Aurea vexillis flebit jadlantibus [/>] Iris,

Cumque fuis populis, oppida vidla gemet.

\e~\ Afpke •venturo latcniur at omnia Sa:clo. f^'rg. E. iv. 52.

[/] Clara feems to be rather an improper epithet joined to Imagi,

\.S\ ^ (luce, fi qua manent fceleris veftigia noftri
Irrita, perpetua folvent formidine terras. ^"'i'> ■£• iv. 13.

\]i\ Alluding perhaps to the conteft about removing the feat of government and public offices
from SpaniJIj Town to Kingjlon, during the adrainiftration of governor Kn s.

\i\ Pro reievajjc.

[^] Quem vocet divum populus mentis

Imperi relus. Hor. Lib. I. Oti, ii.

[/] Mr. HfJdane was a native of North Britain.

[-V/] Tu Ptolomase potes m^gm/ulcire ruinam. Lucan. Lii. viii. 528.

['/] This was a promife of fomewhat more than antediluvian longevity. But the poet proved a
falfe prophet, for Mr. Haldane did not furvive the deliveiy of this addrefs many months.

[c] EgerkjuJIo Jomitos ti'mmpho. Hor. Lib.l. Oii.-x.\\.

[/] Iris. Botanic name of ih.cjlcur-tfe-1'ur, alluding to the arms of France.

I ■ Crede,

^8o JAMAICA.

Crede, [q"] meum non eft, vir Marti chare! [r] Minerva

Denegat jEthiopi bella Ibnare ducutn.
Concilio, cancret te Buchananus et armis,

Carn)ine Peleido" fcriberet il!e parem.
llle poeta, decus patriae, tua fafta referre

Dignior, [j] altilbno vixque Mcirone minor.
[/] Flammiferos agitante fuos fub (oltjugaleslju]

Vivimus; eloquiuin deficit omne focis.
Hoc demum accipias, multa fuligine fufum

Ore fonaturo; non cute, corde valef.
Pollenti ftabilita manu, ([w] Deus almus, eandem

Omnigenis animam, nil prohibente dedit)
Ipfa coloris egens virtus, prudentiaj honefto

Nullus inert animo, nullus in arte color.
Cur tinieas, quamvis, dubitefve, nigerrima cellam

Cccfciris cccidui, fcandere [x] Mufa domum ?
[j] Vade falutatum, nee fit tibi caula pudoris,

[s] Ca?jdida quod nigra corpora pelle geris I
Integritas morum [rt] Maurtim magis ornat, et ardor

Ingenii, cl do5fo\b']diilcis in ore decor; *

{(]] Phoshus, volenteni pixlia me'loqui
Vidas et urbes, increpuit lyni
Ne. Hor.

[r] luvita Minerva. Hor. de Art. Poet,

[s] Maronis alt'i/hni carmina. Jwu. Sat, xi. ver. 178.
[/] Flammifcras rotas toto c:b1o agitat.

\it\ I apprehend Mr. Williams raiftook this for Jiiiara, fun-beams,
[w] This is a fetltio prin€!pii, or begging the queftion, unlei's with Mr. Pope,
" All are but parts of one ftupendous whole,
" Whofe body nature is, and God the foul."

But,
" Far as creation's ample range extends,
•' li\\ejlale of fenfual mental powers afcends."

[.v] Mr. Williams has added a Hack Mufe to the Pierian choir; and, as he has not thought proper
fo beftow a name upon her, we may venture to announce her by the title of madam JEthioftJJa,

[y] Vade falutatum fubito perarata parentein

Litera. Ovid.

[z] See his apophthegms before-mentioned,
[a] Maurus is not in claffic ftrictnefs proper Latin for a Kegroe,
[bl Mollis in ore daor. Inccrt,

Hunc,

BOOK III. CHAP. IV. 4f?i

Hunc, mage cor fapiens, patrice virtutis amorque,

[c] Eximit e fociis, confpicuumque faclt.
\d\ Infula me genuit, celebres aluere Britanniy

Infula, te falvo non dolitura [^] patre !
Hoc precor ; o [/] nuUo videant te fine, regentem
Florentes populos, terra, Dcique locus !

FRANCISCUS WILLIAMS.

The fame, tranjlatcd.

To

That moft upright and valiant Man,

GEORGE H A L D A N E, Efq;

Governor of the Ifland of Jamaica ;

Upon whom

All military and moral Endowments are accumulated.

An ODE.
AT length revolving fates th' expefted year
Advance, and joy the live-long day (hall cheer,
Beneath the foft'ring law's aufpicious dawn
New harvefts rife to glad th' enliven'd [^] lawn.
With the bright profpeft bleft, the fwains repair
In focial bands, and give a loofe to care.
Rafh councils now, with each malignant plan.
Each fadion, that in evil hour began.
At your approach are in confulion fled.
Nor, while you rule, fliall rear their daftard head.
Alike the mafter and the flave fhall fee
Their neck reliev'd, the yoke unbound by thee.
Ere now our guiltlefs ifle, her wretched fate
Had wept, and groan'd beneath th'oppreflive weight

[c] Me doBarum eder^ prjeroia frontium

Seceniunt prpulo. Hor. Lib, I. Od, I.

[r/] Mantua me genuit, Calabrs rapucie. flrg.
[f] Hie ames dici/tfiVratiiue princeps. Hor.

[ /"] Serus in cccluin reJeas, diuqus

Lretus inteijls populo, Hor.

[jj] Lawn is ufed here in the fenfe given it by Johnfoii, viz. " an o^e,! /pace kkvcex -.t'ooJ.' ;"
which has a peculiar propriety applied to the cane-fielJs in Jamaica.

Vol. II. Q q q Of

JAMAICA.

Of cruel woes ; fave thy victorious hand,

Long fam'd in war, from Gallia's hoftile land ;

And wreaths of frefh renown, with generous zeal.

Had freely turn'd, to prop our finking weal.

Form'd as thou art, to ferve Britannia'' s crown.

While Scotia claims thee for her darling fon ;

Oh ! heft of heroes, ableft to fuftain

A falling people, and relax their chain.

Long as this ifle (hall grace the Weftern deep.

From age to age, thy fame (hall never fleep.

Thee, her dread vi(flor Guadaloupe fhall own,

Crufht by thy arm, her llaughter'd chiefs bemoan ;

View their proud tents all level'd in the dull:.

And, while (he grieves, confefs the caufe was jufl.

The golden Iris the fad fcene will (hare.

Will mourn her banners fcatter'd in the air ;

Lament her vanquifht troops with many a (igh.

Nor lefs to fee her towns in ruin lie.

Fa v' rite of M(?r J / believe, th' attempt were vain^

It is not mine to try the arduous drain.

What ! (hall an JEthiop touch the martial firing.

Of battles, leaders, great atchievements fing?

Ah no! Minerva, with th' indignant AW,

Reftrainhim, and forbid the bold defign.

To a Buchanan does the theme belong;

A theme, that well deferves Buchanan's fong».

'Tls he, (hould fwell the din of war's alarms.

Record thee great in council, as in arms ;

Recite each conqueft by thy valour won.

And equal thee to great Pekides' fon.

That bard, his country's ornament and pridcj

Who e'en with Maro might the bays divide i

Far worthier he, thy glories to rehearfe.

And pairrt thy deeds in his immortal verfe.

We live, alas! where the bright god of day.

Full from the zenith whirls his torrid ray:

Beneath the rage of his confuming fires,

All fancy melts, all eloquence expires.

3

Yet

BOOK Iir. CHAP. IV. 4?j

Yet may you deign accept this humble fong,

Tho' wrapt in gloom, and from a falt'ring tongue;

Tho' dark the flream on which the tribute flows,

Not from the Jkin, but from the &eart it rofe.

To all of human kind, benignant heaven

{Since nought forbids) one common foul has giveti.

This rule was 'ftablifli'd by th' Eternal Mind;

Nor virtue's felf, nor prudence are confin'd

To colour; none imbues the honeft heart ;

To fcience none belongs, and none to art.

Oh! Mufe, of blackefl: tint, why (brinks thy breaft,

Why fears t' approach the drfar of the IFefll

Difpel thy doubts, with confidence afcend

The regal dome, and hail him for thy friend :

Nor blufli, altho' in garb funereal dreft,

Thy body's whitCt tho^ clad in fable vejl.

Manners unfullied, and the radiant glow

Of genius, burning with defire to know.

And learned fpeech, with modeft accent worn.

Shall beft the footy African adorn.

An heart with wifdom fraught, a patriot flame,

A love of virtue ; thefe (hall lift his name

Confpicuous, far beyond his kindred race,

Diftinguifh'd from them by the foremoft place.

In this prolific ille I drew my birth,

And Britain nurs'd, illuurious through the earth;

This, my lov'd ifle, which never more (hall grieve,

"VVhilft you our common friend, our father live.

Then this my pray'r — " May earth and heaven furvey

*' A people ever bkft;, beneath your fway!"

FRANCIS WILLIAMS.

There is, In this performance, a flrain of fuperlative panegyric,
which is fcarcely allowable even to a poet, Buchanan is compared
with Virgil, and Mr. Haldane made equal to Achilles; nay, exalted
ftill higher, for he is hailed the Ccefar or emperor of America. The
author has taken care, whilft he is dealing about his adulation, not
to forget himfelf. His fpeech is reprefented erudite and modefl;

Q q q 2 liis

■4S4 J A M A I C A.

his heart is filled with wifdom j his morals are immaculate; and he
abounds with patriotifm and virtue.

To confider the merits of this fpecimen impartially, we mull en-
deavour to forget, in the firft place, that the writer was a Negroe; for
if we regard it as an extraordinary produftion, merely becaufe it
came from a Negroe, we admit at once that inequality of genius
which has been bel'ore fuppofed, and admire it only as a rare phas-

nomenon.

" What woeful fluff this madrieal would be
" In fome ftarv'd, hackney fonneteer, or me !
" But let a Negroe own the happy lines,
" How the wit brightens! how the ftyle refines!
" Before his facred name flies ev'ry fault,
" And each exalted flanza teems with thought!"
We are to eftimate it as having flowed from the poliflied pen of
one, who received an academic education, under every advantage that
able preceptors, and munificent patrons, could furnifli ; we mufi: like-
wife believe it to be, what it aftually was, a piece highly laboured;
defigned, modeled., and perfeded, to the utmtfl ftretch of his in-
vention, imagination, and flcill.

Should we, or fhould we not, have looked for fomething better
from one, upon whom (to borrow his own phrafe) omnes artium,
Icientiarumque ^r/o/f^ Atticarum in cumidutn accejjerunl ? or, is it at all
Superior, in claflic purity of fi:yle and numbers, in fentiment and pro-
priety, in poetic images and harmony, to any compofition we might
expedl from a middling fcholar at the feminaries of Weflminfler or
Eaton ? It is true, pocta nafciinr, non fit : but the principal forte and
excellence of this man lay in verlification j however, as I mean not
to prejudge the caufe, I fhall leave it to the fair verdidt of a jury of
critics. The Spaniards have a proverbial faying, " j^unque Ne'gros
<■'■ fomos genie;" " though we are Blacks, we are men." The truth
of which no one will difpute; but if we allow the fyftem of created
beings to b.e perfed and confident, and that this perfedtion arifes
from an exadl fcale of gradation, from the lowefl to the highefl,
combining and connefting every part into a regular and beautiful
harmony, reafoning them from the vifible plan and operation of in-
finite wifdom in refpeft to the human race, as well as every other
feries in the leak, we mufi, 1 think, conclude, that,

o *' The

BOOK III. CHAP. V. ^485

** The general order, fince the whole began,
Is kept in nature, and is kept in man.
Order is heaven's firfl law; and, this confeil,
Some are, and muji be, greater than the reft."

CHAP. V.
S E C T. I.

An Abflrafl of the Jamaica Code Noir, or Laws affcding Negroe and

other Slaves in that Ifland. — And, firfl of, Penal Clauses.
Anno

1696 N° I. Straggling flaves, apprehended without a ticket (or pafs),
are to be punifhed with moderate whipping.

2. Striking or doing violence to a white perfon (except by
command of their mafter or employer, or in defence of his
perfon or goods), punifliable at difcretion of two juftices
and three freeholders, according to ci re urn fiances.

3. Stolen goods found in the cuftody of a flave — fuch Have on
conviction of receiving, knowing them to have been ftolen,
to fuffer death, tranfportation, difmembering[/6 ', or other pu-
niniment,atthedifcretionoftwoju(lices and three freeholders.

4. Wilfully returning from tranfportation, death.

5. Gompaffing or imagining the death of a white perfon, and
being attainted thereof by open deed (or ouvert aclj, before
two juftices and three freeholders, death.

6. [/] On complaint made to a juftice of any felony, burglary,

[/i] This inhuman penalty is entirely obfoletc, and never of late inflided. It is, however, re-
proachful to the laws, and ought to be expunged. Fugitives were formerly punilhed here with am-
putation of their toes. This execrable baibarity hindered them from running away, but it prevent-
ed them likewife from rendering efFeftual fervice to their owner ; and for this reafon, perhaps, more
than from ajuft fenfeofits impropriety, it was difcontinued. Men are too often dif|X)fed to be
cruel, of their own depraved hearts; and it becomes a Chriftian legiflature not to inflame and encou-
jagc, but to reprefs as much as poiEble, this fanguinar}- difpolition, by gi\ing example throughout
its penal ordinances, oi jiijlice in meycy.

[;'] The reafon ot not allowing a jury, inllead of this mode, probably was, the fcarcity of Whites
fpiead over the countiy, and that, in a time ot infurreftlon and rebellion, the proceedings could not
be too fummary. The fummoning twenty or thirty Whites, in order to make fine of 1 2 appear-
ances on the pnnel, would have required too much time and delav, and have often been impiai^Hca-
ble. Add to this, that the Whites never confidered ihemfelves as the purfs of the Black?. 'I'hc
prefent mode,bytwo juftices, and three freeholders, fiveperfons in all,of vshomthe party immediatclv
interefted can never be one, who are indifferent and uiibiaUld, and upon oath to judge uprightl\-, ac-
cordinu to evidence, is perhaps fufticicnt to anhvcr all. the ends of impariial judicature with refpevi
to thefe people.

robb

erv.

4-86 J A M A I C A.

• robbery ; burning of houfes, canes ; rebellions ; conrpi-
racies ; or other capital offences; the juftice is to ifllie his
warrant to apprehend the offenders, and for fummoning
the evidence before him. The evidence of one flave to
be admitted againfl another flave ; and if, upon exami-
nation, it appears, prima facie, that the offenders are guilty,
he is to commit them to prlfon, certify accordingly, and
xiiibciate himfelf with another juflice. Thefe two are then
to cite three freeholders, intimating the caufe, and ap-
pointing a certain day and place for the trial to be held ;
and if, upon full and due hearing of the matter (the free-
holders being firft fworn, by the juftices, to judge up-
rightly, and according to the evidence), they deem the cul-
prits guilty, judgement is then forthwith to be given, of
death, tranfportation, or other punifliment, as they, in
their judgement, (hall think meet to infli»5l.
7. All /^//V crimes, trefpafles, and injuries, committed by a
flave, are to be heard and determined by any of his
raajeffy's juftices within the ifland.
.1711 8. Slaves, deftroying fifh by poifoning, ufing nets of mefhes
lefs than one inch and a quarter, or deftroying turtle eggs,
or killing pigeons, in the months of May, June, or
July, are punilheable with [X'] thirty-one lapei on the
bare back, on convidtion before a juftice of the peace.
9. To put a ffop to the wanton flaughter of old breeding
cattle and marked young ones, with other abufes of the
like fort, no flave to keep any horfes, mares, mules,
aflts, or cattle, on penalty of forfeiting the fame.

10. No flave to hire himfelf out to work to another, without
confent of his owner, or employer. Penalty, upon con-
vidion before a magiftrate, whipping at the magiftrate's
difcretion, not t\ztt^\u^ thirty -one laJJ}es\k'\.

1 1. Hawking about and felling goods [/] (except provifions,
fruits, and other enumerated articles) to be puniflied,

■ \k'\ By the Jewifii laws, a wicked man, worthy to be beaten, was to be beaten before the judge,
•according to his fault : forty (Iripes might be inflicled ; and not to exceed. Deut. xxv, 3, In
-Another place, we are told, the punifliinent wm forty ftripes,_/aw one. Numb. xxv.

[(] This reilraint is conftrued to extend only to beef, veal, mutton, and falt-fi(h ; and to ma-
Kufaftures,«;xcept baflcets, ropes of bark, earthen pots, and fuch like.

on

BOOK IIL CHAP. V. 487

on convidion before a magiftrate, by whipping, not
exceeding thirty-one laJJoes. See N° 20.

12. Selling, or giving away, fugar or fugar-canes, without a
ticket; on convidlion, whipping as above.

13. Free perfons, or flaves[/i';] buying fuch goods, to forfeit
10/., and fufFer punifhment by whipping, not exceeding

twenty la [lies.
1749 14. [«] A flave of eighteen years of age, or upwards, being
a native of the ifland, or refident in it three years from
the time of importation, running away and abfenting
himfelf for fix whole months, is to be tried as for a ca-
pital offence ; and, upon due proof and conviction, is to
fufFer death, or fuch other punifhment as the court fliall ;
think fit to adjudge; provided that profecution be com-
menced within three months after his being taken or re-
turned ; and, further, that no owner (hall be repaid for
any flave fo executed, but that the lofs (hall fall upon
fuch owner [0].

15. A

[m] Sotne Jews, however, have been knovvri to accumulate feveral calks cf fugar in a year,
purloined, in fmall quantities at a time, by the Negroes, who were handlomely rewarded for
robbing their mailers.

[«] There feems a great degree of hardlhip on the face of this claufe, in fubjfeding flaves to
the penalty of a capital crime, who perhaps may be ignorant of the penalty they incur. The poi
licy on which it is founded is, that all penal laws are made in terrorem, and for prevention : fo is >
this. If one flave might elope into the woods, there abide with impunity, and form a fettlement;
fo might ten thoufand, to the ruin of the colony. A law to the fame efFeft, pafled thirty-two
years before, fet forth, " that many crimes, committed by flaves, which were punilhable with
" death, often remained undetefted, by omiflion of their owners to profecute." The owner i*
neceflarily the profecutor ; and the provifo, which fubjedts him to the entire lofs ot the
value of his flave, if he profectJtes to conviftion, effe<5lually prevents fuch profeculions from being
commenced ; for which reafon, this claufe hfelo defe, and utterly non-eft'ertive. And, confidering
the feverity which it breathes, it is bell it Ihould be fo ; or elfe be repealed, and the punifhment
altered to tranfportation : for to inflidl (katb on a poor wretch, for a tranfgreffion, committed per--
haps through mere ignorance of the law, or enormous ill ufage, is highly tyrannical and cruel.
J^o] It items to be an imperfeftion in thefe claufes, that the- punifhment is, in many cafes, left
undefined and arbitrary. The plain meaning of the legiOature in the ftrudure of them, where,
an alternative is admitted, was to give room for a mitigation, or commutation of the penalty ex-
prefled, according to the circumlbnces of each cafe, and the greater or lefs degree of guilt that,
niigiit appear. This was commendable, and confonant to the penal claufes which govern the
navy and ariny of Great-Britain. But it is a great defeft in them, not to require thefe reftric-'
tions, and pen.ilties, to be duly promulgated among the Negroes ; for how can they reafonably be
coudemned upon laws which they never fee or know f Unlcfs they aie duly apprized of what

they

488 JAMAICA,

15. [/>] A flave, harbouring, concealing, or entertaining, a
runaway (lave, knowing him to be fiich, upon due con-
vidion and proof before two juftices and three free-
liolders, to fuffer death, or be otherwife puniOied at the
difcretion of the court ; provided tliat the profecution be
commenced within one month next after the difcovery
of fuch offence.

16. \(i\ Slaves, hunting cattle, horfcs, mares, &c. with
lances, guns, cutlafles, or other inftruments of death,
nnlefs in company with their mafter, occ. or other
white perlbn by him or them deputed, on conviction
before two juftices and three freeholders, to be adjudged
guilty of felony, andbe tranfported.

37-. No Have to carry fire-arms about the ifland without a
ticket from his owner or employer, under penalty of
fuch corporal punifhment (not extending to life or limb)
as two juftices fhall think meet to inflidt.

18. [r] A perfon killing a flave in the fact of ftealing, or
running away, or found in the night out of his owner's
or employer's eftate, or on the road, and refufing to
fubmit, fuch perfon not liable to adion or damage for
the fame.

tliey ave to ilo, and what they are not to do, and are admoniflied of the ceitahi punilhment they
will hiciir by doing fo and fo; thefe unlettered favages might as uell be condemned on the laws
ot Japan or Crim-Tartary. I Ihould, however, have excepted this |)articular aft, which the aijloi
of every parifh is dircil^ed to take the moll effeiftual methods tor making public,

[/] So, Exod. xxi. 16, " He that llealeth a man, and felleth him, or if he be found in his hand,
"•he fliall furely be put to death." This, I prefume, extended as well to fteahng another Jew's
flave, as ftealing a fellow-Jew, in order to fell him for a na\e to a Gentile nation. By ver. 8, it ap-
pears, that a Jew might fell his own daughter tor a flave, except to a Gentile or ftrange nation;
Deut. xxiii, 15. " Thou (halt not deliver unto his raafter tlte fervant which is efcaped from his
" mailer unto thee." " Hefliall dwell with thee." This mull: be underftood of a flave belonging
to a ftranger, or Gentile, and not to a brother Jew ; for, otherwife, it would be repugnant to the
lenfe of the preceding ftatute.

[ 17] By aft 14 George II. cap, 6, ftealing of fteep and cattle is made felony without benefit
of clergy. And 15 George II. cap. 34, explaining the former aft, declares fl-.eep and cattle to
extend to any bull, cow, ox, fteer, bullock, heifer, calf, and lamb. So horfe-ftealers are excluded
from clergy.

[r] So, Exod. xxii. 2, 3, " If a thief be found breaking-up" in the night, " and be fmitten that
•' he die, there fhall no blood be flied for him," But, if in the day-time, fuch killing is murder.
The penalty on the thief, in this cafe, is reftitution of the things ftolen, or the value; or, having
isot wherewithal to pay the value, then to be fold for a flave.

19. A

BOOK III. CHAP. V. 489

rp. A flave, maUc'wuJly giving poifon to any free peribn, or
flave, and being convided thereof before two juftices
and three freeholders, to be adjudged guilty of murder,
and to fiiffer death.

20. A flave, felling in ;iny public place, or market, any other
goods than fuch as properly belong to his owner, or for
his owner's ufe, and that arc not exprefled in a ticket,
upon complaint and convi£lion before a juflice, to be
whipped by order of fuch juilice. See N° 1 1,
1-60 21. [j] 03t7rf/;-wf«, pretended conjurors, or priefts, upon con-
vidion before two juftices and three freeholders of their
pradiling as fuch, to fuffer death, or tranfportation, at
the difcretion of the court.

22. Slaves, convided before two juftices and three free-
holders of having in their cuftody fire-arms, gun-powder,
bayonet, fword, or other military ofFenfive weapon (ex-
cept in company with, or under the diredion of, a white
perfon, or having a ticket, or licence, in writing, from
their owner, overfeer, or employer), to fuffer deathy or
other puniftiment, at the difcretion of the court.

1768 23. Slaves, attempting to defert from the ifland in any fhip,

boat, &c. and being convided before two juftices and
three freeholders, to fuffer death., or other punifhment, at
the difcretion of the court.

1769 24. Slaves, taking ftones or ballaft from the Pallifadoes^impri*

fonment, not exceeding three months.
2j. Slaves, found felling frefh-fifti in any part of Kingfton,
except at the fifh-market, within the market-hours of
eight in the morning and two in the afternoon, pu-
nilhable at the difcretion of any of the magiftrates in
that parifh ; and fuch fifh to be forfeited, and diftributed
to the poor.

\_s] Many of thefe incendiaries, called marbuts, or marabouts, on the coaflof Guiney, are Bai-
ji'.Qicd from their own country for mal-praftices.

Vol. II. Rrr SECT.

49© »J A M A I C A,

S E C T. II.

Dijlribiitive and Munerary.

Anno.

1696 I. Male flaves are to have jackets and drawers; and female
flaves, jackets and petticoats ; fupplied them once a year,
under penalty of five fhilHngs, to be paid by the owner or
mafter for every default [/].

2. Conftables are to prefent all fuch defaulters every year
to the juftices; and fuch conftables to be charged on
oath, by the juftices, to do their duty herein.

3. All mafters, owners, &c. are to have [«] one acre of
ground, well planted with provifions, for every j?lv flaves
belonging to them, under penalty of 40^. for every fuch
acre deficient.

4. Gaol-keepers, having cuftody of run-away flaves, are to
fupply them with convenient food, water, and dry
lodging, on penalty of 40/. for every default.

5. A flavc, taking up a run-away, and bringing to the
owner or to the next gaol, (hall receive one fhilling per
mile for the firft five miles, and eight-pence ^^r mile fof
every other, fo that the whole does not exceed 40 i. And
any perfon, depriving or defrauding the flave of fuch re-
ward, (hall forfeit treble the value.

6. A {lave, taking prifoner or killing a rebellious flave, to
receive 40 j., and a coat with a red crols upon it. By
a fubfequent a6l, the reward is raifed to 10/.

7. Female conviits, pregnant, to be refpited from exe-
, cution until after, their delivery.

[/] On every well-regulated plantation they are allowed, befides a fuit of warm woollen deaths,
hats, caps, checks, handkei-chiefs, worlciivg aprons to the boilers, beads, needles, thread, knives, fcif-
fars, pipes, tobacco, iron pots, fait, fugar, rum, &.'e. As to holiday-fuits and finery, the fettled
Negroes are very able to afford them out of their own profits. Tradefmen and chief Negroes
receive a ftated weekly allowance of beef, herring, or falt-iiih ; the reft occafionally. Every fijch
eftate has a convenient hofpital for the lick ; where they are duly provided with medicines, nurfes, ■
and fuitable diet, and neceifaries.

[«] In England one acre of good land is deemed fufticient to maintain four jjerfons, or three
oxen, or two afles, or twelve Iheep. The fuperior fertifity of the Wefl-India land makes a confi-
derable dilFerence.

4 8. All

BOOK III. CHAP. V. 491

8. All mafters, miftreffes, owners, employers, Sec. are to
endeavour, as much as poflible, the inftrudion of their
flaves in the principles of the Chriftian religion ; and fa-
cilitate their converfion ; and do their utmoft to fit them
for baptifm ; and, as foon as convenient, caufe all fuch
to be baptized as they can make fenfible of a Deity, and
the Chriftian faith [w],

9. Thejuftices, at their firft feflioa in every year, are to
appoint the number of holidays to be given to flaves at
Chriflnaas, Eafter, and Whitfuntide [.v].

1735

[lu] AU the Creole (laves ought to be baptized, under a high peftalty on their owners for neg-
Icvtiii"' it; and the baptil'mal fees fliould be fixed by law at a low ratej fur example, at fix-pence
each; which, fuppoiing there are now one bundled thoufand unbaptized Creoles in the ifland,
would bring in to the clergy there 2500 /.

" In all civilized llates two things may be obfervcd, which may be confidered as the great foun-
" datlon and fupport of political focicty : the firil of thefe, the ceremonies that accompany the
" union of a man with a woman, which fix and regulate the ties of marriage, and the llate of chil-
" dren ; the fecond, the ceremonies of public worlhip folemnly paid to the Deity. Thefe two
" have been found, by legiflators, the wifert and moll efFedlual means for the fupport and good go-
*' vernment of ftates." Goguet.

[a] The Negroes are fo fenfible of their right to thefe, and their leifure-hours of each day in
the intervals of work, that they call them emphatically t/jdr ozvn tir,ic. Nor is it ever borrowed
from them but in foine very pai ticLiIar emergency, when they are either paid for it, as may be
agreed upon, or allov/ed an equal portion of time on fome other day. They generally begin
work at fix in the morning, and leave off at fix in the afternoon, having half an hour at breakfaft,
and on moft eftates two hours at noon. Thus their day's work is nine hours and a half in ge-
neral. Their leifure-times, on moil eftates, are Saturday afternoon, except in cafe of very urgent
bufinefs; every Sunday throughout the }'ear; three days at Chriftiras, two at Eader, and two at
Whitfuntide ; and, at forae eftates, a jubilee-day, on fiyilhing crop : fo that the whole number of
days, they have to themfelves in the courfe of the year, is about eightj'-fix. The Jews allow their
flaves Saturday (which is their fabbath), and Sunday (which is the Chriftian's) : their flaves have
therefore about one hundred and eleven holidajs in the year at leaft ; which amount to more than
three months out of the twelve. The ufual grofs value of a Negroe's labour, hired per dienii
being about two fhillings ; a Chriftian's Negroe (fuppofing him not more confcientious than bar-
bers, tavern-keepers, inn-keepers, ftable-kecpers, and many (hop-keepers, are on the Lord's-day
in England) gains for himfclf 8/. lis. in value of his labour, and a Jew's flave 11/. z/., per
annum. But it is well known, that many of them gain infinitely more, fince the produce of one
day's labour for themfelves will turn out more worth than a fortnight's hire.

An Ingenious writer obferves hereupon, " The principal time I would have referved, for indul-
" gence to the flaves, is Sunday, which is prophaned in a manner altogether fcandalous in our co-
" lonies. On this day fome pains fliould certainly be taken to inflrutt them, to the bell of their
" comprehenfion, efpecially the children, in fome of the principles of religion and virtue, parti-
" cularly in the humility, fubmiiuon, and honefty, which become their condition. And, if one
" whole day in the week, or two half-days at projicr diftance, weie allowed for their private labour
" in their grounds, in lieu of Sundays, they would more chearfully bear fatigue during the other

R r r 3 . " fi\-c

492 JAMAICA.

^735 ^°' Slaves may carry about, and fell, all manner of pro-
vlfions, fruits, frefh fifh, milk, poultry, and other fmall
ftock of all kinds, having a ticket from their owner, or
employer.
II. Noflave to be difmembered at the will and pleafure of
his owner, mafter, or employer, under penalty of loo/.
payable to the informer.

1 75 1 12. To prevent the bloody, inhuman, and wanton killing
of flaves, any perfon, ih offending, to be adjudged, for
the firfl offence, on convi£lion, guilty of felony, and
have benefit of clergy j and fuffer the further punifhment
of imprifonment, as the court Ihall award, not exceeding
the term of twelve months ; and, for the fecond offence,
luch perfon to fuffer death, but not to work corruption
of bloody nor forfeiture of lands, chattels, &c. [_y].

SECT.

«« five days ; and, by means of thefe intervals, have time to recruit their ftrength, fo as, on the
" days appropriated to their maflers labour, to go through more work, and perform it better, than
" they commonly are able to do under their pvefent regulations ; for it is eafy to conceive, that,
*' with moderate intervals of reft, any ma» will better, and with lefs hurt to his body, execute a
" eiven quantity of work, than he can poffibiy perform without them ; fo that, at the week's end,
" the fame quantity of labour, at leaft, would be gone through, with no injury to their healths,
" nor vvafte of fplrits, which is now poflibly performed with injury to both. With a tinfture of
*' religious precepts, as far as can be adapted to their capacity, they would grow more honeft,
" traftable, and lefs of eye-fervants ; unlefs it can be proved (contrary to univerfal experience),
'' that the faniSions of religion, and doflrines of morality, and all the habits ot an early inftruc-
•' tion, are of no advantage to mankind." Thefe opinions are founded in policy and truth ; but
difficulties would attend the adoption of them in pradice, although far from being infurmountable.
If is certain, that the fabbath-day, as at prefent it is paffed, is by no means a day of refpite from
labour : on the contrary, the Negroes, either employing it in their grounds, or in traveling a great
iiftance to forae market, fatigue themfelves much more on that day, than on any other in the
week. The forenoon of that day, at leaft, might be given to religious duties; but I think it ra-
ther defirable than otherwife, that the after-part of k ftiould be fpent in their grounds, inilead of
bein<^ ufelefsly diflipated in idlenefs and lounging, or (what is worfe) in riot, druukennefs, and
wickednefs. If fuch an alteration ftiould take place, Tburfday might be alTigned for the market-
day, inftead of the fabbath, and prove of great advantage to all the Cliriftian ftiop-keepers and
retailers ; the Jews now eagrofting the whole bulinefs ot trafficking with the Negroes every Sun-
day, at which time there is a prodigious refort of them to the towns, and a vaft Rim expended
for drams, neceflaries, and manufactures. This alteration would theret'ore place the Chriftian
dealers upon an equal, fair footing, which they do not at prefent ehjo)'. The whole number of
Negroe holidays in the year would then amomit to one hundred and eleven, which is no more
than the Jews at prefent allow to their Haves ; and, by this divifion of the time, thty would pro-
bably grow improved in their behaviour, as well as in their ability and wiUingnefs to lerve their
c'hriftian owners.

[ y] So, Exod. xxi, 20, 21.. " If a man fmite his fervatit with a rod, and he die under his
" hand, he ihall furely be puniihcd." But in wliat manner the text does not explains though it is

evident

BOOK III. CHAP. V. 493

SECT. III.

Remarks on the Negroe Regulations.

THE Negroe code of this ifland appears originally to have
copied from the model in ufe at Barbadoes ; and the legiflature of
this latter ifland, which was thefirfl: planted by the Englifh, reforted
to the Englifh villeinage laws, from whence they undoubtedly
transfufed all that feverity which charaderizes them, and fhews

the

evident no capital punijl:ment is here meant. But, " If he continue a day or two" alh<e, " he (liall
" not be pimi(hed ; tor he is his inoney." Strange (lays Montefcjuieu), that a civil law
fliould thus relax the law of nature !

One Lockwood (who was afterwards proved to be a lunatic) inhumanly butchered his flave;
which gave rife to this aft. I remember one inftance of a man convicted upon it ; and, it being
his lirft otTence^ he was burnt in the hand.

By the law of Pcnnfylvania, a white owner, who kills his Negroe flave with malice prepenfe,
is liable to futfer rfivi//' for it. There is not, however,' any example thereof an owner having
been executed tor this crime. A few years ago, a inafter murdered his flave j upon which, his
friends, and even the magilirates, fecretly advifcJ him to leave the country, a5, otherwife, they
could not avoid apprehending him ; in which cafe, he mull be adjudged to die, according to the
law, without any hope ot faving him. This lenity (fays Kalm) was employed, that the Negroes
might not have the fatistaition of feeing a maikr executed for killing his flave; tor this would
lead them to dangerous defigns againft their mafters, and to fet too high a value upon themfelves.
I mull beg leave here to differ a littic in opinion from this writer. An impartial e;:ecutiun of
juftice, and the law, upon thofe who wantonly fhed innocent blood, muft inevitably attraft a
high vener;uion to fuch a law from the Negioes, and induce them to regard murder In the moft
atrocious light, when they fee it punifhed with fuch exemplary feveiiiy without refpeft of per-
fons ; for, furely, no pretence can juftify fuch execrable deeds : the guilty perfon puts hinuelf out
of all protection of human law, when he commits the crime; he ceafes to be conlidered as a
man; he becomes a favage bead; and, whatever may be his complexion, the good of fociety and
found policy require he (hould fuller capitally, as an example of terror to Black as well as White.
At prefent, a Negroe fees only what may juftity him in retaliation. The law of the Whites
plainly tells him, " If a white n»an murders a white man, he ought to die for it ; but, if a white
*' man murders a black man, he ought to be acq^uittal !" Is not the Negroe led to efpoufe the
very fame principle and creed ex coirjerjb? '• 1 belie%-c," be inay fay, " that it is a very great
" crime for a Negroe to murder a Negrce; but for a Negroe to murder a white inan is no crime
" at all ; at lealt, I inleras much from the law of the Whites, which ine.ifures the extent of guilt,
" not according to reafon, but according to the tiniflure of the Ikin ; they favour the VVhile> and
" we the Black, wuh enual propriety andjuftice."

It was, I think, very much to the honour of government, that the following inftruftions were
given to tome of the iirll commanders in chief of this ifland :

" You fliall endeavour to get a lav/ pafled for reftraining of any inhuman feverity, by reafon of
" ill mafters or overfeers, that may be ufcd towards their Chrllfian fervants, or other flaves. And
" you are alfo, with the aflillance of the council and nflembly, to find out the befl means tofaci--
"litate and encourage the converfion of Negroes to the ChriJfian religion.'.'

"And:

.494 JAMA I C A.

the abje£l flavery which the common people of England formerly
laboured under. In the 34th of Edward 111, for example, a la-
bourer, or flave, fleeing from his mafter's ferviee into any town
or city, the chief officer of the place was required to deliver him
up to his mafter ; fo, if he eloped into another country, he was
to be burned in the forehead with the letter F, Whoever fcrved
in hulbandry till the age of twelve, was to continue in that flation
. ever after ; and not be bound or put out to any trade, or artifice.
By another ad, 12 Richard II, «««(? 1388, no artificer, labourer,
■ or fervant, was allowed to pafs from one hundred to another, with-
out a permit under the king's leal, unlefs fent on bufinefs by his
lord, or mafter, on pain of being fet in the" flocks, and compelled
to return. But the mod remarkable badge of fervility was im-
.pofed, in the 1 ft. of Edward VI, by the ftatute againil vagabonds;
which adjudges them abfolutely and exprefsly (laves ; inflifts fe--
veral violent punifliments, by beating, chaining, &c. to force
them to work for their owner; punifhcs run-aways, for the firft
offence, by branding on the cheek with a red-hot iron; and, for
the fecond ofi^ence, by death. This law likewife empowers the
mafter to put an iron ring about his flave's neck, arm, or leg, for
fafer cuftody ; and lays a penalty of 10/. on any perfon taking it
off without the mafter's confent. A man, detaining or harbouring
another's run-away (lave, knowing him to be fuch, is made liable
to an aflion of trefpafs, and 10/. damages. The ferviee of fuch
flaves might be hired out. Ibid, or bequeathed, as any other
rfnoveable goods and chattels. And any fuch flave, confpiring to
,inurder, kill, or maim, his mafter or miftrefs, or to burn their
houfes, barns, or corn, lying in wait with a weapon, or com-
mitting any overt zOi leading to luch effedl', was to fufFer death as
a felon. If the father, mother, nurfe, or bearer about, of a child

" And wheieas, amongft other laws pafTed in Jamaica the 5th of April, 1683, an aft for regii-
♦' lating flaves was tranfmitted unto his late majefty, \t"ho did not think fit to confirm the fame, by
" reafon of a claufe therein contained, whereby fuch, as wantonly and wilfully kill a Negroe,
■*' are only liable to a fine and three months imprifonments ; which penalties, not being equal to
•" the guilt, might encourage the wilful fhedding of blood; for which it is neceffary forae better
" provifion be made, to deter all perfons from fuch afts of cruelty; you are therefore to fignify
'" the fame unto the next aflembly, and further propofe to them the enacling a lliifter claufe in
<' that behalf, which may be fit for. our royal xonfirmation." The law is certainly not yet feveie.
ieuou^h in this vefpeft.

adjudged

BOOK III. CHAP. V. 495

adjudged a flave, fliould fleal, or entice, away Tuch child from its
mafter; fuch father, mother, &c. were to be adjudged flaves to
fuch child's mafter for ever. I think the word^^-y^ occurs no lefs
than //j/V/jy-fv^/^/ different times in the courfe of this ftatute. But:
this is not the only inftance of legiilative barbarity at home. In
the 13th of Elizabeth, 1571, upon reading a bill then before the
houfe for fuppreffion of vagabonds, Mr Sandys endeavoured to
prove the above-mentioned law of Edward VI. to be too flnarp and
bloody, llanding much on the care which is to be had for the poor.
Wilfon, mafter of the requefts, argued thus: that poor, of ne-
ceffity, we muft have ; and as true it is, that beggars by God's
word might not be among his people, ?ie Jit mend'icans inter vos j
that it was no charity to give to a ftranger ; and that even as thieves
did the Greeks judge of them. In the following year, the law
pafled which enadled, " that every perfon above the age of fourteen,
" being taken begghig, or going about as a vagrant, fliould, for the
" firft offence, be grievoully whipped, and burned through the
" griftle of the right ear with an hot iron of an inch compafs ;
" and, if of eighteen years of age, if he afterwards fall into a .
«« rogui(h life, to be adjudged a folon." A ilatute of 8 Elizabeth,
c. 3, enaded, that perfons, bringing, delivering, fending, re-
ceiving, or taking, or procuring to be brought, &c. into any fhip,
or bottom, to be carried out of the kingdom, any ram, flieep, or
lamb, alive, (hould, for the firft offence, forfeit. all their goods
for ever, fuffer a year's imprifonment, and at the year's end have
their left hands cut off^in a market-town, to be there publickly
nailed up ; and, for the fecond off^ence, fliould fuff^er death. The
modes of punifliment in thefe ftatutes, and the general provilions
contained in the ftatute of Edward VI, have io near an affinity to
the Barbadoes law refpedting Negroe flaves, as to leave fcarcely
any doubt but that the Icgiflature of that ifland tranfcribed from
thefe precedents, which they found in the mother fl:ate. At the
time we firft entered on the fettleraent of Barbadoes, the idea of
flavery could hardly be extinguifl-ied in England; the firft emigrants
to the Weft-Indies, it is natural to think, carried with them fome
prejudices in favour of the villeinage lyftem, fo far as it might feem .
to coincide with the government of Negroe-labourers. . They

perceived

,496 JAMAICA.

t>erceived very il:rong traces of it in the before-cited ftatutes ; and
the expediency and propriety of rigorous penahies, were pointed
out to them, from time to time, after the reign of EHzabeth, by
the ftar-chamber judgements. Many other vertiges befides re-
mained flill frefh in the mother-country, which were iiipporred
by law; in the regulation, difciphne, and puniHiment (for ex-
ample) of vagabonds, of labourers, of apprentices, of foldiers,
leamen, the workers in coal and faltmines; all which favoured
much of the antient coercions under which they had lain, and
whicli indeed to the prefent hour have been little more relaxed, ex-
cept by mitigating the cruelty of fome punhhments, and giving a
prote<flion in life and limb againft wanton violences, vvhicli in
truth is no contemptible triumph over the extreme feverity of
th^ir primitive bondage. The penal laws in England were always
fanguinary, and ftill retain this favage complexion ; which has
given occafion to an ingenious author to aHert, " that they feem
" rather calculated to keep Jlaves in awe, than to govern freemen ;
*' they feem to contradift all notions of juftice, and confound all
*' diftinflions of morality. By the ignominy they impofe in many
" cafes-, they bend the mind to the loweft ftatc of fervitude ; by the
*' rigour thay indifcriminately inflift, they adopt the principles of
<♦ defpotifm, and rciskQfear the motive of obedience [z]."

One of the greateft imputations againft the Negroe laws is, that,
In many cafes, they leave the puniftiment to be inflicted arbitrarily
by their judges. This is precifely adopted from the law-martial,
enaded for the difcipline of the fleet and army, which leaves the
puniftiment to be invented, as well as proportioned, by the court.
The Negroes iu our colonies might, perhaps, have fared better, if
their mafters had taken the Athenian flave code for their guide,
inftead of ranfacking the ftatute-law of England for modes of
judging and chaftizing them. But the idea of affimilating to the
practice of the mother-ftate influenced them to this conformity in
thofe points, which perhaps lefs merited their imitation than any
other. It was a further difadvantage, that the firft form of govern-
ment, exercifed in thefe colonies, was of the military kind ; whofe
iandions did not tend in the leaft to diminifti their judicial afpe-

[z] Confiderations on Criminal Lair.

5 rity.

BOOK III. CHAP. V. 497

rity. The Africans, firfl: imported, were wild and favage to an ex-
treme: their intractable and ferocious tempers naturally provoked
their maflers to rule tliem with a rod of iron ; and the earliefl:
laws cnafted to afFeil them are therefore rigid and inclement, even
to a degree of inhumanity. By what means it happened, that,
from the firft colonization in the Weft-Indies, this race of men
were fo degraded as we find them, is not entirely clear. The
Englidi, probably, did no more than follow the fteps of the Portu-
gueze and other nations, who had begun, long before, to trade in
Negroes as a commodity, and to hold them as mere chattels and
moveables. Perhaps the depravity of their nature, much more
than their colour, gave rife to a belief of their inferiority of in-
telledl ; and it became an eftablilhed principle to treat thofe as
brute beafts, who had fo little preteufions to claim kindred with
the human race, except in the Hiape of their bodie?, and their
walking upon two legs inftead of four. However it might be,
certain it is, that the planters of that age thought it no greater
crime to kill a Negroe, than to knock a monkey on the head.

So foon as the African trade became a national concern, from its
importance, the parliament of Britain fell in with the general idea,
and confidered Negroes, purchafed from that continent, as a lawful
commercial property ; and this in fo ftrong a fenfe, that the greateft
oppreffion, under which our Negroes in the iflands at prefent la-
bour, arifes materially from the ordinance of that ftatute [a], which
declares them to be as houfes, lands, hereditaments, aflets, and
perfonal eftate, transferrable, and amenable to payment of debts
due to the king or his fubjefts. Since the major part of thefe Ne-
groes, efpecially in the older colonies, by having been born and
trained up in them, have appeared more humanized than their an-
ceflors, the laws in thefe places have worn a milder afpe£t : yet,
as thoufands are every year introduced from Guiney, who differ
not at all from the earlieft imported in barbarity of manners ; fo
the feverity of the firft inftitutions has ftill been retained in feverai
refpe£ls, which chiefly affed the Blacks of this clafs, although all
are equally bound by them without exception. This obfervatioii
leads me to enquire, whether fome diftindlion might not be taken,

["] 5Geo. 11.0,7. ancl likewife 13 Geo. HI. c. 14.

Vol. II. S s s by

/

498 JAMAICA.

by our colony-laws, between the native or Creole Blacks and the
imported favages ; and whether the laws might not be mitigated
'in favour of the former clafs, and (without a weak or effeminate
indulgence) be fo tempered, as to make their fervitude approach
near to a well-regulated liberty. This would confilt in givin?
them fuch a fecurity for life and limb, and fuch an attachment to
the place of their birth, as may ferve to fweeten their toils, and
engage them by the ih-ongeft ties to be faithful fervants and de-
fenders of the country. All punifliments by mutilation fliould be
utterly aboliflied and prohibited, becaufe they are fcandaloufly
cruel, not warranted by neceffity, nor juflified by utility; for it
cannot be proved, that they are more effedlual than more humane
methods ; and, when the laws of any country either didlate fuch
inhumanities, or connive at them, they lend encouragement for in-
dividuals to feed a bloody and vindi6live fpirit, which is difgraceful
to the members of a civilized fociety.

The puniflnnent by whipping fhould be brought within fome
limit; fo that ovcrfeers might not with impunity tranfgrefs,
through the heat of rage, a fit degree of jufl correction ; and as the
degree, fo the ;«/?/-«;;/£'«/, fhould be alcertained, and none permitted
which may lacerate or disfigure the body.

A white perfon, found guilty of wantonly murdering a Negroe,
lliould be adjudged a felon, and fufi'er death. If convidted of wan-
tonly maiming or difmembering (death not enfuing), and the owner
be the offender, the flave fo maimed fliould be adjudged to enjoy his
freedom, befides a compenfation for his maintenance, if he lliould be
fo difabled as to be incapable of earning a livelihood. But, if the
offence (hould be committed by another perfon, fine and impri-
fonment, with an adequate fatisfaftion in' money to the owner,
may be thought no inequitable punifhmenr.

The penalty of death for running U'lvav, or abfenting for a certain
fpace, (hould be commuted to fome milder for the firft offence;
and, for the fecond, tranfportation : but the inveigling, harbour-
ing, and concealing, fuch fugitives, might remain under the fame
rigorous penalties as at prefenr.

The fevereft punilhments ought, in juffice and policy, to fall oil
rebels, murderers, confpii'ers ngainfl the public tranquillity, in-
cendiaries.

BOOK 111. CHAP. V. 4,;(;

cendiarles, and rioters; runaways, found carrying unlawful wea-
pons; and fuch as ftubbornly and wilfully refufe to labour; for it
is in confiftent with the general welfare, that any fliould be rebellious,
guilty of outrage and violence, idle, or vagrant.

Lenity in fome points, rigid feverity in others, proteftion to the
well-difpoled, and difcouragement to the abandoned and difaffefted,
might prove the means of polifhing their manners, inciting them to
induflry, and cnfuring their voluntary obedience. But nothing
would more effedually operate to thefe purpofes, than the admitting
fome alteration in the prefent laws. for recovery of debts.

I have already pointed out, that making Negroes liable to be
feized for bond and fimple contrail debts, and hurried from one part
of the illand to another, conllitutes the chief oppreflion under
which they labour ; renders their fervitudc more bitter, and into-
lerable ; and produces a very great annual lofs to the public, by the
mortality which it occafions.

I am fenfible, that the exigency of commercial contra£ls, and the
mixt nature which the laws of commerce have afiigned to Negroes,
combat ftrongly againfl an alteration. But the law of humanity,
and the general intereft of the ifland, plead more forcibly in favour
of it ; and fince the utmoft a creditor can defire, is the payment of
his debt, or as good fecurity for it as his debtor can give, no injury
is done him, by changing an oppredive mode, for one that is
not fo.

If, for example, Negroes were made glebio adfcripthl't ^ affixed
to the foil, and only liable to pafs with it; it is evident, they ftill
might pals in defcent, or payment of contrads, or in fale. If bonds
and fmiple contrails were left to take their remedy folelv againft
other perfonal aflets, or againft the produce of the Negroes labour ;
or, thefe proving deficient, that then the whole eftate, land, and
Negroes, were liable to be fold colle£tively, for yielding full fat f-
fa£lion ; would the bond or fimple contraft creditor be put into any
worfe fituation than a mortgagee, who has at prefent identically
the fame remedy r Perhaps no fcheme might anfwer the intention
better, than the committing debtors eftates in tru/t, as I have pro-
pofedin thecourfe of tliis work : a variety of plans indeed might be
formed, for faving the creditor harmlefs; none however could be

S 1 f 2 carried

500 JAMAICA.

carried into execution, unlefsthe a6l of parliament, before cited, was
firft new modeled, and Negroes, more efpecially the natives of our
iflands, diftinguifhed fome degrees above fheep and oxen. To
make this improvement in the lyfiem of our colony laws, were
llirely not unbecoming that liberal Ipirit, which dignifies the prefent
age: but the reform fliould begin at home; and doubtlefs would
without difficulty be aflented to by parliament, if the provincial
aflemblies were, upon the conviftion of its utility, to facilitate their
concurrence, by fubftituting an equivalent lecurity to the creditor.
The circuity of adion and delay,- that attend recovery of mortgage
debts, might probably be abridged, and mortgage deeds be made as
negotiable in commerce, and as futnmary in their procefs, as com-
mon bonds; nor is there any juft reafon to be affigned, why that
mode of lecurity fhould not then be given for a debt of fifty pounds,
as well as for five hundred pounds ; in the colonies, many obflacles,
that prevail in the mother country, are removed at once by the office
where fuch contrads, and their afiignments from hand to hand, are
duly regiftered. So long as Negroes are leverable from the land,
every colony is retarded in its progrefs j for, as I have before re-
marked, it matters not (in a general view) how often the ownerfliip
of a Weft-India eftate changes hands, provided the Negroes pafs ivith
the land; but it is their feverance from it, which isefientially a de-
preciation of both, and extremely hurtful to the progrefs of induftry
and fettlement in thele iilands, particularly in Jamaica, where

property

" pundo mobilis horas

*' Nunc prece, nunc pretio, nunc vi, nunc morte fuprema,

« Permutat dominos, et cedit in altera jura \b]:'

'« Shifting every hour,

" By gift, by purchafe-, force, or fate's commands,

«' Changes its lord, and falls toother hands,"
To afcertain the Negroes who fhould pafs in this manner, would
not be difficult; fince every planter and landholder might be com-
pelled to deliver annually to the juftices and veftry upon oath, a lift
of the Negroes bond fide belonging to, and fettled upon, his refpe£l:ive
lauds; and where any doubt or difpute might arife, x.\\q onus probandi

[*] Hor. lib. 11. Epift. ii,

might

BOOK HI. CHAP. V. 501

might lie on the landholder. It is true, it may be faid, that fvery
landholder has the remedy at prelent in his own hands; he iias oidy
to make his contrails by mortgage, inliead of bond or note ; but the
prolixity ot mortgage deeds, which enumerate all the parcels of pro- .
perty, and contain a multitude of covenants and claufec, make them
lefs convenient for ordinarv tranfadions in borrowing and lendincr,
efpecially for fmall fums ; perhaps fuch deeds might be (hortened
without lofmg their efficacy ; but, if this be impraiflicable, we muft
then turn back to the firft propofition, in regard to bond^: and give
them effedlive operation again ft the planter's cattle, furniture, and
implements, or (thefe tailing) againft the annual produce, by f;-
queftration, until they are fully fatibfied. The iniquitous advan-
tages which have been taken of the laws, as they now ftaiul, are
innumerable: among the multitude of planters, fome \yill be found,
whofe hearts are petrified with avarice, and rapacity ; whofe views
all center in felf ; and who Ipar around with the keen appetite of
vultures, feeking whom they may devour. Iremember one of thefe
Iwrpies, who, in order to ftock his eftate with feafoned Negroes,
went fyftematically to work. He engaged the deputy marfhal in his
intereft, and having bought up judgements, extant againft. leveral"
inferior fettlers in his neighbourhood, caufed their flaves to be levied'
on, and fold ; he himfejf was the uiklerhandpurchafer, and thus
found means to advance his own fortune, upon the certain ruin of
many induftrious fettlers, who threw up their lands after beinf
ftripped. of their labourers ; and this furniflied him with a further
opportunity of driving advantageous bargains, by engroffing the con-
tiguous acres at a cheap rate.-

The fallacy of their opinion, who fuppofe, that no harm is done
by the (hifting of property, may be demonftrated in nuinberlefs in-
ftances more than I have already given; and they all tend to prove
thefe maxims : "That changing the property of lands from one
" owner to another, can be of no injury to this ifland, in hindering
"the fettlement and improvementof thofc; lands, fuppoling the (kill
*' in hufbandry pretty equal at an average.

" But changing the property of labouring Negroes from one
" o.vner to another, living in difterent places, obftruds the fettle-
*' ment of lands ; turns thofe already fettled into ruinate ; l.flens the

" number

502 JAMAICA..

" number of planters, dlminiflnes the flock of labouring Negroes,
■" and produces a certain lofs to tlie community in various ways."

There is every year a certain number of theie negroes, whofe la-
bour (if I may fo exprefs myfelf) is in ^^^_)'i7«c^, from the time of
heir being taken upon a writ oi venditioni, to the time of their being
being brought to a regular courfe of work again, at the place to
whicli they are removed' by their purchafer. The number of (laves fo
levied on, one year with another, I compute, upon the beft grounds,
four hundred ; and thattlieir lofs of labour is equal at leafl: to one
month each in the year, without taking into account tlie time fre-
quently fpent in their concealment, to prevent their falling into the
marfhal's hands. In fevcn years the account will therefore ftand thus :

-. . , ^ ,.. o r Value of lofs, com-

Levied 1 Negroes 2,800 . , n.

1 r r 1-1 f \/i .1 -^ puted at leafl: at

Lofs of labour; J Months 7] ^ ^ ,

L 04,000/. currency.

Of thefe Negroes, it is not eafy to difcover how many perifli by
change of place, nor the lofs on the fale fufl:ained by tlieir owners ; but
the latter muft be confiderable ; for, at an average, the Negroes, thus
fold, have not yielded above 26/. to 30/. trett, which probably was
not more than one third of their real worth, or what they would
have been appraifed at, upon their fiile with the land.

To conclude ; fuice Negroes are the fmews of Weft-India property,
too much care cannot be taken of them j and it well becomes a
Chrifl:ian legiflature, at the fame time that it conforms its policy to
what may refpeft their health, and ability for labour, to foften by
.every reafonable means the obduracy of their fervitude, fo as to make
them forget the very idea of -flavery ; together with this, I acknow-
ledge that flricl jufl:ice and equitable inftitutions ought to guarrantee
all legal contrads entered into either by the planter, or the merchant,
or other individuals : but if the rigorous exaftions of payment can
admit of any alleviating meafures ; if lands can be made more
transferable by writ of elegit, or other fcheme of extent^ or bonds
andlimplecontrai£l debts be payable by other means, than hauling
the Negroe labourers from one part of the country to another, tear-
ing them from their fettlement and family, aggravating the hardfhip
of their condition, and obftrudting the population and culture of the
ifland ; it well deferves the interpofition of legiflative wifdom and
humanity, to amend the law, to let juflice flow in a fmootii eafy

current,

BOOK III. CHAP. V. 5-03

current, or to rcftrain, where it tranfgreffes its bounds. It lias

been the opinion of very fenfible writers, that the intereft of our

colonies demands, that the Negroes fhould be better treated, and

even raifedto a better condition ; this, however, muil be undcrftood

with fome exceptions againft the imported Blacks, whofe favage

manners render them incapable of thofe benefits confident with the

fafety of the colonies, which perhaps might be granted to the natives

or Creoles, to a certain limit, without any ill confequence. Some

medium, it is faid, might be ftruck, between liberty, and that ab-

folute flavery which now prevails ; in this -medium might be placed

oil Mulattos, after a certain temporary fervitude to their owner ; and

fuch native Blacks, as their owners, for their faithful fervices, fhould

think proper to enfranchife. Thefe might have land allotted to

them, or fome fort of fixed employment, from either of which they

fhould be obliged to pay a certain moderate rent to the public.

Whatever they acquired beyond this, to be the reward of their in-

duftry. The neceffity of paying a rent, would keep them employed;

and when once men are fet to work through neceflity, they will not

flop there; but will gradually ftrive for conveniencies, and fome

even for fuperfluities. All this mull: add to the conlumption of

manufadtures, and the .cultivation of lands; and the colonies would

be flrengthencd by the addition of fo many men, who have aa

intereft of their own to fight for.

It becomes the gentlemen of Jamaica to fee the example, and
raife their ifland to the faiTie rank of fuperiority in the wifdom and
mildnefs cf its lavv^s, as it already enjoys in its extent and opulence,
above the other Britifli territories in the Weil- Indies ; let them
boldly purfue every meafure, which will tend to multiply their
psople, or to ftrengthen their country againll: foreign enemies ; let
^lem, in order to prevent domeftic ones, conciliate the attachment of
their Negroes by protection and encouragement, rather than leek to
exacl an involuntary obedience by aufterity and terror. In the
diftribution of our gratitude, we are bound to beflow fome fliare OU'
thofe, wliom God has ordained to labour^ T!ie julT: fubordination,
within the \\v\<t of which our Negroes mud be kept, does by no
means c'ifpenfe with our loving, and treating them humanely. We
are obliged to it, both from reafon and felf-intereft ; bodily flrength,
5. and:

504 J A M A 1 C A.

and their adaptation to the cHmate, would enable them to pafs from
the lowtft to the higheil ftations, and give the law to their mailers,
if they were willing unanimoufly to attempt it; but when thofe
who fill the loweft rank, are ufed with equity and benevolence, lb
far from becoming dreadful, by flocking together in order to tra-mple
upon us, they comply with whatever we require of them ; they offer
themfelves willingly to be our dtfenders, and are themfelves the
inffruments made ufe of to reftrain one .anxjther within the bounds
of their allotted condition. Among all the nations of antiquity,
flaves v»'ere no where treated with greater humanity than at Athens,
fo celebrated for the wifdom of its laws, and the refined manners of
its inhabitants.

Their (laves had an aflion againil their owners, for a£ls of outrage
and ill ufage; if the fail was proved, the owner was obliged to fell
his flave, who while the procefs depended, might retire into an
.afylum appointed to fccure him from all intermediate violence [cj.
The liberty of which the Athenians were fo jealous w-as not inter-
didled to their flaves ; the latter were authorized to purchafe their
freedom, in defpite of their owners, whenever they had amafled
the fum which the law had fixed for that purpofe. It was not
even unufual for a patron, who was content with the fervices of his
ilave, to grant him his liberty for a reward ; this was a flate ot
fcrvitude fo mildly regulated, that it differed but little in effentials
from abfolute freedom. Let the planters copy from this bright
example, as flir as prudence, and the difpofition of Negroes, can ad-
mit; if the native flaves in our colony can with fafety be brought
under an enlarged degree of proteftion, and fecured by rational pro-
vifions from violence and barbarity ; or be permitted to redeem
themfelves from perpetuity of fervitude, with the fliir and honed
earnings of their private induftry ; it feems highly ju(l, humani^
and politicj to favour them; that their allegiance to the country
and white inhabitants, may be more firmly engaged ; after obtaining
their freedom, it ftill remains by kgil regulations to enforce their
employing themfelves in fome honelT: courfe of livelihood; they
will then contribute largely not to the ftrength alone, but to

[c] This refembles tlie procefs under the antlent Englifli writ de Ubertate probanda, pending
which, the villein, laying claim to freedom, was protefted from the ve:xation of the fuitorwho
challenged him.

, . ' the

BOOK m. CHAP. VI. 505

the \realth and profperity of the ifland, aud to the profits of
Great Britain.

CHAP. VL

Regulations for preferving Health in JAMAICA.

.S E C T. I.
Place of HABITATION and AIR.

OBSERVATION of the effefts which the change from a cold
to a hot climate produces on hard inanimate fubftances, fuch as
wood, iron, and the like, muft naturally teach us to exped, that the
human body, a fyftem of tubes and glands, or matter delicately or-^
ganized, cannot pafs rapidly from the one to the other, without being
affeded in a proportionate degree.

As the heated air between the Tropics a6ls upon metals by expan-
fion ; fo, when it adts upon the human body, it relaxes the folid parts,
and rarefies the fluid, increafes the velocity of the blood's circulation,
caufes an unufual difcharge of the bile, and a regurgitation of it into
the ftomach, violent acute pains in the head, loathing of food, and
ficknefs ; hence feverifli diforders may enfue, which would be foon
and eafily cured, if no other predifpofing caufes fupervened.

The authors, who hav^e treated on this fubjeft with moft difcern-
ment, agree pretty uniformly, in afcribing the malignancy of Weft In-
dia fevers to a vitiated air, either at fea, or on fhore.

At fea, occafioned by noxious exhalations, raifed during long con-
tinued calms, when the water, not being agitated as ufual by the trade
winds, is fubjeft to become corrupt near the furface, where it is lefs
charged with fait, to preferve it from ftinking.

On (hore, by the like exhalations, excited by the heat of the fun,
from foul, oozy fliores, the naufeous ftagnant water of lagoons, and
the fetid mud or foil of low, fwampy grounds.

This morbid air, admitted into the lungs and circulation, may in-
duce a difpofition to putrefcency, and render thofe diforders of the
frame malignant, which otherwife, perhaps, the efforts of nature alone,
or but flightly aflifted, might have thrown off.

Vol. II. T 1 1 Such

5o6 JAMAICA.

Such an air may therefore be confidered truly poifonous to the hu-
man conftltution ; for which reafon, a firft and principal caution is,
to avoid it as imich as poffible ; or, at leaft, to correft its baneful
quality, or tendency, as much as may be, by fuitable antifeptic re-
medies.

As we remark, that water, whether on fhore, or in the ocean, will
grow corrupt in this climate, if, for any length of time, it is not put
in motion ; fo the fluids in the human body will become putrefcent,
if due exercife is too long neglefted : hence we may conclude, that
habitual indolence and inactivity are likewife to be reckoned among
tlie predifpofing caufes of bad fevers, in a hot climate. There are
praftical irregularities in regard to the reft of what phyficians have
called the jion-naturals, which mny tend either to generate or exafpe-
rate fuch fevers, and which I (hall occafionally advert to. Men who
commit thefe, fin with their eyes open ; but from the evils of a nox-
ious atmofphere ; numbers cannot fly, by realon of the duties of fer-
vice, and the exigencies of bufinefs. 1 fhall therefore give a firft atten-
tion to the injuries deriveable from this fomxe; and, bringing together
fuch general remarks on the means of (banning or couuterafting them,
Jis gentlemen of the faculty, the moft eminent for their fkill and know-
ledge in the fubjetl, have beneficently given to the public, apply ihem
more particularly to this ifland. In this detail 1 fliall endeavour to
fecond the humanity of their defign; claiming indulgence, at the fame
time, for thofe fupplemental precepts and ftrldures which may be inter-
fperfed, and meant to correfpond to the fame view.

The ingenious Dodor Lind remarks, that every country has its
healthy and unhealthy fituations j and he inftances, in refpedl to tKe
former clafs, the ifland of Portfea, near Portfmouth, and ihe town of
Brading, in the ifle of Wight ; he might have added the marflies of
Kent, Eflex, Lincolnfhire, and Cambridgefliire, and perhaps fome
other fpots in England. In the Weft Indies fuch low fwampy fpots
are ftlll more fat.il ; and they are infcfted with mulkeetos, which feem
as if placed there by the hand of Providence, to aftault with their
ftings, and drive away, every human being, who may ignorantly ven-
ture to fix his abode among them. It is inoft dangerous to pafs the
night in fuch places, and it is at fuch time that theie infects colleft in
fwarms, and make war on every daring intruder. In foipe parts of the
2 South

BOOK III. C II A P. VI. ^c

South American continent the torments they InfliiTtcd were fo Intolc-
fable, that many houfes, and even whole villages, were obliged to be
deferted by the Spaniards and Indians ; of which UUoa gives an ac-
count, who, in his paflage from Guayaquil to Caracol, fuff'ered inex-
preflibly from the multitudes which infeftcd the marfhy banks of the
river of Guayaquil, infomuch that their ftings penetrated througli all
his cloathing, and would not permit him to take one moment's repofe.
Such places in Jamaica are to be deemed undt for refidcnce ; but, in fo
extenlive an iOand, we meet with few of them in proportion, nor does
it abound with fituations that can be juftly rtigmatizcd for a natural
infalubrity.

There are various reafons to be affigned, why the inhabitants of
this ifland were formerly affli6ted with frequent vifitations of epide-
mic licknefs. When Europeans reforted hither in great numbers, they
were crowded into two towns, and inconveniently accommodated. A
buccaneering intercourfe fubfifted with the baleful coafts about Cartha-
gena and Porto Bello. In 1671, when the fleet commanded by Sir
Henry Morgan returned from that coaft, his crews brought with them
the malignant fever of Porto Bello, and the greater part of them died of
it ; the contagion fpread to thofe on fhore, v/here it produced a terri-
ble mortality. In 1741, a very great ficknefs prevailed here from a
fimilar diforder, imported by the troops, on their return from the
Carthagena expedition ; and the like had happened before in 1 704,
when admiral Neville's fquadron was on this ftation. The houfes
were inconveniently built, the difeafes of the Weft Indies were very
little underftood, and fuch contagious diftempers were often fatal, for
want of thofe remedies which were afterwards invented. Many lives
mud have been loft, by thefe putrid fevers, before the Jcfuits bark
was brought into general ufe, or copious bleeding exploded ; hundreds
periflied by the ravages of the fmall pox, before the art of inocula-
tion grew into pradllce ; multitudes have been formerly ftifled to death
in this climate, by confinement in clofe hot rooms, under loads of
bed-cloaths, and poUbned with their own atmofphere, while the frefli
air, which was their beft remedy, was moft induftrioullv excluded.
Nor is Jamaica fingular in having fuffered great depopulations by pefti-
lential maladies, imported into it from other parts. In 1 69 r, the ifland
of Barbadoes was invaded with a contagion, brought by an Englifh

T t t 2 fleet.

5o8 JAMAICA.

fleet, which continued to rage there more or lefs for twelve years,
and fwept off above a third part of the white inhabitants. In the
year 1740, the South Sea galleons, having touched at Guayaquil, in
order to fecure their treafure, on account of the war between Spain
and Great Britain, brought with them a putrid malignant fever, which
had never been known at that place before, and numbers died of it:
it is needlefs to multiply examples of what muft have happened to
every country carrying on any confiderable trade ; this caufe is very
diftin£l from local maladies, excited and nourifhed by fomething per-
nicious to human health, in the foil or atmofphere. In regard to
the latter, a foreigner, fays Lind, who fixes his abode on a fickly fpot
in England, as for inftance at Hi/fea Barracks, mull: not call the
climate of England imhealthy, becaufe he fuffers from the difadvan-
tages of a bad fituation ; fo, to apply this remark to Jamaica, an
European, who fixes his refidence at Greenwich near Kingfton, or in
the near neighbourhood of a lagoon, ought not to reckon the cli-
mate of this ifland unhealthy, becaufe he has fuffered by an injudicious
choice. The faft really is, as before has been ftated, that healthy as
well as unhealthy fituations are to be found in all countries ; but
that the Englifli, for the convenience chiefly of their trade, and fome-
times through ignorance, have generally fixed on the moft unwhole-
fome fpots, for the fituation of their towns in the Weft Indies. The
healthy air of Barbadoes is owing to that ilLmd's being entirely
slearcd of wood ; but the principal town there is fixed on a fwamp,
and-therefore perhapi incurably unhealthy. Bafle-Terre in St. Kitts,
St. John's in Antigua, are not lefs. fo, and, as I am informed, from
the like reafon 1_^].

The

[«] In the year 1766, fixtecn French Proteftant families, confilVng of/if/v perlbns, were fent,
at the expence of government, to IJ'cft Floritia; the ground allotted tor their refidence was on the
iiJeof a U\[\, fiiyroiiutli'd iv:tl> marflhs^ at the mouth of the river Scambia. Thefe new fettlers ar-
rived in winter, and continued healthy till the fickly months, which in that country are thofe of
Ju^ and Augiijl ; during thefe two months the annual fever of that climate proved fo fatal to them,
that, of the fixij, only fourteen furvived ; and even this fmall remnant were all in a bad Hate of
health in September, and moft ot them died in a (tw inonths attcnvards. Such cataftrophes are
(hocking ; efpecially when we confider, that if thefe indullrious people had been fixed on a healthy
fpot, not incommoded with the malignant vapours of a fwanipy foil, they might have lived many
years, and covered a large diftrifl wiih their offspring. Kalin gives another inibnce of fuch fatal
fituations, in the little town of iVj/c?/;, in I'enfylvania, adjacent to which are fome very low fwampy
nieatlows. They who come hither Irom other parts acrjuirc a very pale fickly look,, although they

enjoy

BOOK III. CHAP. VI. 509

The general proofs of an unhealthy fituation,in thk climate, are,

Firft, Sudden alterations in the evening air, from ftifling heat, to
a chilling cold ; this is perceived foon after funfet, and is accompanied
with a very heavy dew, which indicates a fwampy unwholefome foil.

Secondly, Thick noifome fogs, arifing after funfet, from mud,
flime, and other impurities, having fomething of the fcent of anew-
cleanfed ditch.

Thirdly, Innumerable fwarms of large mulkeetos, files, and other
infcdls, which attend putrid air and low unventilated places, where
they delight to breed.

Fourthly, Where butchers meat is foon corrupted, and in a few
hours becomes tainted and full of maggots ; and where wounds, nearly
brought to heal, fuddenly break out afrefh, attended with great pu-
trefiftion of the parts.

Fifthly, Where a dead corpfe becomes intolerably ofFenfive in lefs
than fix hours.

Sixthly, Where, by the fubfidence of the water in dry weather,
the channel of any river is left bare to the fun, and emits a difagree-
ble fmell, by night as well as by day, from putrid flime, dead fifli
and infeds, and other corrupted fubftances.

In fummer nights, the body is moft liable to fevers, becaufe of the
alterations of the air ; for, in the beginning of the night, it is fultry ;
in the middle, more temperate ; and, towards the morning, cool : by
which, the accuftomed flow of perfpiration is checked in timeof fleep,
by throwing off the cloaths. This is confirmed by all who travel in
hot climates; fuddencold, after warmth, makes a change in the habit,^
by repelling the tranfpiring fleams, which were copioully rifing ; in
thefe climates, therefore, it may be neccffary to cover the body, when
the nodnrnal dews happen, left the pores fhould be too iuddenly
clofed, which might produce fevers of the word kind.

The dew, which is moft unwholefome and dangerous, is that which
rifes imperceptibly from the earth after fmifet. This may eafily be

enjoy ever Co perfect health, and livrly colour, at their fird an ivriJ. In the month of May a mod
difagreeable fteiich annoys it from the fvTOmps ; the putrid vapours are \\ afted upon (he inhabitant-,
and are inhaled into their bodies together with the air which they breathe. At the end ol every fum-
merthey arefureto be afflided with intermittent fevers. A young couple, who came pairengers uitli
Kiilm, went, foon after their arrival at Philadelphia, in perfect health to Salem ; but in a few weeks
they both fell fick, and died before the winter was half over. A hot atmofphere, fo impregnated
with putrid particles and watery vajjours, cannct fail of producing diarrhte.as, dyfeuteiies, and
various Ivinds oi putrid and malignant fevers.

coUeded^

5IO JAMAICA.

colle6led, by inverting a bow], or glafs tumbler, and placinjr it on a
ftick, with the mouth about half an inch from the furfnce of the ground.
After fixing it thus at funfet, if it be examined about midiiight, it
will be found entirely covered within with watry globules, like the
cover of a boiling kettle, while the outfide perhaps is barely moilL But
if fuffered to remain the whole night in this poiition, the com'enied
vapour of the earth precipitating towards morning, in the ccol hours
before fun- rife, will cover the outfide alfo with the like appearance.
I have frequently obferved, that, in KingfVon, there isfomctitnes no
dew at all perceptible in the morning ; at other times, after heavy fhowers
in the Liguanea mountains, and a brilklaiid wind, it has been very co-
pious. In the former cafe, which happened in dry weather, there either
was no reek or perfpiration from the earth of the flreets,or the atmofphere
above continued in too warm a flate during the night to condenfe any
vapours which might afcend. In general, I think it may be concluded, that
it is not wholefome to be much abroad in this climate after dark, at
leafl without due precaution of putting on additional cloathing.

The befl prefervative againft the mifchievous impreflions of a pu-
trid fog, a fwampy or marfliy exhalation, is a clofe, (heltered, and
covered place, fuch as the lower apartments in a fhip, or a houfe which
has no doors nor windows facing the fwamp. If, in fuch place, a fire
be kept either at the doors or other inlets, as is praftifed in fome un-
healthy countries during their rainy or noifome foggy feafon, thefe
fires, together with the fmoak, prove an excellent fafeguard to thofe
within, againft the injuries of a vitiated atmofphere.

The cuflom of the Negroes in this refpeft, perhaps, may conduce as
much as any thing to their enjoying health in fuch marfhy foils, when
white perfbns are affected by the malignant effluvia, and contradt
licknefs; few of their huts have any other floor than the bare earth,
which might poflibly tranfmit noxious exhalations in the night, if they
did not keep up a conflant fire in the center of their principal room
or hall ; the fmoak of which, though intended todifperle the mufkeetos,
has another good effeft, the correcting the night air, and dilarming
it of its damp and chill, which might be prejudicial to their healths [(^].

In

[i] Doftor Trapham fpeaks to the fame efFeA : " Though water is a moft nece/Hiry conveni-
" ency, and its plenty and goodnefs a great accommodation to thefe fettlements ; yet, as the air
" itfelf is very moifl, we ought to covet as dry a living as may be, and therefore not to lodge

" ourfelvcs

BOOK III. CHAP. VT. 511

In fuch low fpots, even in this climate, the chili and denfity of the
air is fuch, as to render the breath vifible early in the morning, a cir-
cumftance which is not ob(erved in other parts of the lowlands.

Unwholefome fogs in Jamaica are, fuch as emanate from Ingoons
and marfliy foils ; but they are not common. The fogs of Sixteen-
mile-malk, and fome other places among the mountains, are not un-
healthy, nor have they any ill fmell. Thofe who inhabit plates where
fait or unwholefome marfhes are formed by frequent Inundations of
the fea, or where the (hores are lined with (linking ooze or mud,
and aquatic plants of a noxious quality, ought, during the fickly fea-
fbns, to retire into the country at fome diftance. The fafell retreats
are to be found on the fides of hills or mountains, where there
are no moradcs within three miles ; preferring alfo thofe fituations
which are not affedled by vapours fpringing from the circumjacent
valleys, at leaft in their perpendicular afcent. Experience confirms
the faft, that in fuch elevated fituations, where the foil is dry, and
clear from wood and ftagnant water, Europeans enjoy good health,
in the very hotteft climates, during all leafons of the year: but,
if perfons will obllinatcly run the hazard of their life and health, by
remaining all night, or deeping in unhealthy places, they cannot ex-
pedt to reap the beneS.t of fafety and fecurity from a healthy air in
their neighbourhood.

In every iflnnd, perhaps, fuch afylums may be found, where the
air proves healthy, and reftorative to European conftitutions.

The iflaud of Dominica is in mod places woody and unhealthy j.
yet there were feveral French families in it, who, by fixing their re-
lidence on the fides of hills, lived exempted fron:i the attack of
agues and fevers, the difeafes common there ; and thus enjoyed as
good a flate of health and conftitution, as if they hadbeen in P'rance,

The bell fituation for a change is, where the heat of the dayiel-
dom exceeds 70 on Fahrenheit's thermometer, and where the cold
pf the night is not more than 16 degrees lower on the fame fcale,

" ourfelves or fervants receptive of additional water from potids or rivers; for I have obferved
•* it matter of failj where fuch care hath been oinixted, more lives than ell'evvhere have been
*' flooded into S(yx. Belides its great prefei-v^tion in this refpeft, a dry lodging, nmoveJ at Uq/i
" one Jfoty from the ground, is approved the bell fecurity of our white ferrants ; as lor the Negroes,
♦• though their lodging be ne.ir the ground, they force off the moifttire of the earth by their con-
«» iiunt fires, and. thereby become healthy." r. 27. ^

512 JAMAICA.

or at 54 ; where the ground is cleared from wood and buflies ; has
310 flagnating water upon or near its furface ; where the foil is
fertile, and favours the cultivation of European plants, and the
health of European animals; and, laftly, where flieep, brought from
England or North Araerica, ftill retain, without inconvenience, a
ileecy covering. There are fpots of ground, in all the mountains
and hills adjacent to the towns in Jamaica, which, by induftry and
cultivation, might be converted into the moft healthy and delight-
ful rural retirements. In fuch places, on thofe eminences where
at prefent the chillnefs of the evening renders a fire comfortable,
and requifite to an European conflitution, the improvement of the
foil would gradually mend the quality of the air. Gentlemen,
who can afford to keep a horfe or carriage, after doing bufinefs
in Kingfton, or other maritime towns, might, before funfet, return
to fuch a healthy and pleafant country feat as is here recommended,
taking the precaution of never fleeping elfewhere during a fickly
feafon. Thofe, whofe circumftances and bufinels will permit, fhould
retire, efpecially in the night-feafon, to fuch places for health, un-
til they grow inured to the climate j and others, who cannot afford
this precaution, or whofe affairs will not admit of it, fliould be
immediately removed thither when taken ill. Should the change
of air not produce an inftantaneous recovery, it will at leaft miti-
gate the fymptoms of the diforder ; and, the ufe of medicines being
attended with more efficacy, a patient will more fpeedily I'egain a
vigorous ftate of health. When a perfon is feized with a fever, pro-
ceeding from the bad air of any place, his illnefs, whilft he con-
tinues there, is daily, nay hourly, aggravated, and reinforced, by a
conflant application of the morbid caufe. In this fituation, the beft
medicines, even the bark, have been ineffeiflual in relieving the pa-
tient, whilft thus inceffantly expofed to the fources of his difeafe.
'i''hey who labour under fevers, fluxes, and other difeafes of the like
violent nature, may be removed with the greateft fafety for change
of air. Such, therefore, as are taken ill during the rage of any epi-
demic ficknefs, Ihould be carried immediately into a purer air, ta
fome diftance beyond the reach of infe£lion ; and frequently, in thefe
cafes, this is a certain and immediate cure of itfelf: fo in 1765,
when a mortal ficknefs raged on (here at Penfacola, the crews of

the

BOOK III. CHAP. VI. 5i3

the men of war, lying at a mile's diftance from the town, enjoyed
the raofl perfect health ; and fuch patients, who, after their being
feized with the fever on fliore, were carried on board fhip, prefently
recovered; the difordcr, by change of air, foon loft its alarming
iymptoms, and was eafil}' fubdued ; nothing is more certain, than
that the fea air, and fea breezes, in this part of the world, are fpeci-.
fics for the removal of malignant diforders contra£led from a vitiated
atmofphere on the land. I fliall now apply thefe remarks more
particularly tojamaica. The lituation of Spani(h Town is liealthy ;
it has no marfhes about or near it ; and the rain water that falls
upon it is drained into the river by a pretty rapid defcetit. Nothing
more is needful to preferve this natural falubrity of its air, than a
well-regulated police, under the controul of the magiflrates, who
fhould provide, that the flreets and environs be kept clear from
filth, and all putrid fubftances, which might breed annoyance. The
air of all the Tropical countries is moft impure, immediately before
and after the periodical feafons; and, at fuch times, the greater cau-
tion m.uft be ufed to avoid catching colds, which may produce in-
termittent, or fometimes remittent, fevers. At fuch times, or when
any epidemic dlftempcr of a contagious nature is by accident brought
into the town, the adjacent hills afford a convenient and fecure retreat.
The town of Port Royal, being ahnoft furrounded with the fea
water, is juftly commended for the falubrity of its air, a certain
proof of which is the longevity of its conftant inhabitants.

The town of Kingfton, lying on a gravely flope, and open to
the fea breeze, would probably be a healthy place, if it was not ex-
pofed to infedtious diforders, brought into it from the fhipping; yet,
when any fuch malady begins to rage, the fick might always find
a falutary retreat among the Liguanea Hills. I have already fpoken
of the barrack at Stoney Ridge, in St. Andrew's ; the neighbourhood
of this place would doubtlefs be very well adapted for a retreat from
contagion, or for the recovery of convalefcents ; nor might it be
a lofing projeft perhaps for a builder to purchafe land here, and
ere6l a certain number of commodious houfes, to be lett for this
purpofe. Society might allure thofe to try the experiment, who
would otKerwife be averfe to.it, from a diflike to folitude ; and, in-
deed, nothing more alleviates the diftrefs and dejedion incident to

Vol. II. U u u fevers

514 JAMAICA.

fevers of the putrid clafs, than chearful company. The fituation of
the other towns is but indifferent ; but the inhabitants of all have
their places of retreat, if they could but refolve to make ufe of
them. For Old Harbour there are the Goat Iflands, and the Hills
of St. Dorothy. Savannah la Mar is at no great diftance from hills
and rifing grounds ; Lucea and Montego Bay are furrounded with
high lands ; at the latter place, in particular, the flat fpace for build-
ing is fo circumfcribed, that, as the town enlarges, the houfes muft:
be built on higher ground, along the fides of the contiguous hill;
which circumftance will one day contribute to render it populous
and flourifhing. The lower part of Kingfton, next the harbour,
having been founded upon foil recovered from the water, is too
much pent up with the fliipping that lie near the wharfs, and with
warehoufes and goods, to be eligible for paffing the night. Befides,
the mud near this quarter, whenever it is difturbed, either by the
violence of the furge in high breezes, or by the oars, poles, or boat-
hooks of navigators, is apt to emit a very putrid and unwholefome
flench i fuch fitiiations may either generate bad fevers, or exafperate
the fymptoms of thofe diforders which otherwife might eafily be
conquered.

Throughout this ifland, wherever we turn our eyes, it appears fb
crowded with hills and rifing grounds, ventilated always with a free
and falubrious air, that we cannot but condemn thofe perfons, who
chufe low, damp, and fultry hollows, for their conflant reildence ;
and who often fufFer from the ill effedls caufed by fuch fituations,
without difcerning the real fource of their bad health : but in time,
perhaps, when the importance of this matter comes to be more
ferioufly attended to, the planters will allow more weight to thofe
particulars in the oeconomy of health; which reafon and experience
combine to recommend.

Thofe whom fortune has bleft with abundance, fhould be ftudi-
-ous to preferve the lives of their dependents, whofe poverty perhaps
is their greateft crime. The cruelty of expofing the lives of men to
ficknefs or death, by re ft riding them to dwell in wretched hovels,
and on unhealthy ipots, needs only to be pointed out, inorder to be
relieved. The natural generofity, and benevolent difpofition, of the
planters will immediately lead them toadminillerthe certain remedy,
3 although

BOOK III. C H A P. VJ. 515

although It may be attended at firfl: with fome extraordinary cxpcncc
to them. The habitations of their white fervants fliould be fixed
on airy, dry, and elevated, fpot?, raifed fome feet above the furfacc
of the earth, floored, and conftruded either of timber and plaifter,
or brick, but never (if poffible to avoid it) of flone ; which is a
very improper material in this climate for dwelling-houfes, on ac-
count of the damp and chill which it ftrikes in rainy weather ; but,
whenever it is unavoidably ufed for fuch buildings, the effects may be
rendered lefs pernicious, by furrounding them with a flied or pi-
azza, or lining the walls with boards, or lath and plaifter, let off to
fuch a diftance as to let the air circulate between.

The like precautions muft be ufed in the eftablifhment of white
families, if the fpirit fhould ever revive of introducing and fettling
them in the ifland. The place allotted for their habitation fliould be
ftony, gravely, or at lealt dry, open to the wind, and remote from
the annoyance of vapourifh fwamps, or ftagnant waters.

It may happen, that many perlbns, from the urgent nature of
their employ inent and circumftances, may be obliged to remain in
unhealthy fituations ; in this cafe they muft ufe the beft means in
their power to guard themfelves from the local mifchiefs to which
they may be occafionally expofed. Such perfons fliould fleep in the
higheft apartments of their houfe, whofe doors and windows ought
to be fo contrived as not to front or open towards a damp foil or
raarfli. At thofe feafons of the year when fwampy exhalations are
moft to be dreaded, as after heavy rains, and great heats fucceeding,
fires made in the evening, and early in the morning, with lignum
vitas, cafcarilla, candlewood, and other refinous woods, or I'ubftances,
would be very ferviceable. A Guiney merchant of Kingfton, whofe
Negroes were feized with the fraall-pox, then raging malignantly ia
the town, put them all into a warehoufe, in which was lodged a
confiderable quantity of pimento, for exportation, whofe odour was
fo powerful as to fubdue the ofFenfive ftench of the diforder, and
refrefhed the patients fo much, that they all got through it fafelj.
But of all anilfeptic vapours, none is fo powerful as the acid fteam of
burning brimftone, for correding putrid air, and checking contagion.

In many parts among the mountains I have known houfes upon
elevated fpots not unhealthy, though furrounded with woodi. The

U u u ? greater

5i6 JAMAICA.

o^reater coolnefs of the air, in fuch places, and their dillance from any
ftagnant water, or fetid ooze, may contribute to their falubrity ; the
clearing away fuch woods, which fcreen the lower fituations, and in-
creafe their fultrinefs, by excluding the free air from them, will ren-
der them more habitable, but perhaps not add much to the healthinefs
of the former j for the reafon why the mountain woods are lefs inju-
rious than the clofe thickets of the low lands, is, that the trees ftand
further afunder, fo as to give a freer paffage to the winds and vapours ;
and confift, for the moft part, of the aromatic kinds, which ferve to
correal any noxious exhalations, with their fragrancy and perfume.
Their leaves in general are thick and firm ; their pores extremely mi-
nute, and filled with a refinous or glutinous juice ; by which means
they perfpire lefs, and are enveloped with a lefs baneful atmofphere,
than the trees of moift and low groinids. Pimento walks are remark-
ably healthful for refidence. Pcrfon?, obliged to rcfide upon or near
marfhy, unhealthful fpots, (hould avoid expofing themfelvcs, when
i^ifting, to the chills of the morning and evening air, and never go
abroad with an empty fl:omach ; but, previous to their labour, or
amufemcnt abroad, they (hould take either a glafs of wine, with a
ilice of bread, or drink a fmall quantity of chamomile or bark tea,
•or of an infufion of garlic, bark, and rhubarb in brandy ; which may
be taken either alone, or diluted a little with fome water, before tbey
venture out in the morning.

In all fuch humid fituationS fmoaking tobacco is beneficial; a? aKo
a more plentiful diet cf flefli, with wine, and the peppers of the coun-
try. The pit of the ftomach, the feet, and the back bone, are more
particularly to be guarded by coverings of flannel or cotton ; a fquarc
piece of thick dimitty, with a tape llrap to put round the neck, may
be worn next the Ikin, to cover the cheft and ftomach. This has
been experienced very conducive to health, in fuch places, and a good
preventative againft thofe colds and rheumatifms, which are apt, in
thefe climate?, to fall on the bowels, and caufe the belly-ach ; and,
to thefe precautions the daily ufe of bathing may be added, in the
forenoon, when the ftomach is empty. Strangers newly arrived at
fuch places, or thofe who are conftitutionally fubjeft to agues, fhould,
during the fickly feafons, take, every other night, two or three fpoon-
fuls of tin^ura Jacra, or a few grains oi pihtl^e ritf, not fufficient to

purge.

BOOK II. CHAP. VI. 517

purge, but only to keep the body gently open ; and, for further pre-
vention, a wine glafs of the [c] infufion of bark and orange-peel, la
water ; or a table fpoonful of a llrong [rf'j tinfture of bark, in fpirlts,
may be taken, diluted with water, occafionally, in a morning before
brcakfnft. When a perfon is attacked with a fit of fhivering, or the
chills of an ague, he ought to go to bed; and, mixing about two
ounces of white-wine vinegar with a quarter of an ounce of finely
powdered chalk, iliould drink them immediately, while in the ftate of
effervefcence. This draught generally fhortens the cold fit, brings
on a profufe fweat, and may be repeated in the fubfequent parox-
yfms. A mixture of fait of wormwood with lime or lemon juice>
taken in its elFervefccnt flate, is admlniftered for the fame intention ;
but the bcfl cure for an ague is the preparation fubjolned in the note [eV
which has rarely been found to fail in carrying it off.

For perfons on the recovery from thefe and other debilitating mala-
dies in the Weft Indies, no food whatever contributes more or fooner
to the refloratlon of ftrength, than a turtle, or fifh-dict, or nourifhing
fifh-foup, warmed with the fpices of the country ; and, if necefTary,
rendered more palatable by the addition of a little juice of ripe limes.

It has been a received opinion, that, upon change of air from a cold
to a hot climate, the firft fever or fit of ficknefs alters the conflitution
of the body, fo as to feafon it in the change ; and that fuch a ficknefs
is abfolutely necefTary to feafon and accommodate an European to it.
But this is fallacious.

Sicknefs, though often primarily caufed by the alteration of climate,
does not always adapt the body, nof feafon it ; nor is it abfolutely ne-
cefTary for that purpofe. For many perfons, either from fome con-
flitutlonal ailment, fome latent predifpofing fource in their habit, as
a fcorbutic taint, may fuffer reiterated fits of illnefs, without perceiv-
ing themfclves better reconciled to the change, than they were after

[f] §i. One our.ce of bruife.l baik, haU an ounce of four orange peel, half a pint of boiliiic
water; iafiifc thefe ingredients, and, alter fnffering them to fettle for fome time, pour off the
liqiior lb long as it lims clear.

[(/] 52. One ounce of pounded or bniifed bark, eight ounces of Frcnth fplrit of wine ; let it
fumd in. a warm place tour days, theu ftrain oiT, and bottle itfyrufe; it may prove more ctfT-
cacious with a flight addition ot rhubarb; or, in hot temperaments,. a very httle nitre, Linuc.

[t] 5^. Three drathms of bark, finely powdered, one drachm and half of Venice treacle, the
juice ot one a!)d halt comm'on-fized lemons, and fix table fpoonfuls of found red Port wine ;
mix the ingredients well, and divide into three equal parts ; one whereof to be taken at mornings
noon, and evening, of the well day, on an empty ftomach. This dofe is for a grouxi peifoa,
ind may be proportionably leflened for thofe of tender years.

the

5i§ JAMAICA.

the firil attack ; many others fuffer no iUnefs at all from the change,
but bear it well ; which proves, that licknefs or a fever was not re-
quired to prepare or adapt them to it. The thorough and proper
feafoniug to fuch a climate is brought about effeftually by remaining
in it for Ibme length of time ; and all fudden changes from cold to
heat, or heat to cold, produce nearly limilar effecfls. Thus, if 500
feamen or foldlers pafs from England to the Weft Indies, fetting out
in very cold weather, and arriving there after a quick voyage, many
of them will be feized with a diarrhoea, and with violent and mortal
fevers, if they indulge, foon after their arrival, in rum nenjoly di /Filled.
But, if the fame men are kept at fea, and the fliip does not put into
any unhealthy port, during the fickly feafon of the year, thefe men,
after being twelve months in the Weft Indies, will become perfedly
feafoned to the climate, and enjoy as good a flate of health, as if they
were in England.

So, if the fame men, after being fome years in the Weft Indies, are
relieved, and arrive on the Englifli coaft, in the winter time, they
will be again feized with diarrhoeas j the cure and removal of
which will intirely depend on keeping the patients warm. On their
change to the hot climate, the humours, unable to pafs off faft enough
by the outlets of perfpiration, fall on the bowels. On their return
from a hot to a cold climate, the outlets by perfpiration being fud-
denly clofed, the humours are repelled, and driven again upon the
fame parts ; and the keeping the patients warm is no more than re-
calling their bodies to the fame glow to which they had lately beeii
accuftomed, and thereby promoting a free difcharge by the Ikin.

It has been obferved, that mulkeetos are intolerably numerous in
thofe places in the Weft-Indies, which are leaft adapted to hu-
man habitation. They are found in the greateft fwarms among
lagoons, and fwamps on the fea coaft, and m little creeks flieltered
with mangrove trees ; in gullies which contain any ftagnant water;
in puddles on the flat country after the rainy feafons, and in river-
courfes in dry weather, where the water refts in detached hollows,
and becomes corrupted from the fermentation of aquatic weeds,
and fubfided fcum. Sometimes, I have known them driven from
their Ikulking holes, by the violence of ftrong fea breezes, to a con-
fiderable diftance up the country; but in general among the moun-
tains.

BOOK III. CHAP. VI. 519

tains, they are fcarce, very diminutive and feeble. They are
piincipally Iroublefome, and in fvvarms, after the periodical rains,
when the lowlands are drenched with water, and full of little pud-
dles, where thefe infeds depofite their eggs, and multiply the breed.

They are therefore no pofitive harbingers of unhealthy fpots, ex-
cept where they are found at all feafons of the year, in the greateji
abundance ; fuch are tiie places, where they can enjoy a warm
atmofphere, and water undifturbed by rude winds. They are found
in the mod healthy fituations ; they fwarm in all the provinces of
North America, and even in Canada in the fummer time; but it is
very certain, that in thofe countries, as well as the Weft-Indies, they
are mod numerous in the lead healthful parts ; and that the fummer
feafon is the moft fickly time of the year in North Amerrca. Thefe
infeds cannot exitl long, nor propagate their fpecies well, without
llagnant water. Dry weather, dry expofures, and a cool air, are
equally obnoxious to them; their favourite haunts therefore, and
fuch as feem mofl to promote their multiplication, arc to be rejeded
as the leaft fit (in proportion) for mankind to inliabit, at leafl:
during thofe months in the year when they appear molt vigorous
and numerous.

Butchers meat does not ordinarily grow tainted, in the lowlands of
Jamaica, under 30 to 36 hours (unlefs expofed to the fun). When
hung up in an airy (haded place, and proteded from flies, it will
keep longer. In the mountains, I have eat beef corned and boiled,
very good and fvveet, after five or fix days keeping ; and pork
pickled here of a twelvemontli old. Corpfes are kept, on the South
fide of the i{land,in general, twenty-four hours or more, according to
the nature of the difeafe, and feafon of the year, before interment,
without becoming ofFenlive.

The effects obferved here on metals expofed to the air, is no
criterion of an unhealthy flate. This rufting, or corrofion, par-
ticularly remarked on iron or fteel, is thought to be occafioned by
a muriatic acid, or by nitrous particles, with which the air of this
ifland is impregnated. I have fcen iron work upon one of the
higheft ridges of the mountains, in as healthy a fituation as any on
the globe, corroded in as great a degree as in any part of the low-
lands. I obferved, on a large iron fcale beam fufpeiided clofe by the

fea.

520 J A M A r C A.

fea, that the fide next the water was cankered with rufl: in the cditrfe
of a few iveeks after being hungup; but the oppofite fide remained
perfectly found, and tlie paint as frefli as at firft.

Tranfient fliowers here, though foraetimes very heavy, do not
leave the air affefted witli raoifture ; and thefe metals ruft leaft here
during rainy weather.

May not fuch irrigations dilute, condudl, or carry off, thofe par-
ticles floating in the atmofphere, \vhich at other times a6l as
men/lrua upon iron ? or, may they not render them lefs aflive ?

Fixible or mcphitic air a£ls very powerfully upon iron but has
not any efFefl upon copper. But copper is corroded in this climate,
tliough not foviolenly as iron. The volatile vitriolic acid diflblves
both ; this latter fubftance has been conjeftured to be plentifully
diftributed throughout the univerfe, in the fubterraneous regions,
and even in the atmofphere ; it is conftantly prefent in the eleBrical
Jluid v/hlch is diffufed in fuch great abundance between the Tropics ;
and from thefuppofed exiftence of it in the air, it has been called,
the Jal acidum vagum univerfale [/]. We may therefore venture, per-
haps, to afcribe the effedl obferved to this caufe, until fome more
probable, or powerful, agent fliall be difcovered.

Having now laid down general rules for diftinguifhing a good
from a fickly fituation I proceed to another ellential article, which
merits attention from all Europeans, coming to refide in this
climate, viz.

SECT. II.

C L O A T H I N G.

Fafhion and cuftom, fays Dr. Hilary, are two prevailing things,
which enflave the greater part of mankind, though often in oppofi-
tion both to reafon and convenience, and particularly in our drefs;
for no doubt but the loofc, cool, eafy drefs of the Eaftern nations,
their gown or banyan, is much eafier and better fitted for ufe in a
hot climate, than the Englifh drefs, which is clofe and tight. All
who have tried both, find it fo : but, fuch is the influence of fafliion
and cuftom, that one may fee men loaded, andhalf melting under a
ponderous coat and waiflcoat, richly bedaubed with gold lace or

[y] Falconer.

embroidery

BOOK III. CHAP. VI. 521

embroidery on a hot day, Icarcely able to bear them, and little con-
fidering how much they injure their conftitutions by a fweltering
load of garments, of vvhofe inconvenience they cannot but be fenfible ;
ar.d under whole preflure, they cannot but feel the mofl uneafy
lenllitions.

A banyan is the drefs of the mandarins at the courts of China
and Japan, of the nobility and gentry at Indoftan and Perfia ; and
why it Ihould not be adopted in other hot countries, cati only be
attributed to the tyranny of cuftom, which is ever perverfe, and
whofe councils refemble the laws of the Medes and Perfians, which
altered not. If a Chinefe mandarin was to be crammed into a fuit
of Englifli cloaths, he would look like a hog in armour, and feel as
much diftrefs. But wrap an Englifhman, under the torrid zone, in a
Chinefe banyan, and he would efteem it luxurioufly delightful ;
cuftom arbitrarily forbids him to enjoy fo much blifs, and commands
him to drefs in the modes of London and Edinbugh. It is not how-
ever unwife to borrow fo much from the flifliious of other nations,
as we may pra£life ourfelves with equal advantage. To come
nearer therefore to Jamaica, let us obferve a little the management
of our Spanifli neighbours. All their cloaths are light ; their
waiftcoat and breeches areo( Bretagfie linen, and their coat of fome
other thin ftufF. IV/gs are not much worn among them ; only the
governor and chief officers appearing in them, and that mollly on
public occaiions. Neckcloths are likewife very uncommon ; inftead
of thefe, the neck of their fliirt is adorned with large gold buttons,
or clafps, and thefe are fuffered to hang loofe. On the head, they
wear a cap of very fine, thin, and white linen. Others go entirely
bare headed, having their hair cut from the nape of the neck
upwards. Fans are very commonly worn by the men, made of a
thin branch oit.\\Q palmeto, in the form of acrefcent, with a ftick of
the fame wood in the middle for a handle. Their women wear a
kind of a petticoat, which they call a polleni, made of thin filk,
without any lining; and on their body a very thin white jacket;
but this is only put on, in what they call their winter, during the
rainy feafon ; for, in the hot months, they think it inlupportable.
Although this attiie is (o fimplc and loofe, yet it is decent ; ^ot they
Vol. II. X X X always

522 JAMAICA,

always lace in fuch a manner as to conceal their breads. Wheo-
they go abroad they wear a mantlet or (hort cloak. The richnefs of
their drefsdoes not confill:, as with the Englifh ladies, in a multitude
of things piled one \ipon another; but in the fined linen, laces,
and jewels, fo difpofed as to add very little to incovenience, and to
produce the mod ornamental effe£t.

On the head, they wear a cap of tine linen covered with lace,
and worked into the Ihape of a mitre ; which, being plentifully
ftarched, terminates forward in a point, not eafily difcompofed. This
they call panitOy and it is worn by the ladies, and other native
Whites, as an undrefs; nothing can be more becoming, and, having
ufed themfelves to it from their infancy, it fits upon them with a
better air. Our Englifl) belles in Jamaica differ very widely from
thefe madonas. They do not fcruple to wear the thickeft winter
filks and fattins ; and are fometimes ready to fmk under the weight
of rich gold or filver brocades. Their head-drefs varies with the
ton at home ; the winter fafhions of Lo?idon arrive here at t!ie
fetting in of hot weather ; and thick or thin caps, large as an
umbrella, or as diminutive as a half crown piece, are indifcrimi-
iiately put on, without the fmallefl: regard to the difference of
climate; nay, the late prepofterous mode of drelhng female hair in
London, half a yard perpendicular height, faftened with fome fcore
of heavy iron pins, on a bundle of wool large enough to fluff a
chair bottom, together with pounds of powder and pomatum, did
not cfcape their ready imitation; but grew into vogue with great
rapidity, and literally might be affirmed, to turn all their heads; for
it was morally impoffible to avoid ftooping, and tottering, under fo
enormous a mafs; Nothing furely can be more prepofterous, and
abfurd, than for perfons reiiding in the Weft-Indies, to adhere
rigidly to aH the European cuftoms and manners; which, though
perhaps not inconvenient in a cold Northern air, are certainly im-
proper, ridiculous, and detrimental, in a hot climate. How perverfe
is an attachment to thick bufliy periwigs (the fit antidotes to froft
and fnow), under a vertical fun ; or complete fuits of thick broad-
cloth, laced from top to bottom, in a country where there is not
the leaft occafion to force a fweat ! The proper coats for this
climate are of the lighteft Englifh broadcloths, commonly known

by,

BOOK III. CHAP. VI. ...523

by the name o^ herfeymcres, maile without any Iming or lace, eafy
and loofe. The waiftcoat and breeches fhouldbe of cotton (corded
or India dimity for example), in preference to linen, as it prevents
catching cold ; a circumftance not well to be avoided in a linen drefs,
which is no fooner moift, than it flrikes a very fenfible chill, fo as
frequently to obftru6l perfpiration. The fame fubflcince is alfo
proper for flockings. Mod men however, in this ifland, wear linen
drawers in preference to linings, for the fake of cleanlinefs; and
prefer the RulTia drab for breeches, as it is very durable, and has a
neat look.

White hats are bed adapted to this climate, on account of their
being light and cool. The black hats abforb the fun's rays, and
are fometimes extremely inconvenient. All white fervants there-
fore, foldiers, and others, whofe employments may neceflarily
oblige them to be often expofed to the fun in the heat of the day,
fhould be furnifhed with white hats inftead of black ; the former
repelling, the latter imbibing, the heat [/] ; and experience convinces,
that light-coloured cloathing is by far the cooleft in this part of the
world, and black or dark-coloured the hottefl ; for the fame reafon a
full mourning, or black fuit, is improper here ; becaufe, in fucli
cloaths, the body is more heated by the fun in walking abroad, and
heated at the fame time by the exercife; which accumulated fervour
may occafion dangerous illnelles. They are prudent, who, inftead
of this, wear a fcarlet, with black cuffs and button holes, by way
of mourning; for nothing is more likely to fubjeft a perfon to
catch cold, and a fit of ficknefs, tlian a fudden change from an
habitual light and cool drefs, to one twice as hot ; and as fudden a
return again, after a time, to his former mode. On the fame princi-
ple, the ladies hats or bonnets fhould be lined with black, as not
reverberatitig on their faces thofe rays of the fun, which are reflefted
upwards from the earth and water, and occafion freckles, or tan.
And hence alfo it appears, that putting a bit of white paper within

[/] This is illuftrated by Dr. Franklin's experiment, who took a numberof little fqiiare pieces of
liroadcloth of various colours, aird laiJ them all out upon the fnow, in a bright fun-fiiiny morning. ,
In a tew hours, the Mack cloth, being moft warmed by the fun, funk fo Jeep as to he below the action
of the folar rays. The dark blue, almoft as deep. The lighter blue not quite fo much as the dark.
The other colours llill lefs, in proportion as they were lighter; and tb.e white remained on the
futface of the fnow, not having fuak at all.

X X X 2 the

524 JAMAICA.

the crown of a black hat will not keep out the heat, though it
would, if placed ivithout [g\

Travelers in this climate ftiould b^ careful always to change their
cloaths after getting wet by riding in the rain. It is a common
pra£lice here, as in the Eaft-Indies, to cool bottled liquors by
wrapping cloths dripping-wet round the bottles, the warmth
which the liquors had contraded evaporating with the water as it
palies from the cloths; and the operation is greatly facilitated by
fetting them in a fhaded place, where they are acceflible to the
wind [/:»]. A traveler, caught in rain, is much in the famefituation
as one of thefe bottles, and, by the quick evaporation of his natural
warmth, perceives his body chilled and aguifh. It is ufual here to
flrip, and rub all over with rum, and then put on dry cloaths;
which prevents any ill confequence.

Having nothing naore material to add on the fubjedl of drefs, I
fliall next fpeak of,

SECT. III.

Diet ^«^ general Regimen of hiFE.

A LEARNED phyfician [/'] has given it as his opinion, that, as
the time approaches for feamen to enter hot climates, their diet
fhould, by pofitive inftitutions, be varied from what is ufual at
land, or at fea, in Europe ; that inftindl has taught the natives
between the Tropics, and in all hot climates, to live chiefly on ve-
getable diet and fubacid fruits; for which reafon, devouring large
quantities of flelh-meats, and ufing the fame hard indigeftible food
as might pafs off in cold weather, or more Nortiierly regions, mufl
alone have proved the caufe of the deftru6lion of many Englifh
lives. He, therefore, recommends for trial, in hot climates, that
the feamen on board men of war fliould not have fait meat of any
kind above once a week, or twice ; beef and pork alternately ;
and that every other fpecies of allowance fhould be provided ia
much greater abundance than is commonly done for fea-voyages :

[g'\ Franklin.

[A] If thefe cloths were wetted with rum ; <H-iery, if the)' would cot tender the li<jiiors ftill
cooler ?

[/•] Brocklefby.

by

BOOK lir. CHAP. Vr. 525

by wliich regulation, he thinks, many of the ordinary mifchicfs,
attending the conftant ufe of putrefccnt faked meats, may be pre-
vented.

The example of fome people in the Eadern part of the world has
been quoted, by many writers, to (liew that vegetables are the na-
tural appropriated food for hot climates ; but there are fome cir-
cumftances attending it, in thofe Eaftern climes, which efcaped
obfervation, or were not known. The truth feems to be, that the
iinimal food, in fome of thofe Eaftern parts, is naturally unfit for
food; of which Mr. Ofbeck mentions inftances. The Gentoos at
Surat eat nothing but milk, butter, and vegetables. They have
fielh in great plenty, but fuch as probably is not very wholefomc,
efpecially to thofe who come on ftiore after a voyage, and indulge
their appetites. They are fubje<fl to vomitings and diarrhoeas, and
are in danger of lofing their lives. On this account, Mr. Olbeck
is of opinion, that Brama, or whoever at firfl: gave law to thefe
people, had difcovered that thefe meats were very unwholefome to
the Malabarians. " If all the Malabaric oxen (continues he)
*' were like thofe which we got, it is no wonder that the Gentoos
*« will not eat their flelTi ; the meer defcription of them would
" make the mofl hungry lofe their appetites." And he attributes
to this meat, that many of the SwediQi failors were afterwards ex-
ceedingly tormented with intolerably bloody ulcers. This gen-
tleman's conje£lure on the origin of their total vegetable diec feems,
therefore, well-grounded ; efpecially as the Jewidi law-giver pro-
hibited the ufe of fwine's flelh, which in Palefline, perhaps, had
a particular ill quality, and was thought to have firft produced that
horrid difeafe the leproiy, with which the inhabitants were fo
much afflifted.

It is by no means certain, that a total vegetable diet is proper in
hot climates, at leafl: not in all of them, nor at .all times indifcri-
minately. Although vegetables in thefe climates are better con-
cofted and matured by the heat of the fun, and tnerefore more nu-
tritious, and in general whotefomer, than in Europe ; yet^ after
violent rains, the vaft quantity of waer that defcends upon the
earth renders all forts of roots, phu.ts, and fruits, for feme time,
crude and unwholefome. This more efpecially happens, if a courfe

01

^.6 J A M A I C A.

of hot dry weatlier has preceded; for the heavieft rahis always
; follow fuch weather ; and all vegetables then imbibe the water in
a prodigious quantity, till they are faturated. At fuch times, they
are very improper food, and often caufe very dangerous fluxes
among fuch of the Negroes as make too free with them. A ve-
getable diet, from its extreme flatulence, occafions other diforders,
inflates the body into an immoderate fize, and may thus give an
appearance of fatnefs ; as Mr. Olheck obl'erved of the Geiitoos.
Some of the Negroes have the like tumefadions, which would
more frequently occur, if they did not ufe flilt apd the country
peppers very liberally. The flefli of fowls and cattle comes fooner
to maturity here than in Europe. The texture of it is loofer, and
the mufcular and tendinous parts lefs rigid. I'heir flefli, therefore,
is not fo grofs, heavy, and hard of digeftion, as in Northern cli-
mates; but approaches nearer to vegetable food in its nature. A
total abftinence from animal food, in Jamaica, would probably
increafe the relaxation already promoted by the climate, and debi-
litate the bodily vigour to a very dangerous excels. Even the
Gentoos, we find, do not wholly abll:ain ; for they ufe milk and
butter (perhaps no fmall portion of their meal), which are nu-
trimental, and help to qualify the deleterious efFefts of their
vegetables.

The moft appropriated diet, in my opinion, for thfe Weft-Indies,
is a conftant mixture of animal and vegetable food, (if any thing)
inclining to the vegetable ; that is, it an equal proportion be ex-
ceeded, it ought to be in favour of the vegetable [/(']. And fuch is the
variety and multitude of this clafs, moil, of which are adapted to

[k] It is certain, that, fo long as men have plenty ot vegetables, and will ufe them, they are
never troubled with the fcurvy, whether they live in moill, wann, or cold climates. On the con-
ciary, where there is a total want of them, all writers agree, that this clifordtr (or tendency of the
animal juices to putrefaction) is the immediate confequence.

Dr. Falconer has a very judicious remark in refpedl to the preparation of flefh-meats in hot
cViinates. " Meats Htfk dene" fays he, " are certainly eafieft foluble; but they are, at the fame
" time, c.vccedingly akakfccut, and run quickly into putretaction ; fo that it is much to be qvie-
" ilioncd, whether they are to be chofen for thofe who eat a large proportion of animal food, as
" fuel', diet would be apt to induce a habit of body highly fcorbutic, or tending to putrefaiflion,
" except taken v.'ith a large proportion of vegetables." On this account, he fufpec'b, that the
French (^who, for a warm climate, eat a large quantity of animal food) eat their meat fo much
loailed, or boiled, from a kind of natural inftin£l, in order to obviate its feptic tendency, which ij
rr.i'ch augmented by the greater heat of the cliipite.

jl nourifh,

BOOK III. CHAP. VI. 52;

nourifli, orrefreHi the body, that the dainticfl peiTon need not beat a
lofs in felefting fuch as are moft palatable to him. The olio?, or
pepper-pots, here (which conftitute the ordinary food of the Ne-
gi-oes, were the moftefteemed diflies among the Spaniards, and are
equally reliflied by our natives or Creoles) confirm the propriety
of luch a diet as I have propofed ; for they confift of flefh or fifli, ■
greens, roots, plantains, okra-pods, and pulfe, differently mingled
and prepared; fo that there is a great variety in their preparation
and flavour ; and every change in fucceffion of the ingredients
prefents fome novelty, which is certainly no fmall recommendation ;
for they can be fo altered in tafte, by putting in fome vegetable or
animal ingredients, and omitting others, as to feem entirely a new
difh ; and they are unqueftionably a moft wholefome kind of food
for Europeans newly arrived, provided they are not too highly
feafoned with pepper.

Inftead of attending to what reafon points out, moft Europeans, ■
after their arrival here, perfift in devouring vaft quantities of ani-
mal food, with very little (if any) mixture of vegetable : they
indulge in bad butter, cheefe, falt-beef, ham ; and wafli them
down with deluges of porter, ale, bad cyder, and all forts of wines.
The butter imported hither is often in a ftate of putrefcence when
it arrives; in general, it is rancid. So acrimonious an ingredient in
diet is noxious to health, diforders the flomach, and, oftener than is
fufpecled, gives rife to thofe terrible fevers, whofe fource is a viti- -
ated bile [/].

[/] The nourifliment is extremely hurtful which is drawn from fiibftances difficult to be dil- ■
foWed, which tend to putrefaftion, and cannot eafily be aflimilated ; fuch as dried-fifli, and par-
ticularly cheefe, which is often putrid, bacon, and old oil. Butter, in warm climates, by being kept
a fliort time on board fliip, grows rank and fetid ; for it frequently happens in fhips, j)artlcularlv •
thofe bound to the Weft-Indies in a warm feafon, that it melts away, like oil, in the firkins, by
which it lofes great part. ot its fait; and, the inteftine motion being iucreafed by the heat, il ■'
becomes bitter and ft;inks. Such grofs food not only refifts the powers of digeflion veiy much; .
but the juices, drawn from them, aie of a very aciid mature. Rouppe.

Many particles ot fielli, though caretully faked, will in time grow putrid, as appears from Dr.
Addington's experiment; who put a fmall piece of fiilted beef into water, and at the fame lime ■
a like piece of frcfli, unfalted beef into another like cjuaniity of water, and found the faked flefli
to iVink firfl; ; which proves the tendency of it to putiefaftion, though the fait kce];s it from oN
fending the talfe or fmcll : fo that faked fiedi, as well as putrid air, has a tetideucy tooccafiou the ■■
fcuivy, as v.ellas otlier putrid diflempers. .

Chocolatft'ti

528 J A M A 1 C A.

Chocolate is wholefome, and well-adapted to repair the lofs
fuiiained by liberal perfpiration ; but it ought not to be too freely
ufed by Europeans at their firft arrival at lead, unlefs it is well di-
luted with milk and water, in which way many of the Creoles
prefer it.

All thofe fubftances fliould be cautloufly fliunned which difpofe
the blood to putrefadion. Such are all rancid fats and oils; tainted
flefli or fifh ; a fle(h or fifh diet, diluted with fimple water alone;
and excefs in all fpirituous liquors. Inftead of this, fuch a diet
fhould be obferved as tends to acefcency ; for this intention are all
the varieties of vegetables, combined with found frefli meat of Hefh
and fifli ; and the lubacid fruits, as lemons, oranges, fliaddocks, &c.
and wine, particularly Madeira, which, diluted with water, is one
.of the wholefomeft drinks in the Weft-Indies; it is highly anti-
leptic, flrengthens the ftomach and organs of digeftion, and far
preferable to the French wines. Next to this is weak punch,
made with ripe fruit, and rum of at leaft a twelvemonth's age.
The vaft abundance of mild, vegetable acids, as well as the various
fpecies of peppers, diftributed to thefe climates by the hand of na-
ture, is a moft benevolent provi(ion. The moderate ufe of them,
confidering the tendency of the folids and fluids to be relaxed, and
contradt a putrefcency, is abfolutely necelTary ; and we find the na-
tives, white and black, covet them with a fingular avidity.

The bilcuit and flour, imported from North-America, are very
apt to harbour weevils, efpeciaily when they are kept for any
length of time. Thefe inl"e6ls have fuch a cauftic quality, that,
when applied to the Ikin in form of a poultice, they will raife a
blifter like cantbaridns. How baneful then muft their effefts be
on the tender coats of the Uomach and bowels ! The beft means
of driving them away, or deftioying them, is by expofing the flour,
or bifcuit, to the fun, in the heat of the day, before it is ufcd, or
heating it in a hot oven : the former method compels thefe infedls
to fhift their quarters ; the latter kills them, and takes away the
mufty fmcll they have occafioned : care, however, muft be ufed to
pick out all the dead, which ought never to be mixed with food.

Diforders of the putrid clals are the moft to be dreaded by Eu-
rcpeans in this climate. Perfons, indeed, living in England and

colder

BOOK III. CHAP. VI. 529

colder climates, are not exempt from thcfe maladies; and they
liappeu in both, mod commonly, from irregularity of diet, want of
proper CKcrcife, or from debauched habits of life.

An European, on arriving in Jamaica in good health, muft re-
folve, immediately after he is landed, to purfue a regimen of diet,
fomewhat different from what he had been accnftomed to at home.
lie flioiild eat lefs fleih-meat, and incrcafe his allowance of vegeta-
bles. This diet requires wine ; but even wine fliould be mode-
rately taken, and chiefly confidered as a mixture neceflary to cjualify
and counterad the putrefadive tendency of plain water. On the
voyage to this illand, he fliould not gorge in lalt-meat; but, laying
in a fl:ock of European vegetables, particularly onions, pickled-
cabbage, and the like^, eflablifli feme or other of them as a part of
his daily meals. It is perhaps much owing to the confiant diet
upon onions, that the Portuguefe at Madeira enjoy fuch good health
and vigour. What thefe men eat through necefllty, others may by
choice; fince the objedl to be obtained is worthy their purfuir,
found health, and the pofleflion of flrength and faculties.

But as an Englifliman, who has been ufed to a plentiful diet of
flefli during the former part of his life, might fuffer by a too fuddea
or unlimited abftinence from it; fo it is mod: advifeable for them
to change and qualify it gradually, abating a little of their flefh-
meat every day, until they can bring themfelves to a due proportion
of animal and vegetable dinners, without futtering any fenfible in-
convenience. Their greateft danger is, that, on firft landing,
they find their appetite unufually keen, after the tcedlmn of fliip-
fare, for five or fix weeks at fea, and flimulated by the fight of
feveral dainties they have been before unacquainted with ; thus
flrongly folicitedto gratify their palates, they may fiill into hurtful
exceffes, if they are not on their guard. A proper diet, with ex-
ercife in moderation, and the avoiding excefles in eating and drink-
ing, particularly the former, will procure and preferve a good flate of
health ; and a man, who regulates his life by a due conformity to
this regimen, need not doubt of enjoying it in as great a degree
here, as he might have done in other parts of the w^orld.

Inflammatory fevers arc not common in the Weft-Indies; nor
a buffy appearance of the blood. The reafons afiigned for this ex- :
V'oj,. II. Y y y cmption

530 JAMAICA.

emption are, the warmth and moifture of the crimate, ccpious
perfpiration, and acidulated druiks. Excefs in eating, drinking,
and exercile, between the Tropics, neither corroborates the fohds,
nor increafes the denfity of the blood: thefe errors in the non-na-
turals may render the Wefl-India blood acrid ; but they certainly
render the bile peccant both in quantity and quality. This is the
paffport to all the fevers in the Wefl- Indies ; for it may well be
doubted, whether ever the blood is the primary feat of a fever,
unlets in perfons newly arrived in the lorrid Zone. Of courfe,
the impropriety of frequent bleedings, as always praftifed by the
French, and too often by the Englilh furgeons, mufl be obvious ;
and the neceffity of carrying off the peccant matter by vomit and
flool, no lefs apparent. This opinion is flrengthened by ex-
perience of the almoft conflant fuccefs which attends the treatment
of them in this way ; and the great mortality which has followed
the free ufe of the lancet : and hence likewife appears the great
efficacy of antimonial preparations, and of James's powder in par-
ticular, which operate in the manner recommended, and feldom
fail of making a cure, if relbrted to in time [;«].

Fevers in the Weft-Indies feldom put on the appearances of in-
flammation beyond the firfl: twenty-four hours ; after that, they
become putrid, or malignant, and nervous.. In the firft Itage only
of the difeafe, blood may be let, and even then in a very fmall

[*■/] Tl'.e firft change, caufed by the tranlition from a cold into a hot cliinate, is a rarefailion of.
aji the humours in the body,, and of the blood among the reft ; and, when the containing veflels.
do not expand fufficiently to give it a free circulation, the confequence muil neceflarily be a fe-
verifli heat, anxiety about xha prceconlia, a difficulty of breathing, violent pains in the head, and
iineafinefs. Thefc lymptoms are fometimes relieved by a fpontaneous bleeding at the nofe, which
anUvers the end of venefeftion : and it is to be underftood, that I do not mean to condemn
bleeding in all cafes, becaufe, where the party is young, vigorous, and contiads a fever imme-
diately afrer his coining to the Well-Indies, moderate bleeding, in the beginning of the diforder,
niay otten be not only lafe, but neceflkry ; and, for thi;, the particular fymptoms aie the bell indi-
Otion,. But it fliould be u!ed in the Weft-India fevers with great caution, and ftrift regard had to \
the, age and habit of body, the, time that the patient has rdided in the Well-Indies, his general
diet, and fuch other ciicumllnnces as may lead to the forming a competent judgement whether
ojiening a vein be proper or not. .Where there is a very ftrong pulfc and great heat, which is often
oibfervable in young, florid perfons, newly arrived from a cold climaie, venefeclion is often found J
ferviceable, to check the too rapid motion of the fluids, and gain more time to treat the diforder
properly. But fuch fymptoms rarely occur, after an European has been a twelvemonth in the Weft-
Indies ; unlefs it m:iy happen in Jamaica, by a fudden check of the perfpiration, on the firft ^
fettlng-itu of tlie cold Northerly winds. ,

quantity..

BOOK III. CHAP. VI. 531

qiuntlty. When the bilious matter has once entered the blood
(vvl)!ch it will foon do, if fwcats are iiicaiuioofly ufed at firft),
vomits and acid purges become le(s ufetui; and the morbid matter
mufl: be thrown out upon the Ikin by wild-fiige tea, weak punch,
or other liquors which promote a flight diaphorefis. In this dif-
order it often happens, that a weak purgative, or emetic, will
produce uncommon evacuations. This (hould not alarm ; and tlic
patient's ftrength fhould be well ilipported witli ?%4adeiia whey.
This fever often fubfidts into a remittent, and then into an inter-
mittent, whofe beft remedy is the bark, wiiich not only produces
a wholefomc bile, but invigorates the whole habit. Fluxes and
dyfenteries proceed often from the fame caufe, a corrupted bile,
and fometimes from a fupprelt perfpiration, or too free indulgence
ill crude, watery vegetables. Of all the fubftances known, the
bark, and ripe orange or lemon juice, deferve, for their excellence,
the name of fpecific againft putrefaction. I knew an European
gentleman in Jamaica, who regularly drank every day a Imall
tumbler full of fweet or four orange-juice, ufing them in-
differently, immediately after dinner, and enjoyed conil ant health.
I remember another who cured himfelfof a bilious putrid fever
with no other remedy than the juice of ripe Seville and other
oranges. And fo many inftances have been noticed of their anti-
leptic quality in the(e cafes, that the utmofl confidence may be
repofed in their falutiferous efFeCls.

Much more might be added on the fubje£t of thefe diitempers,
their caufes, (ymptoms, and method of cure ; but, as I mean not
to enter into an elaborate and medical invefligation of them, I refer
to the writings of Pringle, Huxham, Lind, Bifiet, Hilary, J\ouppe,
and De Monchy, who have treated of them with the greated
ability.

Mofl: Europeans, on firft coming within the Tropics, are afFeded
with an eruption upon their Ikins of fmall red pimples, which goes
by the name of the pv'iclJy beat. This is looked upon to be falu-
tary, unlcfs it is repelled ; and it is remarkable, that it returns pe-
riodically every year, about April or May, on pcrfons who have
redded a long time in the Weft-Indies [?;]. It is, probably, caufed

['.] At leail in Jamaica.

Y y y 2 by

66

2

JAMAICA.

by an extraordinary flow of perfpiratlon, and the current of the
humours towards the Ikin, promoted by the heat of climate. It
muft not be unnoticed, that the periftaltic motion of the bowels
being here perhaps more languid than in Europe, perfons newly
arrived are often ilibjecl to conftipations ; and lumetimes the faces
are fo hardened, as to be excreted with great difficulty. The re-
tention of them too long may therefore not only caufe an acrimony
to lodge in the inteftines, produftive of belly-ach, or other fpal-
modic complaints; but give rife to bad fevers, by the abfoiption of
fuch an acrid and putrid humour into the veins. It is ncceflary,
therefore, to keep tbe body always open. Chocolate tends to this
effed; and it is obferved by Ulloa, that, at Carthagena, wbere it is
to be liad extremely cheap, there is not a Negroe flave but allows
himfelf conflantly a regale of it after breakfaft and dinner ; but
they never ufe \x fajl'ing^ nor without eating fomething with it. I
have, in another place, cautioned Europeans, newly arrived, from
indulging too mucli in it, efpecially when made thick. I alluded
to the coftlicr lort of chocolate, manuhiftured here with cinnamon,
and other !;()t fpices, whicli are the ingredients that render it im-
proper for them. But the common Ibrt, chiefly uied among the
free Negroes, and others of the natives wlio love it pla'.n, is mixed
up with maize; and this may be fafely ufed by llich Europeans,
diluted with milk and water: in this ftate it will be found rather
cooling than b.eating ; and the addition of iugar makes it the more
aperitive. Sedcs fguralce are feldom obferved in this climate;
whicli may be afcribed to the weaker periftaltic motion above
remarked, as well as to the diet purfued by moft of the inhabitants,
confilfing chiefly of vegetables and foluble fubftances.

in all hot countries it has been obferved, that healthy people ge-
nerally pcrlpire very much ; and this (from the greater difpofition
of the humours to putrefcence) may be accounted one of the prin-
cipal confervators of health. It is therefore furprizing to find Mr.
Reaumur aficrt, " tliat perfpiration impairs the longevity of all
«' animals, by difcharging, not only the ufelefs, but nutritious, parts
" of the animal fluids ; and that an excefs of perlpiration feems to
'' be the reafon why the inhabitants of hot climates live a (horter
"' term than thcfe who inhabit the temperate zones j" for, in faff,

this

BOOK III. CHAP. VI. 5H3

this efFeft, by a wafte of a6tual fubftancc, can only happen wlien
the body is kept unreplenKhed, by fupplies of nutriment, to repair
the lofs of what may be carried off by this means. Hence thofe,
who are moft healthy, are known to dilute more frequently and
plentifully than others; their perfpiration chiefly eliminates aqueous
particles, which are fpeedily replaced ; they do not grow emaciated,
but plump; and gain, inftead of lodng, weight; which would not
be the cafe, if the fa6l was as Mr. Reaumur fuppofes. Neither is it
proved, that the native inhabitants of hot climates are fhorter-lived
than thofe of the temperate zones ; fmce there are many inftances
to the contrary, both in the iflands, and on the continent of South-
America.

The reapers in Pennfylvania, who work In the open fields, in the
clear, hot fun-fliine, common in their harveft-time (about the end
of June, or beginning of July), find themfelves very able, to go
through that labour, without being much incommoded by the heat,
while they continue to fweat, and while they fupply matter for
keeping up that fweat, by drinking frequently of a thin, evaporable
liquor, water. mixed with rum ; but, if the fweat ftops, they drop,
and fomctimes die fudJenly, if a fweating is- not brought on again
by drinking that liquor, or (as lonie rather cliulc in that caie) a
kind of hot punch, made with water mixed with honey, and a con-
fiderable proportion of vinegnr. Hence Dr. Franklin very pro-
perly concludes, that the quicker evaporation of pcrfpirable matter
from the Ikin and lungs of Negroes, by cooling them more, en-
ables them to bear the fun's heat io much better than the Whites
can do ; though, abflraded from this, the colour of their ikins
would, otherwife, make them more fenfible of that heat [oj. From
the fame c>iufe, perhaps, it is, that they do not bear cold weather
lb well, and are more apt to have their limbs froft-bitten in the
Northern parts of America ; their greater evaporation contributing
to chill them more feve rely. However this hypothefis may be, it
is certain, that Europeans, coming to refide in the Weft- Indies,
are never known to enjoy their health and fpirits, unlefs they per-
Ipire freely ; and thofe, wlio continue to do fo, are not afflided
with ficknefs fo long as it continues : that regimen theforc of diet,

["] Fiaiikllu's Pa|-eis on Philofophical Subjc^s,

of

534 JAMAICA,

of exercife, and cloathing, which anfwers befl: for fuppoiting this
regular flow, without carrying it to extreme, is the moft fahitary
for European Grangers to purfue. The natives, black and white,
are not fubjeft, like Europeans, to bilious, putrid, and malignant
fevers : they are not only habituated to the climate, but to a dif.
ference in refpe£t to diet and manners; which works no fmall
change in mens conftitutions. A Creole, if he was to addi6l him-
ielf to that kind of diet which is known to have a tendency to
produce putrid diforders, or an acrid, corrupt bile, would no more
be exempt from them, tiian an European. I knew a Creole boy,
oi' about iix years of age, who, being retrained by his mother
from eating any fort of fruit or vegetables (the former, left they
Ihould generate worms ; and the latter, through fear of acidities
and gripes) made his principal meal every day on butchers meat,
fowl, or fifh, without fait, feafoning, ' or any bread, except now
and then a very fmall quantity, and uafl"ied it down with plain
water. The boy, after perfifting for fome months in this regi-
men, was feized with a very violent, bilious, remittent fever,
accompanied with a delirhim and other bad fymptoms, that
threatciied his life ; but, by adminiftering the bark inwardly, ap-
plying poultices of it externally to the ftomach and abdomen,
and often foakinij his feet in a ftrona: warm decoftion of it, he
at length recovered, and doubtlefs owed his life to this noble fpe-
cific, thus thrown into his body by fo many different ways. But
the acrimony in his blood was apparent, from the vaft abun-
dance of bolls, whi^h broke out afterwards from head to foot.
I think it probable, that the luxuriant flelh-diet of Engliflimen
at home, together with fome fcorbutic taint in their blood, may
be afligned partly as an occafional caufe of their being more
obnoxious, generally fpeaking, to bad fevers in the Weft-Indies,
than many other Northern nations. This, however, is not the fole
caufe, bccaufe we find that Englilh women, who are alfo equally
flcdi-eatcrs, and liable to the fame fcorbutic taint in a degree, are
jiot fo often feized witli thefe dangerous fevers; nor are they at-
tacked fo violently, nor to fuch a degree of malignancy. Perhaps,
we may impute this diverfity to the more cool and temperate regi-
men of the women, their lefs expolure to heat and hard exercife in
.the jun, Isis addidion to intemperance, and late hours.

There

BOOK III. CHAP. VI. , 5,5

There may be other reafons fuggefted for the difference ob-
fcrved between the EnghHi men, and thole of other countries.
Firft, their excefiive indulgence in a promifcuous commerce on
their firft arrival, with the bhick and mulatto women ; and tliis, with
fo little prudence ;u)d caution in their amours, that they are
almofl: morally furc (^f being very fpeedily infected. The facility
with which the milder fymptoms of the virus arc removed, in this
warm atmofphere, lerves only as an incentive to thele perfons, and
renders them indifterent and carelels about confequences ; for a go-
norrhceajiinplex yields in a very few days to gentle medicines. En-
couraged, therefore, to perlevere in this unheeding courie, chey in.
due time attain to the higlK-fr honours this impure contadl: is qua-
lified to confer, as a reward tor their temerity; the confequence of
which is, their being laid under abfolute neceflity of praying to -
th^ir god Mercury for relief. Not a few alfo arrive here, who
have already pafled through many of thefe fiery trials in London,
and other feats of debauchery. It has been remarked by feveral
of the mod eminent phyficians, and flands confirmed by repeated
experience, that mercurial medicines are attended with the mod:
pernicious effedls upon Icorbutic habits, and on fuch as aredilpofed,
Xo putrid fevers. Thefe gentlemen all agree in opinion, that the
power of mercurials chietly confifls invveakening and, relaxing the
folids, and in attenuating and difiblving the fluids ; a human body
therefore, which has recently undergone a mercurial regimen, is.
already on the very brink of putrefadtion, and very ill prepared
to reilft the affault of a putrid fever. Thus in the fcurvy, a very
fmali quantity of mercury is fufficient to bring on a ialivation..
When this diforder raged among the imperial troops in Hungary, ,
four-hundred foldiers, who took mercury contrary to the advice of
their phyfician, all died to a man in a falivation. Pringle obferves, ,
that perfons who have lately undergone a falivation, and whofc
blood is confequently in a ftate of diflblution, are much fooner iri-
fedled by noxious <?2/?«i;/<7 than others; and, that malignant fevers,
and the fcurvy alfo, are rendered more fevere and dangerous in
fuch circumftances. To the fame effedt is the remark of De
Monchy, who found, that, after ufing mercury in venereal dilor-
7" der*}.

5^6 J A M A I C A.

ders, the Perwoian bark lofes a great part of its efiicnc}-, in the mofl
virulent cafes. Thus, that admirable medicine the bark, which
ill found habits proves a fovereign antidote againft putrid and ma-
lignant fevers, is robbed of its virtue by ti\e putrefaftive coun-
teradion of mercurials ; thefe noxious effefls therefore, conjun6lIv
with any morbid dilpolition of the humours, or with a bad air,
and improper diet, or too violent exercife in the fun, may eafily and
naturally either haften the attack of a putrid diftemper, or promote
the exacerbations of it, if already formed ; and, fuch being allowed
the predifpofing caufes, it is eafy to admit, that a common fever
may foon degenerate into a putrid, and even one of the moft ma-
lignant fpecies. The fen^nle flaves, and even free Blacks, in our
plantations, are few of them exempt from this virus ; but they
conceal it Isy every artific-e in their power, that no delay may hap-
pen in their budnefs j for a hindrance in this refpe»51: would be a
certain lofs of profit to them. What Ulloa mentions of the Spa-
niards at ^i;Y<9, is applicable to thefe traders: he tells us, " Tiie
" venereal difeafe is there fo common, that few perfons are free
" from it ; even little children, incapable by their age of having
" contra£ted it aftively, have been known to be attacked with it
■" in the fime degree as perfons who have acquired it by their
*' debauchery ; the chief caufe of its prevalence, is negligence in the
" cure. I'his difeafe m.ufl naturally be thought in lome meafure
" to Ihortcn their li\/es; though it is not uncommon, to fee per-
" fons live to feventy-flve years or more, who have never been en-
" tirely free from that diftemper, either hereditary or contrafted,
" from their early youth." It is probable, that the Scotch and
IrKh, who come over with founder conftitutions, lefs impaired
perhaps by fcorbutic and venereal taints, are, for this realbn, more
healthy than the Englifh ; befides, the Scotch, in particular, if not
more chafte, are at leaft in general more circumfpecl in their
amours.

I knew an European gentleman, who, by imprudent connexions
Oi this fort, was infeded not only by xhtlues venerea, but with the
ymvs at the fime time ; under thefe two diftempers (than which
there are few in Pandora s box more loathfome), he lingered for a

long

BOOK HI. CHAP. VI. 537

longtime; the remedies proper for tlic one, only fcrved to exa-
sperate the other ; and therefore not being able, by the powers of
mercury, to obtain relief, he was obliged to leave tlie ifland, in
the hope of receiving fome benefit from the advice of phyficians in
Great Britain. Another, a young man of a lively but lafcivious
turn, for feveral months after his arrival, was fcarcely ever free
from venereal infcdion, having not patience to wait the cure of one
taint, before he contra6led another ; by this infanc conduil, a fali-
vation became neceflary ; debilitated with this, and iiis preceding
excefles, he was fuddenly, upon fome little irregularity, feized
with a fever, fo flight at firfl:, that, had not his conflitution beeii
worn down, and his whole habit degenerated, it would have been
eafily removed ; but, being aggravated by the tabid frate to which
his body was then reduced, it turned by degrees to a highly pu-
trid diftemper, and carried him off,

Cataftrophes of this nature, it is to be feared, have but too
often occurred in the idand, to the untimely deftrudion of many
an improvident youth ; nor are our furgeons wholly to be excul-
pated, who are but too fond of prefcribing mercurials upon all oc-
cafions, without adverting to their fatal operation on fome habits.

Anient Jpir Its, particularly brandy, and frefli diftilled rum, in ex-
cefs, are no lefs injurious in all cafes where the humours have a
difpofition to putrefcence ; although, when ufed with due mode-
ration, and not too frequently, they are antifeptic, or antiputref-
cent. What chance have thofc men for longevity, who adl as
if they were engaged in a perpetual confpiracy againfl their own
health ; who are incefliintly inflaming and irritating their blood
and juices with an acrimony, that is produ6live of mortal diftem-
pers J who indulge beyond meafure in fiery fpirits ; careleisly hurry-
about, and ufe violent exercifes in the hottefl: part of the hottefl
days [j>] ; fit up late at night, deprive their bodies of refrefhing
fleep, and expofe them to the night air; and laftly, who plunge

[p] From a great iucreafe of corporeal motion, and a want of repofe and fleep, the fume con-
fequenees are to be expefted as from fevers ; the nature of which confuts in an attekratcd
circulation of the blood, attended of courfe with an exceffive heat ; whence proceeds an en-
fuing putrefcency of the humours : jull as a hare, killed after being hard run for a confiderable
time, becomes fooner tainted than one that has been killed upon its form. De Monchy.

Vol. II. Z z z headlong

538 JAMAICA,

headlong into venereal debauches, and a mercurial regunen ! ought
the premature fate of fuch men, to be charged on chmate? They
who follow fuch improper courfes, mufi: count on their natural
confequences; and unlefs, by the pervcriion of their intelletlual
faculties, they can be acquitted as lunatics or idiots, they mull
expe£l. In the award of divine juftice, to be deemed guilty of felf-
murder; having willfully, wickedly, and, I am fure, I may add
wantonly, put themfelves to death, by means as efre£tual, as if
they had ufcd arfenic, or a dat:ger.

Earh-rifing, which has been fpoken of with the greateft enco-
miums by medical- writers, for its contributing very eminently to
the health, vigour, and aftivity of animal life, as well as rational,
is particularly neceflary in Jamaica ; and no man ever attained to
longevity iiere, who was not an early rifer ; nor are any fo liealthy,
as thofe who religioufly addiA themfelves to this practice. It is
neceflary here, becaufe nothing more relaxes the body than the
warmth of a bed, more efpecially if deep is indulged at a time
when the fun has afcended to fome height above the horizon, and
renewed the heat of the atmofphere [^'j. The morning air is here
delightfully cool ; and the moll: agreeable time for exercife is be-
fore, or juft about, fun-rife J they who exercife at this hour, feel
their bodies refrelhed and vigorous, fo as to I'ufFer no inconvenience
from heat during the remainder of the day. The bed (hould be
forfaken by fix o'clock at furthefi: ; many there are who rife at five ;
this fuppofes an early retreat to reft, the preceding evening; the
more common bed-time at night, is from ten to eleven. They
who lounge till eight or nine in the morning, and make it an ha-
bitual praicice, cannot be long free from diftcmper; it is not only,

[jl] It is n curioiif, alihough not a new reiiiavk, that the inhabitants uithin the Tropics fleep
Icii- than thole who divcU in the colil, Northern tliinates; 1 believe, the tlitt'erence in this relpetV,
between a healthy perfon in Jamaica, and another in Britain, may, on a fair calculation, amount
at leaft to thirty days per annum. If an inhabitant of England fleeps eight hours a night, at
an average the year throughout, the inhabitant of Jamaica will be found to lleep not more than
feven; confequently, the latter pofielTes thirty days, or upwards, of confcious exiilence more
than the former; and, at the end of twelve years, may be faid to have outlived the other by a
full twelvemonth. How far this difference may tend to free ihc Well-Indian from fome dif-
teiiip'^rs, incident to Northern drowliiief?, or to irritate his animal fpirits, or enliven his facul-
ties, has not yet been examined ; but it is probable, that it may obviate, in fome degree, the re-
hixing efiefts ef a warni nlmofphere, and fweep away that gloom from the foul, which No-
ven^bet weather is fo apt to caft upon it ia England.

that

B O O K III. C II A P. VI. 539

that ail excefs of Ilcep, iiiftead of nourifhing and refrefning, ener-
vates nnd emafculatcs, the human frame, but the body g.sins not
a moment's lelpite from heat, or relaxation ; it is heated during
the day, it is heated again by fitting up late; and, after retiring to
bed, it is plunged into a kind of hot bath ; and lies flewing in its
own vapours : while, as the imi draws nearer the meridian, the air
grows more fervid every moment. So beneficial indeed is
the cuftom of early rifing in this chmate, that it fortifies the or-
gans againft the invafion of ficknefs, and is of more importance
than any other branch of regimen; more efpecially, if joined to
moderate exercife.

It is difficult to (Iiy, what degree of exercife a man may ufe here
witliout danger J it muft perhaps be confidered relatively to mens
different conftitutions, and flrength. The vveakeft are flrengthened
by it, and the ftrongefl: become weak without it. In general, I
believe, the inhabitants, efpecially Europeans, ufe it to a greater
degree every day, than men in general do in England, and with
feemingly lefs fatigue. I have myfelf traveled frequently fifty miles
in a day on horfeback, without fuffering any laffitude, and always
found fuch journies mofl: fupportable, the earlier 1 fet out in the
morning [r]. But, confidering the expence of perfpiration and
fpirits, which the body undergoes here daily, efpecially in the
Southern diftrifts, we ought to infer, that a lefs degree is requifite
here for health, than in colder climates ; for it feems reafonable
to fuppofe, that we fliould endeavour here, rather to reftrain, than
promote, all violent motions of the blood and humours, and pre-
ferve them calm and temperate, at the iame time not fullering ab-
folute inadion and floth to poflefs us fo far, as to caufe a ftagna-
tion ; extraordinary exercife is lefs hurtful than fuch an indolent,
motionleis habit of life. The befl exercife in this climate is gefta-
tion, cither in a wheel-carriage, or on horfeback ; but the latter
is to be preferred, except in long journies. But walking is too
laborious, and attended with too great a wafte of fubftance and
fpirits. The common pra£tice of many in the towns, who are con-
tinually in agitation, and take the fame liberty of bnilling about
on foot, at all hours of the day, as if they were iu London, is evi-

[r] Sixty miles are ufually reckoned here a day's journey; on horfeback. :, %-*'

Z z z 2 dentlv

540 JAMAICA.

dently abfurd. It feems probable, tb.at fo much hurry, which in-
creafes the momentum of the blood, and throws the whole body
into violent heat, which is augmented by the intenfe ardour of the
fun at noon, may bring on fevers of the moft fatal kind. This
pradice is equally injudicious and unneceffary ; the former, be-
caufe it may be produ6live of fevere illnefs ; the latter, becaufe,
by riling early, much cooler hours might be found for tranfailing
all the bufuiefs, which any man who values his health can, or at
leall: ought to, go through in this climate, during tb.e forenoon.
When bufmefs demr.nds attendance abroad, they ought to choofe
the morning and afternoon for dilpatching it, and keep within doors,
cr in the Ihade, at that time of the day wl:en the folar rays are
felt with mcil fcrce and inconvenience ; but, if they cannot avoid
expofing thcmfelves, they ought to walk flowly, and ufe fome
other precaution?, to guard againft any bad eftefts. The Negroes
arm their heads with a load of handkerchiefs, carefully twifted
about them, in form of a turban. The Eaflern nations ufe the
turban, which is not more calculated for ornament, than as a pre-
fervative againft the violent aftion of the meridian lun upon the
delicate, capillary veflels in the head ; the obftru6lion of which
occafions obftinate head-achs, and fometimes that fatal apoplexy,
called by the French, coup de fokil. Jn the French, Spanifh, and
Portuguefe colonies, umbrellas are in general ufe, and found ex-
tremely ferviceable to proteft the head and body from thisun-
wholelome fultrinefs. But our brave countrymen, delpifing all
thefe precautions, as too ridiculous, or too effeminate, courageoufly
face the iun at high noon; and will fufFer death rather than put
on any armovu- for their defence. It is not therefore without juft
reafon, that the Spaniards, who fit calmly within doors, whilft
honeft John Bull is anxioufly trotting about his bufinefs, all be-
fmeared with duftand fweat, fay proverbially, that, " no animal,
" except a dog and an EngliJJjnian, is to be feen walking the flreets
'« in the middle of the day."

D'o61or Hilary exclaims moft profanely ?ig^'m{\. danc'nig: " It is,
« fays he, too violent an exercife for a hot climate, and many in-
" jure their health very greatly by it ; I have known it fatal to
w fome; neither is it ulcd in the Eaftern hot countries. But moft

of

BOOK III. CHAP. VI. 541

" of the ladies are fo exceifivcly fond of it, that, fay what I will, they
*' loiil dmice on.'''

The do£lor very rightly concludes his foli':oquy, in defpair of pre-
vailing on his fair audience to defiftfrom art amulement fo delightful to
them, and, in my opinion, fo innocent, if not carried to excefs. I fear
the docftor forgot his reading, when he afferted that no fuch diverfion
was in ufe in the Kailern hot countries; there are none of them, per-
hajTS, where it is not in ufe: we find it in Afia, in Africa, and every
part of America. The Indians of South America are particularlv fond
of it; even the grave Spaniard here is melted into an affedion for it,-
and capers xwfarabands znd faldnngos ; the natives of Jamaica are dan-
cers from their infancy. The domeflic life of women, which prevents
them from exercifing abroad as much as the other fex, naturally in-
clines them to love thofe atlive amuftments which may be followed
within doors; dancing therefore, confidered as an exercife, is healthy
and proper for them, promotes the circulation of the blood, and re-
freflies the fpirits in the mofl agreeable manner, by the chearfulnefs
and gaiety Vv'hich it infpires. In Jamaica, indeed, it is fcarcely to be
called an exercife within doors; the windows are all thrown open, and
the dancers enjoy a conflant fucceffion of frefh air. It is very different
here in its effefts from what it is in cold countries, where the heat, and
offenfive fmell of fires and lights, and the atmofphere of a clofe apart-
ment, from which the external air is carefully excluded, and which is
further vitiated by the breath and copious perfpiration of a multitude
of perfons crovvded together, make it producllve of no faliitary confe-
quence. It has rarely been prejudicial in Jamaica, except where com-
mon prudence was wanting afterwards, and the parties have carelefsly
expofed themfelves, when in a prnfufe perfpiration, to the damp and
chilling midnight air. They, who are more cautious, cloathe them-
felves properly on going home, put on dry, well-aired linen, take a lit-
tle draught of fome warm liquor at getting into bed, and feldom feel
any bad etfed, even after what fome may think an excefs; the princi-
pal reafon for which maybe, that the pleafure and vivacity, infeparable
from it, in fome meafure counteratl the laffitude which fo much mo-
tion (mechanically confidered) would naturally bring on, and pre-
p:n-e the body for a found and undiiturbed Deep, which refl:ores \e\-y
ipeedily the wafte of fpirits ; infomuch , that 1 have known In this ifland,

a re--

.^2 J yV M A I C A.

a rcoulnr dancino--bout perfifted in for a whole week, not intermitting
a finale night, without any ill conlequence to the parties concerned.
However, it is certainly more advifeable to ufe it in moderation; and,
thus ufcd, it will prove, in my humble opinion, a healthful recreation,
an excellent antidote to cares, and a happy promoter of nuptial unions.
The utility of bathing need not be inlifted on, where we find it
praftifed by the White and Negroe natives fo univerfally, and con-
ibntly. Frequent vvafhing the body with water, clcanfes the perfpira»
tory duiSts from that foulnefs that is continually falling upon them
from their own condenfed, dewy atmofphere; the middle of the day is
fitteft for this operation, in water which has been placed fome hours in
the fun-fhine, (b as to acquire a tolerable degree of warmth. The
Negroes wafli in the open rivers at that time, and find it moft whole-
fome, by experience ; they have a different opinion of cold-bathing\ and
indeed it feems not proper for this climate, except at a very early hour
before fun-rife, and in the cooler mountainous or Northfide parts, ra-
ther than the Southern : in the latter, I have known three or four fatal
accidents which have followed plunging in cold water in the heat of
the day- It fhould feem therefore more eligible to follow that ufage,
which experience fliews to be not only healthy, but ntcefi[ary to clean -
linefs, than to try experiments which have proved unfuitable to the
climate, and are condemned by the native inhabitants, whofe judge-
ment has originally been founded upon trials, of what cuftom was
hurtful, and what harmlefs.

The influence of the pajjions upon health, has been the fubjeft of
many diflertations from medical pens; in this country it mull: operate
with double force, where men are move feelingly alive to joy or inquie-
tude; where the nervous fy ftem is far more irritable than in a North-
ern climate. Men of lively imaginations and great vivacity (and fuch
are the natives of this ifland) are more liable than others, to fudden and
violent emotions of the mind, and their effcfts ; fuch ftrong and fudden
tranfports may aftually throw men into acute difeales : but the flow
and durable paflions, folicitude, grief, ftifled refentment, and vexation,
are more often dangerous and mortal. Thefe confuming enemies to
health difturb the functions of the ftomach, and vitiate its juices, fo
that no wholefome chyle or nourifhment can enter the blood ; the pa-
tient languiflies under a bad habit of body, contradled from this caufe,
2 pines

BOOK III. CHAP. VI. 543

pines with atrophy, and want of refrefhing fleep; hence a complication
of difeafes fiiccceding each other, from bad to worfe ; and, unlcfs he can
fubdiie his anxiety, and reftore peace to his mind, he gradually finks
under it, and dies, as it is faid, of a broken heart \i\.

Anxiety affci^s men in this country in proportion to their fcnfihi-
litv, and to its duration. When once it has taken a firm hold, it is
generally produclive of mortal confequences. Multitudes have expir-
ed here under the prefllire of this fatal caufc. Ilurritd by levity of
difpofition, or want of thought, into an expenfive way of living, or
imprudent fchemes and purfuiis ; dillrefs has poured in upon them at
once like a deluge. Fretted, and wearied out at length with the con-
flift, and clofely befet on all fides wiih implacable creditors, they have
yielded paffively to their fate, and funk down into the grave, under a
load that was too grievous for their mind to fupport. In fuch defpe-
rate circumftances, a flight indifpofition is foon con^'erted into one
more foi'midablej the fymptoms become more and more dangerous,
and the malignancy increafes every day, till, in the end, it has de-
ftroyed rholl% who required the aid of good fplrits and chearfulnefs, to
fecond the efficacy of medicine; every drug has lofl: its ufual virtue;
the organs refufe to perform their fundions; and thus, the difeiife in
the mind has led the way to a fure conqueft over tlie body. The
life of an induftrious planter is one continued fcene of a<Rivitv, both of
body and mind. He is neceflarily engaged in many public duties, as
well as private aftairs. His flumbei-s are often dilhirbed with corro-
ding cares, the failure of fealons, the calualties to which his property
may be liable, and the importunity of creditors. The day is often in-
fufficient for the multlolicitv cf bufinefs which he finds himfelf cbliscd
to allot to it. He ought, therefore, to arrange his various occupations,
and make them conform to a certain orderly train and method, that he
may proceed in them with the greater eafe and difpatch ; and, by this
means, retrench great part of the perplexity, which muft otherwile
enfue. The like i-egular method he fhould inforce throughout all the
inferior departments of his plantation; and, weighing well the uncer-
tainty of all human poffefiions and the frequent viciflitudes of fortune,
he fiiould determine with himfelf to confine his annual expences of liv-
ing within certain pofitive bounds, fo as not to exceed, if poffible, one

\f\ Ciuldgan on Chronic Difeafes.

tth d

54+ J A M A I C A.

//6/r^/>jr/ of his clear Incnme, computed upon the average of five or
feven years precednig. Some caution may likevvife be requifite hi his
dealhigs with mankind ; but there is one, which particuhirly merits
his confbnt recoUeftion ; which is, that more perfons in this country
have been made unhappy, and even ruined, by otbe?- mens ddks, than
by their own. Let him therefore, above all things, keep a ftridt guard
over the liberality or credulity of his own temper, and refolve inflexi-
blv, Never to be bound for a7ty man, and to confider debt as one of the
moft fubftantial evils in life. By a courfe of even moderate oeconomy,
lie may have fome little overplus at the year's end; and let this be ap-
plied (if neccffary) to fupply the wants of his friend, or his dependant.
Men are not injured here fo much by what they lend, or give away to
tiie neceffitous, as by fetting their hands and feals to paper too often,
and for too confiderable fums; which unexpefledly rife up in judge-
ment againft them, or their family, after many years have elapfed. By-
engaging as collaterah, they have made themfelves principals ; deftroy-
€d their peace of mind ; involved their eftates, and beggared their child-
ren; without effentially benefiting their pretended friend: for fuch is
the ftrange difpofition of a finking man, that, like one who is in dan-
ger of drowning, he catches at every ftraw within his reachj thinks
of nothing but temporary expedients; and, between hope and defpair
of extricating himfelf from diftrefs and ruin, he will, even when he
knows it will turn out wholly unavailing to his own affairs, infidu-
oufly draw his beft benefaftor into the fame abyfs, to perifli with him.

Misfortunes here, in planting and in trade, are necelliirily very fre-
•quent, where men often adventure without limits ; give, and take cre-
dit; are fubjeft to be hurt by mifplaced good-nature and confidence;
and liable to various calamities and loffes. It is difficult for men to
reafon themfelves into a calm compofure under afBi61ions, or vexatious
circumftanccs, by all the arguments that philotophy or religion can
furnifh ;

*' Durum: kd hv'ius patientidf

*' Quidquid corrigere eft nefas."

*' 'Tis hard: but j!>tf//V«c^ muft endure,

" And foothe the woes it cannot cure."

This is the remedy which philofophy fuggefts, as the befi: means of
alleviating thofe ills, that vexation only ferves to render more fliarp

and

BOOK III. CHAP. VI. 545

nnd Intolerable. The heathen inoralifls called it, for this reafbii,
" partus miftrianan; the afyliiin of mileries:" but C/j/-//?/^/; patience
brings infinitely more comfort and fupport. This inllrn6is us to be-
lieve, that nothing befals us, except by the permiffion, or the direilion,
of Divine Providence; it attrads our dependence upon that B;ing,
who can enable us to bear wj-at, otherwife, the frailty of our nature
muft (i.ik under; it informs us, that difcafes, pain, lofs of friends, in-
gratitude, difippointments in our affairs, and all the various ills that
lief) is heir to, fall to the lot of the good, as well as the wicked: the
Divine Being exercifes our virtue with fuch trials ; corre6ls our vices
and miftakes by thefe examples; leads us to foberer purfuits and coun-
cils; and excites us to repofe our future thoughts on his care for our
happinefs, by fubmitting to his wife and provident difpenfations, with
ferenity and fortitude. Thefe trials, in a greater or lefs degree, every
mortal muft expeft to meet with, in the courfe of his life ; he fees con-
tinual inftances of them, if he will but turn his eyes to view what befals
the reft of mankind ; he ought then to prepare to meet them himfelf;
never to be too confident under good fortune, nor too defpondinp- un-
der the common mifchnnces to which all are equally liable. Inftead
of giving way to thofc corroding thoughts, which keen fcnfibility,
when too much indulged, is fure to aggravate with frefh tortures every
moment, he fhould apply himfelf to meditate on the means of leflen-
ing his torment, by fubmiflion to the Father of all men, and frequent
fupplications to him for affiftance and relief: books, exercife, bufinef?,
chcarful fociety, any innocent amufements, fhould be reforted to, for
unbending the mind, and breaking the iron chain of forrowful reflec-
tion. Too many have flown to the bottle, or to laudanum, to quaff
the fweet oblivion [/J; fuch men are cowards, who have neither cou-
i-agc to bear up againft their misfortunes, nor to end a painful cxift-

ence

[/] I cannot avoid taking feme notice of the abufe committed by many perfons here, male as
well as female, in their dally potations of this banetiil mixture; feveral of both fexes love to be-
come inebriated with it, and make their boaft, that, of all liquors, it is not only the fpcL-dicft arid
cheapen, but the pleafanteft, to get drunk with. This vice (for a notorious vice it is) has ruined,
and llill ruins, the beauty of many a fine woman in this illand, both in complexion and conllitu-
tion ; for it fo poifons the whole coiporeal mafs, as to render the lips of a deadly pale or livid hue,
and the face cadaverous. After frequent repetitions of it, fo importunate and flrong are its folici-
tations, as to admit of no denial, till, in the end, it conftrains even its debauchees to abufe it. One
morning I paid a \ifit to an elderly gentleman, whom I had liccjucutly feen, and talked with be«
Vo L. II. ^ A fore,

546 JAMAICA.

dice by one hold ftroke ; to end it indeed in fuch a manner, were but
n temporary cure, for this world only ; and the means, perhaps, of mak-
ino that mifery eternal, which otherwife would have been, at the worft,
of fliort duration. To combat with fleadinefs againft adverfity, and

refolve

iore, at other places. I found him fitting in a chair iiiliis hall, and, accofting him as uRial in as
civil a manner as I could, I perceived that, contrary to his former polite and triendly manner, he
fat regardlefs of me, and every thing elie about him, except that his eyes were fixed upon nie with
a ghallly ilare. Upon this, I appeared to take no tiuther notice of him, but, addrefling myfclf to
the other company prefent, fat down, and difcourfed on different fubjefts. Soon alter, he withdrew
into an adjoining room, and, flaying there not half long enough tor me to be informed what his
diforder was, he returned alett and chearful, with a bottle and a fpoon, and kindly a&ed me if 1
would take a cordial with him; which I declined doing, as I did not know the liquor; but he
frankly told me, it was liquid laudanum of his own preparing, of which he had jull drunk one fpoon-
ful, and Ihould at leaft twice repeat the draught in courfe ot the day, according to a cultom he had
praftifed for fonie years part. It was furprifing to me, to fee how fuddenly and powerfully it had
operated upon him ; for, inftead of the torpid, fpiritlefs creature, whom I lirrt faw, he was, in the
fpace of five minutes, fluflied in his countenance, gay, talkative, animated throughout, and univer-
fally changed in mind and body.

This puts me in mind of the account which travelers have given of the I'erfians, who, like other
Eaftern nations, take pills of folid opium, which fome of them gradually increafe to a dofe that
would deflroy half a dozen Europeans. Within haU'an hour after taking the pill it begins to ope-
rate, and a thoufand vagaries delight their imagination; they laugh, fing, and talk extravagantly,
like men in a delirium, or mirMncd w'nh wine; but, after the effect is gone off, they find their fpi-
rits exhaulkd, and grow penfive and melancholy, till they repeat the dofe again: by this means,
fome make it fo neceifary to them, that they cannot live without it.

I h.ave known a whole compary of men in Jamaica, at table, pledge one another in this liquor.
Tl'.e women, in general, are more moderate in the quantity they take at once; but, although they
f]p it drop by drop, it is repeated fo frequently, that the whole they take in a twelvemonth is pretty
near as much, as what others drink, who recur to it feldom, but in larger dofes at a time; and its
eifec"ts, in both cafes, mc equally fatal. Some ladies are never without a bottle of it in their jiocket,
with forae lumps of fugar; and fv.-allow it with great privacy, and by ilcalth, twice or thtice every
day, increafing the dofe fo high, as to eighty or one hundred drops. They pretend it is their
" cuiaruni dulce kvamcrt," and abfolutely requifite for their comfort and happinefs.

" Their only labour is to kill the time,

" And labour dire it is, and weary woe.

*' They lit, they loll, turn o'er fome idle rhyme;

*' Then rifing fudden to xhedram they go,

" Or faunter forth with tottering ffeps, and flowj

•' This foon too rude an exercife they find ;

*' Strait on the couch their limbs again they throw,

" Where hours on hours they, lighingly reclin'd,

" Embrace the vapoury god, foft-breathing in the wind."

Thomsok.
The Turks, and other difciples of Mahomet, betook themfelves to this mode of inebriation, be-
caufe their religion forbad the ufe ot wine. The Afiatic Indians are faid to indulge in it, notfo
much to inake them fleep, as from a notion, that it is a great provocative, aiid qualifies them the
betta for libidinous exercifes.

Sottifhnefj

BOOK III. CHAP. VI. 54.;

refolve to conquer It, is the highcfl tcft of a good mind, true courage,
and found undcrltanding; in other things, men will pcrfevcre through
every difficulty, and fuccced in defiance of every obfracle; nothing-
more is required, than the like fpirit of perfeverance and fortitude, to
furmount the greateft ills of life, and trample upon thofe diflreffcs,
which ceafe to be burthenfome, when we have learned to bear them ;
but ever redouble their prefllire upon us, when we bear them with im-
patience and timidity.

Sottiflinefs then and lull being the chief founJers of Its ufe amono thefe Ealten people, whnt
opinion are we to form of thofe ladies in our Weftern hemifphere, ivho are bewitched to the fame
deteftable cuftoni? It drunkcnnefs is fo difgracetul to the fair fex in particular, they furely ought
to 16(161.% that it makes not the Icall ditierence, in point of diihonour, whether they fuddle them-
felves with laudanum, or with brandy; neverthelefs, there are too many among them, who, if a
dram was to be offered them in public company, would confider it a high affront put upon them,
and yet take the firft convenient opportunity to beaftialize themfelves with their favourite liquor,
till they are deprived of their reafon, and driven into the mofl incoherent ravings in their conver-
fation, and the wildeft extravagancies in their conduft; thus facrificing fenfe, beauty, health, fame,
and even virtue, to this pernicious habit. All phyficians agree, that it is exceedingly hurtful to
thofe of weak and delicate habits, and brings on prematurely the infirmities of old age; for, among
the Eaftern nations, it has been obferved, that fcarcely any, who begin this pra>5^tice while they are
young, live to be above fifty. It produces paralytic diforders, andpalfies; hinders digertion, and
palls the appetite. It likewife is charged with caufing a relaxation of the lower jaw, and a ilam-
niering fpeech; in regard to the latter bad effe»il, I am morally fure, we may afcribe the drawling,
faltering pronunciation of many women and men in this ifland, to their exceflive ufe of laudanum.

In fome cafes, and in the hands of a difcreet phyfician, it is a noble remedy, and particularly in
the dillemper called the locked jaw, fo frequent in the Well Indies; and not feldom, as a palliative
in the colic, and belly-ache: but thofe perfoiis, who make it apart of their daily diet, receive all the
injur}- it is capable of producing; and preclude themfelves from all hopes of relief from it, in thofe
maladies, where it might otherwife have proved their certain friend.

The firm hold which fo horrid a falhion has taken in this ifland is really unaccountable, unlefs
we fuppofe that the force of example, and the alluring perfuafion of inveterate female tipplers,
have combined with the deluding charms of this Circean draught:

" Offering to every weary •vijltor

" Their magk liquor in a cryftal glafs,

" To quench the drought of Phoebus ; which as they tafle,

" (For moil do talle through fond, and curious third)

" Soon as the potion woiks, their huinan count'nance,

" Th' exprefs refemblance of the gods, is chang'd

" Into fome brutilh form of wolf, or bear,

" Or ounce, or tiger, hog, or bearded goat,

♦' All other parts remaining as they were;

" And they, fo perfeifl in their mifery,

•• Not once perceive their foul disfigurement,

" But boaft themfelves more comely than before,

•' And all their friends, and native home forget,

" To roll V, ith pleafure in a fenfual ftye."

MiLTOX.

4 A 2 SECT.

548 JAMAICA.

SECT. IV.
Of Sugar, confidered Medicinally.

There is no better prefervative, perhaps, agalnfl: thofe difeafes which
owe their rife to a putrefcency of the humours, than the juice of the
fiigar-cane, and its various preparations. The effeds they produce on
debilitated Negroes, and on brute animals, whom they reftore to health
and vigour, rendering the mofl emaciated plump and lively, are ex-
tremely remarkable. There cannot be a ftronger recommendation of
any fubftance proper for aliment, than to fay, that it is eagerly devour-
ed by all animals, and offeniive to none ; more efpecially, as they, who
are governed by unerring inftinft, are never known to delight in any
fpecies of food, which is inimical to their health : but human rtafon
and experience correfpond with this inftind, in recommendation of
thefe mild, nutritious, and falutary effedls.

It has been obferved, that, fmce fugar and acefcent fubftances have
come into vogue, all putrid difeafes, the fcurvy no lefs than putrid ma-
lignant fevers, the dyfentery, and even the plague itfelf, are much
abated. The ableft writers on thefe difeafes mention fugar or me-
bfles as necefllary ingredients in the diet of patients afflifted with them ;
and that their virtue confifts in the efficacy with which they refill, and
countcraL^l, all putrid humours. The Spaniards in the Weft Indies,,
fenfible of this effcft by long experience, ufe it univerfally ; it forms a
part of all their collations, and they never drink even a glafs of water
without prevjoufly eating fome conferve, or fwcetmeat. In the putrid
■yellow fever, Do6lor M*^ Bride recommends very ftrenuoufly the juice
of the Jugar-cane before it is thoroughly ripe, diluted and acidulated
with the frefh juice of limes or Seville oranges. Let our men (fays he)
in the navy be as well cloatbed as in the army, and let them be al-
lowed, whilft at Tea, a daily portion o^ fugar; and, I will venture to
promife that, in a time of war, we fliali annually fave fome thoufands
of very ufeful lives.

To the ufe of this, and frefii vegetables, which now make up fo
j^reat a part of the diet of the European nations, it is to be afcribed,,
that we at this day fo fcldom hear of the dreadful putrid difeafes which
formerly fvvept off fuch multitudes, every thirty or forty }- cars, under
tjhe rvjime of plagues..

The.

BOOK III. CHAP. VI. 549

The diet moft fit to prcferve health in hot climates muft confift (for
the greater part) of vegetables, and of thofe fubftances, which produce
the greatefl: quantities of air, In order to afford a fufficient quantity of
antifuptic vapour, to make up for the extraordinary wafte of air, which
is carried off from the fluids by Infenfible perfpirationj and thofe per-
fons muft inevitably fall into putrid difeafes, who eat much animal
food, which produces but little air; who drink much of fpirituous li-
quors, which contain no nir in themielvcs fcarcely, and prevent the
ready extrication thereof from the aliment, during the dlgcftlve pro-
cefs ; and who incautloufly expofe themfelvcs to a moift atmofphcre,-
which hinders any thing but the aerial part of the perfpirable matter
from being carried off.

The great efficacy of vegetables confifts partly in their containing a
large quantity of this fixed antifepric air or vapour, and their impreg-
nation with a very fweet juice, or mixture of faccharlne oil and fait,-
which doftor Tlffbt obfervcs is highly lalutary. All the culinary
roots, even in Europe, are full of this kind of fugar, which may eafily
be extradled from them. Experiments to this effeft have been tried on
feveral; and, in particular, eight ounces of the juice of fkiri-et yielded^
one ounce and an half of fugar [«]. This faccharlne juice predominates
in moft of the fruits and efculent roots in Jamaica in a very furpriiing.
degree, as if the Divine Being hid meant peculiarly to adapt them as>
neccffary correftives of thofe putrefcent humours, which a diet on ani-
mal food is apt to generate in this climate. Thus we find, that the
IrlOi potatoe, when tranfplanted into this foil, acquires a fweetllh tafte,
whi-h fhews its impregnation with faccharlne principles; the fweet po-
tato?, the native of this climate, is largely fuppllcd with the like im-
pregnation; fo are the yams, eddos, cocos, nioft of the different forts
of pulfe, and almoft all the truits. The plantain, when ripe, and dried
in the fun, Is a perfed conferve, without the aid of any more fuoar,
than what is naturally contained in it; the banana is ftill more luf-
cious, but with a flight aftringent quality, which has made it extreme--
ly remedial in fluxes; correding the putrid humour by its antifeptic
virtues, fiieathlng the acrimony with its balfamic oil, rendering the
bowels gently foluble, and yet ftrengthenlng their tone by its mild
afliringency. The China oranges here,, when full ripe, and in a good-
fa] Margralf's Mere,

foil,.

550 JAMAICA.

foil, are frequently incrufted over with a palpable integument of wliite
fugar, concreted on their rind, and hardened by the fun. How bene-
volent and n-racious is this ample provifion of fo wholefome and ne-
ceflary a fubftance, which is fo copioufly lodged in the foil, to be im-
bibed, prepared, refined, and duly adapted, by all thefe vegetable pro-
ductions, for the ufe, fuftentation, and health, of the inhabitants! The
fugar prepared from the cane contains thefe virtues in abftraft, which
are found lefs copioufly diftributed to the culinary roots, and efculent
fruits; it therefore prefents itfelf as a portable remedy, always at hand,
to fupply the occafions of thofe perfons who are not able to procure
other vegetable produftions, endowed with the like properties; or to
be mixed with thofe aliments, which contain too little, or none at all,
of them ; it feems therefore peculiarly of ufe, as a neceflary part of fea-
ftore, for the ready fervice of thofe, who are too diftant from the land
to come at frefli vegetables, and the nature of whofe flefii diet requires
fuch a conftant correftor. The warrant and petty officers on board a
fleet are fcarcely ever feized with acute putrid difeafes, excepting by
meer infedion ; and they are very feldom known to become fcorbutic
in any violent degree, unlefs the general caufe (excefllve molfture) be
of a remarkably long continuance. The diet of this clafs of men is, in
general, the fame with the refl: of the crew, but they are well clad for
the moft part, and never want a little ftore oi fugar.

The expence of allowing fugar, or melafles, as a part of fea pro-
vifions, even taking it at the highefl:, is too trifling, when put in
competition with preferving fo valuable a part of the community as
our feamen, at leaft, for all that they might have occafion for, when
at fea.

The efficacy of this medicine, in preferving the health of fea-
men, is far from being a recent difcovery ; fo early as the reign of
Charles the Firft fugar had been found eminently ufeful in fcorbutic
cafes, as appears by IFoodalPs Treatife, re-publiflied in 1639. But
Great Britain had at that time no colonies to fupply her with a fuffi-
cient quantity of it ; and it is worthy remark, that the plague almofl:
uninterruptedly raged in London till towards the Revolution, when
confiderable remittances of fugar began to arrive from Barbadoes, Ne-
vis, Jamaica, and other iflands, belonging to Britain. This affluence

rendered

BOOK III. CHAP. VI. • SSI

rendered It much [la] chenper than ever it had been before ; confe-
quently the life and conlumption became far more extenfive, particu-
larly in London, than in preceding times ; and the vifitations of the
plague gradually became lefs frequent, till at length they ceaftd in-
tireiy. Thofe medical writers, who have entertained very fang nine
cxpeiSlations from new wort in the cure of the fcurvy, feeni nevcr-
thelefs to be of opinion, that fugar is equally efficacious ; the lame
rcafons which lead to expe£l fuccefs from the one, holding good, in
moft eirential circumftances, in regard to the other ; and their opinion
is founded on this dodrine, that fuch vegetable fermentable fubrtances
arc difcovered, by experiment, to have the power of prcferving animal
fluids from corruption, and of even reftoring them after having un-
dergone fome degree of putrefadion.

The hot liquor taken from the iac/je, or laft copper, in the Weft
India boiling houfes, during crop, and mixed to a fufficient dilution
with water, makes a moft agreeable drink, having fomewhat of the
tafte of new wort, but more pleafant; of this both the Negroes.
and Whites in general are extremely fond, and it ought to be the
principal drink of Europeans newly arrived. From this caufe it
happens, that the imported Negroes, purchafed during the crop, are
more likely to do well than thofe who are introduced at other times
of the year ; for they are freely indulged with a daily allowance of
this liquor, and it is found to recover the languid and diftempered,
and make them grow fat, fleek, and vigorous. In its operation it is
cooling, gently moves the body, and thx-ows any latent acrimony or
putrid humour, which may be lurking in the blood and juices, upon
the furface of the ikin, as many Europeans experience on drinking it ;
but, on perceiving boils, or cutaneous eruptions, about the lips, or
other parts of the body, to follow the ufe of this beverage, they ig-
norantly fancy, that thefe falutary fymptoms are a real difurder, caufed
by fome noxious quality in the liquor ; and fome have difcontinued it

[iy] When the Portiiguefe fupplied England with fugar, the price of this commodity was
from 7 /. to 8 /. fterling fer cwt. a moft exorbitant rate in thofe days. As the Englirti planta-
tions increafed, they reduced the price to 3/. and 2!. 10 s.; and, fince that period, to 2/. and
1/. loi. per cviU But the merchants were obliged to bring it down as low as even to feven or
eight (hillings, before they could force the Portuguefe out of the market.

7 iot

•553 JAMAICA.

for this reafon, at the very time, when it has been doing fuch eHential
fervice, by driving out fuch foul and corrupt humours, which, when
retained in the habit, produce fevers, and other dangerous maladies.
Nor are its good efFefts confined to the human race. It is the com-
mon praftice, on the plantations in Jamaica, to feed the working horfes
and mules in crop-time with chopped cane-tops, and the fliimmings of
the boillng-houfe liquorj which anfvver better than corn, in preferving
them plump, ftrong, and healthy. Hogs, poultry, and, in fliort, all
the animals belonging to a plantation, thrive on this juice. Even the
(lop-s in this iiland, although qualified by nature not only to relifh,
but to digefl:, putrid food, are not lefs fond of fugar. I have known
XI well-fed animal of this fpecies, who was commonly dieted from a
plentiful table, and never tafted carrion by way oi ion iouche withowl
•llifFering feverely for it ; on thefe occafions he ufed a quantity of what
is called here dog-grafs, fufficient either to make him difgorge, or
compofe, his llomach, probably, by the fixed air contained in that
plant ; at other times he would greedily devour the avogato pear,
clammy cherry, ripe plantains, yams, bananas, ^c. ; but, when in-
troduced to the boiling-houfe, he never failed to regale himfelf with-
out intermiffion ; and, from being in a ftate of miferable leannefs, was
fure to become plump, and full of life and agility.

I have feen the good effefts of it on Negroes afflifted with the
yaws, even after the diforder (by catching colds after a mercurial
regimen) had fallen upon their joints ; it threw the venom out on
the fuiface in a plentiful eruption, and thus brought on a crifis, which
no other known remedy could have produced fo defircably.

In worm diforders there is not a more powerful remedy than the
iuice of ripe canes, to expel thefe vermin [x]. The Negroe children
(as if prompted by inflinft) fuck them with the utmofl: avidity, and
are always relieved. When powders and other vermifuge medicines
are adminiftered, melafl'es or fyrup ufually forms a part of the com-
pofition, and perhaps contributes more than is generally imagined to

[x] Doftor Grainger obferves, that fugar is commonly fuppofed to favour worms ; that, how-
ever, he knows this, from repeated experiment, to be a vulgar error. That perhaps no one thing
in the mcacria nicdica is more deadly to worms than cane-liquor, unlefs we except mufco'vado, mixed
U'ith an equul (juantity ot fweet oil, efpecially what is made by cxprellion from the cocoa nut.

their

BOOK III. CHAP. Vr. 553

their fiicccfs. I have known many olcj white perlbns in this ifland*
extremely fond of the refined fugar, eating It frequently in a morn-
ing, and with a (ingular gout, from a firm afliirance (eftablifhed by
long experience) of its mild, balfamic, and falubrious, operation.

Some (fays Brookes) are great enemies to iiigar, and affirm, that
It produces I know not what bad effedts ; but, as thofe who have ufed
it very freely have never received any detriment from it, we may
conclude, thr.t it is intirely harmlefs. It does not produce conlump-
tions, as feme pretend, btcaufe an apothecary, who had that diftem-
per, almoft lived upon fugar of rofes, and was cured by it. Some
have affirmed, that it produces the fcurvy, and was the original caufe
of it ; whereas it is well known, that the fcurvy appeared long before
fugar was in ufe : befides, the pooreft people, who eat much lefs lligai-
than the rich, are moft afflicled with the fcurvy. This is likewife true
of common failors, who eat more fait provifions, and lefs fugar, than
their officers. Some affert, that it turns four upon the flomach, but
give us no argument to prove it. An acid may indeed be extraded
from fugar, and fo there may from all forts of corn, as well as wine ;
but then it muft be performed by art, and turned into an ardent fpirit
firft, by fermentation. Befides, fugar is a natural foap, and will
readily mix with any fort of liquor ; and therefore it is not probable
that it fliould turn four on the flomach \_y'\. The officinal compofi-
tions of fugar are allowed on all hands to be good in diforders of
the breaft ; and, mixed with oil of fweet almonds, it is good in
coughs, hoarfeneffes, and the like. Externally applied, it is a very
great vulnerary, efpecially when mixed with a little brandy, whole
ftyptic quality, joined to the balfamic virtues of the fugar, makes a
compofition, which will heal wounds, cleanfe ulcers, and prevent pu-
trefaBion. Doftor James concurs in the fame opinion. When duly
ufed (fays he) it is not fo offenfive to the blood as is vulgarly

\\\ I am apt to fufpe(?V, that the other ingredients, fuch as rancid butter, and other greafe, un.
fermented flour, and crude fruits, i£c. with which fugar is generally combined by paftry-cooks and
confeAioners, may occafion fuch effefts, and deferve the whole blame, which has been wrongfully
afcribed to the fugar alone, from ignorance of its principles. This probably is the only whole-
fome ingredient belonging to fuch compofuions, and may prevent much of the bad confequencc*
they would otherwifc produce, efpecially in the weak ftomachs and bowels of children, who arc
the principal fufFerers.

Vol. II. 4 B thought.

554 JAMAICA,

thought. It is daily taken to a degree of excefs by feme, who, in-
ftead of being injured by it, live in a found and perfeft flate of health.
It is a mild and fweet fait, which is far from being unfriendly to the
mixture of the fluids, becaufe it corrects acid, bilious humours, and ren-
ders the body foluble.

Every teftimony, in fliort, agrees in pronouncing it to be one of
the beft adapted prefervatives of health in cold as well as hot climates,
from its nutritious, healing, and antifeptic qualities. Thofe who re-
jeft punch, from an opinion that lime or lemon-juice is offenfive to their
bowels, which often is the cafe in gouty habits, would do well to mix
fugar and fyrup with their rum and water ; at the iame time being
very moderate in the ufe of that fpirit ; they may be aflured, that
fuch a beverage will be far wholefomer for them than the liquor called
grog, which is a mixture of rum and water only ; for, ahhough rum
is far preferable to any other iimple diflilled fpirit, yet it may be ad-
vifcable in the Weft Indies to mix it with fome fermentative ingredi^
ent ; and none is more proper than fugar or melafles.

For the fjuie reafons on which the caufe of the plague's decreafe in
many parts of Europe has been fuppofed, it may be juftly concluded,
that putrid and malignant fevers neither originate fo frequently, nor
(when brought by infedion) ravage fo extcnlively in the Weft Indies
now as formerly they did. A proof of thisdecleniion is not only the
eomcarative healthinefs of Jamaica, formerly deemed a fickly ifland,
but the greater health of the feamen employed in this trade, who ftill
drink as hard, and expofe themfelves to all extremities of the cli-
mate as much, as they did one hundred years ago. Yet the mer-
chant fliips feldom lois any of their crew by thele diftempers, and
moft of them lofe none. Some will attribute this to the more ex-
teniive cultivation of the country, the cutting down its thick woods
in feveral parts, and melioration of its- atmofphere ; but there is fu-
peradded to all this the much greater quantity of fugar manufactured
throughout the ifland, and the greater facility which the feamen have
found in getting at fupplies of it for their private ufe, whilft they wait
in port the loading of their fl:iip, as well as during the voyage home ;
for, when, they cannot procure it gratis, they either buy of the Ne-
groes for a little tobacco, or other trifling confideration, or get it by
ihtft. There is now near fixty times as much fugar made in the

ifland,.

BOOK III, C 11 A P. VI. ^^^

ifland, as there was an hundred ycnrs ago ; and n large quantity falls
to the fliare of the Negroes, not only in what Is given to them, but
what they ftcal, which it is impuffible to prevent, as thcv are the
condnftors of it to the (hipping-place, as well as manufa6lurers. Tiie
luperflulty, or what they do not referve for their own ufe, is chiefly
dilpofcd of to the I'ailors, and poorer Jews ; the failors likewifc, who
come afliore to the wharfs, fnid many opportunities to fill their hats
or pockets from the packages that lie there. Befides this, they are
generally allowed fugar on their voyage home, to mix with their
tipple; and, when it is denied them, they make no ceremony in pur-
loining it ; and, by this means, eftablifh a pretty regular article in the
Britifh factor's account with the planter, which goes under the name
oi plunderage. From this caufe we do not hear of the crews of Weft
India men fwept off, or indeed hardly affli£led at all with the fcurvy,
or thofe malignant difcafes, which fo commonly depopulate the Eaft
India fliips in their paffage homewards ; although fome of the former,
in wet and fevere winter voyages to England, are often, by contrary
winds and bad weather, detained at fea for a fpace of eleven or twelve
weeks, and without any difference to their crews in point of diet from
thofe employed in other trades, except that they have the ufe of fugar
and melaffes ; and rum, inftead of br.uidy. '

Thefe fads feem to be confirmed by the confent of the ablefl of the
faculty, who acknowledge this change to have been adually wrought';
and fome among them have thrown further light on the caufe of it, by
infifting, that the \txy fame prefervathes, in Weji India voyapes, an-
fwer as well again It malignant, remittent, and intermittent, fevers, as
again ft the y?«r'i;j'. Grounding our judgement therefore on the con-
current evidence of obfervation, and the opinions of fo many learned
and' intelligent phyficians, who have adopted their fentiments, upon
♦certain experience, and moft accurate enquiry, we are well fiippoited
in recommending the plentiful ufe of the cane-liquor, and Its prepa-
rations, to all thofe who pafs from Europe to refide in Jamaica; and
may venture to alTert, that it is perfeilly inoffenfive in its princi; les,
and Angularly conducive to health in its effefls on the human body in
that climate. The Spaniards in our neighbourhood are very liberal
in their ufe of fugar and honey ; their fweetmeats they eat chiefly with
wheat bread, which they referve for thefe and chocolate only. The

4 B 2 honey

556 JAMAICA.

honey they fpread on caflava cakes ; the affinity between thefe two
fvveet fubftances need not be infifted on.

That malignant and terrible difeafe, called the black vomit, was un-
known at Carthagena (as it is faid) till about the year 1729. It was
fiifpedted to have been firft brought thither from PortoBello. It made its
appearance in that year on board the guarda coftas and galleons lying
in the harbour, and deftroyed almoft the whole of their crews. The
Spanifli phyiicians attributed it to the fait meat on which the feamen
were fed, as it was obferved to rage more among them, than thofe
who had been able to live on more wholefome food ; they confidered
fait meat as tending to bring on this diflemper, and that the humours
it generated, together with the labour and hardships of duty, inclined
the blood to putrefadion; but it is certain, that the failors alone were
not its only victims ; for even paflengers, who had not taftcd any
fait meat during the voyage, felt is effedts ; it was therefore, with more
appearance of truth, imputed to the pellilential air of Porto Bellow
It is remarkable, however, that the natives of Carthagena^ and thofe
who had lived there fome time, were not, nor ever are, affedled by it j
but enjoy an uninterrupted health, amidft the dreadful havock it
makes among others ; it feems rational to fuppofe, that tliis difordcr
.has its fourcce at firfl; in a high degree of the fcurvy, which, from
the baleful influence of the fwampy effiwuia at Porto Beilo, degene-
rates into a putrid fever of the worft fpecies. This is sonfonant to
the idea of our iingli(h wi-iters on the fubjc(ft, who afTert, that fuch
as have zny fcorbutic fymptoms are in porportion more fuhjecl to the
dvfentery, and malignant putrid fever s\ and likewife are the mo4l:
feverely handled by thefe diftempers. A proof of this theory, was
the memorable deftruflion of the feamen belonging to admiral Hofier's
Ibuadron, at the Bajlimentos, whicli began with the fcurvy, and was
compleated by a malignant putrid fever, and dyfentery, contraftecf
from the fatal air of that place. The diet of the native Spaniards, and
others, who naturally fall into their cuftoms at Carthagena, preferves.
them free from any fcorbutic acrimony, or difpofition in their humours
to breed cr admit the entrance of putrid difeafes. The fame good
confequence would probably enfue at Kingjlon in Jamaica, if the
inhabitants of that town would adopt a diet, and regimen of life,
limilar to thofe of the Spaniards at Carthagena. For although this

difeafe

BOOK III. CHAP. VI. 557

dileafc has made but little ravage, at any of our Jamaica Tea ports, of
late years, in comparifon with anterior times, which is to be afcribed
to the greater abundance of vegetable food, fugar, and fruits, in com-
mon ufe ; it feems likely, that the inhabitants would be equally proof
againft its attacks, as the Spaniards are found to be, if they would
but depart a little more from a too plentiful flefh diet, and ftroiig li"
quors, and regale more frequently on chocolate, and fugarcd prepara-
tions ; ufe none but rum of due age, with the fubacid fruits, not green,
but thoroughly ripened ; with inch other materials, in their ordin.iry
refrefliments, as, by the confcnt of experience, and medioal precepts,
appear beil calcubted to refift the venom of this, and fuch like putrid
diftempers. That Cartbagena is not a very iinhciiithful climate
(though in a low fituation, and intenfely hot), is manifclf trom the
good old age w^hich feveral of its inhabitants attain, many of whom
enjoy fo confirmed a ftate of health, as to reach their 8oth year. This,
indeed, is not an extraordinary thing in Jamaica, which is much cooler,
and where there are now, and have at all times been, feveral ptrfons
exceeding that period ; but, in order to make this longevity a m<.re uni-
verfal bleffing, thofe means and habits of life muft be prattiled, and
refolutcly attended to, which are found to be the moft conducive
and favourable to the end propofed. I fhall next conddtr, as another
ligrcdient in the common diet of perfons hi the Weft Indies, the ai'-
ticle of

R U M.

SECT. V,

I da not know of any author,, who h;i$ treated thl:; Uibj-cft in a
manner fo fcientific and elaborate, as the ingenious Mr. DolJie ; as his-
pofitions, relative to the analyfis and pr(;pertles of this fplilt, have not
been controverted, and appear to be the refult of experiments, joined'
to an eminent degree of chemical knowledge, I fliall readily adopt,
and endeavour to illuftrate their truth, by other obfervations. From
thefe, a judgement may be formed, why rum in fome circumftances
is to be confidered an unwholcfome article of diet ; why under others
it is quite the reverfe, when ufed in moderation ; why it is to be pre-
ferred to other fimple-dlftillcd fplrlts, whether it be drank in mode-
ration or to an excefs; and hence will .appear the means moit certain^
J to

558 JAMAICA.

to difann it of noxious qualities, and adapt it with greateft fafcty to

common ufe.

I . Ardent fpirits, in their pure ftate (/. e. not dulcified by union with
fome corrective), have a violent aftringentaclion upon the folld parts of
animals, coagulate the fluids, and diininifli the power of the nervous
Ijftem.

From thefe caufes they produce fuitable effedls :
' A tabidnefs, or walling of the extremities,
A nervous weaknefs, or tendency to palfy,
Deftroy the appetite and fecretions,
Render the liver fchirrous, and occafion dropfics.
On diflefting the bodies of perfons, who have died of exceffive dram-
<3rinking, the whole liver has been found converted into a fchirrus of
peculiar hardnefs, fo as to be altogether incapable of its office, oi fe-
creting the bile ; and the mefentery fometimes aftonifliingly enlarged
and tumefied.

§ To this may alfo be added, Doftor Macbride's pofition, that fuch
fpirits contain little or no air per fe ; and that they prevent the ready
extrication of it from alimentary fubaftnces during the digeftive pro-
cefs. From all which caufes it is evident, that perfons, who indulge
in fuch drink, generate nothing but crudities in the ftomach : and are
fubjeft to dyfenteries, wafting of the flefh for want of nourifhment,
all forts of nervous diforders by the continual irritation of acrid mat-
ter, and to dangerous fevers ; from the want of that aerial principle,
which is neceliary to ferment and prepare the aliment for concoiSion.
Ruin is therefore leaft wholefome, when it comes neareft to fuch
pure ardent fpirit in its properties ; and hence, new or frefli diftilled
rum, which is in this predicament, appears to be in its moft unwhole-
fome ftate.

2. The fubitances, which, by uniting with pure ardent fpirit, coun-
leraft its noxious qualities, are, volatile oils, generated either in the
fermentation or diftillation ; and acids, either fuch as were natives in
the particular vegetable matter which was the fubjedl of fermentation,
or fuch as are generated in the courfe of the fermentation.

3. Thefe corrective fubftances are, in part, combined with the fpirit
before diltillation, and rile united with it ; and, in part, uncombined

with

BOOK III. CHAP. Vr. 559

with it before the diftillation, but, rifing with it then, unite thcm-
felves gradually with it afterwards.

4. It is from the latter union, which takes place after the diflillation,
that rum is fo much improv^ed by time, and efpecially in a calk. Where
a large quantity of it is kept together, the inteftine motion being
greater, and at greater liberty to aft, than in a fmall confined fpace,
the particles are more fpeedily brought wilhin the fphereof each other's
attradion, and the union more quickly compleated. Hence, when
kept in bottles, a very great length of time is required to perfedt it j
but when kept in calks, the fpirit becomes gradually milder, anu lofts
that violent aftringency, which manifefted itfcif before this change,
in a fiery fenfation in the mouth and throat of thofe who have drunk

it.

§ I have tafted rum in Jamaica, which had been bottled 30 years,
but ftill retained this pungent, fiery quality, and a mod: difagreeable
twang; which Ihewed, that the oil was not thoroughly united with the
fpirit. But, when it is kept in a calk fix or eight, to twelve months
time, is generally fufficient to pcrfed it ; thofe planters who keep
their fi:ock rum in laro;e butts, which hold three or four hundred ^ral-
Ions, find this union perfefted in a fl:ill fliorter time ; and the rum
fo packed is of a far fupei-ior quality to what is flowed in fmall
calks..

I am. apt to fufpeft, that there is likewife, in all frefli diftilled rum,
a certain etherial vobtile fpirit, of a very cauftic and pernicious qua-
lity, whicii evaporates by keeping for fome tline in calks, but cannot
entirely efcape when fuch frefli rum is put into bottles well flopped,
and laid on their fides.

It Ihould be the pradice, on all the plantations in this ifland, to lay
up one or more puncheons of rum every year, that they might fup-
ply their white men with what is of due age, inftead of poifoning them
with that fiery, unwholefome fpirit, jufl drawn from the ftill. A
negledl of this humane ceconomy, either through a pitiful avarice, or a
brutal indifference, hiis deflroyed many hundreds. The like caution
may be offered, in relpecl to the foldiers and Teamen on this flation.
The way to have it wholefome, and potable, is to lay up, in large
tight buts, a fufficient flock to ferve two years ; the one-half new,, the
other at leaft a year old; by this method, there would be a con-

ftant.

560 JAMAICA.

ftant fupply oF good fpirits; and whatever fuperflulty might remahi,
upon leaving the ifland, would certainly produce much more than the
prime coft, whether it fliould be difpofed of at that market, or brought
to Great Britain.

5. Where an <zc/J abounds, the fpirit gains by time, in confequencc
•of this dukification, a grateful flavour and odour.

Where volatile oil abounds, the feeming ranknel's of fmell and tafte
gradually goes off, or is converted into a fpecies of perfume.

6. The wholefomenefs is alfo improved by time, as it caufes a pri-
vation of thofe ill qualities, which render the frefh dlftilled fpirits fo
noxious.

7. The melafles fpirit, diftilled in Britain and North America, is
fo defedive in the vohitile oil, which is the great corredive, and gives
the charafteriftic to rum, that it is mofl: palpably different from it in
tafte and flavour, as well as in its moft falubrious qualities.

§ For this reafon the North American fpirit is better than the
BritUh ; the former being made from the firft-drawn melalTes, which
generally contains a portion of fugar, and a large fhare of this oil.
The French melaffes indeed is impoverifhed very much, by their boil-
ing it over again, to make their pmieel fugars ; but in Jamaica this
feiece of oeconomy not being praftifed, the melafles fold here to the
North Americans is twice as rich as what they purchafe at the French
iflands ; and their diftillers probably find it fo in the yielding.

In Britain the melaffes is proportionably jejune, and deprived of its
richnefs; as the mufcovado fugars, by the time they fall into the
baker s hands, have been pretty well drained ; fo that what Is drawn
in the refining procefs, and afterwards fold to the diftillers, niuft be
verv much impoverifhed.

Some diftillers buy up the dark uncured fugars, which yield a
fpirit of better quality ; but it is impoffible for them to produce the
fame fpirit as Jamaica rum, where the liquor for diftlllation is com-
pounded of various mixtures, not to be obtained by the Britifh

diftiller.

This liquor, for example, confifts of
I — pnrt ikimmings,
« —part wafhings,
I — oart cool lees.

To

BOOK III. CHAP. Vr. 561

To thefe varioufly compounded, according to the particular judge-
ment of the manufafturer, and other circumftances, the melalTes is
added during their fermentation in the ciRerns, and in the propor-
tion of about fix gallons of melaflijs to every hundred gallons of
liquor.

Sometimes it is made wholly of crude cane-liquor and melafles,
run into fermentation together.

So that not only the ingredients are various and differently com-
pounded i but the melaffes, which is the principal or only fubftance
ufed in Britain and North- America, bears in Jamaica but a very fmall
proportion to the other ingredients, being only as 6 to 100, or
thereabouts.

8. The fpirit, when meliorated by union with thefe corredive
fubflances, and by age, is reduced to a mild and gentle flatej and,
when taken in modcratio?i, is not only fafe and wholcfome, but even
in fome cafes falutary and medicinal.

Its aftringency, when duly reftrained, renders it invigorating and
cordial -, a:id its power of checking the animal ferments, renders it
opponent to a putrid difpofition. In hot countries, therefore, it
prevents that extreme relaxation which is generally fo incommo-
dious and debilitating i and, by its antifeptic power, that tendency
to a putrid habit, which induces the moft fatal difeafes.

§ The eflential points, to make it become medicinal and vvhole-
fome, are then, ift, the keeping it to a due age ; 2dly, the ufing it
in moderate quantity. Theufeof it in the Weft-Indies, under thefe
precautions, is fo far from being injurious, that it adapts the body
to fuftain the heat of the climate with lefs inconvenience, and checks
the humours from running into putrefcency. This feems confirmed by
obfervation, and the cuftomary pradice of the inhabitants in hot
climates.

Among the Spaniards at Carthagena, the ufe of fpirits is fo com-
mon that the moft regular and fober perfons never omit drinking a
fmall glafs every forenoon about eleven o'clock, alledging that it
ftrengthens the ftomach, weakened by copious, conftant perfpiration,
and (harpens the appetite. Hcicer las once. To do the ckvrn; that is,
to drink a glafs of fpirit, is the ordinary invitation. But this cuf-
tom, which is not efteejned pernicious when ufed with moderation.,
Vol.. II. 4 C has

562 J A M A I G A.

has degenerated into vice; many being fo fond of it, that they do*
nothing the whole day but Hacer las once. Perfons of diftindion-
ufe Spanifli brandy, but the lower fort a kind of rum diftilled from
the fugar-cane.

Jobfon remarks, that the common people in Guiney eat only once
a day, which is after fun-fet. They hold, that eating feldom, and
in the cooler part of the day, is a good prefervative of health. He
adds, that the natural moifture being drawn outwards to refresh the
external parts when parched by the fun's heat, the ftomach is then
cold, and fitter to receive a dram than to digeft folid food ; in proof
of which opinion, he aflerts to have found by experience, that he
and his men could drink as much brandy in the middle of the day,
at a time, as in England would have burnt out their very hearts; that
is his expreffion.

The fweating, which happens in confequence of overmuch re-
laxation in fome hot climates,, feems to be of the colliquative kind,
refembling that which accompanies putrid diftempers in their ad-
vanced ftage, when there is an utter proftration of flirength, and
when the blood is haftening into a total diffolution j a moderate
dram of fome fpirituous liquor, at fuch times, operates by its bracing
or aflringent quality, and fupprefles the immoderate flow of perfpi-
ration -, hence thofe perfons v/ho drink this liquor moderately, when
they are almoft overcome with the debilitation of heat and moifture,
perceive a fenfation of coolnefs, and ceafe to fweat fo profufely.
But the wholefomer v/ay of ufing it Vv^ould probably be with a due
mixture of water, like the reapers of Pennfylvania, mentioned by
Mr. Franklin, in this way likewife admiral Vernon, when he was
at Jamaica, caufed the crews of his fquadron to be ferved,. and it
caufed a wonderful change in their health ; for with this caution
they became lefs fubjecl to bad fevers, and were able to go througli
the fatigues of their duty without inconvenience.

The moft wholefome proportion of rum to water, in this cli-
mate, is as I to 16, or half a pint of rum to a gallon of water, and.
the allowance to foldiers, feamen, and white fervants, fliould rarely
or ever exceed it, for their ordinary beverage; the price of half a
•pint of rum is feldom above i%d. Jamaica currency,, or i\d.
ikrling; the navy allawance of beer is one gallon to each common

I. feaman

BOOK III. C 11 A P. VI. 563

feaman per diem, the price of which cannot be rated lower than 3^.
whence it appears, that, without any extra charge to government,
the feamen on this ftation might be Supplied with a daily allowance
of fugar or melafles, viz. a pint of mclafles, or half a pound weight
of mufcovado fugar, the coft of either of which would not exceed
one penny fterling, and in general it would be found to fall fhort
of the expence of beer, about % d. fterling per gallon, and con-
duce infinitely better to keep the men in good health.

The liquor called grog, or a mixture of rum and water, is often
rendered noxious by putting in an over-proportion of rum. For
although the drinkers of it fet out at firft with a moderate quantity
of the fpirit ; yet, as by habit it grows more and more taftelefs, they
arc induced gradually to add a little and a little more, till they bring
their mixture to equal parts of half rum, half water, and fometimes
three parts fpirit to one of water, for their common dilution at meals,
and in the heat of the day. I have known feveral perfons deftroy
themfelvcs in this manner, who at firft were extremely fober and
temperate ; but it was a work of fome time before they arrived at
that degree of excefs which was necefl'ary to bring on a dro()fy, or
other bad habit of body. Without a large proportion of water, or
the correction of a fubacid, as the juices of fruits, melafles, fugar,
cremor Tartaric tamarinds, and the like, it promotes, inftead of al-
laying, thirft ; and every draught, that is fwallowed, ferves but to
provoke the fwallowing another, till the faculties are ftupified.

After being heated in this climate with exercife in the fun, I
know not a more excellent remedy than a bafon of warm green tea,
fweetened with fugar or fyrup, with the addition of a fpoonful of
found old rum. This prefently refliores the perfpiration, takes off
the fenfation of fatigue, and is cooling and refrefliing. But cold
liquors, as punch, &c. drank at fuch a time, are apt to fupprefs
the perfpiration, increafc heat, and bring on violent pains in the
head, and fometimes a fever.

9. The faccharine matter fermented in order to the making rum,
produces in hot climates a copious quantity of 'volatile oil, which
unites with the fpirit during Jermentntion.

Part of this oil then combines with the fpirit, and comes over in
the courfe of diftijlation united with it.

4 C 2 The

564 JAMAICA.

The other part riles uncombined, but unites by Jlow degrees
afterwards. A proportion of volatile oil is likewife produced in the
procefs of diftillation, by the adlion of the fire upon that faccharine
matter in the diftilling liquor, which has continued unchanged by
fermentation, and adheres to the ftill, /« form of what is generally
called dunder.

10. The volatile oil, which comes over uncombined, imparts to
fre(h diftilled rum that ranknefs of fmell and tafte, which are al-
moft always found in it. And the aftringent quality of the pure
fpirir, as yet not united in due proportion with this oil, caufes that
fiery pungency, which it remarkably poffeffes at that time.

11. But the union being afterwards perfedted and matured, by
due age, the rank tafte, fmell, and acrid pungency, are then con-
verted into fuch as arc grateful. The aftringent and coagulating
powers of the fpirit, of courfe, are materially corredled, infomuch
that they ceafe to be detrimental to thofe perfons who drink it in
fit moderation.

12. This dulcification is verified by an eafy experiment. A piece
of raw flefti being fteeped in brandy, another in rum, it is found,
that the plumpnefs and foftnefs of the flefli is much longer retained
under the adion of rum, than under that of brandy. Although
brandy will harden it ftill lefs than rectified fpirit of wine, or
alcohol.

13. Brandy is united with fome portion of acid, but no volatile
oil. It comes therefore nearer to pure ardent fpirit, has not its
noxious qualities correiied, and confequcntly is \i:ry inferior to
rum in lalubrity.

14. There are inftances where the frefh diftilled rum has all the
fenfible good qualities that, in genera!,, are only to be gained by the
improvement of time and long keeping. This peculiarity has its
caufe in the volatile oil bein? of fuch a nature, that the whole of it
unites immediately with the fpirit in the procefies of fermentation
and diftillation, and thus renders the rum perfect at ti:e firft.

§ This muft be underftood only in a certain degree. For the beft:
fpirit that can be made, when iirft drawn, is not without that fiery,
pungent, acrid tafte before defcribed, though it becomes divefted of
it in a much ftiorter time.

15. This

BOOK III. CHAP. VI. 565

15. This materially depends on the right management of the
diflilling procefs, taking care never to draw off the fpirit or runnings
too low; for whenever this happens, the concreted matter at the
bottom of the ftill will be apt to burn, and an onpyreutnatk oil comes
over, which requires great length of time to make it unite with the
fpirit, and fomctimes it cannot be cured of this depravity by the
longefl keeping.

§ The beft method for preventing fuch an efFevfl will be, to keep
up an equal, and not too violent, fire, and to draw off the runnings
for marketable ufe not a moment longer than while they continue
perfedly limpid, colourlefs, or clear from any whitifli cloud or tinge;
a fmall quantity of which is fufticient to fpoil the flavour of a whole
puncheon of the fpirit.

§ This milky tinge is the fure criterion, to fliew that a burnt or
naufeous empyreumatic oil is rifing, and that the rum is what is
commonly ziWtdi Jlill-burnt . It afcends commonly towards the end
of the operation. Some planters draw the runnings too long, from
a miflaken thrift of making the mod: they can, and thus perhaps
depreciate the whole of their diftillation. What firfi: comes over is
always the beft, and, when diluted to the flandard proof with pure
fpring water, it makes the fineft rum. In Jamaica, they generally
mix the whole of the firfi: runnings together, and diflil or redify
tliem over again, referving aHo the low wines, or latter runnings, for
the fame purpofe.

16. This empyreumatic oil is apt to difagree with fome fVomachs,
and caufe the heart-burn. But the effe6t is rather an inconvenience than
any injury. It only gives ri(e to an unplealing fenfation, but does
no real prejudice to the health.

1 ~. No fpirituous liquor digefls more kindly, or affifts digeflion
more efiicacioufly, than good mm, fufficiently diluted with water,
and drank in proper quantity. The ufc of it has even been found
effectual in fome chronical cafes of bad digeflion, where all other
means of relief have failed.

The comparative effeds of rum and brandy on the health have
been noted at fea, where they are particularly diftinguifliable; when
it has happened, that, in failure of being able to procure the former,

the

566 J A M A I C A.

the latter has been fubftituted. The decluie of heahh that has fol-
lowed has been exxeedingly confpicuous on this change, from the
ufe of rum to that of brandy ; numbers of feamcn contracling difor-
ders they were free from before.

§ Mr. Kalm mentions, that, in the North-American provinces,
rum is efteemed much wholefomer than brandy; and he was told
by Major Rutherforth, that, being upon the Canada expedition, he
had obferved that fuch of his men as drank brandy for fome time,
died of it; but thofe who drank rum were not hurt, though they
got drunk with it every day, and oftener than the others.

The caufe of this great difference is obvious from the foregoing
, remarks.

19. It is proper however that this fpirit fliould always be drunk in
moderation. Whatever quantity infringes on fobriety, and brings
on any diforder, ought to be diminiflied. It is always proper like-
, wife, .that in the daily conftant ufe of this fpirit, it fliould be di-
luted with water or other fmall liquor, which will render it more
mild and inoffenfive in its adlion on the flomach, and organs of
, fecretion.

The too copious ufe of thofe very aftringent acids, the juice of
limes and lemons along with fpirits, h^ greatly promoted the in-
jury done to the health of thofe who have drunk them to excefs,
and in moft habits they are apt to do mifchief. But the juice of
oranges, and milder fruits, taken with fuch fpirits, is lefs noxious.
Lemons and limes ought always to be admitted fparingly and with
the greatefl: caution.

§ It is a very wrong and injudicious cuflom in Jamaica, in taverns
as well as private houfes, to ufe green limes in making punch; for
lemons or Seville oranges are feldom made ufe of. The juice of
green limes is of a very corrofive nature ; and hence its efficacy in
cleanfing^foul ulcers. There is ftrong reafon to believe, that this
inofl: noxious ingredient is often produdtive of cramps and other
fpafmodic complaints j and that its bad effeds would be more
leverely felt, if it were not that they are in fome meafure corre(fled
by the fugar which makes a part of the compofition. The acid of
this unripe fruit is fp fharp, that it excoriates the inteftines, and

-caufe«

BOOK III. C H A P. VI. s^j

caufes bloody ftools, if fwallowed without any corredlor \^y\. But
when they are ripe, their juice, having been thoroughly concod:ed
by the lun, becomes mild and inoftenfive, if ufcd with a due pro-
portion of fugar ; and experience fhews, that all fruit may be more
I'afely eaten, the more fugar it contains.

The fafer way is, to fubftitute the Seville orange, which grows •
wild in every part of this illand, and might eafily be propag.Ued in
iufficient quantity on every plantation, or in the neighbourhood of
the towns, for fupplying the inhabitants.

It is a queftion whether the addition, of the cafhoo fruit, which
pofTeffes an highly ftyptic acid, be proper in punch ? It communi-
cates a pleafant flavour, and perhaps the roafting before it is ufed for
this purpofe may abate much of its aftringency, which is fo great in
the crude fruit, that it has often performed a cure in droplical com-
plaints, occafioned by the immoderate ufe of fpirituous liquors; I
Ihall not therefore haftily condemn, what may poflibly operate as
an antidote in fome degree to the bad effefts of thofe fpirits. •

It was a long time a vulgar prejudice, that the diforder called the
belly-ache was caufed by drinking rum mixed with dark uncleanfed •
fugar in punch. But it is morally certain that this was an erroneous
opinion, and that the juice of unripe fruit, which was fuppofed the
moft harmlefs ingredient, was in facfl the primary caufe of this mif-
chievous confequence in many cafes [s].

[_)r] If a fowl jull killed, or a piece of batchers meat juft flaughtered, is fteeped before it is
piu on the fpit, in the juice of unripe limes for fome litile tiine, or if the juice ot three or four
is fi]ueezed into the water wherein fuch flefh is intended to be boiled, it will become io fotteneil
3S to be thorougly drefled in an hour's time. The Negroe cooks, who are to drefs what is called
here a furpr'iT^d fi-j:l, or one which is refpiireil to be roafted or boiled with great expedition
immediately after it is killed and plucked, pour lime-juice down the throat, and at the vent,to make
the fiefli tender and ealable. The fame efteft is caufed by the juice of the unripe papaw fruif,
which is knovvn to be highly cauftic. An eminent phyfician tor this reafon advifcd, that the limes
ufed for making punch ihould be diced thin, and boiling water poured on them, te extra'l mu-
cilage out of the ieeds, ivhich may prevent the acid from (hutting up the neck of the gall-bladder ;
and he affirmed that it might be drunk with much more fecurity by being fo blended.

[a] Dr. Cheyiie declares it theyo/f caufe. " In the VJ'eJi-Inillcs (fays he) where, from the nc-
" ceflity of drinking much, and from the ■u'^'j/ of proper liquors, they are forced to drink vr\\.\c\\ pnncl-,
" though lemons and oranges be in their full perfection, they are iinimerfally affiled with nervous
" and «/«•/«/ dry belly-aches, palfies, cramps, and convulfions, \y\\\c\\ cut tbon off in a fi-M Jqys,
" entirely owing to this poijono/is mixture." The dortor was Tidly millaken in thefe pofitioiis,
and fo he was told by a cotemporary writer. " It the Weft- Indians are uiiiivrJiiUy afflicted with
" tltefe diforders, and aie cut off in a few iLiys, how tan any inhabltiuits remain alive? But if

the

568 JAMAICA.

This diforder is a fpafii^iodic affedlion of. the bowels, which may
proceed from the irritation of fuch a corroding acid, or from a fudden
repulfe of the perfpiration after the body has been violently heated

" ihc punch- Iriiikcrs alone ave meant, the doiflor has been mifinformcd ; for the people in the
" Well-Indies have plenty of wines irom all the countries producing that commoditv, and ale
•' and cyder from England, and are under no neceffity of drinking punch for want of other liquors.
" They make Madeira wine and water fcrve the common purpoles ot di inking, as .we do fmall
•' beer in England; nor is it to to be fu))pof;d that an opulent peop'e, whofe coinmcice obliges
" them to have dealings with al'iioft every country in Europe, would want any conveniency that
" Europe can allbrd ; nor can we imagine, without infulting the good (enfe ol thefe people, that
" they would indulge thcmfelves in a liquor fo poifonous and deftruftive to them, as the doctor
" defcribcs. punch to be, uhen they have fo great a variety ot other liquors that an'wer all the
" ends of drinking. The dry belly-ache, which is fo peculiar to tr,at part of the uorld, attacks
" the women as well as the men ; yet the women there are particularly remarkable for their
" temperance, a'.ul ablVmeuce from ftrong liquors; and many of both fexes, who never tailed
" punch, or indulged in any ih'ong liquor in their lives, are afflioled »vith this dilleir.per. Nor
" is it true that it is mortal; going to 'a colder climate never falls to produce a cure, without
" taking any other remedy; and this difeafe is fo far from cutting them off in a icw da^s, that
■" they ^vho live foberly, uhen they are fo affliihled, generally recover in a very little time ; and it
" will hold thofe who continue the exceffive ufc of llrong lujuors many months, and even years,
" before they are either killed by it, or cured of it." The lall point is in legard to the fruit,
lemons and oranges, which, the tlo,51or fays, are found in the utmoll pcrfeftion in thofe places;
and of courfe he fuppofcd, they were ufed only in that Hate: but herein he was greatly millaken
again; for whatever mifchievous elFecIs thefe fruits have produced, have been owing entirely,
either to the eating too large a quantity ol them at a time, or to the ufe ot fuch as were not half
ripe, and cojifequently not in that flate of perfeftion which he has fuppofed. Dr. Trapham, in
remarking on this diforder, ingeniouily obferves, that the Eaft-Indians, though living under much
the fame temperament ot climate, are not afflic^tcd with it ; which exemption he afcribes to their
conllant ufe of baths and undions; by which the cutaneous pores are kept open tor a free
dii'charge of the perfpirable matter, and the origin of thele fpafms thus fet loofe, inftead of being
locked up. And upon this principle he llrnngly recommends the ufc of warm and relrefliing
baihs, Iweetened with orange- flowers and the aromatic leaves of the country; more particularly
titter a journey, or other hard exercife; to uhich may alio be joined dry-rubbing with H.inncl or
a coarfe towel. This advice is llrongly fuj)ported by an obfervation which every one here muft
have made, vi-z. that the Negroes, and the \\ hite natives, who bathe every day, are rarely or ever
iibjeft to this diforder; and that warm bathing has generally procured relief and eafe to patients
labouring under it, when other remedies have failed. Trapham mentions a fpecific for it, which
had been proved eihcacious by a vail number of trials ; this is a fpccies ot titby:)ja!its, Br. p. 234.
called by Pifo, CaJ.icJa, p. 102. fnake-weed, or creejjing-hairy-fpurge. Jt is a fmall, creeping,
milky plant; its leaves not unlike thole of mint, but longer and narrower, ot a <la!k-green colour;
its llalk inclining to a reddilhnefs, with fmall fibres or hairy radicles ; between its leaf, at the
joints of the llalk, the flowers come out in linall bunches, and of a green colour. ^It is common
in all the dry favannahs ot Jamaica.

A drachm of the dried herb is given powdered in any convenient liqu; r, and repeated once in
three or four hours till the ufual fympton^s abate ; or it may he made into a fyrup, and given from
one ounce to three, f-o n nat.i; iikeu'ifc in decoftions and clyilers. lie recommends it alfo to
be iutufed or boiicd in the medicated baths prepared lor cafes cf tliis nature.

with

BOOK III. CHAP. VI, 569

with motion or hard drinking, by which feme acrimonious humour
is lodged upon them. Sailors who tope half rum, half water, till
they are fweating at every pore, and tumble almofl naked on the
open deck, or in a flreet, and there fleep, expofed to the damps of
the night air and dew; or white fervants on plantations, who follow
the like fottifli pradice; or others who are obliged to travel in the
night, and after riding hard till a fweat is excited, come on a fudden
to a fteep hill, or a river, which conflrains them to walk their
horfes a gentle pace; or thofe who are chilled by a fudden rain ; or
who are too carelefs after violent dancing ; all thefe perfons are liable
to be afBidted with fuch a fpafmodic dilbrder. Hence it appears,
that it may proceed from a variety of caufes, and affcdl even the
moft fober and temperate perfons, as is well known it does in Ja-
maica J and the oleum ricini, or nut-oil, which is ufed with fo much
fuccefs in giving relief to thofe afRidled with it, owes perhaps its
efficacy to the opening, foothing, lubricating nature of its operation,
by which it fweeps away the acrid matter that was perpetually
Simulating, fupplies the want of mucus, to the abraded parts, and
recompofes the nerves, in confequence of which the fpafm or con-
vulfion ceafes.

Let me now juft recapitulate, for it cannot be repeated too often,
the deftruftive effecls of fpirituous liquors itnmoderately ufed; for
rum, though lefs pernicious than any other, is not lefs noxious in
the end, when drank in excefs for any confiderable time.

When drank in this manner, they render the fibres of the body
too rigid and tenfe. They communicate an acrimony to the animal
fluids, and, not mingling freely with them, thicken, coagulate,
and obftrud their circulation, efpecially in the fmalkr veflels.
They caufe the liver and mefenteric glands to become fchirrhous,
render the bile tenacious and vifcid, deftroy the appetite, hinder the
excretion of the urine, and produce difeafes that terminate in un- .
timely death [«]. The dropfy was formerly fo common in Ja-
maica,

[<j] Their corrofive a(5lion on the ftomnch and bowels may be imagined, from the effects
obfcrved on the hogs in Germany fed with the dilViUers wa(h ; tlieir guts are fo rotted, that the -.
inhabitants cannot make hogs-puddings with them. To the fame caufe it is owing, that the
Helh of Inch hogs becomes fo tender that it will not keep by faking.

It is a known obfervation of expert dealers in hair for wigs, that they can diftinguifh the dram-
drinkers hair by the touch, finding it dr}-, harfii, dead-ended, and unfit for ufe : and in the fame

Vol. II. 4 D manner

570 JAMAICA.

niaica, that it went by the name of the country difeafe ; it drew its
origin from the pradice of inebriating with raw rum, which in
thofe days was almofl the only fpirituous liquor the inhabitants
were able to procure. It is now grown uncommon ; the inhabi-
tants are not only more temperate, but provide themfelves with
Madeira wine, and a variety of other vinous liquors; drink lefs
rum, and more diluted; perhaps too they are much improved in
the art of diftillation, and have produced fome amendment in point
of quality.

One of the beft of all drinks for this climate is good water, mixed
with a moderate quantity of found v/ine, as I have had before occa-
lion to remark; but as fome cautions are necefiary to diredl the
choice of fuch water as is bed: accommodated to health and di-
geftion ; or to inflrudl the means of purifying and corredting it,
when impregnated with noxious mineral or other particles ; I fliall
confider them in a feparate fedion.

WATER.

manner It is that it fpoils the ftomach and bowels, the liver and lungs, and the whole body, of
thofe unhappy perfons. Their ftomachs are contraded into half the common natural fize, and
hardened like leather that has been held to the fire ; the confequence ot which is a lofs ot appe-
tite, and a walliny confumption.

The rage oi mankind is fuch for thefe liquors, that it is almofl dangerous to fay any thing in
their behalf, left it Ihould be miftaken for an encouragement to pcrfevere ; and indeed it avails
but little to preach up moderation in the ufe of them, to thofe who will fet no bounds to their
foMifh habits from any fenfe of trheir ill confequence to health ; fuch beads mull be retrained
by nieer tovce and authority, and debarred from the means of procuring fo much as may do
them injury, for they cannot or will not judge for themfelves within the line of common
prudence.

It appeared from adjniral Knowks's orders, when he commanded a fleet at Bojlon, that his nieii
got drunk with New-England rum at the rate of a thmfaiui in a day; and that 1400 New-England
men were killed by it in two months ; and in New Jerfey, where it is fold very cheap, tlie people
are fo attached to ii, that in harvell-time they make it their bargain to have eveiy man a//«/ a day,
befides wages.

Thofe commanders therefore cannot be too much applauded, who have the prudence and
humanity to oblige their men to drink fpirits largely diluted with water; which, as I have before
taken notice, was pradifed with the happieft etleft by admiral Vernon. Captain Ellis attributed
to the fame wife precaution, the uncommon fuccefs he had in bringing home, in the- years 1753
and 1 755, all his white men, which were thirty- four, and thirt)-.fix in health, from a Griiney voyage
cf fifteen months. Hales on Ventilators,

The lame precaution fliould be ufed by the commanders of the regular troops, and the overfeers
of plantations in Jamaica. Nothing can more plainly evince the fatal effedfs of thefe excefles,
than the general apjjearance and untimely end of nioft of the white men and Negroes emplo3ed
ill the dillilling-houfes, who, as they can fupply themfelves freely and without reftraint, fo they
fivill immoderate quantities of frelh dilljlled mm, piping hot from the worm j for they cannot

fo

BOOK III. CHAP. VI. 571

WATER.

SECT. VI.

lVatet\ in Tts natural flate, is nowhere to be found entirely fimplc
and pure; but it is generally treated of by authors, under two
heads, common, and mineral. Common water admits of all thofe
various impregnations, which are not obvious to the fmeli or tafle,
and have no fenfible a£lion on the human body. The impregnations
in mineral waters will affedt the body, and health, according to
the properties of the fubftances diflblved, or contained in them ; and
in proportion as the quantity of fuch heterogeneous particles be
greater or lefs. But it is to be obferved, that this definition is not
compleatly fatisfa£tory : there is a middle clafs of water, which is
uncompounded with any mineral or foflile fubftance, and yet may
contain particles imperceptible to the eye or tafte, different from
what are ufually found in common water. It may, for example, con-
tain the fubtile ova, or exuv'ia, of various infeds, or a volatile gas,

fo well procure any better. They are bloated, pallid, emaciated, without appetite, and generally
itic of droplies or confuniptions.

The overieer lliould never deliver an allowance of rum to the white fervants to ufe at their
pleafure, unlefs he can rely on their difcretion and fobriety ; it ought to be ferved to them every
day ready mixed with water; at leail this might be the conftant fure penalty of their being ever
found inebriated.

The beil way of leaving off" a habit of dram-drinking is, by degrees to mix water with the
drams; to lelfen the quantity of fpirit every diy, and keep to the fame, or an encreafed quantity
of water, till, in about the comfe of a week, no fpirit, or but very little, is ufed.

By this means the party will futfcr no inconvenience, hut reap great benefit, as has been
expeiienced by many.

If any gnawing is lett in the llomach, a little warm broth is a good remedy.

The appetite always increafes after leaving otf this cuftom of fwilling raw fpirit, unlefs by
too long a continuance the tone of the rtomach is deftioyed.

In this mclacholy llate.

Take One ounce of elixir proprietatls.
Three drachms of elixir of vitriol.
One drachm of Minficht's elixir of ilcel : mix together.

A teafpoonful of this mixture in a fniall wine-glafs of whiie-wine, or a cup of c'arduus or
chamomile tea, every morning and evening taken tafting, is rccomniended * tor the benefit ot
thofe who have wifdom or refolution enough lett to delift trom a pernicious ExaJ's in thefe
liquors, which cannot be long perfirted in, without the greateft niilchief to health ; for fuch per-
fons only it is meant ; and not for thofe infatuated wretches, who are blind to felf-prefen'ation,
and wilfully rufh into their grave.

* Hales.

4 D 2 injurious

5712 JAMAICA.

injurious to health. It is of confequence therefore, to have fome
criteria^ whereby to dill:ingui(h any noxious quaUties contained in
water, that fuch may be chofen as is befl: adapted to preferve
health. Philofophy and experiment have inftru£ted us in the
means of making the difcovery, in moil: refpefts ; and likewife have
pointed out thofe waters, which delerve a preference before others,
for their lightnefs and falubrity.

Of all waters the atmofpherical, or rani water, is the mofi: light
and (imple; yet even this is found to contain fome impregnations,
dilcoverable by a chemical procels. Next to this, is fpring water ;
which varies in purity and goodnefs, according to the nature of the
foil tiiiough which it percolates; what rifes amidft a rocky, gravelly,
or zlyAky Jiratum, is generally moll: efteemed. The water of wells,
if fed by a fubterraneous current, comes next in order; and improves,
by {landing for fome time expofed to the air before it is drank.
Kiver water is not much to be recommended, unlefs fome
previous cautions are ufed in depurating, and preparing it for
life; but of all waters, fuch as is itagnant, found in lakes,
ponds, or ditches, is the very worfl. I Ihall now apply thefe
diiiin6tions more particularly to Jamaica. The rain water here is
experienced to be extremely light, pure, and wholefome, collected
in thofe mountainous places where no fprings are at hand; pro-
vided it is carried in clean gutters, into fome relervoir, or fhaded
place, wliich is not expofed to the fun at any time, nor open to
inlcvfls for dcpoiiting their eggs. When I was at St. John's Town
in Antigua, lome years ago, 1 obferved moft of the houfes were
provided with cilierns, for receiving the rain water which fell on
the roofs; this water, from the multitude of mulkeetos which bred
in it, the lizards, cockroaches, and other animals, that had fallen in,
and the dirt walhed down from the houfe tops, was feculent, and
almoll putrid. Such water, even boiling can fcarcely accommo-
date to health. The water of many of the rivers in Jamaica is tur-
bid, from the frequent lieavy fhowers that fall in the uplands, and
flood them ; in general therefore, their water ought to be kept for
fome days, until the clayey and other impure particles are entirely
fubfided, or that it is otherwife purified.. The water of lagoons is

fo

BOOK III. CFIAP. Vr. 573'

fb fetid, that the feiifcs will fuHiciently caution againfl: the admitting
any of it into the Itomach.

The moll: common impregnations in the Jamaica waters are,
On the South fide — a foliile muriatic fait, terrene particles, and
particularly lime-ftone.
! On the North fide — Terrene, argillaceous, fl:ala£tite matter, and'
chalk.

There are iikewifc, of the mineral clafs, fuch as are known to be-,
impregnated with iron and fulphur; and others, that arc fufpeded to
contain copper,, lead, or allum.

I. Brackish, or Water impregnated with a Muriatic Salt,^
Is difcovered, by letting fall two or three drops of folution of filver
(in ^^//(^/^/'//ij into a glafs of it ; when, if there is ever fo fmall a^
quantity of that fait, it will unite with tlie aqua for lis, and caufe it
to feparate.from the filver, which will fall (lowly in the form of a.
white cloud; and if the proportion of the fait be large, the cloud
will have a curdled appearance, and a coerulean cad.
2. Tkrrene Impregnation.
A few drops of oil of tartar will dilcover a fuperabundance of earthy
matter, by caufing it to precipitate to the bottom of the glafs,, in a.
whitilh cloud or lediment.

3.. Calcarious and Stalactic Matter.
Syrup of violets dete<5ls alcaline as well as acid particles; com*--
municating to the water agreenilh tinge, if an.alcali, and red, if an
acid predominate?.

4. Vitriolic, Chalybeate, or Iron.
The milder acids, as vinegar and lemon-juice, poured into a
chalybeate water, give it a fweetifh tafte. But the principal tefl: ofr'
the iron impregnation, is the black colour it flrjkes with a vegetable
artringent, as tin£lure of galls; and the purple caft when an alcaline
fait, or lime water is added to the adringent ; and which is of
deeper hue in proportion to the larger mixture of the alcali. The
galls of which the tincture is made, for purfuing this experiment,
fliould be blue, of the llrongeft kind, frefli and lound.

5, Sulphur
is diftinguhhed by the tafte, and inflammability of the fediment;
and by the waters ftriking a. black colour, with a few drops of:

folutioiii

574 J A M A I C A.

folution of faccharum fi^tnrtii in water ; or folutlon of lead in the
nitrous acid ; by its I'udden tarnifhing of filver ; and by the fetid
fmell refcmbliiig a rotten egg, or fcowerings of a foul gunbarrel, on
dropping in folution of alcalis.

6. Copper.
This is difcovered by fpirit of fal ammoniac, made with quick-
lime ; which, if the fmallell: particles of copper are prefent in the
water, caufe it to ailiime a very beautiful blue colour. Iron preci-
pitates this metal. A plate of iron laid in water, impregnated with
copper, will foon be covered with an incrufration of it.

•J. Lead
is not a native impregnation of mineral waters; it is generally
found in the earth united with fulphur in form of an ore. Waters,
impregnated with its rufl or mineral vapour, ftrike a pink or red
colour with aqiiaforlis, and are highly poifonouG ; for which reafon,
on liquor fhould ever be kept in leaded cifterns or other veflels, either
for drink or preparing food. That lead, when diflblved by fire, or
corroded by an acid, emits poifonous effluvia, is fufficiently fhewn
by the difeafes incident to plumbers and painters. But much lefs
heat than is required for melting lead, is capable of detaching fuch
pernicious effluvia. The heat in the bowels of the earth in this
climate may be juftly liifpetled, efpecially in Liquanea, and other
parts where lead ore has been found to work this efted ; fo far at
lead as to impregnate any fprings of water, which circulate among
this ore. Water alone, if not perfeclly pure, is a fufficient agent to
caufe a folution of the metallic poifon ; and has been found by ex-
perience to imbibe it largely. The noted colic of Amfterdam,
which for a long time eluded the fearch of phyficians with refpetSt
to its caufe, took its rife from this poifonous impregnation of tlie
rain water, which was colledled in leaden refervoirs, after firll
lodging on fiat leaded houfe roofs, upon which the leaves of trees
had fallen in great abundance about autumn. Thefe excited a fer-
mentation, which corroded the lead, and contaminated the water.
Tronchin relates that whole families were feized with this dreadful
colic: eleven perfons fell ill with it at once in one houfe; who,
upon new covering the roof with other materials, and changing their
water, recovered. Dr. Baker fufpeAfVs, that the lead ufed about the

works

BOOK III. CHAP. VI. ^j^

works in our plantations, where fugar and rum are made, is a principal
cauic of the Weft-India cohc, or bclly-ache. But in tiiis con-
jefture he Icems to be greatly miftaken ; for, if this was true, the
cftedls would always be ceitain and invariable; and tjiofc only
would be fubjeft to that malady, who fwallowed rum and fugar m
the largeft quantities, which does not agree with oblbrvation or ex-
perience ; fnice many are fubjeft to it, who never drink any rum,
and eat but very little fugar. The drinkers of new rum are the
moft fubjeft to it, the reafon of which I have endeavoured to ex-
plain. Befides, the caufe is not proportioned to the fuppofed
effedl. It is true the mill-bed is covered with lead ; but the metal
fuffers no abrafion, as in a Devonftiire cyder-mill, to which the
Doctor's idea perhaps compared it. The cane liquor docs not reft
upon it long enough, or with preffure enough, to a(5l upon the metaU
it falls in hnall quantities, and keeps on its progrefs, in a gentle
fmooth current to the gutter, which is commonly made of folid
wood hollowed J and where one gutter joins another, the joint is
fometimes covered for the fpace of two or three inches with a piece
of lead, though more generally with clay. Two or three luch
gutters at moft are commonly long enough to reach the receiver in
the boiling houic, which is made entirely of wood ; and there the
liquor remains to fettle, till it is wanted for the copper. If any ill
effevfl can be fuppofed to arife from this metal in the piocefs, it caii
only happen from what is laid round the rim of the coppers,
where it undergoes a conftant great heat; and might pofiibly com-
municate its effluvia to the liquor, whenever it is fuffered to boil lb
high as to come in conta^l with it. This the .boilers in fome
nieafure prevent, by beating it conftantly down with their ikim-
mers; however it might be adviieable, never to lay the lead low ia
the coppers. In the diftilling houfe, this metal is never uled in any
ftiape ; and, therefore, the rum cannot be fufpecled to be impreg-
nated with any of its effluvia, except what may come in the Ikim-
inings, which are but a fmall part of the liquor ufed in diftilling rum.
Whether the tkimmings have any fuch impregnation, is a fa6t very
queftionable, and not very probable; but againft a partial degree of
impregnation, the oleaginous and laxative principles of fugar appear
to, be a fufficient prefervative 3 and hence it is found, that they wlio-
5 eat

Sy6 JAMAICA.

ctit pan fugar, which is the hard crufl formed about the mouth of
the iacbe, and which cannot well be taken off" without fcraping at
the fame time into the very fubftance of the lead, do not fufi^er any
of thofe fpalmodic fymptoms in their bowels after eating it, which
the ruft or effluvia of this metal are apt to caufe, when combined
with things which are not qualified to correal their natural effcds.
Dr. Cremer obferved, that the potters at Ofterhout near Breda,
though conftantly employed in glazing earthen veffels, were rarely
affeded with any diforder in their bowels ; which exemption he
attributes to the large quantities of butter and fat bacon, which are
their ordinary food ; fo experience has taught the labourers in lead
jnines, to fortify their ftomach, and inteftines, with fat broths, and
llich like un3:uous aliments, which are antidotes to this poifon.

The vapour arifing from the fmelted ore at the mines in Mendip
Hill?, in Somerfctfhire, is fo poifonous, that if it fweeps the ground
adjacent, it afteds the grafs in fuch a manner, as to deftroy cattle
or iheep that browze on it- There is ?l fight, or light fubffance,
which floats in the Iraoak; and this, if it chances to mix with the
water in which the ore is waflied, and carried away with the ftream,
is faid to have deffroyed cattle, that have drunk of it after a current
•of tluee miles.

The diforders to which the workmen are fubjeft, are pains in the
ftomach, violent contorfions of the bowels, obflinate coftivenefs,
afihmas, and fhortnefs of breath, vcrtigos, paralytic affedions,
lofs of appetite, licknefs, and frequent vomitings.

The foil about thefe mines is red and ftoney; and the ftones
wafhed by the brooks and fprings, are of a reddifli cafl and very
ponderous : I cannot precifely anfwcr, whether the foil about the
Liquanea lead mines has a conformity in this refpect. It feems,
fiom the foregoing account, that a ftrong degree of heat is required
to difengage this pernicious fume j the fubterraneous heat is fufficient
for fuch an effecl in fome places, where there ^xejirata of particles
qualified to produce it by their fermentative adion. No doubt too,
but flones containing this mineral, if lying upon and very near the
furface expofed to a Tropical fun, may caufe this poifonous vapour to
be emitted or perfpired in fome degree; and, mixing with the air,
may render it unwholefome; but we have no certain proof, that
2 ^^^y

BOOK III. CHAP. VL ^jy

any fucli effedl happens about the lead mines of Liguanea. This
merits a further inveftigation; and hkewife the fprings, or ftceams,
which pafs among them, ought to be carefully examined. It ap-
peared, from Mr. Mufchenbrock's experiment, that lead is the
fooneft rarefied of all metals ; its expanlion with the fingle flame of
a lamp being (compared with iron) as one hundred and fifty-five to
eighty: which is nearly double ; fo that its parts are evidently li-
able to be affected by a very fmall portion of heat. And we find,
that milled lead, when expofed to the a£lion of the fun in Jamaica,
by being improperly made ufe of, inftead of (heet-lead, for co-
vering gutters and valleys on the roofs of buildings, very foou
blifters, cracks, and becomes leaky.

8. Allum.

Waters which contain it difcover themfelves, on evaporation, by
their auftere, aftringent tarte. They change vegetable blues (as
fyrup of violets frefh-made) to a red colour ; but, if the fyrup is
old, to a green. An addition of lime-water deepens the green.
They alfo coagulate milk. Bricks harden the foftefl water, and
give it an alluminous impregnation. The pradice therefore of
lining w^ells with brick is fuppofed improper.

But, on the other hand, about a quarter of an ounce of allum,
powdered, and thrown to every fix or feven gallons of turbid,
muddy water, will, in about an hour or two, render it perfecftly pure
and tranfparent. Nor does any inconvenience refult from the allum.
It is not only an excellent purifier of fuch water, but is thought,
in hot climates, to cool the body, and brace up its relaxed fibres.

There are other methods likewife recommended for purifying
water. In Jamaica, the people of Spanifh Town keep their river-
water in feveral large jars, where it fettles and depofites a fediment
in about twenty-four or thirty-four hours. Some families have
three, or more ; which, being taken in turn, well cleanfed, and
replenhhed regularly, fupply them with a very pure and light
water inferior to none.

Very foul water may be purified by letting it percolate through
fand flowed in half-puncheons, or tubs made on purpofe ; with
Imall holes two or three inches above their lower end, guarded
with a piece of hair-cloth, doubled on the infide, to prevent any

Vol. II. 4 E of

5;8 JAMAICA.

of tlie fand from dripping out with the water, which may he col-
lefted in a receiver placed underneath. The fand ufed for this
purpofe (hould be fhlfted now and then, perfeftly clear from dirt,
and free from all mixture of fea-fand. Several of thefe fand-
ftrainers might be provided where a large fupply is required. And
thus any perfon may have no bad fubftitute, where a natural fpring
is not to b; met with. Brackifli water might be very much de-
purated, if not wholly corrected, by this method : but, fiiould this,
fail, a very pure element may be obtained with a common ftill,
even from fea water; and, for this procefs. Dr. Hales advifea
powdered chalk, in the proportion of half an ounce to a gallon of
water, to be from time to time put in at a hole in the upper part
of the ftill, helow the head, to prevent the rifing of the fpirit of
the bittern, which would caufe a difiigreeable taile ; tliis hole to
be immediately clofed, to prevent any abatement of the quantity
diftilled. The fame ingenious gentleman invented the tin air-box,
full of holes ; by blowing through which, with a pair of common
bellows, the moll ftinking water may be fweetened ; the frefli
ftreams of air thus thrown in, and difperfed throughout the ven-
tilated water, caufing the putrid vapour to afcend, and efcape from
it: and, by this method, a whole butt of ftinking water has been
corrected in the fpace of an hour. Nothing is more likely to difpofe
the body for the reception of difordcrs, than water filled with putrid
particles. It is worth the experiment, whether even lagoon water
may not be rendered potable, after being firft well llrained, by
tranfmitting fhowers of frefh air through it. The failors, belong-
ing to the merchant-fhips which load at this ifland, will very fre-
quently, out of meer lazinefs or ignorance, fill their caflcs with
brackifli water, taken up at the mouth of a river, or even with
lagoon water ; rather than be at the pains to procure what is fweet
and wholefome. There is fcarcely a harbour in the ifland, indeed
I do not know of above one, wliere a fupply may not be had of
iJ-Qod water. This carelefs practice, and the want of cieanfing
their caiks before they are filled, may probably have often bred
fluxes and other diforders among the crews of thefe ihips.

The lagoon water, being the con(l:ant feminary for mufkeetos,
is loaded with the eggs and dead bodies of thefe infc'Sts. It fwarms-,

bcfides.

BOOK III. CPIAP. VI. s-jg

befides, with numbers of other an'imalcidce ; and is further cor-
rupted with ftinking aquatic phmts and filthy ooze[;-]. It is
difficult to exclude mufkeetos from water referved for uic, v/ith-
out keeping the mouth of the jar covered with a piece of ofnabrig-,
or other cloth, which may hinder them from penetrating, at the
fame time not wholly excluding the admifllon of frefli air. They
depofite their eggs in river-water, and in cjflerns. I have even
known them hatch in lime-water : but, when the eggs are hatched,
the young ones are very confpicuous to the eye, and appear like
little tad-poles. Whenever the water is fufpefted to contain them,
it is carefully flrained, for drinking, through a clean linen cloth
three or four times doubled. The Spaniards generally made ufe
of percolating fiones; and, indeed, many perfons now ufe them
in Jamaica. Tiiey tranfmit an exceeding pure, and very cool
water; but the procefs is rather tedious, where a large quantity is
every day wanted. Mod people here put out of doors, in a (haded
place (the more open to the wind, the better), feveral fmall un-
glazed jars, with water ; which is always coolefl in thofe whofe
texture is fo loofe as to admit part of the water to penetrate through,
and appear in a conftant moifture on their outfide; the evaporation,
no doubt, contributing greatly to the cnolnefs of the fluid within,
by carrying off the heated, rarefied particles inceflantly.

Cool water may juftly be regarded in this climate as medicinal,
and necefliiry either to preferve health or reftore it. Many perfons,
afflifted with putrid fevers, have even recovered by no other re-
medy ; and, in thefe diforders, it is remarkable with what ea-
gernefs and pleafure the patient Vv'ill drink cold water in preference
to lubacid liquors, or any other. The natives drink it almofl uni-
verfally. Sir Hans Sloane mentions it as the cuftom, when he was
here, to take a glafs of it every morning at getting out of bed;
and he judges it extremely conducive to health, as it not only may
cool the inflamed blood, creating a rheumatifm (very often taken
for, and almort always joined with, the belly-ach), but it may
alfo clear the bowels of fome four or (harp matter, which may
happen to lodge in their cells. He therefore efteems good water to

[r] A dead lizard being pi'.t into a tub of fredi rain-water, tlie water became jnitrid in about
twelve hours.

4 E 2 be

^So J A M A r C A.

be the mofl wholefome drink of any ; obferving, very jufily, that
fpirits, wine, beer, ale, cycler, and all other vinous and fermented
liquors, inflame the blood, and load the ftomach with phlegm,
caufing hiccoughs with their (liarpnefs, and difordering the head.
It muft be underflood, however, that, when water is ufed as the
only beverage in a hot climate, it ought to be as pure as poffible;
and that acefcent fubftances, fuch as vegetables, Ihould make a
conftant part of the water-drinker'^s food, in order to avoid that
putrefcency of the bodily humours which a total water and flefh
diet, without the correftion of vinous acids, or the antifeptic air
of vegetables, would probably generate. We find, accordingly,
that although the natives in this climate feldom drink any other
liquor, except cool, pure water ; yet they make their principal
daily meal confifl: chiefly of vegetables in their pepper-pots ; cat
plantains, yams, and cocos, inftead of bread; and are fond of
fallads, fruits, and fugared preparations.

The great axiom of health among the natives of the Weft-Indies
(as Rouppe well obferves) is, " to keep the body open, to drink
*' water, and not to indulge in cxceflive venery.'*^ Eut I muft re-
mark, that, of thefe three cautions, the laft is the leaft attended to.

SECT. VIL

HAVING now confidered the beft means of preferving health
in this climate under the feveraJ general heads propofed, it may
be neceffary, perhaps, that I fliould make fome apology for having
trefpaffed thus far upon the province of phyficians. Some, wha
obferve that I have founded the rules prefcribed oa tlie opinions of
many among theableft of the faculty, will acknowledge the weight
of authority from whence they come recommended. Others will>
at leaft, have the candour to allow, that any inaccuracy, or error,
betrayed in the aftbrting of them, may be pardoned, for the fake of
their utility, and the objedl: in view,, which is no other than that
of promoting the health and happinefs of this colony. For the
reft, I (hall gratefully be one of the foremoft ia offering my thanks
and applaufes. to any gentleman of the faculty refident here, who
fliall bend his thoughts to this important fubjedl, and give the
public a more elaborate and ufeful detail of the means whereby the
^ diforders,.

BOOK III. CHAP. VI. 581

diforders, Incident to the climate, may beft be prevented, or re-
medied. For what can be a more praife-wortliy ta(k, than the
God-like difpenfation of health to the fick, life to the dying, relief
to the miferable? It is not a little extraordinary, that, among all
the gentlemen eminent and learned in the medical profefTion,
who liave pradiied in this ifland, not one of them fliould have
published his fentiments on its difeafes, and the remedies found
moft efficacious in the cure of them, at leaft not within thefe
ilxty or feventy years part. The only treatife, I ever faw, was
compofed by Dr. Trapham, who refided here long ago. Dr.
Patrick Brown, who printed a natural hiftory of the ifland in the
year 1756, gave his fubfcribers aliiirance of a fecond volume,
which was to contain diflbrtations upon climates, atmofpheres,.
and difeafes, the yellow and remittent fevers, and worm-diforders ;
with a particular application of thefe fubjefts to Jamaica; but this
gentleman has not hitherto thought proper to comply with his
engagement. Is it becaufe feveral celebrated phyficians, as Hillary,
Biflet, Lind, and others, have publiflied their opinions already,
that our Jamaica profeflbrs of the healing art have, through mo-
defty, beenfiknt? If it be a modefl: reludlance, we may defervedly
call it a fudor nmlus, a blameable diffidence, which brings fome re-
proach on their iinderflanding, if not on their humanity; for.

Scire tuum nihil eji, niji tefcire hoc Jciat alter.
And although thefe learned precurfors mentioned niay have han-
dled the fubjedl with much Ikill and accuracy ; yet it cannot be
denied but much ftill remains to be faid : for the I'cience of ph} fie,
like other human fludies, is far too complex in its nature, and ad-
mits too comprehenfive a variety of obfervation and experience, to
derive more than a partial, progrefTive improvement from the prac-
tice of many phyfi^cians, even applying their thoughts to it incef-
fantly during their lives. After a feries of ages, it is perceived flill
very fhort of perfe£lion J but it maybe gr.Huially brought neaier
and nearer to that iiate, by the concurrent obfervarion, pradtice, and
experiment, of a multitude of intelligent men, rather than of two
or three. Befides, although x}c\t genera of the difeafes, moft mortal
in the Weft-Indies, may perhaps be well defined and ditlinguifl'ied j
yet, in the ex.teufive range of atmofpheres, and countries coijpve-

Lended!

-Q

JAMAICA.

552

hendcJ witliin that part of the globe, there muft neccflarily happen
a diveiiity in the Ipecies, a deviation of fymptoms, and a confe-
oucnthil obhgation to treat them differently, according to the va-
rious leafons and fituations.

Thus, for example, the putrid fevers of the Weft-Indies may ap-
pear with different fymptoms at Jamaica, than have been obferved
at Barbadoes, at Tobago, at Suiinam, at Porto Bello, or the Ha-
vannah. It may be requilite, according to the feafon of the year,
to vary the precautions in avoiding, as well as the precepts for re-
movinp-, them. In the Northernmoft parts of the Torrid Zone,
thefe and other difeafes may differ from, and call for a mode of
treatment materially altered from what might be abfolutely proper
in, litLiations under or very near to the Equator. That fuch a pub-
lication is much wanted is, in no refpeft, more confpicuous tlian iii
the ill fuccefs (too often the child of ignorance) which, to the de-
Ib-uftion of many inhabitants every year, has accompanied the
practice of lome homicides in this country.

If every phyfician here, of good education and abilit}-, w-as to
publiHi the fruits of his knowledge and praftice, his work would
fall into many hands, and prevent much of the mifchief likely to
happen from thole, who, wanting fuch a guide, are continually in
error. But, inflead of this, we obferve with regret, that, when
an experienced gentleman of the faculty has died here, or removed
from the iiland, his treafure of experimental knowledge has been
buried with him, or paffed away to another country, where, from
difference of climate, it becomes ufelefs.

If to refcue one man only from impending death can yield un-
fpeakable pleafure to a benevolent heart ; liow infinitely fuperior
i-nuft be his fatisfadlion, who, whiifl he communicates the means
by which thoufimds, perhaps, of his fellow-creatures may be faved
from extremity of torture and diftrefs, reflefts a moment, that, by
fo doing, he builds a monument that will tranfmit his i:iame with
eulogy to future generations! that the happy refult of his ikill does
not perifh wdth him! but that, after his body ceafes from exigence,
he may continue ftill the author of health, life, and eafe, to lateft
poller ity !

To

BOOK III. CHAP. VI. 583

To lay the foundation of unceafing benefit to mankind in this
way, is a work of the nobleO: ambition that can infpire the human
mind. How apphaudcd is the patriotifm and benevolence of thofe
princes, who iiave ereded bridges, formed roads, cut navif^able
canals, made fecure harbours, and executed other plans of great
public utihty! They are delervedly ftyled the fathers and friends
of their country. Nor lefs fo the phylician; who is really a father
to thofe who enjoy their life through his means.

Opifer per orhem dicor was thought an epithet the moft honour-
able of any to be conferred on the fabulous god of phyfic ; and not
undefervedly ; for, if there is a being upon earth to whom divine
honours could, without impropriety, be of^'ered, it is a learned, vir-
tuous, and communicative phyfician^

To defcribe the ftate of phyfick in this ifland, would be an invi-
dious talk. It is happily flipplied with feveral men of great abi^
lity. But, as every plantation requires what is called a iJoBor, it is
ueedlefs to ohferve, that there are too many pretenders to the
fcience, as in other countries, the practice not being as yet put
under any regulation by law. It may be fome aniufement to my
reader to be prefented with the hiftory of a Jamaica quack; not
that he is to regard it as an epitome of all the pradlitioners. ^li
capita illefacit. To a few it may be applicable; but^ for the credit
of human nature, I declare it is not applicable to any contiderable
number. Mr. ApQ%eni, the hero of my narrative, was the fon of a
houfe-carpenter in London. At the age of twelve, he was put to
a graminar-fchool ; and, at fifteen,, removed from thence, and ap-
preiuiced to an apothecary,, of mean circumilances, and very little
bufinefs ; but he was an old acquaintance of the father, and a
member of a weekly porter-club, where they had regularly met
each other for .twenty years, and contra£led a fl:ri£l frienddiip.
During the firft three years of apprentlcefhip, Mr. Apozem had
no other employment t^cc^t xo fcrape ^nd Jkveep out the (hop every
morning, clean hhmajier'' s poes^ and ^0 071 errands \ and, when he
had jull attained his nineteenth year, his mafter unfortunately
dying by one of his own naufeous compofitions, inadvertently
fwallowed, he returned to his father's houfe, wliere he continued
pcrfeftly idle for about a twelvemonth ; when an opportunity of-
fered.

584 JAMAICA.

fered of getting him provided for, that he might no longer lie a
burthen on his father's hands, who was extremely poor, and had a
numerous family to maintain. This was effected through the good
office of another member of the club (which fliews the utility of
fuch inftitutions) ; who, on being appointed captain to a Guiney
trader, readily offered to take Apozem with him, in quality of
furgeon. This being chearfully aflented to, the young clocloy was
properly equipped for the occafion, and foon after entered on the
'1 voyage. They took in three hundred flaves, and failed from the
coaft, bound to the Jamaica market. The firfl: great exploit, per-
formed by Mr. Apozem, was in diminifliing the number of mouths
on board ; and fo effedlually did he exercile his ikill, that, by the
time they had reached their deflined port, he regittercd no lefs thaja
eighty Blacks, and nine white Teamen, on his dead lill. This won-
derful dilpatch made the captain extremely anxious to look out for
Ibmething on fliore more proportioned to his great abilities ; for he
wifely apprehended, that a longer continuance on board might pro-
bably leave the (hip without hands to navigate her. He therefore
gained the interefl: of the merchant to whom he was configned.
The merchant had a proper regard for the ihip-owners, and foon
found means to engage Mr. Apozem in the fervice of an honeft
planter who dealt with him ; and who, conceiving the higheft opi-
nion of Mr. Apozem's ikill and knowledge, from the many enco-
miums that were laviflily given both by the captain and merchant,
flipulated fo handfome a falary, that Apozem quitted the fea with-
out the fmalleft hefitation.

Mr. Apozem, foon after his entering upon this new fcene of
bufinefs, difdaincd to confine his carnage merely to the family with
whom he refided. Tlie firft ftep he took, after looking about him
a little, was to extend his pradice, as much as he could, among
other families and plantations ; fome of which were not lefs than
thirty miles dillant from his employer's habitation: fo that, in
about (ix or eight months, he was continually upon the high-trot,
riding poft, and Ipreading depopulation far and wide. His prin-
cipal inftruraents of death were mercury and o^/«;;/, ever miftakenly
applied, and injudicioufly combined. Liquid laudanum was his
ready help in time of need, and flood his ignorance in great fread.

Whenever

BOOK IIL CHAP. VI. 585

Whenever at a lofs to find out the caufe, or nature, of a diftemper
(wliich generally was the cafe), <i dofe of laudanum was the firfl:
piece of artillery he brought into the field, to begin the attack. If
the fymptoms ftill left him doubtful, repetatur dofus 1 laudanum
again, either per fe, or jumbled with a new mixture, to raife the
credit of his ikill, and prevent detedion. Thus the fiege went
briikly on, with laudanum, to the end of the campaign, until the
patient's life, or conftitution at leaft, was fairly fapped, and com-
pelled to furrender at difcretion. A?, opium was his grand fpecific
for all hyfterical and nervous ailments, as well as others where the
fymptoms puzzled the doftor's imagination ; fo mercury was lugged
in by the head and flioulders, to fave his credit, in all cafes of cu-
ticular eruptions, belly-achs, and topical inflammations. If mer-
cury failed, after a bill of one or two hundred piftoles, " The de-
'« vil's in this obftinate difeafe !" cried Apozem ; " it is nor, fure,
" in the power of phyfic to conquer it! There's no remedy left,
" Sir, but to flee to Bath, or change the climate!" This was the
laft refource of his art; for he reafoned thus : " I fliould be a cou-
" fummatc blockhead, indeed, to put the finifhing ftroke to this
" bufinefs, and fo blow myfelf up at once. No! let my patient
" perifli at Bath, or on the road thither ! or fail for Britain, and die
" in his hammock! If death fhould lay hold of him, after he is
" difcharged out of my hands, thou canjl not Jay I did it I" Thus
argued Mr. Apozem ; and thus did he extricate himfelf from many
a troublefome fcrape. It was a great misfortune to the public, that
his father had not kept him long enough at fchool to acquire a
fmattering of Latin: it was, indeed, no lefs inconvenient to him-
felf, and multiplied his difficulties on many occafions. But true
genius leaps over every ftumbling-block ; and, what he could not
conllrue with the help of Cole's dictionary, he always gucfled at
as well as he was able. No man, furely, could have done more.
It is needlefs to fay, that he never boafted his Ikill in decyphering
a common formula, or Latin prefcription. He condemned the
folly of writing receipts for health in an unknown tongue ; and one
might as well have fent him an infcription taken from one of the-
ruins at Palmyra. After puzzling his brain for half an hour in
vain, to difcover tlie meaning, he ufually mixed up Ibme horrid
Vol. II. 4 F hotchpot

586 JAMAICA.

hotchpot of his own invention, in order to comply with vulgar pre-
judice, and leave no room to fufpecl that he had not compleated a
grammatical and claffical education. It was enough for him, if
he could but luckily explain the lafl words of a prefcription, to
diftinguifh a Jiat bolus from a fiat haujlus. Under the auspices of
thefe qualifications, the following efcape of a patient may be con-
fidered as almoft miraculous. A certain gentleman was troubled
with an eruption on his Ikin ; and, having a fmattering of medical
knowledge, he took upon him to be his own phyfician, wrote a
Latin prefcription for a liniment, in which fulph. vivum was the
principal ingredient; and difpatched it to be made up by Mr.
Apozem. Our hero pored over it for fome time vvitli great at-
tention; and, concluding at length that y/^^/6. ^w//ff^ and argent.
vivum were couiin-germans, compounded a mercurial ointment;
with which the patient unthinkingly befraeared himfelf from head
to foot: but, in a (hort time, he became convinced of his error;
the eruption (Iruck in; he gave himfelf up for a dead man; and,
indeed, did not come off without a violent fit of illnefs, which had
nearly coft him his life. I cannot, without horror, reflecft on the
multitudes who have quietly defcended into their grave, leaving the
frauds impofed upon them undetefled. It was always a rnaxim with
Mr. Apozem, '' that the dead tell no tales." — " My reputation,"
(thought he) " is fafe, under the authority of a diftemper which
" is often known to be mortal. But, if that won't ferve my turn,
"I'll fay the patient was fiulky, and determined not to live; or
*' that he \vd.9< jaint-hearted; or had a bad habit of body ; or had
" lived too free in his youtii ; or. wanted zfiamen; or that fome-
*<■ thing hxoke within him ; or — any other reafon why." Under
fuch prudent falvos did Mr. Apozem, " not having the fear of
*' God before his eyes, but moved and feduced by the inftigation of
" the Devil," go on to ravage and deftroy the human fpecies,
with as little remorfe and fliame as Alexander the Great, or the
greateft flaughterers of antiquity. His utmoft dread was the de-
cline of fuch bloody bufinefs ; his principal, wirti, the quick fale
and confumption of his drugs, which were rotten or fophifticated :
though, bad as they were, he generally made a profit of one thou-
fand per cent, upon them in the retail way. The fale of thefe poifons

formed

BOOK III. CHAP. VI. 587

formed the mod gainful part of his bufinefs ; though he was, oc-
cafionall}', a pliyfician, apothecary, furgeon, man-midwife, dentift,
phlehotomilt, .farrier, &c. He profefl'ed every branch, knew as
much of one as of another, underftood none : and, thus accoutred,
he was ready at all calls, and engaged in the cure of diftempers,
whofe names he had never heard before. He had a happy manner
of dilbulling the ratiotiale of any difeafe, of which I (hall give a
ipecimen that does him honour. He was fitting one day by the
bed-fide of his patient, whom the hero had over-dofcd with a pur-
gative, which caufed fifteen evacuations in a few hours ; and, the
irritation ftill continuing, the very mucus of his bowels came awav.
The patient, alarmed at this appearance, languid and almofl: fpent,
having taken no fuftenauce all the day, for want of fome refpif.e
from his agony, requefted the dodor to inform him of the caufe
of the lafl mucilaginous difcharge. " Oh," quoth Apozem, with
an air of moft folemn fagacity, " it is nothing more than the fuper-
" fluous juices of the blood. Sir, which are following the operation
*' of the bolus^ Sir; 'tis a fure diagnoflic that the medicine has
** worked critically, and that the morbid acrimony of the prhnce
" t;/> is depurated from the abdominal emunftories." Mr. Apozem
continued in this ftrain till he had talked his patient fafl: afleep by
dint of hard words; in which comfortable flate he foftly left him,
to recruit his wafted fpirits.

Mr. Apozem was a profefled enemy to regular phyficians, be-
caufe none, who valued their good name and reputation, would be
concerned with him ; for they never could have the fatisfaflory
aflurance, that a fingle ingredient of their prefcrlptions would ever
enter into Mr. Apozem's manufadlures. It was impofllble they
could meet with fuccefs ; for, when they prefcribed one thing,
Apozem was fure to compound and adminifter fomething very dif-
ferent: fo that, in defpight of all their learning and afliduity, the
patient was morally fure of dying. When the manner of the
death came to be the fubje£l of converfation, Apozem laid it, with
a ftirug of his fhoulders, at the phyfician's door: " the poor man
*' died regularly r After a few fuch examples, the prefcriber loft:
his bufinefs; and Apozem was fent for in his ftead. I have often
thought, that, confidering the defolation which Apozem fpread

4 F 2 through

5«g JAMAICA.

through the country, and the many hundred viftims which he facri-
ficed every year, there arlfes a very ftrong evidence of the falubrity of
the climate, which of itfelf is pregnant with but few endemial difeafes ;
and thefe are pretty well underltood by phyficians of any tolerable
education and experience; fo that, had it not been for the activity of
Mr. Apozem, the proportion of fuch as might have owed their exit
liirly and truly to the climate, during the time he flourifhed here,
would have been too infignificant to caufe the fmalleft furprizc.

Mrs. Apozem (for our hero thought meet to take unto him a wife,
m hopes of making fome reparation to fociety for the thoufands he had
fent out of the world) was a religious, good fort of a woman, and
would very often give him wholeiome admonition. " I would ad-
" vlfe you, my dear Mr. Apozem, faid fhe, to turn from your evil
*■* ways, a«d honeflly confefs your ignorance, by refufing to prefcribe
•*- for diforders, to which you know you are as much a ftranger as
"• niyfelf. Surely this would be more humane in you, than to go on
" at this rate, wilfully and confcioufly adminiftering your flops to the
♦' deftrudion of your fellow creatures. Ignorance is never criminal,
'*■ except when it doesmifchiefj and then, if it is unchecked, God only
** knows where it will flop. It is true, you think to fupprefs your
" qualms of confcience by alledging, that you do not difpenfe your
** fluff with a downright direft intention to wound or kill ; but, if the
** efTeiifl is generally hurtful, what does your intention lignify in the
" fight of God? If you was to ftand in the middle of a crowd with a
" leaded gun in your hand, and difcharge it with your eyes fhut,
" \YOuId this acquit you of the damage that enfued; you might fay,
" I took no aim, I politively did not fire at any particular perfon, and
*' tiierefore did not intend to kill the poor man who happened to be
'< ftruck with the ball: but, I am afraid, thisexcufe would not fatisfy
*< a jury, they would moft undoubtedly call it murder, and, after all
" the logic of your diftinftion, you certainly, my dtar, would be
" hanged, v/hich heaven forbid! for in fliort, although you did not
" pofitlvely intend to kill Dick or Tom, yet you confcioufly did ati
" aft, which, your own mind muft have fuggefted, wa&^not perfedlly
" innocent, confidering the fatal effefl it would in all human probabi-
** lity cccafion." Mr. Apozem ufed to hear thefe harangues pretty |
frequently, andfometimes he would even promife amendment j but fo
4 flinty

BOOK III. CHAP. VI. 5%

flinty was his breaft become by inveterate habit, that the dying groans
of a patient never cod him a fingle pang ; and he grew more hardened
in proportion as he fuffered no lofs, either in bufinefs or charafter,
from fuch misfortunes ; fo fertile was his invention, in fhifting the
blame from his own hands. Thus, Hke a fkiiful archer, he dealt his*
arrows from behind a bufli, whilft,

" Ssvit atrox Volfcens, nee teli confpicit ufquam

** Au(itorem."

" Volfcens ftorm'd, nor found

** The daring author of the diftant wound."
He never voted the calling in a phyfician, till his patient Jay at the
very laft gafp, drenched with his deadly potions beyond the falvation
of medicine; and hence always drew the advantage of proclaiming,
•« that death and the phyfician generally came into a fick room toge-
*' ther." His rule for vifiting, is not the leaft curious part of his oeco-
nomy : whenever he was fent for, his maxim was, to meafure the de-
lay of fetting out, and the length of the vifit, " according to the
" flrength and length of the patient's purfe." If he faw reafon to ex-
peft a handfome gratuity, or a long bill, he ufed to flud upon the
wings of the wind, and was at the patient's wrifl; in a trice. He held
that " putting any interrogatories to iick perfons, was only perplexino-
" thfir minds, already too much difcompofed with illnefs; and im^
" peached the dignity of thofe who are born do6tors, and fo compre-
*< hend every branch of the art, by natural intuition." Anv enquiry
therefore, into the paft habits of living, diet, exercife, irregularities^
and the general ftate of health and conftitutlon, " were utterly fuper-
" fluous to a man of true penetration." Apozem was fatisficd to fay^
no more, than " I'll fend you fomething directly ;" and he never was
Known to break his promife ; phials, boxes, and gallipots, followed by
dozens, whilft, repofing In his elbow chair, he fiit down to enter j^". s. d.
His vifits were repeated three or four times de die in diem, more orlefs,-
according to the patient's rank and fortune. If h'ls applications were.-
unable to interrupt the laborious efforts of nature, and the difcafc be-
gan to lofe ground, it-was very well; there was, however, no want of'
regular fupplles, of peftorals, emenagogues, febrifuges, and vermi-
fliges ; paregorics, and fudorifics ; laxatives, and alteratives';, fomentar
tions, and embrocations ; draftlcs, and epifpafticsj to be fwallowed, or

applied,^

590 JAMAICA.

ajiplled, every fifteen minutes, night and day; none of which, we may
he lure, were unnoticed in Mr. Apozem's nianufcript, commonly call-
ed a Journal.

To conclude my narrative; fince the beO: precautions cannot at all
times guard the moil temperate and careful; fince all flefh is fuhjeft to
pay the debt of nature, and even do£lors themfelves are not exempted
from the common lot of mortality ; fo it fell out, that Mr. Apozem
was taken, by furprize, with a malignant diftemper, which laid hold
of him with lb much violence, that he was very near calling out for
help of the faculty, if he had not been retrained by a riveted opinion,
that iiK-h auxiliaries were like the Saxons and Normans, who (upon
invitation) firft drove out the inteftine enemy, and then fell upon the
inteftines themfelves: configning himfelf therefore to delpair, he Iboii
fell a victim to his own drugs, which had inflicted the fame fate on
many a worthier man. Such were the life and opinions of Mr.
Apozem, who might boaft of having fent more fouls to the banks of
Styx in one year, than the yellow fever ever did in ten.

The fcience of phyfic, when taken out of the hands of fuch poifon-
mongers, is truly noble. We find the Saviour of mankind employed
himfelf in this godlike office.; his miracles were medicinal, he " went
** about doing good," and his divine power was exerted in healing the
fick, refl:oring fight to the blind, and vigour to the infirm. It certainly
merits the greatell encouragement in all inhabited countries, but more
especially in colonies and new fettlements, where unufual difeafes are
obferved. This exalted art, if duly cultivated, is capable of producing
very unportant efFefts in fuch places. If nothing more was to be ex-
pelled from it, than the augmentation of commerce, this alone is a fuf-
ficient motive for a trading people to give it the moft honourable dif-
tinftions among them ; fince commerce ftands fo largely indebted to
phyfic, and its filler botany, not only for materials of import and ex-
port, but the abilities of men employed in colleding thofe materials.

Nor muft we pafs over the happy confequence accruing to a new
fettlement, from having its endemial difeafes thoroughly underilood,
and the lives of the fettlers prefcrved or prolonged, by medical Ikjll
^nd fagacity.

The number of hands in fuch a place is generally fo inconfiderable,
that a fudden mortality, and the lofs of a very few inhabitants, may nip

the

BOOK III. CHAP. VI. 59<

the moll hopeful projeft in the bud, and deter other adventurers from
coins: to refide in it; for, if once the chara£ler of any remote fettle-
ment is eftabliflied for unhealthinefs, it is always found a very difficult
taflc, and a work of long time, to difpel the popular prejudice, and con-
vince mankind that luch a place is habitable. Befides, it may happen,
that the perfons firft carried off by the attacks of ficknefs in fuch a
country, for want of proper medical affiftance, have been the chief
promoters or undertakers of the fettlement; they may be men of the
moft capacity and ability among the inhabitants ; and, in fuch cafe, the
lofs is irreparable.

But, in a colony already formed and provided with a legiflative
power, it is the higheft reproach, it is even an impiety, that a tribe of
^pozems fhould be tamely permitted to over-run and depopulate it,
preying on the purfes and lives of Innocent men, with an impudence,
ignorance, and rapacity, that is unparalleled. If the woods were pef-
tered with tigers or rattle-fnake?, like the forefts on the American con-
tinent, with what terrors fliould we not reflcft on the deftnidion they
might caufe ! with what zeal and folicitude would not the legiflature
promote rewards and encouragements to extirpate them ! Yet, in fome
colonies, they have been known to fuffer with impunity a much more
lethiferous race of favage animals in hinnan fliape, who have ftifled the
emotions of humanity and confcience, whilf^ they polfoned, and tor-
tured to death, the bodies of their very friends and benefaiflors.

The dignity of the fcience of healing (not of murthering) ought
furely to be placed on the firmeft bafis in fuch a country ; that, whilft
the inhabitants confide their very exigence to the phyficlan's care, he
may be enabled, by proper regulations, to affure himfclf, that his pa-
tients will not be forced to fwallow any other mixture than what he
has prefcribed; and that the varying, or adulterating, his prefcription,
will be puni(hed by the laws, in the fevered and moft exemplary man-
ner; and furely, if we coniider a moni.'nt, that fuch deceit is no lefs
than a clandeftlne attempt againft the lite of one party, and the repu-
tation of another, it muft appear an ollence of the moft capital nature,
and worthy of capital pimifhment.

As a foundation for this, we may recommend the plan, which that
good man colonel Codrington found means to carry into execution,
from the opulence of his fortune, and liberality of his fentjments. He,

no

-J92 JAMAICA,

no doubt, had long deplored tbc calamitous circumftaaces of Barba-
does, unprovided with a fufficient ftock of praclitioneis, regularly
trained to the knowledge of phyfic. He was fenfible, that a colony,
furrounded with enemies, and liable to internal infurreiSlions of flaves,
required a conftant fupply of white inhabitants; and that, if the pro-
portion of thofe annually imported did not counterbalance the number
annually fwept off by diftempers, the colony muft inevitably decline;
for, it is the multitude of ufeful hands which conftitutes the vigour
and profperity of every fettlcment ; and the greater the mortality is,
the greater, and heavier, muft be the labour that falls upon the furvi-
vors: if 500 men only are employed to garrifon a country, which,
from its extent and circumflances, requires 2000, the inlufficient body
may harrafs themfelves to death, and yet be unable to maintain their
ground againft an enemy; fo if, by judicious pradice, only 500 lives
.per annum are retrieved, which, by erroneous pradtice, would have in-
fallibly been loft to the community, no man furely will deny the im-
portance of fuch an acquifition to a Weft India colony ; the faving
thofe lives may introduce, perhaps, an increafe of many hundred more
to the ftock by procreation ; add to this, that the death of a principal
planter, on whole well-being twenty white perfons are probably de-
pendent for bread and employment, is equal to the lofs of twenty-one
perfons; becaufe thefe dlfcarded fervants, who have attained to no
fixed property, may remove to fome other country in fearch of a pro-
vifion. Nor does the lofs entirely reft here; if he was a virtuous man,
fuftained a public employment with integrity, and diffufed happinefs
and utility from the greatnefs of his ftation, his ability, and benevolent
fpirit, fuch a chafm becomes ftill more extenfive, and difficult to be re-
paired. Colonel Codrington, who enjoyed the government of Barba-
does, devifed by his will in 1710, two plantations in that ifland, and
likewife a part of Barbuda, another of the Carribbee iflands, in value
about 2000/. per miniim, or upwards, to the ioiiitty de propaganda fide,
for the purpofes of inftrufting Negroes belonging to Barbadoes, and
the other Carribbees, in the Chriftian religion, and for ereding and en-
dowing a college in Barbadoes, in which the liberal arts Ihould be.
taught, particularly phyfic and Jurgery. A college was accordingly
eredted there, the good effeds of which may be traced, not only in the
greater number of white inhabitants in proportion to the other Britifti

iflands,

BOOK III. CHAP. VI. ^()^

'iflandj, but in the fuperlor fkill of the phyficians refiding In it ; for, it
has been in nofmall degree owing to the praditioners of Barbadocs [i],
that wi liave any tolerably fcientific account of difeafes incident to the
Well: Indie?, their treatment, and method of cure. We nnift not ex-
peft, perhaps, to fee a tolerable performance on this fubjedl, compofed
by a Jamaica phyfician, iiniil the legiflature, in commiferation of the
fufferings, and lofs of inhabitant?, fhall take vigorous and cffeilual
meafures, for excluding all thofe from commencing phyficians, who do
not bring with them authentic and fufficient credentials, certifying
their qualification for fo arducnis a bufinefs.

It is true, a diploma from Glafgow does not always confer fenfe,
neither fliould the want of that •ve?ial honour deprive any man of the
erteem and deference due to real merit. If a furgeon or apothecary
has got the education and knowledge required in a phyfician, he is a
phyfician to all intents and purpofes, and ought to be refpcdlcd accord-
ingly [^] ; but fome line fhould be drawn, in order to refcue the praftice
out of the hands of low ar.d illiterate perfons, who are a fcandal to the
profeffion. The difeafes of the human body are fo intimately com-
bined, that it is impofl[ible to underfland fome of them perfetlly, and
be entirely ignorant of the reft; and equally impofl^ble to underfland
any of them without a proper knowledge of anatomy, and the animal
^economy, both in its found and morbid fiate. To excel in this pro-
feffion, requires a greater compafs of knowledge than is necelfary in
any other art. A knowledge of the mathematics, at leaft of the ele-
mentary parts of them, of natural hifl:ory, and natural philofophy, are
effentially connefted with it; as well as the fciences of anatomy, bo-
tany, and chemiftry, which are deemed its immediate branches. There
are likewife fome pieces of knowledge, which though not abfolutelj
neceflary to the fuccefsful pradice of medicine, are yet fuch ornamental
acquifitions, as no phyfician, who has had a regular education, is found
without; fuch is, an acquaintance witli the Latin, Greek, and French
languages ; to whi.h may be added, fome knowledge of the world, of
men, and manners [/]. All thefe qualifications we look for in a re-
gular-bred phyfician ; but when the three branches, of the prcfcriber
or phyfician, the furgeon, and the apothecary, all mix in one man,

[i] Viz. To'.vne, Warren, Bruce, Hillary, and others.
[■■] Gregory's Lectures.

Vol. II. 4 G which

594 JAMAICA,

which is more generally the cafe in Jamaica, we may difpenfe with
many of thefe attainments, fo rcquifite in an accompliflied phyfician,
provided fuch a praflitioner is well acquainted with the Iciences of
anatomy, botany, and chemiftry ; for, without a competent knowledge
in thefe, he cannot underftand properly the principles of any drug or
medicine, nor In what manner to apply it to a difeafed body. The
animal machine will be, in his hands, like a watch in the hands of an.
Indian; he will fee it move without knowing the caufe ; and when it
is difordered, he may break it to pieces by his unikilful attempts to rec-
tify it. Perhaps, no fchcme might be apter to enablifh the praAice
on a proper footing in Jamaica, than the eredion of a college, endow-
ed with a library, le(51:urers on phyfiology, pathology, anatomy, bo-
tany, and the materia medica ; with licenfed infpe£tors of apothecaries
fhops and drugs. Teftlmonials of a regular apprenticeflilp (hould be
required from every apothecary, furgeon, or man-midwife, and an
oath for the honeft and confcientious difcharge of his refpedive func-
tion, before he could be admitted to open fliop, or pradife In the
ifland.

From fuch an inftitutlon might be hoped the heft effeds. In refped
to the health of the inhabitants, the triumph of ability and learning
over impudent empiricifm, and a large fund of information to guide fu-
ture praditioners; here is the nobleft field for botanical enquiries, and
the readlefl helps to anatomical knowledge. In procefs of time, the
commerce of the ifland might cxped to participate the advantages re-
fultlng. The fpices of the Eaft, the bark tree of Peru, the balfam trees
of Mexico, and many other valuable plants and produdions, might be
introduced under the aufpices of a learned fociety, and propagated in
this fertile foil.

Providence has accommodated every region with fpecific remedies
for its endemial diftempers : but the medicinal virtues of the Jamaica
plants are as yet but little known to any of its praditioners. It is
attended with lefs trouble to find a medicine in the next drawer, or
gallipot, than ramble into woods tor it, or enter upon a laborious
courfe of experiments. And, in trulh, very few here underftand any
thing of botany, or chemiftry. Yet as the American difeafes differ in
many rcfpeds from thofe of Europe, fo they feem to require a differ-
tuit materia medica; and none can be fo appropriated, as the native

produdions

BOOK III. CHAP. VI. 59 J

prbdu<n:ionso£ the country to which tbofe difeafes are endemlal. Tlie
pra£tice of phyfic then, where neccflarily deviating fi-otn the Europeau
(refpeft being had to the diftindio^s occafioned by chmate) would be-
come eftabhihed upowi more rational, and certain grounds; many lives
woiitdianinTiaily be faved, and the profefiion, which is now difgraced
by illiterate dabblers, would refide i^ hands, from whofe flcilfulnefs
the iahahitaiits - might pxpe6l more fecurity to their life and welfare,
whitfl: the ifland, thiis relieved from one principal caufe of mortality,
would fee its people multiply, its trade and exports enlarge, its
ftrength and opulence augment. From the neceffary connexion of
caufes with effefts, it is reafonable to think, that all thefe advantages
would happen, in confequence of a thorough purgation of abufes from
the pradlice of phyfic in this ifland.

A moderate (hare of induftry, with health, has laid the foundation
of many a great fortune in Jamaica ; this place is, therefore, juflly an
objeft of attention to thofe, whofe flender patrimony, or indigent cer-
cumftances, render them unable to gain a competent provifion in their
native country. It is the afylum of the dillrefled and unfortunate,
where all may enjoy fuflenance, and where a beggar'^'is unknown.
They who arrive now have an advantage, unknown to ouranceftors,
of coming to an eftabliflied fociety, which, from the number of towns
and fettlements, has every accommodation and convenience that can
be defired. Here is flill ample room for many young beginners, fince
much of the bcfl: land has hitherto, by reafon of its central fitua-
tion, lain negleiled and uncultivated. The daily improvements that
are making in the roads will foon (with the public aid) render tliefe
lands of the middle diftrids extremely valuable, and convenient for
fettlers ; the chief difficulty which always attei^ds new fettlements, in
hilly or woody countries, being the want of good carriage roads, af-
fording an eafy communication with towns and fea- ports. It is a fur-
ther inducement, that thefe diftridts are as healthful as any part of
Great Britain ; which circumftance feems fully evinced by the undif-
tempered lives of tliofe perfons who have already refided in tiicm. The
purity and mild cool temperature of their air, at all times of the year,
are propitious to human health, whilfl: the fruitfulnefs of the foil is in-
exhauftible, and affords abundant fupplies of food more than anfwera-
ble to the labour ^eftowed upon it. What may be further conducive
Vol. II. 4 G 2 to

*596 • J A M A I C A.

to population, muft depend on wife laws and fit regulations, calculated
for the prote£lion of property, the encouragement of induftry, the abo-
lition of tyranny, the difcountenancing of felfifli monopolies, and the
confervation of health. Thefe demand afliftance, from a legiflature in-
fluenced by public fpirit, a liberal judgement, and perfed knowledge of
their country's beft intereft. Such a legiflature need not to be inform-
ed, that the advantages of a thorough population and fettlement are
of fuch vaft importance to this ifland, as to be well worth their pur-
chafe, by every fuitable provifion and encouragement in their power to
frame or bellow. Convinced of this truth, the means are obvious.

APPENDIX

[ * 597 ]

APPENDIX lo^be SECOND VOLUME.

"YAMAICA is divided, p. i.] My opinion in regard to the Indian
*^ origin of the name of this ifland, as hinted in the former
volume, p. 353, is ftrengthenedby the account we have from Peter
Martyr, in his Decades ; who fi.ys, that it was called Jamaica by
the Indian inhabitants when the Spaniards firft difcovered it.

Indian natives, who fell viclitns to iht barbarity of their Spanifii con-
querors, p. 153-] Peter Martyr meiitio\is, that it was exceedingly
populous ; and the Indian natives far more lively, acute, and in-
genious, than any the Spaniards had met with in the other iflands.

Known by the name of Curtln's fpring, p, 138.] This water, I
am informed, has been examined, with ftili greater accuracy, by
Dr. Turner ; but I have not been fortunate enough to meet with
his ingenious remarks upon it.

P. 207. To the account of Weftmoreland parifti I am enabled to
add the following particulars :

Its metropolis was formerly Queen's Town (now Crofs-Path),
which contained a church and many inhabitants. But, in the year
1729, fhipping began to refbrt to the harbour of Savannah la Mar ;
and, in the following year, the parochial meetings were removed
thither, and houfes began to be built. Thefe changes brought on
a fpeedy declenfion of the old town. The ftrudure of the fort was
firfl: begun in 1733; and it was judicioufly fituated for commanding
the feveral channels leading into the harbour ; but the town,
inftead of the low, fwampy foil on which it now ftands, might
have been placed, with far greater advantage, about a mile more
to the Eaftward, on an elevated, dry fpot, through which a rill
of good water conftantly runs. This fcite would likewife have
been more commodious for carrying on mercantile bufinefs ; not
only becaufe there is a greater depth of water near the fliore, but
that fmall veflels may pafs to and fro with any wind. The inha-
bitants of Savannah la Mar lie under the further inconvenience of
being obliged to fetch their water, for domeftic ufes, from a great

4 G 3 ' ■ diftance

» 598 A P P E N D I X TO Vol. II.

diflance acrofs the bay ; except immediately after the rainy feafons,
when, by the flooding of feme gullies, they gain a temporary fup-
ply in their neighbourhood. The fum of thirteen hundred pounds
has been lately expended on repairs to the fort, wliich the pa-
rifliiouers intend to furnifh with cannon.

The town contains near one hundred houfes: Beckford-town con-
fifts of about thirty ; and the remai.-ider of the favannah has about
as many more. The number of v.-ffels loaded here, at an average of
the laft four years, amounts to about eighty per annum (not in-
cluding coafters, or droguers),- and their burthen has been computed
at eleven thoufand five hundred and eiglity-five tons; which calcu-
lation allows about one hundred and forty-five tons to each veflel.
Hence Ibme opinion may be formed of the confequence and value of
the trade carried on at this port. And, that an efllmate may like-
wife be made of the unproved flate of the plantations in this parifh,
the following mav fuffice.

Anno. Negroes. Hhds. of Sugar. Number of Sugar Eftates.
1770, 17237 7915 72 •

which the reader may compare with the ftate I have before given
of it for the yf ar 1768.

Manning's free-fchool maintains only fix or feven boys. This
is attributed toTome inattention in the truftees; for it is afferted,
that the fund is improveable, and very capable, if judlcioufly ma-
naged, of fupporting many more. I know not what truth there
may be in this charge ; but, if it is fairly adduced againft the
truftees, there is evidently fome defeft in the law which was palled
for regulating, this foundation.

Mineral Waters.

The chalybeate fpring at Ricketts Savannah has been already
found of fin2:ular benefit in obftrudions, and other dllbrders accom-
panying a lax fibre. It appears to contain volatile- vitriolic-acid,
felenitic-earth, and a portion of fixible air. This fpring, if it was
properly attended to, and guarded from the accefs of rain and other
mixtures, might prove highly ferviceable to the inhabitants.
There is alfo a hot-lpring lately difcovered in the mountains lying
between this parifh and Hanover ; in allprobablhty it is fulphureous,
and h.as affinity in its principles and operation to the hot bath of

St. Thomas

APPENDIX TO Vol. II. * 599

St. Thomas in the Eaft. As yet it has not undergone any analyfis :
But there is every reafon to believe, that it will prove, upon ex-
periment, not to differ much from the Eaftern medicinal flream ;
and, in this event, that it will be of the utmoft utility to the pa-
rifhioners, and indeed deferving of every public and private encou-
ragement in order that its falutary effedts may be rendered more
acceffible and diifufive.

The other articles froport'ionahly^ p. 229.] Dr. Campbell, in his
Political Survey of Great-Britain, &c. vol. II. p. 666, has favoured
us with a lift of the exports from this illand in the year 1770, with
their value. The latter, however, is rated arbitrarily; which muft
always be the cafe in fuch calculations, though probably not va-
rying much from the truth. If the rates fliould be judged too high,
it will be at the fame time coufidered, that the articles of
Indigo,
Tortoifefhell,
Zebra-wood,
Lignum-vitcef
Brafiletto,
Fuftic,

Logwood, and fome few others, befides
Bullion,
are not enumerated, though a large allowance is due to them.
Exported from Jamaica, jfl.D. 1770.

£, Sterling.
2249 bales of cotton, at \ol. fer bale, 22,490

1 873 : cwt. of coffee, at 3 j. 5 d. per cwt. 6,068

2753 bags of ginger, at 2/. ^s.perhz^., 6,194

2211 hides, at 7 J. ^^r hide, — 774

. fhhds. of rum, for Great-Britain,") ,

'5'796{ 3, ,o.././hogfhead, _ | '^7.96o

679 dittolreland, at ioj.^^t hogfhead, 6,790

16,475

^5'675"1 pieces,-)
8,5co]feet, j Mahogany, 50,000

2,089,734 lb. wt. of pimento, at 6d. perlh, 52,2^3

4 G 4 61,970

* 6oo APPENDIX TO Vol. II.

6i,97ohhds. of fugar, at 17/. loj./frhhd. 1,086,620
205 bags of larfaparilla, at lol. per h^g, 2,250

. Total exports to Great-Britain and Ireland, 1,391,408

-;Ditto to North-America, 146,322

■; Ditto to other parts, 1,000

,;,( ,In 1763, the exports to Great-Britain and Ire-") r , ^-5 j - -

land were rated at — — J

The advance therefore in feven years, /. e. to 1770, is — £ 315,253
In the above detail, the export to North-America is certainly put
a great deal too large ; and the export to other parts, as difpropor-
tionably too fmall ; the reafon for which is very obvious : and, be-
fides, it is probable, that many veflels, which were deftined to other
parts, took out clearances for North- America I (hall add to the
foregoing the eftimated value of exports in the fame year (1770)
from the other Britifh fugar-iflands, and ftate their aggregate in
comparifon with that of Jamaica, omitting fra(5lions, as in the
former example. £

Grenades, 506,709

Antigua, 465,990

Barbadoes, 436,013

St. Kitt's, 427,454

St. Vincent, 110,501

Montferrat, • ■ ■ 102,540

Tortola, 71,828

Dominica, 62,856

Nevis, 57,982

Anguilla, 5f^S7

Total from the Windward Ifles, 2,243,730

Total from Jamaica, ■ — ^ ^»538'73<^

Grand total, — — 3'782,46o

THE END OF VOL. M.

C 6oi )
CORRIGENDA.

VOL. IL

Page.
26
31
33
.39
45
49

y>

IS

61

63

6s
69

Id.

75
80

87

107

»iS
118

'38
149

197
202

223
226
227

2:33
236

238

250
261

*94

298

299.
3°S-

Line.

23 r. which /)?fM/.
(penult.) r. acada.

1 3 del. nnd (before) " the Conflux."
20 r. znAfa/liteJfes of.

r. were en^en known.

r. or Echimte,

r. Montana.

r. Ctuijoe.

r. /^^i/^ encouraged.

r. quite dr}-, although at,

r. Indian,
28 r. :h •'xliith.

(4th from the bottom) r. the channels
dangerous to.
r. ii extremely,
afcer &. -<^«kc, place a comma.,
r. detainer.

after i/r)-, place a comma..
r. exhalation,
del. Mi?».

place a comma (after) tfc/rf".
r. 30,900 lb. wt.
r. Commifflcns,
x.furely opulent enough,
r. cultivable.
I, Mor/e'j.

r. Burthen, fifty thoufund,
(penult.) r. tranfmiffion of.
35 r. fuppofed in this cafe..
24 place a comma (after) Governor.
10 r. are' barely,
2 r. f« f / ^vn'.

7 (Note) r. alter feven years, and
10 s. on every Patent of
yatiiralization, .
r. for Infance.
r, to m;ike.
r. may be.

15
I

^S
22

19

17
18

29
I

1 1

33
21

5

7

7

26

9
18

'5

Page,

319
323
3^5

339
343
353
360
403
407

4H
458

465

468

470
473
47-S

484
Id.

, Line*

(Note, 3d from the bottom) r. or Broth,
1 1 del. to (after) than.
r. could be.
place a full Hop (after) Wfirefs,
r. had taken.
deL vjere.

place a comma (after) hien.
r. Loango,
r. and Law,
r. the Trace.
r. in as Tnenty different.
(after) Stimulation place the f fC-

ference to the Note.
r. perfons thither.
r. making at.
r. i^c/f /^«' lay.
r. /wnV/tlte.
5th of Chap. IV. r. to the opinion of

my readers.
jth from the bottom, r. through an
exaft.
r. reafoning then.
X. Imprifonment .

5

5

5

34

7

10

21

25

17

19

29
3

19

27

3a

3

22

499

25

502

18

527

(8th:

542

26

562

I

Id,

29

569

21

574

H

Id.

20

576

29

577

13

5^9

21

593

S

•599

3d Id.

1 Note)

r. Gleba.

r. 30/. nelt.
(8th Note) r. from it.

r. //Siy mull.

r. a vice,

r. produced a wonderful.

r. //'fv cannot.

r. T.o liquor,

etfequent, r. Liguanea.

r. it Jl:ouldfeem,

r. j^/aw7.

r. perfons, only perpJt.\ed.

r. fee aiy ri^W perfornwr.ce.
Appendix, r, in two places — 10 A
/cr hogftiead.

v^^^^

PLAYS, 8vo. IS. 6d. each. Printed for T, Lowndes.

ACHILLES, by Mr. Gay
Alzira, by A. Hill
Alzuma, by A. Murphy, efq;
Arr and Nature, by the Rev.

Mr Miller
Athelvvold, by A.Hill
Barbarofla, by Dr. Brown
Beggar's Opera, with rr.ufic
Brothers, by Mr. Cumberland
Ca;lia, or Perjured Lover
Cymbeline, by Hawkins
Double Deceit
Pouble Falftiood ; or Dif-

treffed Lovers, by iihake-

fpeare
Double Miftake, by Mrs.

GrilTyths
Douglas, by Mr. Home
Elfrid, or the Fair Inconflant,

by A. Hill
FaQiionable Lady
Fafhionable Lover by Mr.

Cumberland

Fatal Virion, by A. Hill
Fate of Villainy
Foundling, by Mr. Moore
Guardian Outwitted
Henry V. by A. Hill
Henry VIII. by Mr. Grove,

with cuts
Humours of Oxford
Independent Patriot, by F.

Linch, Efq;
Infolvent, or Filial Piety.
Lover, by Theo. Cibber
Love in a Village, by Mr.

BickerflafF
Mahomet, altered by Mr.

Garrick
Maid of the Mill, by Mr.

EickerftafF
Man of Tafte, by Mr. Miller
Midas, a Comic Opera
Minor, by Mr. Foote
Mifer, by Fielding
Modidi Couple, by C. Bodens

Momus turned Fabulift
Mi'ther-in-Law, by Mr. Mitler
Oiiver Cromwell, by Mr,

Green
Orators, by Mr. Foote
Papal Tyranny ; or King John

by C. Cibber
Periander, by Tracey Atkina

Efq;
Plain Dealer, altered by Mr.

BickerftafF
Prodigal, byT.Odell
Rin:.ldo, by A. Hill
R iman Revenge
Scanccrberg, by Havard
Timon in Love, by Ralfe
Village Opera, byjohnfon
Univerfal Paffion, by Mr.

Miller
Widow Bewitched, by J.

Motley
Zara, with the Interlude, &c.

by A. Hill.

FARCES, &c. 8vo. is. each,

Achilles in Petticoats
Amintas, an Opera
Author, by Mr. Foote
Beggars Wedding
Boarding-School, with Mufic,

by Coffey
Chambermaid, with Mufic
Citizen, by Mr. Murphy
Cortee Houfe, by Miller
Damon and Phyllida, by C.

Cibber
Devil of a Duke

Edgar and Emmeline, by Dr.
Hawkefworth

Fatal Extravagance, by A.
Hill

Fair Quaker, altered by Cap-
tain Thomfon

Hofpital for Fools, by Mr.
Miller

King Lear, altered by Mr,
Colman

Livery Rake, by Mr. Philips,
with Mufic

Mufe in Mourning ; to which
is added. Merlin in Love,
by A, Hill.

Mei-ry Cobler, or zd Part of
Devil to pay, with Mufic,
by Cofley

Spirit of Contiadiftion

Stratford Jubilee, by Mr.
Gentleman

Tafte, by Mr. Foote

Thomas and Sally, by Bick-
erftafF

PLAYS, i2mo, 6d. each.

Abramule

^fop, by Vanbrugh
Albion and Albianus
Alcibiadcs, by Otway
All for Love, by Dryden
Ambitious Step-mother
Amboyna, by Dryden
Amphytrion, by Dryden
Anatomill, by Ravenfcroft
Anna Eullen, by Bankes
Artful Hu/band
Artitice, by Centlivre
Athaliah, by Duncomb
Aurengzebe, by Dryden
Baffet Table, by Centlivre
Beaux Stratagem
Beggars Opera, by Gay
Biter

3

Bold Stroke for a Wife

Bufiris, by Dr. Young

Bufy Body, by Centlivre

Caius Marius

Captives, by Gay

Carelefs Hulband

Cataline

Cato, by Addifon

Chances

Chaplet, by Mr. Mendez

Cobler of Pretton

Committee, by Howard

Comedy of Errors

Conqueft of Granada, 2 parts

Confcious Lovers

Contrivances, by Carey

Country Lafles

Country Wife

Cymbeline, altered by Mr.

Garrick
Damon and Phyllida, altered

by Mr. Dibdcn
Devil to Pay, by CofFey
Dillrefled Mother
Don Carlos, by Otway
Don Quixotte, three parts
Don Sebartian
Double Dealer
Double Gallant
Dragon of Wantley
Drummer, by Addifon
Duke and no Duke
Duke of Guife
Earl of Elfex, by Bankes
Evening's Love
Every Man in his Humour,

altered by Mr. Garrick

3

'/JMMNnmv

vr

-^ ■ " J? ■s. -—

'^^Aavjian-i'J'^ "^(^AWiiani^

•g>^ j$r ■

^JSUONVSOl^ ■^/ia3AlNfl-3l^^ ^oAavusni^

^1

or ,1

— ' ^HIBRARY-Oc.

■;s

.JJO'

■OfCMIFOff^

^Aiiv^aii-iv*'^'

■<

'/smm-y^

uuiN'i J'iu '

rm

^C,

0 H mi

^^C'D YRL .JM I 3

^J

7003

University of California
SOUTHERN REGIONAL LIBRARY FACILITY
305 De Neve Drive - Parking Lot 17 • Box 951388 LnTiTv,, ,„.'S'

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA 90095-1388 ["JOdllVJJO^

Return this material to the library from which it was borrowed. Uf.fAHpnp

^HDNV-SOV^ %83AlNn]l\V^

5

^AiivaaiH'^^

lOSANCflfj>
cr

CO

>

so

-<

'ia3AINI)-3ftV

lOSAKGElfXx
■5;

ba^AiNnwv

lllBRARYQ^
1 ff"^

ifCAlIFOP^

\N7

^v.

ri\'''

.•5ME'UNIVER%

<fiirj,svsor-

A\\[UNIVERy/A

^lllBRARYd?/

iii(Ti

DC [ .

%

■< "-
cx: -
CO

IS-,
>- I

-< -

or —

OQ
^"

''j'jUJPiViUI-

ilOSANCtlfr

'^^

auibraryq^

^

^^tllBRARY(9A,

or

l^MEUNIVERS/^i.

^lOSANCHfj-^ ^tllBRARYO/.

0 =

ansANCFifT

^OFCAIIFO%.^

4?

r-^ or

i I

-< t^

v^.

:VEB% ^^>:lOS•ANCElf.^^ ^^

.UVIHULIIV

^ nrsniiiHLmiBtCJONr.

yOAmmiP^^ '«-»'^' 000 619 564 8

iiliili™

%3AINI1]WV*

i irtJUi

'■JUJIIVJiVi '

5 =

^•lOSAKCnfj>

CO

"^/ja^AiNn-mv'

^lllBBAHYQr

^JIWJJO"^

^.I/OJIIVJJO'^

U

'^^o-mwni^

^

^^y[UNIVEl?%

.. .-p*

^^JllDNVSOl^

^losAHcncr^

o ,

"^/iJUAINn^ttV^

^OF-CAllfOff^

^OFCAllFOff^

>&Aiiva8n'#-

OS

<:

vVlOSANCfli-jv

^^

^ CD V

^lUBRARY;?/:

\3 §

<

ca

^>;lOSANCElfx>

%a]AIN(l-3l\V

,vS:lOSANCtli-J>
;: S f ft (^ S

'^/5a]AINIl-3WV^

^OF-CAIIFO/?^ ■^•OFCAllFO^to

^<?AavHan#

^^MEUNIVERJ/4

o
<f3l3DNVS01^

vjclOSANCElfjv.
g y^5 — ^^

■^/Sa3AINn-3Wv

^

'4.

\c r A M frin .

^^

-...avaaiB^

,^ME■I)NIVERS•/A

^lOSANCElfx>

^TilJDNVSOl^ "^AaJAINH-JWV^

<^5,\\EUNIVERS/^_

^lOSANCElfj}*
o

%a3AiNn-3ftV

^^^UIBRARYO/:

^OFCAjIFOfi-^

^<?Aavaani'^

Aj^lllBRARY(5/\

§ 1 1<— ' ^

^•i/OJIlVDJO"^

^OFCAIIFOP^

0 (<>

oc

^OAuvaani^

•<

L?

^>;lOS■ANC^fJ>

A^^^•UBRAfrYdk^ ^^^^t•llBRARY(7/^

.^

^^WE•UNl\m/4

<f5l39NVS01=<"

M^OE'CAllFOP^ji, ^4:OF'CAlIF0ff^ ^^MEUNIVERJ//,

^lOSAKCElfj-^

CO

^ 'I

%a3AiNn]Wv

I tor

^lOS-ANCElfjv

Or

O

^<JOd

'^/ia]AiNn]i\v'

•>&A«vaani^ ^&Aavaani^

§

'': >

"^Jl^lJDNVSOl^^^

"v/iajAiNn-jftv*

>