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Show 10 scn'ed many of them diligently at work on the cane grou11ds, cutting t l1e canes for the mill. Their aspect was that of pl1ysical vigor, and cheerful contentment, and all my questions as I passed along, were answered satisfactorily. On my way, I ventured to call at one of the estates, and found it was the home of Robert Claxton, tile solicito1· Gencrnl of the Colony, a gentleman of great intelligence and rcspectubility. lie wns kind enough to impart a variety of useful, and iu gener<:il, cheering·, information. One fact mentioned by !lim, spoli.e volumes. Spcnli.ill)! of a small property 011 tl1c island belonging to llimself, he said, 'Six years ago, (that is, shortly before d1e act of emancipation,) it was worth only £2,000, with the slarcs upon it. Now, ,Vithont a single slave, it is worth three tinws the money. I would not sell it for £U,OOO.' This n .: untrknblc rise in the value of proH pcrty, is hy no lllcans confined to partic ular estates. J was a:o~u red that, as compared with those times of dcprc .. ::.:ion and nlarm which preceded tlte act of entancipation, it is at once general and very considerallll'. J nskcd the President Croo]{,and son1e other persons, whether tlu .. rc was a single indiriUuul on the island, who wi;')hed fur t he restoration of sla\'ery. Answer, 'Certninly not oue.' " p. 34. '' 'They will do au infinity of work," said one of my inf"ormants, '}'or wages.' " This slate oft !1ings is accompanied by a vast incn ·a,..c in their own cotn!tu·ts. Our fdcnd Caclman, the .Methodist miui.:,tcr, \\as on this station, tluring ll slavery, in the year 1826. He has now returned to it under freedom. 'The change for the Uettcr,' he observed, ' in the dress, demeanor, and welfare of the people, is prodigious.' The imports are vastly increased. The duties on them were £ 1,000 more in 1833, than in 1837; and in 1839, double those of 1838, within £150. This ~urprising increase is owing to the demand on the part of the free laborers, for imported goods, especially for a rticles of dress. The difficulty experienced by the gentry li1•ing in the town, in procuring fowls, eggs, &c. from the negroes, is considerably increased. The reason is well known, -the laborers make use of them for home consumption. lUarriage is now become frequent amongst them, and a profusion of eggs is expended on their wedding cah:cs! Doubtless they will soon learn to exchange these freaks of luxury, for the gradual acquisition of wealth." p. 36. l-Ie next visited Antigua. "Our company was now joined by Nathaniel Gilbert, an evangelical clergyman of the church of E ngJand, and n large proprietor and planter on the island. Both be and Sir 'Villiam, the Governor, amply confirmed our previous favorable impressions respecting the state of the colony. On my inquiring of them respecting the value of landed property, their joint answer was clear and decided. 'At the lowest computation, the land, without a single slave upon it, is fully as valuable now, as it was, including all the slaves, before emancipation.' In other words, the value |
