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Show 170 JAMAICA. On one point we somewhat differed. Sir Charles seems to be of the opinion, with many other persons, that the planting interest of Jamaica i8 suffering from the want of a larger population. That there is scope in that island, for a great increase in the numbers of the people, is unquestionable; and we are by no means opposed to any reasonable scheme of immigration. But the result of our own enquiries is a conviction, that the present population of Jamaica, if its force be but fairly applied under a just and wise management, will be found more than adequate to its present extent of cultivation; and that, as the population multiplies, under the righteous sway of freedom, the cultivation may be indefinitely increased. There is one point, on which a few sentences mar be of some use. The only bar that we know of, to that natural increase of the population in Jamaica, which all parties must allow to be desirable, is that grievous want of enlightened medical aid, from which the people are now suffering in all parts of the island. The provision which was in this respect made for them in slavery has now ceased; and they have in general neither the ability nor the wish to employ regular practitioners at the usual prices. Thus they are thrown on ignorant quacks or myalists, and I have no doubt that many lives are lost in consequence. We appre· bend that the best remedy for this evil, would be the formation of public dispensaries, at various stations throughout the island, by the authority, and in the first imtance, at the expense of the local government; each dispensary to be placed under the care of somt regular medical practitioner, who should not only dis· JAMAI<..:A . 171 pense medicines, hut visit tl Ie people at tl · h.o uses. Moderate charges s h ou ld be ma' de f Ieir owd'n erne and atte. ndance ' by wh I·C h t h e outlay ofo trh m e I-vernment rmght be gradu·'t ll Y re f nn d ed an 1 h e go-annual expens.e easily dcfi·ay e d · W c f' eel (a th oep w htho le these suggestwns may meet ",I. t h d ue con . d c · at from . persons of authority in th e co I onv. TSlI eIr a·tIw In and mcrease of the POlJulat· · Ie Je,t t 1 . wn cannot be, to th unlmportant or uninteresting o b~'e ct. em, an I will ta. ke the present opp 01 ·t um.t y of offerin, thy attentiOn the account of exports from J a g· to (as exhibited in the return P fl.l l t e d wc r the H matca,· Assembly) for the last year of the a . ~use of the first of full freedom. pprentiCeship, and Sugar, for the year ending 9th month (Sept.) 30, 18::!8 Sugar, for the year en.ding .9tii month (Sept.) 30, 1839 Apparent diminution 5::!,825 45,359 8,466 This difference is much l . persons have been led t . ~ss. considerable than many o unagme. the . l d. . however, is still less. b . ' rea tmmution, place, in many arts 'f ec.m~e there has lately taken of the hogshe·tpd, Io Jadmatca, an increase in the size ' · nstea of th ld contained 17 cwt e 0 measure, which ., new ones ha b · taining from 20 t 22 ve een mtroduced, con- 0 · cwt.-a chan h' h c reasons, is an eco . 1 gc w IC '•or several . nomica one Do . tl I mg only five . 1 Ie P anter. Allow- . per cent. for this cl IS reduced from 8 466 h lange, the deficiency muount is furtli ·'I ogsheads, to 5,175; and this e1 essened b Y t h e f'a ct, that, in consc- |