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Show LETTER VIII. JAMAICA. Flushing, L. L, Si:r:t!t-month (June) lOth, 1840. !liT DB.lR FRIBND, With all due apologies for the familiar mode in which I am telling our story, I shall proceed to make further extracts from the simple diaries of our stay in Jamaica. In this way I hope to place thee in possession of the facts of the case, and to develop the principles out of which they spring. Third-month, (March) 3rd.-Three of our company drove eastward from Kingston, seven miles, to a tavern by the road side, where we were provided with an excellent breakfast. Mterwards we mounted horses for an excursion up the PortRoyal mountains. A climb of four miles, in the midst of luxuriant vegetation and noble scenery, brought us to Halberstadt, a coffee plantation belonging to John Casper Weiss, of which we had heard a dismal report, at Kingston, from an individual who was connected with the owner of the property. We were therefore the more pleased, on entering the plantation, which has somewhat the appearance of an English pleasureground, to see it well clad with vigorous coffee-trees, and a large company of good-looking negroes, diligently engaged in pruning them. There was certainly no lack of production here, and none of effectual labor. We held a friendly parley with the laborers, whom we encouraged to continued industry, and then went forward to the great house, (as they call the planter's residence on each estate) in this instanee, a neat dwelling embosomed in mountains, and commanding an extensive view of the sea. A more lovely spot I have seldom seen. There, on delivering our letter of introduction, we were kindly received JAMAICA. 83 and entertained by the proprietor, to whom we were entire ~!rangers. One hundred and seventy slaves, or apprentices, used to be supported on this estate. Now, our friend employs fifty-four free laborers, who work for him four days in the week, taking one day for their provision grounds, and another for market. This is all the labor that he requires ; and willingly did he acknowledge the superior advantage which attends the present system. The saving of expense is obvious. I understood om friend to allow that the average cost of supporting a slave was £5 sterling per annum. 170 slaves at £5 per annum, is £850 He pays 54 laborers 4s. 6d. per week, one day's labor being set off against rent, for 50 weeks, 2 weeks being allowed for holydays, 607 10 Saving under freedom, £242 10 Here I would just remark that the setting off of a day's labor, agamst rent, cannot be regarded as a desirable plan; for, in the :first place, it involves the wife in the payment of rent as well as the husband-both being required to give their day's labor ; and, secondly, it is quite unreasonable to expect that work, already (as it were) paid for, should be executed as well as that for which payment is expected. It was no matter of surprise to us, to hear that the work performed by the laborers of Halberstadt, on the day assigned to rent, was by no means equal to the usual average. J. C. Weiss shewed us his works, and kindly explained to us the whole process of coffee cultivation. First comes the pl~ting of the sucker-a slip with a root to it-five years bemg allowed for its growth, in a space from five to eight feet square, according to the nature of the soil. The plant looks h ke a hru1dsome laurel, powdered in the blossomino- season with white flowers ; the berries red, sweet, and pulpy, :ach con: tmnmg two coffee seeds or stones. The average annual prodt! CC of a coffee plant on these mountains, is one pound of |