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Show 194 Thu. dly -1e aseh o ld 011d freehold setllements for the laborers. L • • N tl . 1 . lded me more satisfaction, Ill tills and other o ung 1as yw . . . I· slands, thru1 VI· S·i l·m g the newly settled Jrce VIllages, . wh1ch.· are · · re·1singly common. I lmve found mdustuous llOW bcconung me ._ . . fruni·i J·e s, w· 11 t1 b1.t .m g c1·cclit·1t ble hou<cs budt by then ow11 hands, ... ' • • and surrounded by small plots of land well cultivated With pro-visions; the whole occupation being their own pur~hascd freehold. I have uniforrnly inquired whether they st11l work for wages on the ncigl,boring estates, and with a singl~ exception, arising out of a peculiar circumstance, I have rccCivcd a clear aflirmutj ve answer. Here the laborers arc perfectly t~~dependcnt; and they work for wages on the estates, for the obvious and sufficient reason, that it is their interest to do w. Now I venture to W!(gcst that the same system might be most beneficially applied witl1in the compass of particular estates. 1 hold that it would be wise and prudent, on the part of planters to give to their laborers an independent settlement, within the' bounds of their own properties. '!'his object might be effected in two ways-either by leasing to them their houses and provision-grounds on a moderate rental for u suitable term- say, not Jess thon three years, or, what would be stdl Letter, by selling them little freeholds, large enough for their convenience, but not so large us to divert their attention from daily labor on the estate. 1 have rejoiced to hear that this plan has been adopted by several proprietors, who haYC ordered a ]urge number of cornfortable cottages to be built on their estates, and then to be let or sold, with one or two-acte plots of ground, to the laborers. There can be little doubt oJ their Eccuring, by this means, a population at home, which will at all times afli:Jrd them a sufficiency of labor. I am aware that this arrangement requires a decided confiu r nce in the laborer, on the part of the master. But this confidence will not fail to excite a correspondmg feeling in the mind of the former ; it will be sure to meet with its abundant reward. Fourthly and lastly, Clt!-ist·ian education. I am not ignornnt of tl1e ety which was once raised, and which is still wme- 195 times heard, in this country, agail1st many serious and devoted muusters of relio-ion r . d . . o , o vnnous cnommatwns.-But l am per-suaded that a better feeling towards them is gradually diOusing Itse~f. . Ccrtaul Lt LS that il1 those districts of the cotmtry, where Chustmn cducatiOilts goino- forward and " d .d l I" . . . o ,~ u ec1 cc re tgwus m-tluence .'s extended over the people, we find the greatest degree of mtclhgenc. c,. order, comfort, a11d industry. The prm. ct. p1 e s o f our_ holy religion are, in fact, the only radical cure for the vices follies and consequent In· · f · ' , . 1sencs, o mankmd. Fervently is it to be. dcstrcd, that men of all parties ill Jamaica, may cordially cmb.t nce those p. nnclples the·m selves , •a nd as cora t·n ll y end eavor to dtffusc them among others, This is the soundest wisdom temporally and politicall y, as well as spiritually.-'l'his is th~ surest of all pathways to peace and prosperity. I hc~rtily hope that t he l1ints which I have so freely thrown out, 111 tlus address, w11l meet with a calm consideration and kind reception. They arc dictated by no party spirit b~t b the feeling of sincere good will for all classes of the p~ople i~ this delig htful island. The vie1vs which I have endeavored to lay before you arc practical, and if fairly acted on, would, as I believe, be found beneficial to the whole community. In the mean time may we all "put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.'' "Charity suffereth long and is kind ; charity envieth not; vaunteth not herself; is not puffed up; doth not behave herself unseemly; is not easily provoked; seeketh not her o1vn · re-joiceth not in iniquity, but rojoiceth in the truth, &c." ' That this cardinal virtue may spread through the length and breadth of Jamaica, Is the hearty desire and prayer Of your Sincere friend and well-wisher, JosEPH JonN GunNEY. |