cy, would have this effect. Such a system would be laying a foundation on which a large superstructure might be built in the reformation of manners. Even in point of ex

pense, an estate can well afford it; for the aggregate of time wasted in the sick-house, on the mere pretence of illness, is equal to a little fortune to every planter. When I was last in Jamaica, I made the experiment with a body of tradesmen, and punctually paid to each, at the end of the week, (if a week's work was done), TWO BITTS.* The effect in point of labour was wonderful, and I believe, that the system would in time have taught the negroes also, that honesty was better policy than thieving, &c. and have led, by degrees, to consequences still more important and beneficial both to the master and the slave.

*About one shilling English.

APPENDIX TO BOOK IV.

NUMBER I.

AS a supplement to such part of the preceding book as relates to the treatment of the negroes in the British West Indies, it is thought necessary to present the reader with the CONSOLIDATED SLAVE ACT OF JAMAICA, passed the 2d of March 1792. It is presumed, that this law will demonstrate to general conviction, that the legislature of Jamaica, availing themselves as well of the reproaches of their enemies, as of the suggestions of their friends, have given all possible encouragement to the raising of negro children in the island, and secured to their labourers as much freedom, and as great a latitude of enjoyment of the necessaries, conveniencies, and comforts of life, as can be done consistently with their own preservation. The humane reader will not complain of the length of this Appendix, if he shall hereafter find, that the other British islands in the West Indies, encouraged by the example before them, shall introduce the benevolent provisions of this act, into their own negro code.

The chief alterations between this law and that of 1788, (which is now repealed), are printed in Italic.

JAMAICA,

AN ACT to repeal an act, intituled "An act to repeal several acts and clauses of acts respecting slaves, and for the better order and government of slaves, and for other purposes ;" and also to repeal the several acts and clauses of acts, which were repealed by the act intituled as aforesaid; and for consolidating, and bringing into one act, the several laws relating to slaves, and for giving them further protection and security; for altering the mode of trial of slaves charged with capital offences; and for other purposes.

WHER

(Laws and clauses of laws to be repealed.)

HEREAS it is for the public good, that all the laws respecting the order and government of slaves, should be consoli, dated, and brought into one law, in order to prevent confusion, and that justice may more effectually be executed respecting slaves; and whereas it is found necessary for the purpose of giving further security to slaves, that the mode of trial of slaves charged with capital offences should be altered; and whereas, in order thereto, it is necessary that all the herein after-mentioned laws, and clauses of laws, should be repealed; viz. &c. &c. &c. We, your majesty's dutiful and loyal subjects, the assembly of this your majesty's island of Jamaica, do most humbly beseech your majesty that it may be enacted, Be it therefore enacted, by the lieutenant governor, council, and assembly of this said island, and it is hereby enacted and ordained by the authority of the same, That from and after the passing of this act, all and every the said herein before-mentioned laws, and clauses of laws, and every part thereof, be, and stand annulled, repealed, and made void, and are hereby annulled, repealed, and made void, to all intents

and purposes whatsoever; any thing in the said laws, and clauses of laws, or in any other law contained to the contrary, in any wise notwithstanding.

(Proprietors, &c. to allot land for every slave, and to allow him to cultivate it.)

II. And whereas nothing can contribute more to the good order and government of slaves than the humanity of their owners, in providing for and supplying them with good and wholesome provisions, and proper and sufficient clothing, and all such other things as may be proper and necessary for them, during their being in a state of slavery: For which end and purpose, Be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, That, from and after the passing of this act, every master, owner, or possessor, of any plantation or plantations, pens, or other lands whatsoever, shall-allot and appoint a sufficient quantity of land for every slave he shall have in possession upon, or belonging to, such plantation or plantations, pens, or other lands, as and for the proper ground of every such slave, and allow such slave sufficient、 time to work the same, in order to provide him, her, or themselves, with sufficient provisions for his, her, or their maintenance: and also, all such masters, owners, or possessors of plantations, pens, or other lands, shall plant upon such plantations, pens, or other lands, in ground-provisions, at least one acre of land for every ten negroes that he shall be possessed of on such plantation, pen, or other lands, over and above the negro grounds aforesaid; which lands shall be kept up in a planter-like condition, under the penalty of fifty pounds.

(Slaves otherwise provided for.)

III. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, That every such master, owner or possessor, or bis or her overseer or chief manager, shall personally inspect into the condition of such negro-grounds once in every month at the least, in order to see that the same are cultivated and kept up in a proper manner, of which oatb shall be made, as in this act is hereafter directed. And whereas it may happen, that in many plantations, pens, settlements, and towns, in this island, there may not be lands proper for the purposes aforesaid; then, and in that case, the masters, owners, or possessors, do, by some other

ways and means, make good and ample provision for all such slaves as they shall be possessed of, equal to the value of two shillings and six pence currency per week for each slave, in order that they may be properly supported and maintained, under the penalty of fifty pounds.

(Owners obliged to provide for disabled slaves.)

IV. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, That no master, owner, or possessor of any slave or slaves, whether in his or her own right, or as attorney, guardian, trustee, executor, or otherwise, shall discard or turn away any such slave or slaves, on account of or by reason of such slave or slaves being rendered incapable of labour or service to such master, owner, or possessor, by means of sickness, age, or infirmity: but every such master, owner, or possessor, as aforesaid, shall be, and he is hereby obliged, to keep all such slave or slaves upon his, her, or their properties, and to find and provide them with wholesome necessaries of life, and not suffer such slave or slaves as aforesaid to be in want thereof, or to wander about, or become burthensome to others for sustenance, under the penalty of ten pounds for every such offence, to be recovered in a summary manner, before any one justice of the peace in this island; who is hereby authorized, empowered, and required, to cause such master, owner, or possessor, his, her, or their attorney or agent, and such other persons as he shall judge necessary, to be summoned before him, to enable him to judge and determine of the propriety of such information, and whether such master, owner, or possessor, ought to incur the said penalty; and in the mean time, and until such trial can be had, the said justice of the peace, on his own view, or upon the information of any white person, upon oath, is hereby empowered and required to take up such wandering, sick, aged, or infirm, slave, or slaves, and to lodge him, her, or them, in the nearest workhouse, there to be clothed and fed, but not worked, at the expense of the master, owner, or possessor, until such trial as aforesaid can be had; and if it shall appear to the said justice, on such trial, that the party or parties so complained of is or are guilty of the said offence, and shall refuse to pay the said ten pounds, and the fees to such workhouse for the maintenance of such slave or slaves, together with the charges of the conviction, the said justice is hereby required and empowered, under the