Royal Proclamations and Charters, Confirmations only of

ancient Rights.-Barbadoes, and some other Islands, ori-

ginally made Counties Palatine.-Their local Legislature

how constituted, and the extent of their Jurisdiction pointed

out. Their Allegiance to, and Dependence on, the Crown

of Great Britain how secured.-Constitutional Extent of Par-

liamentary Authority over them.
409

CHAP. III.

Principles on which the Nations of Europe settled Colonies in

America.-Commercial Regulations of Great Britain.-Re-

marks on the Acts of Navigation.-Admission of foreign-

built Vessels eventually beneficial.-Exports from Great

Britain to the Sugar Islands, and their value.-The same

from Ireland. Wines from Madeira and the Azores.-Other

Profits. Summary of the whole.-Imports from the West

Indies to Great Britain and Ireland, and their Value accord-

ing to the London Prices.-Amount of British Capital vested

in the Sugar Islands.-Shipping and Seamen.-General Ob-

servations.-Appendix.

443

CHAP. IV.

Trade between the British West Indies and North America

previous to the late Civil war.-Official Account of American

Supplies, and their Value.-Ships and Seamen.-Returns.→

Advantages resulting from this Trade to Great Britain.-

Measures adopted by Government on the Re-establishment

of peace.-Proclamation of the 2d July, 1783.-Petitions

from the West Indies.-Opposition of the Settlers in Nova

Scotia, &c. and the Ship-builders at Home.-Reference to

the Committee of Privy Council.-Evidence taken by the

Committee. Their final Opinion thereon.-Proceedings of

Government.-Destruction of Negroes in the West Indies in

consequence.-Act of the 28 Geo. III. Chap. 6.-Present

State and Value of this Trade between the British West In-

dies and the remaining British Provinces in America.-The

same with the United States of America.-Inference from

the whole.-Appendix.

483

CHAP.

CHAP. V.

Charges brought against the planters introductory of Opinions

and Doctrines the Design of which is to prove, that the Set-

tlement of the British Plantations was improvident and un-

wise. Testimony of the Inspector-General on this Subject,

and Animadversions thereon.-Erroneous Idea concerning a

distinct Interest between Great Britain and her Sugar Islands.

The National Income and the profits of Individuals arising

from those Islands considered separately.-Opinions of Post-

lethwaite and Child.-Whether the Duties on West Indian

Commodities imported fall on the Consumer, and with what

Cases?-Drawbacks and bounties: Explanation of those

Terms, and their Origin and Propriety traced and demon-

strated. Of the Monopoly-compact; its Nature and Origin.

Restrictions on the Colonists enumerated; and the Benefits

resulting therefrom to the Mother-Country pointed out and

illustrated.—Advantages which would accrue to the Planter,

the Revenue, and the Publick, from permitting the Inha-

bitants of the West Indies to refine their raw Sugar for the

British Consumption.-Unjust Clamours raised in Great Bri-

tain on any temporary Advance of the West Indian Staples.

-Project of establishing Sugar Plantations in the East Indies

under the Protection of Government considered.—Remon-

strance which might be offered against this and other Mea-

sures. Conclusion

427

APPENDIX:

Containing Tables of West Indian Exports and Imports to and

from Great Britain and Ireland

593

THE

THE

HISTORY,

CIVIL AND COMMERCIAL,

OF

THE BRITISH COLONIES

IN THE WEST INDIES."

BOOK IV.

PRESENT INHABITANTS.

CHAP. I.

Summary account of the Inhabitants of the se veral Islands.-Classes.-Emigrants from Great Britain and Ireland.-Predominant character of the European residents.-Creoles or Natives.-Effect of climate.-Character of the Creole Women and Children.-if the people of Colour, and their different tribes or casts.-Limitations and restrictions on the Mulattoes and native Blacks of free condition. Their character at length, concluding with an Ode to the Sable Venus.

THE present state (1791) of the population CHAP.

in the British West Indies appears, on a summary of the several accounts given in former parts of this work, to be as follows, viz.

VOL. II.

Jamaica

I.

THERE is likewise in cach of the Islands a considerable number of persons of mixed blood, and Native Blacks of free condition. In Jamaica they are reckoned, as we have shewn, at ten thousand; and I have reason to believe they do not fall short of the same number in all the other Islands collectively taken. The whole inhabitants therefore may properly be divided into four great classes. 1. European Whites; 2. Creole or Native Whites; 3. Creoles of mixed blood, and free Native Blacks; 4. Negroes in a state of slavery. I shall treat of each class separately; premising, however, that there are persons not comprehended in either class; such as

emigrants

emigrants from North America, and a consi- CHAP. derable body of Jews. In Jamaica, the latter enjoy almost every privilege possessed by the Christian Whites, excepting only the right of voting at elections; of being returned to serve in the assembly, and of holding any office of magistracy; but they have the liberty of purchasing and holding lands, as freely as any other people; and they are likewise allowed the publick exercise of their religion; for which purpose they have erected two or more synagogues; and I have not heard that Jamaica has had any reason to repent of her liberality towards them. As, however, they differ but little in manners and customs from the rest of their nation which are dispersed in all the countries of Europe, I shall pass them by, without further detail. The other White Inhabitants, not comprehended in this enumeration, are too few to merit particular notice (a).

Ir may reasonably be supposed that most of

(a) The following account of the White Inhabitants, Free-Negroes, and Slaves, in the French West Indies, may serve to gratify curiosity. It is taken from the authority of Mons. Neckar; but I have reason to think that the Negro Slaves are nearly doubled in the French Islands since this account was taken.