Page:Abstract of the evidence for the abolition of the slave-trade 1791.djvu/159

( 125 ) West Indies, that is, more men than women and children. These slaves, on the first years of their arrival, from the unhealthiness of the climate, and other causes, decreased: but when they had been at Bencoolen a few years, where they were humanely treated, they began annually to increase; notwithstanding from the little attention that was paid to their way of life, both men and women lived in the most abandoned way. The wonder was, that they did increase, as the young women slaves were common prostitutes to the soldiers and sailors.

6.African negroes also, transported to different parts of North America, have, in consequence of being better used, increased by population there.

Dr. Harrison's distinction between the difference of the treatment of the negroes by the West Indians and Americans [sic], is as follows. In Jamaica, he says, slaves were generally treated ill, and only individuals treated them well; in Carolina, on the other hand, they were generally treated well, and only individuals used them ill.—Let us now see the consequences.

Mr. Dove says, that from 1774 to 1783 there were no importations of slaves to Boston or New York, and yet he thinks that they did not decrease in their number during that time.

It was generally believed, says Mr. Stuart, that the Carolina slaves increased without importation.

Mr. Savage says also, that where they were well used in Carolina they increased greatly. A friend of his, Gabriel Manigault, Esq. informed him, that in 1737, he had on his estate eighty-six negroes, of which twelve or fourteen were superannuated. The latter he replaced by others. With no more addition than this, they had increased to two hundred and seventy about a year or two (1773) before he left the country.

Mr. Baillie