Page:Abstract of the evidence for the abolition of the slave-trade 1791.djvu/167

( 133 ) change must be made in the system, and that the following regulations are the most likely to answer the end, inasmuch as, upon the adopting of them or similar ones, the slaves on the estates cited have experienced an increase.

Some Alterations in these practices necessary for insuring an universal Increase.

Regulation 1.The maxim observed on the estate of the Marquis de Rouvray, and some of the others cited, "of never pressing the slaves hard in their work," and "the substitution of animal for human labour, wherever it is practicable," as mentioned by Mr, Giles, should be adopted on every estate.

2.A more general residence of proprietors on their own estates, as on Mr. Malcolm's, to attend to the complaints and punishments of their slaves, is necessary.

3.Marriage, or the union of one man to one woman, should take place, as in the Marquis de Rouvray's plantation; and this union no white or other person should be suffered to disturb or disjoin.

4.The women slaves, when advanced in their pregnancy four months, should be taken from the field, and should have little and light work, as practised on some of the estates cited to have increased by births.

5.During the time of their lying-in, they should be put into convenient hospitals, or, if allowed to remain in their huts, these should be so constructed as to exclude the cold and damp, and every female should suckle her own child from the birth.

6.In such hospitals or huts, they should remain, as on the Marquis de Rouvray's estate, and be excused from field-labour, till the child could be supported without the mother's aid, or, when their strength would permit, return with the child to their husbands, and take the chance of work.

Now,