Page:Abstract of the evidence for the abolition of the slave-trade 1791.djvu/179

( 145 ) tenant [sic] Davison has known, in Jamaica, from twelve to twenty domesticks [sic] in a house, where half the number would have done as well. Dr. Jackson too observes, that there are three times more domesticks [sic] in Jamaica than would be in England, for the same work; and Jeffreys, speaking of those in the same island, says they are too many; they are a nuisance from their numbers. Hence it is clear, that were it possible a failure of hands for the field could take place before the assigned epocha [sic] arrived, many domesticks [sic] might be spared, without any inconvenience, for field-labour. Nor would this change be at all disagreeable to many of them: for we have seen their lives often rendered miserable, by being constantly under the eye, and subject to the caprice of their masters and mistresses. Coor, indeed, has often heard many of them say, that they would rather be under the field hardships, than in the house.

Also Black artificers, whose places might be supplied by White Men.

This resource, though very considerable, is yet not the only one the planters are possessed of: for many of the slaves are coopers, carpenters, mill-wrights, copper-smiths, black-smiths, and the like, all of whom could perform field-labour, and their places, if necessary, be supplied by white men, who, if temperate, would not suffer in their health. Land surveying, says Terry, is exceedingly laborious in the West Indies, and yet he followed it for seven years, without injury to his health. He has often seen white mill-wrights at work in the sun, whose health did not suffer. There are also white coopers and blacksmiths there, but the former only direct negroes working under them. Lieutenant Davison is sure whites, if temperate, could, without material injury, do any kind of out-door work. It is well known that the ship-wrights and other tradesmen in the king's yard, Port-Royal, often work all day long, and he never knew them unhealthier than people in general. White artificers do work at their trades in the West Indies, without materially hurting their health. Captain Cook has no doubt, and he speaks from many instances, that white people by habits of temperance and regularity of T