Page:Abstract of the evidence for the abolition of the slave-trade 1791.djvu/94

( 60 ) Their Property.

Of the property of the field slaves, (the next article to be considered) the following testimonies will give a sufficient illustration.

Many field slaves, says Mr. Woolrlch, have it not in their power to earn any thing, exclusive of their master's work. Some few raise fowls, and some few pigs, and fell them, but their number is very few.

Mr. Dalrymple does not say, that slaves never become possessed of much property, but he never knew an instance of it, nor can he conceive how they can have time for it.

The Dean of Middleham observes, that the quantity of ground allowed to field slaves for raising provisions does not admit of their frequently possessing any considerable property. It is not likely they can spare much of their produce for sale. Sometimes they possess a pig, and two or three fowls, and if they have also a few plantain trees, these may be the means of supplying them with knives, iron pots, and such other conveniences as their masters do not allow them.

The greatest property Mr. M. Terry ever knew a field slave to possess was two pigs, and a little poultry. A field slave has not the means of getting much property.

Mr. J. Terry has known the field slaves so poor as not to be able to have poultry. They were not allowed to keep sheep on any estate he knew. On some they might keep two or three goats, but very few allowed it. Some keep pigs and poultry, if able to buy any.

To these testimonies it may be added, that all the evidences, to whom the question has been proposed, agree in answering, that they never knew nor heard of a field slave ever amassing such a sum, as enabled him to purchase his own freedom.

With respect to the artificers, such as house-carpenters, coopers, and masons, and the drivers and head-slaves,