Page:Books from the Biodiversity Heritage Library (IA mobot31753000820123).pdf/70

 Rh

Their Trade among the Spaniards privately in America manag'd chiefly by Sloops, is with all those things mention'd to come from Europe, especially Clothing, as Serges, &c. on which they have either in Truck or Money 55. per cent. Gain, one moiety whereof goes to the Masters and Owners of the Sloops, the other to the Merchant Adventurer. There are also many Negros sold this way to the Spaniards, who are either brought lately from Guinea, or bad Servants, or Mutinous in Plantations. They are sold to very good profit; but if they have many Cicatrices, or Scars on them, the marks of their severe Corrections, they are not very saleable.

The Commodities the English have in return, besides money, most usually are Cacao, Sarsaparilla, Pearls, Emeralds, Cochineel, Hides, &c.

The Trade of Jamaica with the Dutch at Corasol is chiefly for Provisions which are wanted very much on that Island. The Island of Corasol is very small, and very little Provision grows on it. The chief advantage the Dutch have of it, is, that 'tis a place whereto Goods are brought to Trade with the Spaniards privately on the Continent of America, for which purpose 'tis very advantageously seated.

The Turtlers who furnish the Island with Turtle, may be reckoned among the trading Sloops.

There is likewise a Trade with this Island from New-England, and New York. It consists usually in an exchange of Rum, Molossus, Sugar, and Money, for Horses, Beef, Pork, Flower or Rusk, 'tis manag'd by Brigantines, or small Craft, who now and then touch at the Bahama Islands, and kill Seals, or Whales for the Train-Oil, or Sperma Ceti.

When the Trade of the Assiento for furnishing the Spanish West-Indies with Negros was in this Island, it was not only very beneficial to the African Company and their Factors, but to the Governours of this Island, as well as the Captains of the Frigats who convey'd them to Porto Belo, and on their delivery there had immediately paid them the Money agreed on by the Head.

The Religion of those of the Island, either Europeans, or descended from them Creolians, is as in England, and the same proportion of Dissenters are there as in England.

The Indians and Negroes have no manner of Religion by what I could observe of them. 'Tis true they have several Ceremonies, as Dances, Playing, &c. but these for the most part are so far from being Acts of Adoration of a God, that they are for the most part mixt with a great deal of Bawdry and Lewdness.

The Negros are usually thought to be haters of their own Children, and therefore 'tis believ'd that they sell and dispose of them to Strangers for Money, but this is not true, for the Negros of Guinea