Page:Remarks upon the Situation of Negroes in Jamaica.pdf/107

 . Almoſt every man in Jamaica, let his means be ever ſo many, his ſtrength of negroes ever ſo great, or his ſituation ever ſo dependent, is ſtill anxious to call in the aid of hired labour; but the falacy of this management may be eaſily detected; for if a planter cannot make fifteen pence a day for a ſeaſoned negro, who is worth a hundred pounds, how can he afford to pay fifteen pence a day for the labour of a new negro, who is not worth forty? beſides, a jobber is generally paid for his work ſoon after it is done, and does not run any riſk, except in a delay of payment, if ſtorms ſhould intervene; whereas a planter muſt wait the ſlow progreſs of returning ſeaſons for emolument, and loſe his labour if theſe ſhould fail.

Every negro who is given to run away, to ſteal, eat dirt, (which ſingular affection proceeds from a depravity of appetite, or want of food, and which is incorrigible) or thoſe who require conſtant puniſhments for idleneſs, or other crimes, should be tranſported from the country; a practice however, which is ſeldom adopted, excepting by the independent and affluent owner; and which perhaps