Page:Remarks upon the Situation of Negroes in Jamaica.pdf/93

 the ſwamps, indigo in drier land, corn, if the ſpot be manured, upon every ſoil, and every where, if it be new; proviſions in the moſt lofty mountains, and natural herbage where theſe ſhall fail. Theſe various reſources might, if properly directed, and prudently extended, very conſiderably augment the public revenues, and thereby help to eaſe thoſe taxes, which at preſent preſs ſo heavily upon all ranks and conditions of men. If I have propoſed an hypotheſis which I have not knowledge to maintain, I ſhall hope the intention may juſtify the fault, and that I may not be cenſured for wiſhing well, although I have not talents to render ſervice.

In the courſe of theſe remarks I have dropt a hint reſpecting baptiſm; and I ſhall now give my reaſons why, I think it may not only be productive of a change of moral ſentiment in the unenlightened ſlaves, but tend to the decency of their lives, the health of their bodies, and the comfort of their minds; and ſhall afterwards give my opinion how their ſituations may, with an encreaſing degree of advantage to the maſter, be much improved. It