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knew one in Montserrat[1] whose slaves looked remarkably well, and never needed any fresh supplies of negroes; and there are many other estates, especially in Barbadoes, which, from such judicious treatment, need no fresh stock of negroes at any time. I have the honour of knowing a most worthy and humane gentleman, who is a native of Barbadoes, and has estates there.[2] This gentleman has written a treatise on the usage of his own slaves,
- ↑ Mr. Dubury, and many others in Montserrat.
- ↑ Sir Philip Gibbes, Bart. Barbadoes. See his Instructions for the Treatment of Negroes inscribed to the society for propagating the Gospel in foreign Parts, 1786. (Sold by Shepperton and Reynolds, London) p. 32, 33.
"If negroes decrease in number, the decrease must be ever imputed to a want of care, or a want of judgment in the treatment of them. — All animals, rational and irrational, are known to increase in all countries where ease and plenty prevail, and where want and oppression are not felt. This is universally acknowledged: so that where the decrease happens, the design of Providence to increase and multiply is unwisely, as well as impiously, frustrated by the want of care and humanity, or the want of judgment and attention. The people of Barbadoes need not extend their inquiries to distant countries. At St. Vincents they may learn, that a vessel from Africa bound to Barbadoes, I believe, since the commencement of he present century, was stranded on that island. Such of the people as saved themselves from shipwreck settled at St. Vincents. Under all these difficulties which men must suffer from such a misfortune, in an almost uninhabited island (for St. Vincents at that time had very few native Indians) these Africans made a settlement, and have encreased to a very considerable number. — Here is a proof, that negroes will increase even in this climate, when they do not live and labour under circumstances that obstruct population."
