In 1831 the act of servile emancipation in the West India possessions, was adopted by the parliament of Great Britain. Until that period the Island of Jamaica had enjoyed uninterrupted prosperity. By the provisions of the act the slaves were converted into apprentices and their freedom was to be gradually meted out to them. If the loss of absolute ownership constituted the sum total of the injury suffered by the planters, the pseudo philanthropy of the British government might not lack specious apologists. But the calamity consequent upon the abolition of slavery has been immeasurable.
Colonial property is comparatively valueless, because it can no longer be worked by slave labor.
As a consequence, nearly all the larger plantations are deserted. Those whose means enabled them to abandon the island have sold out every thing, and gone elsewhere. Those who remain, have parcelled out their lands and disposed of them in small lots. The dearness of labor and the incorrigible indolence of the black population have reduced the cultivation of the staple products of the island to a mere triflle. The official documents for the years 1837 and 1838 had not been submitted to parliament.