The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-05-14
The state OF the West Indies.

To THE EDITOR OF THE LONDON HERALD -
gloomy and we learn that orders have been received
there to abandon the cultivation Of sugar on many
estates, unless it can be produced at price hitherto
proved to be impossible; and Mr.. Price, also, q
since from Liverpool, with credit to large amount
to buy up the deprecated sugar properties, and
teach the stupid old planters the scientific and profit
able mode Of gar-growing-which, by the by, he
most sgnally failed in doing, having got less pro-
duoe from the land than the stupid old plant
did before-has now stated the impossibility Of
growing sugar with remuneration, in the presen
caused by tho act Of 1846, and slave competition,
although tho British free-lAbor grower has still
diaerential duty Of some AZ. Sd. in his favor.
If this be the case in Jamaica, we may be sure
islands. But what do have in contradistnction to
this, Of countries where sugar is produced by slave
labor? In Cuba, for instance, It is stated that in
addition to the imports of slaves from Africa, an
English house has contracted to supply them with
5000 Chinese laborers, at f25 per head-at least
says the Economist. Now, think the following
figures will point out how the Cubans are wise in
their generation in importing both free and slave
labor.
The Cubans, with their bloodhounds, lash, strin-
gent though supple laws, strong police and military
force, will take good care the Chinaman. whose ply
slave, shalt give fur days work for days wages,
and under their mode Of treatment will find him
most possibly more profitable than the raw African
slave.
The average lse Of slave doing slaves wsrk. hss
been eomputca u 10 years; and bis cost say At 20
years of ago, whom landed in Cuba, 'E70. Now,
Chinaman landed in Cuba in good health, with fair
share Of agricultural knowledge which they all pos
sess, or it may be that he has been in China oar
penter, mason, or blacksmith, sugar boiler or
any other useful craft which commands high wages
in Cuba, would, as compared with the raw slave
die passage, be worth at least .el20. Any handi-
craftsman in Jamaica, prior to the emancipation,
was worth double an ordinary field slave. The
Chinaman, on landing, we will say for forms sake,
shall be indentured to the planter for 10 years. and
say his wages shall be Is. 3d. per day, and the.
figures will stand thus
Cost of landing Chinaman in Cuba. E25 0
Interest on .e25 for 10 years, at l0por cent Is
Wages Is. 3D. per day, for 300 days per
annun, for 10 years. ............ 225
Mortality and depreciation, per cent, on
ac25 for 10 years. s............-........ 20
Total ....................... EZSO
Value Of . slave Of same age and general
knowledge. .ElU
Interest on El20 for 10 years, at 10 per
Food, clothing medicine, and loss by run
aways, for 10 years of 366 days, at I'd.
Depreciation pr and mortality, 10 per cent
on se125 for 10 years. ................. 120
Total Observation-Disclosures. E46l
Thus we find q Chinaman less expensive by El6
year than raw slave, against which is to Be set
any extra amount of labor the slave may bo COM
PEELED to perform, which, l conceive, would not
amount to El6 in tho year. The insurance Of life,
again, is in favor Of the Chinaman.
The Cubans have doubtless made their calcua-
tions by the experience of those Chinese they have
already in the island, and arc fully competent to
Judge of the wise laws propounded by Mr.. Econo.
mist Wilson and others, that free labor is more eco
nomical than slave labor, and will take care Of
themselves. But the same class Of Cinnamon intro
duced into Jamaica would, with our laws and our
regulations, and with the example before them Of
the idle squatting propensity, and the inclination to
demand bigh wages, of the laboring population
there be, in my opinion useless for steady and
pay for the days work Chinaman would feel
disposed to give, ss daily labor and contract labor
the Chinaman also fully understands how to take
advantage Of
If Jamaica had code Of labor regulations SINH
lar to the Danish island Of st. Croix, then, think
you might introduce them with great advantage
give my opinion on this subject from having ro-
sided In Jamaica for some years previous to the
emancipation, and from visiting II again last year.
J Of Malacca, where am given to understand the
member for Cockermouth, Mr.. Horsman. has re-
Gently purchased four Of the dspreoated sugar pro-
perties in Province Wellesley to try his hand with
the Chinaman, where wages are only Sd. day;
but, with present prices, there cannot be o very
promising margin for profit should conceive.
There Is another cause from which the slaveowner
must gradually receive great advantage. allude
to the rise In price Of free labor which must take
circulating medium, gold.
| remain, sir, your obedient servant
ST. Johns Wood, April TO- q. @. r.