The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-10-07
For the NutiOnaI Era
JAMAICA-ITS ADVANTAGE AS A HOME FOR
C0LORED EMIGRANTs
BY SAMUEL ATKINSON, JUN.

Many of the colored people of the United
States surrounded by various difficulties have
felt unsettled IN their homes and have not re-
garded them rs permanent dwelling-places for
themselves and their posterity.
The writer Of this article, gympathizing with
them in their trials, and apprehendng that
Jamaica presented Inducements for emigration.
addressed letters Of inquiry to several gentle
men residing in different parts of the island
and has, in other ways, endangered to procure
reliable information with regard to the present
condition of Jamaica, and the inducements
which it holds out to moral and industrious
colored persons to settle there The result has
so iayorably impressed his mind that he deems
it "A duty to present it for the consideration of
those whom it most nearly concerns The re-
plies received strongly encourage emigration
a writer from Kingston says: The room for
industrious lahorers is almost unlimited. and
numerous productions might be raised that
are now neglected, and become valuable ex-
ports y See Appendix d
Another, writing from Br0wDstOwn. in the
north says "There is not, perhaps O. part of
the world to which they could come with
greater advantage to themselves or to the
country. than to this island Agricultural In.
borers are ~ great request and if any under
stand cotton cultivation, their services would
be eagerly secured"
Another offers to contract with from 100 TO
300 labOrers "tOr one graz certain. at the ac-
customed wagcS-one shilling per day of nine
hours. providing them also with houses. par-
dens, and medical attendance. gentleman
an st. Andrews parish, the proprietor and
manager of several estates and plantations,
says: 4 could give every encouragement to
deserving immigrants
Jamaica, one Of the British West India
islands lies south of Cuba, in latitude IS deg.
north, is about so miles long and 40 miles
broad, anu contains 1000 900 acres The IN
terror is mountainous but is nearly all capable
of cultivation Not more than ten acres to-
gether, J. BigeOw remarks, are incapable of
cultivation. The SOL Ii very fertile, and on the
large plantations little or a. manure is used
or needed Water il abundant Throughout the
island in many places it flows from elevated
grounds, forming considerable streams thus
afordng water power which might be profit
ably employed in working machinery Though
situated within the tropics, the heat of the
iower country is not greater than that expert
enced ia our Middle States being tempered
toy the sea breezes during the day, and by
IERd breezes az night. The mountain re-
gions are of course much cooler but even there
frost is unknown. SugaT rum molaSses coffee
pmento, Tor allspce,l and ginger are now the
principal exports but to these numerous other
articles might he added with great profit, IL
the laborers ON their little ireeh0lds would cul-
Elvate them. Bread-iruit, cOcOa-nuts oranpes
plsntains bananas, jig9, pineapplcs shaddocks
tamarndS. dates, wSl9DS grapes, &c. with
many fruits OF which We here know little or
nothing, are abundant Vans pOtatoes, sweet
potatoes and other iarinaceous roots aye much
used for food. The garden vegetables euiti
waited ia tbs country grow there luxurnntly .
and, planted 1T any season of the year come
TO maturity in continuous succession OF corn.
sweet potatoes, beaas SC, three crops may be
raised in year See Appendix c
In the cooler parts of the island. apples,
peaches, pears, plums, Strawberries, yaepber.
ries, &c, ripen in perfection. Many drugs,
spices, and dye Stuls, may also be cultivated
70 great profit. So readily and 10 quickly
are the various kinds Of food produced ia
Jamaica, that F0Ht is almost unknown; whilst
industry and eeaAlomy are nearly certain of a
FAIR measure of sue4ass- See Appendix A
and &
The wages Of laborers are II course lower
than IN the United States but. rs the measure
of q days work is the same That il was under
slavery. 1t Is very common for the day's task
10 be performed by little after noon and an
active man can readily perform two and some.
times three days work" in one The native
population, however, with but few wants and
those easily supplied, mostly stop when the al.
lotted task is done
J. Mclean, a gentleman of Muirton, Janai
ca, (ghose statements are very fully endorsed
Wy g. w Gordon, a much-respected planter Of
King&On,l in reply to inquiries as 10 the en-.
cOurageme1t which could be given TO colored
emigrants says:
Those having the means to purchase land
say one, two, or more acre., could get it read
ily, either IN the mountains or Low lepds AT
from si5 to $50 per acre
Clothing ia II matter of little consideration
here. 1t is 30 cheap rs to be within the reach
ot all In the mountains, warm or woollen
clothing may he necessary ~ tmes There
are very few climates in Jamaica where tina
Thermometer varies ten degrees during the
year and there are many places where there