The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1858-08-05
CIRCULAR.
OIhOD LAX.
BARBADOS, W. l., January, 1853.


III Mr. -
What are the advantages resulting, in this
Island, from the Abolition of Slavery?
l. What is the religious condition, at this
time, of the Island generally, and the emanci.
pated classes in particular, compared with that
during Slavery? And in how far may the eman-
cipstion be supposed to have affected it?
2. What is the state of education now, com.
pared with what it was under Slavery?
3. Is there less crime now than formerly, and
to what extent2
4. What is the price of land now, and what
was it under Slavery2 And whether the invest.
ment is considered more advantageous now than
it was then?
S. Is there greater security of person and
property now than there was in the state of Sla.
very?
6. Generally speaking, is the days work of
the free laborer for wages greater or less than
was that Of the slave And in what proper
tion2
Z. What was the estimated cost of slave Ia.
Dor per diem-taking into account the proper
ton of iOOrkers to slaUes, the interest and risk
Of the investment in them, the law and other
charges to keep them in order, as well as main.
tenance in food, clothing, &c.-and what is
now the daily cost of free labor2
8. Do the lsborers usually work by the day
or job, or both? And how many hours consti-
tute a days work?
9. Are the estates, generally speaking, better
or worse cultivated under free labor than thev
were under slave2
10. Comparing the cost of production, on the
whole, with the quantity of produce raised, apart
from Its actual market value, has that cost been
increased or diminished under the free labor
system And are there any modifying circum.
tbar IL 4.
be supposed to have contributed to that result !?
III. Is Emancipation generally acknowledged
in this Island to be q blessing? And if not, by
what particular class or classes is il considered
otherwise?
IL. has there been, at any time since Emau.
cipaton, any manifestation of vengeful feelings
on the part of the emancipated, for the things
endured in Slavery
l3. Do the lsborers usually take a greater
interest in the Estate than under SlaveryY
IA. What time do the usual engagements for
Estate labor leave them for house work, or
work in their own grounds
10. Are houses furnished them rent free on
the Estates? Or, if they pay rent, how is il
rated, and what are the conditions?
10; Are laborers required to pay any taxes
peculiarly affecting their condition and circum-
stances?
IL. Have they the right of voting equally
with other clsssss2
lS. On the whole, have they been benefited
or otherwise by emancipation, and in what re.
spects?
l9- What is the present condition of the moor
whites And how have they been affected by
Emancipation? CHARLES TAPpAx
From his. EreelIency F. Hincks. Governor OF
the Fipe Wind1card Islands Vest Indies.
GOVERNMENT HOUSE, BARBADOS.
January 9, 1853.
Ny DEAR SIR: willingly comply with your
request, that / should communicate to you the
opinions which / have formed as to the results
of the abolition of Slavery in the British West
Indies, as well in their bearing on the civiliza
ton OF the emancipsted classes, as on the gen
eral prosperity of the colonies. do this the
more readily, because, being thoroughly per
suaded that most erroneous opinions on this
important subject prevail generally, both il
Europe and America, l think that every pos
sible assistance should be given to those who
take the trouble to inquire into the actual con
dition of these colonies
The errors to which / shall more especially
advert are, first, the assertion that slave labor
is cheaper than free. Secondly, the charge o.
hsbitual Incidence advanced against the creole,
of African descent, which has led, it is alleged
to the abandonment of the sugar estates, and
the consequent ruin of the prcprie:ors.
On the first point, viz: the comparative cost
of free and slave labor, believe that little i
any difference of opinion prevails among the
proprietors of this island 1t is, however. mucb
to be regretted that the West Indian planters
have more than once, since the period of eman
cipstion, made formal complaints to the Tape
rial Parliament, founded on their inability Il
compete in the production of sugar BY free la
Dor with the slave labor of foreign countries.
The object of the complainants doubtless
was to obtain q continuance of the protectiv,
duties then levied upon foreign sugars. / can
however, state with confidence, that many wh,
at one time held the opinion that the increase.
production of sugar in Cuba was to be attribut
ed to the cheapness of slave labor, have Ions
since discovered their error. For my owl
part, entertain no doubt that the productive
ness of Cuba is to be mainly attributed to it
rich virgin soil, on which ratooning can be car
ried on for many years With little labor. Lane
in that island is abundant and cheap, and labo
is in great demand for clearing and preparing
ii for cultivation.
It must be borne in mind that field labor il
but one item among many in the cost of pro
ducing sugar. Other items, such as the main
tenance Of stock, lumber, manures, expenses G
msrsgement skilled workmen, casks, &C., mus
all be taken into account, and will be found t.
cost even more than the labor. But the mos
important item, perhaps, is the interest on in
vested capital. The expenses of q BARBADOS
estate, capable of making 200 hogsheads o
sugar, on % average, may be stated as follows