The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1858-08-26

ment. The laborers work in their own grounds
during this hour, and after four o'clock; also
on Saturday, which is not q working day, ex.
cept made so by special contract.
Is. Laborers are located on estates, and for
the most part occupy houses and garden al.
lotment of land at certain rent, on condition
that they work FIVE days in the week on the
estates and they are liable to double rent for
breach of these conditions. The landlords are
wholly averse to annual rentals where the L.
borers are tenants at all, it is by the month OF
week.
Is. The laborers, where not freeholders, pay,
az far as / am aware, no direct taxes, but con.
stitute the great body of consumers.
IL. In the matter of voting, the only test Of
qualification is property; and although the
qualification is very high, any one having the
necessary amount of property is privileged to
vote.
l8. The emancipated classes have, of course,
been benefited by Freedom. They feel that
they are men, and have already developed
many of the best and most hopeful traits OF
humanity. Although the generation who were
actually slaves are illiterate, they evince con.
siderable intelligence, and q proper sense of
their duties and obligations as members of so
ciety, as fathers, husbands, &c. There are ex-
ceptions; but, as class, their moral and 80
cial condition has considerably improved.
l9. That class of poor whites who were in
years long gone by on the same social and
mental footing as the negro laborers, has now
only few representatives left I; the wider field
for enterprise opened up since emancipation
has enabled the junior branches to make their
way upward, whilst the old generation is rapid.
ly passing away. But i am not aware that
emancipation has affected them in any way
tkar II hau ID
am yours, respectfully, WILLIAM LEON.
Charles Tappan, Esq.
FROM JAMES b MAPP, ESQ,
A colOred Planter, and O,cner of too very ralu.
able Estates.
Answers to Queries.
l. The religious condition now OF the Island
generally, and of the emancipated classes in
particular, is very much better than during
Slavery. Emancipation and the Christian in
struction of the slaves, commenced by Bishop
Coleridge In the year 1925, have both contrib.
uted to this great improvement.
4. The slaves were not educated, except on
the Society's estate, in the parish of st. John.
They were taught three hours day, and there
were also few pet slaves who were taught the
same time. But now, and for many years, ed
ucation has been greatly difdsed among the
sboring population, who were formerly slaves.
In fact, it is more freely offered them than they
are willing to receive it.
3. AS to grave and serious offences, there is
certainly less crime. Petty thefts and other
minor offences are also less in number now;
but make a greater show in the present day,
because all offences are now punished by the
public magistrate.
4. Land is now worth twice az much as it
uuau ,1rAo Il Al
is considered more advantageous.
8. There is much greater security Of life and
property.
g. The free laborer does more work for wages
than the slave did. Sometimes nearly half as
much again; few of them do twice as much,
working by task.
Z. All the expenses of slave labor being
considered, the daily cost of free labor is much
less than that of slave.
8. The laborer works by job, and also by
day of nine hours. A days labor of the first
class costs one shilling, or twenty-four cents.
8. All estates are better cultivated now than
ever they were in the time of Slavery.
10. The cost Of production on the whole
must be less now; but have never infinitely
calculated it.
IL. / believe all acknowledge it to be bless
ing. Many of the elder shareholders have most
heartily done 80.
II. None whatever
l3. They show a much greater interest, as
far as know.
IA. Those engagements leave them all Sat
urday, and an hour or two on each of the other
five working days. In the sugar reaping sea-
son, when required, they cheerfully work even
on Saturday. Nearly all estates reap their
crops of sugar by task work.
10. House rent is usually twenty cents Der
week but most of the laborers have their own
houses. Land is usually the same per allot-
ment of one.quarter to one half acre, according
to the quality of the land. On some estates,
they exact a double or extra rent from the la.
borer, for not working regularly on the estate
l6. The laborer pays no tax except as an
owner of laad; and many of them now OWE
land, and they are invariably found to be the
best laborers.
II. They have that right if they possess the
property qualification. Some laborers in most
of the parishes have thus voted at elections.
They likewise attend as jurymen in court.
l8. They have been benefited in every re-
spect. Their appearance is more decent, and
very many of them behave better, and set a
right value on their liberty.
Is. AT first they suffered much, being thrown
on their own resources after emancipation,
from not being accustomed to field labor; but
great many of them have turned to labor, and
are now doing we'll. JAMES B. MAPp.
JackmGn's, January 25, 1858.