A History of the Island of St. Helena, from Its Discovery by the Portuguese OT the Year 1806; To Which Is Added an Appendix (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1808 edition. Excerpt: ...three hundred and twenty blacks the mortality was in a still greater proportion. Even in healthy seasons, according to Governor Pyke's calculation, the annual decrease in the number of blacks newly imported was two in fifteen, and amongst those inured to the climate, one in ten. To show how far an opposite effect has been produced by the consequences of a mild system of jurisprudence, which divests slavery in St. Helena of every thing inhuman except the name, nothing more is necessary than to contrast the above calculation with the following fact. In the year 1792, the present code of slave laws was promulgated, by which the further importation of slaves was interdicted, the oflicial returns in that year stated the number of blacks upon the island at 1501; and by the same document it appears that in the year 1805 they had increased to 1560. Whether this calculation is applied to the slaves belonging to the Company, or to the general body of that class of persons on the island, is not positively expressed; but that it refers only to the former appears probable, by the two following extracts from the oflicial correspondence. Extract from the general letter, dated 22d February, 1716=--" We are told it was for want of care, and not a sufi'ici" ency of victuals, occasioned the loss of them" (the blacks); " that the planters who have any regard for their blacks " provide better, or they wou'd soon loose them." Extract from the general letter, dated 21st of March, 1717: --' " Planters take great care of their slaves, and nurse "-them well, as remembering they live by their labour; " and therefore-a few of theirs do them more service than " many of ours.'/' '...