“ This resource, though very considerable, is yet not the only one the planters are possessed of: for many of the slaves are coopers, carpenters, mill-wrights, copper-smiths, black-smiths, and the like, all of whom could perform field-labour, and their places, if necessary, be supplied by white men, who, if temperate, would not suffer in their health. ”

“ Decrease of Slaves by deaths would be retarded. It has been shewn too, that, in consequence of their being better fed, according to some of the regulations suggested, they would be far less liable to suffer from epidemicks, and it is evident, that, being better fed, less worked and harrassed by the whip, that is, in every respect, better used, their lives would be proportionably prolonged. ”

“ He says, no people work harder than the English sailors there: and Dr. Jackson apprehends, as a medical man, that white men may work as artificers, in the West Indies, without any material detriment to their health. ”

“ Lieutenant Davison is sure whites, if temperate, could, without material injury, do any kind of out-door work. It is well known that the ship-wrights and other tradesmen in the king's yard, Port-Royal, often work all day long, and he never knew them unhealthier than people in general. ”

“ Nor would this change be at all disagreeable to many of them: for we have seen their lives often rendered miserable, by being constantly under the eye, and subject to the caprice of their masters and mistresses. Coor, indeed, has often heard many of them say, that they would rather be under the field hardships, than in the house. ”

“ Jackson too observes, that there are three times more domesticks in Jamaica than would be in England, for the same work; and Jeffreys, speaking of those in the same island, says they are too many; they are a nuisance from their numbers. Hence it is clear, that were it possible a failure of hands for the field could take place before the assigned epocha arrived, many domesticks might be spared, without any inconvenience, for field-labour. ”