credit,
and if it is really voluntary. The fear that it will injure the negro,
or that he dreads it, is wholly baseless. The negroes have remained
utterly indifferent to the whole agitation of the subject, and are on
perfectly amiable terms with the few coolies already introduced. Indeed
it will be rather for their interest, as a negro remarked to Mr.
Underhill, by giving them a better sale for their produce. The coolies
now in the island appear to have done well. And the danger of
overcrowding the population on a land teeming with tropical plenty,
whose area of 6,400 square miles is occupied by but 441,000 inhabitants,
is not a very imminent one, from any number within the means of the
colony to introduce. And on the ability to procure foreign labor very
much depends the hope of reviving the planting prosperity of Jamaica on
a sounder basis, and in such a degree as is compatible with the
substantial good of the whole population. It is true the population,
relieved from the dreadful waste of slavery, is increasing. The census
of 1844 showed a population of 377,433. That of 1861 showed one of
441,264, an increase of 63,831 in seventeen years. The immigration of
coolies during that time has been between 18,000 and 20,000; the
decrease of the whites, 3,000. The net increase by immigration then has
been at the most 17,000, leaving 47,000 as the natural increase, or 12
per cent., in seventeen years. This is what remains after two terrible
visitations of cholera, and one of small pox, all within eleven years,
which together are computed to have swept off 40,000 persons. The
increase would doubtless be much greater but for the loose living and
careless habits of the negroes, and their almost entire destitution of
medical attendance. There are now, it appears, but fifty qualified
practitioners in the island, with no hopes of reinforcement.

The results of this census were very gratifying, and very unexpected.
Such scanty means are there, ordinarily, of knowing the true condition
of the country, that it was a prevailing impression that the population
was decreasing. Had slavery continued, the present population would
probably have been about 275,000. The difference of 165,000 in favor of
freedom tells its own story. But the present necessities of the estates
call for a more speedy augmentation of the laboring force than is
furnished by natural increase alone.

I have omitted to mention in its proper place one gratifying sign t