y had seen
the slaves treated in a manner, which their owners would have resented, if
they had known it. Mr. Orde spoke in the strongest terms of the misconduct
of managers. The fact was, that these in general sought to establish their
characters by producing large crops at a small immediate expense; too
little considering how far the slaves might suffer from ill-treatment and
excessive labour. The pursuit of such a system was a criterion for judging
of their characters, as both Mr. Long and Mr. Ottley had confessed.

But he must contend, in addition to this, that the object of keeping up the
stock of slaves by breeding had never been seriously attended to. For this
he might appeal both to his own witnesses, and to those of his opponents;
but he would only notice one fact. It was remarkable that, when owners and
managers were asked about the produce of their estates, they were quite at
home as to the answer; but when they were asked about the proportion of
their male and female slaves, and their infants, they knew little about the
matter. Even medical men were adepts in the art of planting; but when they
were asked the latter questions, as connected with breeding and rearing,
they seemed quite amazed; and could give no information upon the subject of
them.

Persons, however, of great respectability had been called as witnesses, who
had not seen the treatment of the Negros as he had now described it. He
knew what was due to their characters; but yet he must enter a general
protest against their testimony. "I have often," says Mr. Ross, "attended
both governors and admirals upon tours in the island of Jamaica. But it was
not likely that these should see much distress upon these occasions. The
White People and drivers would take care not to harrow up the feelings of
strangers of distinction by the exercise of the whip, or the infliction of
punishments, at that particular time; and, even if there were any
disgusting objects, it was natural to suppose that they would then remove
them." But in truth these gentlemen had given proofs, that they were under
the influence of prejudice. Some of them had declared the abolition would
ruin the West Indies. But this, it was obvious, must depend upon the
practicability of keeping up the stock without African supplies; and yet,
when they were questioned upon this point, they knew nothing about it.
Hence they had formed a conclusion without premises. Their evidence, too,
extended through