d to
the production of others, with which we were now either wholly or in great
part supplied by foreign nations. That an extensive commerce with Africa
might be substituted in these commodities, so as to afford a return for as
many articles as had annually been carried thither in British vessels: and,
lastly, that such a commerce might reasonably be expected to increase by
the progress of civilization there.

5. That the Slave-trade was peculiarly destructive to the seamen employed
in it; and that the mortality there had been much greater than in any
British vessels employed upon the same coast in any other service or trade.

6. That the mode of transporting the slaves from Africa to the West Indies
necessarily exposed them to many and grievous sufferings, for which no
regulations could provide an adequate remedy; and that in consequence
thereof a large proportion had annually perished during the voyage.

7. That a large proportion had also perished in the harbours in the West
Indies, from the diseases contracted in the voyage and the treatment of the
same, previously to their being sold, and that this loss amounted to four
and a half per cent. of the imported slaves.

8. That the loss of the newly imported slaves, within the three first years
after their importation, bore a large proportion to the whole number
imported.

9. That the natural increase of population among the slaves in the islands,
appeared to have been impeded principally by the following causes:--First,
By the inequality of the sexes in the importations from Africa. Secondly,
By the general dissoluteness of manners among the slaves, and the want of
proper regulations for the encouragement of marriages and of rearing
children among them. Thirdly, By the particular diseases which were
prevalent among them, and which were in some instances to be attributed to
too severe labour, or rigorous treatment, and in others to insufficient or
improper food. Fourthly, By those diseases, which affected a large
proportion of negro-children in their infancy, and by those, to which the
negros newly imported from Africa had been found to be particularly liable.

10. That the whole number of the slaves in the island of Jamaica in 1768
was about 167,000, in 1774 about 193,000, and in 1787 about 256,000: that
by comparing these numbers with the numbers imported and retained in the
said island during all these years, and making proper allowances, the
annual excess of de