JAMAICA.
299
tute of the means of education. The special magis trate informed us to-day that he had settled many ma numissions by valuation, and did not know one negro so freed who did not support himself creditably by his own industry. 15th.—This morning at an early hour, several ap prentices came to complain to the Special Magistrate, whose lodgings are at the only house of public enter tainment in Manchineal, and consequently under the same roof as our own. Several of them were from the arrowroot plantation we visited two days ago. They brought with them a large basket, which would con tain a bushel or upwards, and complained that it was used to measure their task, and that they were com pelled, both strong and weak, to dig six baskets a-day for five days in the week, and if they fell short, to make up the number on Saturday. Sometimes they said if they chanced to work upon a good bearing piece, they could render their full task, but otherwise they found it quite impossible. This case was appoint ed to be heard in court to day. Another negro came in great distress to complain that he was about to be flogged. He said, that he was an apprentice on the Grange, a property in this (CHAMBBRLAINE'S) district, and that he and the rest of the gang were compelled to job out at an estate called Williams-fiield, twelve miles distant from their homes. Their grounds had no provisions in them, the cattle having trespassed and destroyed every thing growing there. He was required to dig seventy cane holes a day in new, stiff soil. He had no food to eat and no water carrier in the field was allowed to their gang. One day tbe week before last, he said as he was eaving the field, " they ought to have something to eat, and