70
RESULTS OF
all are agreed—that the great experiment of abolition has succeeded beyond the expectations of its most san guine advocates. Some indeed affect to regard the future with apprehension ; but none will deny that the new system has hitherto worked well ; or will hazard a declaration of preference for slavery. Many speak in emphatic terms, of the annoyances they have escaped by the change, and of the comparative com fort with which they now manage their estates. The measure has been felt to be one of emancipation of masters, as well as slaves, from a most oppressive bondage, except by such as clung to their authority with a tenacious avarice of power, and are not yet weaned from a love of dominion. It may be asserted also, without fear of contradic tion, that the proprietors are, in a pecuniary sense, far more prosperous than before Emancipation, notwith standing the occurrence, subsequently, of two succes sive rmfavorable seasons, and independently of the compensation they have received. The annual cost of cultivation is believed, by the most intelligent resi dent planters, to be on the average, one-fifth or onesixth less than formerly ; so that free labor is mani festly advantageous, taking even the narrowest view of the subject.* The general advantages however, of the change, imperfectly as they have been yet developed, would have more than compensated for a considerably increased expenditure. There has been an augmentation of the import trade of the island. Houses and land have risen in value. Estates are now worth as much as they were, with the slaves attached to them, before the alleged depreciation in their value, • See appendix A, Sec. II.