A General Return of Exports from the Island of Jamaica for 55 Years, ending 31st December, 1836. 17977 3689 18237 3579 53211 1328 473 205 366 23 12 239 648 14084 13401468 123175 17344 3716 51812 1998 499 485 1818 1094 96347 13549 1631 1807 1825 73813 7380 2858 27630 2077 101 215 99978 9514 3126 35610 3098 1852 1827 82096 7435 2770 31840 2672 1573 1830 93882 8739 3645 1470 225 572 24022 1881 4276 7157 24137393 Largest sugar crop. 19224 26761188 March 25th; Abolition of 6529 29528273 African slave trade. 1177 25586668 946 15817 14793706 21071 25329456 24500 14091983 12880 22127444 4442 135503 152 19723 137996 146 19007 94985 286 16954 593579 772 112075 7170 From Elsewhere to Kingston, 557; ditto to Montego Bay, 41. Kingston Savh. le Mar. Val. No. Tons. Val. £ Val. £ No. Tons. Val. Z Ton Val. £ No. Tons. Val. £. No. Tons. Men. 779756 62 18868 5160 13037 105 14630 47438 42 7051 370018 185 14086 1218096 394 54635 3544 1443 77016 9 2338 107 180513 24 4009 283 63848 10 1656 106 166654 25 6290 328 422645 6 2189 4 573 6662 9 1125 122 430750 20 4009 191 261359 23 6741 371 St. Anne's Bay 167069 11 2703 13444 10 1306 3 167 109 Port Antonio 2732 2 184 TOTAL 12661978, 187 59452 5176070248 155 21128 111916 110 16601374599 330 21974 3273188 782 119066 7510 To Elsewhere from Kingston, 26871. A statement of the quantity and value in sterling money of various articles of merchandize exported from the colony of Jamaica during the year 1834, (Board of Trade volumes.) value 4481. Ginger, 1,011,173 lbs., 39,4661. Hides' number 12,825, 69361. Indigo, 37,555 lbs., 58221Iron and steel manufactures, British value, 23,6481 Hardware and cutlery, foreign, 3401. Lime-juice' 17,708 gallons, 10701. Linens, entered by the yard, British, 1,881,085 yards, 67,9341. Ditto entered at value, 6917. Ditto entered by the yard, foreign, 450,221 yards, 15,9431. Total value of linens, 84,5687. Molasses, 50,795 gall., 32831. Pimento, 3,271,184 lbs. 52,1597. Sarsaparilla, 67,606, 30517. Silk manufac Arrow root, 170,078 lbs., 74831. Cinnamon, 2256, 5431. Cocoa, colonial, 52,910, 12001. Coffee, colonial, 18,029,165, 612,1997. Coffee, foreign, 141,093, 23971. Old copper, 71,633, 24117. Corn, wheat, flour, 1616 barrels, 23971. Cotton manufactures :-British 11,026,207 yards, 279,8641. Foreign, 17,915, 531. Entered at value, British, 1920. Total value of cot-tures, British, value 811. Foreign, 1057. Spirits :ton manufactures, 282,315. Cotton wool, colonial, 1160 lbs., 60l. Foreign, 17,586, 4391. Dye and hard woods-Fustic, colonial, 2126 tons, 88551. Foreign, 886, 46661. Logwood, colonial, 84324, 33,710. Foreign, 4, 18. Mahogany, colonial, 1936 feet, 69 pieces, 1847. Foreign, 109,014 feet, 160 pieces, 20301. Other dye and hard woods, colonial, 2723 feet, 18304 tons, 78521. Foreign, 342,198 feet, 529 tons, 99741. Total value of dye and hard woods, 67,2881. A return of the Staple Exports of Jamaica, from the 10th October, 1836, to the 10th October, 1837. 56247 7488 2286: 21308 970 173 5518 227 47538, 8955178 1=68. 8d. Sterling. Cur. 1001. 1751. 1 88. 3d. As regards Jamaica this is the nominal par of exchange. In real transactions of buying or selling 104.; fivepence, 5d.; bit, 74d. No copper coins in | nies, where a bank shall be established, and also in circulation in this island, silver and gold alone. Paper the London Gazette, once in every year, an account currency. Amount in circulation bearing interest, or statement shewing the whole amount of its debts none. Amount in circulation not bearing interest, and assets at the close of the past year, and shewing 239,5181. stg. Metallic currency estimated at 100,000l. also the amount of its notes payable on demand, The distribution of the certificates in circulation, which had been in circulation during such month of from 1822 to the year 1832, is as follows:-Of 1822, every year, together with the amount of specie, dis6457.; 1825, 65351.; 1826, 41,2037.; 1827, 79,9281.; tinguishing each kind, and other assets immediately 1828, 61,741.; 1829, 39,9657.; 1830, 96,4997.; 1831, available in every such month for the discharge of 10,8257.; 1832, 12,0007.; and of 1832, comprising 11. such notes; and that the said corporation shall furnish 21. and 31. certificates in circulation, was 49,8641. copies of such yearly amount or statement to the resAmount of paper money in circulation in 1833-pective Governors of such Island or Colony, in which Certificates not bearing interest (A.) (checks for circu- a principal bank or banks shall be established." lation of various denominations as low as 17. currency, According to the terms of the charter, the bank is purporting to be payable in cash to bearer on demand allowed to possess lands, houses, and tenements, and at the public treasury of the island. There is, how- ships, so far as may be necessary for carrying on the ever, no specie in the chest to cover any part of the business of the establishment every where, but for sum.), 285,7131. 11s. 5d.; certificates bearing interest that purpose only; and of course it has the power to (B.) (certificates of 501. currency each, issued under the purchase and to sell the same. authority of commissioners. They bear interest at 6 per cent., but have no time specified for payment.), 32,7001.68.9d.; certificates bearing interest (C.) (certificates of loans which have fallen due, and are payable to bearer on demand at the public treasury.) 24,8574. 28. 10d., total, 343,2717. 18. sterling. The legal rate of interest is six per cent.; the Government borrow at five. Course of Exchange paid on Merchants drafts on London, at 90 days, during the year 1836. In January, 16 per cent. premium; February, 15 to 16; March, 14 to 15; April, 14; May, 13; June, 13; July, 12 to 13; August, 12 to 13; September, 16; October, 16; November, 16 to 17; December, 19. The Colonial Bank for the West Indies, which has its head quarters in Jamaica, was incorporated by charter on the 31st May, 1836, with a capital of 2,000,000. sterling, in 20,000 shares of 1001. cach, 25 per cent. paid up before commencing business. Its management is confided to a chairman, vice-chairman, thirteen other directors, and three auditors. Five directors and one auditor retire in rotation annually, each however being eligible to be re-elected. Five shares give one vote; ten shares two votes; twenty shares three votes; forty shares and upwards four votes, for a director, &c.; and twenty shares form the qualification for a director. All the business and proceedings of the bank managed and directed under the immediate orders of these directors, at yearly stated meetings, and at public general meetings of the proprietors, called by at least twenty days' notice in the public newspapers in London. Special general meetings may be called in a similar manner by any ten subscribers, each possessing 10001. stock or upwards. Subscribers entitled to vote may vote by proxy, but which proxy must be a subscriber, and produce a written authority to the secretary for that purpose. The practical banking operations of the Colonial Bank are confined to the British West Indies, and its capital can only be applied to the legitimate and defined system of banking. The words of the charter itself, which are "To carry on the business of bankers, by dealing generally in bullion, money, and bills of exchange, and lending money on commercial paper and government securities, and in such other lawful ways and means as are usually practised among bankers; but it shall not be lawful for the said corporation to lend or advance money on the security of lands, houses, or tenements, or upon ships, nor to deal in general wares or merchandise of any nature or kind whatsoever;" moreover, "and further, that the said corporation shall be bound to make up and publish in some newspaper or newspapers, circulating in each of the colo The shares are of course transferable, and the charter lays down simple rules in order to save expense in this operation. Silver, not gold, is taken as the standard of value. The notes of the bank are payable "in silver of acknowledged weight and fineness," and dollars are taken as the foundation and medium of payment, those being the almost universal currency of the whole Western World. The lowest note that the bank can issue is to the value of five dollars. The head quarters of the bank is in Lendon. The system upon which the bank is established is wholly that which is designated the Scotch system. One peculiar feature of which is lending money at legal interest in what is denominated cash credits, granted on adequate personal security; these credits are not things of a day, a month, or a year, they exist for a life time at the will, or on the life and the solvency of the individual holding them, or of his securities. If a security dies or becomes insolvent another is required and procured, and the credit proceeds. It is gone about thus the individual in any business or in any station requiring such a credit, comes to the bank and says, I want a cash credit for 100l, for 1000l. or for 10,000l., and here with my own personal security, is that of two or more friends to your satisfaction. Satisfied with the security offered, a simple bond is entered into, the credit is granted, and from that moment the individual operates upon it; he draws out as he wants, and he pays in as he is able, and at the end of the year if the balance is against him, he is merely charged the interest for that sum, according to the time in which such balance has arisen. The rate at which the Colonial Bank discount mercantile bills, and advance money on loans, is five per cent. per annum. Besides this, the bank allow interest on deposit accounts, according to the Scotch system, which is of two kinds-First, money deposited by any one to-day, and which may be drawn out tomorrow, or when the depositor pleases, in order to meet his engagements; Secondly, sums lodged on receipt accounts, which it is generally known will run for a year, when the depositor comes and receives his interest, adds it, and probably more or less to the sum, deposits the whole, and gets another receipt, bearing interest. This system is most extensively followed by the peasantry and labouring population in Scotland, beginning from 51. or 107., and running up to 2001. In 1826 it was ascertained that the amount of money thus deposited in banks by this portion of the population of Scotland was upwards of 130000001. sterling. On such deposits a higher rate of interest than the other can be allowed. nea. An act of legislature of the island was passed, to encourage its growth; and in 1732, coffee was advertised in a Jamaica paper at a pistole a pound. In 1752, there were exported 60,000 lbs.; and in 1775, 440,000 lbs. Until 1788, little attention was paid to this singular berry. In the four years ending 30th September, 1794, the average exportation of coffee was 1,603,066 lbs.; in 1804, it amounted to 22,000,000 lbs.; and during three years ending 30th of September, 1807, the average exportation was more than 28,500,000 lbs., which, at 61. per cwt., its cost in Jamaica, produced more than 1,700,000l. The following are the stations where the Colonial | cultivated on an estate called Temple Hall, in LinguaBank have already established branches:- Head branches, Barbadoes, St. Thomas, Jamaica; Minor branches, Demerara, Tobago, Trinidad, Grenada, St. Vincents, St. Lucia, Dominica, Antigua, St. Kitts, Santa Croix, and Porto Rico. There are four dependent or minor branches in Jamaica, besides the head branch in Kingston, viz. Montego Bay, Falmouth, Savannah la Mar, and St Thomas in the East. It is intended to establish branches in Cuba, at Havannah and St. Jago de Cuba. There are agents in New York, Quebec, Halifax, and St. John's New Brunswick, &c. This bank is chiefly indebted to Mr. James Mc Queen for its projection, and to James Irving, Esq., for its establishment. It is calculated to effect great good in the West Indies. There are two local banks in Jamaica. XIII. At an early period the sugar cane was extensively cultivated by the Spaniards in Jamaica; and in 1671 Traphan speaks of the numerous complicated sugar works, like a town or village, in various parts of the island. In 1788, M. Martin, a French botanist, introduced the Otaheite cane into Cayenne and Martinico, from the Isle of France, whither it had been brought by Bougainville. Although the Spaniards at first attended to the cultivation of sugar, it was subsequently neglected. In the year 1743, the chief productions of Jamaica were cocoa, indigo, and hides; the cultivation of sugar had just re-commenced. The increase in the growth of this staple article of the island has been as follows:1722, 11,000 hogsheads were exported; 1739, 33,155; 1744, 35,761; 1768, 55,000; 1774, 78,304; 1790, 105,400; 1802, 140.000; 1832, 1,200,000 cwts. Gov. Knowles's calculation, in 1755, was 2,128,431 acres ungranted, out of which 400,000 are plantable; of these, 100,000 are fit for growing sugar, and the rest for coffee; the remaining 1,728,431 consist of barren mountains, &c. A return was made about the year 1755, of properties in the parish of St. Andrew's, and their produce, to the Board of Trade. In this, an estate called Norbrook, the property of Charles Long, Esq., is thus entered :-" 2222 acres, 55 hogsheads of sugar, nine puncheons of rum; five acres in coffee, producing 2972 cwt.; 100 acres in provision ground; 500 in pen and pasture; five servants, 153 negroes, and 86 head of cattle. Indifferent land-some parts rocky and mountainous." This estate, in the return of 1793, is put at sixty hogsheads. The cultivation of Jamaica in 1818, according to Mr. Robertson's survey, was, in sugar plantations, 639,000 acres; in breeding farms or pens, 280,000; and in coffee, pimento, ginger, &c. 181,000. Total, 1,100,000. The quantity of sugar now made in Jamaica is very great, and the importations into great Britain have for some years averaged 1,400,000 cwts.; which, rated so low as 21s. per cwt., would give nearly one million and a half sterling. The Jamaica sugar is of a very fine quality; and by the improved systems of culture and manufacture coming into operation, there is little doubt but that the quantity and quality may yet be more extended. The quantity of rum made from the sugar is also very great; the annual average exportations to England may be taken at 3,500,000 gallons, which may be estimated in value at 1,000,000l. sterling. The Jamaica rum is an excellent spirit. Of coffee, and that too of excellent quality, the quantity grown in Jamaica is very great; and the importation into Great Britain nearly 20,000,000 lbs. yearly, which, at the low value of 18. per pound, is another million sterling. The coffee-plant was first introduced into Jamaica by Sir Nicholas Lawes, in 1728, where it was The coffee plant thrives in almost every soil about the mountains of Jamaica, and in the very driest spots has frequently produced very abundant crops. The produce of sugar, coffee, &c., may be seen under the head of exports. Cotton, indigo, and cocoa were at one time extensively cultivated; but they have principally given place to sugar and coffee. Blome, who published a short account of Jamaica in 1672, mentions the existence of sixty cocoa walks. At present there can scarcely be said to be a plantation in the whole island. Various drugs, dye stuffs, and spices, are of excellent quality. Aloes, cochineal, spikenard, canella, liquorice root, castor oil nut, vanilla, peppers, arrow root, ginger, ipecacuanha, scammony, jalap, cassia, euphorbia, senna, &c., all attest the fruitfulness and capabilities of the soil and climate. The cultivated vegetables of Europe arrive at great perfection. Maize is the principal corn grown, and together with calavances, the yam and sweet potatoe, cassava, &c., form the chief food of the negroes. Various grasses thrive, but Guinea grass abounds; and, in consequence of its indispensable importance in feeding the cattle which supply manure for the sugar plantations, it is considered next in importance to the sugar cane. It was introduced into the island in the early part of the last century by accident, having been forwarded with some Guinea birds that were sent as a present. The birds died, the seed was thrown away, the grass sprung up, and the cattle were observed to devour it eagerly. Attention was accordingly paid to the subject. It now grows all over the island, thriving in the most rocky places, and rendering (like sainf in) lands productive that were heretofore considered barren, and making good hay, if salted or sprinkled with sea-water when being ricked. The native and exotic grasses are excellent for cattle and horses; in particular that called the Scotch grass, which vegetates rapidly, and grows to the height of five or six feet, with long and juicy joints. Five horses may be fed for a year on an acre of this vegetable, allowing each, every day, 56 lbs. of grass. Of vegetables, potatoes (Irish and sweet), yams, cassava, peas and beans of every variety, artichokes, beet-root, carrots, and parsnips, cucumbers and tomatoes, radishes, celery, choco, ochro, Lima beans, Indian kale, calalue, various salads, cabbage trees (200 feet high!) &c., all flourish in abundance; and indeed, it may be said that autumn is perpetual in Jamaica, for every month presents a fresh collation of fruits and vegetables, and some species are at maturity all the year round. The bread-fruit tree, cocoanut, plantain and banana, alligator pear, the delicious mellow fig, pine, cashew, papaw, and custard apples, orange, lime, lemon, mango, grape, guava, pomegranate, soursop, shaddock, plums, tamarind, melon, wall and chestnut, mulberry, olive, date, citron, and many other delicious fruits, all arrive at perfection. The following is a summary for 1833 of the number | of stock, or horned cattle, and the quantity of land in cultivation and pasture; these returns are given in on oath : County Middlesex. County Surrey. St George St. Thomas in Stock. of Land. 345 3612 405 26008 lbs., at 6d., 1250l.: vegetable food, at 31. per annum each [I take the total population of Jamaica at 400,000, some say it is nearer 500,000.] 1,200,000l.; animal food and fish, at 51. per annum each, 2,000,000l. ; Domestic manufactures Carpentering, tailoring, smithing, &c., 2,000,000l.; income and sundries, 1,000,000l. Property moveable and immoveable.-Land: Acres Acres cultivated or patented [There are 2,235,732 acres of land in Jamaica for which quit rents are paid to the crown. Mr. Burge thinks that at least 2,000,000 acres are cultivated.] 2,240,000, at 10., 22,400,000l. ; acres ungranted, or waste, 2,000,000, at 5s., 500,0001. Public property, viz., forts, barracks, roads, wharfs, hos6362 132395 pitals, gaols, buildings, &c., 10,000,000l. Domestic property dwelling houses, stores, furniture, plate, Horned cattle, clothes, equipages, &c., 5,000,000l. 2183 79183 1771 45858 1682 13557 3707 89773 horses, sheep, swine, poultry, &c., 1,000,000l. MaTotal 16455 390386 chinery, agricultural and manufacturing implements, ships, boats, roads, &c., 5,000,000l. Metallic money in circulation, 100,000l. The Jamaica Almanac for 1833, whence I derive this Hanover 14583 115741 statement, is so imperfectly Trelawney 25557 168947 printed that whole columns St. Elizabeth 8152 216542 are illegible, and even the St. James 17034 145456 summings up are incorrect; Westmoreland 18047 172166I have endeavoured to complete the return by a referTotal 83373 818852 ence to the returns for 1832. Prices of Produce in 1836. [B. B.]-Horned cattle, 201. each; sheep, 31.; goats, 21.; swine, 21.; milk, 1s. 3d. per quart; salt butter, 2s. 6d. per lb.; cheese, 18. 8d.; wheaten bread, 74d. 17 oz.; beef, 10d. per lb; mutton, 2s. 1d.; pork, 1s.; rice, 10d. per quart; coffee, 1s. 8d. per quart; tea, 15s. per lb.; sugar, 10d.; salt, 5d.; wine, per bottle, from 3s. 4d. to 68. 8d.; brandy, 17. per gallon; beer, 1s. 8d. per bottle; tobacco, 51. per cwt. Wages for Labour. [B. B.]-Domestic, per week, 168 8d.; predial, per day, 28. 6d. to 3s. 4d. ; trades, 5s. It is difficult to form a definite idea of the amount of property in any place. Mr. Colquhoun, in 1812, estimated Jamaica thus:-Negroes, 19,250,000l. ; cultivated lands, (809,450 acres) 16,189,000l.; uncultivated, (1,914,812 acres) 1,914,8127.; buildings, utensils, &c., on estates, 12,709,4501.; stock on estates, 4,800,000l.; houses, stores, merchandize and furniture, 2,000,000; colonial shipping, 42,0007; metallic money, 220,000l.; forts, barracks, &c., 1,000,000l.;-total, 58,125,2981. sterling. The same authority estimated the productions annually raised, including cattle, esculents, &c., at 11,169,6617.; exports to the United Kingdom, 6,885,3391.; and to the other places, 384,3221. It will be observed, therefore, that in the following statement I have undervalued the yearly creation and total amount of property in Jamaica. Nature and value of property annually created, moveable and immoveable, in sterling money (1834). Mr. Bridges estimates the 'internal value and intrinsic cost of Jamaica,' in 1826, thus:-" Slaves, 24,000,000l.; lands, patented, 18,000,000l.; forts and barracks, 1,000,000l.; private buildings, 12,000,000l.; stock, &c., 5,000,000l.; gold and silver coin, 200,000l.; total, 60,200,000l. sterling." There seems to be no calculation for roads, wharfs, bridges and other items. Property annually created or prepared.—Sugar, 1,500,000 cwt. at 20s. 1,500,000l.; rum, 3,000,000 gallons, at 1s. 6d., 225,000l.; molasses, 50,000 gallons, at 10d. 2,0831.; coffee, 20,000,000 lbs., at 7d.. 500,0831.; pimento, 5,000,000lbs., at 4d., 83,000l.; cotton, 50,000 Total amount annually created property, 8,581,2837. Total amount of moveable and immoveable property, 44,900,000l. Taking the number of slaves in the island, in round numbers, at 300,000, and valuing them at 301. each, there would be a sum of 9,000,000l. to add to this. Happily, however, it is no longer necessary to make such calculations. XIV. The Caymans which are a dependency of Jamaica are three small isles, in lat. 19. 20. N.; from thirty to forty leagues N. N. W. from Point Negrill, on the westward of Jamaica, the Grand Cayman being the most remote. Cayman-braque and Little Cayman lie within five miles of each other, and about 34 miles N. from the Grand Cayman, which is about one mile and a half long, and one mile broad, and containing about 1,000 acres. Grand Cayman (the only island inhabited) is so low that it cannot be seen from a ship's quarter-deck more than 12 or 15 miles off, and at some distance the lofty trees on it appear like a grove of masts emerging from the ocean. It has no harbour, but the anchorage on the S.W. coast is moderately good; on the other, or N. E. side, it is fortified with a reef of rocks, between which and the shore, in smooth water, the inhabitants have their craals, or pens, for keeping turtle in. The soil towards the middle of the island is very fertile, producing corn and vegetables in plenty, while hogs and poultry find ample provender. Columbus discovered these islands on his return from Porto Bello to Hispaniola, and observing the coast swarming with turtle, like ridges of rocks, he called them Las Tortugas. The Caymans were never occupied by the Spaniards, but became the general resort of adventurers or rovers, (chiefly French,) for the sake of the turtle. In 1655, when Jamaica was taken by England, the Caymans were still uninhabited. Mr. Long states them to have reckoned in 1774 to the number of 106 white men, women, and children. The bishop of Jamaica in 1827 estimated the inhabitants at 1,600. The present race of inhabitants are said to be descended from the English Buccaneers, and, being inured to the sea, form excellent pilots and seamen : they have a chief or government officer of their own choosing, and they frame their own regulations; justices of the peace are appointed from Jamaica, but in no other way are the inhabitants interfered with by the authorities in the chief settlement to which they undoubtedly belong. |