“Of the actual condition of the labouring population of Jamaica, and
consequently the condition which would be accessible to the African
immigrants, Sir C. Metcalfe gives the following description, in his
dispatch to Lord Stanley of the 1st November, 1841:
“With respect to the labouring population, formerly slaves, but now
perfectly free, and more independent than the same class in other
free countries, I venture to say, that in no country in the world can
the labouring population be more abundantly provided with the
necessaries and comforts of life, more at their ease, or more secure
from oppression than in Jamaica; and I may add, that ministers of the
Gospel for their religious instruction, and schools for the education
of their children, are established in all parts of the island, with a
tendency to constant increase, although the present reduction of the
Mico schools is a temporary drawback.”
“Of the means afforded for the religious and moral instruction of the
population of Jamaica, Sir C. Metcalfe, in this dispatch, makes the
following statement:
“I turn from the cheerless prospects of proprietors to a more pleasing
feature in the present order of things. The thriving condition of the
peasantry is very striking and gratifying. I do not suppose that any
peasantry in the world have so many comforts, or so much independence
and enjoyment. Their behaviour is peaceable, and in some respects
admirable. They are fond of attending Divine service, and are to be
seen on the Lord’s day thronging to their respective churches and
chapels, dressed in good clothes, and many of them riding on
horseback. They send their children to school and pay for their
schooling. They subscribe for the erection of churches and chapels;
and in the Baptist communities they not only provide the whole expense
of the religious establishment, but by the amount of their
contributions afford to their ministers a very respectable support.
Marriage is general among the people. Their morals are, I understand,
much improved, and their sobriety is remarkable.
“For these very gratifying circumstances we are indebted to the
Ministers of Religion in the Island of all denominations. Church of
England, Church of Scotland, Moravians, Wesleyans, Baptists, Bishop,
Clergy, and Missionaries, all exert themselves, and vie with each
other in amicable rivalry to do good to their fellow-creatures. The
number of Churches, Chapels, and Schools built and being built in
every part of the Island, affords a most pleasing and encouraging
sight. In this respect the prospects of the Island are very cheering,
and the liberal support afforded to useful Institutions, and the
encouragement given to Religious Teachers, without any bigoted
exclusions, are creditable to the Island Legislature, and every part
of the Community.”
The Reports of the Magistrates[6], which will be found in the
Parliamentary Paper 1842, concur in representing the great efforts
which are made in promoting Religious Instruction.
[6] Statement given in by W. Burge, Esq., Agent for Jamaica.
“The annual charge defrayed by the Colony of Jamaica, for the support
of the Ministers and Schools of the Church of England, was, in 1836,
53,260_l._ 14_s._ 5_d._ currency, or 31,956_l._ 8_s._ 8_d._ sterling
money, as will appear by a Paper laid before Parliament in 1837, and
which will be found referred to in Evidence before the Committee of
The House on the West India Colonies. Since the Year 1836 an increase
has been made; and in the Years 1839 and 1840, an addition of
14,000_l._ sterling per annum was made to the charge. The total
annual charge, therefore, defrayed by the Colony for that part of the
Ecclesiastical and School Establishment, connected with the Church of
England, exceeds 45,000_l._ sterling money. But this Establishment is
still further extended by occasional Grants by the Assembly of
Jamaica, by Parliamentary Grants, and by certain Religious Societies
in England, and by individuals there and in Jamaica. In addition to
this Establishment, very extensive means of Religious Instruction are
afforded by the Presbyterian, Moravian, Wesleyan, and Baptist
Missions, established in Jamaica, and those schools and places of
worship are thickly spread over the Colony, and large contributions
for supporting and extending these Schools are derived from
Parliamentary Grants, from Grants by the Assembly of Jamaica, by
charitable institutions, and by private individuals here and at
Jamaica.”