The revenue of British Guiana is chiefly derived from a tax on the
produce raised in the colony, and duties levied on the imposts. Parish
taxes are unknown, and the laborer is exempt from every species of
taxation, unless his income amount to five hundred dollars. The militia
laws were abrogated, and the colonial militia disbanded soon after
the emancipation took place, so that the poor man is not compelled to
contribute any portion of his time to the public service.
There are Episcopalian, Presbyterian and Catholic church establishments
supported at an expense to the colony of upwards of $113,000 per annum,
as will appear by reference to the Royal Gazette of May 7th, 1839,
published in Georgetown, containing an official estimate of the taxes
to be raised for that year. There are beside numerous Methodist and
other dissenting religious teachers, supported in part by charitable
societies in England, and in part by voluntary contributions in the
colony. The laboring population of Georgetown and its vicinity have
erected several handsome chapels at their own expense.
There are numerous Sunday, infant and day schools, for the gratuitous
diffusion of knowledge and moral education among the people. On most
of the principal estates a school-house is erected, and a teacher
provided, where the children of the laborers are entitled to receive
instruction free of expense. Great attention is paid throughout the
colony to the education of the rising generation.