learn from those plantere whose estates; were in the best order,
and the negroes thereon well situated, of which he would find many
among the different settlements, what means they have applied
during-their,%long practice to attain that perfection ? Then, when
this traveller; returns to Europe, and delivers to the legislatures the’
collection of his enquiries, with his own remarks and observations
regarding the local circumstances of those countries, we might expect
to see a code of laws formed for the colonies, which would be
of extensive benefit to them.
Mr.’Howard's object in his travels, was to find, by his researches,
a better method of treating prisoners, whether for debt or crimes#
and estimable as his intention undoubtedly was in the pursuit of
this plan, yet the extent of the benefit* and thé immediate value of'
the service, which would be. the consequence of such a scheme as
is here, suggested, would, I think, far exceed i t ; and the person who
shall be found to carry it into effect* will become the benefactor of
incalculable numbers of friendless negroes, suffering, in particular,
by the severity of unfeeling overseers. At the same time, it should
be observed, that such a plan might be entered upon, and even
completed, without forming any resolutions that might .endanger
the fortune or the personal safety of the many land proprietors in
the colonies.
L E T T E R X I .
Custom tifjh e Inhabitants %f\Paramaribo.-^-Their general Occupations*
—P eople o f Colour— FreeNegroes.^The Slaves.—Indians.—Principal
la n g u a g e spoken in this Colony, >
•?'\My D e a r S i l t , N P t È f t j B G b ; Paraniàribo, October-27.
41^ 'giving ÿëji.tïîë description Of the!'Cvf^toms and manners of
the inhabitants of Paramaribo/! must tell’you, that Societies of
family parties'are hère but few, as'nMst of thè principal owners of
bstâtès} whô1 used often tb resîâe m (lown, have left the colony, and
most of the,present residents are unmarried.’ 'These choose for the
managediëfit ,of their domestic affairs, housekeepers^ who Hvê, in general,
women of colour ; but thougfi^%hèy possess a great deal of
vivacity, yet their company canoofbe’interesting to other than their
masters: 9 w
A wealthy inhabitant of Paramaribo generally employs his time
in Ihë'*tfflbwifig‘' manner : He risëVât six o'clock, and '-tö'énjoy the
pleasantness of the morning, takes his breakfast under hîs pîàzzà, at
which he is attended by a number o f female1 nëgröes, and a* Woy
who presents him with a segar-pipë ; during this|time he otders the
domestic concerns for thé day; thën, putting on f lig h t dress, hè
takes a walk b y 'thë side of the riveri'to see’ if ’there are any new
vessels arrived, and to converse/With their Captains. About eight
ó clock he returns home, and till ten femplbys* himself in business,
then takes a second breakfast,'vVhich consists iff mOiê solid articles
than the fitst,5and would be considefèd’in Eurbpe’tts a*tolerably
gbbd dinner; after this he occarionallyreturns to^bhsiness till about
two o’clock, wheû'he'goès to a club, of which there are two principal