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The Journal of the Barbados Museum & Historical Society, JBMHS,
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Volume XVIII, pages 128-133
Excerpt from the John Candler's Visit to Barbados, 1849. (In 1849 JohnCandler set sail for the West Indies as a representative of theBritish and Foreign Anti-Slave society, accompanied by his wife and byCatherine and George William Alexander. After he had examind theeconomic and educational results of emancipation in the islands andthe absuses suffered by the emancipated classes, he returned inEngland in 1850, via North America.) November 29, 1849 - Took adrive across the island, thirteen miles, to the Rectory of St. Johns,to call on the Honble. J.T. Gittings Rector of the Parish and Memberof the Council. His son, himself a planter, and Attorney of threeestates, confirms the observations of S. J. Prescod on the subjectsof Rent & provision planting. He estimates the average cost ofproducing sugar in Barbados, at a rough guess, to be neatly fourdollars pr. CWT. But allows that under favourable circumstances it maybe produced for less. S. J. Prescod assures us that it has latelybeen produced on an unencumbered estate, worked by a skilful planterat a cost not exceeding 7/- Cwt.! Our informant of to day statesfrom his own knowledge tat the Properties in Barbados are beginning tobecome much better cultivated.....that want of protection in Englandhas driven the planters to their own resources, and that theirdistresses are in fact a blessing to them. Planting though not allowedto be very profitable affords on unencumbered estates a surplus afterpayment of expenses at present prices. The Rector of St Johns is ofthe opinion that had protection been continued to the planters of theWest Indies, high prices of sugar could not have been long maintained,owing to our competition with the East, and that the only ground ofcomplaint remaining to the West India Planter is his competition withthe Slave grown produce of Cuba and Brazil. The island of Barbadosnever had so large a quantity of cane land under cultivation as at thepresent time, never was the land itself so well cultivated, and neverwas the produce of sugar so large. Dr. Stewart, Physician Inspectorof the hospitals was kindly sent us a liberal supply of fruit---oranges, Shaddock and the avocado pear. December 5, 1849 – Roseearly and drove out to the Rectory of St. John – thirteen miles tobreakfast, and met there Henry Pligrim Police Magistrate, and JohnGittens, a Planter, son of J.R. Gittens, the Rector. After breakfastwe were taken by this hospitable family [for] a lovely ride toCodrington College. ......In the afternoon, four horses were brough tothe door, for the Rector, his son, GWA and myself, and we took alovely ride to Hackletons Cliff which afforded us an extensive view ogthe hilly parts of the island. |
