Exploring the Plantations

1. Exploring the Plantations To Mr William Parry, from Charles Seymour, Land Agent to Mr Simon Taylor

2. ‘I am pleased to hear you have arrived safely in Jamaica • ‘Please present yourself for interview in a week’s time at Mr. Taylor’s Residence.’

3. ‘When you meet Mr Taylor • ‘You will be expected to bring your letter of Introduction from your employer • ‘You would do well to acquaint yourself with the area, and to get to know how the local economy works’

4. William’s researchGrowing Sugar – the facts

5. William’s researchField Work on Plantations • You meet a man who has retired from his work as a plantation manager. He tells you about his work. • ..in the toughest season, a season of toil from sunrise to twilight, bare ankles and calves stung by cowitch, knotted muscles slashed by cane leaves that cut like straight razors, backs split open by the whip…’

6. William’s researchField work on Plantations ‘Field work on the sugar plantations is intense and exhausting, particularly the digging of holes for planting and the cutting of canes when it is time to reap them.’ ‘The incentive used to encourage hard work, was lashes of the cart whip, which are freely administered by the drivers, who are ‘privileged’ slaves under the overseer's supervision.’ ‘During crop time, work in the factories is equally intense and the hours are long. The cruel pace at which slaves are driven effectively shortens their lives.’

7. William’s research‘the hardest work on earth’ • ‘the whole system, from the breaking up of the first clod of earth, to the rolling of the hogshead of sugar into the waggon, appeared to have been expressly contrived for employing the greatest possible amount of human labour. • ‘The large amount of capital, therefore, required for the labourers, rendered sugar planting, except under peculiarly favourable circumstances, very far from being so remunerative as is generally supposed.'

8. William’s researchDividing the Slaves ‘ The lowest ranking slaves, the backbone of the plantation economy, are the field slaves. ‘The highest ranking slaves are the domestic servants who work in the owner’s house.’ ‘The field slaves are divided into ‘gangs’ according to their physical strength and ability, with the strongest and fittest males and females in the first gang.

9. William’s JournalTo the Taylor House….……. • I arrived at a lodge, down a very elegant road lined with trees. The servant took my name, and I was taken up a long drive to a magnificent house overlooking a lake. • I waited in a cool, elegant room…….but before he left me, the servant gave me a warning…….

10. William’s JournalThe Warning –Beware of Mr Taylor! • ‘Mr Taylor has great influence in the Assembly, but is very old. • ‘He has most extraordinary manners and lives principally with overseers of estates and masters of merchant vessels; but he has had an excellent education, is well informed and is a warm friend to those he takes by the hand. • ‘He is also very hospitable and civilised occasionally, but is most extreme in his dislikes."

11. The Questions…… • ‘So, Mr Parry • ‘What have you found out about our Island? • ‘What have you learned about our trade? • ‘What makes you think you could be useful to us, in our business affairs?’