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properly - for at present not a single hand can be spared for that purpose for while we find it difficult to find enough of people to attend the manufactory to make the crop the Estate is runing into a wilderness and canes which ought to be growing for the succeeding year with be choaked in weeds and fail - each succeeding years growth of canes must feel the effects of this want of cultivation very severely - On Monday I visit this week when I will consult with a mechanic about the machinery and the Island expense of erecting it after arrival from England and the form best adapted for our purpose.
Our Holidays have passed in peace and good order and our people have gone to their work - the emancipation is working into operation by degrees the records of the magistrates shew that all classes of managers both in speech and in practice have been most anxious to fullfill the Law - but the apprentices have been disappointed - with them freedom and idlesness and synonymous terms - in fact the abolition act as a labour system is a failure It requires the master to supply the wants of the Laborer upon his giving 40 1/2 hours work per week - these supplies he takes as a right that belonged to him
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in former times - he does not think he has gained enough - he has no direct impulse to work now that the master is without controul and his feelings does not stimulate him to give his 40 1/2 hours with the good will of a free laborer - the climate is also fine and the wants of the people easily satisfied so that they spinned at taking wages for extra time for many weeks but a better feeling in generating they are taking wages - high rates certainly but it is the beginning of a principal which will work its own cure - the Law I trust will be altered and wages be substituted for allowances and thereby a direct stimulant be given to promote industry - At present we are acting and dealing with the Law as it stands and I should only practice a delusion if I said I expected to get off the Crop - at present my hopes are not sanguine although I am not in absolute despair but what we shall improve now that the people are [[??]] money for time - the proprieters must now console themselves that although there will be great additional expences their property will not be entirely swamp'd under the new system although it will be unproductive for a time - my colleague Mr Forsyth will write you fully about the Shipments and with best wishes
I remain Dear Sir yours J Townson
Thomas Mayhew Esq
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(4) Jam Kingston Jany 1 1835
Dearsir In answer to your esteemed favour of the 14th of October concerning the interest of the Chiswick Estate I have to acquaint you that the machinery required is to enable the property to make more sugar within a given time- thereby facilitating the manufactury of the crop in the short space allowed for labor by the Abolition Act- At present the canes are expressed by the laborious operation at a cattle mill which with difficulty is brought to produce liquor to boil five Hhds of sugar per week- a quantity quite inadequate to the purpose- Formerly we made an average of eight Hhds per week with a continuous exertion from Monday morning to Saturday night and now we are limitee in our right from the laborers to 45 hours for a week accomplished- with so many interruptions that it becomes a matter of interest to consider how the work can be better accomplished- Should things remain quiet and orderly the remedy for getting over our difficulty about the crop appears to furnish a horizontal sugar mill and steam engine to make better weeks work to finish the crop early and turn the labour of the people to the cultivation of the property- for at present not a single hand can be spared for that purpose for while we find it difficult to find enough people to attend the manufactory to make the crop the Estate is runing(?) into a wilderness and canes which ought to be growing for the succeeding year will be choaked with weeds and fail- each succeeding years growth of canes must feel the effects of this want of cultivation very seriously- On Monday I visit Chiswick when I will consult with a mechanic about the machinery and the Island expence of erecting it after arrival from England and the form best adapted for our purpose.
Our Holidays have passed in peace and good order and our people have gone to their work- the emancipation is working into operation by degrees the records of the Magistrates shew that all classes of managers both in spirit and in practice have been most anxious to fullfill the lawbut the apprentices have been disappointed- with them freedom and idleness are synonymous terms- in fact, the Abolition Act as a labor system is a failure
