JANUARY 26.
Every morning my agent regales me with some fresh instance
of insubordination : he says nothing plainly, but shakes his head,
and evidently gives me to understand that the estate cannot be
governed properly without the cart-whip. It seems that this
morning the women, one and all, refused to carry away the trash
(which is one of the easiest tasks that can be set), and that with-out the slightest pretence: in consequence the mill was obliged
to be stopped ; and when the driver on that station insisted on
their doing their duty, a little fierce young devil of a Miss
Whaunica flew at his throat, and endeavoured to strangle him:
the agent was obliged to be called in, and, at length, this petticoat rebellion
was subdued, and
every thing went on as usual
I have, in consequence, assured the women that, since they will
not be managed by fair treatment, I must have recourse to other
measures ; and that, it any similar instance of misconduct should
take place, I was determined, on my return from Kingston, to
sell the most refractory, ship myself immediately for England
never return to them and Jamaica more. This threat, at the
time, seemed to produce a great effect; all hands were clasped
and all voices were raised, imploring me not to leave them, and
assuring me that in future they would do their work quietly and
willingly. But whether the impression will last beyond the immediate
moment is a point greatly
to be doubted.
