CHAPTER II. POPULATION BY CLASSES-BIRTHS, BAPTISMS, MARRIAGES, AND DEATHS-VALUE OF SLAVES-STAPLE PRODUCTS-IMPORTS AND EXPORTS - SHIPPING, &c. GOVERNMENTRELIGION SCHOOLS-FINANCES, &c. POPULATION. According to the Abbé Raynal, the white inhabitants of Antigua, in 1741, amounted to 3538, and the negroes to 27,416. In 1774 the whites were 1590, and the negroes 37,808. Colquhoun computed the whites in 1815 at 3200, the free people of colour 1200, and the slaves at 36,000. In 1821 the male slaves were 14,531; females, 16,533; total, 31,064. The number of white men liable to serve in the militia, from fourteen to fiftynine years old, 877; of white females and children, 840; of white males, under fourteen years, 235; number of coloured and black men, liable to militia service, between fourteen and fifty-nine years, were 881; of coloured and black females, including children, 2346; ditto males, under fourteen years, 622. Discharged and pensioned soldiers, 9; of African apprentices, 278; of white men, exempt from militia duty over sixty years old, 46. Grand total, 6,162. Census of Antigua, taken in 1821 (similar num St. John... 28 St. Philip. 17 St. George 10 St. Mary... 22 02 St. Peter... 11 St. Paul... 18 1821 14,454 16,531 30,985 1193 1146 1497 1824 14,225 16,089 30,314 1262 1230 1218 1216 218 1827 14,066 15,773 29,839 1109 1194 1146 1131 228 1831 13,992 15,545 29,537 314 By the Slave Emancipation Act Returns, the number of slaves are 29,537; average value of each, from 1822 to 1830, 327. 12s.; relative value of all, Males. Death. Females. Manumission. has 964,1987.; proportion of 20,000,000l. to which the colony is entitled, 425,8667. PRODUCE, COMMERCE, REVENUE, &c.-The variation of seasons, as regards drought or rain, causes great fluctuation in the production of sugar, &c. in Antigua, and consequently in the commerce of the island. The sugar cane was introduced into Antigua by Colonel Codrington, who settled in the island from Barbadoes in 1674, and employed his knowledge in the cultivation of the cane with such success, that others, animated by his example, and assisted by his advice, engaged in the same pursuits. At first, indeed, the produce was black, harsh, and coarse, on this account it was rejected in England: and when it was sold in Holland and the Hans towns, it did not bring so high a price as that of the other colonies; but at length the planters triumphed over these obstacles, and brought sugar to the market equal in value and quality to that of any of the and islands. The exports of the island in 1787 were 284,526 cwt. of sugar; 716,546 gallons of rum; 5910 gallons of molasses; 160,510 lbs. of cotton ; value of dyeing woods, 41467.; miscellaneous, 48,0067.; total value, 592,5967. The principal Exports from 1822 to 1831 were : The value of the imports for the same year was 148,8301. |