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The History of the Rise, Progress and Accomplishment of the Abolition of the African Slave Trade by the British Parliament (1808) - Volume II by Thomas Clarkson
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regulations could provide an adequate remedy; and that in consequence
thereof a large proportion had annually perished during the voyage.

7. That a large proportion had also perished in the harbours in the West
Indies, from the diseases contracted in the voyage and the treatment of the
same, previously to their being sold, and that this loss amounted to four
and a half per cent. of the imported slaves.

8. That the loss of the newly imported slaves, within the three first years
after their importation, bore a large proportion to the whole number
imported.

9. That the natural increase of population among the slaves in the islands,
appeared to have been impeded principally by the following causes:--First,
By the inequality of the sexes in the importations from Africa. Secondly,
By the general dissoluteness of manners among the slaves, and the want of
proper regulations for the encouragement of marriages and of rearing
children among them. Thirdly, By the particular diseases which were
prevalent among them, and which were in some instances to be attributed to
too severe labour, or rigorous treatment, and in others to insufficient or
improper food. Fourthly, By those diseases, which affected a large
proportion of negro-children in their infancy, and by those, to which the
negros newly imported from Africa had been found to be particularly liable.

10. That the whole number of the slaves in the island of Jamaica in 1768
was about 167,000, in 1774 about 193,000, and in 1787 about 256,000: that
by comparing these numbers with the numbers imported and retained in the
said island during all these years, and making proper allowances, the
annual excess of deaths above births was in the proportion of about
seven-eighths per cent.; that in the first six years of this period it was
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