The peasantry will soon equal them, when education is more generally
diffused."

The surest evidences, however, on this question are those of figures.
Land has doubled in value on the island since emancipation.[C] Of the
increased value of estates, we quote, as an example, the case mentioned
in a published letter of Governor Hincks, January, 1858:--

"As to the relative cost of slave and free labor in this colony,
I can supply facts upon which the most implicit reliance can be
placed. They have been furnished to me by the proprietor of an
estate containing three hundred acres of land, and situated at a
distance of about twelve miles from the shipping port. The
estate referred to produced during slavery an annual average of
140 hogsheads of sugar of the present weight, and required 230
slaves. It is now worked by 90 free laborers: 60 adults, and 30
under 16 years of age. Its average product during the last seven
years has been 194 hogsheads. The total cost of labor has been
£770 16s., or £3 19s. 2d. per hogshead of
1,700 pounds. The average of pounds of sugar to each laborer
during slavery was 1,043 pounds, and during freedom 3,660
pounds. To estimate the cost of slave-labor, the value of 230
slaves must be ascertained; and I place them at what would have
been a low average,--£50 sterling each,--which would make the
entire stock amount to £11,500. This, at six per cent. interest,
which on such property is much too low an estimate, would give
£690; cost of clothing, food, and medical attendance I estimate
at £3 10s., making £805. Total cost, £1,495, or £10
12s. per hogshead, while the cost of free labor on the
same estate is under £4."