EIGHTH PROPOSITION.--The negroes work _more cheerfully_, and _do their work better_ than they did during slavery. Wages are found to be an ample substitute for the lash--they never fail to secure the amount of labor desired. This is particularly true where task work is tried, which is done occasionally in cases of a pressing nature, when considerable effort is required. We heard of no complaints on the score of idleness, but on the contrary, the negroes were highly commended for the punctuality and cheerfulness with which they performed the work assigned them. The Governor stated, that "he was assured by planters, from every part of the island, that the negroes were very industriously disposed." "My people have become much more industrious since they were emancipated. I have been induced to extend the sugar cultivation over a number of acres more than have ever been cultivated before."--_Mr. Watkins, of Donovan's_. "Fearing the consequences of emancipation, I reduced my cultivation in the year '34; but soon finding that my people would work as well as ever, I brought up the cultivation the next year to the customary extent, and this year ('36) I have added fifteen acres of new land."--_S. Bourne, of Millar's_. "Throughout the island the estates were never in a more advanced state than they now are. The failure in the crops is not in the slightest degree chargeable to a deficiency of labor. I have frequently adopted the job system for short periods; the results have always been gratifying--the negroes accomplished twice as much as when they worked for daily wages, because they made more money. On some days they would make three shillings--three times the ordinary wages."--_Dr. Daniell_. "They are as a body _more_ industrious than when slaves, for the obvious reason that they are _working for themselves_."--_Ralph Higinbothom, U.S. Consul_. "I have no hesitation in saying that on my estate cultivation is more forward than ever it has been at the same season. The failure of the crops is not in the least degree the fault of the laborers. They have done well."--_Mr. Favey, of Lavicount's estate_.