The Jamaica Planter's Guide

Thomas Roughley published this Guide in 1823, based on his own experience. The book is an important source on Britain's richest colony, where the sugar trade had reached its peak production around 1810. At a time when the abolition of slavery was a major issue, Jamaican planters were particularly concerned, as so much of their activity was based on slave labour. The book deals with all aspects of running a sugar plantation profitably, the chapter on the work force being particularly interesting. He outlines each role necessary for the effective estate, and criticises the 'slanders' of philanthropists regarding the mistreatment of slaves, referring to the strict laws for their protection: since the importation of new slaves had been banned since 1807, it was all the more necessary for owners to look after their workforce's health and welfare. Roughley shows that well-run plantations were highly complex agricultural and economic units.

This 1823 volume on the management of Jamaican sugar plantations is an important primary source for the study of the slave economy and agricultural methods in the West Indies. It sets out in great detail all aspects of the ideal estate, the work and the people involved.