184/197 The condition of the people improved astonishingly. They became one of the most industrious and orderly gangs in the parish. Under the former system they were considered inadequate to do the work of the estate, and the manager was obliged to hire additional hands every year, to take off the crop; but Mr.P.never hired any, though he made as large crops as were made formerly. After the abolition of slavery, his people chose to continue on the same system of task work. They laughed at the idea of making negroes work without using the whip; and they all prophesied that it would prove an utter failure. |