It had been realized that in these wholesale hangings there was taking place a reckless waste of valuable material.

Slaves were urgently required in the plantations, and a healthy, vigorous man could be reckoned worth at least from ten to fifteen pounds.

Then, there were at court many gentlemen who had some claim or other upon His Majesty's bounty.

Here was a cheap and ready way to discharge these claims.

From amongst the convicted rebels a certain number might be set aside to be bestowed upon those gentlemen, so that they might dispose of them to their own profit.
My Lord Sunderland's letter gives precise details of the royal munificence in human flesh.