Title
A Voyage to the East Indies: Page 116
Description
a profit of £500 PAn. The Slaves have seldom the Powers of procuring Liquor, so that all the Punch Houses vend, may be said to be drank up by the Soldiers. As an Instance that what I have said respecting their profits is founded on Fact A Servant of Mr Cornielle Lt Govr. having been a few Years ago appointed thro’ the Interest of his master to one of these Houses, return’d to England lately with £7000. And the present Keeper of one who five Years ago was a servant to the Governor is worth as much if not more. Another Man quitted it whilst I was there having made a handsome Fortune, and four different Families applied for the Vacant Place. Thus are the Lives of a Number of Men sported with in order to advance the Fortunes of a few Individuals, and I fear that whilst 2, or 3000£ is realized by the leading people, no step will be taken to stop such irregularities. Several Schemes have been propos’d, but all rejected, because they were detrimental to their Purses. The Divine and Physician had formerly no Share in this iniquitous Business, and the Islanders relate a very pretty Tale concerning them. These Worthy Personages had for some Time a Salary, very insufficient to support them in a becoming stile, and seeing the vast Income of the Society (which then consisted of five Members only) each had a Hankering for a Share. In pursuance of the General Rule of Politicians they thought the only way to gain admittance, was by commenc [end page 116]
