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6 No one on this island - and I should think it is the same on nearly of this sort, know what hard work is - thus with common industry & intelligence, but with great care to ones temperate habits, ? the inhabitant of the north will enjoy good health & in a few years become independent. But the motto of many in these delicious islands is 'A short life & a merry one' thus they sometimes go to 'Gregory' rather prematurely. Nature is most prolific in all her operations in these climates, the productions are of a costly nature, thus the manufactured commodities are easily ? in exchange.
During the short time I was at St. Thomas' it was the Moon was in her full, this gorgeous nocturnal burning I hd never seen so bright before, although I had previously landed in tropical countries. Its brightness to me was of a peculiar description & in the 'still night' to a northern eye looked unnatural and the glare looked anything but the 'soft ? beams of Cynthia' It is said I believe by some phylosophical writers that the moons rays give out heat, here indeed they appear to have that character - There are about 2000 Slaves on the island - moreover some free blacks - some are let out as low as 3 dollars per month, but for one who is a good cook almost any Salary may be obtained. There is a regiment of Danish troops - and a nightly armed patrol composed of free blacks - commanded