The Sun Newspaper, 15 December 1800

While the profits from the slave plantations could be enormous, the plantations also suffered considerably as a result of adverse weather, fluctuating prices at home, and war.

The forced sale of plantations became common by the end of the 18th century. The front page of this newspaper features a detailed advert for the sale of the Career Plantation on the Island of St Vincent. Included for sale are “236 Negro and other slaves attached thereto, males and females, young and old, among which said slaves are eight Carpenters, six Coopers and three Masons…”