The sugar trade was driven by the cheap labor of slaves and slaves were a main reason for the increase in sugar crops. Document M show the change between slave population and sugar produced. It shows how an increase in slaves bought was an increase in sugar. Slaves provided a free way to maintain the sugar crops. Document N lists items that English merchants used to purchase slaves. Merchants could buy these slaves with cheap objects and not have to give them anything for there labor. Slaves were well handled by their owners and performed the tasks demanded. Document J shows two pictures, one of a boiling-house and one of a field, with slaves working while the masters dictate them. This document, however, could be biased in favor of the masters and not show how mistreated the slaves were. Also most plantation owners were absentee owners, which means they stay in Europe and don't run the plantation. Document I tells about 4 absentee plantation owners that don't even run the sugar plantation. Slaves were probably promoted to be in charge of the plantation. The owners knew that the slaves would be reliable and do the job when there life was a