State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1831-1836, 1836-04-19
From the New York Evangelist.
THINGS IN JAMAICA.


We have recently had the pleasure Of
converslng with gentleman who had Just
come from the island of Jamaica, and we
were truly surprised and happily undeceiv-
cd by his account of the state of things in
that island, so different from the previous
reports so industriously circulated in this
country, and so nearly corresponding with
the view given last week respecting the
island of Barbados. This gentleman has
had every opportunity for years, of obscrv-
ing the state ofthings, and noting the effects
OF the transition from slavery TO freedom.
Our friend is also religious man, and has
closely observed the efl-c.3 Of religious in
struction upon the minds of the slaves; and
he represents the improvement in morals,
Intelligence, order, industry, &c. has been
truly wonderful, since the emancipation act
took effect.
Formerly the military force used 20 lose
hundreds of men in year, by marching
about the island to suppress disturbance, or
keep the slaves in awe. Now the troops
are all concentrated at three or four sta
tons, Eand there has not been one man
marched out for any such purpose the past
year. The soldiers have had one quiet
winter, for the first time within recolec-
ton.
The Christmas holidays used to he a,ten-
ded with the greatest disorders. Throngs
of slaves would parade the streets of Kings
ton, unrestrained for eight days by the au-
thority of their masters. The military were
always in attendance to quell disturbance
and riots. At the last Christmas, nothing
ofthe kind occurred. Althoughrthe slaves
had every liberty of parading the streets
night and day, with music and all night
long, for ten days, there was not single
complaint preferred against any of them,
nor one confined in any guard house or
prison for misconduct. In the midst of
their usual pastimes, the people respected
the Sabbath day, and most of them went
well-dressed, and orderly to their churches
They said, awe are free now, and it is not
respectable to do as we used to-" Formerly
they could not 60 TO church at Christmas,
without running the risk of getting their
backs striped with the lash.
Since the abolition, the Sunday markets
are abolished, and no man goes to market to
buy or to sell on the Sabbath. Saturday
rs now the market day. AS our informant
had frequent occasion to pass ore of the
most popuous roads from Kingston to tho
country, he could not but be struck with
the marked difference in the personal ap-
pearance, dress, and behaviour of the peo-
pie in coming to and from market
Formerly the slaves used to live in con-
cubinage now they are getting married,
anu are ambitious to be thought christians,
and to have their children baptized, previ- |,
GUS to which they are examined by the |,
clergyman as to their knowledge Of the |!
sacrament and Of religion.
The ministers Of the church Of England |
are supported by the Society for Propagat- |.
ing tile Gospel The salary of minister
G300 sterling Isl 500 with Eos per annum
TOR his wife, if married, and EOS for each |
child, house, donation of l00l. to pur- |
chase horses, and yearly allowance of
36l. for the servants. Many valuable min
listers are already stationed, and the inilu-
ence of their labors has called forth high !
commentator from the bittercst opposers
ofreligion, so that now the planters even !
complain, and are jealous il others have I
ministers, and their own parishes are not |
supplied. Many catechiss of the church |
of England have also been sent cut and |
stationed. They are persons well educa- |
ted, and approved for piety and zeal. and |
generally candidates for holy orders. They
are allowed yearly salary Of fifteen hun
dred to two thousand dollars, with free |
quarters and other cmoluments, and have |
i0n9O SooH III teacnlnB ana cafe |
ehislng. Not only Episcopalians, but
Presbyterians, Methodsts, Baptisls, &c. |
are equally anxious and Jealous in ttTuwort T
of reformation.
When the churches arc to he huilt, the
slaves are the first TO put their names
down to give money for the work. Much |
IS done in the way of schools, wherever
there are ministers of any denomination. |
lhe clergy OF all denominations, IRE zeal |
Gus and exemplary, and such is their suc
cess, as TO leave do doubt that the whole
population of the island, will in twenty
years be in the enjoyment of all the bles-
sings OF civilization, freedom and religion