Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1837-05-03
WEST INDIES.


7 WEST INDIES.
JOURNAL OF REV. JAMES A. THonE.
ST. JOHNS, Antigua, Dec. II, 1886
A tour Of the West Indies is a matter of
deep interest at the present time, to men
OF every liberal nation. 1t is particular
Iy inviting to Americans, and it is GER
tain Y to be hoped that great numbers of
philanthropic individuals, who can easily
command the time and means, will visit
the British West Indies to see for them
selves The workings of the emancipation
act. There is little doubt that all who ex,
anime with candid minds will return
home fully prepared to urge upon their
countrymen the policy, as well as justice,
ofimmediate emancipation.
! took passage from New York in the
brig Latona, Capt. K, bound for ST.
Thomas. | should have gone directly to
one Of the English islands, but no oppor-
tunity was presented. However, | have
not regretted my wish to ST. Thomas Zone
Of the Danish Islands) as it has afforded
me an opportunity of seeing slorery in
near contrast with freedom.
| found on board the vessel Is or IS
passengers. Some of these were West
India gentlemen, who had been travelling
with their families throughout the eastern
states, and were returning t. their homes
Others were gentlemen and ladies, from
various sections Of the Union, who were
in delicate health, and are designing to
spend the winter in St. Croix, favorable
island with invalids, | believe. Being
crowded into very small ana iIl-adiusted
cabin, with but few comforts within, and
but little without to attract, domestic f1-
mlIarlty soon sprang up among US. As
the sea-sickness began to abate, the friend
y interchange Of sentiment increased.
CONVERSATION ON SLAVERY.
AT such time, the question Of slavery
could scarcely be expected to pass un-
noticed. tcame up incidentally, but be-
ing once introduced, it excluded for the
time every other subject In detailing
briefly the conversation, it will be inter-
esting to know something about the dru-
mats persona. PRO-sLAvERY-Mr. O.,
a gentleman from New Y ork city, mer-
chant; Mr.. D., a man Of business from
Western New Y ork Mr.. c., the mate
of the vessel, from Connecticut Mr.. R.,
an American, from one Of the northern
states ANTI-sLAvEEY-Mr J., a plan
, ter of ST. Croix, and proprietor of 1913
slaves; Mr.. NJ, a Shareholder of ST. Croix:
Mr.. Men,, a Shareholder of St. Croix :
Mr.. n, son of STAKEHOLDER, MARYLAND.
Mr.. IT, son Of q STAKEHOLDER in Kentucky.
This. Mr.. Editor, is literally true. What
1 =. l.
~ does i; tell on the free states! But OBJ
> serve further the sentiments expressed by
these several gentlemen. | will endeavor
to detail the discussion, as nearly as DOS
! sibIe, just as it occurred.
Y Scene |. On Deck, Q oclocE, p. VI.
Mr. Emancipation had worked very
= well in the English islands, especially III
e antigua, where it was total and immedi
I ate Some disturbances had taken place
under the apprenticeship system, because
: the slaves could not be brought 10 under
stand for some time hoy they could be
f freemen and still have to work withou
wages. Immediate emancipation wa.
= safer and less troublesome than gradual
S because there is no room for those jeal
s ouSjes which slaves must feel at seeing
freed men around them.
Z lHr. 0. Ompatient at hearing so long
=? homiIy about justice and policy) Th,
j. niggero are an inferior race of beings, AM
do not wish to have them brought OF
n an equality with me by being ernanci pated
d Mr.. J. Very calmIy) There is rea
son enough for their apparent inferority
ii They have been degraded by slavery
n When they have had the privileges c
e. education they have shown a great dea
d of intellect
n Mr.. o. They can't be educated-the
|; won't learn. (Proof.) My father had
boy sent to him from Africa to be educa
- ed, he used every possible exertion t
S educate him, but it was in van-he aOoul
N not learn. This is 1ohat makes me sa
al that you need not try TO teach the niger
They We're not made to learn.
Mr.. j. and Mr.. Men (To5ether)-
- They knew many colored persons VIII
in were highly intelligent
IT. Mr.. Men. know many cotored me
n In the West Indies who are far NOR
I'd talented than the planters sons who hav
ry been sent to England to be educated.
he Mr.. O. (Tired of this point.) A gre
p deal has been pioHsly said about the no
~ rors of the African slave trade, but | b.
lieVe it is one ofthe most benevolent e
u lterprlses in which man can engage.
lat You will understand the reason Of Il
ITS introduction Of this point, when you lea