Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1837-07-04

Ter in making tour to the w ost India Islands,
at their own expense, 10 ascertain, by personal
observation and enquiry, the effect OF lmmedt-
ate emancipation and The apprenticeship sys-
ten. The Governor Of Mornico applied TO
them for the result OF their investigation, as The
French government is celebrating on the cues
lions Of immediate or gradual emancipation
In Antigua, it will be rccoecied, thirty thou
sand slaves in a population Of only ihirty-slx
thousand inhabitants, white and black, were
liberated in one day, the memorable first Of Ar-
gust, 1884.
STATEMENT OF MEssRs. SURGE AND scoDLE.
awe spent about four weeks in the Island
Of Antigua being anxious 10 ascertain what
was the result Of the more than two years Of
trial Of the great experiment of general oman-
cipalon In that colony. During our stay our
opportunities of personal observation were ex
tcnsivo. We availed ourselves OF the free ac-
cess afforded to the public, TO attend The siiings
Of the Legislative Assembly, the chief criminal
court, the police office, the places of public
worship, and the different schools. We also
succeeded in putting ourselves in ccmmunca-
ton with many Of the most intelligent and in
flUential persons in the colony, with the Cover
nor and other official persons, members OF the
Council and Assembly, Judges, advocates,
medical men, ministers of religion and school.
masters, propreiors and managers Of estates,
welI-inlormcd PERSONS OF color, and many of
the negro laborCrs themselves
All that we have conversed with, however
differing in their sentiments on other subjects
agreed on one point aud say that the great
change has succeeded beg ond the most san
guine expectations Of its chief promoters and
advocates in the colony. Many planters also
who were violently opposed TO emancipation
have been brought 10 confess that freedom is
more advantageous 10 them than slavery, and
that they at length satisfied with the meas
urc. One of tue ablest and most influential
men on the Island told Us that "hc did not
! think there was man who could lay his hand
on his heart aud declare tina; he should wish to
return TO the former state Of things" Several
propnetors and managers have spoken 10 us in
emphatic terms ot the annoyance to which they
were subjected during slavery, and Of the com
parGtive ease and comfort with which they now
manage their estates; and though some may
perhaps, not yet no weaned from love of IN
limited authority, yet the great body of the
planters feel that the measure has been one of
general emancipation for themselves as well as
their slaves.
The colony ia in far more prosperous state
than before lS34, Notwithstanding the occur
renee since that period, Of one of the long
droughts to which it is proverbially subject
Its exports Of sugar, las, year, and lis prospect
for the ensuing season, are not more than two.
| thirds Of an average crop; hut this falling off
is entirely owing, as many planters have ex-
! planned 10 US, to the dry weather which has
continued now for fifteen months. The only
exception we heard TO the general expression
| of satisfaction, was fear expressed by few.
/ that, if their crops were very heavy, they would
! find il difficult 10 take them off by free labor.
! Happily there is one estate in the Island which
! has been put TO the test. 1t had the benefit Of
frequent showers, while its immediate neigh
borhood was suffering from drought, and pro-
| duCed twenty hogsheads Of sugar (about 40
coo w,ight) more than it had done during sIa-
very. BY judicious system of task work, the
manager took it off with The greatest ease, and
he ASSURED US, that he had no doubt he could
take off the largest crop the grouad could POS
| sibiy produce. The profits OF this estate, each
year, which consists Of not more than 255 acres
OF cane ground, were upwards Of R5, 900 $780,
1 000) currency.
Notwithstanding, therefore, the continuous
long drought and short crops since 1884, and
independently of The compensation they have
received, The propretors are more prosperous
than before emancipation.
This will appear either from comparison
Of the annual cost CT cultivation under the two
systems, or fiom cons federation Of the general
advantages which must result from the subsii-
iulion OF compensated for uncompcnsaled la =.
Dor, and which have 10 most profila bic extent
resulted already, and in which the planter, as
proprietor Of the soil, must be one Of the oaIli-
est and largest porlicipaIors, viz: the incroas-
ed value of property, and increase oil trade !;
The introduction of economical modes Of in :
dustry, agricultural and commercial opera
tons, and Tie creation oil a consuming popua.
ton.