Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1837-05-03
VOL. IX....NO. 80.

versation ceased. The pro-slavery party
retired to their berths, amusing them
selves with remarks about long heels,
woody heads, monEies, anal gamation,
&c. &c.
rs for myself, retired, not to sleep,
but to mourn over the shocking degener-
ecy of my countrymcn, and more than
ever impressed with the pro-slavery, re-
CIRCULATING spirit Of northern Americans
AMERICAN PREJUDICE.
Mr. D., of Western New-York, was
excessively annoyed by the presence of
coIored steward His o;factorics were
wonderfully acute in detecting vile odors,
and when the steward happened to pass
between the wind and his nobility" he
was effected almost to nausea The stew
ard, by the way, appeared to be a very
worthy man, OF unqueStioned character.
and much respected by the passengers
generally. lie has been man indeed, Of
rare advantages for colored man, having
been for some time a member of COL
lege. His manner and address were cor
responding " civil, and it is quite probable
that the captain had more than once con-
graduated himself upon having a steward
who combined the attainments of the
scholar and the cook. Nevertheless, our
young knight of the mhite skin regarded
the steward with utter loathing He seiz-
ed every opportunity afforded by his pres
ence 10 reproach him for his color, in the
most insulting terms. His expressions
were sometimes so vile and obscene, that
they shocked all the passengers.
Mr.. d. is fair specimen of that class
Of persons among whom negro prejudice.
l can but hope, mostly ubounds. A flip
pant young man, who by inheritance, or
some fortunate speculation, or perhaps in
some way still less reputable, has CON-
into the possession of money. Wc2l;
minded, devoid Of moral principle, heart
! less, dandyish, controlled bv popular Sell
timent, whose standard Of gentitv is a
defiance of good breeding, and the extent
of whose knowledge is an acquaintance
with the vocabulary Of insolence and OBJ
scenity.
Such things, be assured, sir, will never
reIinquish their prejudice, until it becomes
contemplate to those whose favor they
seek 10 secure, and then they most ASST
redIy will. had tine opportunity IF
seeing this truth exempli6ed in the case Of
MIR. u. When our vessel came to ancho:
! in the barbor of St. Thomas, we were
boarded by several gentlemen, who came
to get the latest American news. Among
the rest was a coIored gentleman. He
was finely dressed and appeared to be
captain of vessel; but still he was COL
ored. Mr.. D. esped him, as he first
touched the deck, and the expressive ex-
clamatlon, Niggef," instinctivelv burst
from his lips. He was very much dis
concerted, however, when he saw this in
dlvidua addressed by the captain and the
West India gentlemen in q respectful
manner. This was the first instance.
probably, in which he ever saw colored
man treated by white gentlemen upon
terms OF equality; and for the first time IN
his life, doubtless, Mr. D. was crest f1l-
en- He found himself among a people
with whom American prejudice was not
| fashionable.
COLoRED HOTEL IN ST. THOMAS
Before leaving the vessel, inquired Ct
! MIR. j., OF St. CrOix, for a comfortable
house. He recommended the "Mansion
House" kept by Mrs. Catharine Bushv,
a coIored lad y, as the best hotel in S.
| Thomas The fact ofthe }andIady bein-
c"!0red he mentioned quite incidentally,
more as sort Of filling out of his SIR
tence than as matter Of intelligence
Upon the recommendation of West In,
dia planter, | concluded 10 90 TO the Man.
sion House. But what my young coun-
trymcn, especially Mr.. D, would do in
this exigency, | could not divine Their
pride would lead them to choose the first
hotel in the place. decidedly but their pre-
Ijuiice-how must it BE- shocked at the
idea Of taking lodgings at the house of a
roIored woman REPAIRED Immediately
to the Mansion House. Was received by
Mrs B. in the most respectful manner
p was struc X with the dignity and even
elegance Of her personal appearance
She was manlfest|y lady Of no ordinary
Accomplishments. Her complexion was
but slightly tinged, not darker than that
Of many white ladies in America The
house was commodious well furnished,
and admirably adapted to the climate
In looking over the Register. ] found
the names of gentlemen from AL parts OF
the United States. Shortly after me, the
other passengers came, en- ma'se, 10 tire
} Mansion House. The West India ladies'
, and gentlemen came, and appeared to Re
quite at home, shaking hands with Mrs.
= B. in the most friendly manner. Close
in their wake came Mr.. D., quite recon
# ciled now 10 be entertained by a coIored
d hostess, since ell the rest of the passen-
gers set him the example
h The whole dcmeanor of Mr.. D., while
o he remained in the Mansion House. was
remarkably respectful, quite as much so
/ as if he had been in the parlor of white