The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1839-02-13


in New England aud iu other free couu-
tries; but no concert, no combination. even
here; aud the only attempt at n con,bina-
'lon was among the planters, to keep down
woges-and that bu, for a short time only.
! VIII not epier particularly into the ques-
uons, whether or not the people will contin-
ne TO work for wages, whether they will re-
main quiet-or on the other hand, whether
The Island will he suffered to bscome desc.
late, and the freed slaves relapse into bar
barism, &c. These things have been spec
hl",ed about, aud gloomy predictions have
had their day; The time has now come for
the proof People do rot buy land and
houses, apd rent properties for long terms
oi years, IN countries where life is insecure
or where labor cannot he had and the ten
dency OF things is To ruin and decay. In
short, men, in their senses, do not embark
on board a sinking ship! Confidence isibe
very soul Of pfospefi,y--of the existence of
this confidence in this Island, the immense
operations in reol estate since the LIST Of Au-
gust ore abundant proof
There are muliitudes Of instances i'm
which estates have sold for. 800 more
than wns asked for them six months ago:
and yet at that time they were considered
very high. proprietor who wns persua-
dsd few weeks since To part with his es-
tate for very large sun ~ money. went
and bought il back again at an adronee Of
$9oW. great many long lenses If prop.
eriy have been entered into. An estate
called "Edsecumbe," mentioned by Thome
n kimbnli, hns been rented for 81 years Mt
$1,000 per annum. Ano,her, called the
Hope" has been rented for 10 years mt
2O0M sterling, equal io $4,000, per nnnun,.
Another after being rented at high price,
was rc-let, by the lessee, who bscane en-
lirely nbsolved from the Contract, and took
$4,000 for his bargain. If required, [
could give you host Of similar cases, with
the names Of the parties. But il seems un-
necessary. The mere impulse given to tho
value Of property in this island by en,ars.-
paiion, 10 n thing as notorious here, as Ia
the fact Of emancipation.
But are not crimes more frequent than
bcforel ] have now before me a Bar
BADGES newspaper, printed Two weeks since,
ia which tho fuct Is stated that in all
the couniry ptisons. am"ng n popufa,ion Of
ooQ2G; ;, 9csr ,s,, rhss.f;v3"rs !. hss..f;vs3"rs were confined
Colonization, show will you get rid Of the
negroes 2" I answer Ivy ndvrriing to the
spectacle which is now Witnessed in oH the
Islands, of the former proprietors of slaves,
now employers Of free Iaborers, using every
eodenvor to prccent emigration. Trinidad,
Demarara, and Berbce, rant laborers.
The former has pnssed a law to pny the
passage money Of any laborer who comes
to the Island, leaving him free TO choose
his employment. DcWrrarn and Berbice,
have sent Emigration agents to this and
other islands, to induce The L,b0rers To join
those colonies, offering high wages, good
treatment, &c. On The other hand, Barba-
docs, Grenad", 81. Vincent, and al the old
and p0puIous islands, Individually and coll
lec,ively, 10y legislative resolves, legal ennct-
men,s, &c. &c.--loudly protest that they,
have not a man TO spare What is still
bcltcr, the old island proprieiors are on ev-
cry hand building new houses for the pens
nntry, and with grent forsiIIoneht adding To
their comfort; knowing that they will there
by secure their conten,mept on their native
soil.
As n pleasing instance of the good un-
dersinndmg which now exists between pro-
prirtors and lnborrrs, I will mention, that
| great numbers of the former were in town
on the 24tI,, buying up pork, hams, rice,
&c. as presents for their people on the
ensuing Christmas; n day which has this
year passed by amid scenes of quiet, Sab
bath devotions, n striking contrast to tie
iumult nnd drunkenness of former times.
I cannot close this subject, without bearing
NY testimony To- the corrrctncss Of the
statemeDrs mndc by our Country men,
Thome aud KimbaiI. They were highly
esteemed here by all classes, and had free
access to every source Of valuable informa-
tim. IL they have not done justice to the
subject Of their hook, 1t is because the man-
ifnld blessings Of deIivernnce from slavery
are beyond the powers of language to rep
resent When attempt, Ms have done in
this letter, 10 enun,eratc n few of them,
know not where to begin, or where to end.
One must see in order to know and feel
how unspenkabIe q boon these islands have
received "a boom, which is by no means
confined To the snancipatrd s'ases; bot
like the dcws and rains of heaven, il fell
upon sll the inhabitants Of the land, bond
aud free, rich nnd pour, together.
IL is n common thing here. when you
hear one spenk Of the benefits Of emu ucipa-
tion--ibe rcn,nrk-ihat il ought io have in-
ken place long ago. Some say fifty years
ago, some twenty, and some, that at any
rate it ought to- hnve taken place all at
once, without any apprenticeship. The
oson-day sun 10 not clearer than the farf,
that no preparation was required on the
part Of the slaves. II WINS The dictate Of On
accusing conscience, that foretold 1f blood-
shed, aud burning, snd devssistion. Can
It be supposed To be sn accidental circus,-
stance, tina, peace and goodwill hsve ant
formig, ia all the colonies. followed the
steps Of emancipation. Is il not rather the
bro,d scaI Of s;iestatiou tn tbst bcaveaborn