Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1839-09-19
EMANCIPATION IN THE WEST INDIES.

We have had recently in this city The Rev. MIR
| Scoble, who has delivered addresses on the inghy
successful issue Of the experiment marie 10 the Bri'
fish West India Islands Of Emabcipaiing the Blaeks.
He went into details Of the whole process Of eman'
cipaiion, the apprenticeship system, the FREQ labor
process, and The complaints made by the planters,
all of which be endeavored to show was the happy
issue of an experiment which he considered should
be made in every direction. and which be commended
would be followed by the very best results. lie had
many listeners, and resolutions of thanks were pas.
sed. and the reverend gentleman set san tor Ill
yerpool. We need scarcely say that this is a new
chapter OF Abolition. got up entirely by the Amir
Slavery Society. We have the best reason, and ~
fact the best proof in our possession, to show that
the experiment Mt works badly, and must eycutusliy
terminate in the blacks possessing themselves OF
those islands and forming a strong upion with The
black government Of Havti.
The British Government, urged by phiianthropic
| motives, but ill-advised on the subject, appropria-
ted eighty millions OF dollars to purchase the free.
| dom of slaves, or rather, contrary to the good faith
! of that government deprived their subjects torcibly
other property, ard gave them one-fhlfdthe valic
for their slaves. Thus coerced, the apprenticeship
commenced. We speak more fully of Jamaica !;
in the other islands d different result may have beer
produced. The Jamaica journals are filed with
lamentations at the destruction of the trade OF that
rich island, and a gentleman who resided there al
his llfe. and managed several plantations, a person
Of unimpeachsble character, assured us personsiy
that he sold his plantations and bis slaves for less
than one-hoif their yalue-that not one-hai the
crops would be produced under the new system-
that negroes were lazy and Insolent. demanding ex-
trayagant wages, and there was no law, no redress
aginst them-the Colonial magistrates sent out from
| England, all abolitionists, took part with the blacks
against the whites. and they we're IN fact masters
Of The island. Planters are making every sscrlhce
to get rid Of their estates, and a few years viii show
the danger Of the whole experiment. When we
find highly respectable men selling off and coming
TO America, or sailing for England-wbep we lind
the Jamaica Journals filed with bitter complaints
| and statements made TO US in New York OF the la
tal effects Of this - experiment'-when we find the
government against the people, and parliament az
This very day constantly employees IN legislating Tor
Jamaica, and ministers 81 . loss 10 know how to
aci-wh hat confidence can be p~lacedin the assurance
of a single individual introduced by the Anti-Siaye-
~ Society, that all works well7
Il il scarcely worth while at this time to exmaine
fully into the fual danger to the whole Of the West
India possessions, as wellas TO our Southern States,
in permitting fanatieism to have full scope in car
ryine out this experiment. We have a triiing
! proof at this very moment of a vessel On our coast,
manued by blacks, who have doubtless murdered
every white man on board. and the scenes OF 81.
Domingo would be repeated nearer home, II all men
are not AIMED against such ipcendiary projects
New YORK. STIR.