Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1839-03-13

might be acquired by all who would sim
Div bind themselves 10 labor for seven
years as apprentices to the planters. The
knew that these deceptive and
seducing representations would have an
effect upon the simple and confding ISL
anders-ignorant of the expressions and |
frauds OF the world from which they had
been in a great measure secluded-ignor-
ant OF English manners, customs and lam |
guage; and therefore unable readily to
make known the cruel receptions which
were to be prac,ised upon them. Vessels
were fitted up and despatched with speed
ard secrecy to the islands, and large
number of laborers were transported TO
Trinidad, and other slave colonies. On
their arrival, the deluded victims were IN
deceived; they found themselves entirely
at the mercy of those who had decoyed
them from their homes. They were sold
like cattle to the highest bidder, and dis
tributed over the country. without, in ma
ny instances, the slightest regard to the
ties OF nature and consanguinity. Ex-
posed to the degree of labor and coercion
with the black slaves, they had not like
the latter under the abolition act the privi-
lege of purchasing their immediate free
dom. They were mixed with the blacks
Unfortunately, without regard to sex or
age; the robust man and the delicate fe-
male were driven forth 10 toll in the cane
fields under tropical sun, in a climate
fatal TO their constitutions. Unable to
speak the language Of their oppressors,
they could not complain to the public au-
thorities it was difficult to find an inter-
prefer; in fact, on one island, no inter
prefer aoas aLLOwed. Disease in its most
dreadful forms soon broke Out among
them and Of the whole number deceived
from their vine-hung vallies, and clear
sky, and heaIthful breezes of their own
beautiful islands, not one-third were liv-
ing at the expiration of ten months =
Their condition became so depIorable.
that the wretched blacks with whom they
laboreI wept in compassion over the i'll.
tated strangers. Their snfferings at length
attracted the attention of some benevolent
gentlemen in the towns, through whose
exertlons the colonia! government, were
finally induced TO examine into their con-
dltlon. A petition to the Lieutenant Gov.
ernor of Trinidad, is published by Capt
Hodgson, signed by several bereaved
mothers and fathers, setting forth in NOV.
ing language, their grievous Affections
from which the following are extracts:
THE humble petition of the under.
signed natives of Fayal and subjects @
Portugal showcth That with many 9th
ers of their countrymen, they were Undue
ed by evil disposed persons TO quit their
native country; that of the whole number
thus cajoled, on onethird are still in ex.
: Istence. The Fest have fallen victims to
the unhealthiness of the climate, or to the
cruelties of the SLAVE SYSTEM, tc
which we, equally 1oih The unfortunah
: blacks, have been subjected.
Men, women and children, have suffer
ed the greatest misery and oppression OF
the several estates, where they have beer
forced 20 work far beyond their strength
and by COERCION OF THE WHIP, anc
without proper shelter al night, or ade
quate food by dag.
The consultations of their religion hav,
been denied them-in the hour of sickness:
and death, whilst the bodies of the miser
able victims of avarice, have been thrown
1 into holes and bitches without Christian
t burial.
, The cries Of the fatherless children
and widows, have been loud in the land
but there was no response of Christian
charity to soften their grief; no arm O
Justice TO relieve them from the bonds O
the oppressor.
Few are they who are left to tell III,
tale of woe Your Excellencv has beer
often apprised of these truths, but our SUI.
terlngS are yet unheeded.''
This melancholy document is dated
Trinidad Ocl. Isl, 1885, and is signed By
: " Rosa Constancia, who has lost her his.
|. 6a"a AMI three children,"" FeIicidia Per
peta dI Castro, who has lost. her husband
and one child" MARIA Cuns.ancia. who
has lost ttco children Mariana Fran.
cIsca, who has lost four children" The
petitioners pray that the few remaini6o
Portuguese laborers may be transported
to their native country.
: Such is the spirit Of West India sl.vo
ry' or Rather we might say of slavery
everywhere. 1t abhors the idea of free.
dom united with labor. 1t has no scruoles
IN regard to the color of lis victims. II
would, If 1t could do SO with the same i'm.
punity' as readily lay its iron hand upon
the pennsylvania wagonner, and the jrr.
sey gardener, as upon the descendants o.
AFRICA 1t is this spirit which has made
honest Industry disreputabIe in half the
states OF the confederdcy, and branded the
lice laborers of the North, as "ao6ite
%aees, 1t is this spirit which has as
sailed the rights of Northern white men