Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1840-03-30
M | sc ELL A NEOUS.
LETTERS FROM TIE VEST INDIES.

LETTERS FROM TIE WEST INDIES
ST. CRoM.-HIsToRr OF THE IsLAND-soIL--ropu-
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS..
will give you, in few words, what little nforma-
ton have been able 10 CLEAN of the History of the
island 1t is called Santa Cruz, or ST. C,ox, and lie
situated between II and se north latitude and long.
81 and IS west from Greenwich, being one Of the
Virgin Islands, which were first discovered by Column
bus, his second voyage to the western world Nov.
IA, 1893. Ii was then inhabited by Caribs and
while Columbus was obtaining water, he was attack :
ed, and skrmah snsued in which some of the ma.
tives were captured, and subsequently, taken to
Spain. In 1925 the island came into the possession
oil the English and Dutch, and then uninlabited
Inc English expelled the Dutch in 1919; and during
The next year were conquered in their turn by the
spanaTds from Porto Rico. This last expedition
commenced the attack at night and the actors in i,
burnt The buildings, massacred the armed inhabitants,
and transported the remainder with their wives and
children, to Bermuda. The Spaniards surrendered
the island in 1861 10 the French, who set fire to the
rich forests which then covered it, This cona ration
continued for long time; and by it the land was
cleared and placed under cultivation and prov
ed extremely fertile. Louis XIV in 1853 transferred
this with other islands, to the Knights Of Malta and
they sold it tou WesIndia Company this company
however, soon dissolved and the island reverted IL
the French crown. In 1896 The French abandoned
1t, on account OF the scarcity OF water Subsequent
y the English again took possession, were driven on
by the French in 1927, who retained il until 1888
then it was sold TO company of Copenhagen mer
chants. who angIerrpd II In I'm >cD Il
Twice since has it been taken by the British, in sO
AID 1915, but was each time restored TO the Danes
in whose possession il now ia.
The island is about % miles long and from four Il
WIDE There ere two towns on it, each with bar
Dor and fort one is called ChnsansteG or Bassa
where the Governor resides, and the other Frederick
sed, or Wost End, which lie the principle place of re
sort Tor Americans coming out for their health. TIL
latter numbers about 800 inhabitants, and the formo
350o. These places about IA miles distant iot
each other and the drive from The other is ex
cecdinsly interesting AT least One,hrd of he islam
consists of mounains-some OF them are very slee
and high, and their tops often cnveloped in clouds
There are several than 1000 feet above the lie,
ell of the ocean, and these high hills are cutiys
ted. as well as the valleys. Indeed. very little Ian
funs 10 waste here's every rod that the hoe OF the poe
slave can penetrate, is made TO produce the suea
cane. Nothing but the rocks, and these are rare o
unclad with natures green. The whole island is d
vded into plantations, SO TO each this diyi.
ion was made many years ago, and names assisne
TO eachi and although it frequently occurs that pla
ta'ions are sold and planter becomes the proprie
oil more than one division, the nan es have seldo
been changed. The low land soil is very dark de,
. and nch-yct not SO rich as formerly the LONG cult
walton OF the same soil for the same product hayir
so far exhausted its richness that manuyes are no
used. The high land soil is thin and grayeIly, b.
produces much the sweetest and wbitest sugar; hen,
the particular care taken 70 cultivate this soil
The whole population of the island is about twe
~ four thousand, oil this number $500 are white
2ooo Tree negroes, and the remainder slaves OF q
tinges, frsm the darkest hue to The fir white SIX
which scarcely shadows forth the signs Of the tv
bloods. Some who are here called coLoREp peopI
ares delicate, fair, and beautiful too, that amor
our own mountains none would suspect that par
Gle OF the blood OF the ooored race run in their vein
The principle retail business Of the island is carrie
on by Tree blacks who for poliieness shrewdness
sagac'iy' would shame many a white who is for CO
signing them TO eternal bondage because o. their CO
or.
fou w'l perceive that great part of the popul
lion Is IN bondage hut slavery here exists in its mi
des' forms, when compared with the slavery in n
Southern States. Here, the Government apneors
be preparing the way for emancipation, by buildir
school houses and churches all over the island =,
preparing teachers 10 instruct The population. TT
emancipation OF the slaves in the English islands,
which glorious work England deserves The thanks
the world-will compel the other islands ere lsng,
follow the example. Slavery cannot long exist he
and the planters know il. Indeed. I think that 4,
plantations generally could he carried on much bet