New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1844-11-09

r IoycsraETu. Philadelphia: MsRaiKEw s. TAoap
More than ten years have elapsed since lie
slaves OF the British West INDIES wero emanci.
nate. during which time we nave had various
and in some respects conflicting reports in re-
s,ion 10 the effects of the measure upon the char.
scter Of the emancipated class and the general
prosperity CT the Islands.
The work before US, though brief and uppre
tending, presents many striking facts, all tend.
;op 10 show that the results have been mainly
such as were anticipated by tie friends of the
measure. The authors are members (the frs,
two Mnisters) of the Society of Friends in Penn.
,,lyania, and their visit to the Islands was
prompted by religious motives, and prosecuted un.
der the sanction OF the Society. We believe they
are not in any way connected with the modern
AntSlavery Associations, Though, like all cons $.
tent members Of their sect, they are doubtless
,trcng,y opposad to the institution of slavery
Their Narrative bears the impress of can
dor and of kind and f,atarnal feeling TO.
ward all of whom they have occasion to
speak. The testimony of such men must
command the attention and respect of all who
desire 10 be accurately informed concerning
The results of the greatest Social Experiment
Of the Age. We therefore copy the following
Summary of their Observations, which forms
the conclusion of their Narrative.
In concluding this narrative, it is thought pro.
Der to condense some of the facts stated in refer
ence to the subject Of emancipation, in order to
present, in brief manner, an answer to the fol-
lowing queries, which have been propounded by
q friend in Virginia.
Quers 6rst-What Islands did you visit, and
when2
Santa Cruz, St. Thomas Tortola, Virgin Cor
da, St. Christophers, Antigua, Barbados, Trini-
dad, and Jamaica. The visit was performed in
the latter part of 1910, and the beginning of l54l
Second What were the measures adopted by
the British Government for emancipating the
tlaves7
The measures were by purchase and appren-
iceship. f20,0Q0,000 were appropriated for this
object. The preliminary step was system Of
apprenticeship, which, on being brought into
operation, did not provo as beneficial to either
planter or laborer as it's projectors anticipated
privilege Of CHOICE Antigua and Bermuda, 70.
mediate and unconditional freedom to their slaves
The other colonies adopted the apprenticeship
SYSTEM, but finding its operations manifestly in
furious, by Legislative enactment shortened the
period two years.
Third What wsre the general effects ofthese
measures as stated by the Planters, Magistrates
or Governors
From the best information we were able to OBJ
tain from the planters and others, we feel no hest
taticn in saying, that the measure of freedom bat
been highly satisfactory and salutary. This was
tho general testimony upon every island-we met
with 10 planter willing 10 return again to the hard
servitude of STAKEHOLDER. The declaration Of
freedom was considered blessing, both to master
end slave.
Fourth-In those Islands where the appren-
ticeship system was adopted, did they find il
more advantageous than Immediate emancipation
is adopted in Antigua
They did not. Tho testimony in st. Kits
went to PROVE that ifthey had carried out the ap.
prenticeshio system for the full term prescribed
j, would have been the ruin of many planters
upon the Island The general sentiment given
to US was that the apprenticeship system was Q
failure. Antigua and Bermuda proclaimed liber.
ty unconditional to all their slaves. The conse
quences resulting have been marked aud deci
ded advantage to all parties in those Islands.
FEh-Has real estate risen IN value since
emancipation
Ii wll be perceived from the narrative that
real estate has advanced considerably III value
In many plaeesthe land is now worth as much as
10th land and slaves were during slavery.
Sizth.-Have the expenses Of cultivation been
increased or diminished by emancipation
We understood from the pl ;nieIs generally that
the expenses of cultivation were considerably d.
miuirhed. There were some exceptions, howey-
or, to this statement. But we found that there
existed as much difference in management among
sugar planters as exists among other occupations
and professions; and often from q lack OF order
and economical arrangement losses were sustain
ec, which might have been prevented by more
careful attention and calculation Such indlvl-
duals would tell US they were losers by freedom
and that the expenses of cultivation were greater
now than during slavery. In Trinidad The rate
Of wages was high-the laborer being perhaps
better paid on thas island than III any other couu
ry. Complaint was made by some OF the plan.
ters that the expenses Of cultivation were increase
since emancipation. But this position Gwen with
the high wages given) was doub,s:d by Others, as
The amount Of labor obtained in a given time was
greater now than during slavery; and the evl.
estates were conclusive, that with the high rates
ofw.ss. given, no real pecuniary disadvantage
had occurred to the proprietors. is true that
the price of sugar at this time is unusually high
One of the principal planters in Trinidad informs
Us that sugar can be made on his estate-whi ie
sexceedingly we'll msnsged-for FIVE dollars the
hundred, and afford good profit. They are now
realizing ten dollars by the cargo.
Sspenth.-Hes there been any insubordinstior
Q, unwilingness to labo, for wages, and srt
wages high!
No INSTRUMENTATION has occurred on any OF the
islands, and very satisfactory accounts were fur
niihed Of the department Of the laboIeTs, yer,
general willingness to labor having been mani
tested for what they considered reasonable com
psnsa6on for Their services. The narrative fur
nlshes information of difficulties occurring occa
aonally in Barbadoes; but these arose not from
want of subordination or willingness to labor
out from unjust exactions by their employ ers.
The same difficulties occurred in Jamaica from