Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1846-06-25
From the .Ne,O York Tribune.
Emancipation in the British West Indies.
BY JOHN S. c. ABB
No A.

Nod.
A third fact established by West Indian Eman-
cipdtiOn IS, that the negroes are abundantLy
capable Of taking care Of themselOcs.
1t was generally predicted that the slaves I'M
accustomed to any prudence or foresight, would
be quite unable to make any suitable provision
for the support of their families or themselves,
and that uncomfortable poverty and suffering
would be the consequence of casting them upon
their own recources. 1t was confidently affirm
ed that the slaves, being mere children in char
acter must perish of starvation if freed from the
paternal authority and care of their masters
But all these fears are now dispelled forever
The Characteristic improvidence of the slave was
the necessary consequence of his condition, and
the change in his condition has produced cor
responding change in his character.
Says Rev. Mr.. Cadman, clergyman residing
in the West Indies ''the change for the better
in the dress, demeanor, and welfare, of the peo-
pie is prOdigiOuS."
Mr. Quincy mentions a fact beautifully illus
trdtive of the shrewd calculations and consequent
thrift of the emancipated. "a female propre-
tor, who had become embarrassed was advised
to sell off part Of her property in small lots to
suit purchasers. The experiment answered her
warmest expectations. The laborers, in the
neighborhood, bought up all the little lreeholds
with extreme eagerEess made their payments
faithfully, and lost no time in settling on the
spots which they had purchased They soon
framed their houses, and brought their gardens
into useful cultivation with yams, bananas, plan
tains, pine apples, and other fruits and vegeta-
way Augusta and Liberty sprung up, as if by
magic. ] visited several of the cottages in com
pany with the Rector of the parish, and was
surprised by the excellence of the buildings, as
well as by the neat furniture and clearly little
articles of daily use which we found within. IT.
was a scene of contentment and happiness, and
may certainly add Of industry for these little
freeholders occupied only their leisure hours in
working on their own grounds"
Now this is not theory-the expression of o.
pnion alone 1t is the statement of facts by an
unimpeachabe witness Such is the result of
the actual experiment of emancipation. These
scenes of industry and happiness, testified to by
various and Independent witnesses, and exhibit
| ing the social condition of the emancipated
slaves, several years after their emancipation,
prove that we need suffer no apprehension that
the freed negro will starve rather than work.
He is either wicked or neXcusably uniformed
who now repeats the assertion that the negroes,
| if emancipated, will be entirely incapable of ta-
king care of themselves
Another interesting scene Illustrative of the
industry and the foresight of these newly made
freemen, is thus described by Mr.. Quincy; ga
wonderful scene we witnessed on Sabbath morn
ing, in the Baptist church. The minister was
so obliging as to invite US to hold our meeting
with his flock, after the manner of Friends
Such flock we had not before seen, consisting
of nearly three thousand black people, chiefly
emancpated slaves, attired after their avore
CUSTOM with neat white raiment, and most re-
spectacle and orderly in their demeanor and ap-
pearance. They appeared both to understand
and to appreciate the doctrines of divine truth
preached Oh the occasion. The congregation is
greatly increased, both in numbers and respecta-
bility, since the date of full freedom They
now entirely support the mission, and are en-
f arging their chapel at an expense of five thou
sand dollars.
f 1t is well for the mind to pause and ponder
upon such statements as these. For this is a
witness whose credibility is unimpeachable-
His testimony is corroboraed by that of many
t others. His opportunity of becoming acquain-
ted with the facts respecting which he testifes,
was as perfect as could possibly be enjoyed. He
was guided in visiting these scenes by many of
those planters who ,Ocre energeticaly opposed to
; the measure of emancipation, but who from the
practical operation of the measure, had become
f warm advocates of its wisdom. And he testi-
g fes to the condition Of things upon the Islands
six years after all the restraints of Slavery had
Q been removed.
J Again, says Mr. Quincy, eve spent several
a hours at Sigoville. This property is divided in
= to one hundred and fifty freehold lots, fifty Of
d which had been already sold to the emancipated
e aborers who had been driven by hard usage