Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1847-12-09
Til L FIR Z Il M A N q.
For the Fireman.
Results Of Emancipation in the West
Indies,

Mr.. EDITOR Last night attended lecture at
the fremont Temple by Rev. George L. Hovey, who
with five other gentlemen, went out from this country
as self-constituted missionaries to the emancpaed
slaves of Jamaica in 1899 and whose opportunities,
during residence of several years in that Island of
becoming thoroughly acquainted with the workings of
emancipation, render him competent witness in the
Should the following brief abstracts of his re-
marks be deemed Of sufficient interest to warrant an
insertion in your columns, it is at your disposal.
The Rev. gentleman commenced by saying that he
cid not appear the advocate of any party or theory
Of emancipuon but he wished to state facts within
his knowledge and to which he had been an eye wit
ness and he hoped they would prove interesting to his
hearers.
State Of the Island precious to Emancipation.
Much had been said by those opposed to emancpa-
ton, with the design making 1t appear that its results
in the West Indies had been disastrous to all concern
ed In order to appreciate justly, the operations of
freedom, it would be necessary to go back and exam
inc into the condition of those Islands for many years
previous to the liberation of the blacks The Rev.
gentleman here introduced various extracts from the
reports of committees appointed by the House of As
sembly going to show that the plantations were ruin
ously in debt-covered with mortgages, executions
&C., &c, with no apparent prospect of aught before
them but utter ruin TO all the planters. Among other
things brought before the notice of the House, was
the alarming decrease of the slave population. For a
ndmber of years Jamaica had lost 1000 of her popua
ton annually and other Islands in proportion. All
this would 90 to show that whatever may be the pres
ent condition of these Islands, ruin had commenced its
desolating march years previous to emancipation and
was progressing with such giant strides that coun
teracting cause could Immediately arrest its progress
and restore those Islands to complete state of pros
perty.
Comparisons going to Shom the Results of Eman
cipatiOn.
In jamaica alone, in ten years after emancipation
the increase of children, under six years of age was
20510, instead of loss Of 1000 annually,
Real estate has continued, in some instances to de-
preciate though at less rapid rate. The Governor,
short time previous to his leaving, wrote to him that he
might assure the friends of freedom in America, thai
whatever appearances might indicate, as to their lack
of prosperity, this state of things was not owing to e.
muncipation but arose from other causes, &c.
Exports had been falling off, for many years, at a
rapid rate, and continued TO fall off till 1910, since
which they have been gradually increasing Besides
sugar and coffee, their principal exports, have beer
consumed to a very large amount, since emancipation
by the negroes Formerly, sugar was protected by
the British Parliament 10 cts per pound atterly only
I-s cents per pound making it far less object tc
export; besides this one great cause for the re-
cent depreciation in real estate
At the time of emancipation, probably not FIVE
ploughs could be found in Jamaica. All lands under
cultivation were hoedup by the slaves, Now, poughs
cutvators, and various other agricultural implements
are quite common.
All internal improvements have received their ori
gin since emancipation. A rail road is building to ex
tend round the Island thirty miles of it are alread!
completed, with various other public works.
Perfect Confidence ard Security as tc E9s
and Property.