Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1847-08-05
EmanCiDatiOn in Jamaica,

Rev. Mr.. Renshaw and Rev. Mr. Hovey, mis-
sionaries among the freed people of Jamaica, are
now on a visit to this country for the purpose of
obtaining assistance to enable them to 90 on in
their missionary work. The results of emanc-
patton, according to their statements, are truly
encouraging The following sketch of some re-
marks of the Rev. Mr.. Renshaw in one the
Boston churches as reported in the Traveller,
will be found interesting;
The present colored population of Jamaica is
about 400, 000-the white residents of the island
numbering only about 0,000 The colored pop
ulatlon for the most part consists of the slaves
who were emancipated by the British act of Au-
gust, 1888 the remainder--the browns, as they
are called-being the ofsprngs of the concubin-
age which so universally existed previous to
emancipation.
Mr.. Renshaw explained satisfactorily one or
two facts connected with the business of Jamaica
from which differences have been drawn unfavor-
able to the change which have taken place in the
condition of the working population, There
had been a falling off, for instance, of about
25, 900 hogsheads of sugar, in the exports from
the island The inference, drawn from this fact
that the negroes had become more indolent under
a state of freedom, was not founded in truth
The negroes had now many more wants than
when they were in a degraded condition as
slaves. They now used sugar themselves large
ly. Allowing them Is POUNDS a head annually,
more than they formerly used, it would more
than make good the deficiency in the exports
The decrease in the value plantation property,
too, had been adduced as an argument against
the condition of freedom in pecunlary point of
view. This decrease, however, was clearly &C
counted for by the change in the policy of Eng
land in reference to the products of its colonies,
from that Of protection which amounts to pro-
hibiton to free trade which gave the sugar of
Jamaica no preference in the English market,
Since emancipation, the legislation of the col
ony had entirely changed, as regards the colored
population. Many of the same gentlemen were
now as kind and considerate towards the negroes
as they once were necessarily cruel. An i'm
proved system ofprison discipline had been adopt
ed unatic asylum had been established, at an
expense of 100000 abundant provision had
been made for enlightened medical attendance
upon the laboring people; public schools had
been established; general interest, in fine, was
manifested in the welfare of the aboring popu-
aton and all public measures looked to the
amelioration Of their condition
great change-and an entirely spontaneous
one-had also taken place in the morals and
manners Of the white population. Prior to
emancipation, marriage was virtually prohibited
by the custom of society, and concubinage was
universal Intemperance and other vices gen
crafty prevailed Now public sentimentregarded
marriage as honorable; concubinage had to a
great extent disappeared; and the principles and
practice of temperance were commonly cherish
ed. The prejudice against color had been al
most entirely removed. The brown class, once
prescribed, now take position in society. They
were found in all public stations, both in the leg
islatiye and judicial branches of the government.
There was in fact no distinction as to complexion,
and no bar on that account to the social recipro-
cities and amenities of life.
The change in the condition of the negroes