Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1847-09-24
The Emancipated Slaves of Jamaica.

The result of emancipation, as given by
the Rev. Mr.. Renshaw and the Rev. Mr..
Hovey, missionaries among the freed people
OF Jamaica, are truly encouraging.
The object of their visit TO this country is
to obtain assistance 10 enable them to 90 on
with their missionary labors. The following
sketch of some remarks of the Rev. Mr.. Rem
shaw in one of our city churches, as report
ed in the Traveller, will be found interest
ing.
The present colored population of Jamaica
is about 400, 000-the white residents of the
island numbering only about $4,000. The
colored population for the most part consists
OF the slaves who were emancipated by the
British act of August, 1898; the remainder
the browns, as they are called--being the
offspring of the concubinage which so uni
versally existed previous to emancipation.
Mr.. Renshaw explained satisfactorily, one
or two facts connected with the business of
Jamaica; from which differences have been
drawn unfavorable TO the change which has
taken place in the condition of the working
population. There had been IA falling of,
for instance, of about 25, 700 hogsheads of
sugar in the exports of the island. The in
ference, drawn from this fact, that the ne
groes 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 their degraded condition
as slaves. They now used sugar themselves
largely. Allowing them fifteen pounds a
head annually, more than they formerly used,
II would more than make good the deficiency
IN the exports. The decrease in the value of
plantation property, too, had been adduced as
an argument against the condition of freedom
in a pecuniary point of view. This decrease,
however, was clearly accounted for by the
change in the policy of England in reference
TO the products Of its colonies, from that of
protection which amounted to a prohibition
to free trade, which gave the sugar of Jamai-
ca no preference in the English market.
Since emancipation, the legislation of the
colony had entirely changed. as regards the
colored population. Many of the same gen.
tlemen were still in the government, it is
true, but they Were now as kind and consid-
crate towards the negroes, as they once were
necessarily cruel. An improved system of
prison discipline had been adopted a luna
tic asylum had been established, at an ex-
pense of 100000; abundant provision had
been made for enlightened medical attend
ance upon the laboring people; public schools
had been established a general interest, in
fine, was manifested in the welfare of the la
boring population, and all public measures
looked TO the amelioration Of their condi-
ton.
A great change-and an entirely spontaue-
Gus one-had also taken place in the morals
and manners of ihe white population. Prior
to emancipation, marriage was virtually pro-
hibited by the customs of society, and con.
cubinage was universal. lntemperance anc
other vices generally prevailed. Now pub
lie sentiment regarded marriage as honorable
concubinage had to a great extent disappear
ed; and the principles and practice of tenn
perance Were commonly cherished. Thu
prejudice against color had been almost en-
tirely removed. The brown class, once pre-
scribed, now took a position in society,"
They Were found in all public stations, bott
in the legislative and judicial branches of the
government. There was in fact no distine.
ton as to complexion, and no bar on that &C,
count to the social reciprocities and amenities
of life.
The change in the condition of the negroes
had heen very great-so much so, that il had
operated as a hindrance 10 their advancement.