New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1852-02-07
WEST INDIES.
New Year among The ST. Croix Negroes


Communicated for The N. Y. Tribune.
ST.. CRoIx, Monday, Jan. 5, 1861.
The negroes being now their own mas
tiers, and living the economical rate Of 10 stivers
Tor Il ceIts) per week. their earnings for the
HOLIDAYS, when whiz it flies as freely as though
layished tya prince of the blood,i and they enter
upon the rev year with sick heads, debts, and tat
tered fnery, but the pleasing Renaissance that
while the fun lasted 1t was royal.
On New Year morning my curiosity was highly
excited to see Of the dances, for rumors were
current that the negroes were "to run a race
which means one gang of people opposed to another
gang to which could dress best, dance best, and
spend most money. The rivalry was confined to
Oxford and La Grange people, and MAJOR L was to
be umpire. The first step was to choose King and
Queen. The qualification for the office seems to be
based upon The same principle as in more civilized
communities, the candidates being chosen neither
for goodness skll, nor beauty, bu. money and phys
cal strength. The spot selected for the touIna-
ment () was in the open road, about mile from
town. and thiheTw ard from past midnigh! the COL
oIed townsfolk wented their way, to be ready for
The opening scene.
Inthe early morning. the two Kings Queens and peo-
ple met from opposite directions and the tourney was
commenced by the Oxford King throwing, with dig
face OF the La Grange royalty This unexpected
maneuvre, completely routed the unfortunate Kings
plans he was defunct for the rest of the festivities
fol he had expended all his money upon his shirt and
combinations, the shirt being literally covered with
kBots of ribbons of all coofs. His Queen no Yeyer
indicated IN come measure the La Grange honor
her dress OF pink satin revealed shoulders and arms
the color OF brown tobacco !" upon her bosom ne.
posed $40 gold piece, and below thai a doubloon
Her maid of honor held out upon her arms four other
dresses equally neh which the Queen displayed
NFfF her .s,f.r
victory she had obtained piece Of the material of
which the Oxford Queens dress was made and upon
II she ard her companions danced Notwithstand-
ing the magnihceIce OF the Queen, the victory was
rather doubtful, and It was understood that after
they would dance in town, and show themselves 10
everybody, they would settle the disputed question
BY recourse to hsticufs But discretion being the
Better part Of yalor the OXiodonians being escorted
by two police officers maTcheu out OF own surround
ing their King and Queen, WHO were mounted upon
mules, ana left the held TO the La Grangites, who
dtnced in town. from house 70 house. till nj sh, fall.
About 81 o'clock they came TO our house, intending
to come up and dance, but We declined the honor.
AS Was DESTROYS Of seeing the dancing we went
to house where they were performing. AS coon as
they saw US, room made through the dense outer
rlIg for the white ladies' and we were ushered
with extreme poiteness 10 the head OF the room and
seats gwen Us, upon which, for various reasons,
were advised TO mount the reason became more OBJ
vlous 70 me when l Noticed different parties throw
ing with perfect gravity Cologne water over the
darcers Opposite 20 ne was the musician. whose
Il siTument was small cask over the empty head
was stretched sheep sin and on this he beat an
IIdeEcTlbably quick manner with the palms and
wrists OF 10th hands. Two OF the women had small
bells, which they Iung to The beat Of the brum or
gumbee, as II is called but the vocal accompani-
ment, in which dancers and all joined, baff IS de-
scrpton, being combined Of a screech, no wi, some
hall dozen words IN the Curacao diaect-screech--
howl, and so al ipfnlttm. To this rhymned discord
some SIX or eight people were dancing-legs arms
blps and heads In constant notion executing the
=" Gumbee Dance" | could not catch the figure
though It undoubtedly had gone method-the dresses
Ltere sting NE most This King had on rhste satin
smah clothes, cotton stockings, woven embroidery
Shippers, and sort Of sack coat, made of bright
wonderful chntz calico. The Captain reloiced in a
ends OF ribbons and long white ostrich feather nut
In The hat 70 stick out straight behind FIVE dollar
Dill pinned on his shiTtbosom and white pants COM
pleted bis attire. The Queen wore fancy curtain
muslin frock with lilac ribbon run round tie skirt
dafk green buttons up the teans of the waist front
ard rear lace berthe, decorated with steel beads
around her delicate black shoulders amid her shor,
"ooiy 'front.' locks ttng Of steel beads were twned
and compound Of white flowers and pearl bad.
were twisted spon braid Of straight black hair thai
was cnposed. whl.e-lacy fashion, upon the back OF
ner mead gold chain on the neck white mitts and
Ian completed her adomments. After a rttle while
sa" her step OF Of the circle and tired Of The re-
slaII Oh sloes, she slipped hers off and ioir ed III.
cancers IN her stocking soles. After dancing unn.
sseIlupttoiy some twenty minutes, cake and cherry
ulehoy' me customary refreshmen.s were handed
toonu coating and hunting up of missing SHOES
ehtueu some new ones stepped into the circle
eslcIg recommenced, and 80 they went on the
Mhoie cay. On the whole, il was CAPITAL common.
taiy upon modern white ball. the difference being
'eu laughed 81 ae blacks and sympathized with the