The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-08-20
oUR ST THOMAS CORRESPONDENTS.


oUR ST THOMAS CORRESPONDENCE
81 THOMAS, W. L., July 25 1855.
IA, H.,,ieane Season-Yeiow Etrcr-commeee-
pag-Free Negroes, dc.
ma j the first day Of the hurricane Tonight
everybody (your correspondent only excepted will
hook bolt and bar all their doors and windows and the
process viii be repeated every night (clear cloudy
anita the 25th day Of October during which period
one breath Of air will lie permitted TO penetrate to the
clammy fevercd brow of an inhabitant Though
eighteen years have elapsed the island has vi
sed by hurricane, tornado whrlwind, yet the resi-
dent. in the hottest part of the year condemn
themselves annually to a hot bed prison. from which
hsy emerge each msrping with sweat in clammy drops
their limbs oerspreadn and custom fear is so potent
that they prefer swelter and stink rather than open
their blinds TO admit the breathing airs from ocean
born" We, however, even at the risk Of an action OF
cec.ment rom !andord-who fears the roof Of his
house will be carried o-preier be blown away rather
than he smothercd to death.
The yellow fever has prevailed here very con side
able extent for the past two months. Many stran-
gers visiting the island have fallen victims
amongst others a Miss Emily c. smith OF your
city who seems to be deeply regretted by the
American population. The greatest fatality occurred
however, amongst the shipping and soldery the minis
try has aot been exempt and the people called upon
10 the loss Of the Catholic bishop and Danish par
son. bota Of whom wonderfully popular with their
respective congregations. The physicians however
r. the disease fast disappearing from the island the
psicn,s both hospitals and at the barracks
eing aud there have been but three four
in the week that the disease scarcely be
regarded rs IN epidemic.
The island is unusually dull even for this dull scason
Almost every person who could leave has gone either to
America or to Europe and strangers venture nthe
he U1aah arl. tno snpyn
80 deserted there being but two American vessels in
port-the lark Emily OF Baltimore Capt Etchberger,
snc the brig Addy swift, Of New York, Capt. Foster
Moat Of the foreign officials are also absent however
called on Consul this morning, whom found at his
ptce looking well ana pleasant as though breath
ing his native air in good old kentuck.i
tluc no had visited It. Thomas during the past win
IT, when everybody seemed occupied with trade-whan
eery storehouse c.ammed and every wharf seemed
goan with s vast loud of dry goods and provisions
nd the presented the appearance Of forest of
pars would be surprised TO find the perfect apathy
which peryades every department of commerce; bat this
Is natural 10 resident the appearance OF winter
sptiDg, summer or iall TO you, for the asons
DISTINCTLY and only known here by the fluctuations in
tsde-tha range Of the Thermometer being only about
twenty dgrecs trcm the coolest winter to the hotties
Summer day. Bat As shipping disappears, and com
nerce apguishes the hoard OF lazy dirty raggei ne
gro beggsTs increase. Alas what cruelty has been
wrought by has,y unwise legsa ion The mis-.
guided philanthropy which caused the act Of eman-
iy and Intelligence, by which the barbarism OF the
Danish West India would he sotened and refined
terconverng happy slaves into free for ol the
twelve thousand negroes in the island OF ST. Thomas it
may he safely estimated that not oneourth
gagged at labor Of description and that they have
deeene ated lar below their former standard is melan
choiy fact and vet the negroes OF st. Thomas are in
better condition than those oil most Of the neyhbor:ng
lrlauda-but more on this subject in my next.
july o. 1855.
Tic Br.;is. brig Ada, bound for New York. by which
expected 10 dispatch the above note detained here
unti to-day, in consequence OF the illness OF the
who died yesterday Of yellow fever 1t gives grca
pleasure however to that the yellow fever has
Amos: entirely disappeared from the island this
beng the only reported during the past week
line aiay has been much greater than had supposed.
The Marine and Strangers Hospital report in months
two ht nd cd and fortyive cases, Of whom oneh
died (nearly all seamen) There hvnired and
i,v Sodies in barracks One hundred and twenty
ATTACHED OF whom thirty died. To these may be ade
loss.
The physicians say all the patients in garrison
hospital and sitv with two three exceptions. arr
convaescent; and confidently hope that in very few
days the island will become healthy--hat contdenc
will be res.oredthat clean bills OF health will he freely
issued by the foreign Consus and that the city will
present some appearance OF business st. Thomas unit
within two three years, the most healthy Of tn
West india Islands since which time IL has been
visited by yellow fever md by cholera; and il is
singular that the former attacked only whites and
the latter exclusively blacks We hope to select
pleasant subject for our next communication