New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-07-19
VISIT TO ST. cRoX. mo. WIN.


condition and prospects OF tno o"""o'Pasoe
blacks. The people on the estates are blacks,
pure African negroes, with all the decided char
acteri,tics Of that race, the woolly head, low
forehead, fat nose, thick lips, and black greasy
akin. One notes at once between them and the
people in the towns, particularly in st. Thomas,
a marked difference ia this respect. The ma
jority Of the latter from intercourse with the
whites possess as many physical characteristics
of the European as Of the African. have often
seen females with skin slightly dsrkened, yet
with the straightest hair, with delcately cut
features. with siDgularly refined expression OF
cepntenauce, and altogether an airy, spiritual
dreamy type Of beauty, both in form and face,
Of which the pure white can scarcely boast.
II may not be known to some Of your read
ers that in the West Indies there is distlnc-
ton almost as wide as that of race, between
Mack and eolored At home colored is the sofs-
ened designation for one WHO'S not white. Not
40 here. To call black, that is a pure negro,
coIored, or a colored person black, is a mortal
ofense. Whoever has particle of white blood
ia eolorrd. And these again are subdiyided into
mulattoes, sambos, grifs, mustis, and believe
still others according to the cross; which dis
tinctions, incapable of discernment by the
whites, are yet carefully marked in the eye Of
the people.
But the estate people of whom l speak are
black-there may be a few mulattoes-and these
are stout healthy class, with broad chests,
tall forms, and fully developed shoulders and
limbs st. Croix boosted the finest set of slaves
i'm the West Indies. There are about 1900
attached to the estates.
Generally the same persons remain on the
estates where they have been slaves. Never
was there a more conservative and laudable
movement for emancipation than was made here
successfully in 1e4e When they rose they went
in large bodies TO the public authorities and said
"Giye us our Freedom" Three thousand in the
dusk Of evening were sweeping with heavy tread
through the street, with an Ominous silence and
armed with various weapons. lady stepped out
on her balcony and demonstrate with them against
violence. The response, Numbered foIth IN con-
cert from that crowd bearing the marks of ages of
oppression and wrong, was simple and sublime;
"Mssis, we want to hurt nobody. Freedom we
"want, and Freedom te uiU hare" Hence when
their demands were acceded to, after day or two
of wild reyel in which they did not assault the
property of their former masters but visited their
depTedations on some neighboring estate, they re-
turned quietly to their former homes and TO steady
labor. They even, in some instances, went to the
forts and shipping where their masters with their
families had taken refuge,tO invite them to return,
with the sincerest assurances OF security. They
seem bound to their brthplaces by personal regard
for their superors and acquaintances aud also by
strong local attachments The privilege of burial
in the ground attached to the estate, that their
dust may mingle with that of their kindred and
friends, is a strong tie. When they have left
they frequently return to beg the favor of deposit
ing the bodies of their deceased in the hallowed
soil
The Labor Act" organizing the free system Of
labor, decreed by the Danish Government and rig
idly enforced in this Island, is much to be COM
mended for its wisdom and beneyolence both TO-
ward the people aud proprietors. Indeed the
whole historical relation OF Denmark with the sub
iect Of Slavery deserves the attention, and think
will command the admiration, of practical emanci-
pationsts BY that act the abOrers while receiving
lust remuneration for their toll are yet compelled
to work while they remain in the Island. They
may change their place Of labor once year-the
1st of UctOber-by giving months previous no |
tice The people are thus prevented from becom-
ing uneasy and discontinued, while the planters |
are secured from irregularity in the supply of Ia
Dor Changes are rare at the seasons specified.
Fifteen cents day is the pay of 6rst-class hands,
ten of the second, and five Of the third. Children
too young to work are not included; the parents
have TO support them. Even after they are old
enough to be employed in light tasks, from five to
nine they are obliged to attend free schools three
hours in the day One-third Of the wages is paid |
in provisions, which is to their advantage. They |
have mapy privileges about the estate by which |
their income is increased small cane piece |
is allotted them which they work in common,
having the proceeds. They have free houses
They may raise bananas, oranges and various veg
etables in the yards adjoining their houses to sell
in town. The markets are principally supplied
with poultry OF their raising. Where there is
wood on the estate they are allowed TO cut and
sell it in town. Pigs they also raise for their own
use or for sale. They permitted to keep ponies
and many own them.
To enable them to dispose Of their produce and
make their little exchanges and purcha es, Satur-
day Is free day. None are obliged to work then
unless they choose; and If they do, they receive,
ms have already said, five cents extra to their per
diem wages. BY this arrangement they increase
their receipts, and the majority choose to work on
Saturday.
Altogether they are a comfortable. happy, care
less set of people II Is stereotyped remark here
thatthey are the happiest peasantry in the world;
and am inclined to think that so far as mere ami
nal comfort is concerned, the remark has some
truth. They have good houses, surrounded by
pleasant and productive grounds. They have the
means of clothing themselves suitably and well.
On Sundays and holidays they are dressed neatly
and lastly They can provide themselves with
abundance of good wholesome food They vary
their diet from the corn meal and herring shared
out to them. with fresh fish brought along daily,
salt provisions and other varieties which they get
in the market on Saturdays. Often they take their
meal to market and exchange it for something
else There, too, if they like, they can get fresh
pork or beef and veal for little charge. And not
only can they supply themselves with good pro-
visions, but the Creole cookery would tempt an
eDicurc.