The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1858-09-02

7. cannot answer that question.
8. Job work is currently resorted to; but
when it is required out OF crop, day labor of
nine hours is frequently done.
9. The estates are under much higher and
more extensive cultivation since emancipation.
10. cannot answer that question.
IL. There is, / believe, but one opinion on
this subject-that the freedom of the slaves has
proved great blessing to ali classes, except in
the case of the poor whites. = -
IL. have never heard OF any act ofrevenge.
Is. think they do.
Il. About an. average of onethird of the
time, including Saturdays, except during the
required, for which they are paid extra.
Is. In most cases, hoaees are Furnished on
the estates,at q rent of from ten to twenty cents
per week, bat there seems great desire on the
part of the laborer to put up his own house on
the allotment which he rents from the estate.
Is. The laborers pay no taxes except In
cases land they are many where they have
purchased lands or houses apart from the
estates. ~
II. When the property amounts to qualif.
cation, they vote Is any other free man. 80
l8. There is no doubt that, as . mass, the
lsborers have greatly benefited by emancipation.
They are more honest, more cleanly IN their
habits, industrious, more attentive to the forms
of religion, and With strong desire to ont
ward responsibility of appearance. toi
-. The poor whites Of the island have been
the only sufferers from emancipation. Not be-
ing used to field labor, they we're dependent on
that OF their one or two slaves to cultivate the
few acres of land, say from two to ten, frsm
whence they derived their support. All these
small holdings have either been bought up
and added to the estates, or been cut up and
sold ont in one and two acre lots TO the labor.
ers. Mach restitution has resulted TO that
class in consf quence, and nothing has been
done, by legislative enactment or otherwise, to
ameliorate their condition. -. rF
SAMUEL j. EDGHILL.
Constant Plantation, Barbados. a
FROM REV A. CLEMENS,
Aorauian Missionary. y, ~,
/ SHARON MISSION HOUSE, BARBADOS,
January rs, 1858.
DEAR Sir: Want of time forbids me 10 give
you q minute and lengthy reply to your several
questions. / beg leave to state few facts
only that have come under my notice during
two years. residence in this island, and thus 10
add my humble testimony to that of others, a.
to the blessings which have followed that noble
triumph of philanthropy, the emancipation of
the negro slaves.
We have four churches in this island, which
are generally we'll filled on the Lords Day.
mostly by people of the lower classes, among
whom we professedly labor. The cottage lee
lures we hold both on the Sabbath and on week
day evenings, are also well attended. It 10
true that there 10 Q want of fixed moral prin-
ciples among the colored population of the
II 80 IS Ia 4 h.. .,xAo
our spiritual care at our four stations, not o
few are leading an honest and steady life, in
spite of the many temptations they are sur
rounded with. 81.
We have sixteen schools connected with our
several stations, attended by upwards Of 1900
children, both juvenile and infant, who are in
structed in reading, writing, and ciphering, and
are taught tie knowledge of Gods holy Word
Many of these show very good abilities, and
seem to take pleasure in learning. About one
half are able to read their Bible. Although
some of the laboring people seem altogether
Indifferent as regards the moral and religious
training of their offspring, yet the majority are
anxious to give their children some education,
and art proud of those who have got " some
learning" as they say. Hardly any CT our
people keep their children altogether from
school, although some are rather irregular in
| ochuibS tuOuiy 90 tucy hiO Jul wv ICoOy W al
low any domestic engagement to interfere with
the duties of the school.
| / believe that there is not the least doubt,
that great change has taken place since the
day of emancipation, for the better, both as
regards the religions condition of the island
generally, and the emar cipated classes in par
ticular, as we'll as the state of education. The
number of churches and chspels is increasing
schools are multiplying, and many of these,
seen after their being opened, are filled with
happy and industrious children. Infant schools,
which are being established in different par
iians in this leland, are likely to prove very
beneficial TO the rising generation.
1t will certainly require some years to come
yet, before the deep-seated evils of Slavery will
be rooted up, and the blessings of Liberty be
fully developed. Still, however slow the sd-
vancement may be, l think it is sure and there
is nothing in the character of the people, once
enslaved, now free, which will preclude them
from eventually becoming partakers of the
same privileges and blessings, both social and
religious, which other nations enjoy under the
bright beams of the Sun of Righteousness.
have the honor to be, dear sir, yonr ODE
dent servant AUG. CLEMENS,
MorapiGa Missionary.
Charles Tdppan, Esq. Barbados.