New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-07-30
Abolition Of Slavery In the Datoh Colonies
Translated for THR TRIBUNE
Correspondence Of the Independence Beige July g.

Translated for THR TRIBUNE
| Corrsspon dence Of the Independence Beige July g.
How many times during tho past twelve years
have had occasion to entertain you with plans for
the emancipation of the slaves in the West Indies
All these plans have more or less failed because the
Minister'S who during this period succeeded each
other were too much concerned about the interests
of the Colony, and too little about those of the
groes. In other words, they had 10 confidence in
the success of the enterprise. They were afraid
that the negroes, once emancipated would leave the
Colony as was the case in French Guiana. Thus it
happened that one Minister was only willing to lib.
crate the children Of the slaves; another wished TO
unite them 10 colonies, and TO compel them to work,
| that is to say, give them only half liberty.
This one proposed to make the slaves pay the price
Of their emancipation that one proposed a strict
superintendence of the State over the cmancipated
negroes moi to speak of the project to establish
bank at Surinam, which should receive two-tlirds Of
the indemnity to be paid to the owners. This idea,
excellent in itself because it was to prevent the
enormous capital of emancipation from entirely leav-
Ing the colony, had nevertheless no more chance OF
success than the project Of appropratng or buying
the plantations with the negroes.
In this question: as in others, the Government
instead of marching ahead of public opinion, per-
United one concession after another TO be wrested
/ from il. The majority of the second Chamber, tired
of all these tergversations at length declared that
/ it demanded an immediate liberation, limited gu
perintendence, and an naturalization to the own-
ers Of the slaves.
/ In consequence of such precise declaration, the
former Minister of the Colonies presented two bills,
providing for the emancipation Of the slaves ut
/ Sulinam Curacao and other Islands depending upon
them. The new plan was based on four fundamental
principles: ]. Immediate liberation; .. Superin-
tendence limited to ten years; 3. Naturalization OF
800 forms for every slave; 4. Immigration Of free
laborers at the expense of the State.
| During eight days the chamber has discussed the
fret project that Of Surinam, which is the most i'm
poTtani. We must say to the honor Of the Dutch
Legislature it showed unanimously the greaiest pos
sible sympathy for the poor negroes who have been
so long fatered with the hope Of being soon hber-
ated If there was any contest, il arose from.tbe
desie of every orator to make the law as liberal az
possible. Mr.. Van Bose caused the adoption of sev
eral amendments which considerably improve the
law. Tie Minister Of the Colonies, in bis turn,
showed that this time there was serious iDten.
ton to solve the question. Therefore he made
10 great objection to accepting such amendments Us
90 not subyer the principles Of the law, and espe-
cialy that presented by Mr. Van Bose TO authorize
the Government of Surinam To liberate from the
pen rtendence Of the Government those slaves who
.honlo distinguish Themselves by good conduct.
En.cd,aged by this good understanding between
tie Govern nent and the Legislature, the Second
Chamber lsy to-day voted the abolition Of Slavery,
and the libera1on of tie slaves in the Dutch colonies
to TIE paee on July LIST next. You already know
TINT after thu daie the slaves will be held to labor
but they will BE- flse 10 choose their masters, md in
no case. VIII days work las, longer Than eight
hours.