Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-05-12
THE ISLAND OF ST. TIIOMAS-ITS
POPULATION AND TRADE--SANTA
ANNA--THE OBJECT OF SENATOR
SEMAVD'S VISIT.

4 correspondent Of the Cincinnati Enqn-
rcr gives the following interesting particu-
lars OF the Island of st. Thomas:
The town is built on three mountains or
rather cones and looks very attractive with
its white houses and red roofs, all freshly
PAINTED, as a prcCaution against the dreadful
cncmv-chocra. There is no produce OF
any kind raised in the island; but, being a
free port, much seaGaring business is done,
and the people are entirely supported by the
omplovment the vessels give, and the neces-
sary traffic that the arrival of 50 many
strangers gives rise to. Convcrslng with
the hotcl-kccpcr, b" said IT was not always
81. When hc first moved 20 the Island,
sugar of a first rate quality was raised, but
since the abolition of slavery, IN 1913,
believe. nothing had been planted, and all
attempt to cultivate the plantations had been
abandoned \ small number, mostly mu-
lattucs, are educated, and seem to be ambl-
tious: but generally the negroes Will not
work. They help TO load YES sells with coal,
and many hang around the wharves ana
hotels. getting enough from strangers to iced
them and they live in miserable huts, a
many rs ten sleeping IN one small room.
Indeed IL Is easy TO see that tins $50, lor the
streets were crowded with loungIng men and
women. some suuatted on the ground with n
tray filled with pine apples, bananas, etc,
which they offered for sale, and many saun-
trriur listicsslv about, doing nothing. The
laughing. talking quarreling and noisy geS-
tcnlation which went on all day, and which,
toward night, amounted almost to a riot,
bc,,rars description. And thus wherever
the experiment of freedom and equal rights
with the whites has been tried tins uniortu-
uolc race seems to be rctrograding instead
or advancing i'm the scale of civilization.
Seated i'm the piazza Of our hotel, we en-
loved the rest of the day on land. The beau
tiGI bay stretched out before our eyes, the
garden below filled with tropical plants and
flowers. all was strange, but lovely. In tho
afternoon we drove in an open carriage
drawn hv two creole ponies, the only horse
used here. small and miserably poor, but un'
firing and very strong. Our driver, an M
telligent negro, who evidently considered
himself one Of the aristocracy, talked lnces'
sanity. and pointed ont all the sightS-bIu'
HearTs Castle in the distance and SAINT;
Annals house on the middle hill just below
tbe Governors residence. Here tn old
Mexican hero and ex-prcSident spends ms
DAYS in iccntiouS dissipation, and with hi
ilI.rnttcn gain of 100000 lives withou
doing GOOD 10 himself or his fellow men
our coachman said he often fought IN
cr,pe cocks with the Generals on Sunday
and had won many a doubloon from him.
Mr. Stewards recent visit TO this island ha
i,,.o.,,1 II With new interest While many
,bouobt that he came specially 10 see SAINT
Anna IL is more generally surmised that }
Is ,be real wish the United States TO pur
chase the island from the Danes, or to max
g., treaty with them. that would IN realli
Give her the same advantages a. poSSesNi"i
Iprlnnd and France know the power tina
tb,ir colonial islands give them over all IN
world and particularly over the ldlee
State. Datting the ocean is they do, !
every part of the world, they ma he Said
carry their wind with them, for uey haV
their deput- for coal and supplies ever,
where. If at war with the United Stale
ENGLAND, for example, could furnish her We
scls.with coal at Halifax, at the bermnua
at Nassau. and all the islands belonging
the friendly powers Of France and span
while the United States would pronaolE nav
10 transport all that she had from her oN
shores Seward is too tar-seing Statesnl'
NOT 10 cndcavor TO supply thus want al
would therefore gladly possess cNH one
tnczc little islands which lie clustered log
Their in these Southern seas.
Urov the subject Of the recent iran1h'
act passed by the Legislature OF Ienne''e
the Washington Chronicle says:
The importance Of this act cannot be owe
estimated Passed by the President "'
State At a time when he is endeayoring
persuade the country that his policy Is
anlv one calculated 10 restore peace al
harmony. it is peculiarly significant a
win confirm the people Of the North IN th' n
belief that Congress has, from the hrSt p'
aued the only true course, one which Z
severed in, will finally bring the oe"n y
,riumphautly out af all IL trials;
massage Of the franchise bill by the lehi,
see Legislature Is a direct rebuke 70 90, !,
drew johnson from his own state IN
while he is endeavoriug 10 have the reSis
law Of Maryland repealed, in order TO thr
that State into the hands OF the re'ui'
rebels. Tennessee declares that those y
aided the rebellion and are now WITHIN
borders have forfeited their political rls