The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1871-04-08

in the preservation of its attractions. The
walls were decorated with paintings and
engravings, elegant glass chandeliers and
candelabras were both in the lattice veran-
dab and the parlors, and the polished and
vanished floors almost reflected our forms
as we walked over them. The sitting
room, libraries, and verandahs on both
sides of the house were equally perfect in
all their arrangements and adornments,
whilst the chambers were models of COM
fort and luxury. Each of the chambers,
which were nearly forty feet square, had
attached to them dressing room and bath
room, whilst a free current of air passed
through them from lattice windows on
every side. In close proximity were extern
sive stables, carriage house, billiard saloon,
and Yankee ten-pin alley.
The most recherche apartment in the
house, however, was the dining saloon, the
walls of which were hung with fine tropi-
cal paintings. Here fine collation. awaited
us, which we partook of with excellent
appetite after our long ride. On the table
embracing all the Injuries of tropical life,
fish, fowl and fruit, whilst Mr. and Mrs.
Nunes and their daughters were seated
with their guests, and added greatly to the
enjoyment of the occasion. more ele-
gantly furnished table could not have been
spread even in the abode of Senator Schurz
or Senator Sumner, and surely there could
have been found nowhere in the United
States more courteous and dignified host
and hostess or more highly educated and
refined ladies than the younger members of
the family. Three of the latter subse-
quently performed on the piano, accom-
panied by their excellent and well-traned
voices the Duet in the second act of Norma
and La Traviata, two of the most difficult
and trying pieces of music, which were
rendered with skill that was truly artistic
After taking our leave of Mr.. Nunes and
his interesting family, we paid our respects
to the lady and daughter of Consul Pearne,
residing within the city limits. They are
from Tennessee, and are much pleased
with their residence in the topics. Our
reception was most cordial.
WANT TO BE ANNEXED.
On landing at Kingston we all had an
idea that the Commission and all connected
with it would meet with but little favor
from the subjects of Queen Victoria. On
the contrary, high and low, seemed anxious
to extend to us every mark of kindness
and courtesy. We scattered over the city
in all directions, and on returning to the
ship compared notes as to our recep-
ton. The testimony of kind welcome
was universal, and each had not only
heard expressions of pleasure as to the
prospect of the annexation of Santo
Domingo, but hopes expressed that
it would be the immediate forerunner of
the annexatian of Jamaica also. A day or
two afterwards prominent gentlemen
assured me if the question was put to the
people tomorrow nine out of every ten
and black, would hold up their hands for
annexation to the United States. Others,
and these Englishmen by birth, professed |
their belief in 'manifest destiny" doc |
trlnes, and declared that it would be |
happy day for Jamaica when the Stars and
Stripes tloated over it. These sentiments |
were invariably accompanied by an enthu-
siastic expression of admiration for the |
United States and its people, and denuncia-
ton of the "so-called paternal Govern
ment'' of Queen Victoria. There was no |
effort to conceal their views or to utter |
them in whispers, but the utterance was |
bold and open, on the street corners, in |
stores and saloons, and in private resi-
dences and the articles in the Kingston
papers welcoming the Commission either
intimated or openly expressed these views.
FREDERICK DOUGLASS IN JAMAICA.
The people of Kingston welcomed Mr..
Wade and Frederick Douglass with great
enthusiasm. They had known both as
laborers in the cause of freeing the slaves
of America, and Mr. Douglass rs the fugi-
tive slave. The latter was received and
entertained by both white and colored peo-
pie, and his presence on the street and in
carriages with the Commissioners did much |
1 have no doubt, to satisfy the people here
'sthat equality before the law" means
much more in America than they had any
idea of. He dined at the same table with |
some of the leading white ladies of the !
city, but here in Jamaica it must be re-
membered there are no distinctions except |
those made by the character, department |
and conduct of the man. At the opera |
white and colored ladies were seated in the |
same box, and in taste and elegance of
dress each We'd with the other. 1t was |
generally admitted that the young quad |
rooms were handsomer than the pale faces, |
and they certainly were more modestly
arrayed than many of them, SO far as
shockingly low-necked dresses were con-
cerned. Among the audience was Presi-
dent Geffrard, of Hayti, with his snow
white head and coal black face, surrounded
by bevy of white ladies, with whom he
was engaged in conversation in French.
A >-r,c Mo<rur 1871