, 1880-01-17

differing opinion, that determines, whether
he has a right to intrude it on the public,
and there I think I am able to prove, that
at least the right is not so entirely on the
one side as is generally supposed and
maintained. A real inquiry into the
merits of the question l have never met
with.
First and foremost I beg leave to point
out. that when a body so cautious, care
full and conscientious as the then existing
Danish chancery already, in 1923 rs years
before the commencement of AS destruc-
tive period) found it necessary to advise q
measure quite as much deviating from the
general principles of that time as of the
present mot to speak of the Royal West
India Government) g in order to prevent
an interruption as injurious to the owners
and mortgageholders as for the whole
island, and in order to save even the
negroes IN the Estates against want OF the
means of subsistence one is justified and
bound to take for granted, that it was not
done without having been submitted to
serious and full examination, and that tho
"King,n H. c. the Government, had con-
WINGED himself, that the step was a mea-
sure Gas just as necessary, and in the
interest of III s.concerned0 (ctr. the motives
Of the Plac. Il May 1929 before it
emanated as law. Unless therefore you
dispute the fitness Of the Chancery and
Government altogether to judge OF the
matter, you must prove, that circumstances
have undergone such changes since 1923,
that the measure, which then was neces-
sary and in the "interest of alp concern.
ed, has now ceased to be so, before you
have a right to pass such a peremptory
not only adverse but derisive Judgment
as is done by A. and others with him.
The only change, that could have any
weight in this respect is, as far as | am
aware, the abolition of slavery, but not
even this change is sufficient to prove the
improperly of the institution, ais although
regard to the slaves had been TAKEN, that
WaSnOtthe predominant consideration. Inc
Immediate object was then, as we'll as now,
the preservation of the Estates. VI sui
less consequence is the circumstance, that
the law at the time it issued Ill all prODaD
Iitv only had in view Estates supplies III
kind furnished Icy merchants, while both
fine furnishing of money and the delivery
of this from the Public Treasury only
took place many years afterwards, III con-
sequence partly OF the negro-emanclpatlon,
partly of the influence of the Banks on
commercial intercourse.
In order to be able to decide on q matter
of so peculiar q nature, the first condition
is to be informed of the state OF things, to
which it is applied.
St. Croix has a population of about
$4,000 inhabitants, of which about 40 arc
what is denominated planters. The rest
consists of Estates managers, OyerseerS,
owners of landed properties not IN sugar
cultivation, public f~unctionaries, mechanics,
owners Of houses in the towns, people
engaged in trade, women employed IN
needle-work, servants, children, paupers,
etc. The labourers on Estates with their
families form the greater number; but to
whatever class they belong, all with few
exceptions derive directly or indirectly
their means Of subsistence from 90 sugar
Estates (ab0ut one third Of the original
number). What else is produced ON the
island besides SUGAR and its accompanying
nrodncts. is cattle, horses, sheep, swine
and poultry, besides fruit and vegetables,
which all is consumed in the island itself.
The only market outside is st. Thomas,
and what is sent there is like in proportion.
OF the principal articles of food. of clothing,
and building materials, all, you may say,
is imported from the United States ana
Europe. It is thus clear, that the produc-
tion Of sugar is the vital condition to the
existence of the island; and how $4,000
people can draw their support from 80
Estates is explained by the fact, that
while sugar is a very valuable article, the
production of it is in the same degree
expensive. SO that the proportion between
income and outlay is often dubious. The
expense consists principally in wages to
l:eoao,+ Kinds of amnIOvAS. lahOurorS and