, 1881-12-21

~ ' OOONS OoO l"O P1NA
tiers had not given up their idea of leav-
ing the island. They seized his vessel
and compelled him to sign their despatch
for any part of the world they might select.
They were honorable enough to pay in
cotton, tobacco and other produce for the
vessel and cargo which they carried away.
Two hundred passengers left by that
vessel. and they have never been heard of
since.
Once a rumour from Indians reported that
that they had reached the Brazilian
coast. NJ. de Poincy, not seeing his vessel
return, sent a slOOp to enquire about her.
The captain of the sloop found the remain
der of the colony quite disheartened, and
Governor de Ia Motto broken Town with
grief almost all were only watching an
opportunity to escape. The Captain tried
to cheer every one as we'll as he could,
secured his sloOp, gave freely the pro
visions he had on board, promised to
return soon with help, and sailed for st.
Kits with Governor de la Motto.
NJ. de Poincy although afflicted by those
sad reports, concealed his anxiety, received
Chevalier de la Motto kindly, and at once
sent q fine young gentleman called Dubois,
to replace him. The commission that he
gave him is dated 1868. This new COVER
nor, a courageous and kind young fellow,
took a great interest in the welfare of this
Island; he established a packet between
st. Croix and st. Kits, in order to keep
the place constantly supplied, and to return
produce, gaVe a free access to French YES
sis, encouraged immigration, removed the
inhabitants to a healthier and more CON
venient place, and finally contributed so
largely to the development of this Island,
that the Grand Master of the order of
Malta, at the death of the Bailly de
Poincy, confirmed his appointment.
All that til. island required was priests,
and on account of its unhealthy reputation,
none would come. Finally NJ. de Poincy
applied to Father Fontaine, apostolic
Project and Superior of Dominicans, and
obtained Rev. du Bots and Rev. LIE Clerc,
who came in 1863. .
The Island enjoyed peace, the planters
We're doing well, exporting largely sugar
cotton, tobacco, indigo, &c. when a deci-
sion from the Court came suddenly and
ruined the country. 1t is difficult to
discern thereaSons which caused the Island
to be abandoned. 1t had been established
for sixty years, was then in its most
tlourishing state, had cost a considerable
number Of lives and enormous sums of
money. 1t is a general and almost infalli-
ablerule that those who first clear a land do
not reap the fruits Of their labOur,
because they are attacked by dangerous
and most frequently fatal diseases. Indeed,
nothing is to bemOre feared than the eXhala-
lions arisingfr0m newly discovered, cleared,
and cultivated lands. However with the
cisternS that were built uponall Estates, the
general health had improved considerably.
But the misfortune of st. Croix was to be
compelled to sell her sugar and other
productions to the Danes of the island of
st. Thomas, in order to provide herself
with Indispensable supplies, which could
not be had otherwise, as French vessels
during the war, could not venture so far
out, without running the risk OF being
taken by the enemy. That absolute need
to have to deal with a foreign market,
served as a pretext to the low and selfish
interests of collectors of customs, who
complained that the shipping of produce to
a Danish port diminished considerably
their income. They made a crime of it
against the poor planters, and seized an
opportunity to recommend a petition OF the
Governor of Sto. Domingo, (Haity) who
e~ndeavoured to increase his colony at the
expense of others.
1 have heard from several respecta-
BILE planters, who preferred to return
to windward rather than to remain
in Sto. Domingo, that three men OF war
having arrived at st. CrOix, a Royal order
was published, compelling all the mhabl
tants to embark with their luggage, III
order to establish themselves at Sto.
Domingo, where land would be given to
everyone, according to his means.