, 1884-09-10

for instance l find a Mr.. Coakley settling
here about 10 years after the date of the
occupation: he is mentioned as an excel.
lent planter having a fine property, doubt
less castle Coakley." Then a few years
later l find Peter de Nully mentioned, a
gentleman whose d~escendlntS till quite
recently owned property in the island.
1t would no doubt be easy for 4 person
having the necessary leisure and having at
the same time access to the archives to
compile a history of the island during the
past $50 years. So far as my leisure has
permitted me to look into the past history
OF the island, it seems clear that it is IL
mistake to suppose that there was ever
any golden age for st. Cloix, a time, that
IS, when gold flowed in upon the planters.
On the contrary, the island seems always
TO have suffered from similar evils to those
which 1T has had to endure in recent wears.
There were dry seasons then as now. I
1lnd tOr instance that III the three wears
from IIS9 to 1891 dry weather prevailed.
anu III the last named year the crop
amounted to only 5000 h0gSheads of sugar,
although there was then d population OF
$4,000, and $4,000 acres of land were under
cultlYatlon. Again, i'll 1900, only a few
years later, | find the crop as low as 5000
hogsheads. We see, then, that the dry
seasons OF that time were as severe as III
recent times. There were also monetary
crises IN those early days something like
what atttlCt us now. And then an to
labour, where it might be thought there
was no difficulty, all the labourers being
slaves, there was trouble, not of course on
account OF the wages question as now. but
because the slaves frequently ran away.
An instance even occurred where the whole
OF the slaves on a plantation ran away
III one night and got safely off to
Porto RICO, III consequence of which the
property III question had to be sold.
When we reflect on these things and
remember moreover what the island has
suffered at different times from hurricanes.
earthquakes and riots, it must be conclud.
ed that st. CrOiX has a remarkable degree
OF vitality, and therefore it is that we all
feel that the island Will also SURVIVE the
present crisis, severe as it is. In its nhv.
slcal features, III fact III its whole ex-
ternal appearance, ST. Croix is a beau
tltul island, and SO pleasant a place
OF residence, that all who have lived
mere remember IL with the most kind
~ feelings and with love. would
Ike TO make one mark as to our future.
hnd that III the French time the island
Is sad to have been cultivated in cotton. to-
bacco and indigo as well as sugar. and again
III the time OF our own colonization it is
certain that cotton was a very cOnsidera-
bic article OF export. Gradually, how
ever, 1t gave way to sugar, which for
many years past has been the only impor-
tant product of the island. Under present
circumstances 1t might be advisable to
consider whether cotton or some other
staple could not be grown as we'll as sugar:
1t IS at least desirable that the planters
should have two strings to their bow.
However that may be, the vitality which
the island has hitherto shewn leads us to
hope that 1t will survive the present
dlttlcultleS, and that although q dark
cloud now lowers over our heads, it may
gradually clear away and reveal a brighter
prospect. Gentlemen, to the Future of
ST. Cloix.
After responding to this toast the guests
We're invited by His Excellency to partake
OF some r~etreshmeIt, and an agreeable
hour was passed in the enjoyment of the
good things provided and in conversation
OH past, present, and future.
His EXcellency read at the conclusion
OF his speech II telegram from friends of
st. Croix in ST. Thomas with good wish
es for the islands future, and in regard
to which His Excellency said he was sure
that all present would join him in thanking
the SenderS.
The ball in the evening was quite a sue
cess. The uppermost story of the School
house and the staircase were beautifully