Letters from the West Indies; relating especially to the Danish island St. Croix, and to the British islands Antigua, Barbadoes and Jamaica

Front matter

LETTERS FKOM THE WEST INDIES: RELATING ESPECIALLY TO THE DANISH ISLAND ST. CROIX, AND TO THE BRITISH ISLAND* ANTIGUA, BARBADOES AND JAMAICA. B? SYLVESTER HOVEY, Late Pros, of Math, and Nat. Phil. Amherst College. NEW YORK: GOULD AND NEWMAN. Corner of Fulton and Nassau Sta. 1838.

ADVERTISEMENT.

BY THE COMMITTEE OF THE AMERICAN UNION. The American Union for the Relief and Improvement of the Colored Race was formed in Boston in January, 1835. A principal object in its formation was to col lect and diffuse facts in respect to the condition of slavery and of the African race, whether existing on this Continent and its Islands, or in Africa. One small volume of letters on the more northern of the slave holding States in this country, and also various docu ments, have been published by the Union. Other vol umes have been partially prepared, but the pecuniary embarrassments of the times have prevented their com pletion and publication. The object appears to the Committee as important as ever. Nothing, except the blessing of the Almighty, can be more seasonable than well-authenticated reports of the condition of the children of Africa, especially such of them as are just emerging into the rank and privileges of freemen. If this Society can contribute something, even though it should be limited, towards the diffusion of important

Letter I

To the Executive Committee of the American Union for the Relief and Improvement ofthe Colored Race. Gentlemen, Having determined, in compliance with your request, to visit several of the West India islands, for the purpose of examining the progress of Negro emancipation, the question arose, in what form I could best present to you the results of my investigations. In some respects a preference seemed due to a journal or series of letters, written from day to day, which should record facts and statistics as they were obtained. But having only a short time to devote to the undertaking, and being sufficiently aware of the debilitating effects of a tropical climate, I concluded that I should best accomplish the wishes of the Committee by employing my time and strength, while on the ground, in collecting materials for a Report, which should be written after my return.

This plan has also the additional recommendation, that it will allow the omission of many unimportant details, which would naturally find a place in a journal ; and will permit me to give a more succinct and general view of the whole subject. I regret that a combinationofadversecircumstanc.es, among which was a protracted and severe sickness, has so long prevented the completion of my Report, but as the subject is one of permanent interest, and as light in relation to it is needed as much as ever, I hope that the information which I have to communicate, will not be entirely useless. If I do not misapprehend the state of public sentiment and the wants of the community on this subject, the most acceptable offering which I can present, is a general development of the condition of slavery in the West Indies before emancipation took place ; a brief descrip tion of the two systems which have been adopted at different islands, viz. immediate emancipation and what is usually called the apprenticeship system ; together with the difficulties, and the degrees of success, which have severally attended them in practice.

If the time should ever come, when slavery is to be abolished in this country, and a specific plan of emancipation should be required, the details of systems, which have already been tried with success, cannot be examined with too much care. But at present the public mind has not reached that point. As a community we are yet to be convinced that any system is practicable. To remove this skepticism and prepare the way for active measures, it will be useful to show, that a plan has been success fully adopted in circumstances similar to our own ; and, at the same time, to give such an outline of it, as will explain how it has met and obviated difficulties, which have generally been considered insurmount able. It is not to be denied that the abolition of slavery in a community is a work of no ordinary magnitude.

Wherever slavery is established, it becomes so inter woven with the institutions ofthe country, as apparently to constitute an integral part ; and, at first view, it seems impossible to remove it without tearing down the very frame-work of society. Changes of such magnitude are not ordinarily effected, either in the material world, or in the body politic, without a convulsion ; and it is no wonder if those whose life, and property, and hap piness, are so deeply involved, should pause and con sider, before they venture their all, upon the success of an untried experiment. Slavery is beginning to be considered an evil too intolerable to be borne ; and, at the same time, one from which we cannot escape ex cept by encountering others, little if any less appalling. In such circumstances a single ray of hope, from what ever source it may come, cannot but be welcome.

And any plan for the removal of the evil, which has been found upon experiment in a good degree successful, must be hailed as the appearance of a new star in our firmament, designed by an overruling Providence to encourage hope, and to quicken and guide us in our efforts. With such views of the present condition of our country, and of the importance of any information upon a subject which at present so much agitates it, I ap proach the labor of preparing a Report on the working ofthe new systems of freedom in the British West Indies only with satisfaction. For though it must be granted that much less has yet been achieved than philanthropy could wish, yet it cannot be denied that the results of the experiment are, upon the whole, very encouraging to the cause of freedom. It may be said in general, that most of the evils so confidently predicted, and so long held up as objects of terror in the colonies, have scarcely been felt ; and that such as have actually come, are far less formidable than they appeared to be at a distance.

I have no hesitation in saying, that the general sentiment in the West Indies, especially in the Eng lish islands, is decidedly in favor of emancipation. I am fully of the opinion, that a large majority of the planters, if the question were submitted to their decision, would oppose a restoration of the former order of things. Some of them, indeed, are not fully satisfied with the change ; but they are looking forward to a gradual improvement, and to the final result, with cheerful anticipations. In the plan of my Report I shall follow the order in which I visited the different islands. The great fea tures of slavery are the same throughout the West In dies. The similarity in the soil, climate, productions, in the modes of cultivating the estates, and in the po litical relations of the colonies, gives rise to a striking resemblance in their domestic manners and institutions.

A description of slavery, therefore, on one island, may be applied, with slight modifications, to all the others. As I passed two winters in St. Croix, where I had a favorable opportunity for observation, 1 shall give a more particular account of the system as it exists there, and make this serve as a general delineation of it throughout the sugar colonies. As I was unable to visit all the English islands, 1 selected such for particular examination as appeared to be of the greatest importance. These were Antigua, Barbadoes, and Jamaica. They are among the largest which the English possess, and have long maintained a high rank in the West Indies. Two of them are seats of Episcopal sees, and each has a government of its own. Antigua is one of the two which proclaimed immediate emancipation, and is a favorable place for the trial of that form of abolition.

At Barbadoes the apprenticeship system was adopted, where it is generally allowed to have succeeded better than anywhere else. The same system was also adopted at Jamaica, but it has met there with the greatest opposition and discouragement ; so that at Barbadoes and Jamaica we find the two extremes in the working of this plan. It is universally admitted by those best acquainted with the subject, that these three islands afford, collectively, a fair representation of the two systems, both in theory and practice ; and that conclusions justly drawn from these examples, may be considered of universal application in the West Indies. I make these remarks to show, that, though my particular investigations were confined to a few islands, 'the information which I obtained as to the working of the two systems, may be regarded as general. 1 may also add, that I touched at several others ; and had intercourse with people from nearly every English island, from whom I obtained very satisfactory intelligence.

It gives me great pleasure to bear testimony to the 2* sincerity and frankness in communicating information, which I everywhere found in the English colonies. There is now no reserve or evasion in speaking on this subject. Every man feels at liberty fully to utter his sentiments either in praise or disapprobation of the ex isting order of things. It is, indeed, but a short time since the public mind was keenly excited ; and all the vituperation and menace which self-interest, and preju dice, and over-heated passion could suggest, were poured out without restraint. But the tempest has passed by ; and the public feeling has settled down into a state of comparative tranquillity. Still, however, the deepest concern is manifested in the new systems. Their difficulties, bearings, defects, and general operation, are the common topics of conversation ; and though it may sometimes be perplexing to find what is the prevailing sentiment on a particular point, it is al ways easy to ascertain the opinions of individuals.

I was also happy to observe a noble disposition in those whom I met, to impart whatever knowledge they bad acquired by experience, which might aid others in the same great work. They seemed fully conscious of the magnitude of their experiment, and knew full well the anxieties and fears of those who have in prospect a similar undertaking ; and also the bearing which their example must have upon the ex istence of slavery in every part ofthe world. My task was also greatly lightened by the kindness and hospitality which the West India planters are accustomed to tender to strangers ; and the generosity and noble spirit which I often witnessed among them, have left impressions on my mind, which will not soon be effaced. I could not indeed but regret, that these sentiments should ever be blended with others of a different character — the genuine fruits of the vicious system which they have so long upheld ; but which they have now happily thrown off.

And if, in the course of my remarks, I may feel constrained, in some instances, to speak with severity of what I saw, I hope to be con sidered as entertaining no other sentiments than kind ness and respect for those with whom I had personal intercourse. It is well known that very different accounts have been given of the working of the new systems in the West Indies. Some have declared the experiment an entire failure ; and others have spoken of its success in terms fitted to leave the impression that the negroes have, all at once, emerged from the debasement of slavery in to the condition of a civilized, and intelligent people. Both of these statements are at variance with the truth. A degree of success, most gratifying to the friends of humanity, has indeed crowned the experiment; but much effort and many struggles will yet be required, before the emancipated people can rise to that place in society for which they are qualified by the moral and intellectual nature which God has given them.

These contradictory accounts may easily be explained. In some instances, what has been said and might be true in regard to a particular island, has been applied to all the others. As for example, at Antigua and Barbadoes the experiment has moved on with almost uninterrupted success ; while at Jamaica it was doubtful, for a long time, whether it would succeed at all. To this it must be added that the planters were, from the beginning, so strenuous in their opposition, and so confident that the scheme would fail, that for a long time they resisted the evidence of their own eyes ; and kept up the cry of ' defeat,' till the victory was nearly won. I may also remark, that the reports brought to us by travellers from the West Indies, have been too much tinged by the state of things in the particular island where they were acquainted, or by the opinions of those individuals into whose society they happened to be thrown.

I witnessed, in the course of my own travels, many examples of this kind ; and perhaps it would be vanity in me to suppose that I am myself free from the same fault. I can only say that I have been on my guard against it. Nor could it be expected, that in the West Indies themselves, where, but a short time since, society was agitated almost to convulsions by conflicting interests and opinions, that a uniform sentiment would prevail. The strongest partiality for the old order of things is to be found among those who may be said to constitute the aristocracy of the islands — men somewhat advanced in life, who had become wedded to the former system by long custom, and who were not a little fond of the dignity and power which it conferred. This class made the most determined opposition to the change, and are tlie last to acknowledge its good effects.

Another class, on the other hand, who were active in accomplishing it, are perhaps too much disposed to magnify its advantages, and to form unduly favorable anticipations of the final results. There is still another class, who are attempting to turn the change to their own account in various speculations, whose opinions are, no doubt, influenced by their own interest, and who express, perhaps, greater confidence of its permanent success than either of the other classes. I have made it a point to see leading individuals in each of these classes ; and, by comparing their views and reconciling contradictions, to arrive at a knowledge of the real state of things. It may not be improper for me to say that I am pledged to no party, not being a member even of the society which has honored me with its confidence.

I am neither an abolitionist, a colonizationist, nor a union ist ; but the cause of emancipation, conducted on just and sober principles, has the best wishes of my heart. In collecting information, I have endeavored, as far as possible, to shut out every party bias, and to open my mind freely to such convictions as the clear light of facts should impress upon it. I must acknowledge that I have felt deeply the responsibility of the undertaking ; for I have been more and more convinced at every step, that it is in the light of this great experiment, if in any way, that our own country is to be relieved from th,e enormous evil of slavery. I have therefore endeavored to inquire dili gently into circumstances and events, and to look at them with soberness ; so that, on a subject of such magnitude I may neither deceive myself, nor mislead others, whose opinions and efforts I may be the means of influencing.

Letter II. Danish Islands

ST. CROIX. The Danish Possessions in the West Indies, consist of three islands ; viz., St. Croix, St. Thomas, and St. John. They all lie near together, the distance between the two former being less than forty miles, and the third being separated from St. Thomas only by a nar row channel. They are under the control of a Gover nor General, who resides at St. Croix. This is much the largest and most beautiful of these islands, comprising an area of 85,000 acres ; about one half of which is under cultivation. St. Thomas is estimated to contain about 12,000 acres, and St. John 8,000. St. Thomas is mountainous ; and having comparatively little arable land, owes its importance principally to commerce. The entire population of the three islands was, in 1828, 46,290. So far as slavery is concerned, there is no material difference in their condition.

It is generally supposed to exist here in its mildest form ; and, judging from my own observation, I believe that the slaves are exposed to less cruelty, and are better supplied with the necessaries of life, than they are in most slave countries. As my opportunities for examination were confined principally to St. Croix, my remarks will relate especially to this island ; and, as I have already observed, I shall be more particular in describing slavery here, as, in its great outlines, it will serve as a delineation of the system throughout the West Indies. St. Croix is justly considered the most delightful of the West India islands. In its natural fertility, beauty of scenery, salubrity of climate, and in the facilities for travelling it yields to no other. The invalid, who goes there to escape the rigors of a northern winter, will find not only a balmy atmosphere and a profusion of the or dinary luxuries of tropical countries, but, what is more to " a stranger in a strange land," the sympathy of warm and generous hearts and a noble hospitality.

The population is 25,354 ; of which 19,753 are slaves. The land is devoted almost entirely to agriculture ; and the only production of importance is sugar cane. In consequence, all the bread stuff and nearly all the other provisions, which the people consume, not excepting even salt-fish and salt-meat, are imported. The business of the island is thus very much simplified ; the planter confining his attention principally to the manufacture of sugar and rum, and the merchant and sugar dealer, employing their capital in exporting these products, and, in return, supplying the plantations with provisions and other necessaries. By a government regulation, the plantations were originally laid out in parallelograms, each consisting of 150 acres. In some cases, two or more are now united. For instance the estate called Lower Bethlehem, be longing to Mr. Deforest of New York, consists of six or seven of these ; and is one of the most valuable pro perties in the West Indies.

About two thirds of the land, on sugar estates, are usually under cultivation at the same time ; the remainder either lies fallow, or is devoted to grazing. Each of these estates has attached to it from 150 to 200 slaves, and may be considered as constituting a distinct community. On some commanding situation upon it, will generally be foundja large and elegant stone mansion, occupied by the proprietor, or some one acting in his place, together with convenient out-buildings. Near this, will be seen the sugar works, consisting of the wind mill, the boiling house, tlie curing house, and the distillery ; the two last being often united to the first so as to form two wings. Contiguous to the sugar works are the mechanics' shops and tlie hospital ; and then come the negro huts, or as they might often with propriety be called, the negro village.

These are sometimes crowded promiscuously together ; and in their general appearance, indicate any thing but comfort. But they are often small neat buildings, regularly arranged in lines parallel to each other; and when this is the case, and al! the buildings in the group are neatly painted or white-washed, and the grounds are ornament ed with the Cocoa-nut tree, the Mammee, tlie Thibet, and the Tamarind, the whole view presents an aspect not inferior to that of a pretty New England village. One thing more would render the scene delightful — the knowledge that the tenants of those little buildings were happy freemen, enjoying the blessings to which their intellectual and moral natures entitle them. The negro houses are usually from twelve to twenty feet in length, eight or nine high, and from ten to fourteen wide.

They are constructed of different materials. The walls are often made of stone, and the roof is cov ered with shingles or thatched with cane tops. Walls of mangrove wattle, plastered with clay, are not unfre quent. The windows are mere openings in the walls, closed at night by board blinds. Sometimes the build ing is divided into two apartments, especially if there is a family of children. Every man and woman is en titled to a separate hut. The houses are always fur nished by the occupant, and in the most simple man ner — the furniture consisting usually ofa straw bed, a table, a bench, one or two chairs, and a few cooking utensils. There are extreme cases, in which more or less than I have mentioned may be found. There are two modes of provisioning the slaves in the West Indies — one, by allowing them a piece of land and a half day or more in the week to cultivate it, where they raise vegetable provisions either to use themselves, or to exchange for others which they like better — and the other by an allowance in meal and salt-fish.

The latter method is practised at Santa Cruz. The legal allowance is six quarts of Indian meal and six herrings per week. An equivalent is sometimes given in yams or other vegetables, and in a different kind of salt-fish ; but the most common allowances are those which I first named. In addition to this the slaves have a little spot of ground, from twenty to thirty feet square, where they raise more or less vegetables. They not unfrequently sell a part of their meal and fish and of the vegetables which they raise, or ex change them for meat and clothing, and other things which they prefer. They often keep a few pigs and some poultry, which they can convert into cash ; and sometimes they enjoy the luxury of possessing a poney. Some masters allow them the privilege of cutting grass, and gathering wood, in small quantities, from the plantation, which they are able to turn to ready account in the market.

The slaves receive two partial suits of clothes in a year. For one of these, the men have four yards of osnaburg, a coarse kind of linen cloth, of which they make a shirt and a pair of trowsers — for the other they receive three and a half yards of woollen cloth, which they make into a coat or a pair of trowsers. The women are entitled to a little more osnaburg ; in other respects, their allowance is the same. In the course ofthe year, and especially at the Christmas-holydays, it is customary for the masters to make small presents, either in food or clothing. It may be observed, that few of the slaves are contented with the allowance which they receive from their masters ; but contrive by various extra efforts of their own, to add something to their little stock of comforts. They often appear on the Sabbath in a respectable dress ; but ordinarily, they are dirty and ragged, and too frequently but par tially covered.

Their regular hours of labor are six days in the week, from sunrise to sunset, with the exception of an allowance of three quarters of an hour for breakfast, and an hour and a half or two hours for dinner. This gives an average in that latitude of about ten hours, labor a day. Sometimes they are called out earlier ; and in crop time, those employed about the sugar works, are often obliged to work later ; but the average may be placed at ten or eleven hours. Out of crop time, they are sometimes allowed Saturday as a holiday ; and also two or three days at Christmas. The women are excused from field labor three months before and two months after confinement ; and, even for a longer time, some abatement is made in their task. There is no difference between the men and women either in the kind or amount of work which they perform, ex cept that women are not employed as mechanics or in trades.

The children serve in subordinate capacities on the estates, in watching cattle, cutting grass, driving mules, clearing off cane trash, etc. Their allowance in food and clothing is the same as that of adults, only less in quantity. It is greatly to be re gretted that machinery is not more generally employed. The plough is almost unknown ; and the hoe and tray and bill-hook are nearly all the utensils which are used in agriculture. A large proportion of the proprietors of estates in Santa Cruz are non-residents. In such cases, they usually appoint a person to act in their place, called an Attorney, whose duty it is to superintend the general concerns of the plantation, to sell the produce, purchase provisions, make repairs, and transact all the pecuniary business. The attorney is immediately re sponsible to the proprietor for all monies received and expended ; and is the person with whom he corres ponds in relation to all the affairs of the estate.

The same individual is often attorney for several properties, and of course cannot reside upon them ; but it is his duty often to visit them, and see that they are properly conducted. Subordinate to the attorney, are the managers, and the overseers. The manager has the immediate control of the plantation. He resides upon it — superintends the stock, the cultivation of the land, atid the sugar works ; receives the supplies for the estate from the attorney and distributes them, and delivers to him the produce. He has the entire management of the slaves — attending to their wants, directing their labor, and administering punishment when it is necessary. It is obvious that he fills a responsible place ; and the good order and prosperity of the estate depend, in no small degree, upon his ability and faithfulness.

The most difficult part of his duty is the government of the slaves. When there is a misunderstanding between them and the manager, however absolute his power may be, they often annoy him beyond measure, and greatly interrupt the regular business of the estate. Firmness and consistency, combined with conciliating manners, will however, generally secure their respect and obedience. The principal employment of the overseer is to be 3* with the negroes at their labor, whether in the sugar works or in the field. They call them out in the morning ; see that they perform their task during the day, and report negligences and misdemeanors to the managers. Most of the managers and overseers in Santa Cruz, are foreigners ; and many of them are Irishmen. Their situation exposes them to peculiar temptations, which, though some have sufficient firmness of principle to resist, yet not a few of them lead the most dissolute lives.

The influence of their example is often among the greatest obstacles which the missionary has to encoun ter, in the moral improvement of the slaves. The education and religious instruction of the slaves are, in a very great degree, neglected. The Moravi ans have three establishments, and nearly one half of the slaves of the island are nominally under their charge ; but I fear their labors produce very little effect. The Moravians are highly respected by the planters, and no particular obstacles are thrown in the way of their efforts. But as most of them are unable to speak the language of the island, and as a great part of their time is occupied in providing for themselves the necessaries of life, they can have but little inter course with the slaves, and consequently but little op portunity to instruct them.

The number that attends their places of worship on the Sabbath is small ; and at their evenin ', meetings it is still less. There are also ;wo Episcopal and two Lutheran churches, which are open to the slaves. I was assured, however, on good authority, that not more than a thousand are usually present at public worship on the Sabbath, in all the churches of the different denominations. It must be confessed, that an apathy reigns on this subject at Santa Cruz, which is truly shocking. No means whatever are provided for the education of the slaves. If any of them are taught to read it is merely by accident. Some humane masters and mistresses do, indeed, make efforts in this way ; but they are limited to very few estates, and are, in all cases, exceedingly partial and inadequate. I never heard of but one individual being employed to instruct slaves on the estates ; and he was a very worthy free negro, who confined his instructions to religion.

Still, however, it is understood, that the government of Denmark is in favor of the education and moral elevation of the slaves in their colonies. Indeed the Governor General has proposed plans, not only for their instruction, but their gradual emancipa tion ; and it is certain that he manifests a very praise worthy disposition to redress their grievances and ameliorate their condition. He has already done much to lighten their heavy burdens. But nothing of any importance can be accomplished, toward the religious improvement of the slaves in Santa Cruz, till the Sunday market is abolished — that foul disgrace upon a community which calls itself Christian. According to the present arrangement the slaves have no other time to cultivate their little patches of ground, and to bring their products to market, than the Sabbath.