The Virgin islands of the United States of America; historical and descriptive, commercial and industrial facts, figures, and resources

Front matter

B

c

H

Preface

The little group of fifty or more islands in the Caribbean that were generally designated as the Danish West Indies from March 30, 1666, to March 31, 1917, have experienced varying vicissitudes of fortune during the past two hundred and fifty years. Periods of opulence and plenty and seasons of want and misery have alternately visited them; years of great commercial activity, when the port of St. Thomas became known to the world as '* The Emporium of the Antilles," were followed by decades when the visiting merchant ships became an inconsiderable and almost a negligible quantity. The islands, owing to their peculiar geographical position and the unusual advantages offered by their harbours, have been both a bane and a blessing to warring nations; and evil and good reports have spread regarding the character of the inhabitants and their conditions of life.

Columbus included these islands in the Virgin Group which he named after St. Ursula and her virgins. He may have given saintly names to all the fifty, but with the exception of the three large land areas, the islands bear the marks of the buccaneers and other terrors of the Spanish Main, rather than those of the saints, in such titles as Rum Island, Dead Man*s Chest, Salt Water Money Rock, Fallen Jerusalem, Flanagan's Pass, and the like.

Few sections of the world provide more interesting material for the writing of books, but comparatively vi Preface

little use has been made of this material up to the present time. In view of the recent importance attached to these islands, an attempt has been made in this volume to convey, by photographic reproductions as well as by descriptive accounts, some idea of their more salient features in respect to natural beauty, merits as health resorts, and, especially, commercial and industrial conditions and potentialities.

For much of the data employed in the compilation of the historical and descriptive parts of this work, indebtedness is hereby acknowledged to the writings of the late Dr. C. E. Taylor, Rev. John Knox, and Dr. P. E. Kalmer. Recourse was also had to the valuable report upon the resources and commercial importance of the Danish West Indies prepared by Special Agents H. G. Brock, Philip S. Smith, and W. A. Tucker, of the Bureau of Foreign and Domestic Commerce, as well as to other publications issued by the American and Danish Governments. Particular thanks are due to the photographers who so willingly rendered assistance in the collection of the many excellent views which are shown herewith and which are certain to enhance greatly the value of this first comprehensive treatise on the Virgin Islands of the United States of America.

In conclusion, this work is respectfully dedicated to the kind-hearted people of St. Thomas, St. Croix, and St. John, whose generous hospitality and delightful friendship will always be dearly cherished by their devoted friend and ardent well-wisher.

Luther K. Zabriskie.

St. Thomas, Virgin Islands of the

United States of America

April 14, igi7

Contents

CHAPTER

I. — Early History of St. Thomas .

II. — Question of Purchase by the United States

Index

ILLUSTRATIONS

» PAGE

Town and Harbour of St. Ihomas . Frontispiece

Government House, St. Thomas ... 4

Government Hill from King's Street, St. Thomas 4

St. Thomas Harbour as Seen from Orkanshullet Island ........ id

Photo by Cla^e E. Taylor

Charlotte Amalie and Orkanshullet Island as Viewed from "Nisky" 10

The Barracks, St. Thomas . . . .16

The ioi Steps Leading to Blackbeard's Castle 16

Blackbeard Castle, Dwelling House, St. Thomas 18

Bluebeard Castle, Dwelling House, St. Thomas 18

His Excellency, Governor L. C. Helweg-Larsen, K. D 22 ix

X Illustrations

PAGE

Inside the Fort, St. Thomas .... 28

Landing Place at Frederiksted, St. Croix . . 36

Mt. Eagle, as Seen from Cane Bay Estate . 36 Photo by A. Ovesen

The Lagoons, St. Thomas 40

Bluebeard's Castle from the Government House 42

Bluebeard Castle, St. Thomas .... 44

View over the Open near "Slob" Estate, St.

Croix 50

View over "Bethlehem" New Works, St. Croix 50

Emmans, Moravian Mission, St. John . . 54

East End Settlement, St. John ... 54

A Chapel in St. John 56

Photo by W. J. Ryan

A Shepherd and his Sheep .... 56

Photo by W. J. Ryan

Buck Island Lighthouse 60

Entrance to St. Thomas Harbour ... 62

Illustrations xi

PAGE

Wharves of the Hamburg-American Line, St. Thomas ........ 62

Signal Station, St. Thomas .... 64

Floating Dock, St. Thomas . . . . 64

Dock and Wharves of the West Indian Company 68 Huge Coal Crane Laid Low by Hurricane . 68

Hon. C. H. Payne, American Consul at St. Thomas FOR Fourteen Years ..... 72

Dr. Viggo Christensen, whose Suggestion Gave Rise to the Name ''The Virgin Islands of the United States of America" .... 72

Photo by Funker Jensen

View over West Indian Company's Plant after the Hurricane 72

Hamburg-American Line Office Building . 78

Coal Women in St. Thomas .... 82 Cane Gatherers 82

Government House, Christiansted ... 86

The "Herald" Printing Office, Christiansted 90 xii Illustrations

PAGE

Marines from the "Valkyrien" Marching

THROUGH FrEDERIKSTED, St. CrOIX . . 9O

King's Street, Frederiksted, St. Croix . . 94

The American Consulate, St. Thomas . . 94

Cruz Bay, St. John, with Judge's House in the Foreground 100

Islands Adjacent to St. Thomas Harbour . 112

The Old Colonial Bank, St. Thomas . . 120

The National Bank of the Danish West Indies 120

"Rooms to Rent" ...... 126

Front View of Grand Hotel and "1829" . 126

Mr. D. Hamilton Jackson 138

Public Hospital, Frederiksted .... 144

The Boys of the ** Henry Holmes" . , . . 148

Photo by Kerr

Cable Office, St. Thomas . . . .150

Roman Catholic Church, Christiansted . .150 Turpentine Avenue, St. Thomas . . .152

Illustrations xiii

PAGE

Northern Slopes of the St. Thomas Hills . 152

Ploughing in St. Croix 156

Labourers' Homes at *'Mt. Pleasant," St. Croix 156

The Most Popular Beast of Burden in St. Thomas 160

Pasture Land in St. Thomas . . . .160

Native Women Washing Clothes, St. Croix . 162

Photo by P. S. Smith

Workers on the Bay Tree Estates, St. John . 162

In the Crop Season . . . . . .164

View over "La Valee, " St. Croix . . . 164

Agricultural Experiment Station . . .168

Photo by D. Hamilton Jackson

Whipping Cotton at "Prosperity" Factory, St. Croix 172

La Grange Sugar Factory, St. Croix . . 174

View over "Bethlehem," St. Croix . . . 174

"Bethlehem," Sugar Factory, St. Croix . 176

XIV

Illustrations

PAGE

Bay Oil Still, St. John . ... 176

View of Coral Bay, St. John, from ** Bordeaux" 180

Native Hut in St. John .

Market Place, Frederiksted, St. Croix

Market Place, St. Thomas

View down the Main Street, St. Thomas

"Water Gut," Christiansted, St. Croix

Communal School Building, St. Thomas

A Country School-House, St. Thomas Photo by R. H. Beck

Richmond High School

Moravian Church in Charlotte Amalie

Public School Building, Christiansted

Danish Lutheran Church, Christiansted

Moravian Parsonage, St. Thomas, after the Hurricane

*'The Fort," St. Thomas .

Illustrations xv

PAGE

Administration Building, St. Thomas . . 206

The "Anholt," High and Dry . . . 206

Native Brass Band, Christiansted, St. Croix . 218

Consul George Levi Celebrating the Peruvian National Holiday with his Colleagues . 218

A Jumbled Mass of Ruins .... 230

Photo by Watson Bros.

Colonial Council Delegates from St. Thomas (From Left to Right : Dr. Viggo Christensen, Lawyer, J. P. Jorgensen, and Mr. James Roberts) ....... 240

A Product of St. Thomas 242

Carib Inscriptions on Rocks at Riff Bay, St. John ........ 242

View of Magen's Bay from the West . . 250 A Last View of Old Dannebrog, from the Fort 260

Photo by A. B. Hassell

A First View of Old Glory, from the Fort . 260

Photo by A. B. Hassell

Water Aqueducts for Irrigation, St. Croix . 266 xvi Illustrations

PAGE

Moravian Mission at "Nisky," St. Thomas . 266

Danish Cruiser "Valkyrien" .... 284

Commander Konow and Officers of H. M. S.

Christiansted, St. Croix . . . . .286

Ex-President Roosevelt at *' Liberty Hall, " the Home of Robert L. Merwin (Gov. Helweg- Larsen is Standing at Mr. Roosevelt's Right and Mr. Merwin is at his Left) . . . 290 Photo by A. Ovesen

Native Fruit- and Bread- Sellers . . . 292

Interior of Small Communal School, St. Croix 292

The Twenty - Five - Million - Dollar Payment (From Left to Right: Sec'y Daniels, Admiral Oliver, Minister Brun, Sec'y Lansing, and Sec'y McAdoo 296

Copyright by Clinedinst Studio

Minister Brun's Receipt for $25,000,000 Paid

THROUGH the SECRETARY OF StATE TO THE

Danish Government ..... 298

Copyright by Clinedinst Studio

Ascent of Old Glory ...... 300

Photo by H. Hassell Descent of Old Dannebrog .... 300

Illustrations xvii

PAGE

A Guardian of the Peace from H. M. S. "Valkyrien" 304

Governor James H. Oliver .... 308

Copyright by Harris & Ewing

St. Thomians Assembled to Witness Transfer Ceremonies 312

Commander Pollock Reading President Wilson's First Proclamation 312

Sketch Map Showing the Relation of the Virgin Islands to the Atlantic Coasts of the Eastern AND Western Hemispheres . . . At the end

Map of the American Virgin Islands . At the end of th(

United States of America

Chapter I

Historical records — Erik Smidt takes possession of St. Thomas for Denmark, March 30, 1666 — Relics of the Caribees and Galibi — Early colonists — Rule of Governor Jorgen Iwersen — Traffic in slaves — Earthquake of 1690 — Operations under the Company of Brandenburghers and George Thormohlen — Visit of P^re Labat — Activities of Dutch [traders — Purchase of the Company's privileges by King Frederick V. — Alternating distress and prosperity of the Colony.

That the island of St. Thomas must have existed far back in the dim distance of the ages is plainly evidenced by its formation. Of the cataclysm that caused it to spring into existence we have no definite information. Amidst volcanic fires, geology tells us, it appears to have been evolved, and it is quite possible that some day under similar conditions it may disappear beneath the ocean.

All that is written about this island antedating the year 1666 must of necessity be regarded as covering its prehistoric period, for no records prior to the report that Erik Smidt, the Dane, arrived at St. Thomas on the morning of the 30th of March, 1666, in a ship called De Endracht, took possession of it for Denmark, landed a small colony, which suffered great privations, and died shortly after his arrival, can be relied upon as being absolutely authentic.

That the island had a history, and possibly a most interesting one, before the arrival of Erik Smidt and his hardy followers, no one can deny. Columbus is presumed to have discovered St. Thomas in 1493, on the occasion of his second voyage to the West Indies, and the names of Galibi and Caribees were given by the Spaniards to those inhabitants who believed themselves descendants of a race of people from the mainland. A few carvings on a rock, some stone chisels, collars, bowls, necklets, and hideous semblances of heads, said to be the work of the Caribees, are all the traces that remain of these people or of their predecessors. When or how these primitive inhabitants disappeared from the Danish West Indies cannot be definitely ascertained.

There are but few records left to tell of the doings of the early Colonists, or of the Copenhagen Company which they claimed to represent. That the little settlement must have been in sore straits shortly after their arrival is evident from a report sent to the Home Government by Pastor Kjeld Jensen Slagelse, who had assumed command. This was dated "Smidtsberg," 3d of July, 1666. It stated that they had provisions for only nine months, and that they would have to leave the island at the end of that time if no reinforcements and supplies were received. This appeal was apparently disregarded, as some time afterward a

Dutch Governor named Huntum is reported to have made a descent on St. Thomas and temporarily put an end to the Danish occupation.

The actual history and progress of the Colony of St. Thomas cannot be said to have commenced before Jorgen Iwersen became Governor. This was on the 23d of May, 1672, when he landed on the island as chief of an expedition sent out from Copenhagen by the Danish West India and Guinea Company. Little is known of the personal character of Jorgen Iwersen. From the various orders that were issued under his administration it would appear that he was not a man to be trifled with. A strict disciplinarian, it was not long before he made his presence felt in the little Colony. Under his rule there was no shirking church, for every person whether he spoke Danish or not, was bound under penalty of twenty-five pounds of tobacco, to attend service in Christians-fort every Sunday when the drum beat. They were a pious people in those days, and the law made it incumbent on every householder to encourage his servants in the ways of righteousness, and if he allowed them to do work on a Sunday which could have been done on a Saturday, he had to pay a fine of fifty pounds of tobacco. Hand in hand with godliness went a martial spirit, which compelled every man to be in readiness, at the first alarm given by a neighbour or sounded at the Fort, to defend his Lares and Penates, as well as the Colony.

In those days no man could leave the island without the Governor's permission under penalty of five hundred pounds of tobacco; and the person who aided another to depart surreptitiously was obliged to pay a fine of a thousand pounds of tobacco and be responsible for the other's debts and liabilities. The restrictions on white servants were severe, and innumerable fines were levied upon those who purchased from them or who harboured them if they ran away from their employer. Negroes fared far worse, and were often cruelly punished for the slightest offence.

However, from all accounts, the Colonists lived fairly contented under the iron-handed rule of their Governor, steadily increasing in numbers and greatly prospering.

In 1680, there were on the island some fifty estates engaged principally in the cultivation of tobacco. Its population was 331 souls, of whom 156 were whites and 175 slaves, for whose protection in those palmy days of piracy and buccaneering, the watchful care of such a sturdy Governor as Jorgen Iwersen was often required. It is regretful to note that this gallant Dane, after having, at his own request, been replaced by one Nic Esmit, came to an untimely end on his reappointment as Governor of the Danish West Indies in 1683. On the voyage from Copenhagen to St. Thomas he was thrown overboard by a mutinous crew after they had shot the captain and decapitated seven or eight prisoners. The others of the Company's functionaries and the transported prisoners were set ashore at Flores. Retribution soon followed the mutineers, who, bent upon piracy and having but little knowledge of navigation, went ashore with their vessel at Marstrand, Sweden, where they were handed over to the authorities, and finally condemned to be hanged outside the eastern gate of Copenhagen.

When the want of labour began to be felt in the Colony, the traffic in slaves was encouraged by Christian v., who purchased in Africa from the King of Aquambon the two forts of Frederiksburgh and Christiansburg

Government House, St. Thomas

Government Hill from King's Street, St. Thomas on the Gold Coast, and ordered ships to proceed thither to buy slaves for St. Thomas. With this addition to the working population, agriculture received a fresh impulse, the cultivation of sugar was introduced, and efforts were made to utilize the advantages of its excellent harbour and to add the benefits of commerce to those of agriculture.

In the year 1690, a violent earthquake took place on Sunday, the 9th of April, at 4 o'clock in the afternoon. It is the only one on record which could in any way be compared to the memorable one of November 18, 1867. It is spoken of as a terrific earthquake, lasting a long time and cracking the walls of the Company's storehouse, the sea receding shortly after so that fish could be picked up from the bottom, nine or ten fathoms out.

In the same year an attack upon the Colony by the English was apprehended. For this reason precautionary measures' were adopted. A sentry was placed on each of the four bastions of the fort, its landgate closed and Frederiks-fort, a tower which the Government had built on Smith's Hill in 1689, and which is now known as "Bluebeard's Castle," was provided with a breastwork of thick Gri-Gri planks at the top for the protection of the sentry. The alarm, however, proved false and the fear unfounded.

About the same time the Colonists were startled by the intelligence that the King of Denmark and the Company had farmed out the whole island to one George Thormohlen. Previously a Company of Brandenburghers had been permitted to establish themselves in St. Thomas for the purpose of commerce; they had prospered exceedingly, and had secured by treaty certain rights. On the cession of the island to Thormohlen, who was to have entire control over its affairs and enjoy all its revenues, the King, in order to secure to himself all the export and import duties paid by the Brandenburghers, bargained with that Company for the same for three thousand pieces of eight per annum, to be paid in two instalments.

There is no doubt that these changes were most distasteful to the Colonists, who were now to be subjected to taxation. Their opposition to it was strenuous, and when on the 30th of March, 1692, the first regular troops were garrisoned in the island, and further taxation for their support was urged by Thormohlen, it was steadily refused and ultimately abandoned. In 1694, t^^ Company threw up their contract with Thormohlen, who had ruled the island since the 9th of May, 1691, and had appointed De la Vigne as his Governor. The Company then sent out their own Governor, Lorentz, to replace him.

During his administration, in the year 1697, the first severe hurricane is recorded.

It was in the year 1701, while Johann Lorentz was still Governor, that Pere Labat visited the island. The account of this visit, detailed in his work on the West Indies,^ gives a fair picture of the state of the Colony at that time. Concerning its commerce he makes this remark: ''Denmark being almost neutral in the wars of Europe, the port of St. Thomas is open to all nations. During peace it serves as an entrepot for the commerce which the French, English, Spaniards, and Dutch do not dare to pursue openly on their own islands; and in time of war, it is the refuge of merchant ships when pursued by privateers. On the other hand, the privateers send their prizes here to be

* Voyage aux Isles de rAmerique, vol. ii., p. 285.

sold when they are not disposed to send them to a greater distance. Many small vessels also proceed from St. Thomas to the coast of South America, whence they bring back much riches in specie, or in bars and valuable merchandise. In a word, St. Thomas is a market of consequence."

His description of the town enables us to see that at that period it was of very limited extent. "At fifty or sixty paces from the Fort there is a town which takes the form of the bay, and constitutes the port. This town consists of only one long street, which terminates at the factory or offices of the Company. This is a large and handsome edifice, containing many apartments and commodious magazines for merchandise, and for the security of the negroes, in which this Company carries on a trade with the Spaniards. To the right of the factory are two small streets filled with French refugees. The houses of the town, which formerly were nothing but huts, are now built of bricks, almost all of one storey but very well arranged. The pavements are of tiles, and the interiors whitewashed, as in Holland." Of the estates he thus remarks: "They are small, but well kept. Work is only performed during the day, and in consequence, but little sugar is made. The soil, though light, is very good, and produces abundance of manioc, millet, sweet potatoes, and all kinds of fruits and herbs. The sugar cane grows very well. They have few cows and horses, for want of the necessary pasturage; but the inhabitants do not want for meat, the Spaniards in Porto Rico furnishing them with it in abundance. They raise young kids, which are excellent, and fowls of all kinds in quantities. Provisions, however, are always dear, money being plentiful and strangers generally arriving in affluence."

From the year 1702 to the year 1732, there is not much of special importance to chronicle of St. Thomas. Agriculture was still an important feature, the cultivation of indigo was commenced, and a considerable quantity of sugar and tobacco was now being raised. In 1 7 13 a dreadful hurricane devastated the island. In 1716 the import and export duties were changed from six to eight per cent. Congregations were permitted to elect their own pastors, and the Secret Council was now separated from the Courts in which its members had formerly sat as judges. The first Government House was purchased, and the privileges of the Brandenburgh Company ceased. In 1718 a land tax was imposed, and a tax of two and a half rix dollars for each man, woman, and slave. The Royal Council consisted of -Bve persons, besides the Governor as President, — two merchants, the bookkeeper, the treasurer, and the secretary. Slaves were to be well treated, and planters were shorn of the power of life and death over them. Clerks having served six years were permitted to return home, but young unmarried women were not to enjoy the privilege without special permission. A Reconciling Court with the Governor as judge was established, and the duties on imports and exports were lowered to five or six per cent.

St. Thomas was in a flourishing condition. It had long been declared a port of entrance for vessels of all nations. This gave a new impulse to its trade, which, extended to the neighbouring islands by the enterprise of its merchants, brought untold wealth to its shores, not to speak of greater refinements and luxury.

Passing over the few years between 1732 and 1756 a period is arrived at which later was to have a disastrous effect upon the commerce of St. Thomas. The island of St. John was under cultivation; St. Croix had been purchased by King Christian VI.; the seat of government had been removed thither, and several St. Thomas planters had settled there. Never had these islands been so prosperous. For the first time in history could they speak of a Danish West Indies.

Special note should be made of the great trade which the Dutch carried on in St. Thomas. Shrewd and thrifty, they maintained their ground against all comers as merchants, and with the privileges they had managed to obtain from the Company, it is no wonder that they controlled the best part of its commerce. This was certainly no fault of theirs, but it aroused a bitter feeling among the merchants of Copenhagen, who were naturally jealous that foreigners should be treated more favourably than themselves. For this reason, they secretly formed an association, fitted out vessels in Amsterdam, placed them under the Dutch flag, and despatched them to the island of St. Thomas. So great was their success that the Company took alarm, but perceiving the advantages likely to accrue to itself, if these merchants could be induced to unite their now conflicting interests, they made overtures to them for the purpose, which were accepted. This powerful accession enabled the Company to exclude the Dutch from all commerce with the Colonies, but not for the benefit of the Company or the islands, as will readily be seen.

From a few men represented by a small band of adventurers, the Company had become possessed of wealth, power, and influence, and with these and this last stroke of policy it was now a gigantic monopoly. The consequences were soon manifested. High prices prevailed under the oppressive restrictions put upon commerce, and discontent showed itself where before had been peace and prosperity.

It was not long before the complaints of the Colonists reached the ears of King Frederick V., who, directed by the wise counsel of Count John Bernstorff , then Prime Minister, resolved to take over the Colonies and put an end to the privileges of the Company by purchase. This was effected in 1755 for 2,200,000 pieces of eight ($1,418,000). The purchase included the forts, estates, buildings, stores, slaves, goods, and money belonging to the Company in the Colonies, and its refinery, ships, houses, and store-houses in Copenhagen. Thus ended the Danish West India and Guinea Company, a victim of its own insatiable greed and ambition. A new era was now to begin.

Unfortunately at first for the Colonies, and especially for the island of St. Thomas, such a sweeping change as this transaction involved proved a heavy blow to its commercial prosperity. Its port was no longer reached by the vessels of the Company, and the exclusive right of trafficking with Africa for slaves also having been abolished, stagnation and ruin were the consequence. Up to that time its harbour had always been crowded with ships, and many of these were Danish; but for the year 1756 not one of them had gladdened the sight of its sorrowing merchants. Emigration was of daily occurrence. Money became scarce, a paper currency was issued, and so deplorable became the condition of affairs that of the few inhabitants who were now left to sustain its fallen fortunes it is recorded that the majority were slaves.

During these years great distress prevailed in the Colony, and it was not until the 9th of April, 1764, when St. Thomas was declared by His Majesty a free

I w m

Early History of St. Thomas ii

port for vessels of all nations, that its star was again in the ascendant. The effect of this act on the part of King Frederik V. was soon manifest in the altered condition of the harbour and commerce. Ships began to come in, and with them the money that was so much needed.

St. Thomas was now to enjoy a period of unexampled prosperity. At that time Europe was involved in a series of long and cruel wars, during which Denmark always managed to remain neutral. This neutrality, extending to her Colonial possessions, gave them an advantage over the rest of their neighbours, whose governments were at war with each other, an advantage that only ceased years after the proclamation of peace. It was during this period of strife that the importance of St. Thomas as a rendezvous for all sorts of vessels became so strikingly manifest. It was not very long before the flags of all nations were flying from the shipping which crowded its harbour. It was one of the few spots, if not the only one, where enemies could meet without fighting, and discuss their next possible skirmish over a glass of grog and a pipe of tobacco. Things were lively in those days, and money flowed like water into the coffers of the merchants. Population increased, the town limits were extended, stores and dwellings were rapidly built, and thousands of refugees and adventurers, as well as capitalists, sought its shores for the purpose of traffic.

Up to 1800 the prosperity of St. Thomas continued unabated. But an enemy was now at its gates. For the first time, St. Thomas was blockaded, its inhabitants face to face with an invader. Denmark had become involved, at last, in a war with Great Britain. This simply meant ruin to her Colonies. After sustaining the blockade for some time, St. Thomas was surrendered on the 1st of April, 1801, to a military and naval force under Colonel CowelL For ten months it was held by the English, when it was restored to Denmark on the 22d of February, 1802. Though the English occupation was a short one, it materially affected the island's commerce which was not revived until the return of neutrality.

Chapter II Question Of Purchase By The United States

Destructive fires — Trade between St. Thomas and the Spanish Main — A Paradise for fortune-hunters — Prosperous days — Emancipation of slaves — DecHne in agriculture — Improvements in harbour— Blockade runners from the Southern States — Cholera and its frightful consequences — Hurricane, earthquake, and tidal wave of 1867 — Visit of Secretary Seward — Cession Proclamation — Hopeful attitude of people — Hard times — Second Royal Proclamation.

With the exception of the destructive fires which took place in 1804 and 1806, which laid the town of St. Thomas in ashes and destroyed over sixteen million dollars' worth of property, there is little more to add to its history till 1807. Then the island was again surrendered to the English, who occupied it until April 15, 1 8 15, when it was restored to Denmark, its lawful possessor.

In 1815 began that trade between St. Thomas, Porto Rico, Cuba, Santo Domingo, and the Spanish Main, which was destined afterwards to assume large proportions. In the quaint old pages of Nissen we learn that as soon as the Danes again became masters of the island, foreign vessels speedily arrived, laden with all kinds of merchandise. Numbers of smaller vessels, such as schooners, sloops, etc., were put under Danish colours, and adventures to the other West India Islands and the Spanish Main were resumed with the same activity as in former times.