Part 71 (2/2)

”Our negroes, and I presume other negroes too, are very little less sensible to the force of those motives which lead to the peace, order, and welfare of society, than any other set of people.”

”The general conduct of the negroes has been worthy of much praise, especially considering the sudden transition from slavery to unrestricted freedom. Their demeanor is peaceable and orderly.”

_Ralph Higinbothom, U. S. Consul._

As we mingled with the missionaries, both in town and country, they all bore witness to the security of their persons and families. They, equally with the planters, were surprised that we should make any inquiries about insurrections. A question on this subject generally excited a smile, a look of astonishment, or some exclamation, such as ”_Insurrection_! my dear sirs, we do not think of such a thing;” or, ”Rebellion indeed! why, what should they rebel for _now_, since they have got their liberty!”

Physicians informed us that they were in the habit of riding into the country at all hours of the night, and though they were constantly pa.s.sing negroes, both singly and in companies, they never had experienced any rudeness, nor even so much as an insolent word. They could go by night or day, into any part of the island where their professional duties called them, without the slightest sense of danger.

A residence of nine weeks in the island gave us no small opportunity of testing the reality of its boasted security. The hospitality of planters and missionaries, of which we have recorded so many instances in a previous part of this work, gave us free access to their houses in every part of the island. In many cases we were constrained to spend the night with them, and thus enjoyed, in the intimacies of the domestic circle, and in the unguarded moments of social intercourse, every opportunity of detecting any lurking fears of violence, if such there had been; but we saw no evidence of it, either in the arrangements of the houses or in the conduct of the inmates[A].

[Footnote A: In addition to the evidence derived from Antigua, we would mention the following fact:

A planter, who is also an attorney, informed us that on the neighboring little island of Barbuda, (which is leased from the English government by Sir Christopher Coddrington,) there are five hundred negroes and only _three white men_. The negroes are entirely free, yet the whites continue to live among them without any fear of having their throats cut. The island is cultivated in sugar.--Barbuda is under the government of Antigua, and accordingly the act of entire emanc.i.p.ation extended to that island.]

FIFTH PROPOSITION.--There has been no fear of house breaking, highway robberies, and like misdemeanors, since emanc.i.p.ation. Statements, similar to those adduced under the last head, from planters, and other gentlemen, might be introduced here; but as this proposition is so intimately involved in the foregoing, separate proof is not necessary.

The same causes which excite apprehensions of insurrection, produce fears of robberies and other acts of violence; so also the same state of society which establishes security of person, insures the safety of property. Both in town and country we heard gentlemen repeatedly speak of the slight fastenings to their houses. A mere lock, or bolt, was all that secured the outside doors, and they might be burst open with ease, by a single man. In some cases, as has already been intimated, the planters habitually neglect to fasten their doors--so strong is their confidence of safety. We were not a little struck with the remark of a gentleman in St. John's. He said he had long been desirous to remove to England, his native country, and had slavery continued much longer in Antigua, he certainly should have gone; but _now_ the _security of property was so much greater in Antigua than it was in England_, that he thought it doubtful whether he should ever _venture_ to take his family thither.

SIXTH PROPOSITION.--Emanc.i.p.ation is regarded by all cla.s.ses as a great blessing to the island.

There is not a cla.s.s, or party, or sect, who do not esteem the abolition of slavery as a _special blessing to them_. The rich, because it relieved them of ”property” which was fast becoming a disgrace, as it had always been a vexation and a tax, and because it has emanc.i.p.ated them from the terrors of insurrection, which kept them all their life time subject to bondage. The poor whites--because it lifted from off them the yoke of civil oppression. The free colored population--because it gave the death blow to the prejudice that crushed them, and opened the prospect of social, civil, and political equality with the whites.

The _slaves_--because it broke open their dungeon, led them out to liberty, and gave them, in one munificent donation, their wives, their children, their bodies, their souls--every thing!

The following extracts from the journals of the legislature, show the state of feeling existing shortly after emanc.i.p.ation. The first is dated October 30, 1834:

”The Speaker said, that he looked with exultation at the prospect before us. The hand of the Most High was evidently working for us. Could we regard the universal tranquillity, the respectful demeanor of the lower cla.s.ses, as less than an interposition of Providence? The agricultural and commercial prosperity of the island were absolutely on the advance; and for his part he would not hesitate to purchase estates to-morrow.”

The following remark was made in the course of a speech by a member of the council, November 12, 1834:

”Colonel Brown stated, that since emanc.i.p.ation he had never been without a sufficient number of laborers, and he was certain he could obtain as many more to-morrow as he should wish.”

The general confidence in the beneficial results of emanc.i.p.ation, has grown stronger with every succeeding year and month. It has been seen that freedom will bear trial; that it will endure, and continue to bring forth fruits of increasing value.

The Governor informed us that ”it was _universally admitted_, that emanc.i.p.ation had been a great blessing to the island.”

In a company of proprietors and planters, who met us on a certain occasion, among whom were lawyers, magistrates, and members of the council, and of the a.s.sembly, the sentiment was distinctly avowed, that emanc.i.p.ation was highly beneficial to the island, and there was not a dissenting opinion.

”Emanc.i.p.ation is working most admirably, especially for the planters. It is infinitely better policy than slavery or the apprentices.h.i.+p either.”

--_Dr. Ferguson_.

”Our planters find that freedom answers a far better purpose than slavery ever did. A gentleman, who is attorney for eight estates, a.s.sured me that there was no comparison between the benefits and advantages of the two systems.”--_Archdeacon Parry_.

”All the planters in my neighborhood (St. Philip's parish) are highly pleased with the operation of the new system.”--_Rev. Mr. Jones, Rector of St. Philip's_.

”I do not know of more than one or two planters in the whole island, who do not consider emanc.i.p.ation as a decided advantage to all parties.”

--_Dr. Daniell_.

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