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Show 86 DOMINICA. As melts beneath the scorchi~g sun, When winter's sturdy course lS run, April's uutimely snow; So melted from their father land, Tho hapless, persecuted band, Before the lash of woe. A few that bear the Caribb's name, Now idly weave the wicker frame, Or beg a scanty meal ; Their native fires for ever gone, They wander listless and alone, 'l'hcir woes forget to feel. Not so the sorrow·stricken ra~e, Soon kidnapped to supply thCJr place, From home and kindred torn ; In pestilential cabins pressed, , . ltobbcd of their wages, scourged, distressed, Degraded, weak, forlorn. 'l'hcn hail, the holy, happy day, When all their chains were cast away And freedom spread her genial sway O'er the islands of the west- Thy verdant hills shall flow with peace, Thy vales with plenty shall increase, Thy notes of discord. all shall cease, Fair Dominique the blest. Our voyage continued four days. Having lost all sight of land, and being without any means of calcu· lating longitude, we were, at length, very much at a loss to conjecture our true position. According to the Cap· tain's reckoning, we were yet far away to the cast; but our own calculations brought us on a line with Santa Cruz. This opinion proved to be correct. On the break of day, one morning, we found ourselves approachmg that island. Although bound for St. Thomas, we now thought it advisable to change our course, and soon found ourselves sa1ce at W est E n<1, m· · the midst DOMINICA. 87 of the cordial welcomes and congratulations of our friends. We were a good deal wearied by long-continued excitement and exertion, and found in their society, for a few days, just that refreshment both of body and mind, which was suited to our need. One change which had taken place during the seven weeks of our absence was remarkable. When we were there before, the subject of slavery was almost unmentionable; now we could scarcely find time to answer the enquiries made of us, respecting the working of emancipation in the islands to the windward. Many of the planters openly professed their willingness to emancipate their slaves, if compensation were but granted. The question of compensation lies between the planters and the Danish Government; and we sincerely hope that the latter will exercis!') all due liberality on the occasion. Nevertheless, it is clear, that in pure justice, this question can never bar the infinitely higher claim of a third party-that is, the negro -to a property in his own person. Jam, &c. &c. |