OCR Text |
Show I I 22 SANTA CRUZ. ers; and the scene is one, not only of busy traffic, but of noisy merriment, idleness, and dissipation. Before we left Santa Cruz, we called on General Sobutker, the present Governor of the island, to take onr leave; and we ventured to press this subject on his consideration, not without some remarks on slavery in general. He listened to ns in a very obliging manner, and seerned to look forward to better days; but his last words to us, as we went down the steps from his door, were, "Patience, patience, patience." Jt was very satisfactory to us, to learn from our friend Captain Von Scholten, the brother of the Governor General (then in Denmark) that a commission had been appointed at Copenhagen, to enquire into the state of these colonies, with a view to cmancipa· tion. In the mean time, seven large buildings have been erected in different parts of the island, to serve as chapels and schools, for the religious and literary instruction of the Negro population. They are not yet in use; but several of the planters are making laudable exertions for the education of their slaves in reading, and in a knowledge of the Holy Scriptures. A colored person of the name of Macfarlane, in every way adapted for the office, is employed for the pur· pose; this school circulates, with excellent effect, from one estate to another. Having been taught their moral and religions obligations, the negroes, on these estates, are already greatly improved, and are much more useful to their masters, than in the days of their ignorance. The schools held on the First day of the week, under the care of the members of the Episcopal SANTA CRUZ. 23 church, at Bassin and West End, arc attended by several hundreds of black, mulatto, and white children. Some of the planters and their wives are united with colored persons and others, as instructors in these schools; and the blessed work is carried on both among the teachers and the taught, without pre~ judice of caste, or distinction of color. We were glad to be informed of the existence of an institution, in the Danish West Indian islands, (derived of course from the parent state) which operates most beneficial! y, in promoting the peace of the inhabitants. It is the Court of Reconciliation, in which all disputes and questions of civil right must be submitted. to arbitration, before they can become the subjects of suits at law. In this court of amicable adjustment, such matters arc almost universally settled. 1l1e consequence is, that the legal profession in Santa Cruz is nearly a sinecure, and can scarcely be said to exist at all. Such a provision would be invaluable in the British West Indies, where proceedings at law are a perpetual source of irritation and vexation. I cannot conclude this letter without observing, that the society in Santa Cruz is remarkably agreeable; and nothing could exceed the kindness and hospitality which we received at the hands of many of the resident proprietors. · No denominations of Christians, besides the Danish Lutheran church, are there tolerated by law, except the Moravians, Roman Catholics, and Church of England; but by the special leave of the Government, we held public meetings for worship in both the towns, before we left the island. These were large! y attended by persons of various |