The Journal of Negro History, Volume 2, 1917Various
History
The Journal of Negro History, Volume 2, 1917
Various
African Americans -- Periodicals
On the 7th the military again marched out in different
directions. This had a good effect upon the negroes, and the
roads became once more safe for traffic. In the Fort there were
about one hundred rioters, of which the greater part had been
brought in by the friendly negroes from the estates. A portion of
the prisoners were taken on board the brig, and some distributed
among the merchant vessels. In the meantime an order was issued
to all parties concerned that they should within three days
deliver up all stolen goods and arms, as every one, who after
that time was found in possession of such, would be punished to
the utmost extent of the law.
On the 8th several carriages passed between Bassin and West End.
Everything was quiet and safe on the road. Refugees from the
vessels returned on shore to take up their residence to town.
Sugar was brought in from several estates for shipment, and as
everything now promised to go on smoothly, we who had assembled
as the highest authority in the place, handed over the charge of
affairs to the commander of the Fort and the policemaster.
At noon 220 men, auxiliary troops, arrived in Frederiksted; 360
were already in Christiansted. The Governor-General had asked for
the assistance from Porto Rico. As an instance of General
Prim's[400] customary activity it should be mentioned that this
fine body of men 580 all told, with cannon, and 30,000 cartridges
were got ready and put to sea five hours after he had received
the letter of the Governor-General. This prompt action and the
fact that the insurrection had been repressed in the eastern and
western parts of the island, contributed much to allay the fears
of the inhabitants, and to inspire confidence. On the 9th
Chamberlain Oxholm came to West End and took over the
Governor-General's affairs. In the meantime the country was
quiet, and the negroes had returned to work on a few of the
estates. By this time several of the rioters had been tried by
court-martial and shot.
* * * * *
From the reports it will be seen that Kammerjunker Rothe was sent
as a sort of commissioner to Frederiksted, in order to proclaim
the new Government established in Bassin. As I had already agreed
with Captain v Castonier, to take over the command of the Fort
with my men, while he undertook a march into the country with the
military, I protested against subjecting myself to this
Government, because--
1. I assumed after the account that Lieutenant Frank had given
me, that General v Scholten was not so sick but that he could
have signed an order to me.
2. There were in the new Government several names almost unknown
to me.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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