Queen Mary "Song of the Christiansted fireburn of 1878" (kreolsk):
Fan me, buckra Missy,
Fan me till de break o'day
Me pon me way to Bassend
Me goin' burn all de way
"THE AVIS"
CHRISTIANSTED, ST: CROIX
WEDNESDAY 16th October 1878.
There is nothing now to report as to the state of the island since our last. There are no doubt some runaways still hiding in the bush at Fair Plain and perhaps around Mount Eagle and elsewhere. One was caught a few days since at Cotton Valley, and brought in by Mr. De Leon of Coakley Ray. He accounted for his presence in that neighbourhood by alleging his fondness for whelks, and protested that he was innocent. It was explained to him that there was no objection to his taste for whelks, but that the question of his innocence must be settled before the Policemaster in Bassin, and he was accordingly brought to the fort.
The roads now are everywhere safe, and we are glad to observe are being used for carting out lumber from Bassin to commence rebuilding. Several estates have already engaged carpenters and made a beginning, so that we may hope soon to see some of tho damaged properties again in a position to proceed with sugar-making. It is of the greatest importance that all who are able should restore their works without delay for the crop will begin very early this season, and those who are ready, say by the commencement of the year will be in the best position to take advantage of the heavy crop on the ground.
His Excellency the Governor under Cate of the 13th issued a circular to the Owners, Administrators, Managers and Overseers of Estates, acknowledging the zeal and perseverance with which they had aided in quelling the late rising, and filing their attention at the same time to the urgent necessity of abstaining from all further use of arms except for the purpose of self defence. His Excellency left in the Steamer Arno for St. Thomas.
(St. Croix Avis, 16. oktober 1878.)
Avisen bragte desuden en meddelse fra CHRISTIANSTED COMMITTEE FOR RELIEF OF SUFFERERS BY THE INSURRRECTION, samt om hvor meget man havde modtaget allerede fra St. Thomas. Støtten var til de hvide plantageejere. Snart udløb detaljer om standrettens henrettelse af 6 fanger:
During the three days sitting of the Court Martial in West End, the following six prisoners were executed, who had all been foremost among the rioters, and some of them sharers in some of the worst acts of the insurrection :
Thomas Graydon, born in Barbados. Samuel Henry, born in Antigua. Daniel Philip, born in St. Kitts. Robert James, born in St. Croix. John Charles, born in St. Croix. Joseph Harrison, born in Jamaica. The first fivo belonged to the English Church, tho lust to the Roman Catholic Church.
The criminals were ministered to in their last moments and attended at their execution by Rev. Du Buis, Rector of St. Paul's, and Rev. Devos, Roman Catholic Priest in West End.
ARRIVAL OF SOME OF THE ESCAPED RIOTERS IN TORTOLA.
Yesterday morning by the Mail boat from Tortola we learnt that a boat had arrived there with some 17 or 18 persons on board, who gave out that they were British subjects and had escaped from St Croix - out of the riot - and claimed protection. They were arrested by the authorities, lodged in prison, and the President has placed himself in communication with the Governor General at Antigua in order to learn the course which he is to pursue towards them. A private letter dated 7th instant says "Some of the people (rioters) from St. Croix arrived here yesterday (6th), After their arrival a child of one of the women died. Some of the people jumped overboard when the boat was off Ginger Island The mail boat und some other craft have gone out in search of them. They have all been lodged in prison this morning"
We learn to-day that: -
The Attorney General of Antigua has been instructed by the Governor of Antigua to proceed immediately to Tortola to investigate the arrest on suspicion of eighteen persons, who fled from the riot in St. Croix. Until this functionary arrives at Tortola, the prisoners have been remanded. - St. Thomas Tidende.
(St. Croix Avis, 16. oktober 1878.)
"THE AVIS"
CHRISTIANSTED, ST: CROIX
Saturday 19th October 1878.
Nothing has occured since our last to check the gradual return to calmness which is now taking place among the better case of our population, except one little incident said to have happened on Wednesday. A soldier was bringing in a prisoner to town along the road past the two Princesses, when a gang of labourers left their work and ran to the road. According to their own account they ran to see the prisoner, according to the soldiers they ran to rescue him, and the soldier, perhaps having the Carlton outrage in mind, rode off, releasing the prisoner. This is the story circulated. We do not know how much truth there is in it, or where the truth lies; but, as the labourers in that quarter have not hitherto shown any sign of insubordination, we do not think the incident need cause any alarm.
(St. Croix Avis, 19. oktober 1878.)
Den 21. oktober 1878 blev der givet frit lejde for aflevering af sager som måtte være taget under uroligheder. Den 28. oktober ophævedes standretterne.
Den 24. oktober var nyheden om opstanden nået til Danmark.
Om Urolighederne paa St. Croix har "B. T." modtaget følgende Privatbrev fra St. Thomas, dat. 4de Oktober:
Oprøret paa St. Croix begyndte den 1ste ds. i en "rumshop" (Romudsalg) med angreb paa Politiet. Den flinke Løjt. Ostermand med 20 Mand fra Christiansted fordrev Oprørerne fra det forrige Fort, som nu er Politistation, hvor flere Indvaanere havde taget Tilflugt; det var her, at Løjt. O. mistede 2 Mand. Ildspaasætningen begyndte paa Toldbodbygningen og udbredte sig langt over Byen; iblandt andre Bygninger er dog Apoteket blevet reddet. Negrene flygtede hen imod Plantagen "Work and Kest", hvor Vaaningshuset blev afbrændt. Ved Troppernes Ankomst fra St. Thomas og forksjellige Orlogsmænds Indtræden er Roligheden atter oprettet. Mange Familier ere husvilde. En Del er flygtet til St. Thomas.
(Social-Demokraten 24. oktober 1878).
Urolighederne paa St. Croix.
New York Times af 11. ds. indeholder en ledende Artikel om Opstanden paa St. Croix, i hvilken dens Oprindelse søges i Arbejderspørgsmaalet, saaledes som dette i den senere Tid er optraadt overalt i Amerika, samt i Negrenes Forbitrelse over Indførslen af Maskinkraft i større Omfang. Iøvrigt meddeler Bladet ingen nyere Enkeltheder af Interesse. Det formodes, at mange af de Hvide paa St. Croix er flygtede ombord paa de Skibe, der laa paa Frederiksted Red (deriblandt ogsaa den nordamerikanske Konsul) for at gaa til St. Thomas. Bladet mener, at man maa ønske sig til Lykke med, at Øerne i 1868 ikke bleve definitivt afstaaede til Nordamerika, da de i de senere Aar har været hjemsøgte af en hel Række Ulykker.
(Social-Demokraten, 26. oktober 1878)
Omkring 27. oktober ankom vestindisk post til England med flere meddelelser om St. Croix. Fra den 31. oktober var så endelig de to lokalaviser fra de dansk vestindiske øer ankommet og blev citeret i aviserne.
Social-Demokraten havde nedenstående kommentar til beretningerne fra St. Croix:
Med Hensyn til ovenstaaende Meddelelse maa vi indtrængende gøre vore Læsere opmærksomme paa, at den naturligvis er en aldeles ensidig Skildring af Begivenhederne paa St. Croix. Fra Negrenes Side foreligger ingen Meddelelse og vil vel heller aldrig komme, idet man jo synes at holde mere af at skyde dem ned paa Stedet end at høre deres Forsvarsgrunde. Saa meget skinner dog tydeligt igennem i Beretningen, at Negrene har lidt Uret fra deres Arbejdsgiveres Side, og Oprøret har derfor ogsaa kun været rettet mod disse og ingenlunde direkte mod Rgeringsautoriteterne, hvilket Bevaringen af Fælleskogeriet sikkert bærer Vidne om. Vi skal derfor tillade at opfordre vor Regering herhjemme til at lade foretage en nøjagtig Undersøgelse derovre og forhjælpe de stakkels Negre og de andre Arbejdere til den Ret, de sikkert er bleven foreholdt af deres ubarmhjærtige og pengegridske Arbejdsgivere, de rige Plantageejere.
(Social-Demokraten 1. november 1878)
Illustreret Tidende bragte i 1878 denne formentlig ret fantasifulde illustration over opstanden i 1878.
(for læsbarhedens skyld er der indsat afsnit som ikke er med i den originale artikel)
Oprøret paa St. Croix. Guvernør Gardes Rapport af 8de Oktober findes trykt i "Bert. Tid." for igaar Aftes. Uagtet den ikke indeholder noget væsenlig udover, hvad vi allerede have meddelt i vore Telegrammer og Breve samt efter de vestindiske Blade, tror vi dog at burde aftrykke dette Aktstykke, det kan have en vis historisk Betydning. Rapporten lyder saaledes:
Grunden til, al Finansministeriet ikke tidligere modtog nogen Fortsættelse af den ferske telegrafiske Meddelelse fra Guvernementet af 2den dS. om Oprørets Udbrud i Frederikssted, er dels, at jeg under de hurtig paa hinanden til mig indløbende Meddelelser om Oprørsbandernes Færden og om Brandstiftelsernes Omfang ønskede at afvente et Tidspunkt, da jeg kunde meddele Ministeriet, at et bestemt Resultat var opnaaet ved vort Militairs og de af Plantageejere og Forvaltere dannede Frikorpsets Angreb paa Oprørerne, dels Bevidstheden om, at det i al Fald paa Grund af den store Afstand vilde være umuligt at erholde hjemmefra nogen aktiv Hjælp, forinden Alt maatte være afsluttet her paa den ene eller anden Maade.
Idet jeg forbeholder mig senere at give Finansministeriet saadanne detaillerede Oplysninger, som det ikke nu er muligt at samle, skal jeg derved tjenstligst meddele Følgende om Begivenhedernes Gang siden den 2den ds. Som Ministeriel bekjendt afgik jeg sidstnævnte Dag Kl. 12 ½ fra St. Thomas, medtagende hele den paa St. Thomas værende disponible Styrke, 2 Officerer Premierløitnant Baron Eggers og Sekondløitnant Ditlevsen, 6 Underofficerer og 45 Menige samt Dr. med. E. Pontoppidan som Læge. Ved Afgangen fra St. Thomas var det min Hensigt at begive mig til Frederikssted for snarest muligt at bringe denne By Undsætning, og da jeg paa Grund af de for min afrejse sidst modtagne Telegrammer, der meddelte, at Fortet Frederikssted blev holdt med Vanskelighed, maatte befrygte, at Fortet vilde være indtaget, og i saa Fald de derværende Embedsmænd og andre Indbyggere i Byen muligen dræbte forinden min Ankomst, medtog jeg tillige fra St. Thomas Politimester Fischer og nogle Politibetjente for eventuelt at besørge Polititjenesten i Frederikssted. Lige forinden min Afrejse fra St. Thomas modtog jeg imidlertid følgende Telegram fra Præsidenten paa St. Croix: "En tidlig imorges (fra Kristianssted) udsendt Betjent melder, at han ved "Adventure" traf paa støjende Hobe, hvis Adfærd bevægede ham og en Ledsager til at vende om. Endnu Kl. 11 ingen senere Meddelelse fra Frederikssted end efter privat Meddelelse, at Fortet er nedbrændt. Planter Fontaine er dræbt. Det brænder paa Plantageriet i Omegnen af Frederikssted. Vi træffe alle Forberedelser til at forsvare denne Del af Landet, men det er tvivlsomt, om det vil lykkes uden Hjælp andetstedsfra."
Den i dette Telegram udtalte Frygt for, at Kristianssted ikke skulde kunne holdes, bevægede mig til først at gaa dertil, og jeg bestyrkedes i denne Beslutning ved paa Overreisen at se stærke Ildebrande paa mange forskjellige Steder over hele Terrænet vest for Kingshill, saaledes at jeg kun nærede ringe Haab om at kunne komme tidsnok for at frelse den vestlige Del af Øen.
Fortet i Frederiksted. Uden årstal. Det Kongelige Bibliotek. Creative Common 3.0.
Kl. 6 om Eftermiddagen den 2den dS. ankom jeg til Kristianssted og erfarede da, at Løitnant H. Ostermann med en kjørende Kommando paa 20 Mand havde undsat Frederikssteds Fort. Løitnant Ostermann havde nemlig forladt Kristianssted om Natten mellem den 1ste og 2den dS. og var ankommen til Frederikssted Kl. 5 ½. om morgenen den 2den; han var uden Modstand rykket ind i Fortet og havde derpaa renset Byens Gader for Oprørerne. Ved min Ankomst til Kristianssted erklærede jeg straks byen i Beleiringstilstand.
Kl. 9 om Aftenen afsendte jeg Premierløitnant Eggers ad Nordsidevejen fra Kristiansted for at forene sig med en Kommando, der under Anførsel af den tidligere ved Hærstyrken tjenstgjørende Officer, Løitnant Waage, ad den saakaldte Centerlinievej var rykket frem til Kingshill. Begge disse Detachementer maatte imidlertid samme Nat trække sig tilbage, som den regnfulde og mørke Nat i Forbindelse med de nu allerede høie Sukkermarker forhindrede dem fra at se, hvilke Bevægelser der foregik omkring dem, og de havde bestemte Ordrer til under ingen Omstændighed at maatte lade sig afskære fra Kristiansted.
Kl. 4 om Morgenen den 3die dS. var saaledes hele Troppestyrken samlet i Kristianssted. Jeg efterlod Kaptajn Baron Rosenkrans med 25 Mand og et Korps af Frivillige paa cirka 70 Mand til Sikring af Kristiansted og afgik Kl. 9 om Morgenen den 3die med en Styrke paa 45 Mand Soldater under Premierløjtnant. Baron Eggers og Sekondløitnant Ditlevsen samt et i al Hast dannet Frikorps af Plantere og Forvaltere paa cirka 50 Mand for saa vidt mulig at stanse Mordbrændernes Fremtrængen mod Øst og derhos bringe yderligere hjælp til Frederikssted. Jeg lagde Vejen ad Centerlinjen og traf den første Skare af Oprørerne ved Plantagen Annes Hope, hvis Antændelse Militærets Ankomst netop forhindrede; der blev her nedskudt en Del af Oprørerne og nogle fangedes, men da de adspredte sig og skjulte sig i Sukkermarkerne, var det umuligt at forfølge dem videre.
Om Aftenen den 2den havde Oprørerne forladt Centerlinien og vare dragne over imod Nordsideveien formodentlig paa Grund af Løitnant Waages Nærværelse paa Kingshill. Deres Fremtrængen ad Nordsideveien, stansedes imidlertid ved Morningstar paa Grund af det Detachement, der under Baron Eggers var ved Montpellier, og de gik derfor om morgenen tilbage til Centerlinien, hvor de afbrændte Plantagerne Barrenspot, Diamond & Ruby, Fredensborg, Peters Rest og Work and Rest. Meldingerne om Antændelserne af de sidstnævnte Plantager bestemte mig til at følge Centerlinien, da jeg maatte antage, at Oprørerne vare iværk der. Fra Annas Hope gik jeg over Work and Rest og Peters Rest, hvor Vaaningshusene vare nedbrændte tidlig om Morgenen den 3die. Styrken passerede Kingshill, der da var urørt, men næppe en time efter at Styrken var passeret, antændtes dette Sted, ligesom mange Ildebrande nu saas i Landet Nord for Centerlinien, alt som Styrken nærmede sig Frederikssted. Paa Landevejene udenfor Plantagen Carlton laa Ligene af to Soldater, der vare efterladt ved de Vogne, der førte Løitnant Ostermanns Detachement til Frederikssted, i en afskyelig lemlæstet Tilstand, men Styrken overraskede her en Skare Oprørere, der netop havde antændt Plantagen; et større Antal af Oprørerne bleve nedskudt, og Resten tog ilsomt Flugten.
Kl. 2 om Eftermiddagen ankom Styrken til Frederikssted og modtoges med Jubel af de betrængte Indvaanere saavel Blanke som Farvede. Byen frembød et sørgeligt Syn, omtrent en Tredjedel af Husene, deriblandt Toldbodbygningen er nedbrændt, men med Hensyn til Værdien repræsenterer Antallet af de brændte Huse Halvdelen af den samlede værdi af husene i Byen.
Arbejderboliger på plantagen Annaly. Uden Årstal. Det Kongelige Bibliotek. Materialet er muligvis beskyttet af ophavsret.
Kl. 6 om Eftermiddagen den 3die ankom Dampskibet Arno med Provisioner og Ammunition til Frederikssted, men disse bleve ilandbragte saa sent, at jeg maatte opgive min oprindelige Plan, at vende tilbage samme Aften til Kristianssted for yderligere at sikre denne By. I Frederikssted efterlod jeg en Forstærkning paa 15 Mand under Kommando af Løitnant Ostermann og gik med Resten af Militærstyrken ombord i "Arno". Om Natten bemærkede jeg fra "Arno", at Plantagerne "Punch", "Annaly" og "Two Friends" vare i Brand.
Næste Dag, den 4de, om Morgenen afgik jeg med "Arno" til Kristianssted, hvor Dampskibet "Desirado". tilhørende det franske Companie génerale transatlantique, imidlertid var ankommet for at overføre Kvinder og Børn til St. Thomas; de af disse, der allerede vare ombord i "Arno", bleve satte ombord i "Desirado", der da afgik til Frederikssted for at afhente flere Flygtninge derfra til St. Thomas. Den 4de d. S. forblev styrken i Kristianssted for at holde Hvil. men saavel denne Dag som den foregaaende Dag foretog Frikorps af Plantere og Forvaltere med Viceguvernørens Tilladelse Patruilleringer gjennem Øen for at opbringe Mordbrændere. Den 4de meldtes det, at nogle af Oprørerne vare undvegne i Fiskerbaade fra Øens Sydside; "Arno" gik ud for at opsøge dem, men maatte vende tilbage uden at have set dem. Ifølge en den 8de ds. fra St. Thomas modtagen Meddelelse fra Guvernement-Sekretæren ere de Paagjældende, 18 i Tallet, landede paa Tortola. hvor de ere arresterede, og der føres nu Underhandling om deres Udlevering.
Den 4de ankom endvidere den franske Orlogsmand "Labourdonnais", Fregatkaptain H. Mayet, der samme Dag afgik til Frederikssted, men vendte tilbage til Kristianssted den 5te med Brev til mig fra Kaptain Dennistown af den engelske Dampkorvet "Tourmaline", der var ankret ved Frederikssted; saa vel den franske som den engelske Chef tilbød Guvernementet Assistance fra deres Skibe til Ordenens Gjenoprettelse, men da der efter Expeditionen til Frederikssted den 3die og Frikorpsernes kraftige Optræden i Landet allerede siden den 5te er udbredt Skræk blandt Oprørerne, har jeg hidtil ikke benyttet mig af disse Tilbud. Tilbud om Hjælp har Guvernementet endvidere modtaget fra General-Kaptainen paa Portoriko, der pr. Telegram meddelte, at han, om jeg ønskede det, kunde sende 300 Mand med 2 Bjerghaubitser.
Den 6te dS. foretoges en større Udrykning af Militæret fra Kristianssted ad Nordsidevejen og tilbage ad Centerlinien; den 7. ds. afsendtes en mindre Deling Militær til Rust up Twist og La Ballee, og den 8. foretoges en kombineret Bevægelse fra Frederikssted og Kristianssted til Nordvest-Høilandet for at rense dette. Ved disse Expeditioner er der indbragt forskjellige Fanger, hvis Antal i det Hele kan antages at være 200 i begge Byer.
Den 5. ds. udstedte jeg en Proklamation til Arbeiderne, der befaler dem at forblive paa de Plantager, hvor de høre hjemme, og at vende tilbage hertil, hvis de havde forladt dem, og under samme Dato har jeg nedsat en Standret til Forfølgning og Paakjendelse af de af Oprørerne begaaede Forbrydelser; denne Ret begyndte sin Virksomhed den 7. dS.
Medens jeg saaledes antager Mordbrænder-Oprøret standset for Øieblikket, uden at det har været nødvendigt at modtage saa vel den fra General-Kaptainen paa Portoriko som fra de herværende fremmede Orlogsmænd tilbudte aktive militære Hjælp, er det selvfølgelig nødvendigt vedvarende at vaage og være parat til at møde en Gjentagelse, saa længe man ei har faaet fat i de nu opløste Banders omstrejfende Hovedledere, og saa længe det daglige Arbeide paa samtlige Plantager endnu ei er i vant Gang; paa adskillige Plantager i Kristianssteds Omegn er dette Tilfældet, men i det nordvestlige Høiland have Plantere og Forvaltere endnu ei vovet at vise sig paa Plantagerne.
Kingshill. Uden Årstal. Det Kongelige Bibliotek. Materialet er muligvis beskyttet af ophavsret.
Det er uvist, om Oprøret skyldes en forud lagt bestemt Plan, eller om det ikkun er Følgen af en øieblikkelig opbrusende ond Stemning; for den sidste Opfattelse taler den Omstændighed, at ingen, hverken Blanke eller velsindede og loyale Farvede have havt mindste Anelse om Faren forend dens Udbrud. Det synes vist, at det er mindre Bander, der hurtigt ere voksede i Antal - det antages, at der til Slutning var 7 a 8 forskjellige Bander - , som under forskjellige Førere droge om fra Plantage til Plantage og under Tilraabet "Our Side" bevægede Arbejderbefolkningen, hyppig ved Tvang, til at stifte Brand. Selve Brandstiftelsen er bleven foretaget med en forbavsende Hurtighed og Færdighed ved Hjælp af Petroleum og Rom, der i Fade nedlagdes i Bygningernes Kjælderrum. Fruentimmer og Børn deltoge virksomt deri. Forinden Brandstiftelsen varsledes Eiere og Forvaltere om, at de maatte forlade Plantagen, hvis de ikke vilde udsætte sig for at miste Livet; for saa vidt de ikke gjorde dette, have de maattet redde sig ind i Sukkermarker eller Buske, og flere have saaledes været Vidner til Ødelæggelsen og de dermed forbundne vilde Optrin. Ingen Negerby er brændt, intet Arbeidsdyr lemlæstet; som Regel ere afbrændte Eiendommenes Værker, Hovedbygninger og Forvalterbolig; enkelte Steder ere Værkerne sparede, og i det Hele taget antoges disse at kunne repareres for en forholdsvis mindre Udgift.
Det er umuligt endnu at angive Størrelsen af det lidte Tab. Mange Plantager havde temmelig betydelige Kvantiteter færdigt Produkt baade af Sukker. Rom og Mallas liggende paa Grund af de nuværende lave Priser. Det antages foreløbig, at der ved disse Produkters Brand er tabt ca. 150,000 Dollars. Tabet i Bygningsværdi anslaar jeg til 4000 Dollars pr. Plantage for de ødelagte Værkers Vedkommende, altsaa uden Hensyn til de tabte Vaaningshuse. Staden Frederiksted har lidt meget betydelig. Foruden de ikke ubetydelige Varelagre i de langs Stranden beliggende og helt udbrændte Butiker og Pakhuse, anslaas Tabet i Bygningsværdi til rigelig Halvdelen af Værdien af Byens samtlige Eiendvmme. I Omfang er omtrent en Trediedel af Byen totalt nedbrændt. Mange Mennesker staa derved ikke alene husvilde, men have mistet alt, baade Ejendele og Erhverv.
For det Offenliges Vedkommende indskrænker Tabet sig til Toldbygningen i Frederiksted med en Kassebeholdning af ca. 1000 Dollars, samt de fleste Bygninger paa Stationen paa Kingshill. Fællessukkerkogeriet er bjerget; derimod Stationen Glynn samt Portnerboligen ved Peters Rest Station tildels brændte; navnlig har Stationen Glynn lidt.
Jeg har set mange Sukkerstykker, som have været antændte, dog tror jeg, at Branden i disse væsenlig er bleven indskrænket til Yderkanterne, hvorimod hele Sukkerstykker kun undtagelsesvis ere afbrændte. Saasnart Ro atter er fuldstændig oprettet, vil der blive foretaget nøiagtige Undersøgelser til Vurdering af de lidte Tab.
Jeg vedlægger en Fortegnelse, der, saavidt man i Øieblikket er i Stand dertil, angiver, hvilke Plantager der ere brændte og hvilke der ere reddede.
Sluttelig skal jeg bemærke, at Aarsagen til Bevægelsen og Utilfredsheden mellem de Landarbejdere, der den 1. ds. i Løbet af Dagen samledes i Frederikssted, og som om Eftermiddagen samme Dag begyndte at forøve Brandstiftelserne i Byen og angreb Fortet, maa søges deri, at de ved Oktober Skiftetid ikke ønskede paany at paatage sig Aarskontrakter og forlangte en høiere Løn, saaledes som dette alt findes antydet i Frederikssteds Politimesters første Indberetning til Præsidentskabet.
Den ovennævnte Planter Fontaine er den eneste blanke Mand, der er bleven dræbt under Oprøret (foruden de tvende Soldater).
(Nationaltidende, 31. oktober 1878)
Standretten blev ophævet den 28. oktober:
JANUS AUGUST GARDE
Gouverneur for de danske vestindiske Öer,
Kammerherre,
Commandeur af Danebrog og Danebrogsmand
GJÖR VITTERLIGT : Da det Oprör der den d. 5te ds. endnu herskede paa Öen St. Croix og da nödvendiggjorde Nedsættelsen af en overordentlig Standret til forfölgning og Paakjendelse af de i og under Opröret af Oprörerne, Urostifterne og alle Deeltagere i Opröret og sammes Ödelæggelser begaaede Forbrydeiser nu er saavidt dæmpet, at Forudsætningerne for Standrettens Oprettelse ikke længere ere tilstede, har jeg D.D. ophævet bemeldte Standret.
Da imidlertid den videre Behandling af de fra Opröret opstaaende Sager efter deres Beskaffenhed og Omfang som henhörende under forskjellige Jurisdiktioner ikke hensigtsmæssig vil kunne skee ved de almindelige Retter, men maa foretages ved en extraordinair Ret, saa har jeg i Kraft af den mig i saa henseende ved Hans Majestæt Kongens Allerhöieste Resolution af 25de ds. tillagte bemyndigelse udnævnt ligesom jeg herved udnævner Efternævnte:
Overdommer ved den Kongelige vestindiske Landsoverret Justitsraad Ph. P. Rosenstand,
Underdommer i Frederiksteds Jurisdiction Justitsraad C. Sarauw, og Politimester Justitsraad A. Forsberg, Ridder af Danebrog og Danebrogsmand, til at sammentræde i en Commission for at undersöge og paakjende de Sager, der reise sig af og angaae Forbrydelser, der, som ovenmeldt, ere begaaede i og under det nu stedfundne Oprör af Oprörerne, Urostifterne og alle Deeltagere i Opröret og sammes Ödelæggelser; og skulle Commissionens Behandling, Kjendelser og Domme være underkastede Appel umiddelbart til Höiesteret.
Commisionen skal være bemyndiget til at sætte og holde Ret i enhver af Öen St. Croix to Jurisdiktioner og paa ethvert Sted paa denne Ö, hvor den maatte finde Anledning dertil, og skal Enhver, som den maatte fremkalde for at afgive Forklaring og som opholder sig
paa denno Ö, være forpligtet til efter lndkaldelse sine exceptione fori at möde for den.
Saa skal og Enhver af Commissairerne være bemyndiget til at optage Forhör i de andre Commissairers Forfald, hvortil ogsaa hörer, naar disse, enkeltviis eller i forening, ere beskjaeftigede med andre Undersögelser, dog at der, naar alene en enkelt Commissair beklæder Retten, skal være tilstede tvende lovfaste Vidner, af hvilke det ene kan være den Skriver, som Commissionen skal være bemyndiget til at antage til at före Protokollen.
Gouvernementet for de dansk vestindiske Öer p. t. St. Croix den 28de October 1878.
Under min Haand og Gouvernementets Segl
AUG. GARDE
(L. S.)
(St. Croix Avis, 2. november 1878)
Med nummeret fra 6. november oplystes at der var en indsamling i gang til fordel for plantageejerne, og at denne allerede havde indsamlet 20.000 dollars.
En ulykkelig Stjærne hviler over St. Croix. Øen har i en Række af Aar staaet under et økonomisk Tryk paa Grund af Høstens utilfredsstillende Udfald; i Aar tegnede Alt fortræffeligt, og saa gribes Negrene af en ustyrlig Ødelæggelseslyst, der ikke blot kuldkaster de gode Forhaabninger, men styrter Befolkningen i Nød og Elendighed. Det er grueligt at læse de Beretninger, som i disse Dage ere indløbne til os fra Vestindien. Vilde Negerhobe føre i djævelsk Raseri hen over Øen og afbrændte den ene Plantage efter den anden. En Trediedel af Frederiksted er forvandlet til en Brandtomt, og Halvdelen af dets Formue er gaaet tilgrunde. De ulykkelige Beboere af Byen og af Plantagerne maatte for at frelse Livet flygte bort uden at medtaget Andet, end hvad de gik og stod i. Kvinder og Børn skjulte sig i Sukkermarkerne, medens de ventede paa, at Negrene skulde drage videre for at fortsætte deres Hærværk, og bleve paany grebne af Dødsangst ved at se, at der ogsaa gjordes Forsøg paa at sætte Ild i Sukkerrørene. I Frederiksted, hvor Excesserne begyndte, bestod den hele Besætning, som Politimesteren havde at raade over, af tre Soldater og syv Politibetjente, der maatte indeslutte sig i Fortet for at redde deres eget Liv. Hvilken Lykke var det dog ikke i al den Ulykke, at Brandstiftelserne ikke ledsagedes af et almindeligt Blodbad! Negrene, som vare fuldstændig berusede, lod sig næppe af humane Hensyn lede til at skaane de Hvides Liv; men de vare saa opflammende af Begjærlighed efter at ødelægge og afbrænde Eiendomme, at de ikke havde Sans for Andet, og indbyggerne fik Tid til at flygte.
(Illustreret Tidende, november 1878 (uddrag)
Nedenstående artikel fra The New York Herald bragte også en "boks" med oplysninger om St. Croix.
Oprøret på St. Croix nåede også til udlandet, og bragte mange artikler. Fx. bragte The New York Herald, 28. november 1878, næsten en hel side. Artiklen begrundede oprøret i de slavelignende arbejdsforhold for befolkningen, og konkluderede at det nok ikke ville blive ændret. Her i uddrag - overskrifterne først i artiklen er medtaget, fordi de antydede indholdet. Afskriften af Labor act er udeladt, men i den oprindelige artikel er denne brugt til som bevis på de umenneskelige arbejdsforhold befolkningen levede under:
ST. CROIX.
Causes Which. Led to the Recent Outbreak.
EVILS OF THE EXISTING LABOR SYSTEM
Thirty Years of a Freedom Little Better than Slavery,
WHAT HAS FOLLOWED EMANCIPATION.
Business Interests of the Island. Paralyzed.
ADDITIONAL TROUBLE FEARED.
St. Thomas, Nov. 31, 1878.
The beautiful island of St. Croix. so recently .rendered desolate by the torch of the incendiary black laborers, is quiet on the surface, but the causes which led to the trouble have not been removed, and there is plenty of evidence that a very bad feeling still exists, which, if not allayed, may lead to a repetition of the horrors already experienced.* Since its occurrence there have been many speculations as to the cause of the outbreak, and any number of theories have been advanced by those who have taken only the most superficial view of it. These theories have been but little better than ridiculous, and show how wilfully Mind men are to the wrongs of any system by which they prosper. The outbreak was in fact nothing more than a servile Insurrection by men who have been practically Slaves under the so-called "provisional" labor law which has been in existence for thirty years, and from which all the disadvantages of slavery have accrued to the laborer and none of the advantages. While it lias been and is still admitted that labor laws or vagabond acts of a stringent character have been found necessary in all those islands where slavery formerly existed, yet experience has clearly shown that good results have followed them only as kind treatment and a fair remuneration have been accorded the laborer.
DIFFERENT LABOR SYSTEMS.
In Jamaica the sentimentalisin which had its origin at the time of Wilberforce prevented the enactment of any laws for the regulation of the manumitted blacks, and so they were left to their own inclinations, which were to bask in the sun and eat the spontaneous products of nature, and as the result that once beautiful and thrifty island became little better than a desert. In Martinique the Vagabond law enacted by the French following emancipation in 1848 kept the negro at work, while having respect to his freedom as a man and the pleasures of his semi-barbarous nature, and giving a fair remuneration. The result, as is known, has been one
of entire satisfaction to the employer and the employed, and Martinique is one of the most prosperous Islands under the sun. I refer to these cases as they constitute the two extremes in the treatment of the labor question following tbe abolition of slavery.
Herefter følger over flere spalter en komplet afskrift af St. Croix' Labor Act. Artiklen konkluderer følgende:
PRESENT CONDITION OF THE ISLAND
The evil effects of the outbreak have not ended with the destruction of the estates. The manufacturing and agricultural interests of the island are paralyzed by the want of confidence resulting from a knowledge of the fact that the cause of the trouble still remains and may, and not unlikely will, lead to further troubles. Men sit despairing amid the ruins of their estates, seeing no way to recover from their losses. The negroes - and they are comparatively few - who are willing to work for the wages prescribed by law are naturally regarded with suspicion, fears being entertained that they only seek an opportunity for revenge or additional destruction. The course which has been pursued in suppressing the insurrection and punishing the insurgents has not been characterized by wisdom. It has had the effect of practically establishing a color line, placing every negro in antagonism to the whites. It has resolved itself into a war of races, in which the governing class are only protected by their arms, of which the negroes are entirely destitute. The latter are peaceful for the time because they are powerless, but there are not wanting evidences of the feeling which controls them. Only last week a negro who had been instrumental in saving property belonging to Mr. Fintaino. the planter who was killed at the post, was murdered in his house, and this is but a sample of what is occurring. What the end is to be no one can tell. In the present condition of affairs it is evident no attempt will be made to conciliate the laborers and, without this, only the strong urni of military power and the practical reestablishment of slavery can induce them to return to their work. Meantime, business is prostrated and no attempt is being made to restore the destroyed estates.
(New York Herald, 28. november 1878)
(Af læsbarhedshensyn har jeg indsat afsnit på steder hvor de ikke forekommer i den originale artikel).
REPORT
to the Governor of the Danish West India Islands, concerning the events which took place in Frederiksted the 1st October 1878 and the night following, rendered by acting Policemaster in the Jurisdiction of Frederiksted. R. Petersen.
Udsnit af New York Heralds kort over Sankt Croix som gengiver navnene på plantagerne. Frederiksted er angivet på vestkysten (til venstre), Christiansted på nordkysten, længst til højre.
On Tuesday, the 1st October 1878, after breakfast time, say a little before noon, when I returned from my house in Dronningensgade to the police office in Frederiksfort, I met only a few estate-labourers in the street. From 8 o'clock a.m. to half past 3 o'clock p. m. that day there was a good deal of passport business in the office, all of which, however, was settled without difficulty; and when at the last-mentioned time the business in the office appeared to be over, I asked the Police Assistant, Overkrigskommissær Gyllich, to join me in a drive through the streets of the town, in order to see how matters stood, seeing that the day had passed quietly in comparison with the 1st October of other years, and hardly anybody had been taken into custody for disorderly conduct in the streets.
Accordingly we drove out, and reached as far as the Apothecary's Shop on the corner of Dronningens and Kongens Tværgade before we met any larger number of estate-labourers; the Judge, Councillor Sarauw, was standing in the street, and requested me to send out some policemen, as people were being killed at the corner of Prindsensgade and Kongens Tvergade. I drove up to the place thus indicated, where however, I found only one man, Henry Trotman, of Est. Mt. Pleasant and Plessens, lying in the gutter in a state of drunkenness; he had cut his foot on a stone or a piece of glass, in such a manner that it was bleeding. This man was brought to the hospital. I then drove back to the Fort, in order to call out the whole police force, and intendirg to cause the two mounted orderlies to ride slowly through the streets, which, I hoped would have some effect on the populace.
On my way to the Fort, and close to the Apothecary's Shop, I met two policemen, who had arrested Joseph La Grange (who afterwards proved to be one of the chief ringleaders,) and were endeavouring to bring him to the Police-office. I drove immediately behind them, got out of the carriage, and spoke to the Iabourers, but they were noisy and threatening, and effected by main force the rescue of Joseph La Grange, who ran away.
- I then drove to the Fort, called out the rest of the policemen and two mounted orderlies, and followed them with the Police Assistant to the carriage. At the corner of the Apothecary Shop one of the rioters threw himself upon one of the orderlies, and threatened him with his stick, upon which both of the orderlies drew the sable and cut about them, but without striking anybody. As, however, the mob was increasing, and shouted and yelled, and as I judging from the number and manner of the mob, could foresee that by using violence I ran the risk that my force, the greater part of which was unarmed, would be struck down, and that thus the Fort might fall into the hands of the populace - I caused the orderlies to follow slowly behind my carriage back through Dronningens Gade, the Policemen following a little further back, forming a line across the street. The mob followed us, and I was in hopes that the boldest among them would follow us into the yard of the Fort; in which case it was my intention to have the gates promptly closed, and thus endeavour to restore quietness when the leaders were caught. The mob threw stones at us in the street, but I restrained my men from attacking them; and we got into the Fort, while the mob stopped in Kongensgade
Gade i Frederiksted. Licenseret under en Creative Commons Navngivelse-IkkeKommerciel-IngenBearbejdelse 3.0 Unported Licens. Det Kongelige Bibliotek.
I then left the three orderlies and the policemen in the Fort, and went, accompanied by the Police-Assistant up in Kongensgade, in order to speak to the rioters and to learn what they wanted. While we were on our way thither the Public Physician, Dr. Hansen and Comptroller Birch joined us; the British Vice-Consul, Revd. DuBois, was already on the spot, in the midst of the mob, seeking to pacify them. We went singly about amongst the rioters, proceeding up-street, preventing them from fighting amongst themselves, and trying to speak with them, which was not easy, on account of their being very noisy; they were willing enough to talk, but nobody wanted to listen. Our intention was, to lead them on to the Southern outskirts of the town, and there to persuade them to go home. At length we succeeded partly - that is: we got them on to the outskirts of the town, and several of them promised to go home quietly and get the others to go with them; amongst those who gave me their promise to that effect was Joseph La Grange whom I met again here. Thus going along with them, we learned also from them, that they were dissatisfied with the pay fixed by the Labour Act, and wanted 20 to 25 cents per day in money.
Suddenly all our endeavours were frustrated: a woman, Felicia James, from Mount Pleasant and Plessens, came running and told the mob, that Henry Trotman of the same Estate, whom the police had caused to be lodged in the hospital, had died there in consequence of the blows inflicted upon him by the police. Now there ensued such a noise and throwing of stones that I went away in order to write to the Presidency for assistance; but on the way I met Dr. Hansen near the Apothecary's Shop, and with him I went first to the hospital, in order to see if anything was the matter with Henry Trotman. We found him lying on a mattress in one of the rooms in a state of utter drunkenness, having suffered no further bodily injury, except that one of his feet was bleeding, and in the same state as when I found him lying in the gutter. When we were in the gallery fronting Strandgade, intending to leave by the chief staircase, the mob which I had left at the outskirt, ol the town came rushing, headed by Felicia James, shouting that they were going to see if Henry Trotman was dead, and tried to force the gate fronting Strandgade. The gate, however, withstood their attack, and from the window of the gallery I called out to them, that I had seen Henry Trotman just now, and that nothing was the matter with him, except that he was quite drunk.
At this juncture, Dr. Hansen and I ran down into the street to the mob, and Felicia came at once running up to me; I explained again that nothing was the matter with Henry Trotman, and told them to go away quietly without disturbing the sick; Dr. Hansen also did everything in his power to get them away. It was all to no purpose; from Kongens Tværgade they rushed up the main staircase, and both of us ran up also to keep the door; but they pushed it open at once, and we went away, Dr. Hansen homeward, and I, taking the way of Kongensgade, to the Fort. When I arrived there, the Police Assistant had already distributed our Minié-rifles, 9 in number (one of which, however, broke at once) to the policemen, who stood by the outer gate, while the three orderlies were holding on horseback in the yard. I was just going to write to the President, in Christiansted for assistance, when I saw the mob coming shouting up Strandgade from the hospital, in increased number, and take up their stand in front of the Fort, between the Customhouse and the wharf. A couple of minutes after, a rain of stones was sent down upon us in the fort yard, and when this was repeated, I gave order to fire.
As far as I am aware, no one was hit; but the whole mob stormed under savage cries against the fort, pulled down the outer gate, which consisted of palings only, and threw it into the sea. We hurried into the inner fort yard, barred the gate under the Judge's office, and got the orderlies, who promptly stabled their horses, in by a back-door fronting the stable-yard. Now began a murderous fire of brickbats, stones, couch shells and cannon-balls - which latter from old time were piled in the outer yard, - in such a manner that the entire inner fort yard and the bastions were covered by the missiles, and we had great trouble in delivering one fire without getting crushed; in several places whence we might have fired, the prison-cells were occupied by prisoners. The mob surrounded the Fort; they were in front of the Judge's office and in the stable-yard, and threw their missiles at us with great violence, so that I failed to understand that, only one man, nightguard Fossett, was hit by them (in the side). The three soldiers and the policemen present (some had been out off from us in town), and two men from town, who had followed with the Police-Assistant into the Fort, Mr. Tolderlund and Mr. Adolphus Joseph, exhibited great courage and coolness, and fired on the mob so effectively, that after the expiration of half-an-hour, about 5.30 p.m., especially because they had not succeeded in forcing the inner gate of the fort (which, however, nearly gave way) - they drew away from the Fort and went down to town.
Udsigt over Christiansted. Uden Årstal. Det Kongelige Bibliotek. Creative Commons Navngivelse-IkkeKommerciel-IngenBearbejdelse 3.0 Unported Licens.
Considering what had happened, I dared not assume the responsibility of leaving the Fort and attacking the mob in the streets, seeing that the number of the rioters was very considerable, and increased in the course of the evening and the night (if was reliably estimated at 600 800), and I had only 8 mozzle-loaders and 3 breechloaders; but I wrote at once to the President for an assistance of 20-25 soldiers, and despatched my coachman, John Mcintosh, on one of my horses with the letter at 5.45 p.m., through the stable gate by the Northside road, seeing that he could not pass through town on horseback; I dared not send an orderly, who in all probability would have been murdered by the rioters. I learned afterwards that a good many people were in motion on the Northside road; they pursued my coachman to such a manner that he had to seek refuge with Mr. Ramsay, manager of Estate "Punch " This latter sent, by another messenger, the letter to Mr. Foster, manager of Estate "Mon Bijou"; this messenger also was stopped on the road by great numbers of estate-labourers, but succeeded in reaching "Mon Bijou," and Mr. Foster despatched a third messenger, who reached Christiansted at one o'clock a.m. Wednesday morning, and delivered the letter to the Vice-Governor.
We knew nothing about all this in the Fort; we hoped that the military might be on the spot about 10 or 11 o'clock in the evening, and that thus we would be enabled to save the greater part of the town, which as early as 7-8 o'clock p.m. began burning in some places, seeing that the mob broke open some shops, threw the goods into the street, poured kerosene over them and put fire to them; from the burning goods the fire in most cases caught the roofs of the houses, which thereupon burned down. In this manner the fire spread more and more; at length they put fire to the Customhouse.
We were expecting every moment a new attack on the Fort, as we heard the rioters constantly saying that it was all of no use, so long as the Fort was not burned down; but there was no unanimity on this point, and one half of them thought it, was more safe to destroy the stores and houses, seeing that not a few of them had got wounded in the first attack on the Fort - Several times they advanced, gesticulating fearfully and striking together the cane-bills which they had robbed from the stores; but as we fired whenever any one came sufficiently near, they generally preferred keeping their distance, and retired again. It should be observed, that we were obliged to save our ammunition as much as possible, to provide for the eventuality that my messenger had been intercepted by mobs in the country, or that no assistance could be sent us from Christiansted; the streetmob declaring eagerly that that town was burning also.
Arbejdere på St. Croix. Uden Årstal. Det Kongelige Bibliotek. Creative Commons Navngivelse-IkkeKommerciel-IngenBearbejdelse 3.0 Unported Licens.
- At 2.30 a-m. the 2nd inst. I got a black man, Charles Thomas, who had come to us in the Fort in the course of the night, to ride up to the Vice Governor with another letter, and he, after encountering much difficulty, reached Christiansted at 6 o'clock a.m., but when he arrived, the military had left 3 hours before
- Between 3 and 4 o'clock a.m. the second attack was made on the Fort - this time from the stable-gate and from the sea-side by the bathing house; but as we gave fire whenever a head peeped out, the rioters broke into the garden behind the table-yard, through a small wicket fronting the public road, and from the garden put fire to the roof of a small house, Which is used for storage of petroleum from town, and at the time contained 840 gallons petroleum and about 2,000 squibs; at the same time they sent volleys of stones at us in order to prevent us from extinguishing the fire and shooting. We now got a small fire-engine up from the yard, by means of which we threw water on the shingled roof of the small house (commonly called "the birdcage") in which I have two private office rooms; we also, by directing the hose through the windows shove and below, poured water over all the wood work in the stable yard, - at the risk, of course, of being crushed by the stones thrown by the rioters, who understand throwing stones with correctness of aim and at a great distance. In view of the danger that the fire should spread, we had also to loose the horses in the stable-yard.
The rioters endeavoured, by throwing stones, to prevent us from extinguishing the fire, but some well-aimed shots kept them at a distance; a few who came too near were shot down; and we succeeded in limiting the fire to the kerosene house, of which the roof and the contents burned, so that only the shattered walls are left. From the kerosene-house the fire caught the wooden shed between the kerosone-house end the stable-yard; but police-writer Henderson, under-corporal Petersen, and one of the drivers with some active prisoners, went down in the stable-yard and extinguished the fire. This attack lasted till 5 o'clock a. m. In an examination which I held a few days after, it was explained, that the purpose of this last attack was to get into the stable-yard, and when this failed, to burn down the kerosene-house, so as to make a wide gap, through which the mob should then rush in under a lean to which, fronting the stable-yard, is attached to the Police office; from this point a door should be forced, and 2 or 3 bottles of burning kerosene thrown into the room thus opened (the former guard-room), in order to cause the burning of the men upstairs.
- A little before 6 o'clock a.m., when a part of the rioters had left town, and most of those remaining had gathered to the north of the Moravian establishment, and were most probably preparing a third attack on the Port, Lieutenant Ostermann arrived with 19 military by the Northside road, and was admitted through the stable-gate. I now had the flag hoisted, and, I immediately after the arrival of the military, went out in the town with the Lieutenant and 30 soldiers. The first thing was to fire on the rioters assembled at the Moravian establishment; after dispersing this mob we marched through the streets, which the Lieutenant cleared by firing some volleys; at the same time we effected some arrestations. We succeeded in being just in time to save the large house belonging to Comptroller Birch, situated on the corner of Kongensgade and Toldbodgade (formerly the residence of Policemaster Egg. ), which the mob had commenced firing; they had poured kerosene over the furniture, but luckily only a door fronting Toldbodgade had caught fire, which I caused to be extinguished at once.
After our return to the Fort, we had a brass gun - which was offered us by Major Moore, and was lying in his burned-down property in Strandgade - moved up on the bastion, mounted on an old gun-carriage, and loaded with a charge of grape shot, some of which had, luckily, been left behind when the military last year was removed from the Fort, but which up to that moment had been of little use to us, seeing that no gun had been left to the police. About 9 o'clock a. m. Lieutenant Ostermann and myself got a report of what had occurred sent off to the Vice-Governor, by the hands of Mr. Thomas Elliott from Christiansted.
(St. Croix Avis, 30. november 1878)
