"It is with the utmost satisfaction that the inhabitants of
this jurisdiction have learned that order and obedience to
the laws has commenced to be re-established, and as from
most evidence the hope can be entertained that regularity
and order will go hand and hand, it is hereby promulgated
that any person or persons opposing the authorities, or in
any other manner combining for illegal or violent purposes,
will be dealt with as rioters, and instantly shot. All
peaceable and well-disposed inhabitants are called upon to
assist the authorities in quelling disorder and apprehending
the rioters.
"Frederiksted, 6th July, 1848.
"F. SCHOLTEN, C. IRMINGER, CASTONIER, GYLLICH, OGAARD,
SARAUW."
As many of the refugees on board the vessels were still in dread
of the rioting negroes, and as there was some reason to suppose
that in their fear they would remove from the island, in order to
prevent them doing so, I forbade all ferrying with boats, from
nine o'clock in the evening till four o'clock in the morning,
which times were made known by a cannon shot from the brig.
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.
3. Kammerjunker Rothe did not produce anything in writing, either
from General v Scholten, the existing Government, or the other
two Government Councillors, Kunzen and Petersen, concerning this
newly appointed Government Commission. I, therefore, considered
it my duty not to submit myself blindly to the command of this
Commission, especially as the report said that the
Governor-General had been deposed. When Captain Castonier
returned in the afternoon, I informed him of my protest. He fully
concurred in my views. The other authorities in Frederiksted
followed our example, and although Vice-Stadthauptmand,
Chamberlain F. v Scholten, hesitated, he still signed the
measures we took to restore order and quiet.
On the 12th July I despatched my report from West End to St.
Thomas to leave by the Packet for Europe. It bears that day's
date. Written during the actual occurrence of the riots, it
contains my views respecting the events as they then appeared to
me. I have seen no reason to change them. I never imagined that
General v Scholten would leave the island, which, as is known,
happened immediately after; consequently, my report arrived home
with the same Packet on which he took passage.
On the 24th July I left West End to be on hand to assist in St.
Thomas. The 6th September I received orders to come with the
"Ornen" to Bassin as quickly as possible, as riots had occurred,
and it was not desirable, except absolutely necessary, to use the
Spaniards. The Fort in Bassin was now reinforced by men from the
"Ornen," because, as is known, the Government had given way to
the Brand corps and discharged the energetic Police master
Frederiksen.--TAYLOR, _Leaflets from the Danish West Indies_, pp.
133-140.