St. Croix Avis (Christiansted, St. Croix [V.I.]) 1844-Current
March 21, 1865

Historic newspapers carry the language, views and graphic reporting of their time, including racist content. They are shown to teen and adult profiles.

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e X @fl DN 2t Kom e Tl 7 4 ENRE D, f .3 A W 2 e o e Pb s "(&‘i e o SR i——m- sg 1o TR N BEAR G b o A ::j' 't ;@gfi .3% S{3elo X¥ L i, A\; AR L3-S \lf‘:‘};%‘l};fip‘i:?i eI ARy Hrey NP e i PRy R ry ARSI S, T f".zz?v&:i. gy wr) AGG) L 0 TR SRR AW;WS i S v ASSEERE RS FERr Y v PR iR S LY, VA -ey raty R RS Lzt B RS G RSN 5200 s ’{:,\i R 3 e W REES T \"flm 5 025 e Gl TSR S -4 NG s Yoty b N A '{s Fopniy RS T B SR AR Gy B t'f{ i G B /NG %’;:1& D AR b Gle AP e £33 g s sR S A0 7/ it s o Lt 4 5 -,«é"‘& 50l YA tos ot 73 3 oot ey Rt g it 524 L L bl P sy ST B R l‘é’:fi;: '3: £l3 2 b Si 2t G BE. 3 S IVCIIVER: HANS HATCOCHETT. FTRYET 1 ENKEN HARRIET HATCHETT'S TUOGIRIEEDLER]: 21de Aarg.] The “AVII” ISEDITED BY HANS HATCHETT; AND PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY. for the Proprietress. e BEKJENDTGJORELSE. I Anledning as at Baron Å. von Bretton efter Anstgning og paa Grund as Sygdom har fratrandt sin Constitution som Toldforvalter 1 Christiansted, er under Dags Dato Hrr. Toldcontroileur J. Mocre con stitueret som Toldførvalter og Hrr. O. Mjreh som 2den 'Toldcontrolleur 1 Christiansted. Hvilket herved efter Ordre bringes til offentlig Kundskab. Governementets Qdet Fecretariat, St. Croix den 20de Marts 1863. CARL HATTENSEN. X, D Zza, THIY Upstairs of House No. 228 40, Company Street, belonging Mrs. Philip Roche. For particulars apply to the Own er, Contentment, or to Mr. J. J. Huin. 3 Lash 11. 3 4 Establishment. SHE above Fstablishment has just J received a supply of “New Goeods,” viz i Fancy Prints, Domestics, Jacco nets, Swiss Mull, White spotied Grenadine Dresses, White lace Dres ses, Mohairs, Rich Moire Antique, Black, Whitc Colourd Cloak Tassels, Gents Ladies White and Colour’d Kid Gloves, Ladies Broad Belts, Silk, Coiton Velvet, Satin, Silk Ribbons, Gents Cricket Flan nel for Pants, White [Llarseilies, Linen sheeting, DBlankeis, Cloth Caps, Felt Hats, Razors, Braces, Girls Eugenie Combs, Ladies, Gents, Boys, Girls Elastic Sides Kid Calf Boots, IHighly scented Toilet Soaps, Tissue Paper, Braids, White Kid Slippers, White Satin per yard, Sash Ribbons &ec., &c. N.B. Having just taken Stock, I beg to inform my friends and Customers, that a considerable reduction has been made in the prices of the Goods generally, with a view of reducing the pre sent large Stock. gt LY D C. k. bryan. Bassin 21st March 1865. CHRISTIANSTED, TIRSDAGEN den 21.de MTARTS 1865. 0 XIGAatcTION

f)X UCTIONS-Directeuren bekjendt g Z,. gjor herved, at ifolge Requisition as Hr. Procurator Gad paa vedkom i mende Forligs- og, Udlægshaveres Vegne vil blive opragbt til Nalg ved sde offentlige Auetioner i Medfor as PL. 22 April 1817 G a i 2ZEIDOMMEN N0.4 a Repgjeringsgade og No. 4 Canalenade Kronpridsens Qvarteer I med paastnaende Bygninger, tilhu rénde Hr. A Raoul. Iste Auction Fredag den Vde Aprii næstkommende Middag Kll2. Fden Auction Fredae den Yide A pril hestkommende Middae Kl. 19. Sdie Auction Fredag den Ste Mai nustkommende Middag, K. 19. Iste og Zden Auetion paa Underieg nede Contoir, ddie Auction paa Åa j stedet. l Conditionerne, Vurderings og Pan teattest ville blive fremlagte ved Ane i tionerne, hvortil Lysthavende indby des. St. Thomæ Auctions Contoir, den 11de Marts 1865. Rosenstand, l Auctionsdirecteuvr. B oY Lo o =R Ta AUCTION. “PHT Vendue Director hereby _l makes known, that at the re -1 quest of Lawyer L. Gad i behalf of the mortgageholder and distrainer is offered for sale by 3 Auetions in E conformity with Royal Ordimance dated 2:2nd April 1817 THE PROPERTY el No. 4 a Regjeringseade and No. 4 Canalgade, Bronprindsens Quarter, with buildings thereon, belonging to A. Raoul Esq. Ist Auction on Friday the 7th April next at 12 o’clock noon. 2nd Auction on Friday the 21st April next at 12 o’clock noon. grd Auction on Friday the sth May next at 12 o'clock noon. Ist and second Auction at the under signed office, 3rd Auction at the pre nmises. The terms of sale, appraisement and extract of register of mortgage to be seen at the Vendues to which purchasers are invited. St. Thomas Vendue Office, the 11th March 1365. Rosenstand, Vendue Director. -e et executed at this Office Jn B PRI NTI NG with neatness and des patch. THE “AVIS.” thast] B [9%) (T o a0 s SGhriziiansied, 81 Bruiz.

TUESDAY, 21tu MARCH 1865. e e Tue Royal Maii Steamer La Plata ar rived at St. 'T'homas on the 17th inst. In political matters a dearth of news seems to prevail in Europe. The fate of the German Duchies is not vet settled, hut rumours ate flying thick. [t is stated that Kogland has recommend ed the nowination of the Duke of Augus tenburg, that Prussia has offered to res tore Danish Schleswig to Denmark if France will consent to her swallowing up the remainder, and that Austria has agreed to consent to annexation provided Glatz, a county in. Silesia of 15S sqnare miles, 1s granted to her in return. Nove of these rumours can be relied on, and the first least of all, as it is exactly the story which Junkers would iloveat to make the Duke of Augustenburg unpo pular in Germany. Herr von Bismark, however, hasa good deal of’ time before him, as the Prussian Treasury will not be cmpty for two years, and till then he can hold the Duches without much fear of being called to account. It is said that the uncertainties of the position are se riously injuring Holstein. i To Correspondent “A.”” The Editor of the St. Croix Avis would kindly ad visa Mr. A. to apply for the salary of £IOOO pr. annum offered in a previous namber of the Avis to any one merely to mind his own business. We hold it to be our duty to decide without officious interference what communications we would insert or otherwise; and we feel perfectly sure that Mr. A. has not in his life time ever paid a cent for a copy of our paper so that we should care it he finds any communication therein inserted to be tiresome or not. From the Holifax Acadian Recorder, March 3. By Telegraph to Associated Press, FROM THE STATES, NEW YORK, 2nbp, p. M. Rebel deserters confirm the evacuation of Augusta, Georgia, which is now in Federal pos session. Columbia, South Carolina, was burned by or der of General Shermen as a punishment for their citizens firiug on his troops when the city was in their possession, and after one corps had passed through. Blockade-runners John Dale and Delia have been eaptured. Gold closed at 197 1-2. New York, March Ist. Mobile advices to the 6th, indicate that there is no intention of the Confederates to evacuate that place. The Garrison and defences wero being strengthened, and Baeuregard had been there on a visit, and made a speech to the inha bitants of the City. The Federals are preparing for a close block ade of Galveston (Texas), where blockade-run ning now proves successful and profitable. 1t is believed in Washington that Sherman has captured “Charlotte” and “Florence,” with large stores of cotton. T Gold 200%. J[Nr, 23.

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New York, March I—p .M. In anticipation of the battle betwecn General Sherman and the rebels, the Government has despatched a corps of Surgeons and nurses to his army via Wilmington, N. C. Deserters from Lee’s army continue’ to come in at the rate of nearly 200 per day. They re port that A. P. Hill’s corps has gone to m:et Sherman. Richmond papers of Monday, the 27th, Lave no wilitary news whatever and tell their readers to have patience, and they will give them some favorable news before long. Gold 200 New York, March 2. Gen. Gillmore officially reports that over 400 cannon. many of superior English make, were captured in the defence of Charleston. The Federals have captured Georgetown, S. Vo Tl Hood is reported to have passed through Au gusta, Georgia, on the 19th with seventeen thousand men to reinforce Hardee. Rebel papers complain of a panie in Rich mond, and charge members of Congress with running away, so that legislation canuot be cax ried on for want of quorum. Gold 196 3-4. The news is not of importance. The Confederate Steamer Shenandoak has burned five Federal vessels off Cape Good Hope. The Confederato Steamer Stonewall, lato Olinda, was at Ferrol (a geaport town in Spaiv) on the 10:h February. TR S PRSI Y T T Y N T AI T RADE Y 0 Gommoniraiing, ie s i To the Editor of the St Croix Avis, Sir! It is gratifying to all those who are interest ed in the general welfare of the Island to ob sorve by the letters of “Reformer” and “Iree discussion,” which recently appeared in the “Avis,”” that public attention has at length been aroused to the urgent necessity of aban doning the present *“Labor Act,” which it is patent to every oue does not work advantige ously for the interest of the Colony. Itslong er continuance, as “Reformer” justly implies, must not only keep foreign labourers from coming to us, but will have the cffect of driving away, year by year, our young and able hands to Crab Island, where Planters are free to pay their labourers for work and wvot for time. There can be no person possessing an accurate kuow ledge of the working and influence of the pre sent system, who, with sensiblo consideration, looks forward to the future of this Island, but must feel anxious to sco the Aet in question reformed. Planters no doubt are divided in their views on tho subject—soma are timid and selfish, fearful of any change which will drive them out of the beaten track let it be ever so needful of repairs—while others possessing more energy of character, and being less blind to their own, and the general interest of the commuuity, are willing to see the principle of “fixed wages” abandoned and a less abnormal state of things instituted in its stead which will loosen their hands and enable them to work their listates to the most advantage. Unity of action or opinion among planters here is a phenomenon wo scarcely can expect, it never has existed heretofore and we do mnot look for it in this oase. We van therefore hope for no proper or efficient movement to emanate from them in this direction. But we hold it incumbent on Government—whose unquestionable duty it is to guard with equal care the rights of all clas ses—to take the initiative in the matter, and have such measures enacted as will give real individual freedom, encourage and incite the labourer to exertion and honest industry, and which, on the other hand, will enable the plan ter to make such agreement with bis labourers as will protect him from the prevailing perni oious aond numerous exactions, so demoralizing to the employed—in the shape of Rum, Sugar, hot and cold liquor &ec. &o'—and, at same time, so ruinous to, and subversive of, the proper influence and authority of the employer. He need not then submit, as now, to aliow a de structive cavalcade of ponies to be introduced on his Estate, to have his land stripped of long tops and trash, his canes copsumed, ad libitum, $Te CROILERE AV] S nor is he able, in fact, to preserve for his own use even the fruit that grows on his listate. Under such regulations as here desired the Planter will be able te inforce the novel privei ple (on Estates) of meum et tuum, and be more than the semblance of prop:ietor of his own plactation. It is an axiom in political econo wy that demand creates supply, and it must naturally be supposed in our case that if laws be made to encourage Immigrants a sufficient supply will always be at Land, or obtainable from other Islands, to keep wages at a reason able rate. The Planter left irce to his own exertions and to make his own bargain, will find away to procuic labourers from other Islands without the aid of Governmeant, and the country wiil be thus relieved from the enormous expense of imporiing labourers, pay ing useless emigrant Avents and emissaries &e. Every planter can then lock out for himself, and the Police Masters will doubtless be able to take care that every new hand bronght to the Island, as well ssthose in it, shall find em ploymeat. It is true that a change from the preseut system will at first give Muuagers more trouble—until they gain sufticient expericnce— whicly, perhaps, is the reason sowme are opposed to it beeauss it will naturally introduce fask work wilch involves tho n\;u}s-:;':::.' of striet cars and attention, besides a good kuowledge of their business in order to ensure success, DBat thero are rights and other considerations con nected with the subjoct under counsideration, which it may uot Le wise (o ignore oc put cut of sight too long. Seveuteen years is already a long appreuticeship, aund the wltima thule may eventually be reached when demands might pk‘,l‘l‘n’ll)s: arise from a cuarter which timely prudeuce and justice should prevent the possibility of. Plain Words. OrriciaLLy COMMUNICATED. The official duties of the Authorities do not permit them te contradiet or correct every erroneous asseriion or sfatement made by the Press regarding matters un der their administration, and very often it would also be unnecessary or even out of place for them to do so; but now and then instances ocear which specially call for correction, particularly wheun state ments made by the Press, were they to re mainuncorrected oruncontradicted, might misicad peopie and eause wrong concep tions as to the meanine of the Laws and tn the manner the eitizens themselves are to act. This ccnsideration has eallted for ward the toliowing remarksin referefice to several articles pablished in the t45St. Thome Tidende,” reterring to the mean ing of cerfain clauses of the new Colonial Law, or to the measures adopted by the Auathorities with regard to the prepara tions for the elections. An article in the «Tidende” for the B'h of Mirch, expresses regret that the Go vernment has not provided the printed list of voters which has lieretofore been the custom, and adds, that the reason civen is said to he, that by exhibiting the list at the Court House for iaspection, all persons were afforded suflicient opportu pity of making themselves acquainted with so much of its contents as wounld enable them to determine whom to elect. ‘The Alphabetical List which the Go vernment has hitherto caused to be print ed previous to elections for the Colonial Council was, asexpressly designated by its heading, a List “of inhabitants in the Danish® Westindia Possesstons who ac cording to the Colonial Law dated 26th March 1852 have a right te-vote, in the electoral districts to which they severaily belong, for members of the Colonial Coun cil(s), and who have likewise the legal qualifications for being elected members of said Council(s), in any of the other dis tricts;” and at the foot of the List there was added a note explaiming that ““the list contains the electors in the respec tive districts, but in respect to the re presentatives to be elected it is accord ing to the Colonial Law, 10, not requisite that they should be residents in the dis trict which they represent, and therefore a person uamed in any of the lists 1s eli gible in all thedistricts.” Thus it was clearly shewn, that the intent of publish ing these lists was to furnish the electors with the most reliable information pos sivle of all Inhabitants that were eligible for election, since eligibility did not de pend upoun the persons’s residing within a particular municipality, for when eli cibles in one municipality he was eligible in all, and it was so much more requisite to have suech a List as the Council could ouly meet in oue of the Islands, and as the electors might find it advisable or neces sary to elcet persons residing without the municipality, they ought to have a knowledge of all persons eligible to be elected members. According to 9 and 10 of the Colonial Law of 26th March 1852 eligibility as member of the Colo nial Connvcil was considered generally jto be based on the right of voting in any one of the electoral districts, so that the list of voters could in general also serve as a list of peesons that were eligible to be voted for. This is, however, for the areater part changed by the new Colonial Law. Inorderto be eligible for election it is now requisite, that the person shall be residing within the same municipality which he is to represent; and just as it has never been considered necessary that the Burgher Counci's shonld have caused lists of persons eligible for election to the said Couucils to be printed previous to elections, it does not appear, that there is more reason to do this now, even if jt could be done, with reference to the new Colonial Councils. But moreover it can not be done at all, for 19 of the new Colonial Law expressly stipulates, that a person’s eligibility does not at all depend upen his name berner on the list of persons entitled to vote. All persons who other wise possess the qualifications required according to 18, but who, for instance, beeause they negleeted to aunounce that they have a yearly income of §SOO, have for a certain period lost their right of voting, are nevertheles eligible to be vot ed for, and should they be elected they cantot deeline aceepting the election, ex cept they can do so in virtue of 31. Therefore il the Government had caused to be printed lists of the voters, thereby inferring that sueh lists could be used as a cuide in regard to persons eligible to be elected—and this could be the only good motive for having such lists printed and published—, that would only have been leading the voters astray, since it could be the case, that the names of those very men whom the voters may prefer to elect as their representatives in the Council, may not be on the lists. The voters when considering what individuals are most worthy to be elected, need certainly have no list of the names of persons eli gible, but simply to search out those men in the community, possessing intelli gence and respectability, whom they could consider worthy of their choice,and. it will be.an easy matter forany voter to decide for himself whether an individual for whom he would like to vote is eligible or not, in accordance with §IB of the Colonial Law. The ¢Tidende’ for the 11th of Janu ary, No. 3, contains an article, refor ring to a letter in the same Number from a public Officer, wherein he notifies to the voters, that if he were to be elected

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he would avail himselt of the privilege granted to officials by 31 of the Colonial Law to decline accepting such election. In the article itis stated that the said “anfortunately, like so many more sec tious of the Law, invariably contains a sentence that neutralises the whoie sec tion, so that after having read it, it simply means, ¢is so, or nos s», JUsi as you may desire to have it. The section says— Every person who is eligible in the mu nicipality is bound to accept election as “a member of the Colonial Council, unloss “he has a valid ground of exemption.’ And farther on it adds— ¢The same is *applicable to all officials” Now, does this mean that «ll oficials who have a valid ground shall be exempt, or that the fact of being an official is enough to se cure exemption when the incumbent de sires it. This 1s a point that should re ceive-a timely and definite decision, and if it should prove, that an official ¢an only by exempt by producivg a valid eround, then we are of opinion they should be coutent to bear their equal share of the municipal burden alike with their fellow men, as the only alloy to the many privi leges they may otherwise possess.” T'his quotation from the Colonial Law i 8 hoowever very incorrect, forin the of ficial translation of the said law, the clause referred to runs as follows “I'he persons thus electe:d are immedi :xtely to be notified thereof in writing by the chairman of the Elective Board. Eve ry person who is eligible in the muniei pality is bound to aceept election as a member of the Colonial Council, unless he has a valid grouad of exemption Any person who 1s 60 years old, or who during the period of the last 6 years has been a member either of the hitherto existing Burgher Councils or any of the Coloniat Councils established by this law, and has served for at least 4 yeara, may refuse to accept election. 'The same is applicable to all officials. If' the pevson elccted does not within 8 days after the clection, provided he at the time is on the island where the election has taken place, or else within a period to be fixed by the Board in each ease, state in writ iug his reason for exemption, he shall be recarded as having accepted the election. Bat if a reason for exemption be stated due time, the Board is to decide in a meeting hLeld for this purpose, whether the reason given can be considered satis factory, and if this be admitted to be the case, a new election must take place, in conformity with the prescribed rules.” It scarcely requires any very careful pe rusal or examinationof thisclause to plaee it beyond a doubt, that the while declar ing that generally every person swho is eligible in the mnnicipality is bound to accept election, unless he has a valid ground of exemption, expressly mentions certain ingtances in which an individual has the right to decline to accept election, viz: when he has arrived at his 60th year of age, or when he has been filling a seat either in th& Burgher Councils or in the Colonial Council in the specified number of years,—and subsequently de clares that officials also have the richt of refusing to accept election. In all other cases the Elective Board has to decide whether the reason given for dechning to accept an election can be considered satisfactory but in regard to the cases expressly mentioned, the Law has alrea dy determined that the excuses there sta. ted are sufficient to procure exemption, so that the Elective Board wiil at all events merely have to decide whether the facts required by the Law do really $STes CROLE AV S, exist, viz: if there are proofs that the person is 60 years of age, or that he has filled a seat in one ot the Councils in the stipulated number of years, or that he is an official. This clause of the Colonial Law corresponds precisely with sll of the Ovcdinance concernine the Burcher Counciis dated 9th ot May 1855, which 1u the oflicial translation of the Ordi pance runs thus: “T'hose whe have been elected wiil receive a written communi cation of their election from the director, who at the same time has to report the result of the election to the Superior Au thority. If the person elected wishes to be exempted, the Burgher Council will have to decide whether the cause assign ed can be considered suflicient. Any per son having attained the age of 60 years, or who 1u the last 3 years has been mem ber of the Burgher Council and ofliciated as such for at least 3 years, hasa right to decline to accept the election. The sanie 1s applicable to all public tunction artes.” No one has ever expressed a doubt of this having giveun cofiicials a plain and distinet right to decline aceept e election. It would be erroncous, however, to suppose that this right for officials is u privilege allowed them per- SOthiy, for the reasons why they are given that right are fivstly, because it is in the intersst of the Pabhe, that officials should e every Lo else attend to the ofii cial duties they are paid to discharge, aud therefore they ought to be exempt from municipal burdens, secon Hy hocause an official, by accepting a seat in the Colo nial Couneil, and there followine Lis per sonal views, may come in conflict with his official position, to which bhe ought ot to be exposed. The “Tidende?” forthe 22dof February publisiies an article, where it is satd it is with regret we learn that a great many persons who possess the right to vote under the SSOO qualification have omit ted to elaim the same, giving us a reason that they find the rales for obtaining the necessary proois by far too exactine and it may be said, too scrutihising into ones private affuirs, and therefore prefer to forego the right of a vote, rather than to be catechised on points which they hold to be purely their own business. If it should prove by this new method intro duced into the Colonial Law for votine, that 1t has served to curtail the number of" voters, the Government may yet find that it Isin itsown interest that the num ber of Ilectors should rather be over than under what 1t was during the old Colonial Law.” According to the Colonial Law of the 26th of March 1852 it was left to the Burgher Councils to frame the lists of persons entitled to vote, consequently in cluding those, who were entitied to vote because of their having a clear annual income of SSOO. In framing the lists it was customary to enter not only the names of those who decidedly were in receipt of SSOO, but also the names: of persons of whom it was supposed that they wereinreceipt ofthat amount, with out any enquiry being made to the parties councerned as to whether they really had it. The consequence of this was, that persons who confidently believed, that their names were on the list, becanuse they knew that they had been on fore going lists, and their circumstances had undergone no change since then, found themselves disappointed and wronged when they on the day of election met teo record their votes, and were told that their names were not on the new list; while on the other hand the list contained names of persons of whom many were convinced, that they were not in receipt of SSOO. It was therefore, and as com plaints had been made in the Colonial Council of the geeat incorrectness of the list, considered mecessary to embody other rules in the new Colonial Law in this respeet, and these are bused on the enactments given for the Mother country for the framing of lists of per sons ecligible to the one chamber of the Dhet. the Landsthing, and of voters for the Imperial Council. Ae cordine to these rules no person whose qunalification rests on his bhaving had the requisite income will be entered on the lists, unless he announces that he has this income and demands in conse quence thereof to be entered on the lists. No one who has neglected to do this can now in any maunncer feel disappointed at not {inding his name on the lists, while the Llective Doard will by means of these announcements be able to guard against omiszlons, and will in most cases have a cuide 1n deciding whether the individual is really in receipt of the requisite income. But 1t 1s far from being the case, that an unnecessary serutivy ot ndiziduals’ pri vate pecuulary circumstances is hereby established. The printed Instructions for the guidance of electors in drawing up reports of franchise are by no means more cxacting than the corresponding instrugtions in the Mothercountry, but they are rather less exacting, and in 8 of the said Instructions itis expressly stated, .that it is a matter of course that ro one is compelled to follow the forms or schedules there given, provided he in any othier manner can satisfactorily comply with the stipulations coutained in the Colonial Law. The Tidende itself has in an article in No. 104 for 1863 di rected the attention of the Public to this. When an individual has in due time hand ed in a written request to be entered on the List, stating that he is in receipt of a vearly income of £SOO, and the Elective Board finds no reason to doubt the cor reciness of this statement, no further elu cidations will be required of him, nor will any further questions be raised. Where, on the other hand, the BDoard finds reason to doubt the correctuess of an in dividual’s statement, he will be called on to produce further elucidations in that respect 3 and it will of’ course rest with the individual himselt, whether he will come forward with the elucidations thus required, or whether he will at once de clare that he prefers renouncing his right of franchise rather than producing the elucidations. From this it will be seen, that the new rules could by no means form any motive whatever for persons to forego claiming the franchise, except for those individuals who have good reason to expect, that the Elective Board will not be satisfied with their bare statement, and- who in that case either will not, or can nos produce the requisite proofs for the correctness of their statement; but that persons in circumstances of such a doubtful nature prefer foregoing the right of voting, can scarcely be looked on as any evil consequence of the new rules; on the contrary the admittance of such individuals on the lists is just what has led to complaints. li. Krebs Pratorius, AGENTS OF THE NORTHERN ASSURANCE COMPANY. FOR FIRE AND LIFE.

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EXTRACT OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF' THE BUR GHER COUNCIL OF BT. CROIX. MONDAY the 6th MARCH 1865 the Burgher Council held an ordinary gession. Members Sarauw and McWil liam absent. The following cases refer red. j Petitions from the!Council's? officials relative to their eventual position at the approaching dissolution of the Burgher Council, as follows: From the Secretary To The Honorable The Burgher Council, «I beg leave most respectfully to submit to the consideration of the Ilonorable Council, that upon the approaching dissolution of your Honorable Body, I shall be deprived of my situation. As under the present circumstances 1 feel, that, in accordance with all precedent, 1 am entitied to claim as my just due, an equita ble provision for the loss I am thus about to sustain for services to the publie, extending over 34 years, I most humbly and earnestly solicit the IHonorable Council to bring un der the early consideration of Ilis lixcellency the Governor the hardship of my case, hav ing a family to support and without any other occupation whereby I can obtain a living, and to request, if possible, that employment may be provided for me in the future legisla tive Council or otherwise, as may seem best to His Excellency, and I most humbly solicit, that if such apptication fail of success, that Your Honorable Board will be pleased, pre vious to its dissolution, to assign to your petitioner such an amount of pension, charge able on the Municipal funds of the Island, as you may deem adequate to my long and faithful services. respectfully. (signed) JACOB MULLER.” From the Treasurer To The IHonorable Burgher Council of St. Croix, «T the undersigned, Treasurer to the Hon orable Burgher Council, beg leave to lay the following statement before your IHonorable Board As the Burgher Council in accordance with the Colonial Law will cease to exist on or after the Ist April next, I claim the right in accordance with usage and precedent to have determined by your Honorable Board, what amount of pension I shall receive when ever from either want of employment, old age, or other causes, I may stand in need of it. 1 most humbly request, that this question he deciied by your Honorable Board, sinco the Pension Law only provides for royally appointed oflicials, and I consider that your decision in this respect must be as binding on the future Colonial Treasury as any other decision regarding salaries, pensions, and other outlays, which your Honorable Board have already made, and which wiil be con tinued in force by that Treasury. In the hope that your Honorable Board may take some action in this matter and se cure to me what in justice I have a right to expect, I beg leave to subscribe myself, most respectfuily, (signed) N. IWERSEN.” St. Croix 20th February 1865. No. 27. Resolved to lay the case before His Excel lency the Governor, accompanied with the fol lowing letter “The Council, while forwarding the enclos ed petitions from their Secretary and Book keeper and Treasurer, regret that the time for the dissolution of their Board is so far ad vanced without having, by correspondence be tween the Government and the Council, come to any final decision in regard to the futurae of their Officials. The Council cannot refrain from express ing their opinion, that their Secretary and Bookkeeper as well as their Treasurer, not ST« CHRKROILX AV $e only in accordance with what on former oc casions has Dbeen done in similar instances, but also in accordance with the spirit of the now-existing laws are entitled to pension, and that therefore in the event of their Offi ces being withdrawn without their being ap pointed at the same time to other permanent situations, they are entitled to pension (Vart penge) until such be provided for them. The Council must furthermore call the attention of Your Excellency to the fact, that the offices of Secretary and Bookkeeper and Treasurer cannot like other communal situa tions, be conducted in connection with other business, but are of such a pature to which all their time and attention must be devoted. Finally the (Council, in pursuanco of the above, have resolved, that their said Ofiicials in future be classed as pensioners under the Rules prescribed by the late Pension Law 4th December 1863 for Roya! Officials, which re solution they take the liberty to recommend to Your Fxeellency’c sanction. Burgher Council, St. Croix 6th March 1865. (signed) W. HEYLIGIR. g C. SARAUW. gt H C. RALTCLIFIE. 0 G. BEHAGEN. R G KNIGHT o H. McWILLIAM, 5 J. de PONTAVICE. Letter from the Governor sanctioning the Council’s resclution, that 1.. Ifeitman pays off his debt to the Romfund with &8 instead of sl6 quarterly. Letter from the Governor sanctioning the Council’s preposal that the tax duevn a cart helonging to Ann M. Benjamin of Maningsbay he rescinded. The Treasurer reported for assignment taxes pro 1863 collected in Dechr. 1863..3 194 97 horse, carriage and boat tax for Ist Baltenar 1868 0 ..o o 0 nLD 0 and returns sundry unpald assignments to tho Rumfund, One of the debtors being in arrcars for some months, the Secretary was anthorised to inform him, that in defuult of immediate payment, the balance dua would be enforeed. T'wo proceedings of the Poor Commission, Christiansted, with accompanying petitions for relief were postponed for consideration in a inll meeting, "T'he Council however resolved to grant the petition of Thurland, that the pen sion, 82, hitherto allowed his deceased dauch ter, since her death be transferved to him, ho giving mortgage in his property for the ad vances made from the Poorfand. Letter from Me. B. Dußois returninmg his thanks for the Council’s letter of the 7th Feb ruary 1865 and assuring the Couneil, that in de clining to retain his seat as a member of the Board he was only influenced by the desire to avoid all doubt as to the legality of Liy elec tion. Petition from E. Benners, that he be allowed to pay off the balance of his debt to the Rum fund with $8 instead of sl6 quarterly, to which measure his selfdebtor security consents, Granted, subject to the Governor’s sanction. Letters from the Governor requesting the Council to assign in favor of the State T'reasury 1, the Land Treasury’s portion of cosi of sun dey Dlpnk (aclile. 349 93 2, fee to Supreme Court barristers in the suit —vs—d John Lewis of Manningshay, advanced by the home-g0vernment.............816 00 Letter from the Governor requesting the Council to appoint two planters to convene with the Custom-house officials for the purpose of reporting on the price of produce. Reported, that Messrs. J. J. Lund and C. Rateliffe have been appointed. Report from the Policemaster, Irederiksted, of the death of pensioner Louisa Emanuel in January. Communication from the Governor, that as regards the letter of the 19th November last, whereby the Council’s attention was directed to the change in the management of affairs of the Commune, which will take place on the Ist of April, whereby the estimate of the Landtrea sury’s revenue and expenditure was only to comprise the items np to the 31st March this year, His Excellency considers it necessary expressly to add, that in conformity with the 84th of the Colonial Law it will, be necessary for the Burgher Council to continue its func tions uatil the first election of members for the new Colonial Council, which will take place in the commencement of April; consequently it will be necessary, that the Burgher Council out of the means of the Land Treasury defray their ordinary expenses to that date, or until official communication from the Government be received, that the elections have taken place, and that the Council’s functions then as a mat ter of course will cease. The amount of SI2OO available of the means of the Rumifund having been advertised for loan, aplications were received, which together with the securities offered having been duly considered, the Council distributed the amount among the applicants, subject to the Governor’s sanction, as follows: Poomehister o oLI aoiled s 0040100 d.Cnlbise. i Lo os a0 Bdate 0 ..aaia .4 1D C. B Brown. 0d....0uti. o .o G. B sinditon. L RIOO K. Kuuthsen. /0. e D 0 i e S In consequence of the approaching dissolu tion of the Burgher Council the Secretary was authorised to issue an advertisement requesting all persons having claims against the Land Treasary to forward the same without delay. The Chairman stated to the Council that six properties have been transferred to the Poor fund by pensioners who from time to time have died, propozed: that they be disposed of by publie sale. Resolved, to request the Governor’s sanction to the sale of the properties at one public auc tidn, as they are of little value, and the build ings on some of them heing in a ruinous state. Returns, from the Collectior of Customs, Fre deriksted, a seizure effected in February, the Poor and Hospital-funds’ portion....§ 0 42 Accounts for: Making up and repairing inventory to Prederikstod’s hegpttal. .0 .0 63 18 For engine hose per Gerson and via Liver pool furnishied and forwarded last year by Moses and Son G, Melchoir 50n........ $258 17 Furnighing a step &e. to Landing brides, Fredoviksted. ...o0 0000, 16 00 Maintenance of paupers at the hospi tals and the sickhouse attached to the prison, medicines to hospital and pau pers &e., prisoners at Frederiksied, cofiins to paupers, Christiansted, in Feb- FHEEY iil iaiesi s 00G BB and sundries to amount. 63 B 3 assigned. B L L T U S Royal Insurance Office, Christiansted, St. Croiz, 9¢h March 1865, beg leave to announce that I have re -4\ ceived a fresh supply of the Royal’s, “BOOK AND OFFICE ALMANACS” for 1865 for araTis distribution. E. MONEFELDT, Agent. Y AVING been informed by several of L}A his friends that it is proposed to re dlect him to the Colonial Couneil, the undersigned, grateful for their confidence, respectfully informs them, that circam stances prevent his acceeding to their wishes. Christiansted, Bth March 1865. W. CLINDINEN. OB RENTY C &Y AR ACA THE TWO STORY HOUSE E&Efi. No. 3 L. A Water Gat, for particu lars apply to T.J. ARMSTRONG. D AR 6. %N\QW\JAE,' AGENT FOR ROYAL INSURANCE COMPANY FOR FIRE LIFE IN ST. CROIX." N CW. Q)Mu\\)) SUB-AGENT IN FREDERIKSTED.