[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 129 (Wednesday, September 24, 1997)]
[House]
[Page H7820]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   COMMEMORATING THE ANNIVERSARY OF EMANCIPATION OF AFRICANS HELD IN 
  SLAVERY IN THE DANISH WEST INDIES--THE UNITED STATES VIRGIN ISLANDS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands [Ms. Christian-Green] is recognized 
for 5 minutes.
  Ms. CHRISTIAN-GREEN. Mr. Speaker, this evening I rise to bring to the 
attention of my colleagues and fellow Americans that July 3, 1998 will 
be the 150th anniversary of the emancipation of Africans held in 
slavery in the Danish West Indies, now the United States Virgin 
Islands, the district which I represent in the 105th Congress.
  Mr. Chairman, there are few moments in human history as dramatic and 
inspiring as those that took place in the town of Frederiksted in St. 
Croix on the 2d and 3d of July, 1848. The story is one of courage and 
determination on the part of a people to live free and risk death in 
the process.
  Historians tell us that at the sound of the conchshell, the unfree 
from across St. Croix converged on the fort under the leadership of 
Moses Gottlieb, who was called General Buddhoe. Their threat was to 
burn the island unless immediate freedom was obtained.
  In response to reports of the uprising, Danish Governor Peter Von 
Scholten rushed from the town of Christiansted to confront the angry 
men and women who had assembled and who had established a 4 p.m. 
deadline for his declaration of emancipation.
  Surrounded and outnumbered during his ride down King Street on his 
way to Fort Frederick, and encouraged by his mulatto mistress, Anna 
Haggaard, the Governor issued his famous proclamation: ``All unfree in 
the Danish West Indies are from this day free.'' He later repeated his 
statement from the ramparts of Fort Christiansvern.
  Although the revolt ended with little loss of property or life due 
mostly to the efforts of General Buddhoe, its key players paid a high 
price. General Buddhoe himself was arrested and sent away on a Danish 
man-o-war never to be heard from again. Governor Von Scholten returned 
to Denmark where he was tried and found guilty of exceeding his 
authority and dereliction of duty.
  Mr. Speaker, the events of July 3d, 1848 are considered the second 
act of self-determination by Virgin Islanders, the first being the 
uprising in St. John in 1733, which brought that island under African 
rule for 6 months.
  So July 3d of each year is designated Emancipation Day, and 
commemorates this most important and significant event in our history.
  Mr. Speaker, it is also a significant event in the history of our 
great Nation, because it was the first such proclamation on what would 
later become American soil, coming 15 years before President Abraham 
Lincoln would issue his famous Emancipation Proclamation freeing slaves 
in the Confederate States during the Civil War.
  There is irony as well as fate in the fact that Emancipation Day 
precedes the 4th of July, the day when America celebrates its 
independence. These twin days of celebration bind Virgin Islanders and 
all Americans to an eternal commitment to human freedom.
  We of this generation are heirs to Valley Forge and Frederiksted and 
the great tradition of sacrifice and suffering in the cause of freedom. 
Future generations must bless and cherish the memory of General George 
Washington and General Buddhoe and keep the fires of freedom burning.
  To recognize this great event, the Governor of the Virgin Islands has 
issued a proclamation calling for a month-long celebration beginning 
June 1, 1998 to July 5, 1998, culminating in a week-long observance 
from June 29, 1998 to July 5, 1998.
  Mr. Speaker, in recognition of this I will shortly introduce a 
resolution in the House and seek the support of my colleagues in 
recognizing the 150th anniversary of the emancipation of my ancestors. 
I invite all Americans to join us in observance of this proud moment in 
American and Virgin Island history.

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