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By Root 1122 0

freed the slaves on their island, but … I don’t know why … There were riots and burnings … people killed. The captain in Guares put soldiers on alert. They’re sending word to haciendas. I was stopped five time before I got here. Sure you have all your papers and travel together. Now you better go back to Los Gemelos. The soldiers think we will rebel, too.… I don’t want you in trouble. Go! I be fine. I come tomorrow morning.” The refugees that Siña Damita saw kissing the sands in Guares had fled from widespread slave uprisings in the French colonies of Martinique and Guadeloupe in advance of official manumission. They and others brought tales of entire families slaughtered in their beds, their houses and belongings set on fire while groups of self-liberated slaves roamed the countryside.

“Our people are aware of events,” Severo told Ana and Ramón. “Sometimes they hear things before we do.”

“Are we in danger?” Ramón asked.

“I’ve ordered that the foremen be vigilant,” Severo said. “I’ve increased the patrols around the perimeter. I don’t expect trouble from them, but it’s better for you to stay close to the casona, and for them to know we’re watching them.”

More refugees from the Danish colony of St. Croix arrived in San Juan with reports of violence as bands of slaves wreaked vengeance on their owners and plantations. The military governor of Puerto Rico, Field Marshal Juan Prim, Conde de Reus, ordered troops to aid the Cruzans in quelling the rebellions. He unsuccessfully tried to get the Danish government to reverse abolition in St. Croix—hastily declared during the violence—because of the adverse impact it would have on nearby Puerto Rico. The Danish government refused.

To ensure that slaves in Puerto Rico wouldn’t rise against their masters following the example of the Martinicans and Cruzans, Governor Prim issued the Bando Contra la Raza Africana, or Bando Negro. The Proclamation Against the African Race stipulated a military trial with no recourse to civil law for any black or brown person (negro o pardo) who committed a crime against a blanco. The Bando Negro didn’t distinguish free people from slaves; it was aimed at Africans and their descendants, and enforcement was based solely on skin color. The Bando Negro established severe punishments for even minor transgressions (like not ceding way to a blanco on a narrow path) and authorized owners to put to death any slave who participated in insurrectionist activities.

“We’re supposed to read the contents of the Bando Negro to the workers,” Severo told Ana and Ramón. “This one is the first proclamation of May 31, 1848. The second one, published on June 9 details punishments for infractions. We received both on the same day.”

“ ‘… la ferocidad de la estúpida raza africana …’ Ferocity—the stupid African race?” Ana looked up. “This preamble is extraordinary.” She passed the sheets to Ramón. “Is this serious?”

“Sí, señora,” Severo said. “But it does seem extreme, in my opinion.”

Ramón read in a low voice, “ ‘… sentimientos que les son naturales; el incendio, el asesinato y la destrucción …’ ” He read the same passage again, louder: “ ‘… Their natural inclinations toward arson, murder, and destruction …”

“Language more likely to incite violence, not curb it,” Ana said.

“These proclamations are written in San Juan by soldiers and city folks,” Severo said, “terrified of the few malefactors who turn on their masters. Forgive me, señor, if this pains you.”

Ramón accepted his apology with a nod.

“Well,” Ana said, “we won’t read this ridiculous claptrap to our people.”

“Unfortunately, it is required,” Severo started.

She took the papers from Ramón’s hands. “They appear to be hurried documents by a frightened aristocrat in San Juan,” she said, returning them to Severo.

“Yes they do, señora,” he said. “And my guess is that its provisions are driven by scared absentee landowners.”

“But the Conde de Reus is the representative of the queen, que Dios guarde,” Ramón said. “He certainly wouldn’t go to such lengths if the dangers weren’t real.”

“We’ve had no trouble here