The Sun. — London, England, 1832-02-23 00:00:00

SPIRIT OF THE PUBLIC JOURNALS. The enemies of Reform are disposed, we find, to add a peculiar corolla! y to Lord Althorp's declaration, when ar guing atainet the total disfranchisement of Petersfield : " It is necessary," said his Lordship on Tuesday night, " that the ~ 1 1CieS9 of the Bill should not be hazarded in the fl,,tuse of L"rds by sending up an higher number of disf,anchised boroughs than- was contained in the last Bill." Then," says Sir Robert P.-el—and Mr. Stanley did not set hm right—." you do not mean to m•tke more Peers ?" Why, surely the number of Peers to be made must depend upon the n umber of objectors to the Bill in the first in stance, and the magnitude of the batch of course iacreases the d,fficuity of the operation. As to Ministers not mak ing Peers if necessary, and as many as are necessary (knowing, as we do, that they have his M ijesty's full and ear, est consent to the measure), we should say that ihey were absolute traitors to their King, to their countrymen, and to their own honour, if they flinched when the occasion came. They are inca pahl2 of such basene-s. The Opposition take every oppoi tuni , y of menacing them with impeachment, if they a•ternpt to carry the Reform Bill by the new creation of P..ers. We know not whether such a threat shows the idiotcy of the Opposition, or only their conviction that the Ministers are idiots. Impeach a Minister, nay, a whole bdy of Ministers, now-a-days ! It would be as rational tyre 'ten them with the stake, and to say that they should hr ioasted alive as heretics, if they made the new Peers, What a Loup.garou 1 The time may come, indeed, un der a reformed House of Commons, resp-nsible to its eon sti'uency, when a profligate and anti-reforming Minister may b- impeach , d ; hut many and vast changes must take place ere that time shall arrive. But a ref arming Ministry may now and always els!) , impeachment, when they are doing th t which all the s,-nse and respectability of the nation not only admit to be right, but demand as an act of strict justice.— Times. E ghteen pages of a Gazette Extraordinary were yes terday filled with accounts of the slave insurrection at Jtroaii a. The correspondence of officers and others ern /bled in the rebellious districts, addressed to the seat of Goy rnment, forma by far the most important part of the Geeere, and is here and there of a nature to throw at le st some glimmering of light upon the motives with which this formideble conspiracy was undertaken. That it was of a serious character is unfortunately too clear, as well from the length of time iv!ich elapsed hetween the first open proof of inenbordination, and the despatch of the Gov,Amor, Lord Belmore, bearing date the 6th ult., which rpresented the slaves to be then only returning to their duty, as from the vast and fearful extent of country over which the system of devastation was carried, it appearing from a letter of Mr. Barrett (custos) near .llentegor Bay, that according to the general supposition ‘• an hundred plantations and settlements were already (January 3) in ashes !" This is, indeed, a terrible calamity, and no small portion of the evil is, that the unmitigated ruin which thence befalls the owners of such a number of estates (many of them, we understand, of the first class of :vest Jodie properties) must re rct infallibly upon the con tl,tion of the neeroes themselves, and by condemning them to increased labour, and to aggravated privation, must go to ell the general magazine ut discontent, anil eagerness for outrage against the laws. It is, indeed, timer olivaius what a glar!ng inconsistency his been committed by those who have always pressed for ienprovements in the treat menr of the negro, s, when they lent themselves to the aueport of every tax or commercial regulation whereby the hurdenei on West India property could be enhanced, and tie planter straitened in his circumstances. When t°e master is pinched, we must repeat, it is impossible that the slave should he lightly worked, or attended to in This &lily comforts. What effects have followed to the English labourer, from the general decline in the farmer's fortunes during the last 14-years? Diminished wages, more scanty field, and gradually accumulated wretchedness. Have not the same results been experienced by our working manta feetwers, owing to the reduced profits, and great compa rati-ee distress of the capitalists who had hitherto employed them ? It is an invariable law, that the distressed man all over the world will throw as much of his own suffering as e can contrive to do, upon the shoulders of any hidy whom he has the power of compelling to bear it; and therefere that a Jamaica or other colonial proprie tor, as well as a British manufacturer or farmer, under trahatressment, will wring as much bard work as he is a 'le out of the unhappy creatures who toil fmehis benefit; taere luring, indeed, just this difference hetween the limits opposed to extreme severity in their respective cases,-that the Enelieh employer is deterred from exacting so much as poi: h' pereeoke the labourer to exchange his service fur that of the pariah, while the West Indian, driven to desperation, only the life of the negro, whom be is for ni ',len by law to replace, but at the same time in fliete such perennial drudgery upon him, as tends v ry sensibly to shorten life, though without leading to its sodden destruction. To ca cut tee the amount of neero rnifory, prOticed by these late outraeea at Jamaica, will to quire the experience of many years to come. There is but little said upon the immediate causes of the ineur rsetion, But in the depeition of a person named William Armand, over.eer of Ginger-hill p'aotation, there are pas surges where it may not be difficult to deduce what may have been a pretty strorg impression upon the minds of the white community. One active person in a particular scene of violence he ~tare's to he a slave called Sharp, " a ru'er of the sect of Baptists," This Sharp declared, atootiget other thing , , to !deponent, that it was but lutely be heel begun "to know much about religion ;" hut now he knew that "freedom" was their right, and freedom they w:'ul l have,—•' that letets had long ago been sent out from Enelanil to that effect." This seeems in odd sort of religious intrectien. Again, this dere pent had learned from one of the Baptist persuasion, that " a Baptist mi-sionary, of the name of Burchell," who had gone from the country lest year, had, a few days back, arrived rut the !cot of Montego Bay, and though he would not show him ,. if, had written encouraging letters to his deputiesand black brethren : so, in another hart of the same deposition, tins s business of insurrection is termed " the work of the Lord." Mr. Macdonaal writes, that be had ordered a Mr. Box, who was described to be " one of the incendiary preachers," to be imprisoned. But the Paine gentle man also hints, what is very probable, that if there had been evinced by certain white persons a greater spirit of kindause and frank dealing towards the negroer, the insurreetiou would not have been so general he the district of S'. James's, as it did unfortunately prove. This is no unimportant admission for a Jamaica planter, who had committed a preacher to prison.— Times. An Extraordinary Gazette of last night published the communication from the Governor of Jamaica, re ceived at the Colonial-office on Sunday last. The infor mation supplied by tie despatch of the Governor and the accompanying documents is ample, and an attentive pe rusal of them leads us to the conclusion, that the insurrec tion may be considered at an end. In only one case did the negroes display any thing like resolution, namely, in the attack of Colonel Crignon, in four divisions, when, en tl e 29th December, they bad 10 killed and about 25 wounded. Colonel Grignon bad only one man killed and four wounded ; but, from his having been abandoned by some of the companies of militia under his ecmmand, he retreated next day on Montego Bay. The great difficulty was to brine the negroes to action. Sir Willoughby Cot.. ton, in his despatch to L-rd Behnore, of the 2d January, in which he evinces great anxiety to prevent the horrid incendiary system from spreading, observes, that if be were to detach parties, they would be liable to be beat in detail, and that 10,000 men would not be able to afford protection to the estates. 6 ' Whenever I can ascer tain (he says) where they are collected, I shall endea your to strike a blow, by simultaneous movements, that will have a desired effect; but there tho diffi cuity rests ; for, from accounts I have received that ere to be depended upon, they are moving every hour from one place to another." In a despatch of the Sd, after detailing the success of an attack of a party of them setting fire to Belvidere, he observes—" The post con tinues occupied, nor is there a man to be seen of the ne groes, as I am just returned from thence. But the woods are thick in the neighbourhood, and the paths by which they retire impassable fur any quick movement of Br itish to overtake them." The measures which have been i..ken to cut off the parishes in which the slaves were in a state of revolt from the other districts, with the yeses the no groes have sustained, will, in all prohabidiy, so dishearten them, that the insurrection, which seems to have been ciused by a delusion that liberty had been granted to them, and that the Kimes troops would not act against theta, wid come to a speedy termination. The negroes cannot 1-mg support themselves in the woods, and this impossi bility to eubsist themselves without depots of provisions, with the knowledge that all but the ringleaders will be pardoned, will lead them to surrender themselves. Sir Willoughby eays, .n his despatch of the 6th, that the ne groes are coming in in AO directions, and he hopes in a few days to have the negroes bringing in provisions, and sup plying Montego Bay again. There seems to have been a on the part ef the overseers, very strange neglect of duty attorneys, and magistrates, in communicating the neces sary information to Lord Belmore, for Sir Willoughby Cotton pointecty observes, ' 6 That the overseers or magi strates shmild not base acquainted the Executive Govern ment of the extent to which- the determination of the ne groes bad gone WI around the disttict, not to work afte r New Yeat's-day without being made free, is most alto nishing, as it would appear to have been known on almost all the estates that these were the sentiments of the ne• groea." We are not without our suspicions that the planters have been caught in their own snare—that they thought the refusal of the negroes to work after Christmas-day would make a sirong case aaainst all those who take an interest in their improvement, as it would show the daneer of holding out hopes so liable to be misre presented by the nearnes, while they might be brought to return to their duty without the occurrence of any serious mischief. The destruction of property, and the attempt at open resistance, were probably more than they counted on. The destruction of property is greater than we were at first led to believe. Upwards of a hundred plantations have been destroyed. If parties of negroes can maintain themselves in the woods, they may do incal culable mischief. They are universally disaffected. "It is the fear of punishment (says Sir Willoughby Cotton) that alone acts upon them to come in ; for, depend upon it, there is a bad spirit amongst them." From such a spirit every thing is to be apprehended. Sir Willoughby says---" I have most minutely inquired into the treat tnen, generally, and can aver it has been most kind." On the other hand, the Honourable James Macdonald, Custos of Tre!awny, more than hints that the misconduct of cer toin individuals has not been without its effect in stimu lating the natives to vengeance. " lam happy (he says) to inform you, that every estate under my charge have continued faithfully at their work, and completely pro tect-d their masters' property, which is very gratifying to me. Ido not wish to makes any insidious remarks; but if other gentlemen h .d acted with the same kindness, and taken the same pins to explain the real nature of things as I have done, I do not think that this unfortunate insur rection would have been so general as in St. James's ; in particular, their vengeance seems to be pointed against certain individuals." We should imagine that the Ha nourable James Macdonald will find himself in a some what ticklish predicament after this remark finds its way back to the individuals pointed at. We have here the old complaint of want of vigour and promptitude in the outset. " Had Colonel Tyler (says Mr. Macdonald) acted in the first instance with the promptitude that I wished hint to have done, I do not think that things would have got to such a head in this parish ; but the three Magis rates formerly alluded to, persuaded him that I had not sufficient grounds to order a company of militia to York estate ; but I knew the people we had to deal with better than they did, and I tm convinced that a vigorous act at first would have intimidated them, bef .re they had com iMtted themselves so far as to endanger their liVes." What he means by vigour is sufficiently intelligible, for he says, " my advice to Colonel Cadien was to take as few prisoners as possible " The language of the Governor with regard to the missionat les is what it ought to Lave been. " If it should appear tube that Englishmen, men of sense and education, have been wicked enough to excite the slaves to rebellion, it cannot be suppo-ed that they shall escape, because they are also mini-tees of religion. But his Excellency directs me to impress strongly on your mind the great discretion which, in such a case, should be adopted to endeavour, by every means in your power, to divest tribunals front all feelings of prejudice, and, above of prejudice on grounds of religion ; for, in civil coni alotion, the evil is never so great as when it assumes an tppearance of religi:n." The observation " has reference to a person of the name 0f,.80x (says Lord Belmore in his ti-patch,),cl missionary from the Baptist Society, who is in custody in Kingston ;" but his Lordship, very pro perly, declares that he would not hurry him to trail when so great excitement must necessarily prevail> A Mr. An nand, the overseer of Ginger-hill plantation, who was made a prisoner by the negroes, relates, in a deposition, several particulars with a view to show that the religious notions some of the slaves had imbibed from the Bap ists had led them to believe that they had a right to be tree. That the insurgent slaves should be Baptists perhaps only proves that the Baptists have been inure assiduous in teach- Mg them than others, but it does not follow that they in wigated them to revolt. What conclusions the slaves themselves might draw from reading the Bible is anoth,r affair. We regret this distinction, but we must not con ceal from ourselves that this is part of the curse of slavery It began in crime, and we are now paying the penalty of it, —Morning Chronicle. The declarations of Government en the report of the Lords' Committee on Irish tithes, together with the re port itself, have excited much interest i■ the public mind. The proposal that Government should pay the Irish clergy tl,e arrears of tithes for ISM, and should undertake the office of collecting those arrears themselves, appears at foot sight plausible and fair, but let the clergy and their friends be upon their guard. The proposal has clearly one, and may have a twofold, object ; the obvious object is to lull the public mind into a belief that the Ministers really intend a real benefit to the established religion of the land; it is meant as a sort of peace-offering to the Mishaps, whose good-wid Ministers will so much need on the second reading of the Reform Bill in the Lords. Another and a more latent object is to suspend the attempts to collect, or he collection, of tithes in Ireland ; it has had that effect ilrea-ly, and those who take a deeper view of the " tor tuous tactics" of Government than superficial observers, are impressed with a bellef that it is not their intention to eollect the tithes at all, and that they do not mean to em body in the Act of Parliament authorising the Govern ment to make advances on the security of tithes due fur 1681, a permanent provision commuting the tithes for a land tax on the contrary, it is thought that two Bills will be brought in for these se parate purposes, and that the Bill authorising the advances will be allowed to pass, and the other will be postponed for more mature consideration. Now mark the effect of this. Let the collection of tithes be suspended but for one )ear, and no tithe will aver age - fissile collected in Ireland; the clergy will then be in a worse situation tli3,p ever, for they are not to be armed with sufficient powers to main t.in their just rights ; these additional powers will be con fined to the Government, and at the end of the year the Irish clergy will be compelled to submit to any terms of commutation that Ministers, instigated by the Catholic Member*, may choose to impose on them. Instead of the principle of commutation being founded on an equivalent h:r the surrender of the tithes, the Irish clergy will be driven by actual starvation to - accept a fifth or sixth of their present rights, We entreat some patriotic Member of one of the Houses of Parliament to obtain from the Go vernment a distinct understanding as to the course in truded to be pursued. Both Bills must prose• tl, pari possu, if their objects cannot be embodied in one Act, and the camainutation must be an equivalent and must be per manent, not merely respecting existing interests of the pre sent holders, but must form the permanent provision for the Irish Church.—Morning Poet. If reports ; carrying with them an air of authentivit), are to be relied upon, the Reform Bill has within these few d iya been on the eve of escaping the shoals and quick sands which stilt threaten it nn its arrival in the !louse o Lords, but that the hopes of the nation have been for the present deFeated by the unreasonable and inconsistent de wands of those on whose support its safe progress i 3 made to dapenel : After all that has been urged by the same parties sod their adherents, in and out of Parliament against every feature of the measure, it seems that their ojections have now dwindled down into two—s deter mined hostility to the proposed metropolitan ilfembers, anti a tiasire to see the household qualification vary according to the extent cf rack borough. If the hostility of the Anti- Relormers really moires itself into this, we think they mus be admitted to have arrived s> a most " lame anti impo tent conclusion." For what will hist4ry say of the sense and consetteney of men who would exclude the inhabitants of the metropolis from the right which they are willing to concede to those of Birmingham, Manchester, and Sli. f field ?—or who would gravely have us believe that 10/. is not 10/. every where, but that 5/. in a 4Trill town is equal to ipb in a large one ? Anxious as we aee to see this measure t;orrietl, and that. if necessary, by means of mutual concessions, no ti4e ;:an blame Lord Grey for not yielding concessions in themselves E 4 manifestly unjust and incon sistent as these. We do not whether the elective franci ise may turn out to be any great Loop to . the shop keeperc in Loudon, or elsewhere. But the question is rpo one of boon, but of right—not of private advantage, but of public benefit ; and if it is admitted that it is an indivi dual right and a public benefit that the elective franchise shall be exercised by the inhabitants of second, third, and fourth-rate towns, we hardly know by whit ttFOls to characterise the almost imbecile inconsistency of those who would deny it to the great holy of the inhabitants of the largest and most ei,lightened city in the empire. The moderate -Anti-Reformers, ,tliep, we contend, pin them selves into a corner, from whence they cinnot escape. They admit too much to enable them to refuse what th, y thus attempt to do. It is an undeniable maxim that eyer - v lesser point is embraced in the larger one; and if the principle, therefore, be once admitted that the householder of a given grade ought to become an e'ectf.; in towel: of a given extent and population, it cannot admit of argument that the same description of person in the place of the highest grade ought and must become too. If these, then, be new the only points at issue between the friends of Reform and those the withdrawal of whose opposition would ensure its success, though the hopes of the nation may be yet for a short time delayed , the issue—and that a speedy one—cannot be long doubted, if at all. —Morning Horalci, LONDON GAZETTE EXTRAORDINARY. WEDNISDAY, FEBRUARY '2;2. COLONIAL DEPARTMENT. Downing-street, Feb. 22, 1832. The following communication from the Governor of Jamaica was received at this office on Sunday last : King's House, Jamaica, Jan. 6, 1832. 'My L0111),—I have a painful duty to discharge, in detailing to your Lordship the substance of accounts I have received, by which you will learn that an extensive and destructive insur rection amongst the slaves in the western district of this island, has followed a season of unusual sickness and distress, and that I have felt myself compelled to resort to the most ac tive measures, even that of proclaiming martial law, to arrest the progress of so great a danger. It was not until Thursday, the 22. d ultimo, that I received any accounts to excite alarm. The apprehensions which ap peared to disturb the public mind during the summer had nearly subsided. The planters complained of poverty and dis tress—the delegates sent forth an ambiguous declaration, depre cating (as they expressed themselves) " the insidious attempts to undermine and render valueless what little remains of their property"—but the brink of danger on which they stood formed no part of their deliberations. On the 22d of December I received a despatch from Colonel Lawson, a Magistrate, and commanding the Saint James's regi ment of militia, dated the 20th, stating that on the Friday pre ceding he met the overseer of Salt Spring estate, who informed him that on the previous day the negroes had behaved with great insolence to Mr. Grignon, the attorney or chief manager of the estate : that two constables, who had been sent to con vey the ringleaders to Montego Bay, had been assaulted and de prived of pistols, with which they were armed, as well as their mules, and that the negroes had expressed their determination not to work after New Year's-day. Mr. Grignon having re- I Paired to Montego Bay, a special Session of Magistrates was assembled, when he and other persons employed on the estate gave information of the circumstances which had occurred, and of the riotous and disorderly state of the slaves ; in conse quence of which an order was issued by the Magistrates to Ma jor Coates, as the nearest Field Officer of Militia, to send a detachment of the Saint James's regiment to Salt Spring estate, for the purpose of restoring order. Major Coates immediately communicated the directions he had received to Colonel Lawson, commanding the Saint James's regiment, and who, anxious to avoid the necessity of having recourse to the militia, and being for many years well known to the negroes of the estate, delayed the detachment from marching, and accompanied by Mr. Tharp, a neighbouring proprietor, proceeded to the estate in the hope, by his influence, to prevail on the negroes to return to their duty. He found the negroes assembled in groups about the buildings on the estate, and was informed that the senior book keeper had suffered ill-treatment, and that his life had been threatened. He endeavoured to expostulate with the negroes, telling them he came as their friend, and asked them to listen to him ; they would not, however, suffer him to approach them, and walked off; and finding all his endeavours to restore order ineffectual, he left them. Soon after, a party of fifty men of the militia arrived, when almost every negro on the estate dis appeared. The next day they began to return, and when Colonel Lawson wrote his despatch, the principal offenders only, amounting to six persons, were absent. This conduct of the negroes on Salt Spring estate, and information which the Ma gistrates had received that the negroes on other estates would not return to work after New Year's-day, induced the Magistrates, assembled at Montego Bay, to forward a requisition to Major Pennefather, commanding the 22d regiment, at Falmouth, to order a detachment to march to that town, which Major Pen nefather immediately complied with. On the following day received an application from certain Magistrates and inhabitants of the parish of Portland, desiring that a vessel of war might be ordered to Port Antonio, on account of some unpleasant ru mours which had reached them of discontent amongst the slaves in that quarter. Being in Kingston when these accounts arrived, I imme diately communicated the information I had received to Sir Willoughby Cotton. I applied to Commodore Farquhar for a ship of war to proceed to the port of Port Antonio, and, as a precautionary measure, I also recommended that ships of war should be despatched to Montego Bay and Black River, which Commodore Farquhar, with his usual promptitude and atten tion, immediately complied with. I directed circulars to be addressed to custodes of parishes, inclosing the King's pro clamation, and also letters to be written to the Major_Generals of the Militia, copies of which (Nos. 1 and 2) I inclose. On the morning of the 28th I received a despatch from the custos of Trelawny (No. 3), inclosing one forwarded to him by Colonel Lawson (No. 4), containing certain affidavits, copies of which (Nos. 5 and 6), I herewith inclose, and further stating that he considered the information they contained so convinc ing of impending danger, that he had determined to assemble the whole strength of his regiment, and referring to me for fur ther instructions. From Mr. M`Donald, the custos of Trelawny, I also learned that he deeply regretted to find a strong spirit of insubordination amongst the slaves. That, on the instant, the trash-houses on York estate, in Trelawny, had been pur posely burnt down, and that the attorney who lives on the pro perty was strongly impressed with the idea that they intended to burn the rest of the works. One company of militia was or dered to proceed to this estate, but before they arrived the ne groes had cut down' the plantain-walk belonging to the over seer, and both men and women had fled. It happened that I had convened a council on the day I re ceived this despatch, for the purpose of enabling me to form re gulations of quarantine, should such a measure become neces sary, by which means an opportunity was afforded me of con ferring personally with Sir Willoughby Cotton, who came from Kingston for the purpose of attending the council, and being fully satisfied, from the information I had received, that nothing but prompt and decided measures would arrest the spirit of in subordination which prevailed so generally in the parishes of St. James and Trelawny, I strongly recommended Sir Wil loughby Cotton to proceed to Montego Bay with as little delay as possible, taking with him such an amount of force as he might deem expedient, anticipating that his immediatepresence would produce the most favourable effect. Sir W. Cotton readily ac quiesced in my proposal, and the following day he embarked on board his Majesty's ship Sparrotehawk, with two companies of the 84th regiMent. On Thursday the 29th, I received various despatches by post, the substance of which I inclose, (No. 7,) which I lost no time in communicating to Sir Willoughby Cotton, and immediately issued the accompanying M. G. O. (No. 8.) On the same day, at 5 p. m., despatches arrived by express, containing still more alarming accounts of thd state of the country. The work of destruction had begun, and fires had been seen, both in St. James's and Trelawny, to blaze the preceding night, in various directions. The custos of Trelawny stated that, in his opinion, nine.tenths of the slave-population had refused to turn out to work, and Colonel Lawson, instead of being able to oppose these excesses, had drawn in his regiment to Montego Bay, and even there appeared to feel apprehension, acting only on the defensive. Not waiting to detail this information in a letter to Sir Willoughby Cotton, who, on account of the regular winds which prevail in this latitude, could not leave Port Royal until the following morning, I immediately despatched Captain Ramsey, 77th regiment, my military secretary, on board the Sparrotchawk, with the letters I had received, not doubting that, on their perusal, Sir Willoughby Cotton would deem it advisable to order a stronger force to follow him. By this means also I communicated to Sir Willoughby Cotton my in tention to convene a council of war, according to the 50th Geo. 111. ch. 17, cl. 74, on the- following day, for the purpose of submitting to them such information as I possessed on the state of the country, in order to obtain the it opinion on the necessity of declaring martial law. The next morning (the 30th) Sir Willoughby Cotton, with the detachment, embarked on board the Sparrowhawk, sailed from Port Royal for Mon, tego Bay, and on the following morning, his Majesty's ship Blanche, Commodore Farquhar, proceeded on the same desti nation, conveying three hundred men from the 33d and 84th re giments, and sixteen artillery soldiers, with two eight field_ pieces, and rockets, sec. I did not come to the resolution of assembling a council of war, for the purpose before stated, until I had thoroughly s atis fied my mind that the immediate exigency admitted no middle measures, that more than any thing else, it would remove an icaprecsien, which had been made on the minds of the slaves, that the Executive Government and the King's troops would not oppose them. That speedy examplp, however greatly must regret and deplore the necessity of resorting to it, could alone stay the destruction that had begun, and ultimately save a greater efflision of blood, and likewise that under martial law alone I could obtain complete controul over the militia force, on wbose pervices I must chiefly depend to put down this rebellion. form o f the directed A c a b f o o v r e h r o e l f d e i r n r red co t o u , n c your jis o f l, w o r a d , council eue shall consist of less than twe n ty -one mem . ship and i3 y t willhht the find cl c t a h bers, on this occasion twenty-six persons were present. I ccmmunlcated to them such information as I possessed, and laid before them the letters I had before transmitted by Capt. Ramsey to Sir Willoughby Cotton, copies of which (Nos. 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14) are inclosed; and in conformity with the unanimous opinion of this numerous council, on the 30th in, 0.1,nt martial law was forthwith proclaimed. No time was then lost sit issuing general orders, directing the St. Ann's Western Regiment to assemble at Rio Bueno, the Clarendon regiment on the confines of Trelawny, Westmorland and Hanover regiments on the confines of St. James, whereby endeavoured to cut off all communication between the dis turbed districts and other parts of the island with a force ready to 24 , 4 under Sir Willoughby Cotton, on his arrival at Montego Bay. At the same time I addressed a private communication to Sir Willoughby Cotton, a of which (No. 13) is here with annexed. Accounts arrived, on the alst December, from Maurice pf the island, stating that the negr oes on t h ree e states I p - pes, Fog., ('ustos of the parish of Po r tl an d , the north east 4 ~treirilFy had refused to Work, and had betaken themselves to the woods. It is somewhat remarkable, that this same gentleman, a few days previous,on learning that a man-of-war, 4 3 1 hAveb,efore informed your Lordship, had sailed for Port Antonio, appeared CO consider the application of the Magistrates had proceeded from ill founded he was not ignorant that some excitement apprehension of the hostile disposition of the negroes in that the mind.; of the negroes about their being made _ i espa teh arrived from General Robertson remainedquarter , although in tree, expressed his regret that such a precaution had been the depredations committed by the adopted, stating that he never considered the negroes in that had extended along the neighbourhood to be more peaceable and contented. In the course of the night a ' r bnyegwroheischinitthapepepaarriettsh of t3int James great river towards the parish of Saint Elizabeth, And that the estate of Ipswich had been threatened. The Officer command ing the Westmorland Regiment had posted two companies at an estate called Haddo, and orders were given for the Saint Eliza beth's regiment to hold themselves in immediate readiness. rurther accounts from General Robertson informed me that " the rebels were proceeding in the direction of Ipswich and New Savannah, and that he had moved a large body of men to oppose them." The following day he communicated to me the destruction of Ipswich estate, with several others, and thus concludes :—" I am of opinion that all the force in my district is unequal to suppress the incendiarism and destruction, without the co-operation of regular troops." At this time General Robertson was not aware that Sir Willoughby Cotton ' had proceeded with a force of troops of the line to Montego Bay. Fifty men of the 77th regiment, and under the command of Major John Wilson, with a supply of arms and ammuni tion, were embarked on board his Majesty's ship Rose, and proceeded, on the 3d instant, to Black River. On the 3d January I received another despatch from General Robertson, inclosing the deposition of an overseer, who had been eight days a prisoner of the rebels. A copy of this document and of General Robinson's despatches (Nos. 16, 17, and 18) are also inclosed. The loss which the rebel negroes sustained at Ginger_ hill, I have every reason to hope may check the depredations committed in that district. But I think it proper to issue the accompanying proclamation (No. 19.) On the 3d instant, I received a despatch from Sir Willoughby Cotton, informing me of his arrival at Montego Bay, as well as the troops embarked on board his Majesty's ship Blanche. I shall not curtail the impression the Major-General has trans mitted to me by making extracts from his despatch, I therefore inclose it. (Nos. 20, 21, 22, and 23.) On the morning of the 4th, I received unfavourable accounts from Portland, especially from Mr. Panton, a Magistrate and proprietor in that parish, whose letter (No. 24) I inclose. Mr. Panton appears to have laboured under feelings of much alarm. I had, however, anticipated the necessity of checking any in subordination which might appear in that quarter, having as sembled the Portland, St. George, and St. Thomas-in-the-East regiments of militia before his letter arrived. Forty men also of the 77th had been conveyed in the boats of the Champion from Port Antonio to Manchioneal, under the command of Captain Buchan ; and Colonel ISl'Lecal, also in the absence of Sir Willoughby Cotton, commander at Kingston, had ordered Captain Tathwell, with thirty men of the 33d regiment, em barked on board of his Majesty's ship Hyacinth, to proceed to Morant Bay, and from thence to march through a populous, and as yet tranquil, district, where, however, the Saint Thomas-in the-East regiment were assembled, to Manchioneal. The appearance of this force will, I trust, be sufficient to check any dispostion to revolt in that quarter. It is obvious, however, from all the information that has been received, that the negroes have been impressed with a general and firm belief that after Christmas they were to be free. They will have much to answer for who have deluded these unfortunate people into expectations which have led to such scenes of devastation and ruin, and which now recoiling on themselves, numbers must expiate by their death. My chief attention, therefore, is directed to maintain good order where quiet still remains, to protect the well-disposed, and to be always prepared to as semble a strong disposable force, ready to act on the first ap pearance of insubordination. To give greater efficiency in the direction of all military affairs in this part of the island, I have given Colonel Macleod, Deputy Adjutant-General on the Staff in this island, the rank of Lieutenant-General of Militia, whereby I obtain the assist ance of an able and experienced officer, and extended his com mand over the militia, as well as over the troops of the line. I also received despatches from Montego Bay, dated 3d in. stant (No. 25). I have the honour to inclose a copy of one from Sir Willoughby Cotton, whereby it appears, that the burnings still continued to be executed in concert, by signal from the heights. That the leaders who had suffered the day preceding had all declared that they had been told by white people that they were to be free at Christmas, and that by these people the plan of insurrection had been arranged. That, in concurrence with the custos of the parish (Mr. Barrett), prisoners to the amount of one hundred not actually implicated as incendiaries, with the woman, had been dismissed into the country with co pies of the proclamation before alluded to, numbered 21. A despatch was also received from the custos of St. James, of which I inclose an extract (No. 26). lie speaks highly of the conduct of the militia ; but, I lament to say, adds to the list of destruction contained in list numbered 23, intimating the num ber of plantations and settlements destroyed to the amount of one hundred. From Morant Bay I received a letter from Colonel Delpratt, inclosing a despatch from Lieutenant-Colonel M'Cornock, of the St. Thomas-in-the-East Regiment, containing nothing of sulfi. cient importance here to notice, but by which I collected this important fact, that although the negroes on some estates had refused to work, no act of destruction had been committed in that quarter, with the exception of a trash-house, which had been burned, but not ascertained to have been destroyed by de sign ; at any other time the information would have been suffi. cient to have created great uneasiness in my mind, but now con trasting it with what is passing in the west end of the island, I regarded it as rather satisfactory. On the sth I received further accounts from Sir Willoughby Cotton, dated the 4th (No. 27), and I am happy to say their contents began to wear a more satisfactory appearance. The active measures he had adopted, together with the proclamation he caused to be issued, he observes, " had produced an extraor dinary effect ;" the negroes were coming in fast, and a commu nication opened to Maroon Town ; the loss the negroes had sus. tained created a strong panic, and a movement which the Major. General proposed to make the following day, he imagined would stop any further depredations in that neighbourhood. By the same express a letter arrived ftom the custos of Trelawny, a copy of which (No. 28) is inclosed. I should hardly think it necessary to transmit a copy of this letter from the custos to your Lordship, did it not refer to a person of the name of Box, who, I am informed, is a missionary from the Baptist Society, and who has since been reported in custody in this town. I have caused his removal to Falmouth to be delayed, and have directed a letter to be written to the custos, a copy of which (No. ‘Z)) I inclose. lam as yet unacquainted with the charge on which orders were issued for his apprehension at Falmouth ; but the information received from the custos renders it at all events necessary that he should be for the present detained ; motives, however, of prudence and humanity caused me to in. terpose a delay in hurrying him to trial at a moment when so great excitement must necessarily prevail. This morning, the 6th instant, I have had the satisfaction to receive a despatch from Sir W. Cotton, dated Montego Bay, January 5, 10 a. in., with still more favourable accounts, a copy of which (No. 30.) I enclose. Tranquillity, he states, is fast returning in the adjoining neighbourhood, and the negroes coining in from all directions, desiring to avail themselves of the promise of pardon offered in the proclamation. The roads to Lucea and Maroon Town were open, and many proprietors and attornies proceeding to visit their estates. Provisions, he states, are scarce, but being informed of that yesterday, I caused let, ters to be written to the Mayor of Kingston, anti the custos of St. Mary, from whence I have no doubt a supply, if not already, will be quickly sent. Sir W. Cotton expresses his astonishment I had not been made acquainted with the determination of, the negroes not to work after New Year's-day. Referring your Lordship to my despatch of the 4th of August, I have now the honour to inclose copies of two letters (Nos. 31 and 112), dated the 29th and 30th of July, addressed to custodes of parishes, from none of whom I received unsatisfactory accounts, nor has any complaint reached me of insubordination amongst the slaves, or any dis position to insurrection, although the Members of Assembly, from all parts of the island, had only separated, on adjournment, from the seat of Government on the eve of the insurrection. I send your Lordship the copy of a letter (B No. 33), I have this day received from Commodore Farquhar, and it is only due to that officer to declare that, in all my communica tions with him, he has always afforded me the most active assist ance and support in promoting the good of tile public service. When it is considered how short a time Sir Willoughby Cot ton has been in the disturbed district, it is astonishing what effect his presence and example have produced in the minds of the insurgent slaves, whilst the promptitude and decision of his operations, and the exemplary punishment he felt himself com pelled to is.flict on the most atrocious offenders, have convinced the great mass of the slave population that all further resist ance is unavailing; and the colony must ever acknowledge the importance and value of his services. Were I to indulge my own personal feelings I might express myself in a manner strongly indicating the consolation and relief I have derived from his energy, and at the same time discretion ; but in bestowing my humble meed of praise on an officer of such distinction, I fear that I should render myself liable to a charge of presumption in attempting to add any thing to a reputation standing on such high ground as that of Sir Willoughby Cotton. I nave, &c. Right Hon. Viscount Goderich, &c. BELMORE. No. I.—(Circular.) King's House, December 22, 1831 . SlR,—His Excellency the Governor having received intelli. genee that a disposition to insubordination had manifested it self amongst certain slaves on a plantation in St. James ; his Excellency no longer hesitates to give every possible publicity to his Majesty's proclamation, which the uninterrupted tran. quillity that has hitherto prevailed throughout the island had not seemed to render necessary. I am directed, therefore, to transmit to you printed copies of this proclamation, and his Excellency requests that you will cause it to be read to the slaves by the persons in charge of the several plantations in your parish. I have the honour to be, &c. To the Custodes of the several Parishes. W. BULLOCK. BY THE KING.- 1 A PROCLAMATION. WILLIAM IV. • Whereas it has been represented to us, that the slaves in some of our West India colonies, and of our possessions on the continent of South America, have been erroneously led to be lieve that orders have been sent out by us for their emancipa tion : and whereas such belief has produced acts of insubordi tnhaoiutognh,twfiht,icbhy and e w e; h e i t t h e d e a dvi o c h e i o g f h o es Ur Privy ea c s o u u r n e c ; i , w t eo issue this our Royal proclamation ; and we do hereby declare, and make known, that the slave population in our said colonies and West t this ndi our P ai proclamation, nd P : e nd ' possessions, will forfeit all claim . on our protection if they shall a es f a il to render entire submission to the laws, as well as dutiful s in their power, the punish_ obedience to their masters : and we hereby charge and command the tranquillity and peace of s a int oi l o l e enforce, : f r o: rfo G c o tegh v ,: e bse r ye n t a o hwl r el s hfotu o hl f elme osaltueyrgp disturb said lbs a mlt i iu d ce bt W ny our said colonies and possessions. Given at the Court, at St. James's, this third day of June one thousand eight hundred and thirty-one, and in the second year of our reign. GOD SAVE THE KING. No. 2.—(Circular.) King's House, Dee. 22, 1831 Eiscellency the Captain-General having received information that 4 disposition to insubordination had maul tested itself amongst certain slaves on a plantation in St. James's, although his Excellency trusts that this is a merely temporary and local excitement, still prudence requires that es cry measure of precaution should be adopted by the military authorities to meet any possible extension of a spirit of dis obedience, by a prompt employment of the militia forces when and where their services may be required. With this view re gimental officers should not be absent during the holidays from their usual places of residence, and you will be pleased to issue orders to the officers commanding regiments in your district to this effect. Should, contrary to his Excellency's hopes and expectations, the employment of any of the regiments or detachments of corps under your command become necessary, his Excellency requests that you will act in conjunction with the civil power. I have, &c. (Signed) W. BULLOCK. To the several Major-Generals. No. 3.—(Co py. Falmouth, Trelawny, Dec. %, 1831. Stn,—l have had the honour this morning to receive your dis. patch of the 24th instant, inclosing his Majesty's proclamation. I am sorry it was not published sooner ; I forward a despatch, which I found here this morning, from Colonel Lawson. I most deeply regret to find a strong spirit of insubordination generally among the slaves. On the morning of the 23d instant, both the trash-houses on York estate, in this parish, were purposely burnt, and the lives of the white people threatened ; and as the attor ney who lives on the estate was strongly impressed with the idea that they intended to burn the rest of the works, I was induced to order a company of the militia to that property ; I was at Fontabelle when I issued the order, and lam sorry to say, that three of the Magistrates down here thought proper to counter mand my orders, in consequence of which I made a requisition to Major Pennefather, of the 22c1 regiment, who immediately sent a small detachment to the estate; they are now relieved by a company of the militia, and by a letter just received from the company, I find the negroes have this morning cut down the whole of the plantain-walk belonging to the overseer's establish. Inent ; the whole of the negroes, both men and women, have absented themselves since Saturday the 24th instant. At a meeting of the Magistrates, which took place about an hour ago, it was determined to order the whole regiment and troops under arms, and a requisition has been sent to Major Pennefather, at Maroon Town, requesting him to move a strong detachment of the 22c1 regiment to the vicinity of York. If the information contained in Colonel Lawson's despatch proves correct, strong and energetic measures must immediately be taken ; there are strong rumours that the Green-park and Orange-valley negroes are determined to work no more ; they are of themselves upwards of a thousand strong. I have this instant read a despatch from Sir W. Cotton to Major Pennefather ; it is certainly an extraordinary docu ment. He says the troops are not to act until the Riot Act is read, and unless his Majesty's troops are insulted; the negroes are already strongly impressed with the idea that the King's troops have instructions not to act against them, and certainly if this despatch were published, it would confirm their opinion; I hope, most sincerely hope, this order will be immediately I , countermanded, if not his Majesty's troops, who are so well paid by the country, will be of little service to us. As I have ordered packet guards, you will be regularly in formed of any occurrence worth noticing ; I hope things will put on a more favourable aspect soon than they have at present. I have, &c. (Signed) JAMES MACDONALD, W. Bullock, Esq., &c. Custos of Trelawny. No. 4. SIR,--I have the honour to inclose an affidavit made by two respectable individuals, and a copy of an application made to Major Pennefather, at Maroon Town, by which his Excellency can observe the situation of this parish is extremely critical. I have also received a letter from Mr. George Gordon, of Moor-park estate in this neighbourhood, and of Windsor.lodge, of which he is attorney, fully corroborating the affidavit ; in fact so much information has been received here by the magistracy, that no doubt can possibly be entertained of the determination of the negroes to refuse to work after the holidays, and, on any attempt to compel them being made, the white people were to be destroyed, and the country set file to. The information is of so convincing a nature, that I have thought it my duty to lose no time in ordering out the whole strength of this regiment to remain on duty at their respective beats till further orders. His Excellency I hope will permit me to request such in structions as he may be pleased to honour me with. I have, &c. (Signed) • G. M. LAWSON, sen. Col. St. James's. Reg. William Bullbck Esq. &c. December 25, Six o'clock, P. M. No. 5. (Copy.) JAMAICA, P. ST. JAMES'S. Persdnally came and appeared before me, Robert Stuart and Alexander 31`Kenzie, Emirs., who, being duly sworn, made oath and said, that, from informltion received by these depo nents, they have every reason to believe that a general insurrec tion of the slaves on Adelphi, Content, Glasgow, Windsor_ lodge, Somerton, Paisley, and Palmyra estates, on Tuesday evening, the :?,'"ith instant, will take place, with the intention of burning the properties and murdering the free inhabitants thereon. (Signed) ROBERT STUART. A. WKENZI.E. Sworn before me, this 25th day of December, 1831. (Signed) GEO. GORDON. St. James's, Dec. 25, MIL Siu,—lt has just come to our knowledge, from the testimony, upon oath, of several respectable witnesses, that a most exten. sive conspiracy has been formed by the negroes of Adelphi, Content, Glasgow, Windsor, Palmyra, and other estates, to rise on Tuesday evening, the 27th instant ; the place fixed on for the negroes to meet is Adelphi-works, where the buildings are to he burnt, and the white people murdered ; the conspiracy is so general that any militia force that could be assembled would be probably ineffec tive, and by attempting to collect one at a given point, every surrounding estate would be left deserted by its white residents. We therefore call upon you, as the only means to save this part of the island from fire and bloodshed, to send, without a mo mrnt's loss of time (for if it transpires that the whites have got intelligence of this intended revolt, it will commence instantly) a company of the '-'2d regiment, or such force as can be spared, to Adelphi-works, there to remain till circumstances shall war rant their departure. We have, &c. (Signed) GEO. GORDON, ALEX. CAMPBELL. Magistrates of the Parish of St. James- To Major Pennefather, or Officer Commanding 2,2 d Regiment, Maroon Town. No. 6. Courthouse, Montego Bay, Dec. 19, 1531. Sin,—We, the undersigned magistrates, this day assembled in special sessions, have to inform you, that from the disorderly behaviour of the negroes on Salt Spring estate, in the neigh bourhood of this town, a guard of the militia has been stationed on that property since Friday last. We consider it highly ne cessary, for the preservation of the public peace during the ap proaching holidays, that a company of the 22d regiment should be stationed at the barracks in this town ; we therefore require you, with as little delay as possible, to order the above. mentioned force to be sent here, to remain for such period as we may deem proper for the preservation of the public safety. We have, &c. (Signed) LAWRENCE HISLOP. JAMES GUTHRIE. JOHN SHARP. H. A. PLUMMER. GEORGE CRAGG. W. REYNOLDS. THOMAS JOSH. GRAY. JAS. GORDON. G. M. LAWSON, Sen. GEO. GORDON. WM. M. KERR. GEORGE LONGMORE. To Major Pennefather, or Officer commanding 22cl Regiment, Falmouth, No. 7. Heads of Information received at the King's House, relative to the Disturbances on the North Side of the Island. Colonel Grignon, December 26, states—That insubordination had appeared on Salt Spring estate, in St. James; that he had ordered out the western interior regiment; that the negroes were determined to strike work at Christmas, but no slaughter to be committed, unless any of the rebels were killed in taking the arms from the white people. Colonel Lawson, November 27, states—that an application had been made by the magistrates of St. James to Major Penney. father, requesting a detachment of the King's troops at Mon tego Bay; states the disposition he had made of his regiment, by which a line of post was established, and expressing his doubts how far the militia law would be sufficient to act with effect, and suggesting the necessity of establishing martial law. Colonel Campbell, Lucia, December 27, states—that he had ordered a guard to be kept at Fort Charlotte to protect the am munition ; and that, in consequence of a communication from Colonel Lawson, he called out the remainder of the regiment. Colonel Tyler, Falmouth, December 27, states—The alarm ing situation of the district about York estate, where the rebels had burnt the trash.house, and as sufficient time was not af. forded for sending the whole regiment, he was obliged to with draw the detachment he had stationed at York. Tho magistrates of St. James, December 27, transmitted— three affidavits of no great importance, all, however, concur ring in the determination of the negroes not to work. Colonel Grignofi, Great River Barracks, December 27, states,—That he received information that five hundred men had assembled near Lapland, who had bound themselves by a solemn oath to obtain their freedom or die in the attempt; and asking for a detachment of regular troops. Colonel Lawson, December 27, ten o'clock P.M. states—That since sunset six fires have been seen from the Court-house, at Montego Bay, in the neighbourhood of Kensington, and ex_ tendipg northerly to Content ; he feared the whole of the east part of the parish would be destroyed before rnOrninF. Collector, Montego Bay, December, 27, states—That several fires were seen, and giving information much to the same put, pose as Colonel LawsoU. No. 8. Head-Quarters, Spanish Town, December 29 , 1891. M. G. 0. His Excellency the Captain-General has received informa tion from the ma g istrates of St. James and Trelawny, that the slaves on certain properties in those parishes, have manifested a spirit of in su b or di na tion, and, in some -instances, have pro ceeded to acts of outrage, which have excited his Excellency's highest displeasure, and have .exposed them to the utmost, rigour of the law. His Excellency, however, trusts, that his Majesty's gracious proclamation will remove any erroneous runs _„— , pressiong which may have bees received, and that they will render themselves objects for the merciful consideration of the Crown, by an instant return to their former habits of obedience' and duty. His Excellency, however, is determined to employ a military force against those who may be guilty of acts of violence or outrage,, which_ all their endeavours will be utterly unable to resist. For this purpose his Excellency has requested the Major-General commanding to proceed to Mcntego Bay with a, . strong reinforcement of troops ; and his Excellency delegates to Sir Willoughby Cotton all the military authority lie could exercise were he personally present. His Excellency directs all Major-Generals of militia commanding districts, and in places not subject to the command of Major-Gentrals, all officers commanding regiments of horse and foot, to consider them. selves under the command of Major-General Sir Willoughby Cotton, and to obey all his orders with zeal and alacrity. Captains of forts, where depots of fixed ammunition are established, will attend to any requisition the Major-General may make (Signed) EDWARD J. GREY, Adjutant-Gen. No. 9. Falmouth, Trelawny, Dec. 28. St It is with the deepest regret that I have to state to you, for the information of his Excellency the Governor, that many of the estates in this parish are at this moment in an actual state' t ' of rebellion, and I believe nine-tenths of the whole slave popu lation have this morning refused to turn out to work ; the whole country was in a blaze last night. Three trash-houses were burnt in this parish, viz. Pantrepant (in rebellion), Golden 149 , Grove, and Carrick Poyle. Many must have been burnt in St. t;t James's, from what I saw myself, but only the names of four of o d e them have yet come to my knowledge, viz. Palmyra, Leyden, Windsor, Gilsburgh. Our militia is very weak, and we have little to expect from the regulars, unless positive orders are sent All to them to act. I would recommend to his Lordship to proclaim 33 ::; martial law without a moment's delay, and in the mean time to send down written orders to act with the utmost energy. Orange Valley, seven hundred strong, has refused to turn out. If 1, or the Colonel of the regiment had authority :to act, the plan I would propose is to assemble the whole of the militia, and at once attack the largest estate, and then pro.. coed to the others as circumstances might direct, and as I 1, _tett stated in my last despatch it would be most politic to order a company of the regulars with them, as it would do away with the notion the slaves entertain that the King's troops are not to act against them. If it possibly could be done the Admiral 1 544: might be applied to to send a man-of-war to each of the ports of Montego Bay and Falmouth. His Lordship may depend Ido - ;11 c not in the least exaggerate the situation of things,—they cannot :/ well be worse ; but fortunately no blood has been yet shed that_ 1. I have heard of. Every man is clamorous to get protection for •-• their own concerns, but it is advisable to make no detachments: I fully expect to see a number of fires to-night, and our situsi tion is truly dangerous. The most prompt measures must be taken for our relief, but of course his Lordship is the best judge of these, though I have taken the liberty to suggest some plans. Whatever is done must be done quickly. The militia are all under arms, and the Magistrates at their posts.—l have, &c. (Signed) JAS. MACDONALD, Custos, No. 10. Montego Bay, Dec. Za, ISfiL Six,—Since I had the honour of addressing you by post last evening, so many fires have taken place, that I hare deemed it proper to withdraw the outposts, as I do not wish to expose them to a contest which I do not consider them equal to, and to concentrate them here, with the exception of one company, which I have directed to move in support of Colonel Grignon, whose situation, with that of his regiment, I fear is extremely critical. I have also directed the Hanover company, stationed at Round-hill, to move on for the same purpose, I am now convinced the contest must be decided in the streets of Montego Bay. I have, &c. (Signed) G. M. LAWSON, Col. S. J. R. William Bullock, FAq., &c. No. 11. Post-office, Montego Bay, Dec, 27, 1831, Nine o'clock, P. M. Sia,—l consider it my duty to inform you that there Is at this moment a serious fire raging in a south-easterly direction from this town, apparently about eight or ten miles distant, and it is supposed to be at Hampton estate, but, from the glare, I fear it extends to other estates in its vicinity, lying more to the northward. From the late insubordination of the negroes on many estates in this neighbourhood, which has caused the militia to be under arms since Sunday last, it is feared that this fire is not from accidental causes, and I beg the favour of your giving his Excellency the Governor immediate information thereof. I have, &c. (Signed) JOHN ROBY, W. Bullock, Esq. &c. Collector of his Majesty's Customs. P.S. Half-past Nine.—l have just been informed that Ken. sington Pen and Mr. Tulloch's settlement hive been burnt.-- We have one company of the 22d regiment in this town. Ten Ilh o'clock, p. os. No. 12. Sia,--The late arrival of the Leeward post allows me to have the honour to state, that since sunset six fires, apparently of estates, have been seen from the Court-house, in the neigh bourhood of Kensington, extending northerly to Content, and they seem gradually to be extending to the northward. I have, &r. (Signed) E. M. EA WSQN, Col. S. J. R. P.S.—I fear the whole of the east part of the parish will be destroyed before day-light. Five p.m.—A trooper has just arrived from Palmyra, with a despatch from Captain Cleghorn, of the Sth company, stating that the negroes on that estate set fire to the trash-house, when his men were searching the negro houses for arms, agreeably to my orders. The incendiary ran into the cane piece, which induced Captain Cleghorn to threaten to set fire to the cane piece, which he had; the negro then came out and surrendered himself with a woman who had been with him ; these and the head driver, who was taken up on suspicion of being an accom plice, and now in custody, having been delivered to a patrole of the troop. Hampton estate is threatened to be destroyed tonight. I have, &c. E. M. LAWSON, Col. S. J. if Win. Bullock, Esq No. 13. JAMAICA, SS. BY THE KING.—A PROCLAMATION. Whereas, we have thought fit, by and with the advice of our Council of War, to declare martial law in our said island of Jamaica, for the security and protection of our said island against the evil designs of the enemies of our Crown ; in order, therefore, to render effectual the measures taken for the security of our said island, we have thought fit, by and with the advice of our said Council aforesaid, to issue this our Royal Proclama tion, strictly charging and commanding, and we do hereby strictly charge and command, all and every the commissioned and warrant officers and private nien of our militia of our said island, to repair forthwith to their several and respective regi ments and stations, and there to hold themselves in readiness to receive and obey all such orders as shall from time to time be given to them by our Captain-General of our forces in our said island, or, in his absence, by any superior officer, upon pain of the highest displeasure, and of such pains and penalties as by the rules and articles of war, established in our said island, are inflicted upon such persons as shall be guilty of disobedience of orders. Witness his Excellency the Right Honourable Somerset Lowry Earl of Belmore, Captain-General and Governor, in-Chief of this our island of Jamaica, and other the ter ritories thereupon depending, in America, Chancellor and Vice. Admiral of the same, at St. Tego de Vega, this thir tieth day of December, in the second year of our reign, anno que dontini, one thousand eight hundred and thirty one. (Signed) BELMORE. By his Excellency's command, (Signed) W. G. STEWART, Sec. GOD SAVE THE KING. No. 14. M. G. 0. Head-quarters, Dec. 30, 1831. Martial law was this day proclaimed, but as the Captain-Ge neral is unwilling to employ a greater militia force than is ne cessary to repress the disturbances in St. James and Trelawny, his Excellency does not think it at present necessary to call for the services of the Kingston, St. Catherine, Port Royal, St. Andrew's, Manchester, Vere, St. John, and St. Dorothy, St. Thomas-in-the-Vale, St. Thomas-in-the-East, and St. David, Portland, St. George, and St. Mary's regiments, but the officers commanding those corps will be prepared to assemble them,at the shortest notice. Packet guards will likewise be established between Portland and St. George's, to facilitate the communication With head. quarters. Colonel Hilton will assemble his regiment with the least possible delay, and march the greater part of them to Rio Bueno, where they will hold themselves in readiness to pro ceed to Trelawny should their services be required there. Colonel Hilton will leave a part of his regiment, composed of the most inefficient men, at Bromstovrn. Colonel Dunn, will immediately assemble the Clarendon re. giment and march the greater part of thorn to some station gr stations on the confines of Trelawny, taking cars that a con stant communication be kept up between the two parts of his regiment should it be found necessary to separate them, and make such arrangements as may enable them to act together at the shortest notice. Colonel Dunn will leave a part of his regiment, composed of the most inefficient men, at Chapelton. Major-General Robertson will order the Westmoreland and Hanover regiments to be immediately assembled, and the West moreland regiment will march to the confines of St. James's, where they will hold themselves in readiness to act wherever their services are required. Major-General Robertson will order the Hanover regiment en duty, but they will remain in:tbeir own parish, until their services are required by Major-General Sir W. Cotton. The St. Elizabeth reg i ment i s no t t o b e 1,4;0 pu duty, but they ought to be in suc h a state p f reaainess as to act upon th e shortest notice. The officers commanding the Clarendon and Westmoreland regiments will give the earliest information to illajor-General Sir W. Cotton, as soon as their regiments have occupied their respective stations. The Captain-General has been pleased to confer on Lieute who is superseded in the co mman d o f th a t , n l a c n e t- C C o o l l o o n n e e l l Tyler,Cadier, the colonelcy of the Trel awny reg i men t , regiment. (Signed) ED WD. T. GREY, Adjt..Genl. No. 15. King's House, December 30, 1831. Alr DgAk SIR WILLOUGHBY,— 11l conformity with tit