The Express.
London, England, 1847-10-22 00:00:00

WEST INDIES.

JAMAICA.—There is little looal intelligewe to
ody At a meeting of the Chamber of Commerce, held on
Bbd of September, a despatch was laid on the table en-
;go eery of a despatch fiann Earl Grey, in reply to the
wooers' o the chamber with respect to African unmigra
ow The despatch stated that, with regard to the adoption
esayes to promote emigration from the coast of Africa
'owes the measures taken had been purely experimen-
cal ; and it was for the advantage of all the colonies that the
' ekesld be made, by confining the operations to the
"ellu With regard to the suggestion that go.
am•
ount .h.ald permit an unrestricted resort to any part of
the ALican coast to procure emigrants by the redemption of
co," or otherwise, the government did not adopt
dm saws taken by the memorialists, as the existence of in-
imiied motives fur prxln sing Africans on the coast bad al •
inn been a provocation to war and outrage in the interior;
pa: no benefits to be conferred on the persons released could
insufy, a manner of proceeding tending to bring others into '
„ancity, sod to do so through those barbarous courses by
which such purposes are elected in Africa.—lt was re-
eeteed, oa reading the chapati:ls, that an extract from the
emeriti of the chamber, and the reply of the
sweaty of State for the Colonies, should be for-
',sided to Mr. Turnbull, and that he be requested to fur-
sish the chamber with any evidence in his possession, which
sight enable them to support the statements contained in
their meinonal with respect th British subjects detained as
does in the bland of Cuba.
A meeting of priprieL,ra ant planters of the parish of St.
Geerge's, took place on the 18th of Sept., to take into con-
siderauon the depressed state and gloomy prospects of the
engar and coffee planters, arising from the low prices of
%gar and coffee in the home markets, the consequence of
as pact of goverunent in admitting the introduction of
fono and slave made sugar and coffee at diminished duties
Resolutions were adopted stowing the evil effect upon
antes in the West Indies of the introduction Into
Esg:sul of elate produce, and showing that coffee pro-
perties were going out of cultivation, and sugar estates
sbandoaed. It less determine that a memorial on the
object, addressed to the Foreign.office, should be prepared,
and forwarded to the governor for transmission, and that
an:gamins/ should be appointed to draw up • petition to the
new Bow of Commons, claiming a further reduction on the
duties of West India sugar and rum, to the extent of the
ewes incurred for freight and sale of those articles,
That one half of the 1,200,0001. expend'.;; in the cit-
tempt to pet down slave trading, he:. applied to the importa-
tion of free labourers into the West India colonies, but more
,pecially into those which have suffered most from the
effects of emancipation ; and that a loan bo applied for to
enable planters to improve permanentiy, either on estates or
in central factories to be established for the sole benefit of
estates, the quality of produce, to render it at least equal in
vane to the foreign sugars which are at present driving them
out of the market, provided such ludo could be obtained on
the terms of the new British Drainage Act.
A good deal of rain had fallen in Jamaica, which was cal-
culated to do much good to the young plants, and wishes
sae expressed that it might last.
-•- - -

TRINIDAD.—The prozecclinge in council of the
pnernmint on the 16,1 (being the third reading and pawing
of the onlinenv f.,r raising a tax on rum) caus:d considers-
Ilk excitement. The measure has nsw passed into law. A
matisescce of the most seasonable weather is noticed. The
somber of immigrants arrived since the beginning of the year
is stated at 1,652 men, 533 women, 303 children—total, 2538.

- -
DEMERARA.—Business had been dull during the
sgeuiplit prior to the sailing of the packet. American car-
pel were remaining in the river unsold, a disinclination to
'peculate being evinced. Tonnage was abundant, and
as employment could be obtained by seeking ships.
The year's crop wu reaching 60,000 hhds., being an increa'e
m that of lot year. Estates were in full operation for sugar
making, the weather being propitious. About 600 imuii-
rats from Madeira had arrived in the colony during the
hetmght. The subject of legisla'ive reform still occupied
pablic attention. A numerously and respectably signed
potion to her Majesty had been forwarded, praying for a
MON pvpular firm of government.
The railway company was vigorously prosecuting its object.
had now fairly broken ground, the ceremony of " turning
the tint sod- having been perforated by the governor.
Previously to the departure of the Growler from Dente-
nn, the stipendiary magistrates, by order of the governor,
isiemed the Kroomcn and other Africans entitled to a free
return passage to Africa, that they might proceed in that
revel. and many of them took advantage of the opportunity.
The Berbice Gazette says—
ewers! of t►e Kroo delegates that came to this country a little
age than a year ago in the ship Louisa 'Millie, lefthere for Demerara
larder to meet the steamer Growler, and return by that reseed to
Akita We undendand that these people have taken away with
Ilea about 210 dollars each, in hard cash, which will no doubt enable
gem to rut no inconsiderable dash in their own country, and go
farther to Kite their admiring countrymen a favourab:e impreftion
meaning the advantages held out to them in this colony, than any
snotty of rhetoric the delegates themselves could poroibly exercise.
The Carr itleoll teogerrer, • journal established in the prin-
-1411 of the Grenadines, makes the following mention of the
Omelet's progress:
We learn (net Grenada that ll.M.'s steam, Growler called there
she reran ?tom Deacrara to the African aE st, with upwards of
lan weiterant, These, on being quostioned, eaptered their
lateation of settling in their own countr v, as moot of them had Eared
none'; some to much as 601.-others had invented their means in
pods. They do not, horn the manner in which they answered the
ernes put to them by some of the gentlemen who went on board, give
mach hope of an exUneive emigration from Africa to there colonic,

BARBADOES.—Tho di/Arming drought which
prevailed so long in that island had been succeeded by more
genial weather. The month of August (says the G 1,60,
commenced with showers, which continued light until the
27th, when a general rain was experienced throughout the
district, followed by moderate rains until the end of the
month. These, although not sufficient to put water in the
pads, exercised a very tensible influence upon the young
cases. Tho month, on the whole, must be pronounced
favonrable, but, owing to the extreme dryness of the land,
the earlier showers did not produce much vegetation. The
change in the weather hie enabled the planter to get most
of his preparation; completed.
Governor Reid proceeded on the 29th of August on a
short visit to St. Vincent's and Grenada, leaving John S.
Galan, Esq., to administer the government during his
stance.

On the 20th of September a public meeting, which con-
gaed of "members of council, representatives of consti-
taincics, merchants, attorneys of absentees, planters, public
mem, iie." was held, to take into consideration the present
threatening aspect of affairs in which these islands are in-
itiated. Several strong resolutions were adopted, and a
• on agreed to, addressed to the Commons House of the
Parliament, and to be forwarded to Lord Bentinck
fispagratation, with • request to Earl Grey to support its
Me. The petition concludes aa follows
Ma dare say te ecatiausa la the mother °away socb • pro.
▪ kty la Weer of Heidi pleateika sneer re *el meet the
driers hawk the seimul =pew et pregnable la the Milk
het ills egg the kw eek Ile erelpt ehevehehlees
teffieoirlhet km be emoree to the tee Bei-
IthaperAmy fs peer pwwer inalkeee wl!I be reseeree,
ell the 00.1.1 Telnyttelleesd. me lbw will be enabled be carry
asks•se imaawramatts shindy - promo In the auNiatios
telamineke et thetreesse which will new its cost, but wbkb,
Lattead Jekekee. keimust abandon. AM your 'petitioners
MY; Oa assamis or Great Britain to abolish the trade in
aim Wes any be in as vie relaxed, as the manly of labourers to
tie beep stare-holding wicks is thereby limited. And your
Pilimarabilims, that main Oat y Miagg, stet:ed. the met et
kik mew ovoid thistles eosaries eul rated by sieve-
like awl II the eiselee wok k a abort time be so
1101•11 auk that your pelleree weak se keeper seed protection
le ambit dile maker seeeky. Or that yst hems home
▪le plink le pest Mew sear es be
sierare of the
meow rewire, see e bersrable Yo year wiegiom
kw seen Meet

ORENADA.—The Free Press or the Bth Sept.
tike mcnti,oi of the arrival at St. George'. of Governor
Lai on his tour of inspection. The lengthened drought and
'rigid Ye heat form subjects of complaint in this as well as
moot the other islands. A shock of earthquake had been
follelantiad, which, though of considerable durit'on, was
sit mem

T. VINCENT.—Tho Home of Aniembly had been
Misdeed by the lieutenant-governor, in consequence of ri-
fled adjournments of the house, owing is the non-at-
Indacce of sufficient members to transact business. Writs
Ihr the new house wero issued, returnable on the 19th
,dasfar. A despatch from Earl Grey was laid before the
dassa disallowing the bounty on Madeiraimmigrants (as
• fie asses of Demerara and Trinidad) from June to
October, in consequence of the alleged unhealthiness of those
aootbs.
ANTIGUA.—The Governor-in-Chief of the Lee-

ward Islands, who had been some time sojourning at Mont-
serrat, was expected to return to Antigua in the next mail
steamer. In consequence of the death of Mr. Shiell, the
klkwiog appointments had been made by the president
administering the government, viz. : Hon. John Gray,
Puisnejustice and special police magistrate, to be provisional
rbief justice of Antigua ; Hon. Hugh Edwards to be puisne
. juticc ; and lion. Tyrrell Shervington to be special police'
• lesgkrate for the city, of St. John. There had been 15,879
toelbeads of sugar shipped up to the 16th of September.
f The want of rain wascomplained of.
ST. LUCIA.—The Palladium, on the subject of the
loarocation or delegates, says: Whether St. Lucia will be
'bleated favourably towards the combined plan thus pro-
Mod, and *ill send its representative forth, it is yet out of
oar power td know. It is to be hoped, however, that she
ail not lag on the back-ground whilst so noble an effort,
and for an object of such paramount importance, seems to
eill for herald.—But for the consequences of the opening
I Oen in the hOme market to sugar, the cheap production of
dare labour, the result of the crop in St. Lucia would
M a alibied of Congratulation with the planters.
8o far as quantity and quality goes, there is
sidling to cause dissatisfaction. The whole crop bad lot
been shipped ; but up to date the exports upon which duty
1 he been paid numbered 7,600,9861 be sager. The quantity
of sugar already shipped (though not the whole of the crop)
*owed an excess amounting to 2,103,5601b5. over the entire
free of 1846, and exceeded the average of the last 16 years
, / about two millions of pounds weight. The weather con-
' baud to favour the work of the plantations. Cultivation
lad been extended, and the canes generally were thriving
*lll. Much uneasiness was experienced from the untoward
oPect given to the local politics by the decision of Earl Grey
M the matter of the suspension of the Chief Justice and
rlarrney-General.
t3T. THOMAS.—A royal decree had been promul-
-104 Proclaiming the abolition of slavery in the Danish
*Maim. All slaves under 16 years of age are, by this
teem, declared absolutely free from the 18th Sept , and
hose above that age were to be held in the condition of
9prentifes for four years from that date. The effect which
~118 great measure has had upon the peace and harlotry of
',e Wands where it has commented operation is not known, 1
hot there is reason to assume anything bat evil results i
halt,

COLONIAL.
MAURMUS.—lntelligence from the Mattritias
extends to Aug. 12. From that island also the reports of the
expected sugar crop are eery satisfettory, but the demand
still exists for additional labour, The French language has
at last been discontinued in the superior tribunals of the is-
land, but the date of its cessation was marked by some dis-
play of popular displeasure which gave rise to very singular
proceedings between certain judicial functionaries.
The day fixed for the second winter assembly hap.
paned to fall on the 15th of July, date of the cessation of
the French language, and as this change is looked on
unfavourably by a large portion of the Creole population,
they thought it best to abstain from saythiog like rejoicings
or pleasures. The discontent was heightened by the new
regulations of the court then just issued. Under these cir-
cumstances it would have been preferable to have postponed
the day of the ball rather than add fuel to the tire. As it
was, however, a crowd of young men assembled before the
door of the ball, and assailed even the ladies as they arrived
with hisses,
_groans, and insetting cries. The police
interfered. Instead of trying to calm the troubled
spirits, they used violence, and proceeded to arrest some ,
of the individuals, a step which was quite useless I
Four young men were arrested, conducted to the police, and
shut up in the prisons destined for drunken sailors and other
such offenders. The parents and friends of the prisoners
were soon made aware of what had taken place,
and they lost no time in interceding in their behalf.
Mr. Anderson, the magistrate, at first refused to re-
ceive any bail, but was at length obliged to consent,
with muck reluctance, however, through the interces-
sion of tho Colonial Secretary and Procureur Gi",neral,
who both happened to be at the ball. The next day Mr. An-
derson having consulted one of his most intimate friend., a
lawyer, again demanded the young men, who had
been set at liberty, and they were imprisoned a second
time. The bails protested against this conduct, and the
officers on service answered that their instruction, were
positive, and Mr. Anderson was nowhere to be found. Re-
course was then had to justice. A request was presented to
the " Juge d'lnis.ruction " according to law. This magis-
trate with kis u.,ual zeal repaired immediately to the police,
and finding that the prisoners were detained witt-„it any
order from a competent magic rate, ordered tLem to be liber-
ated. His order was not executed the police. The "Jugs
d'lnstruction " seeing his :utnority set aside, withdrew, and
forwarded th".. outer he had given for the liberation of the
Drie'r.:ers to the Queen's Precureur. The authority of the
Queen's l'rocureur was as powerless as that of the judge, and
the prisoners were kept in custody till the 21st, when they
were libereted.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA.—SWAN RIVER.—
The colonial government schooner Champion arrived at
Singapore, Aug. 27, bringing despatches from Sean River
for the overland mail down to July 25. The new acting
governor, Lieut.-Col. F. C. Irwin, appears to give much
satisfaction to the colonists. On June 30 there was a meet-
ing of the proprietors of the Western Australian Dank, when
the report for the half-year was submitted, from which it
would appear the institution was doing well, the business of
the bank yielding a handsome profit to the shareholders, to
the extent of 121 per cent. per annum. The question of
regular communication with India rid Singapore had
engaged the attention of the colonists ; the legislative coun-
cil had voted a sum of money for the purpose, but the autho-
rities hare referred the matter to the Iliiiietcr for the Colo-
nies. From the governor's report it would appear that
Singapore was preferred to Ilatavia, not only in
reference to the lower rates of postage, but also
because the former offered a good mart for sandal-
wood and other produce from Western Australia.
A new registration and marriage actwas under the censidera-
tinn of the legislative council, which was considered far from
satisfactory. On the Bth of July his Excellency submitted to
the council an order for the appointment of a committee to
consider the best method to further the introduction of Ger-
man immigrants into the colony—the report was favourable,
and recommended that German immigrants should be natu-
ralised. Messrs. Nash, Lake, and Andrew., were ap-
pointed on the committee. Another committee was ap-
pointed to inquire into the means of promoting the appoint-
ment of a bishop for the colony. Hu Excellency remarked
that the probable revenue for the year would be
9,2211. 18s. 2d.: there had been an augmentation of revenue
under the head of " regular duties."

HAYTl.—There are dates from this republic to the
7th of Sept. Affairs were in a frightful state of disorganisa-
tion: the feud netween the black and coloured population
being as high as ever it was, and apparently only waiting for
a fitting opportunity to break forth into bloodshed and
massacre.