The Express.
London, England, 1847-09-22 00:00:00

THE EXPRESS, WEDl(TEStfAi**Exmo, SEPTEMBikXl2. 1847.

WEST INDIA MAIL.

We yesterday announced the arrival of the
Royal Mail packet Thames, Capt. Heat, at South-
ampton. She landed her mails under the charge of
Lieut. J. Ray, RN., Admiralty agent. Her dates are:
St. Jago de Cuba, Aug. 18; Demerara, 19th;
Trinidad, 21st ; Jamaica, 23rd ; Barbadoes, 24th ;
Grenada, 2Gth; Martinique, 27th ; Porto Rico,
27th; Antigua, 28th; St. Thomas's, 31st; and
Fayal, Sept. 14.
.

IAI4AICA.—The Chamber of Commerce has made
an appeal to the country for additional aid to carry out its
measures. At a meeting of this body held on the 13th of
August, resolutions were passed to the effect that since the
adoption of free-trade principles in England, and the admis-
sion of foreign slave-grown sugar into her markets for borne
consumption, the average pnee of colonial sugar had fallen
13s. per cwt., or 131. per ton, being a reduction of
fully 50 per cent., in the short space of nine
months, in the value of the main staple of the Wand ; that
although the consumption of sugar in England had greatly
iccreased, yet that this increased consumption was entirely
supplied by slave grown produce, whilst the consumption of
British W. I. sugar bad very considerably decreased ; and
that unless this be checked by some vigorous and permanent
measures on the part of the government, the British colonies
would be inevitably and entirely driven out of the English
market, and the cultivation of estates be rendered ruinous to
all. And the chamber therefore viewing with alarm the
commerce of the country daily dwindling into insignificance,
invite every parish in the island to come forward with libe-
ral subscriptions, and with the money raised to create a fund
to meet the expenses of agencies; and otherwise with a view
to obtaining an efficient advocacy of the cause in Great
Britain, to seek the aid of independent members of both
houses of ppaarrliament, to plead for them there.
TRINIDAD.—During the past month in this
colony tine shower, of rain had fallen, and the cultivation
of the country presented an encouraging and satisfactory
appearance. Busineaa continued dull, and the intelligence
received from home of the discouraging state of the markets
had a sensible effect in producing considerable depression
throughout the Wand. There had been several meetings of
the legislative council during the month, at which business
of an interesting and important character has been trans-
acted. On the 10th inst. the Hon. Mr. Burnley's protest
against the resolutions of the board in favour of the railway
company was read, and the tariff committee presented their
report. The committee recommended-1. The repeal of the
imperial duties. 2. The imposition of Is. per gallon on rum
consumed in the colony. 3. Liberty to break bulk of goods
in bond. The committee also recommended the repeal of
so much of the navigation-laws as affect the interests of the
West India colonies.

BAItBADOES.—The agriculture in this island was
much the same as by last advice'. The drought continued,
the crops of young canes had not, however, experienced all
the ill effects attendant upon such unprecedented heat. A
new source of exportation, says the Jamaica Times, is likely
to be opened, in the shape of molasses for the United
States. The Mercury has long wondered if it would not be
more profitable to try any description of freight after Ameri-
can vessels have discharged cargo, than to take in " ballast."
In some districts a malady has afflicted the cattle, and caused
great loss amongst them. It is not attributable to the want
of water, as the wells are fully capable of supplying what-
ever quantity may be required. The continuous arrivals of
cargos:eel provisioas had caused a material fall in prices, to
the great relief of the poorer classes of the community.
DEMERARA.—A meeting of the British Guiana
Bank was held oaths 30th of July, when a dividend of 4 per

mt. was declared, and the sum of 8,393 dole. 47c. carried
forward to the surplus and contingency funds. The weather,
which for many weeks preceding had been very rainy, bad
undergone, within the last fourteen days, a decided change.
ANTIGUA.—About a thousand immigrants had
arrived within a short time in this island, nearly all being
from Madeira—of which people there is at present a large
nainber in the inland. The island legislature, previous to its
1 closing the session, had adopted, and recommended to the
consideration of Earl Grey, the report of a committee ap.
pointed by both branches of the legislature to report on the
customs establishment of the island, and in which it is re-
commended on economical principles, and from the heavy
expense attending the nuontenance of the customs in the
present depressed state of the island, to transfer its duties to
the island treasurer's department, by which a saving of
2,0001. a year would be effected in the coll.ction of the
duties. A sufficiency of rain had fallen, and the weather
continued favourable for estates operations.