The Express.
London, England, 1849-04-10 00:00:00

set been signed by any one, they declared that they
were resolved not to pay the tan on cult'vated lend.
The police were called cut, and as the mob refused to
dimwit, from before the Government House, and
Issessee violent in their gesticulation., an attempt
was made to arrest some of them. An as-
sault was immediately made on the police,
(who wire speedily put hors de combat) with stones,
and the windows of Government House were smashed
with the mane mimeos, the governor narrowly
escaping. Military assistance was sent for. On the
appearance of a few black soldiers of the West Indian
regiment stationed in St. Lucia the mob dispersed.
The time thus gained was employed to swear in spe-
cial eonstables and summon a detachment of the 64th
regiment from La Nome lortunie. Ac soon as
Osseo arrangements were completed, the governor
directed Mr. Drysdale to endeavour, with the aid of
the police, special constables:, and military, to arrest
the parties concerned in the riotous mob, and " if
possible to enforce a levy on the goods of one or two
of the delinquents in the cultivated laud tax, against
whom Mr. Drysdale bad preciously given judgment
in his court." Mr. Drysdale, accompanied by M. de
Bremand (another magistrate), accordingly proceeded
to the upper part of the town, called La
Cloweefe. (The " Leslie lands," occupied chiefly by
negro cultivato-s, border on this road.) The negroes
were here assembled an great numbers : some of
them were arrested, and two levies were made. Word
was now brought that crowds of poop]e were ad-
vancicg at the other end of La Chuusse from the
Pongee lands. Some special constables were sent
across the hil's to intercept them, and Mr. Drysdale
allowed with the main body of his civil and military
base. When be reached the spot, he found the con-
stables assailed, and clamorous relt the aid of the mili-
tary. Shots were fired, not by Pr.Drysdale's orders;
bat, on inquiry, be was told that M. do Breland had
given the word, and thereupon he gave the officer in
mannind written orders to fire, w.iich he had brought
with him. No person appears to have been killed on
this occasion. The advance of the people appeared to
be checked, and Mr. Drysdale retired with the mili-
tary into the town between two and three p.m. Word
was soon after brought that the people were re-
assembling at La Chaussee. The citizens were
alarmed by reports of incendiary threats. The
military were again marched out. At La Chaussee
the mob was found to have increased in numbers and
violence, some of them armed with cutlasses. The
Riot Act was now read ; seven men and one woman
were killed, and many wounded. This happened at
about S of 6 pan.
Patrol retie!, composed of young and old citizens
of all ranks, guarded the town at all points during
the night. An attempt is said to hive been made to
burn the town. In the interior several valuable plan-
tations and buildings were reduced to ashes.
The Palladium labours to exonerate the native
negroes from accession to these outrages, and lays
them all t> the dregs of the Martinique refugees.
Mr. Drysdale's evidence on the Inger:at he ,reely bears
out this view of the matter. The reports of the pro-
ceedings at the coroner's inquest and the meeting of
the council, which we subjoin, speak for themselves.
CORONER'S INQUEST.—Casrme..., Molten 6.
An inquest was held this day before Francis Drouil, acting
Coroner, and a jury of 12, on the bodice of Claude. alias
Toby, Zit:chary, Frangsie, Cidouen, gains Cidouei, Lucien
Mathurin, Rime, and Agnes. The witnesses ex-
amined were: Capt. fietoa Lioael Smith, 54th Bent. ; Mr.
James Vickery Dresdale, special stipendixry magistrate;
Mr. Lewis Amid!, de Brossard, spieial magistrate; Dr.
Antoine Marta Clavier, medical attendant at the Royal
Gaol and Poor Asylum ; and Joshua Ward, a private of the
64th. The main facts appear in the evidence of Mr. Drys-
dale and Dr. Clavier, which the others did little more than
corroborate.

VIENNA, Arun 4.
The report of Bm's defeat is not true; but he
is complete muter of Transylvania. Bem cap-
tured Herthannstadt, and took 1,000 Russian sol-
diers prisoners in it. The town was neither sacked
nor maltreated in any way. Beat after taking Her-
manastadt mashed to Broastadt, which the Russians
evacuated without resistance. In fact, they were
starved oat of Trauylvania ; and they stayed as long
as there were provisions or !money. Bat the impossi-
bility of transporting provisions from Wallachia oom
polled them to retreat. The Saxon municipalities of
Kronstadt and Hermannstadt, that five weeks ago
signed a requisition to the Russians, as soon as Bean
took these towns, drew up immediately as address of
thanks to the Hungarian government at Debreczin
fbe having delivered them from the Russians, who
levied 1,000 florins per day in each town.
Isuchcer has been driven into Wallachia. Count
Reebberg has been appointed ambassador is Frank-
fort in lien of Schmerltng. The Viennese are much
annoyed at the conduct of the American °ousel,
Schwarte, who is one of the largest flatterers and up-
holders of the military party.

POlttaU-.PRINCII, Maxon 3.
In consequence of the recognition of the indepen-
dence of the Dominican republic by Francs, his Ex-
cellency President Sodomites hes protested against
flarthst payment of the indemnity owing to that power,
urging ale roma for this stew that ialashaewbedii-
ing the indepe,denoe of the Dosainicsas France sis-
sies in destroying the integrity of the Haytlan re-
public, and breaks up all existing engagements en-
tered into between the French government and the
republic of Hayti. This wholesale repudiation of the
indemnity is resisted by the French consul-general,
Mons. Reyband, who gives his excellency until the
16th inst. to withdraw his protest. His ultimatum I
have not heard.

The president, accompanied by most of his general
offioers, leaves the capital shortly for the Dominican
frontiers, when lately his troops, having orders to
march upon and take remission of the town of St.
John, were surprised and beaten.
Tte southern part of the iiland—that scene of per-
petual diecord—hu again been in motion. The ob-
ject partook more of a local than a general affair, being
to upset the general of tho arrondissement, who,
having got wind of the affair, secured the persons of
the leader', and had them shot during the night with-
out trial, or even semblance of it. He had, however,
the sanction of the President for this course. The vie-
time were of the worst possible character. Among
them was a prophet: his predictions were mostly
against the existing local authorities, whose imme-
diate downfal and degradation he foretold and insisted

upon.
The monopoly law, which came into force on the
Ist alt., has produced' feelings of almost general dis-
satisfaction; it fixes the prices of coffee, dry. goods,
and provisions. The prices at which provisions are
limited will prevent merchants imparting, as it cannot
be done with profit ; dry goods have not been reduced
in equal proportion, except in rare instances. The
former are imported chiefly from the States, the latter
from Europe, mostly from England.

Mr. Drysdale deposed that on Monday morning, the 6th
of March, between 10 and 11 o'clock, a large body of male
and female labourers assembled before the doors of his
officer. Deponent called one of them forward to state the
cause of their so assembling. Several came, and deponent
took the names of five, viz.: Salomey, Louis, Jean Marie.
Aubain, and Madame Jean. They stated to deponent that
they had come for an answer to a petition they had sent to
his Excellency the Governor on the subject of the land-tax.
of epzayposibtue-
Witness told them they emild expect nu answer, as the peti-
veiartedfizhendd.thteAnftwioinnr wgasoodliet,ltv
peti-
tion had not been signed by any one. They de-
a
elute: tbonatcult
lation with them, they declared that they would try whether
the government or they were the stronger. Witness told
them, he could not allow such language in his presence, and
dismissed them, advising obedience to them. In a very
short time subsequently, his Excellency the Governor cams
Into town ; witness immediately proceeded to the govern-
ment office. The people assembled is a large crowd in front
of the government buildings, making a great noise and vio-
lent gest culatiens. Withers went amongst them, and en-
deavoured to pacify them, requesting them to disperse, and
offering to accempany any two of them to see his Excellency
the Governor. They declared they would not retire, but
that they would have what they had coma for--a discharge
from the land-tax.
A few police appeared at this stage of the proceedings.
Mr. Drysdale wished no steps to be taken until some ape-
slat constables bad been sworn in ; but Mr. Jennings
the commissary of police, was confident in his own force, sad
proceeded to make some arrests. He then went down the
"tales, and on attempting the arrest, he and the whole police
Sores were resisted and overpowered. The violence of the
mob was beyond all description. Stone. were showered in
potation on the police, and the windows of the council.roons
were shattered with stones thrown by the mob. His excel-
lency the Governor was at the time sitting at the council
table, and for a moment was In personal danger from the
large stoner hurled in by the mob. Front a back window of
the premises witness called to a gentleman wko was passing,
requesting him to go in his (witness's) name, and direct the
sergeant of the military guard at the brif go to repair to the
scene of the tumult, with his men. On the appearance of
these four or five soldiers the mob took to tight, and went
towards the upper part of the town. Though not made in
his presence, wither was aware of there having been a num-
ber of arrests made about town. So soon as the mob had
been so dispersed, witness swore in a number of special con-
stables from amongst the gentlemen and landed proprieties
of the tows. A requisition having been made by his Excel-
lently the Governor, for troops from Morns Fortunf, there
wen appeared a dethehment of the 64th Regiment under the
command of Capt. Smith and Lieut. Fowke. Witness then
received directions from his Excellency the Governor to en-
deavour, with the aid of the police and constabulary, to arrest
the parties concerned in the riotous mob, and if possible ea en-
force a levy oa the gods of moor two of the delinquents in the
cultivated land tax, against whom witness had previously
given judgment in the Jostle, of Pease Court. The military
were placed under the orders of witness, Its a civil magistrate;
but it was his excellency's desire and instructions that the
military were not ti be called upon to act offensively unless
it should become necessary for the protection of the civil
power ; and hie excellency added that he could not permit
the soldiers to be assailed with stones by the mob.
In pursuance of these orders Mr. Drysdale, with M. de
Brossard, repaired to the Levine lands. where they nude re-
vered arrests, and the provost marshal, by their commend,
executed two levies without resistance. Information was
now brought that a largo crowd was assembling at the onpo-
site cad of La Chauseie, where the read leads off to La Penal*
lands. Some special constables were detached in that direc-
tion, and the magistrates followed with their main force.
On the constables advancing towards the mob, they were re-
ceived with lollies of stones—the parties immediately taking
to flight after throwing the stones, the constables pursuing
them. A party of the military were then detached under
the command of Lieut. Fowke, acoompanied by Mr. Justice
de Brossard. From the top of the hall repeated cans were
made to witness to advance the military ; they were the*
marched out en the road leading to Vide-Bouteille estate,
when, on turning a corner of the road, witness perceived the
constables who ware in advance retrains( before a large body
ST. LUCIA. ef people, who were attacking them with showers of stones.
From all sides witness was called upon to protect the oonsta-
NEGRO INSURRECTION. bias by making use of the military force. Witness directed
The letters and papers which we have received Liam. Fowke to have his guns loaded, and to await orders
to fire. Witness was then at tee head of the military.
from this island confirm the statement which we pub- Too constables were fart retreating, and the snob ap-
lisheff yesterday respecting the negro riots, and preeehing on them. At this moment an order to fire
enable us to estimate the actual damage done, but was given from some one from behind ; and the troops fired
throw little light on their origin, or the extent to • volky. Witness saw no ens wounded on that occasion;
which the spirit of insubordination ham :spread. Oar Capk
thitiftzitamtinstanueat
tsleip,tenthe
to give advince
ham of the people.
en
letters relate exclusively to the measures adopted for ova to lire' with which document witness had furnished
repressing and dispersing the rioters. In addition himself infer, leaving town ; witness replied that be had
to these sources, we have a violent and exaggerated given no order to fire. Capt. Smith informed witness thet
narrative in the Palladian of 10th March; the re- the ceder had been given by Mr. Justice de Brossard, and
port of the eeid„eee before the cermet,. jury which witness immediately handed him the written order. The
troops were then further advanced towards Vide.teouterhe
est on the bodies of the rioters killed, and the report estate, the mob dewy retiring. Several &Math WON made
of a meeting of the legislative council an the Bth of by the constables during the time, of parties who bad been
March, summoned by the governor to request their actively engaged in the tumult. Considering that ft
co-operat on. From them sources we have ends'. would be useless end inexpedient to proceed further with the
Toured to eittract the facts of the case. soldiers, witness called in the coastal:des, and turned towards
The finances of St. Lucia have been for some time the
Shortly after 3 p.m word was brought that considerable
raiher embarrassed; and, among other expedients, bodies were rethissembliag in La Chateau, and greet appr►
reconne was bad some years ago to a tax of 4s. per husk= were exprused that fire would be set to the town.
acre on cultivated lands. There can be little doubt The soldiers were marched back to La Cbausade and halted
that the ob the Pewee road. The rioters occupied that road and
ject of this impost was to make the negro taw
Chinook. Fose men stepped out from amon: them armed
cultivators of provision grounds contribute to the with cerium: Kr.Drysdale declared he would not listen to
public revenue. armed OAS sad they passed their cutlasses to their pomades
We learn from the Palladium that en anonymous behind. They refused to disperse ; declared that the tax
petition, " couched in terms anything but humble or on cultivated ands was an unjust tax and that they could riot
pay it ; that "these in possession of the land as proprietne
respectful," had been forwarded to the Governor [at
ought to pay the ter, and not those who did • not own the
what time is not stated), purporting to come from lane." The Riot Act was then read • first end second time
what the editor, in his rather peculiar Euglieb, call' in French. Alter some time had elapsed the crowd still
" certain delinquents in the cultivated land tax." Of refusing to (Rae it was read a third tinm. Thirsame de
course no attention could be paid to an anonymous termined stan was maintained by them ; and one man.
having advan a little forward, ' uniting • determined
=eh. On the morning of Magee the sth of
_,.. .e
urea with his arms bided MUM his breast, witness directed
a body of men and women, occupants of small Ztsect Ice special censtables advaneesnd arrest him Four
Ibis of land in the neighbourhood of Castries, pro- or eve of the constables immediately advanced and laid hands
seeded to the office of Mr. Special Justice Drysdale in on him. As soon as he was touched he made
he •
Got town, end thence to the front of the Government *ow aphist the constable_ with the reaer,
Mum Some of this crowd are said to have been then had,, m
iih4ll rowliall and streeelind•
was so arrested, the snob gave a loud short and _
armed with bludgeons: they stated to Mr. Drysdale went to his rescue, showering stones, broke:rebottles, and (TS
time they came for an answer to the petition ; and on description of missile on the constalr4 The stn-.
Wag told that no answer could be given, it bad MaUss was imminent danger of their
It
t. • - to