The Express.
London, England, 1866-01-24 00:00:00

THE 'EXPRESS,

TRIAL AND DEFENCE' OF G. W. GORDON.

The Secretary of the Anti-Slavery Society scuds
to the Daily News the report of the trial and de-
fence of the lath, lion. G. W. Gordon, as furnished
by the gentleman who acted as special correspondent
at Morant Bay foe the Jamaica Colonial Standard.
The trial took place on Saturday, 21st October,
at Mcwant Bay, before a drumhead court-martial,
consisting of Lieutenant and Commander Broad, of
the gunboat Onyx ; president, 2nd Lieutenant
Carrington, of her Majesty's war steamer Wolve-
rine ; and Ensign Kelly, of the 4th West India
Regiment ; one week after the disturbances had
been quelled.

THE TRIAL.
The President read the charges to the accused, which ars
u follows High treason and sedition, 2nd. Having
complicity with certain parties in the insurrection at Mount
Bey an the 11th October, 1865.
To these charges the prisoner pleaded not guilty.
The following witnesses were then called :
John Anderson (a rebel), sworn, states—The rebels told
me if Idid not join them they would shoot me. I saw Mr.
Gordon at Stony Gat. I wee forced to travel away to Leith
Hell Barracks, where Mr. &pent is. Old Bogle got up
M'Laren to go up to the mountains to look man and come
to Morant Bay. I New M`Lsren going to the meeting with
paper, end • piece of lead pencil in his ears. I heard
George W. Gordon say to Bogle, "They are going to hold
a meeting, end if we did not get the beck lands they must
ell die." _ . . . .

Cross-examined by the accused, through the President of
the court—l saw Mr. Gordon at Stony Gut on a Sunday.
I did not date the month. I think it was Jane or July, but
it was this year. I did not date it down. There were plenty
more persons there besides Bogle sod himself. All who
were there heard it. It was in the morning after evening
chapel ; the sun rose at about this time Chapel was over
three p.m. I know Mr. Gordon quite well.
The accused here asked the siert for pencil and paper to
lake notes of the evidence. The court was ordered to be
cleared to 'mealier the application. The court opened and
the application granted. The accused was then furnished
with pencil and paper.
Jam.. Gordon (a rebel), sworn, states—ln August last
M`Laren went up to the valley (Monet Lobito*, and says
that George W. Gordon says that they must hold a meeting,
because he wants to gather up men, and that he (Gordon)
snot a latter to the Queen, and if no answer came he would
go him.
ade = tlVijneenn.
.(ItEtdreean:egaiption of thrisons, e witness,
before lira MlCensie, a justice of the pros, wee put in
evidence, read and received, ea follows : • Mr. George W.
Gordon sent a letter to the valley, stating there would be a
war, sad they must be prepared for it, and that the people
would get their lands free.")
Witness oontinued—l still adhere to this deposition. He
seat up afterwards to say that ail the people mast throw
up money and mad is to him, that he might pay for the
letter to go home to the Queen ; and if the letter
won't go, he will go himself to see the Queen face to face.
And when we tell him we went able to do that, if it is the
Queen send we will do so. He said we must try our
endeavour ; and if we get the money we must send it to
any post-office, and direct to Mr. Gordon, and be will get
it, and it must be signed G. W. Gordon at the back, and he
will receive it anywhere at all. And from that I never
heard anything at all until I saw a large body of them.
Crowsizamined by the accused, through the President of
the Court—l know the letter came from Mr. Gordon. I
don't know his signature, but, according to what the letter
states, it come. from him.
The Accused—[ disclaim that letter. I never wrote such
• letter in my life.
The Provost Menial tendered to the court the dying
confession of Thomas Williams (a rebel), and stated—
That is my handwriting. I wrote it in the presence of
Lieutenant Jones, of the Royal Artillery. I was sent for
and told that the deponent was dying, and wished to speak
to me. I took other officers with me.
The deposition was then read, the salient points of which
are as follows :—" Mr. Gordon said, all the outside land
you will get for nothing. He had two meetings. He had
tickets signed G. W. G. He said white man keep all the
money and black people work for nothing. Mr. Gordon
teach them. All is Gordon's friends at Stony Gut."
The Accused—That is given on hearsay, and I deny it.
The Provost Marshal, cross-examined by the President of
the Court—The dying man said all were Mr. Gordon's
friends at Stony Gat, and Gordon teach them.
The Provost Marshal tendered to the court • document
signed " William Robertson Peart and James Fyfe Ilum.
ber, of the parish of Vera," sworn to before Justice of the
Peace Gibb of the same parish. The document was read
and received, and the following are the chief points :
" William Robertson Peart and James Fyfe Humber were
present at a meeting at Vero, called to discuss the merits of
Dr. Underhill's letter." We heard Mr. Gordon address
he meeting. He said, "We petitioned the governor. He
is • bad man, and not sound. The governor sanctions
everything done by the white man to the oppression of
the k man. My people get 9s. • week. What do you
get ? (A voice, " 2s. fiL") look at your clothes. You are
half naked and starved. They represent to the Queen
that you are thieves. The Queen's advice is all trash ; 11
is not her advice. Mr. Price and a few others are worthy
people. You work on Sundays. Why are you putting fire
to your own souls? Sabbath-breaking is bringuig down a
curse upon you. I hear your overseer has said that if you
attend to this meeting, he will tear down your houses. He
can't do it. Do as they do in Hayti !",
The Accused—l laid that the labourers in England got
that. Al to Hayti. I thought of it ; and my heavenly
Father knows it.
The Provost Marshal tendered to the court • letter seized
by him is the houssof a rebel, called Chisholm, one of the
ringleaders, which the provost marshal swore to as being in
the handwriting of George W. Gordon., The letter was
read and received, and the following are extracts :—" Dear
Cbieholm,— I have much to say to you, but can write.
Please send aed tell M'lntosh, Clarke, and Bogle to inquire
for letters. They are all starving in Vers. Pray to God
for help and deliverance."
The Provost Marshal handed to the court a deposition
of Charles Chevames, sworn to before Mr. Hicks's% police
magistrate for Kingston. The deposition was read and
received ; the following are the chief points of it :
" Shortly after the trial, Gordon v. the Baron, Mr.
Chevames expressed his regret to Mr. Gordon as to the
result. Mr. Gordon said, • Never mind, if I don't get
revenge, my people will.'"
The Provost Marshal handed to the court a deposition
sworn to by George Thomas (a rebel), not able to attend the
court, being sick in hospital, taken before Daniel Marshal-
leek, justice of the peace. The deposition was read and
received, and is as follows :—" I, George Thomas, residing
at York, in the parish of St. Thomas-in-the-East, do
solemnly swear—tbat these three weeks they begin on it,
Paul Bogle and Moses Bogle. They sent to call me
and several others. When I went they swore roe, and
told me that on the appointed day I would see what
was done. The day appointed was Wednesday, the
11th of October, 1865. They told me that I
WSJ entitled to as. a day, and we never get is. Mr.
Gordon never came at the meetings. Mr. Paul Bogle got
Mr. Gordon's handwriting, and he (Mr. Gordon) was the
plinth who told Mr. Bolls to do all this rebellion, Thai
said if I did not swear they would kill me. Tuesday nigh
the 10th October, 1865, was the last meeting we had.
heard them say they were not to trouble Mr. Ganges,
because be is a friend of Mr. Gordon. I repeat that Mr.
Gordon is the head of the rebellion. He (Mr. Gordon)
put up the Bogies to do it. I heard Paul Bogle say on
Wednesday evening, the 11th October, 1865, ' Good God,
we can't get no fire. Look at the white men killing all the
black people.' He called for the fire. I have heard Mr.
Gordon advise the people not to pay for their lands, and
they must seek for the white people first. Monday, the
9th October, 1865, I saw four policemen come to Bogle's
tand ; they were Faller, Lake, and two timetables whom
hey praised. I know one of the constables, he is named
Liston Davis, and one named Betty. I have seen James
Darns at one of the meetings. I have seen William Bogle
and the other brother, who works Mr. Marshalleekb log.
wood dray, at the meetings. M•Laren of Churchoorner,
and • man named Grant, of Stanton-land, need to write at
the meetings: and I have seen a small man from town (I
hear he is a friend of George Clarke) at Paul Bogle's house,
and he at all time write there. George Clarke and his
father-in-law (Paul Bogle) got out, and he. Clarke, bee
nothing to do with this row. I never saw him ea the
meetings.", His
GIORGI x THOMAS,
mark.
Sworn to before me this 18th day of October, 1865.
Deaum. MAIISHALLMCI,
Parish of St. Thomasin-thsEut.
The Accused—That is quite unttos.
The Provost Marshal handed to the court 100 placards
found in Mr. George W. Gordon's portmanteau in King-
ston. The placards were read and received, and the fol-
lowing is one:—" Public Meeting —A public meeting will
be held at on the day of
for the purpose Clf . &air to he taken at
o'clock by"
The Provost Marshal handed to the court • placard,
supposed to be printed at the Watchman office, headed
" Stets of the Island." This plaserd has already appeared
in our columns.
Elizabeth Jane Gough sworn, states—l am postmistress. '
There was a serreepondenee between Mr. Gordon sod certain
George Mlntosh, William Grant (the saddler),
William Chisholm. Jam.. M'Leren. I have then letters for
Paul Bogle, bet very seldom I saw two packets of papers
them through the post-aka I en swear to the handwriting
of Mr. Gordon. (Printed placard handed to withehe and
identified.) This was one of the two papers addressed to
Paul Bogle sad Chisholm. It had • wrapper in the hand-
writing al Mr. Gorda'. I too and do weer to the heed-
writing. I newer saw one posted to • tree is front of
M'lntosh's heath (Letter of Mr. Gordon to Chisholm
hooded to witness and hisetified.) It is Mr. Gordon's
handwriting and signed by him.
Quota= ley the Resident—Was It not aratosarr for Mr.
Gordon always to attend vestry nossiipp?—A. HS II always
to the Bay the day before the vestry.
Question by the Proddeat —Was it net in exceptiosal

instance that hews' miming in attending the retry oh that
very day'—A. It was. The slaughter commenced in the
evening. He was not in the Court-house.
Question by the President—Have you seen or heard of any
:meetings in Merest Bay I—A. I have never heard of any.
Question by the President--Were they kept emit I—A.
I don't keel/.
(Crossesamined by the accused through the president of
the cotirt.)—Q. Are you not aware that I have been for
some time corresponding with Bela—A. I osen teL
Some time before my husband's Miner Mr. Gordon had
written to my husband to pay Bogle for shipping wax and
sugar. I only renputber that letter.
Q. When was my last letter through the post•office to
Bogle?—A. I can't remember.
Q. Was it more than two or three weeks ago.—A. It
may be mom or lem. I can't remember the exact tibia
Q. Are you not aware that Chbholm ham ,)lean an old
servant of mine, and that I have been corresponding with
him more or lees?—A. I am not aware he was a servant of
Mr. Gordon.
Q. Was he a friend of mine I—A. I don't recollect his
writing Chisholm ; but when be comes in late on the Bay,
I have heard him talk about getting gram from Chisholm.
Q. Did not& title come through the book poet lately for
Whitish I—A. There was a paper with a penny stamp on
it for M'lntosh, which came through the post lately.
Q. What induced you to take that placard from the
wrapper I—A. It is always a habit of the post.ofilos here
to take off the wrapper of the newspapers, and read them,
and return them.
Q. Wee the seal broken off the wrapper I—A. I just
squeezed the book-post parcel and took it out.
Q. Have you happened to hear that I have been labour-
ing lately under indisposition'—A. I have never heard so.
James hi'leren (a rebel, under sentence of death), sworn,
states—l know Mr. Gordon as a member of the House of
Assembly for this parish, and as a vestryman.
Question by the President of the Court—Do you know Mr.
Gordon has something to do with the rebellion I—A. I
know lamq to be hanged this night. I don't know if
he has anyt • to do with it.
Question by t e President of the Court—Did youever hear
of Mr. Gordon being connected with Paul Bogle'—A. Paul
Bogle is a freeholder, and always give vote for him. Mr.
Warren is Paul Bogle's minister.
(Cross-examined by
the accused through the President
of the Court) Q. Do you know a man named James Gor-
don ?—A. I know several James Gordon.
Q. Rave I ever rut up to tall you to get up • subscrip-
tion and not to pay for the lands, and to get up • rebellion,
or to advise them to any improper act ?—A. No. I heard
Mr. Gordon at the public meetiog on the 12th August.
Advise me and ethers to pay our taxes.
The Provost Marshal handed to the court skitter, dated
12th October. addressed to E. C. Smith, marked" Private,"
and signed G. W. Gordon. The letter was received and
reed, and is as follows :—" I thank you for yours of the
12th, but the door to money letters are closed. I lament
deeply the death of Hire—to be attributed to the arbitrary
power of the baron. Pawls can't hops for justice. This
is the true mule of the discontent."
The Accused—l admit that to be my writing ; bat there
is no intact there.
This closed the case for the prosecution (1)
THE DEFENCE.
The Accused applied to the court for permission to call a
witnem. The application being granted,
Theodore Festard was called, sworn, and examined by
the accused through the President of the Court.
Q. Did you not recently call upon me in Kingston, and
found me in ill state of health, about two weeks ago'—
A. I saw Mr. Gordon on the sofa, but I don't know if he
wee sick. I went at Mr. Mesquitta's, and finding he was
out, and heard he was at Mr. Gordon's, I went to Mr.
Gordon's. I saw Mr. Gordon on the sofa. I saw him
dreamed. Mr. Mesquitto and myself left together.
The Accused—May I be allowed to examine Dr. Major as
to the state of my health, which prevented my attending
the vestry'
The President—Dr. Major is not in oourt, nor is he on
the Bay (').
The Accused then made the following oral statement :
Your Honours—l have to state that I was not taken up ;
but when I heard there were suspicious rumours about me,
and feeling I was innocent, I gave myself up. I went to the
general's house in company with Dr. Fiddee, and told his
excellency that if I were required for anything ooncerning
the disturbance here, I was at command. He told me he
had no authority over me at all, and when about taking leave
of him, his excellency the governor came in with Dr.
Bowerbank ; and as I was about stating the same thing to
his excellency (here the accused asked for water, which was
given him), when his excellency said he had come for me,
and would take me on beard the Wolverine,
end immediately Dr. Bowerbank escorted me to my
ledgings, took me to the Ordnance Wharf, and I
was taken on 'board the Wolverine. I have been entirely
brought up with Europeans from my early days, and my
best and confidential friends are of that elan at this mo-
ment. I have never had any other but a feeling of love and
affection for them. I have Imported European labourers
myself ; knowing they would be of benefit to the country,
and able to instruct the negro*, ; and I have always de-
sired to see the Europeans introduced into the country,
as a blaming to it. Instead of driving them out, my
desire is their increased locality here. Then, the extensive
possessions of land which I have, would, I think, hs
sufficient guarantee for wishing the safety of property ; and,
therefore, rebellion would be the last thing I would
wish to see. I have always recommended the people, who
have frequently complained to me, to patience and per-
severance ; and, as a proof of that, I have always endea
voured to have their votes recorded, so se to obtain legiti-
mate position. And I solemnly, before my Maker and this
court, declare that I never knew from Paul Bogle, or any
other person in this pariah, of any intended insurrection.
If I die I will die triumphantly. That I knew nothing of
it until I was informed by a policeman in Kingston. I
then west to the police-station, and next to my friend, Mr.
Airey, who is connected with this parish, to know if be had
heard anything about it. I never heard from any of
the partite of their movements or intentions in the least
degree. I admit that the circumstantial evidence is very
suspicious on me, but I can't help that. Paul Bogle, I
admit, is my political friend, and it inside duty by his pro-
fession to have practised peace and goodwill, and I was
astonished to hear he was at the head of this disturbance.
1 can hardly believe it. I regret it, but cannot control it.
Id•Laren I have lately known, chiefly since the last meeting
here. My reason for not attending the vestry was solely
from ill-health. I got afflicted with a severe cough, which
shook my whole frame. When Dr. Major called
upon me in September, he regretted I would not
be able to attend the vestry, as I was so poorly.
Then I was obliged to see Dr. Fiddea, and I could
not possibly come up. I also mentioned to Mr. Airey, to
whom I refer you, that my knees were so weak I coal
hardly stand; and he said I had better be away.
This will, I hope, satisfactorily answer the suspicions about
my not being at the vestry. The late costae and myself
were old and familiar friends ; and, although we have bad
political differences, fought on their own merits, I should
have done or wished him any personal harm. I would
haNe protected his person at any time. In proof of this, at
the last election there was a slight disturbance, and I went
to the Baron, and said, I hope he would allow things to go
on quietly, although we were not on speaking terms, and I
advised the people to be quiet towards him, and generally.
And as to the Rector. I told him he ought to love me as his
own Goa, and that I had no animosity against him.
The President—That closes your defence.
The Accased—l beg, Mr. President, you will note that
the evidence of Gordon is not correct, being hearsay, and
Anderson seems to be a volunteer witness. It is not cor-
rect, I solemnly declare. I have only been at Stony
Out chapel once. I atu sorry to keep you so late. I
wish to clear my character, if I die or lire. And then it
was • Sabbath meeting, when we could hive nothing but
religions conversation ; it I said anything, they must
have misunderstood me. The statement of the man at
York seems to be a general statement. I don't knew
him, and I deny what he attributes to me. In the
deposition (Humber and Peart) the words attributed to
me, especially in reference to Hayti, are incorrect ; and I
solemnly declare I never thought of Hayti when I was at
the meeting at Vero; and these words, supposing they were
correct, were spoken in another parish having nothing to do
with this„ And I emphatically declare that I never made
•disrespectful reference to the governor, nor did I say he
was a bad man on that occasion. I was in a most chastened
spirit on that day. I emphatically deny the statement of
Mr. °lleums. Revenge is a feeling not in my breast. With
reference to the parties Paul Bogle and Chisholm writing
them letters, I have been in correspondence with
them for some time on general and political matters,
and I have no letter from them which I would not
wish this court or the world to see. I have no
secret correspondence from them. I hope it may be the
pleasure of the court to take further information that no
charge is made against me for being concerned in any rebel-
lion. I had expected, if any crime or misdemeanour were
charged against me. I shonld have been tried on the merits
in Kingston, es I was not taken up in a rebellions act, nor
on rebel ground, neither within any martial law district.
As I said before, I freely gave myself up to his excellency
the governor so soon as I heard that suspicions were held
against me.
The delivery of the statement, and the time occupied in
writing, took over an hour.
The court was then ordered to bs cleared.
After sitting in deliberation for nearly half an hour, the
eoart was re-opened.
On its reopening, the President pronounced, " This
wart is dissolved."

MB SICK POOR IN METROPOLITAN WORKROt6IIB.
—An aseociatios having for its object the improvement of
the condition of the sick poor in the metropolitan work-1
houses is in process of formation. and it is proposed that a
peblii meeting be called early in February. The temporary
honorary secretaries for the purpose of organization are—
Mr. Ernest Hart, 69, Winspole-street ; Dr. Anthie, 16,
Wimpole-etreet ; and Dr. Rogers, 33. DalD•gtreeto litho.
Mr. Jain 3. Starr 28, Sierstreet, Covent-gardea, is too-
thier Jars ton., with either of whom gentlemen willing to
give their aid are requested to communicate.
•

LIBALTH AND STRENOTE RESTORED BY DII BABE'S'S
tothiClblSl ED VILMA DIUDICA FOOD which cures without me-
&kith or Inconventenoe,oo=(.lndlseetLel), tough, sethans,
consuniptlen, dsbUlty. Pikilslloo,
eons, baths Ever, and stentect oomptentbnt eaves SET these
Da poet in other rowdies, and le the best food for infante.
50,003 earth annually.— Da Barri and Co., Ito. 77 Barral4Dellt.
London; W. In Una, at le. ; Ea
!alba, 40a. ; also at SI, Oratheltareheareet ; Chfispile : ISO.
and let. Oa tordikisi; and at all atocers.—(Attmlimmlij

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