The Northern Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1856-03-22 00:00:00

SERIOUS RIOTS IN BRITISH GUIANA

The Demerara Royal Gazette publishes the fol-
lowing narrative of serious disturbances which
have broken out in that colony :

We regret to say that serious disturbances have
taken place during the past week throughout the colony,
and. the shops of the Portuguese traders have been pil-
laged and destroyed by the negro population. There has
been for a long time existing among the creole negroes, a
latent feeling against the Portuguese immigrants, who are
a thrifty and industrious race of people, an this feeling is
also prevalent among the African immigrants and negroes
from the islands who come to reside here. This feeling
of jealousy would not have broken out into active hos-
tility but for other circumstances.

About the end of the past year a man, named John
Sayers Orr, better known in England and in America by
the cognomen of the " Angel Gabriel," returned to this
colony, of which he is a creole, and took up his abode with
his mother in this city. Raving discovered that there
was a considerable degree of smothered jealousy and
ill-feeling existing between the negro population and the
Portuguese, he seized upun it, and mixed it up with his
attacks on the Roman Catholics. In this he was only too
successful; like a spark dropped upon tinder, hostility
against the Portuguese spread rapidly throughout the
city, and was soon communicated to the country district's,
In Georgetown the Portuguese were assailed by men,
women, and children, with cries of "Down with the Portu-
guese Down with the Pope ! " The Portuguese exhibited
very considerable forbearance, and, however much they
may have been annoyed, they did not commit any breach
of the peace in resenting the insults offered to them.
Thus matters went on until Sunday, the 10th of. Feb.,
when Orr mounted the tow❑ pump, in front of the Sta-
brock-market, armed with a dagger and life preserver, and
addressed a large crowd of persons in a most inflammatory
manner. For the seditious language used by him on that
occasion, and for convening a large assembly, he has since
been arrested and comm,tted to take his trial before the
Supreme Criminal Court in April next. On the 17th,
Orr was prevented from preaching in the streets; and ite
then proceeded to his mother's yard, and there he addressed
the crowd who assembled to hear him. After this meet-
ing, on Sunday evening, the disturbances commenced by
the negroes attacking one or two Portuguese shops and
pelting several Portuguese who had assembled in the
neighbourhood. This row was suppressed by the police,
and;the night passed off without further disturbance.

On Dlon-daymorn ng, Feb. 18, the disturbances re-com-
menced. Orr's examination before the police magistrate
was appointed to take place at 12 o'clock ; but long before
that hour a large crowd assembled on the Brick Dam,-on
which the head police station and the police magistrate's
office are situated. Between 10 and II o'clock the crowd
became excited, and a Portuguese was pursued on the
charge of having stabbed a creole. The man was
immediately apprehen led by the police, but not before
he had sustained personal injury. The police turned
out in force under the command of Inspector Borne.
The horse police speedily dispersed the mob, and
the examination of Orr was conducted and concluded
with perfect tranquillity. .:The people, however, almost
immediately commenced their attacks upon the Portu-
guese, shops in the outlying parts of the town, and by
midnight there was not one in those districts which had
not been completely gutted of its contents. A. large body
of special constables had been sworn in to aid the police.
Between seven and eight o'clock a formidable riot occur-
red in the Charleston district, and the military were
called out. A guard of the second West India Regiment,
consisting of two sergeants, two corporals, one drummer,
and 40 men, was sent to the police station, under the com-
mand of Lieut. Drewit ; and another of one sergeant and
20 men was stationed at the gaol, where Mr. Orr, who
had been unable to find bail, was confined. These guards
have been continued up to the present moment. At one
o'clock p.m. the light company of this regiment, under the
cominaud of Lieut. St. Aubyn and Ensign Corvill, were
out on picket till five p.m., and at eight p.m. the whole
regiment turned out to patrol the streets under the com-
mand of Lieut.-Colonel Whitfield.

From what has since transpired, it is unquestionable,
that emissaries must have started at the same time from
Georgetown to the various rural districts, exciting toe
people to follow the example of their brethren in George-
town, and, what is more extraordinary still, asserting
that they were carrying out the orders of the governor
in doing so. _

A special meeting of the court of policy was summoned
by the governor on Monday, the 18th, at twelve o'clock,
and an ordinance was passed to make provision for more
effectually repressing disturbances, and attempts to com-
mit breaches of the peace. The ordinance at first was con-
fined to Georgetown, but the disturbances spreading, a
proclamation was issued by the governor the same even-
ing, extending its provisions to Albert Town ; and subse-
quently to the east bank of the River Demsrara, as far
as, and inclusive of, the Craig village. The east coast,
west coast, and river districts were reported in rapid
succession to be in a state of disturbance, and as fast as
aid could be organised and despatched to the places
attacked, fresh demands came pouring in from all
quarters.

On Tuesday, the 19th, the Governor issued another pro-
clamation extending the provisions of the ordinance to all
parts of the colony. On the same day the two persons
first sentenced to be flogged under the new ordinance
were taken from the gaol to the market place, in custody
of a strong detachment of special constables and police,
and there underwent their sentence in the presence of an
immense crowd, who were perfectly quiet, and made not
the slightest attempt to interfere.
Mr. A. F. Gore, acting stipendiary magistrate, accom-
panied by a detachment of the second West India Regi-
ment, consisting of two sergeants, one drummer, and forty
men, under the command of Major Gibbins and the first
adjutant, proceeded up the river in the steamer Rattle-
nake as far as plantation Great Diamond. The detach-
ment returned by land in the evening, bringing with
them 30 prisoners.
An immense number of persons of all classes having
volunteered as special constables, both mounted and on
foot, selections were made, and they were armed from the
government stores, and despatched as quickly as possible
in various directions. The streets of Georgetown are
protected by the special constables every night.
On Wednesday the Tyne steamer took up a detachment
of the 2nd West India Regiment, consisting of 2 sergeants,
1 drummer, and 50 men, under the command of Captain
Reece and Ensign Macnamara, and proceeded to Berbice.
The troops took with them three days' salt provisions,
and they still remain at Fort Canje, to aid the civil power.
As long as they remain there is no fear of the peace of
New Amsterdam being disturbed.

Detachments were also sent up the east coast to Victo-
ria, and to strengthen the post at Mahaica. They were
stationed at the gaol, where they now are. These troops
were placed under the orders of the hon. J. E. Roney and
Mr. S. H. Goodman, acting stipendiary magistrates.
On Tuesday night firearms were used by a Portuguese
iu defending his shop, at the front of plantation Supply.
An African negro was shot ; and his countrymen became
greatly exasperated and vowed revenge. The stipendary
magistrate, Mr. S. Bean, found it necessary to call in the
aid of the military at the Mahaica post, but as this force,
consisting of only eight men, was so small, that it made
no impression, and the rural constables acted with
suspicious forbearance. Twenty prisoners had been sent
up from Victoria„ and were locked up in Mahaica gaol,
but as there were only four policemen to guard them, Mr.
Bean thought it prudent to let the prisoners out on bail,
being alarmed at the threats used by the mob of rescuing
the prisoners.
The destruction of property belonging to Portuguese,
at plantations Greenfield, Beehive, Clonbrook, Ann's
Grove, and the Two Friends, was fearful ; and the people
exhibited a feeling anything but friendly towards the
white population. At plantation Good Hope, the Portu-
guese shop was plundered and completely gutted of its
contents. At Mahaicony also very serious disturbances
took place; but they were suppressed by the active exer-
tions of the hon. J. E. Roney, aided by a party of soldiers,
special constables, and police. The destruction of
property was very great, and several houses were partly
pulled down. The constant cry of the disturbers his
been—" If the Governor thought we were wrong in
destroying the Portuguese shops he would have sent up
soldiers." When the soldiers were sent up, the insurgents
were completely surprised, having been led to believe, by
some cunning, designing emissaries, that the Governor
approved their attack on the Portuguese shops. This
impression among the negro population, was so generally
diffused in the country districts, that the government felt
it advisable to publish a cautionary notice, to remove
such an erroneous impression.
The whole of the 2d West India Regiment has been under
arms ready to turn out at a moment's notice since one
o'clock p.m. on Sunday, the 17th inst. In consequence of
the severe duties imposed,upon the troops, the officers'and
men have had only one night in bed during the week ;land
some have been up several nights in succession. The
conduct of the troops has been admirable. Up to the
present time there has not been a single man confined for
being drunk, or for any other misconduct. Nothing could
exceed the cheerful manner in which all the officers, non-
commissioned officers, and privates of the garrison have
performed their different duties. The steady, temperate
manner in which they have carried out their orders has
been remarked by all who have seen them.
An ordinance has been passed authorising the governor
to enrol and call out the militia.
Serious disturbances have taken place at Queen's-town
and the other parts of Essequibo, the Arabian Coast, and
on the islands of Leguan and Wakenaam.

THE PORTARLINOTON ESTAT as —A residue of the vast
estates of the Earl of Portarlingtov, situate in the Queen's
county, is to be sold on Tuesday, the 27th of May next.
The net rental of the lands to be disposed of is close upon
£1,200 a year. The agency of this property it was that,
in familiar phrase, first put the late John Sadleir " upon his
legs," and transferred him from a quarter session attorney to
a magnate among Irish land agents. The termination of
the agency, upon the estates being brought into the En-
cumbered Courf, was at the time a heavy pecuniary loss to
Mr. Sadleir, but, as after
events Droved, it was not long
before he attained a still higher position than a mere agent,
and 'a much 'older field for the scope of his ill-applied
abilities.

DRURY LANE.—Tbe operatic season at this theatre com-
mences on Easter Morday, with an English adaptation of
Verdi's grand opera 11 Trovatore, entitled The Gipsy's
Vengeance, by Charles Jefferys, and a musical sketch
called Marguerite, founded upon Goethe's celebrated poem
"Faust," the music by Mr. J. H. Tully. We understand
that the whole of the workmen belonging to the theatre
have been employed for several weeks upon the production
of these two pieces, and every effort is being made by the
new management to secure the most complete ensemble.
The artistes of last year, together with the addition of
several artistes new to Drury-lane stage, are engaged.

THE GRAVE OFLETITIA E. LANDON AT

CAPE COAST

The following is an extract from a private letter
written from Cape Coast Castle, the capital of the British
possessions on the Gold Coast. The melancholy story of
"L. E. L.," the English poetess, seems to invest this
African fort with interest.

We have crossed the f ontier of a new year. It is
difficult to believe in the almanac in this region, where
there is so little to mark the, course of the seasons what-
ever there may be to mark the course of time ; and while
those in your latitude are shivering and shaking with
cold, we are under a burning sun, every
,day hotter by
two or three degrees than the same period of last year.
The thermometer in my room is generally from 86 deg.
to 88 deg., at the highest temperature of the day. This
settlement has been quiet for some time past—that is,
since the threatened attack of the Ashantees and the
mutinous outbreak among our troops in November.
Both storm clouds have providentially blown over
without bursting, otherwise the consequences would
have been bad. There is a perfect lull in our political
state. About five months since S. M., with his wife
and three children, came out here. He was a line,
powerful, strong man, and she an active, spirited
young woman. The other week she was seized with
f.iver on the Friday, died on the Saturday evening,and
was buried next morning. He died that same night, and
within twenty-two hours was laid beside his wife in the
grave, Their youngest child died just before them, and
now the two surviving orphans are east upon the world.
Poor childreni they are this moment playing under my
Window, quite insensible of their loss. The day after
their father's burial, his goods and chattels were sold
by auction on the Battery, and these poor little creatures
were going in and out amongst the crowd as if it were
something got up for amusement. Afterwards they

came an

told we they were to

ance with t

on Christmas night, and so they did. The in
feast in the court, and by moonlight the drum a
began to play. The whole troop were jumpir

and I:here, think you, but over the grab

soldiers

of poor

L. E. L.' and her hush old ! Twelve r d squ'are
red tiles cover the one, and some yellowish London
bricks the other ; and the tramp of the sentry is heard
over them day and night. I have deeply regretted that
such should have been their ill chosen resting-place, so
out of character with all associations and sympathies
connected with that highly-gifted lady and her talented
husband, President Maclean. But their deaths occurred
before there was a cemetery at Cape Coast."

NEWCASTLE AND CARLISLE RAILWAY

The report of the directors of this company states that
an intermediate dividend, at the rate of £2 10s per £lOO
share, and so in proportion for shares of minor value,
subject to deduction of income tax, was paid for the
half year ending the 30th of June last; and the direc-
tors recommend a dividend at the rate of 24 per cent,.
for the half year ending the 31st December last, payable
on the 16th of Aprilnext, subject to deduction of income
tax, thus making the dividend for the year at the rate of
5 per cent. The directors con.tratulate the shareholders
on the revenue having been fully maintained during the
year 1855, there being an increase of £1,814 over the
preceding year, and during the past three years the in-
crease amounts to £41,535. After providing for the
payment of the dividend of 5 per cent. per annum, the
directors are enabled to carry the sum of £4,895 to the
reserve fund. The cost of a new locomotive engine to
replace the old one has been defrayed out of the revenue.
The directors on taking the detailed valuation of the
stores on the 31st of December, find that a considerable
discrepancy has arisen; they have instituted a most
searching investigation into the matter, and are adopting
such arrangements as they expect will prevent a recur-
rence of further irregularities in the store department.

DESTRUCTION_OF TWO LIVERPOOL

SHIPS BY FIRE

The last African Mail brings intelligence of the total loss,
by fire, of the ships Martha, Captain Christie, and the Saracen
both of Liverpool, in the River Bonny, on the 11th of last
January. Both vessels belonged to the same owners, Messrs.
Harrison and Co., of Liverpool. They were built at St. John,
N. 8., in 1852, and were engaged in their first voyage. The
Martha was 788 tons, and the Saracen, 1,117 tons, and were
bath classed A 1 for six years.

A court of inquiry was held at Clarance, island of Fernando
Po, in the office of her Britannic Majesty's consul, on the
24th of January, to investigate into the cause of the fire,
and the cireutnstances attending the loss of the two ships.,
His Excellency Governor Lynslayer presided. The following
is the substance of the evidence given:

John Pott.nger, carpenter of the ship Martha, deposed :
On the 11th of January last, just after dinner hour, I was
lying on the starboard side of the forecastle ; the boatswain
was lying alongside of me, and he was the first to call out
" fire." I saw the fire on the starboard side of the forecastle,
in the mats composing the roof, not more than five or six
yards from the place where we were both lying. I got some
wet cloths to put on it. Apparently the fire only existed out-
side among the matting, and evidently kindled on it. The
ship had just swung to the flood. I Went to the gangway to
draw water, but before there was time to do anything to stop
the fire, it bad gained the poop and was raging fiercely. Capt.
Christie, in attempting with his men to extinguish the fire, was
severely burnt about the arms and wrist. No property what-

ever was saved

gained the main ri

In about ten or fifteen minutes the flames

ng, and the crew fe

the gunpowder in the hold, got into
Captain Chris

.voured to prevail on

left the ship.
men to stop

by him

There were upwards:of 20

oft the