The National Register.
London, England, 1818-05-18 00:00:00

EXTRACT OP A LETTER.

" A shocking circumstance occurred, inland, on the
east coast of this colony a few days ago, the portico-
lars of which, as fir as they have transpired, are
these :—" Several of Mr. Van Baires negroes having
absconded from his estates. the Bee-hive and the Bash,
Mr. A'orre, brother-in-law to Mr. Van Baires, and an
eii;ineer working on the estate, volunteered their ser-
vices to go back well armed, with thirteen of the
trustiest of the estates' liegroes, to endeavour to sec ore
some of the ron-aways. They travelled a short wry
together into the woods, when they met a party, with
whom they had a brush, and took nine prisoners. They
despatched seven of their own negroes to carry
these nine home to Beehive, and with the remainder
of their party, which only consisted now of sir, they
determined (though very imprudently) to penetrate
deeper into the tbreet ; and, a short time afterwards,
they fell in wi(h a few more, among whom were some
of Mr. Van Baires' own people. With these the whites
remonstrated, and advised them to return home, and
they would be pardoned. In this they appeared to ac-
quiesce, and were beginning to shape their course home-
ward, when one of the runaways suddenly stopped, anal
said to Mr. Torre, Massa, come es a way, go and me
sallahow you plenty such negro here.' They agreed to
go. This man led the way, and in a short time eunduct-
ed them to the very centre of a camp, composed, it is
said, of upwards of 80 negroes. Their unlucky tine was
soon decided. Mr. Torre seeing a black man dressed in
a red coat and epaulets, immediately aimed and fired at
him ; but this rascal suddenly stooped, and the shot
passed him, but killed another who stood by him.—
Torre was wounded immediately by a-shot from one of
the ramp negroes, when, to complete his destructioa,
the man in red ran up, and, with one stroke of a cut-
lass, nearly severed his head from his body. The engi-
neer seeing the fate of his companion, endeavoured to
effect an escape, but did ransomed, for he was brought
back instantly and murdered piece-meal. He was
quartered and otherwise shamefully mutilated. Report
says, that a large fire was then made, and the butchery
closed with a song, and dance round the murdered re-
mains of these two unfortunate young men. An expe-
dition of the East Coast Militia is preparing to proceed
into the bush, and sanguine hopes are entertained of
success, when something decisive will ao doubt be
I Anne. "

LITRACT OF A LETTER TO SPENCER MACKAY, ISQ, DATER
DEMERAOA•9OTH MARCH.

" From 50 to 100 negroes have absented themselves
for some time in the back lands, near Mahaica, but
particularly from, the estates of Beehive and Green-
field, alleging for cause, that the manager had ex...
pected too much labour. The Greenfield negroes hav-
ing returned on condition that the manager should be
be discharged, and other negro drivers appointed, and
which was complied with, the remaining negoes were
occupied during the nights in conveying into the woods
plantains and a good many cattle.
" Young Van Bruele, and another young man on the
estate, .had reepeatedly attempted to bring home the
runaway negroes, and partly succeeded ; but, finally,
these young men were decoyed by a party of the cs.
states negroes (who had absented themselves) to make
a last attempt, and in this attempt they were murdered
in the most savage manner, their bodies being muti-
lated, and their heads and limbs carried in triumph
round their camp. This affair took place four days ago,
(the 16th of March). Every exertion is now making
to send a formidable party of whites and Indians to en-
deavour to destroy them."

EXTRACT OF AINOTIIIIIA LITTER, OATS!) APRIL 2.

" Since the murder of the two whites on the 16th o
March, another murder has taken place of two whites'
in one of the colony floats, by the negro sailors. The
heads of the two firmer men murdered were stuck upon
poles, aud,placed at the back dams of the estate they
belonged to es a defiance,
".On du 31st of March no measures had been adopt-
ed, or expedition sent out, to arrest the proceedings tf
tilt. busli-negroes or runaways. We have so few troops
here, that the militia •is ollli,red to ix, constantly on
guard. We have no security tiLatever fin. o;ir property ;
it wonla•require about 1,(00 own ta: i,,,:rn) eotection to.
these colonies. I much fear the charm whielt,7leld the-
negroes in subjeeinn ..: comp%•.•tt ly 'woks: o 'wonder.—
The negroes will no longer th.ubt thew own superiu.
rity." ..

Friday a bny 4)f eleven years of age hanged himself
at his father's house in Compton-street, Clerlenwell.
The low's hither is u calico glacier, and works tin.. NI r.
Marriott. On going to his work in the morning he
usually set the boy a *ask, threatening to chastise him
if he did not pertiqui it; and on his Doming home to
dinner on Friday afternoon, ho found the deceased
suspended from the frame at which he worked, quite
dead ; it is supposed that fear drove him to commit tb.•
rash act, he not having his work done.