The Sun.
London, England, 1865-11-29 00:00:00

The Insurrection in Jamaica.

SOUTHAMPTON, Tuesday Night.

The Royal Mail Company's steamship Shannon,
Capt. F. Woolley, has arrived with the West India,
Pacific, and Mexican mails. She bring advices
from Jamaica to the 9th inst. The Jamaica Guar-
dian of the Bth publishes the following speech from
Governor Eyre to the Legislature of Jamaica :-
4, Mr. President and Honourable Gentlemen of the
Legislative Council,
4‘ Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen of the House of
Assembly,—

o In appearing before you to-day to open our
Legislative Session, I cannot but feel that the sad
and solemn events of the last few weeks impart
to our meeting a deeper interest than ordinary, and
they certainly make me more than usually anxious
to seek your advice and co-operation. The present
is indeed a most critical period in the history of Ja-
maica, and the session now being inaugurated will,
in all probability, be one of the most important and
momentous ever held in- this colony. The occurrence
of a most wicked and unprovoked rebellion in the
eastern division of the island has brought sorrow
and suffering upon the whole community. The
valuable lives of many noble and gallant men, who
were ornaments to the land, have been sacrificed
(while peaceably meeting in the discharge of their
duties to the State) by a most savage and cruel
butchery, only to be paralleled by the atrocities of
the Indian Mutiny. A large amount of property
has been destroyed, an immense expense has been
entailed upon tfie country, and one of the richest
and most productive districts of the colony has been
left without resident proprietor or manager to reap
the abundant crops now ready for the harvest.
Through the hearty co-operation of the civil, mili-
tary, and naval authorities, and through the prompt-
ness and untiring zeal and energy of all, but, above
all, through God's blessing upon the means used,
this most diabolical conspiracy to murder the white
and coloured inhabitants of this colony has been
effectually subdued, the principal actors in, and chief
instigators of it, havebeen brought under the punish-
ment of death, so justly due to their most heinous
offences. To his Excellency Gen. O'Connor I am
deeply indebted for the readiness and promptitude
with which, on the occurrence of the outbreak, he
met all my demands for troops, and co-operated
with me in the various arrangements I proposed, as
well as for the active, zealous, and able manner in
which, in conjunction with the Executive Committee
and with the civil authorities of Kingston, he car-
ried into effect many important and necessary ar-
rangements for the 'protection of Kingston, or to
afford assistance to other localities where apprehen-
sions were entertained, while I was myself absent at
the seat of the disturbances. To the senior naval
officer, Capt. De Horsey, of her Majesty's ship Wol-
verine, we owe it that we are enabled to carry out
with promptitude and efficiency the arrangements
necessary to control and suppress the rebellion. The
Wolverine and her gallant captain were kept almost
unceasingly at work day and night, in all weather,
and off a lee coast, but all was done with hearty
good will, zeal, and cheerfulness. To Brigadier-
General Nelson is due the greatest credit for the
rapid and skilful manner in which he carried out the
various movements of the troops which I wished to
be made while personally superintending the opera-
tions in the disturbed districts. The admirable
manner in which the Brigadier-General made all
his arrangements, and his untiring zeal and energy,
contributed largely to the successful results achieved,
while the ability and tact with which he ordered the
internal organisation of the places occupied gave
confidence to, and commanded the respect of, the
inhabitants. To Col. Hobbs the colony is indebted
for the prevention of the spread of the rebellion
along the line of the Blue Mountain Valley, and for
the interception and punishment of many rebels who
were driven westward by the operations under Bri-
gadier-General Nelson. Lieut. Brand, of the Onyx,
is entitled to the highest praise for the unceasing
and valuable services rendered by the little gunboat
under his command. To the fidelity and loyalty
of the Maroons it is due that the negroes did not
commit greater devastations, and that the rebel-
lion has not been a more protracted one. It is
owing to them also, under the able leadership of
their indefatigable former Captain, now Colonel
Fyfe, that the chief rebel leader, Paul Bogle, was
captured, and the recesses of the mountain fastnesses
were searched and the insurgents captured, de-
stroyed, or driven from them. To the members of
the Legislature who accompanied me, and who upon
my leaving still remained in the field, at great per-
sonal inconvenience and sacrifices, away from their
homes and ordinary avocations, to carry on their
arduous duties, the colony is deeply indebted. The
Executive Committee and their indefatigable secre-
tary, Mr. Myers, laboured unceasingly and most
anxiously to provide for the public safety. My Aide-
de-Camp, Colonel Hunt, rendered zealous and able
service both to myself and to Brigadier-General
Nelson. But to each and all of the officers and
men of the civil, military, and naval services, as
well as of the volunteers (who have done their duty
nobly), the colony owes a deep and lasting debt of
gratitude and thanks ; all vied with each other in
zealously doing their duty, and that they did it well
is evidenced by the successful results attained.
Within three days from the first intelligence of the
rebellion reaching Kingston, it was headed, checked,
and hemmed in ; within a week it was fairly crushed,
and arrangements made for scouring the entire dis
trict, to capture and punish the guilty, who had not
yet met their just doom. So wide-spread a rebel-
lion, so rapidly and so effectually put down, is not,
I believe, to be met with in history, and speaks
volumes for the zeal, courage, and energy of those
engaged in suppressing it. To this prompt and de-
cise action I firmly believe we owe it, under God's
Providence, that we are able to meet here this day.
One moment's hesitation, one single reverse might
have lit the torch which would have blazed in rebel-
lion from one end of the island to the other, and
who can say how many of us would have lived to
see it extinguished ! It is my duty to point out to
You that, satisfactory as it is to know that the re-
bellion in the eastern district has been crushed
out, the entire colony has long been, still is, on
the brink of a volcano which may at any moment
burst into fury. There is scarcely a district or a
parish in the island where disloyalty, sedition, and
murderous intentions are not widely disseminated,
andin many instances openly expressed. The mis-
apprehensions and misrepresentations of pseudo-
philanthropists in England and in this country, the
inflammatory harangues or seditious writings of
political demagogues, of evil-minded men of higher
position and of better education; and of worthless
persons without either character or property toloae ;
the personal, scurrilous, vindictive, and disloyal
writings of a licentious and unscrupulous press, and
the misdirected efforts and misguided counsel of
certain ministers of religion—sadly so miscalled, if
the Saviour's example and teaching is to be the
standard—have led to their natural, their necessary,
their inevitable result among an ignorant, excitable
and uncivilised population—rebellion, arson, murder.
These are hard and harsh words, gentlemen, but
they are true ; and this is no time to indulge in
selected sentences or polished phraseology. A
mighty danger threatens the land, and in order to
concert measures to avert it, and prevent so far as
human wisdom can any future recurrence of a simi-
lar state of things, we must examine boldly, deeply,
and unflinchingly into the causes which have led to
this danger. I know no general grievance or wrong
under which the negroes of this'colony labour. In-
dividual cases of hardship or injustice must arise in
every community, but, as a whole, the peasantry of
Jamaica have nothing to complain cf. They are less
taxed, can live more easily and cheaply, and are less
under an obligation to work for subsister.ce than
any peasantry in the world. The same laws as to
the imposition of taxes, theadministration of justice,
and the enjoyment of political rights, apply to them
and to the white and coloured inhabitants alike.
They ought to be better off, more comfortable, and
more independent than the labourers of any other
country. If it is not so it is due to their own in-
dolence, improvidence, and vice, acted upon by the
absence of good exmple and of civilising influences
in many districts, and by the evil teaching and evil
agencies to which I have already referred in all.
It is a remarkable fact, too, that many of the prin-

cipal rebels in the late outbreak have been persons
well off and well to do in the world—possessing
lands, cottages, furniture, horses or mules, or other
property, and with an education above the average
of the peasantry. It is necessary to bring these facts
before you in order to convince you how widely
spread and how deeply rooted the spirit of disaffec-
tion „is ; how daring and determined the intention
has been and still is to make Jamaica a second
Hayti, and how imperative it is upon you, gentle-
men, to take such measures as, under God's blessing,
may avert such a calamity. These measures may
be summed up in a few words—create a strong
Government, and then, under a firm hand to guide
and direct, much may be accomplished. In order
to obtain a strong Government there is but one
course open to you—that of abolishing the existing
form of Constitution (compensating the officers
whose offices are abolished), and establishing one
better adapted to the present state and requirements
of the colony—one in which union, co-operation,
consistency, and promptness of action may, as far
as practicable, be secured. I invite you, then, gen-
tlemen, to make a great and generous sacrifice for
the sake of your country, and in immolating on the
altar of patriotism the two branches of the Legisla-
ture, of which you yourselves are the constituent
parts, to hand down to posterity a noble example
of self-denial and heroism."

" Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen of the House of
Assembly,—

" It is impossible under existing circumstances to
form any reliable estimate of either revenue or ex-
penditure. The returns and estimates which are
being prepared, and would have been laid before
you under ordinary circumstances, are now useless.
I can only, therefore, invite you to place a generous
confidence in the Executive by making a general
provision for the ordinary and extraordinary expen-
diture, and leaving it to the Governor and Executive
Committee to make the best and most prudent
arrangements which circumstances admit of. We
have already been under the necessity of assuming
a large pecuniary responsibility in the steps taken
to insure the security of the colony and protect life
and property. It will be our duty and endeavour
to adminster whatever funds you may place at our
disposal faithfully and as economically as prac-
ticable."

" Mr. President and Hon. Gentlemen of the Legis-
lative Council,—
" Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen of the House of

Assembly,

"Looking upon one great question to be sub-
mitted to you as of paramount importance, and as
indeed involving in itself, if adopted, the means of
securing all other necessary measures, it is not the
intention of the Government to bring before you
during the present Session any but a very few Bills
of the most pressing and urgent kind. Should you,
after careful consideration, decide upon changing
the constitution of the Legislature, there is no reason
why the new Legislature to be called into existence
in its place should not be organized and at work
within a few months of the rresent date. Within
that period, too, I trust, that the immediate security
of the colony may be so far provided for, and con-
fidence so far restored, that there would no longer
be any impediment to the careful preparation and
mature consideration of many most necessary and
important laws. Commending to your best atten-
tion the critical state of Jamaica, I pray you cordi-
ally to unite in endeavouring to devise the most
appropriate and effectual means of meeting the
existing emergency, and of preventing any similar
recurrence. May the Almighty so direct, guide, and
bless your labours that they may tend to the esta-
blishment of lasting security for life and pro-
perty, and largely promote the general welfare and
prosperity."
Mr. Speaker and the House then retired.
His Excellency delivered his speech in a clear,
emphatic, and forcible manner.
There were present his Excellency Major General
O'Connor, C. 8., Commander-in-Chief of her Ma-
jesty's military forces in this island, and suite ; Sir
Leopold M'Clintock, Commodore on the station ;
Col. llobbs, of the Gth Royal Regiment; Col. Hunt,
A.D. C ; Capt. D. W h all , of the Wolverine ; Com-
mander De Ilorsey, of the Aurora ; Lieut. Cartes ;
Lieut. Sinclair (of the Volunteers), Assistant Mili-
tary Secretary ; the Venerable Archdeacon Stewart ;
the Venerable Joseph Williams, Archdeacon of
Surrey ; the Rev. Duncan Campbell, Rector of
Kingston ; the Rev. F. Reese Webbe, B.C.L. ; the
Rev. Mr. Bull ; the Rev. M. Seires, chaplain to the
General Penitentiary ; the Rev. James Gayleard ;
Mr. Justice her ; Major-Gen. Jackson ; Mr. 11. B.
Shaw, inspector of prisons, and a number of other
officials.

The members of the Legislative Council in attend-
ance were :—The Hon. John Salmon, President ;
Hon. Sir Bryan Edwards, Hon. Louis F. Mackinnon,
Hon. Hinton East, Hon. A. C. Logan, Hon. Ben-
jamin Vickers, Hon. R. Hamilton, M.D., M.A. ;
Hon. Alexander Heslop, and Hon. J. IL M'llowell.
The Jamaica Standard states that the rebellion
is completely crushed, the measures of the Govern-
ment having been marked by the most complete
success. All open manifestations of revolt have
ceased, and the amnesty proclaimed by the Go-
vernor is producing an excellent effect on the minds
of the negroes. Letters from Morant Bay, how-
ever, dated November 7, have been published which
express the contrary opinion, and assert that cle-
mency was extended too soon. The writer com-
plains that 140 prisoners have been released-100
men and 40 women. Against the rebel leader,
Bogle, clear and full evidence has been obtained of
various acts of cruelty during the riot. Can it be,
the writer asks, " that this cold-blooded wretch is
to. escape ? I hope not. The Government must
remember what is due, not to the inhabitants of the
island generally, and in particular to those of St.
Thomas-in-the-East, but they must remember what
is due to the brave, the loyal handful of men who
stood that day as volunteers in defence of their Queen
and their country. Twenty-seven rank and file in
face of nearly 1,000 armed rebels' The blood of
the slain volunteers cries out for retribution on all
active participators in the rebellion. Let us have
mercy and peace indeed, but these must wait on
stern justice."
Of these leaders Bogle is singled out as the most
guilty. It is remarked that at Morant Bay on the
7th " all signs of hanging had vanished for the
present," and " even the pit that was dug last for
the reception of rebel prisoners expected to have
been executed had been filled up."
The justices of the peace for St. David's and St.
Thomas's have presented an address of thanks to
Col. Hobbs and the officers of the 6th Royals for
their services during the revolt. They commend the
t ulraet t
activity with which the rebels were tracked a,ndcap-
d.
ranT,lhuelltyyliobserve that " the ringleaders have all
been taken and duly provided for," and they trust
is now restored.
Col. Hobbs, in his reply, notices the excellent
behaviour of the troops. No irregularities were
committed on the march, nor has a
single man on
the sick list during the operations.
The Jamaica Colon•a t Standard
rebellion has been effectivelyi suppr suppressed, Thethe
few remaining fugitives among the rebels have
availed themselves of the amnesty proclamation
issued by Governor Eyre. The great heads of
the rebellion and all the minor leaders have fallen
under the power of the law and been executed,
or are in custody awaiting their doom. The num-
ber of rebels that have perished by the executioner,
or have been shot down, is very large. Their
villages, houses, and settlements have been razed,
and such terrible example given thermaeslliwoin. Thell prove
a permanent check to any future eb
confessions of the rebels, documents, and other proofs
show that their intentions were to exterminate the
white and coloured people, and to confiscate all pro-
perty for the blacks. Gordon, according to the
confessions made, commenced agitating the plot
three years ago, but most actively within the last
three months. He founded secret societies, pro-
moted the formation of trained bands, and placed
his followers under a terrible oath well calculated to
awe the soul of the negro, and although most took
it, all shrank with horror from revealing its terms
epNr-The
jupaoriven seaerinc
of
fe
Gtohlfzeatrlri,eie gallows."
biaenllis'oany,satnhadttGhaotrdthoen
owes unbounded thanks to the Governor forcoc was
ur thest
hr y_
ing it out.