The Sun.
London, England, 1822-09-12 00:00:00

u

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 1822.

• COLONIAL INTELLIGENCE.

BARBA DOES.

BRIDGE-TOWN, JULY 25.

On Tuesday last, a General Election of Re-
presentatives for the Colonial Assembly of this island took place
in the several parishes, when the old members were returned'
with the exception of James C. Kellman, Esq., for St. George's,
in the room of Thomas Howard Griffith, Esq., vice John
Crichlow, Esq., who resigned; and in St. Peter's, Samuel
Hinds, Esq., in the room of Philip L. Hinds, Esq., who also
resigned. There being no opposition, the polls were closed at
an early hour, whilst every thing was conducted " with de-
cency and in order."
JULY 30.

His Excellency Sir H. Warde this day went in state from
Government House to the Town Hall, to meet the other
branches of the Colonial Parliament ; and from its being the
commencement of a new Session, thettovener, .upon the re-
presentatives in the House of Assembly appearing before him
in the Council Chamber, was pleased to deliver the following
Address :

" Mr. President, and Gentlemen of his Majesty's Council,

" Twelve months have now elapsed since I first had the ho-
nour of addressing you from this chair; and it is with sincere
and strong feelings of gratification, that I oiler you my best
thanks for the able advice and ready assistance which you have
rendered me in conducting the important and difficult duties of

my situation.
" I trust that the confidence which now exists between us, •
may not only continue, but be increased and more firmly ce-
mented by a longer and more perfect knowledge of each other;
as I am convinced that only one sentiment prevails in common
with us all—that of an anxious and heartfelt desire to endea-
vour to promote the general good of the public; and, with
such sentiments, I yet entertain a sanguine hope that all eyes
may be turned to that alone; and that tranquillity, harmony,
and happiness may be restored to the country by the well.com-
bined co-operation of all the branches of the Legislature.
" Mr. Speaker, and Gentlemen of the House of Assembly,
"The present house appearing (with very few exceptions) to
consist of the same members as those of the last year, it may
not be improper for me now to express to them and to their
Speaker my very warmest thanks for the general kiird attention
shown to my wishes, publicly and officially made known to.
them ; and I most sincerely and feelingly regret, that my last
should have proved an exception ; as Intrust I speak with no
erroneous confidence when 1 say, Gentlemen, there as not one
among you who will notdo me the justice to believe, that my mes-
sage to the Speaker, conveying an especial call of the House,
accompanied by a docunfent explanatory of my reasons for that
call, did not proceed from any desire to dictate to the House,
but unequivocally and solely from an earnest and heartfelt de-
Sire to promote the welfare of the community by the expression
of my wish, which had ever previously met with so much kind
attention : and now, acting from the very same feelings; and
considering it my duty, as well as that of the other branches of
the Legislature, to endeavour to relieve the severe and cruel
sufferings under which the poor of St. Michael's have too long
been labouring (and more particularly when the very existence:
of some may be at stake by delay), I do again bes'eech you, its
the name of humanity, no longer to allow any cause to shut
your ears to the loud cries of the poor; but to a&rd them some
prompt and permanent relief, by an immediate act for a levy
to be raised by the late vestry of St. Michael's, and to add a
clause to the bill now in force, to oblige all future vestries to
act until new ones may be elected.
• " Since the last meeting of the council, the draught of a Bill
for the amendment of the slave-laws has been shown to me; oti
which'. in the present stage of the business, I have nothing to
remark, more than to state, for your genera/ information, that
I cannot affix my name to any Bill enacting a new capital of-
fence, unlesS it shall contain a clause suspending the execution
thereof until the same shall have received his 3lajesty's ap-
probation.
" I would strongly recommend to your attention the nu-
merous evils which constantly arise from the want of a police in
Bridge-town ; with the hope that you may, after the due con-
sideration of a subject of such great importance, be enabled to
enact a well-framed Bill for the establishment of an effective
and energetic one, which might include all the various branches
necessary for the preservation of good order, as well as those
for the prevention of the improper landing of aliens, and of
persons labouring under infectious diseaseas. In my humble
opinion, such a measure would prove one of the most beneficial
which could possibly be adopted for the good of your country.
" I shall now, Gentleman, conclude by offeringyou all my
hearty congratulations on the present truly cheeritbyr prospect
of a most plentiful crops of every description, wifich;by a con-
tinuance of God's blessings; I entertain a well-founded hope,
may be brought to maturity, and in great measure tend to re-
lieve the country from its sufferings and distresS."

TOBAGO.
ADIYRESS OE THE' HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY:

" To His Excellency Sir Frederick Philip Robinson, &c.
" May it please Your Excellency,
" The House of General Assembly, the representatives of the
free independent electors of Tobage), present themselves before
you!' Excellency with assurances of their loyalty and attach.'
went to our most gracious Sovereign George the Fourth.

" The general pecuniary distress prevailing in this colony in-
ducet his Majesty's faithful subjects to address yohr Excel-
lency, in the hope that some relief may be given, so as to en-
able the eolony to support themselves under the presture of the
burdens now weighing so heavily on them.
" When your Excellency was appointed to the government
of this island, the finances of this colony were in a flourishing
state, and the produce of the islhnd, the source from which our
means were crrawn, bore such a propottionate value, as enabled
the planter to-meet the charges and expenses necessary for sup;
porting the character and loyalty of the colony.
" In consequence of such flourishing state our finances, the
colony was enabled to grant - to your Excellency the Sum of
4,0001. per annum (a salary much larger than ever given to
former Governors) for the purpose of enabling your Excellency
to support the character of the colony, always famed for hospi-
tality and the dignity of the Governor.
" That this colony, from the depreciation of its staple com-
modities, as per statement annexed, and the very small crops
made, owing to the very dry weather last year, the actual neces-
sity of providing means for the public buildings now erecting
and about to be erected, find themselves totally unable to con-
tinue your Excellency's salary. They conceive they would be
unworthy of the confidence reposed in them by their constitu-
ents, did they not lay before your Excellency such a statement
of their burdens as may induce your Excellency to follow the
worthy example of our most gracious Sovereign George the
Fourth, who, being well aware of the distresses of our mother
country, and anxious to contribute to the relief of the burdens
pressing so heavily on his subjects, has, with true paternal love
for his subjects, reduced the expenditure of the civil list.
" The once wealthy colony of Jamaica has been\compelled
With reluctance to reduce the salary of his Grace the Duke of
Manchester, although that nobleman, by hiS upright' and
im-
partial administration°, had- obtained the Suffrages and good
opinion of all classes; and nothing could have induced such a
measure, but the overwhelming distrets of that populous and
extensive colony.
cc Ilis-Majesty's.faithful subjects, knowing-that your Eicel-
lency is well acquainted with the pecuniary distress' pressing
upon all classes, and that yoiir Excellency is sensible of the
miseries of the colony, for whose welfare you have alWays ex-
presSed an attachment, hope that your Excellency will set such
' an example to the public officers, whose salaries far exceed the
means of the colony.
44 That this House, from feelings of respect and delicacy, are
Unwilling to originate any measure in the shape of a bill for
reducing your Excellency's salary, trusting that under such
strong representations as have been ungle,,and-under the know.

ledge of the facts of our distresses and calamities, you will give
such relief as the dire necessity of the times demand.
" It is the intention of this House to proceed immediately
to the reduction of the salaries of other public officers, as it is,
impossible in the preient distresSed state of the colony to con-,
tinue them at the present rate any longer.
" CHRISTOPHER IRVINE, Speaker.
" House of Aisembly, July 11, 1822."
•
Statement °like Expenses attendant on an Estate in this Island
vr 250 Ate rocs, and of the actual loss at its present Crops,
and which fairly may be taken as an Average of all the other
Estates in the Island, in proportion to the number of. Slaves
on it:— Currency.

Attorney 1001. sterling, Manager 100 joeg - £560 0 0
Three Overseers at 30, 35, and 40 joes 378 0 0
Doctor attending negroes and white servants 120 0 0
Amount of invoice of clothes, medicine, &c.,
from England, 800/. sterling 1,600 0 0
Articles purchased in the colony, including
staves, lumber, and salt fish - 1,300 0 0
Taxes on 250 slaves, at 31s. - • 387 10 0

£4,345 10 ,

By net proceeds of 100 hhds. of sugar, at
_ 141. sterling per laid. - 1,400
By 00 puns. rum at 51. sterling 300
.£1,700 Ex. 200. 3,400 0 0

Actual loss £04510 0
Besides the interest on the mortgage, and the debts due in
England.
TIIE GOVERNOR'S REPLY.

" Mr. Speaker, and Gentlemen of the House of General
Assembly,
" In the address with which you honoured me yesterday, it
is stated that my salary is much larger than any ever before,
granted to a Governor, which I admit ; but I must bring to
your recollection that my immediate predecessor received large
pecuniary presents from the colony, whereas I have expended
nearly three thousand pounds currency in improving the Go-
vernment house and grounds, the latter being a perfect wilder
ness when I arrived.

" The address further observes, that in consequence of the
heavy pecuniary distress now existing, the colony is unable to
defray the expense of the public buildings now erecting or
about to belzected. If so, why not defer any new buildings
until they can be proceeded upon without inconvience ?
" Instead of the mode about to be adopted for raising sup.:
plies, surely it would, be more just and reasonable to call upon
the absentees to contribute at least 20 per cent. fnim the sums
they annually draw from their estates to support them in the
enjoyment of the comforts of 'Etitope Those gentlemen ought
to be the first to come forward on this occasion when the secu.
rity and profit of their property is at stake.
" I see_no reason why the address should bring to my recol-
lection the conduct of our gracious Sovereign with regard to
his reduction of the expenditure of the civil list. His Majes-
ty's generosity and goodness of heart has ever been, and
continue to be, an example to his subjects, and to all the
world. But I require no stimulus to urge me to do that which
1 consider right ; the principles of rectitude and duty are suf-
ficient in themselves for my guidance, in either my public or
private station.
" Still less do I conceive the necessity for mentioning the
Duke of Manchester ; for, where the whole amount or toy
salary to be dedUcted from that of his Grace, it would not be
perceived. .
" The AddreSS remarks on the attachment I haVe always
expressed for the colony. I confidently appeal to the whole
community to declare whether my actions have not correspond-
ed with my words in every practicable instance.
" I am called upon for a voluntary contribution' from my sa-
lary, within a few months after the full
.salary of 3,0001. per
annum had been granted tqthe Chief Justice during his
absence from the colony : were I to go to Europe, either-from
choice or necessity, my whole income would cease.
" The Address has not left me the optioß of a voluntary
offering, for it strongly insinuates, that unless I do conic for-
Ward the House will resort to a Bill for the reduction of my
salary. That part of the Address, therefore, cannot be consi-
dered as an appeal to my liberality.
44 That the Colony is greatly circumscribed in its means at
present, cannot be denied ; but there is evidently a prospect of
better times. But there is no such hope for me ; for on the
25th instant, two of the Major-Generals out of the three hold-
ing Governments will be reduced, when their staff pay and al-
lowances will cease, and the remaining one will have such an
increase of expence in his half-yearly inspections as will con-
slime a very considerable part of his income.
" The House of Assembly expects that 1 will set an example.
to the public officers, whim is' evidently unnecessary, as a re-
duction of their salaries has been already resolved on.
" With regard to myself, the House or' Assembly shall not
be disappointed, it being my intention, provided I remain on
the staff, on the Ist of January, 1823, to authorise the public
Treasurer to make such quarterly reductions from my salary
for the public service, as will leave no doubt of my determina-
tion to serve the Colony.
" July 12, 1822. " F. P.' ROBINSON,. Governor."

REJOINDER.,

" To his Excellency Sir Frederick Philip Robinson, Knight
Commander of the Most Honourable Military Order of the
Bath, Captain-General and !Governor in Chief in and over
the Island of Tobago and its Dependencies, &c. &c. &c.
" May it please your Excellency,
" The Speaker and House of General Assembly beg leave
again to approach your Excellency, and renew their assurances
of unbounded loyalty and attachment tutheir most gracious
Sovereign.
" The House have heard with pain and extreme regret, the
answer your Excellency has been pleased to give to the repre-
sentation of the calamities and distresses of this once flourish-
ing colony. The facts stated by this House are so strong and
overwhelming, and so many additional ones are constantly
presenting themselves, that this Holt-se contemplate with fear,
dread, and anxiety, the future prospects of the colony.
" This House are perfectly aware of the additional grants
made to your Excellency's immediate predecessor, but beg
leave to inform your Excellency that one of these grants, to
the amount of 83M., was made to enable his Excellency, Sir
William Young, to furnish Government House,_ which was
is a must destitute condition ; and the other, to the amount of
1,0001., was given to enable Sir William Young to support the
dignity and character of the colony. But this House beg-
leave to observe, that Sir William Young had no Staff appoint-
ment, and in every other respect his income was greatly Cir-.
cuiuscribed. That Sir William Young expended the whale
of his salary as Governor ih the Colony, in supporting its-re-
putation for hospitality, and it was but common justice to
snake him sonic compensation, as by his liberality and genero-
sity he in an extraordinary degree raised the character of the
colony, and gave it a lustre which it Would have still, no
doubt, enjoyed, but for the overwhelining distress which is
pressing upon it.
"The House have heard with astonishment the magnitude
of the slim expended by your Excellency in improving the Go--
vernment House and grounds, but they beg leave to call to
your recollection, the returns laid • before this .house of the
immense sums expended since your Excellency's appointment
to the command of this colony ; on this object aniounting to
no less than a sum of twelve thousand pounds.
" Your Excellency must be perfectly aware of the situation-
of the colony as to its public buildings, and of the impossibility
of stopping the erection of such as are in progress : were the
erection of these buildings to be discontinued, the colony would
be without a house in which to hold courts for the adnilnistra-
tion of justice, the old Court-hotise being in such me ruinous
condition as tb render it unsafe any number of persbnsf to
meet therein ; and as to the erection of other buildings
pensably necessary (a jail for instance), this hotteis wholly
-
unable to carry the same intUeffect without some assistance And
relief.

"This }ntie beg leave to recall to your Excellency's recol.'
lection the urgency with which your Excellency pressed' the
necessity of erecting such buildings; both to this house and-
elsewhere. And this house cannot forget that all your influence
was exerted for carrying into effect measures so essentially
necessary for the character and reputation of the colony.
" The mode of raising a tax on absenteei has often beery sug
gested to the consideration of individual members of this house,
but insuperable difficulties have presented themselves 'to such
a measure, and this house well khow that such a mode of
taxation is strongly reprobated by his Majesty's Government.
Consultations have been repeatedly held with the law officers
of the Crown on the subject, but the measure has never been
deemed advisable. And this house cannot but think that were
such a tax to obtain the sanction of his Majesty's Government,