The Sun.
London, England, 1824-09-10 00:00:00

WEST INDIA POLICY.

The following Letter from GEORGE CAatttNo-
TON, Esq., Agent for Barbadoes, with the ac-
companying documents, has been laid before the
House of Assembly of that island :
London, March 1, 1824.
TO TUE COMMITTEE OF CORRESPONDENCE, BARDADOES.
Gentlemen—l had the honour to address you on the 10th of
February, when I informed.you.s General Meeting had been
held of the West India Body, and a Petition to the King had
been agreed to. The Chairman was directed to present it to
his Majesty, accompanied by such Members of Parliament
connected. with the West India interest as might choose to
attend, and the agents. I did not think it necessary to en-
close a copy of the Petition, as it was publised in all the daily
papers.
The Colonial Agents having met together, came to the de-
termination of addressing Earl Bathurst on the subject of the
policy that has been pursued in regard to the West Indies,
and of the necessity or his Majesty's Government to adopt
some measures that may have the effect of restoring tranquil-
lity and credit. I have the honour herewith to hand you a
copy of the remonstrance ; and of course, as soon as an answer
is received, it will be my duty to communicate it to you.
The Chancellor of the Exchequer has in Parliament ex-
pressed an intention of making an abatement in the duties on
rum of 130. per gallon, the duty in future to be regulated by
the Excise according to the proof at sale, which gives an ad.
vantage as compared with the present practice (which fixed the
duty by the Customs according to the proof when landed)
equal to the reduction itself.
An anxious desire to consider every possible means by which
the distresses of the colony niay be relieved, and its general
prosperity promoted, induces me to solicit your attention to the
subject of the 4i per tentage duty, which presses so heavily
and so unjustly en your community. lam aware it is a sub-
ject that was viewed by the late Mr. Jordan with much solici-
tude, and that it was a source of infinite disappointment to him
to find his hopes continually frustrated. After the failure of
attempts under such auspices, It would be the height of pre-
wumption in me to entertain any very sanguine expectations,
anti I must frankly declare I consider the subject as one of infinite
difficulty and doubtful result. At the same time there are some
circumstancestavourable to a renewal of the attempt: first, the
state of prosperity in which Great Britain now is with a surplus
revenue—the fsct that one-half of the assessed taxes has been
reduced, and further reductions expected—the state of the
funds, and reduction of interest—the liberal line of policy
which is advocated, and acted upon by the Chancellor of the
Exchequer—these and other arguments that arc obvious from
the general itiproved state of the country, from long-continued
war which, dreatened ruin to her finances to a state of peace,
lead me to Wok the question of 4i duty might be brought on
with greater probability of success than on any former occasion ;
the very depressed state of our produce, and the declining credit
of the Weft Indies (contrasted, too, with the flourishing con-
dition of time revenue here) certainly may be considered to
strengthen our plea.
MAN' thus explained myself, it will be my duty to have
your wishes and instructions made known to me before I pro-
ceed ' • it is obvious indeed that no effort of mine could be made
with shy chance of meeting attention unless emanating from
yourselves ; should you be of opinion that it is expedient to act
further, it will probably be thought advisable to promote a ge-
neral meeting in the island to consider of certain resolutions, on
which petitions to both Houses of Parliament and to the
Throne may be framed; end further, that a resolution be
passed to petition the Council and )louse of Assembly to take
the question into their consideration, with a view to support by
their influence the prayer of the petitions. I have no doubt
those islands that suffer under the burden of a similar impost
will most readily follow the example, and thus simultaneous
jipplicationtenight be made at the next Session of Parliament;
and by such combines' interest and co-operation, greater effect
may be produced than by single and unconnected attempts as
heretofere.
requeited an audience of the Bishop of London, to learn, if
pouible' what arrangements were made, or in contemplation,
contiorted with the appointment of bishops, but he gave me to
understand they were not so settled as to enable him to speak
with ceVitinty. lie expressed an anxious feeling that the plan
should be productive of good, disavowing in the most explicit
manner aftrintention on the subject of emancipation as being
mixed up with it : it is probable the new Bishop will not ens.
bark till the autumn.

I beg leave to mention, that in consequence of the Committee
of correspondence in Jamaica having given publicity to sonic
ienstntrtlie tumolcoonnitivimuonfiliceac,tewdlitc)htlhietnailbjeatirise
wagaesnitnlenicrie.cillitnbic)ocrnt2
lidcnce, Lord Bathurst 1,.., 4igr.ified to Mr. 11:bbert, that in
future all communications roost be in writing. 1 have not yet
learnt Whether this rpar,rindon is pnilintal to: Mr. Hilbert, or
meant to e*tend to theotlier eget*. It nine often happen in
tbe full and Unreserved communications that pass between wel-
l:
lillth ;i;'ll,:i 0 s
Majesty's correspondence and the agents, that certain disclosures
of opinions or Intentions gathered trout personal conference
Minim:oral ,cannot witnpropritty : be made
public,%pn A the Inconvenience that n 414363141 s;ua4irt4,,.:l-,.-;.e .A
the instants alluded to,' m out the caution that is necessary
on thithett I' havothe hono,ir to be, gentlemen, your obe-
dient and .100'llerVant, ,
O. CARRINGTON.
•a.aw.......,.
. ' ' March 11.
The entlnued detention, of tne packet enables rue to forward
to you. Earl Bathurst's reply to the memorial of the Colonial
agent‘ and their answers dated the Ist and Sidi of March., The
proetimation it is untlersosl, will be forwarded to the %Vest
Ingle' generally, by this packet, and is (it Is said by those who
luee seen it),well calculated to produce a beneficial result.. ,
The debatea on the %Vest India questions will be brought on
t6olew d_ays; the general petition to the King was presented
byffr. HIM, accompanied by several of themgents, and Mem-
tirra of Parliament yesterday ; a sudden indisposition prevent-
-4 my attending on the occasion.
Allow me to remark, that in consequence of not having re-
vived any document whatever from the representatives of the
Tate Mr. Jordan, I feel much at n loss on many subjects to
which occasions of referestee may frequently occur, particularly
In regard to acts of the Legislature anti yourbilicial communi-
cations; should it be thought proper, you will, perhaps, take
Measures fbr furnishing me with such copies and public tlnco-
Menta as should he retained in the office of your agent, and
e/ the shell be regittarly tiled and carefully retained by me.
I have the honour. to be, Gentlemen, your obedient and
faithful servant, 11. CARRINGTON.
The Committee of Correspondence, Barbadoes.