The Sun.
London, England, 1856-03-20 00:00:00

WEST INDIA MAILS.

By the Royal .oiften
Captain Valler, witlj'-.03
mails, we have dajtOtigia

04-PTON, MARCH 19.
tea's steam-ship Tyne,
West India and Pacific.

Nassau (Bahatnas)
Belize

Ftiggfn es Feb. 28
. . 26
St. Vincent ...... 28
St. Lucia — 29
Martinique — 28
Guacialoupe — 29
Dominica --
Antigua
Montserrat — 27
Nevig — 29
St. Kitt's Mar. 1
St. Thomas's — 3

Santa Martha

Greytown
Carthagena — 25
Chagres
Jamaica ....

Jacmel — 28
Porto Rio()
Berbice. Feb. 26
De Werara — 26
Tobago — 24
Trirlrd;;(l

The Tyne brings 47'""w—ItfasVitiplirti'nd on freight
specie valued at $717,318, and a cargo consisting
of 178 serous of cochineal, 5 serous of indigo, 32
bales of sarsaparilla, 2 packages' of vanilla, and a
general cargo.
The Plata arrived out at St. Thomas's on the
2d inst.

This steamer brings news of serious disturbances
iii British Guiana; The following is a synopsis of
the intelligence published by the Demerara Royal
Gazette :

"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; and this
feeling is also prevalent among the African immigrants
and negroes front the islands who have come to reside
here. This feeling of jealousy wou'd not have broken
out into active .hostility but for other circumstances.
"About the end of the past year a man named John
Sayers Orr, better known in England and in America ky
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. Having discovered that
there was a considerable degree of smothered jealousy
and ill-feeling existing between the negro population and
the Portuguese, be seized upon it and mixed it up with
his attacks on the Roman Catholics. In this he was only
tt o successful ; like a spark dropped up4si tinder, hos-
tility against the Portuguese spread rapidly throughout
the city, and was soon communicated to the country
districts. In Georgetown the Portuguese were assailed
by men, women, and child►en with cries of Down with
the Portuguese !" Down with the Pope !"The Portu-
gue:ie exhibited very considerable forbearance, and, how-
ever 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 town pump, in front of the
Stabroek -market, armed with a dagger and life-preserver,
aed addressed a large crowd of persons in a moat in-
flammatory manner. For the seditious language used by
hum on that occasion, areelvioe cianvenint an unlawful as-
sembly, he has since been arrested and committed to
take his trial before the Supreme Criminal Court in April
next. On the l7th, Orr was prevented from preaching
in the streets ; and he then proceeded to his mother's
yard, and there he addressed the crowd who assembled
to hear him. After this meeting, on Sunday evening
the disturbances commenced by the negroes attacking
one or two Portuguese shops and pelting several Portu-
guese who had assembled in the neighbourhood. This
row was suppressed by the police, and the night passed
off without further disturbance.
"On Monday morning, Feb. 18, the disturbances re-
commenced. Orr's examination before the police magis-
trate 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 po-
lice inagistrate's-office are situated. Between 10 and 11
o'clock the crowd became excited, and a Portuguese was
pursued on the charge of br ving stabbed a creole. The
man was immediately apprehended by the police, but
not before he had sustained personal injury. The police
turned out in force under the command of Inspector
Horne. The horse police speedily dispersed the mob,
and the examination of Mr. Orr was conducted aid con-
clu led with perfect tranquillity. The people, however,
almost immediately commenced their attaeks upon the
Portuguese shops in the outlying parts of the town, and
by midnight there was net ono in those districts which
had riot been completely gutted of its contents. A large
body of special constables had been sworn in to aid the
police. Between 7 and 8 o'clock a formidable riot oc-
curred in the Charlestown district, and the military
were called out. A guard of the 2d West India Regi-
ment, consisting of 2 serjeante, 2 corporals, 1 drummer,
and 40 men, was sent to the police-station, under the
command of Lieut. Drewit ; and another of 1 sqrjeant
and 20 men was stationed at the gaol, where M. Orr,
who had been unable to find bail, was confined. These
guards have been continued up to the present moment.
At 1 o'clock pen. the light company of this regiment,
under the command of Lieut. St. Aueyn and Ensign
Corvill, were out on picket till 5 p.m., and at 8 pen.
the whole regiment turned out to patrol the streets, un-
der the command of Lieut.-Colonel Whitfield.
" From what has since transpired, it is unquestion-
able that emissaries must have started at the same time
from Georzetown to the various rural districts, exciting
the 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 sum-
moned by the Governor on Monday, the 18th, at 12
o'clock, and an ordinance was passed to make provi-
sion for more effectually repressing disturbances
and attempts to commit breaches of the peace. The or-
dinance at first was confined to Georgetown, but the
disturbances spreading, a proclamation was issued by
the Governor the same evening, extending its previsions
to Albert Town ; and subsequently to the east bank of
the River Demerara, as far as, and inclusive of the,
Craig village. The east coast, west coast, and river dis-
tricts 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
proclamation extending the provisions of the ordinance
to all parts of the colony. On the same day the two per-
sons first sentenced to be flogged under the new ordi-
nance were taken from the gaol to the market-place, in
custody of a strong detachment of special constables and
police, and there underwent their sentences in the pre-
sence of an immense crowd, who were perfectly quiet,
and made not the slightest attempt to interfere.
" Mr. A. F. Gore, acting stipendiary magistrate, ac-
compelled by a detachment of the 2d West India Regi-
ment, consisting of 2 serjeants, 1 drummer, and 40 men,
under the command of Major Gibbins and the first adju-
tant, proceeded up the river in the steamer Rattlesnake
as far as plantation Great Diamond. The detachment
returned by laid 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 pos.
Bible in various directions. The streets of Georgetown
are protected by the special constables every night.
" On Wednesday the Tyne steamer took up a detach-
ment of the 2d West India Regiment, consisting of 2
serjeants, 1 drummer, and 50 men, under the command
of Captain Reece and Ensign Macnamara, and proceeded
to l3erbice. The troops took with them three days' salt
provisions, and they still remain at Fott 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
Victoria, 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 ma-
gistrates.

" On Tuesday night firearms were used by a Portu-
guese in defending his shop, at the front of plantation
Supply. An African negro was shot ; and his country-
men became greatly exasperated and vowed revenge.
The stipendiary magistrate, Mr. S. Bean, found it neces-
sary to call in the aid of the military at the Mabaica
post, but as this force, consisting of only eight men, was
so small, 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
Mabaica gaol, but as there were only four policemen to
guard them, Mr. Bean thought it prudent to let the pri-
soners 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, Clonbruek, Ann's
Grove, and the Two Fiends was fearful ; and the peo-
ple exhibited a feeling anything but friendly towards the
white population. At plantation Good Hope the Portu-
guess shop was plundered and completely gutted of its
contents. At Mabaicony also very serious disturbances
took piace ; but they were suppressed by the active ex-
ertions of the Hon. J. E. Honey, aided by a party of
soldiers, special constables, and police. The destruction
of property was very great, and several houses were
partly nulled down. The constant cry of the disturbers
has been—' If the Governor thought we were doing
wrong destroying the Portuguese shops be would
hive 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 ignorant negro popu-
lation was so generally diffused in the country districts
that the Government felt it advisable to publish a cau-
tionary notice to remove such an erroneous impression.
" The whole of the 2d West ledia 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 cense-
quence of the severe duties imposed upon the troops, the
officers and men have had only one night in bed during
the week ; and some have been up several nights in sue-
cession. 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 v, and privates of
the garrison have pert:Ohl their different duties. The
steady. temperate manner- in which they have carried
out their orders has been retharked by all who have seen
them.
. 2 -
" The latest newslozu-arls which the authorities
have been able to reach reports everything quiet ; but
an evidently bad feeliug still exiQts in the minds of the
people, who have been worked up to their present mad
outrages by emissaries from Georgetown, of many of
whom traces have already been obtained. Rewards have
been off red, and a free pardon promised to any minor
offender who will assist in the conviction of &principal.
" From Btrhice the latest report; are that New Am-
sterdam ;s quiet ; but the usual disturbances and pillage
were going on in the less acct 1,-• • •
,igts.-
tattW" Whenever the aelt sot mob have been
in collision. the success dtVie;( T:6` 4is been decisive
and immediate; but tinai),.Wilis
e:riqulred ere the ex-
isting precautions can be open
" A. French war schoo er the eieuee, Captain
Marc, arrived here on T
" The French steamer ;of;: eur, Captain
Re,2,reny, arrived in the river Yesterday, Wand the c)in-
mander immediately p'aced his vessel at the disposal of
the Government.

" The Portuguese immigrants were brought over to
this colony as labDurera to work on the sugar estates,
but being very thrifty, ini-!ustr:otis, and bard-working
men, they have contrived to save enough in a few years
to start in business as shopkt epers and merchants on
their own account, wad generally they have been very
successful. Their shops, which are scattered all over
the colon!, have been a great boon to the, iecialering
populat'on, and have been the means of cheapening all
the nec,ssaries of life. And now that they are closed in
all the country districts, and their contents pillaged, the
rural r opu ation, which depended entirely upon them
for a!1 their sipplies, will Le reduced to the greatest dis-
tress, and, in many case=, to absolute starvation. By
their lawless outrages the negroes have prepared a rod
for their own backs, and they themselves will now most
kenly feel the punishment of their misdoings.
"An ordinance has been pas,ed authorising the Go-
vernor to enrol and call out the

"The steamer Tyne has been despatched to Barba-;
does for alLtion9.l troops, and is expected to return in a
day or two.

" Serious disturbances Lave taken place at gneents-
town and tlle other parts of Essequibo, the Arabian
Coat, and on the islands of Levan and Wakesaam."
_ .

Regarding the commercial state of the colony
the Gazette says :
"The weather dui ing the past fortnight has continued
very dry, with on:y an occasional passing shower. The
estates are greatly iu want of water, and the growth of
the sag !cane is retarded by the el,mr;-coatinued drought_
The work on the estatus is almost entirely suspended,
in cousequence of the disturbances; which have taken
place thr..‘ughout five colony.
"The exports from this colony dor:az the past fort-
nig'it have been very small. Sugar 603 hogsheads, 53
tierces, 179 barrels ; ruin 278 puncheons' 71 hogsheads,
46 barrels ; molasses, 214tVuncheous, 7 barrels; rice,
600 bags ; charcoal, 100 barrels ; Greenheart timber,
225 logs.

"These is a complete stagnation of trade among the
merchants in Water street, owing in part to the usual
dullness at this time of the year, but chiefly in conse-
quence of the disturbed state of the community."
Intelligence from Jacmel has been received to
the 28th ult. The Emperor Soulouque had re-
turned to Port-au-Prince with his army, after
having passed a few days at Cape Ilaytian to review
his troops, after the ineffectual attempt to unite
the two portions of the island under one flag. One
of the Jacinel regiments returned to Jacmer on the
28th. All was quiet in Port-au-Pprince, and it
was hoped that business would soon recover from
the stagnation into which it had been thrown by
the late events. It was reported that the French
and British conuls would take immediate steps to
bring about, if possible, some amicable arrangement
between the Haytiaus and Spanish side of the
island. The refusal of the Ilaytian soldiers to fight
against the Dominicans proves clearly that the
people wish for a peaceful solution of the question.
Coffee was scarce, at 133 per 100 lb. ; cotton, 116
per 100 lb. ; logwood, 80 per I,ooolb. ; doubloons,
270 each.

Our dates from Jamaica are to the 27th ult.
Our correspondent says :
" The steamer with the Jamaica mails was four days
beyond her time ; the Tyne with the outward mails to
St. Thoma,'s having encountered very severe weather
duriog theyoyage._
_

" The Ilotise-of Assembly was still in session doing
very little business, and was expected to be prorogued
in a few days. The Executive Committee appear to have
rendered themselves really obnnxiOus. This is attributed
to the unpopular measures which they introduced at the
commencement of the present session of the Legislature,
whereby they were obliged to submit to several defeats.
They virtually broke down in introducing their budget.
It was designated a complete failure, upon which tuey
should have immediately tendered their re..igcation.
" The island is very healthy, and we have had strong
indications every day of rain without the benefit of any.
The weather was sultry, as is usual at this season of the
year.

" Much sympathy is felt for Sir J. Rowe, K.C.8., for
many years chief justice of the island, consequent on his
retirement from office under the new judicial bill which
has recently passed the Legislature. Subscriptions are
being got up through the country fur ithe purpose of
presenting him with a testimonial previously to his de-
parture, and valedictory addresses have also been pre-
sented to him from the bar, as well as other public
bodies, expressive of the estimat►on in which the worthy
chief is Leld by every :section of the community. In the
Jamaica markets alewives were very scarce. Butter dull.
The stock of cornmeal was very light, and there were no
sales to report in bread. A large sale of Baltimore flour
had been effected at 445. Other articles without change.
Exchange for bills on London at 90 days was quoted at
1 per cent. pm. ; GO days, 1 x ; 30 days, 2 per cent. pm.
The following vessels of war were at Port Royal :—'The
Termagant, Malacca, Argus, Eipiegle, Hermes, and
Imaum."

From Barbadoes we learn that the Legislature
was in session. Beyond this nothing to roport.
At Trinidad the weather was favourable to the
crops, and there were no complaints of a scarcity
of labour.

From Grenada we receive intelligence of the
opening of the House of Assembly for the first time
under the New Reform Act. The question of
altering the constitution of the island was again
suggested by the local executive, but had not gained
much popularity. A.message from the Governor-
in-Chief to the House of Assembly at Barbadoes
invited the Legislatures of St. Vincent and Grenada
to appoint delegates to confer with him upon the
best measures for improving the political and finan-
cial condition of those islands. The Legislature
stood adjourned to the 11th March, when the
Money Bill fur the current year would be intro-
duced, and it was proposed to raise the sum of
18,0001. Fine weather prevailed, but trade was
dull. The manufacture of sugar was being pro-
ceeded with vigorously. Want of rain had done
serious injury to many large fields of plants.
Her Majesty's ship Vestal had arrived at St.
Lucia with Governor Hineke's commission.