The Sun.
London, England, 1832-02-23 00:00:00

No. 16.

- Y. S. Estate, Jan. 1, 1832.
Mv Lone,--I did myself the honour of addressing your Ex-
cellency yesterday evening from the post at New Savannah ;
since which I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of
the militia general orders of date the 30th ultimo, which
were handed to me on my way to this post, and from which I
observe that your Excellency has further honoured me by plac-
ing the Hanoiter Regiment under my command. I beg to
assure your Lordship the orders shall be strictly attended to.
It is now my duty to inform- your Excellency that two corn_
panics Of St. Elizabeth'sregiment, viz : the grenadiers,under the
command of Captain Stone, and the sth battalion company, under
the command of Capt. Hinlayson, were ordered up last evening
to Ipswich estate, and Ginger hill plantation, both in this
parish,'(the Warks of which properties had been burnt doWn)
where they found the rebels in great force, and attacked them.
As far at can yec be ascertained, twenty of them were killed,
and many prisoners made; they retreated leaving many stands
of arms, and a great quantity of ammunition was found in their
houses. Fortunately the attack took place at the moment it
did, as they were preparing to come down here to attack this
post; and so confident were they of success, that they had
provided a great quantity of meat, liquor, &c., for a feast,
on their-return to Ipswich. The bravery of these two companies
will, I hope, in some measure, restore confidence to the
community,- and be the nieins of preventing other news' oes from
joining the disaffected party, which I apprehend theunfortunate
retreat 'of Colonel Grignon has caused many -to do. lam
happy to say the overseer of Ginger-hill was released, after
having been for eight days a prisoner of the rebels. His evi-
dence
which has been taken, will disclose to your Lordship
some of the causes which appear to have led tolhese unhappy
disturbances arnangi the slaves, who had gone so far as to accuse
the GovernMent of supporting them against the whites ; which
idea alone must have produced a wonderful effect upon the
minds of the -slave population generally, and must be removed
before they can be restored to a state of subjection and tran.
quillity. I therefore anticipate much good from the appear-
ance of his Majesty's troops being brought against them, which,
I trust, will be the means of saving many lives, and preserving
much valuable property.
It is iny intention to move detachments from the different
regiments under my command, into the disturbed districts, and
to follow up the advantages we have already gained, which, I
hope, will meet the approval of your Excellency.
1 have, &c.
(Signed) D, ROBERTSON, Major-General.
To his Excellency Somerset Lowry Earl of Belmore, Captain_
General, &c. &c.

No. 17.

Y. S. Saint Elizabeth, Jan. 2, 1832, Half.past
Two o'clock, P.M.
Stk—i did myself the honour of addressing you yesterday,
since which I have received your despatches, of date the 31st
December, and Ist lanuary, which shall have my particular at-
tention. - Inclosed I beg leave to forward you the deposition re-
ferred to in my despatch to his Excellency the Governor yes-
terday. Since the defeat of the rebels in this quarter on Sa_
turday evening, a company was advanced to occupy the district
which they had quitted.
lam sorry to say discontent is spreading generally in this pa_
rish, as the slaves oil many properties, as well as those under my
own controul, have refused to return to their labour this day.
From the examination of the prisoners we have taken, I
have discovered the names of some of the rebel commanders,
viz., Colonel Gardiner, belonging to the Greenwich estate;
Captain Dove, belonging to Belvidere ; Captain Johnson, be-
longing to Retrieve ; and General Ruler Sharp, alias Daddy
Ruler Sharp, director of the whole, and preacher to the rebels.
I have deemed it advisable to offer a reward of three
hundred dollars to any free person or maroon, and
freedom, with an annuity for life, to any slave who will bring
in, dead or alive, either of these ringleaders of the rebels. A
confirmation of the above from head-quarters will have a very
great effect as soon as it obtains publicity by proclamation, for-
warded immediately to the disturbed districts. The prisoners
are increasing so rapidly, that in order to secure them it will be
necessary to have them lodged on board one of his Majesty's
ships. I am most anxiously looking fur a detachment of regular
troops in this quarter.
I am happy to say the maroons, who came to head-quarters
last night, have gone home for their arms, and I expect them to
join us during the day.
I am sorry to observe the remark you make respecting the
delay in forwarding the despatches. I can assure you it does
not take place within my district.

(Signed)
W. Bullock, Esq.

I have, &c.
D. ROBERTSON.
Major-General.

No. 18.
Deposition on oath of Wm. Annand, Overseer of Ginger hill

Plantation, in the parish of St. Elizabeth.

Y. S. Estate, Ist Jan., 1832.
Having received information from Mr. James Campbell,
overseer on y. S. estate, with whom I had lived as book,-keeper,
that the slaves from Ginger-hill to Belvidere estate, in Saint
James's, intended to disarm the white people during the Christ-
mas holidays, and advising me to come down to Y. S. estate, as
he intended keeping all his white people together there, I was
much surprised at such information, having seen nothing in the
conduct of the slaves belonging to Ginger.hill to induce me to
tissuspect any thing of this kind. I did not go down, being sa-
fied by the behaviour of the people that the information was
morning, the 28th of December, when they were ordered to
• turn out to work, seeing several of the slaves about the house,
• j asked what they wanted; a slave belonging to Ginger-hill,
named Wm. Buchanan, said they had come-to beg Busha
for to-dagiveny, as Sunday was Christmas-day.
.. I said I had
already orders to the wanted was to driver to that effect; all that I
see them turn out, and see they were all there,
and they should have the remainder of the day. With this they
seemed dissatisfied, and no thanks were returned. I went into
r the house, and was followed immediately by the said slave,
[ William Buchanan, who-laid hold of me, saying, " Busha,
1 you now my prjsonere'.and called for his accomplices, namely,
William Arnold, Charles Longmore, George Barrett, Alexander
bill
Thomas Medley, and Johnny, all slaves belonging to Ginger-
, . On• enctillrieg what wis the matter, they said they had
worked long enough as slaVes, and intended now to fight for
their freedom, which had been long promised them; that all
7.. they wanted of me was to deliver up my arms, and whatever
powder I .had ; then I might remain undisturbed on the pro..
perty as long as I chose, provided I did not interfere against
them. I endeavoured to reason with them on the iinpro_
priety of such conduct, but to no effect ; they said that I knew
[
as well Di themselves that Jamaica was now free, and
pelf the estates from there to Montego Bay were burnt
doWn the night before ; that they were obliged to assist their
brethren In-this work of the Lord ; that this was not the work
of man alone, but they had assistance from God. * I saw that a
refusal of their demand was useless, and delivered up my arms,
and what powder I had in the house. They then departed, ad-
vising me not to remove from the house, as if I attempted it, I
should certainly be shot by some of their guards wh
house,
owuesree
posted on all sides of the property: I . remained inthe
and observed them through the day bringing in arms from the
settlers around.
On Thursday, the 29th, I saw a great many strange negroes,
who, as I understood, belonged to Chesterfield, Retrieve, Rich-
mond-hill, and Belvidere, some of them with firearms, and
others with lances, cutlasses, &c. . They had scouts posted on
• all the hilli' around, from the Y. S. estate, extending towards
, saint James's to give them •notiee of the approach of the
militia. -On seeing a company of the Saint Elizabeth's
regiment, marching up to Ipswich, estate, they suspected,
from the notice they had received from their scouts, that the
said company was moving towards Ginger-hill, and collected all
together a_narrow defile, called John's River, to await their
approach. As soon as they found the company had gone to Ipswich,
they returned to Ginger-hill. About one, p.m., it was hinted
ID lie that they intended burning the buildings on the place that
• night.' 1 went for the head driver, who came, and about three
o'clock, P., on seeing i strong party of them moving towards
the housei.he (the driver) adviied me to follow him, save my
own life, and mind nothing else; I did so, and he conducted me
;„, to the house of a freeman named Crawford. I was informed,
[ that, on coining to the house, they in for me, and expressed
~ tnemselves happy that I had gone awav, as they intended setting
I:tire to the place immediately. They then went to the negro-
. houses, and in half an hour retur, taking away every move-
, • able thing out of the lanuse and stores, which they accomplished
,1: by dusk, and aterWards set fire to all the buildings. About
~. seven or eight o'clock ,a Tarty of them came to the; house
or Crawford, where
.I was, forced his arms from him,
and brandishing their cutlasses, over my head, and pointing
their Musket; at me, made me swear that I would never stand
• betsseen them atidtheir rights. The active person in this scene,
• and who seemed to have the command of them, was a slave
yarned Samuel Sharp, belonging, I was told, to T. G. Grey,Esq , of
f-- F? Y d on. in St. James's, and %Om, I understand, is a ruler (so
I lied >ft tie sect of the Baptists. He said he did not wish to
to_,,e,!,Way the Ilfe'a any penal who did net stand between him
snu rui _ights i that it was bid later); thit he had begun to know
0= or rvligion but that Ile now knew, and I knew as Well:that
freedom as their right, and freedom they would have; that
'eters had 1
i,,,,r thatth:ng aro been lent out from England to that effect,
Peoore of Jamaica kept them as slaves, without any
„tit hority for dolt, to show that from so. He said a great deal More all tend-
ing •__, • the religious notions he had inibibed, he
_nceiveu that the AaveS had •htto be free.
co , t day-light on the morning rolgft'riclaT the f.ifledh tiltimeo_, the
. ii,iidings. of Ginger.hill were
nf crawtord, haring bfti, warned as es' , remain t attth.f ho °pted to make ray esea_,_ lsibyt tr.urebte)lst ha , I
at-
at,
companypa:tof them, j i''
Unden,toodc:uwedn)tethia killed
the hlepti;gwutacirtid,s. A
but,
5ee,,1,1f,; th e u i n't.g.a?.iitia there, returned, leaving a few hands ,
to
r'i,ig the night. or that estate, should an opportunity offer I
du" the morning i
of Saturday the 31st, three of tlie party, named i
On

SVillinitl Buchanan, S. Barrett, belonging to Ginger-hill, and G.
Little, belonging to Mistress Milne, gone off the country, came
to rne, two of them with fire-arms, and the other with a sword :
' I asked William Buchanan what he wanted ; he said, here is the
c.iptain, pointing to G. Little. I then asked the latter what he
wanted ; he' said, pointing his sword to my breast, that they
would give me my choice, whether I would give up my life or my
authority on Ginger-hill, which latter they demanded in ' writ-
ing ; that they intended itresentingit at Black River with others.
I gave them an acknowledgment under my hand, that I had given
up the charge of the place ; they then warned me to take
care what I had written, as they had a man below who would read
it to them, and if they found any thing wrong in it, they would
pay me another kind of visit. The said George Little said that
they had lost one of their profession and now intended chewing
less mercy than they had done; he said also, in a boasting man-
ner, that he with two others had burnt down the buildi,gs of
Ipswich the night previous, driving the whole guard before them,
and they intended entering Saint Elizabeth's on New-year's-day
with two hundred men. .William Buchanan said (in addition
to what has already been deposed) that the whites considered the
ships of war on their side, but that now they found it was other-
wise, for that they were dispersing the white guards wherever
they were collected all round the island, and landing boxes of
black sand (meaning, I suppose, gunpowder) for the slaves.
About three or four o'clock on the afternoon of this day, a
slave, named George Crawford, belonging to Ginger-hill, who
had been forced against his will to join the rebels, came running
to me, saying, that the white guard had come to Ginger-hill,
taken the negroes by surprise, dispersed them all, and set fire to
the negro houses. In fifteen minutes afterwards the grenadier
company of the St. Elizabeth's regiment appeared, and rescued
me from my perilous situation.
During the time of these disturbances, I was told by a slave,
named Susannah Crawford,' belonging to Ginger.hill, that she
heard from Anne Laye, a free person of colour, living near
Ginger-hill, and a member of the Baptist persuasion, that a Mr.
Burchell, a Baptist missionary, who had gone off the country
last year, had arrived at the foot of Montego Bay, on Wednesday
or Thursday se'nnight, that he had shewn himself to none, but
remained concealed on board a Spanish vessel or some vessel.of_
war. That he did not intend landing until this affair was set-
tled, but had written to his deputies that his dearly beloved child.
ren must not regret his absence, for that he would be to them a
pillar of iron, and would always be their support That they
must shed no blood, for life was sweet, easy to be taken away,
but very hard to give.
_

So help me God.
(Signed) WM. ANNAND.
Sworn before me this 2d day of January, 1832.
(Signed) D. ROBERTSON, Custos.

• No. 19.
A PROCLAMATION,
By his Excellency Somerset Lowry Earl of Belmore, Captain-
General and Governor-in-Chief of this our Island of Jamaica,
and other the Territories thereon depending, in America,
Chancellor and Vice-Admiral of the same, &c. &c.
Whereas it has been ascertained that certain incendiaries have
been employed to poison the minds of the slaves in some parts of
the island, anti to induce them to be guilty of acts of outrage and
insubordination ; and whereas it is necessary that the ringleaders
of this disturbance should be brought to condign punishment, I
do hereby, in his Majesty's name, offer a reward of three hundred
dollars to any person or persons who shall apprehend either of the
following slaves:—
A slave calling himself Colonel Gardiner, belonging to Green-
wich estate, Hanover—A slave calling himself Captain Dove,
belonging to Belvidere estate, St. James's.— A slave calling him-
self Captain Johnson, belonging to Retrieve, St. James's.—And
General Ruler, Samuel Sharp, of Tharp, alias Daddie Ruler
Sharp, or Tharp, director of the whole, and styled also Preacher
to the Rebels, belonging to Craydon estate, St. James's.
And in order to afford encouragement to such slaves who may
be disposed to assist in apprehending the aforesaid rebels, I do
hereby promise his Majesty's most gracious pardon to any slave
or slaves who may be disposed to assist in such purpose, except
those who have been actually guilty of setting fire to the works
or houses on different properties, or attempted the life of any
pecceable inhabitant.
Given under my hand and seal at arms, at Saint Jago de la
Vega, this third day of January, Anno que Domini, one
thousand eignt hundred and thirty-two, and in the second
year of our reign. BELMORE.
By his Excellency's commapd. W. BULLOCK, Sec.
GOD SAVE THE KING.

No 20.

• Montego Bay, Jan. 2, 1832.
My Lonn,—l have the honour to acquaint your Excellency I
arrived here yesterday and found the town in the greatest con_
fusion and panic, from the apprehensions they have been under
of its being the intention of the negroes to lire it every night,
and from the immense destruCtion of property that has taken
place all around this place.
Colonel Grignon (whose report, No. 23, Unclose) has been in
collision with the negroes, and his regiment gallantly repulsed
them, when attacked by a large body at Montpelier; but the
following morning he retired upon Montego Bay, not being in
sufficient force to occupy the post. This has obstructed the com-
munication with Savanna-la-Mar, by the direct road, but I shall
take immediate steps to have it re-established, and have directed
Lieutenant-Colonel Williams to move up on his side to Haddo
and Crown Tavern. I shall send a force of King's troops to ac-
company. some companies of Colonel Grignon's regiment to
Montpelier Barracks ; this will effect, I hope, the above object of
opening the road to Savanna-la-Mdr.
I have relieved apprehension, and quieted the feeling of alarm
here; but the eastern part of Hanover, and the whole of the
northern portion of St. James's, are in open revolt, and almost
the whole of the estates destroyed, and the negroes gone boldly
away. In conjunction with the advice of the custos, Mr. Bar-
rett, I have issued the proclamation I herewith enclose, which
we hope will bring in the well.disposed, as we hear from all
quarters that terror prevents a large body from returning; and I
have been solicited by the most influential proprietors to issue it.
I have sent regulars to Irwin and Latium, as they are well dis-
posed there, and this will protect these points, and others in tho
neighbourhood, which are not as yet free.
It becomes my painful duty to acquaint your Excellency that
circumstances render itabsolutely necessarythat I should autho-
rise the assembling a general court-martial to try some villainous
ringleaders who have been proved to have be n the most active
incendiaries, and the Court have sentenced two men to be shot,
and two women; the sentence upon the men, as immediate
example is both politic and necessary, I hay.. confirmed, and
they suffered this morning; the women I have respited till
pleasure.
My object will be to employ the troops in such a manner as to
prevent as far as practicable the horrid incendiary system from
spreading, and the spirit of rebellion from contaminating the
districts now tranquil. It will be obvious to your Excellency the
utter impossibility of affording parties of military to every estate.
It would fritter away. the troops, and render them liable to be
beat in detail, nor would ten thousand men be sufficient to do
it. Whenever I can ascertain where they are collected, I shalt en.
deavour t+trike a blow by simultaneous movement that will have
a desired effect, but there the difficulty rests; for, from accounts
I have received, that are to be depended upon, they are moving
every hour from one place to another. I think from accounts
that have reached me since commencing this despatch I may
venture to hope that in my next despatch I may acquaint your
Excellency that the severe example made, and the manifesto
issued, will have had the best effect.

To receive the assurance that your Excellency approves of the
measures I have been und.r the absolute ne: es iity of adopting,
will be highly satisfactory to, My Lord,
Yckr L )1 d ,hip's obedient servant,
(Signed) WILLOUGHBY COTTON,
Major-General Commanding.

No. 21.

liesd.q.isrters, Montego Bap, St. James's, Jan. 2, 1832.
To the Rebellious Slaves.

NegrOes,—You have taken up arms against your masters, and
have burnt and plundered their houses and buildings. Some
wicked persons have told you that the King has made you free,
and that your masters withhold your freedom from you. In the
name of the King I come amongst you to tell you that you are
misled. l bring with me numerous forces to punish the guilty,
and all who are found with the rebels will be put to death with-
out mercy. You cannot resist the King's troops. Surrender
yourselves, and beg that your crime may be pardoned. All who
yield themselves up at any military post immediately, provided
they are not principals and chiefs in the buntings that have been
committed, will receive his Majesty's gracious pardon. All who
hold out will meet with certain deaths.
(Signed) WI LLOUG HBY COTTON,
Major-General Commanding.
GOD SAVE THE KING.

No. 22.
Kensington,—five miles from Maroon Town burnt, and all the
places around, with the undermentioned Estates
Flamstead, Potosi, Spring.mount, Hampton,
Williamsfield, Worcester, Retirement, Carthagena, Leyden,
Guilsbro', Windsor, Adelphi, Passly, Moor-park, Leogawe,
Kirkpatrick hall, Palmyra, Windsor-castle, Roehampton, An-
chovy-bottom, Montpelier N. W., Montpelier O.W. Seven-rivers,
Richmond-hill, Lap'ani', Beltint, Hazlerymile, Belvidere, Green-
wich,York, Chester Castle, Argyle, Sodnall, Copse, Lethe, Eden,
Childermas, Wiltshire, Spring-garden, Unity-hall, Welcome,
Haddington, F riendship, Content, New-mile, Bamboo, Flint-
river, Success.

No. 23.

Upton, Montego Bay, .Jan. 2.
Sts,—l take the earliest opportunity, after your arrival here,
to detail to you the proceedings of the western interior regiment
under my command.
Having received information, on the 24th ultimo, of an in-
tended insurrection of the slaves in the West Interior district, I
felt it my duty to assetn! le the regiment immediately, and I am
glad to find that his Excellency the Captain-General approved of
my having done so.
On the 25th, I sent out parties in search of arms and ammu-
nition, and brought in a few arms, and a considerable quantity
of powder, but it being generally of the coarse description, re-
quired for blasting, and unfit for muskets, I thought it most pru-
dent to destroy some of it.
Having received intelligence on the 26th, that a considerable
number of slaves had assembled in different quarters, 1 thought
it proper to remove a few men I had at Shettlewood, where my
headquarters were established, to Belvidere, in order to concen-
trate the regiment as much as possible.
On the 27th 1 received information that it was tho-i,tention
of the rebels to attack the posts which I held, with large bodies,
and I therefore thought it proper to order the Belvidefe division
to form a junction with the main body at Great Rive?. Previous
to my quitting Belvidere, I had also heard that the negroes in-
tended to commence .a system of incendiarism on this night, and
observing fires to a great extent, which I had heard previously
were to take place, induced me, coupled with the former infor.
mation, to unite the regiment as before stated. During this
night fires .took place at Belvidere, Hazlerymple, and Seven
Rivers.

On the 28th a detachment of my regiment marched to Bel-
videre, and surrounded the negro houses, but I found none of the
negroes, and their property was removed. Not having heard fur-
ther from the commanding-othcerof the Westmorland regiment,
and as the barracks at Great River were quite insufficient for the
accommodation of the regiment, I decided upon removing to
Montpelier old works, to form a junction with the detachment of
the St. James's regiment, promised by Colonel Lawson.
On the 20th I received information that a large body of negroes
were assembled at Chester Castle, and I proceeded with a detach-
ment of the regiment to that place, having first given directions
to the officer commanding the Westmorland detachment to meet
me there with one company. The negroes had however fled, and
I saw nothing of the Westmorland detachment. On my return
to quarters, I observed the negroes at Montpelier new works, as-
sembled in a large body, setting tire to the trash-houses. I imme-
diately ordered the detachment, who were all mounted, to dash
into the mill-yard, and the rebels were dispersed. In this attack
(I understood from information afterwards received) there were
two of them killed and one wounded. Upon thisoccasion 1 have
to notice that Ensign Beanie, with a small advanced detachment,
was extremely active, and throughout the whole duty which the
regiment had to perform, I was ably supported by this officer.
Upon say arrival at quarters, I found the company of the
Saint James's regiment had arrived under the command
of Captain Ewart, at about five o'clock. At about
seven o'clock the rebels advanced upon us in four columns. The
first body moved upon the trash-houses, to one of which they set
fire, and became engaged with Captain Ewart's company and
picquet;.guard of the western interior under Ensign Gibbes.
fhe Officers and men behaved in the most gallant manner, and
shortly dispersed the enemy. This division, from the statement
of Captain Ewart, consisted of about forty men. The three other
divisions attacked the main body of the W. I. regiment, who had
been formed into solid square, and kept up a considerable firing
of musketry Upon them. 1 he regiment reserved their fire until
the rebels had advanced within thirty or forty yards, when they
commenced ii•very rapid fire, which continued for about twenty
minutes when the enemy dispersed in all directions. One
body of the enemy who attacked by . the main road, could .not
have consisted 0f less than two. hundred men ; the nuin_
bers in the other divisions I could not judge of, as they
were covered by a stone wall fence and the hill-house, but both
divhionsaappeared to have many fire-arms. Where all behaved
with so much gallantry, it would be invidious to name ally indi-
vid,,M, at the same time I cannot omit mentioning that Mr.

Rhodes Evans, a gentleman resident in the W.l. district, and
who had volunteered his services, distinguiihed _him_ and I
am under great obligations for his able assistance. I must also
state that I'was much indebted to Captain I3ilMe fortis judici.
ous suggestions to me during and after the engagement. I re-
gret to add, that in this encounter, we had one man killed and
fi.ur wounded, and Major King's and Serjeant Siwell's hats were
shot through, hut they received no injury. I could not learn the
e' act number of the rebels killed and wounded, but r Understood
afterwards that they admitted they had lost 'ten *then killed and
twenty-five wounded. The company, of the S,:aint James's regi-
ment, together with the W. 1., lay under arms the remainder of
the night. _
_

On the 30th I ordered one of the companies of the Westmor-
land regiment to move up to Montpelier; but as I could place
no dependence on their doing so, from the correspondence which
I had with the officer commanding the detachment and as the
company of the Saint James's regiment most positively refused
to remain at the post, and being in want Of both ammunition
and provision, I called a meeting of the officers, and they were
unaninsopsly of opinion that I could not maintain the post, and
I therefore retreated with the whole body to Montego Bay. The
information received by the company from St. Jaines's was, that
an overwhelming body of negroes was colleCting in every quar-
ter around us, and I also received similar information. On my
arrival at Montego Bay, I was ordered by Coloneliiwson to de-
tach a company to Catherine-hall estate, and the remainder of
the regiment remained for the night at Upten, and without any
thing to eat.

Ou the 315t,•1 was ordered by Colonel LaWsen to move the
who'e of my force to support a 'detachment Of the' St. James's
regiment, at .Fairfield estate, and I did so (with the exception
of a few men left to guard the baggage) but found no detachment
there, and 1 therefore placed the regiment at Catherine-hall
estate, where it now remains, excepting one company, sent to
Fairfield by your orders.
You will observe, by the correspondence between the officers
of the Westmoreland regiment and myself, what sort of support
I could expect from them. I have also to add that the men have
been most wretchedly supplied with provisions, and little or no
assistance has been rendered to them. In fact, in one case, where
a cart had been engaged to carry up supplies to Montpelier, it
was appropriated to carrying those- fbr a division of the St.
James's regiment at Latium. •
_

Our arms are generally 'very inefficient, and seventy stand,
which had been purchased for the use of the W. I. regiment,
have been otherwise appropriated. I have also to notice that I
have not had time to cast a sufficient number of balls and to
make cartridges (the usual musket-ball and cartridge not suiting
the rifle-pieces), and several of the men have only the suit of
clothes on their backs, and which they have now worn four or
live days, their servants having been intercepted by the negroes
in attempting to carry their clothes to the guard, and a few of
the officers are nearly in the same situation.

The cartridge paper, which I lately received from the stores, is
so very bad that it cannot be used; and I must, therefore, re-
quest an order from you on Colonel Lawson, to supply me with
half a ream. I have, Fcc.,
(Signed) W. S. GRIGNON,
Col. West Int. Rest.

, No. 24.
Manchioneal, January 3, 1832.
MY Loan,—As a Magistrate of this district, I feel it my duty
to make known to your Lordship the state of insubordination
amounting, 1 may almost say, to rebellion, under which the
slave population labour.
I yesterday morning heard that my own people, as well as
those of four a.ijacent estates, had refined to go to their work.
I used every persuasion, but with no effect ;—every hour since
informs us of similar delinquency on the part of other estates ;
and from the manlier in which the insubordination first chews
itself, there can be no doubt but that it is organised upon a system.
To protect this district, fourteen miles in length, and containing
a population of three thousand slaveS, we have only one
company of militia for our protection, whose utmost
force I may estirrate at forty. 'We have sent to Port Antonio for
military assistance, but I fear the similar insubordination existing
there, will prevent the possibility of any assistance coming from
that quarter. I will venture to suggest that a Irmo-of-war of a
small class, with a detachment of troops on board, if speedily
sent round, may possibly restore tranquillity. , The harbour is
bad, but still is frequented by merchantmen ; at any rate, the
man-of-war may be in communication with the ves*l stationed at
Port Antonio. I have just heard that a number of disaffected
negro-men weremet last evening in the immediate neighbourhood
of those estates which first struck work, armed with cutlasses and
bills. I have, &c.

(Signed)

EDWARD PANTON.

No. 25.—(Copy.)
Montego Bay, Jan. 3, 1832, Midday.
bfs LORD,—The burnings are executed from signals on the
heights by moveable parties of negroes, not belonging to the
properties they set on fire, but the negroes on those properties
must be in the conspiracy, and co-operators when these men
arrive, otherwise they have the me,Jas of preventing their effect-
ing their purpose. The whole of the men shot yesterday stated
they had been told by white people for a long time past they
were to be free at Christmas, and that their • freedom order had
actually come out front England, but was withheld ; that they
had only to strike work en masse, and they should gain their ob-
ject. That the whole of the estates in Trelawny and St. James
hid agreed so to do; that if they were' attempted to be forced to
tun] out to work, they were then to fire the properties, but not
the canes or the provision. grounds, or their own huts; that this
would make the proprietors come to their terms. The above is
corroborated by the testimonTof several others now under trial
and in prison. The men brought by the Blanche' anded yester-
day evening, and I was enabled to send out four parties with
officers immediately to Fairfield, Belmont, St. Catherine's Mount,
and across the river to Maroon Town.

The incendiaries set on fire Belvidere, as Captain Smith's.
22d was moving up. He immediately moved upon them, routed
them in every direction, and killed about fifteen men. But the
fire could not be extinguished. These posts continue occupied,
nor is there a man to be seen of the negroes, as I am just re-
turned from thence. But the woods are so thick in the neigh-
bourhood, and the paths by which they retire impassable for
any quick movement of British to overtake them. Accounts
from Colonel Hilton, at Rio Ihieno, state as yet they are quiet.
but he is under apprehension for the estates of Lancaster,
Harmony-hall, Biddeford, Bengal, and Dornock.
He has his regiment at Rio Bueno, 180 men. I have desired
him to protect, as far as he can, these estates, which he will be
enabled to do, if others do not break out, Accounts from Fal-
mouth are satisfactory, and Lucia district as yet is quiet. The
communication with Maroon Town is now closed, as the rascals
from these environs have assembled there. To-morrow mornirg
I shall open the communication. Straggling parties of insur-
gents had got upon the Lucia road, and fired upon the dispatch
trooperS. I have opened this morning that road, but the fellows
were seen and .fled immediately into the woods, on seeing our
troops; therefore, as they may return when the patroles are
Away, and as it is impossible, except by dislodging them bodily,
to ensure safety on the roads, I .shallmake, as soon as I possibly
can, a forward movement altogether,• leaving with the navy
merely sufficient men to protect Montego Bay.
Combustibles were found in a house here belonging to the
wife of one of the men shot yesterday, and no doubt exists she
intended to fire it. She, with the incendiaries caught in the
fact, are now trying. The other prisoners, who amount to im,re
than one hundred, I have put at the disposal of the custos,
whose opinion is, in which I coincide, that those not actively im-
plicated as incendiaries, with the women, had better be dis-
missed in the interior, with some copies of the paper issued here.
(A copy of which I sent your Excellency yesterday.) The Com-
modore, who is most zealously active in wishing to co-operate in
every way with me, has permitted nearly one hundred and fifty
sailors and marines to land every evening, and be placed as
picquets on the roads leading from the town, and the fort is
under their charge. This is to me of the greatest assistance.
Further than this, he has by row-boats protected the bay
and shores. The Blossom. is at Savannah-la-Mar, aid has
atlbrded assistance by marines and others to the town.
If from any further accounts your Lordship may receive that
that part of the country is still threatened I would beg you
would order Colonel M'Leod to send one hundred men from
Kingston and its neighbourhood, if you are all quiet there. But
recollect the importance of Fort Augustus, and the environs of
Kingston and Spanish Town, and lam sure you will agree with
me that it is absolutely requisite to have a large force disposable
there, should symptoms stew themselves there.
I have, &c.

(Signed) WILLOUGHBY k COTTON.
The Earl of ►lelmore. Major-Lieneral Commanding.
The general court-martial have condemned two other negroes,
and the woman to be hung. The evidence is so direct, I have
Viought it my duty to confirm the sentences. I received every
assistance from the custos.

I cannot communicate with Accompory, except by General
Robertson, with safety. I have written to Colonel Hilton to
call upon the Maroons to send a force to Belfont, and to Cut off
the insurgents from passing the Great River, and to offer three
hundred dolla,s for their bringing in any of the chiefs of the In-'
surrection : they are known to General Robertson. If the Ma-
roons wi❑ cover the Great' River from Chesterfield to Dacket'
Spring, we prevent them effectually from ente•lug Westmore-
land. General Robertson occdpies Nassau, St. Elizabeth. I find
the greatest difficulty in acquiring the means of moving pro-
cisions, which alone prevents my moving this day
. (Signed) W. S. C.
•
No. !.:13.—(Copy.)
• Montego Bay, Jan. 3, 1831
' • •

Sia,—l have received your despatch, announcing the ciecla.
ration of martial law, as soon as it came to hand, being Sunday
afternoon, the Ist instant'; I caused proclaination to be made
accordingly, and the rules and articles of war to be read to the
militia under arms.

The Major-General will inform his Excellency respecting the
mllitary bperations.
The militia to a man are zealous and loyal, no praise can be too
high for their courage and conduct. •
Yesterday Bellefield estate was destroyed, being within three
miles of the town; an officer and twelve men were stationed
there, but were driven off by numbers. A detachment of the
21:d on the next estate (Fairfield) marched upon the _rebels, but
too late to save the buildings ; however they killed twelve of
them, and must have wounded many. The Ramble (the great
house of Benefield, and on the hal above it) was burnt at the
sauce time.

It is supposed that a hundred plantations and settlements are
already in ashes. Ifthe rebellion spreads, our force is quite in_
sufficient to put it down ; all depends on the moral ettbete of the
eniplo:v inent of the King's troops.
Sir \\ illoughby has put forth a proclamation offering a pardon
to ali but principals and chiefs ; I have some hopes that, backed
by an imposing three, and the many losses the rebels have already
suffered, this measure will cause amongst them differences and
suspicions of each other, if it answers no other purpose. , Aa yet
the insurgents hate exhibited the most wretched cowardice.
Captain George Gordon has done much mischief from his post at
Latium; he has cestroyed the negro-houses of many properties,
when the negroes had first destroyed the works.. Five rebels have
been tried by court-martial and shot; a woman, also condemned
was spared. I think she should he hanged. I learn from Major
Campbell that, assisted by a party of the 22d, he has held out at
Schawearth. He states many negroes are fleeing into the woods
where they must soon starve. I have, Itc.,
(Signed) RD. BARRETT, Custos.
W. Bullock, Esq. • "

No: 27.

Head-quarters, Montego Bay, Jan. 4, 5 P. al.
ALT LORD,.—I have the honour to acknowledge your Excel-
lency's despatches, with, inclosures, of the 3d (yesterday), and
feel gratified that the measures I have taken have met your
Lordship's approbation, I am i o advocate for severe measures,
if they can possibly be avoided ; but where example is necessary
the sooner it is made the more effect it will have ; and these in-
famous wretches have not only set the properties on fire, but
their cruelty in various instances has been excessive, besides
being at this moment in rebellion.
lam now happy, my Lord, to give you satisfactory accounts from
hence. The measures adopted, together with the proclamation
issued, has had the most extraordinary effect; I have this after-
noon received accounts from Pit(eur and Latium, stating the
negroes were coining in fast, and the road to Maroon Town
is open.- The attacks made yesterday, and the "number
they have lost in various affairs, which.l find is more consider-
able than I imagined, has spread a panic amongst them that has
cleared tbem from this nerghbourhocxl, and 1 think the move-
mint to-morrow v.il! stop any further depredations hereabouts.
I have closed Colonel Hilton upon Falmouth, and begged Gene-
ral Cox to send three companies to Rio Bueno; Colonel Clinton
will occupy, till further orders Diicans, Cambridge, and
Mountain Spring; my great object', will be to get them between
my columns.
I have begged the Commodore -(who has acceded directly)
to let a sloop of war moor immediately to the mouth of Great
River, and land a party of marines alai sailors to occupy
the post
of Roundinl I, from which Colonel Campbell Nal move at four
ta.morrow morniag. The road is perfectly open, but it is requi-
site to insure its continuance, and also come against Nzny
scoundrels that may lurk about some properties that sti I remain.
It appears beyond doubt that the burninas are conducted by re-
gular parties; they are dressed many in blue jackets and black
cross belts, some thus accoutred (four or five) were distinctly
seen yesterday by Caprain Burnett, who advanced, by his report
this morning, higher up the hills than I at first understood. He
addressed several parties who were standing within hail in groups,
and they hallowed " war, war :" he states that not more than 2+3

• were armed that he saw, who .fled with three or four hundred
milers, who were on the side of the hills : upon the sailors and
marinesßring. am= thus minute in detail that your Lordship
may be exactly aware of theirstate, '
I am-hippyyoUris.xcelency.has conferred the rank of Lieu-
tenant-General of Militia upon Colonel Macleod,. you could not
have placed•it2in better hands: • May I request your Excellency
would give the Major-Generalship of Ibis .district, now vacant;
to Col net CampCampbell,comanding-the -Hanover regiment • he is
- .A, m
an active serviceable man, And a very good officer, .and I am
cmfident you could not bestow it one so deserving in a military
sense. I told him I would recommend him, but he fears expence,
tli,ugh now he is willing to accept it, •
I have communicated with Generals Robertson and Crawford.
I will write to-morrow after receiving the reports. Should they
find the negroes in force at Seven Rivers, or in position in any
of that district, I shall conduct, personally, a reinforcement to
the point most essential, and attack them immediately.
I hope I shall be enabled to give your Excellency some satis-
factory accounts to-morrow ; with endeavouring to establish an
organized system of conducting affairs, and with being on my
horse to reconnoitre the real state of the country, I have had
scarce an instant to command to address my reports to your Lord-
ship, therefore I crave pardon for the hasty manner they may be
drawn up in. I have, &c.
• (Signed) WILLOUGHBY COTTON, M. G.
The Earl of Behnore.