The Sun.
London, England, 1832-02-22 00:00:00

course of the night a despatch arrived from General Robertson,
by which it appeared that the depredations committed by the
negroes in the parish of saint James had extended along the
great river towards the parish of Saint Elizabeth, and that the
estate of Ipswich had been threatened. The Officer command.
ing the Westmorland Regiment had posted two companies at en
estate called Haddo, and orders were given for the Saint Eliza-
beth's regiment to hold themselves in immediate readiness.
Further accounts from General Robertson informed me that
" the rebels were proceeding in the direction of Ipswich and
New Savannah, and that he had moved a large body of men
to oppose them." The following day he communicated to me
the destruction of Ipswich estate, with several others, and
thus concludes:—" I am of opinion that all the force in my
district is unequal to suppress the incendiarism and destruction,
without the co-operation of regular troops." At this time
General Robertson was not aware that Sir Willoughby Cotton
had proceeded with a force of troops of the line to Montego
Bay. Fifty men of the 77th regiment, and under the command
of Major John Wilson, with a supply of arms and ammuni-
tion, were embarked on board his Majesty's ship Rose, and
proceeded, on the 3d instant, to Black River. On the 3d
January I received another despatch from General Robertson,
inclosing the deposition of an overseer, who had been eight
days a prisoner of the rebels. A copy of this document and
of General Robinson's despatches (Nos. 16, 17, and 1S) are also
inclosed. The loss which the rebel negroes sustained at Ginger_
hill, I have every reason to hope may check the depredations
committed in that district. But I think it proper to issue the
accompanying proclamation (No. 19).
On the 3d instant, I received a despatch from Sir Willoughby
Cotton, informing me of his arrival at Montego Bay, as well
as the troops embarked on hoard his Majesty's ship Blanche. I
shall not curtail the impression the Major-General has trans-
mitted to me by making extracts from his despatch, I therefore
inclose it. (N 05.20, 21, 22, and 23-)

On the morning of the 4th, I received unfavourable accounts
from Portland, especially from Mr. Panton, a Magistrate and
proprietor in that parish, whose letter (No. 24) I inclose. Mr.
Panton appears to have laboured under feelings of much alarm.
I had, however, anticipated the necessity of checking any in-
subordination which might appear in that quarter, haying as-
sembled the Portland, St. George, and St. Thomas-in-the-East
regiments of militia before his letter arrived. Forty men also
of the 77th had been conveyed in the boats of the Champion
from Port Antonio to Manchioneal, under the command of
Captain Buchan ; and Colonel M'Leod, also in the absence of
Sir Willoughby Cotton, commander at Kingston, had ordered
Captain Tathwell, with thirty men of the 33d regiment, em-
barked on board of his Majesty's ship Hyacinth, to proceed to
Morant Bay, and from thence to march through a populous, and
as yet tranquil, district, where, however, the Saint Thomas-in-
the-East regiment were assembled to Manchioneal.
The appearance of this force will, I trust, be sufficient to
check any dispostion to revolt in that quarter. It is obvious,
however, from all the information that has been received, that
the negroes have been impressed with a general and firm belief
that after Christmas they were to be free. They will have
much to answer for who have deluded these unfortunate people
into expectations which have led to such scenes of devastation
and ruin, and which now recoiling on themselves, numbers
must expiate by their death. My chief attention, therefore, is
directed to maintain good order where quiet still remains, to
protect the well-disposed, and to be always prepared to as-
semble a strong disposable force, ready to act on the first ap-
pearance of insubordination.
To give greater efficiency in the direction of all military
affairs in this part of the island, I have given Colonel Macleod,
Deputy Adjutant-General on the Staff in this island, the rank
of Lieutenant-General of Militia, whereby I obtain the assist-
ance of an able and experienced officer, and extended his com-
mand over the militia, as well as over the troops of the line.
I also received despatches from Montego Bay, dated 3d in-
stant (No. 25). I have the heonour to inclose a copy of one from
Sir Willoughby Cotton, whereby it appears, that the burnings
still continued to be executed in concert, by signal from the
heights. That the leaders who bad suffered the day preceding
had all declared that they had been told by white people that
they were to be free at Christmas, and that by these people the
plan of insurrection had been arranged. That, in concurrence
with the custos of the parish (Mr. Barrett), prisoners to the
amount of one hundred not actually implicated as incendiaries,
with the woman, had been dismissed into the country with co-
pies of the proclamation before alluded to, numbered 21.
A despatch was also received from the custos of St. James, of
which I inclose an extract (No. 211) He speaks highly of the
conduct of the militia ; but, I lament to say, adds to the list of
destruction contained in list numbered 23, intimating the num-
ber of plantations and settlements destroyed to the amount of
one hundred.
From Morant Bay I received a letter from Colonel Dclpratt,
inclosing a despatch from Lieutenant-Colonel M'Cornock, of the
St. Thomas-in-the-East Regiment, containing nothing of suffi-
cient importance here to notice, but by which I collected this

important fact, that although the negroes on some estates had

refused to work, no act of destruction had been committed in
that quarter, with the exception of a trash-house, which had
been burned, but not ascertained to have been destroyed by de-

sign ; at any other time the information would have been suffi-
cient to have created great uneasiness in my mind, but now con-
trasting it with what is passing in the west end of the island, I
regarded it as rather satisfactory.
On the sth 1 received further accounts from Sir Willoughby

Cotton, dated the 4th, (No. 27) and I am happy to say their
contents began to wear a more satisfactory appearance. The
active measures he had adopted, together with the proclamation
he caused to be issued, he observes," had produced an extraor-
dinary effect ;" the negroes were coming in fast, and a commu-
nication opened to Maroon Town ; the loss the negroes had sus-
tianed created a strong panic, and a movement which the Major,
General proposed to make the following day, he imagined would
stop any further depredations in that neighbourhood. By the
same express a letter arrived from the custos of Trelawny, a
copy of which (No. 2S) is inclosed. I should hardly think it
necessary to transmit a copy of this letter from the custos to
your Lordship, did it not refer to a person of the name of Box,
who, I am informed, is a missionary from the Baptist Society,
and who has since been reported in custody in this town. I
have caused his removal to Falmouth to be delayed, and have
directed a letter to be written to the custos, a copy of which
(No. :3)) I inclose. lam as yet unacquainted with the charge
on which orders were issued for his apprehension at Falmouth ;
but the information received from the custos renders it at all
events necessary that he should be for the present detained ;
motives, however, of prudence and humanity caused me to in-
terpose a delay in hurrying him to trial at a moment when so
great excitement must necessarily prevail.
This morning, the 6th instant, I have had the satisfaction to
receive a despatch from Sir W. Cotton, dated Montego Bay,
January 5, 10 a. m., with still more favourable accounts, a copy
of which (No. 30.) I enclose. Tranquillity, he states, is fast
returning in the adjoining neighbourhood, and the negroes
coming in from all directions, desiring to avail themselves of the
promise of pardon offered in the proclamation. The roads to
Lucea and Maroon Town were open, and many proprietors and
attornies proceeding to visit their estates. Provisions, he states,
are scarce, but being infonned of that yesterday, I caused let-
ters to be written to the Mayor of Kingston, and the custos of
St. Mary, from whence I have no doubt a supply, if not already,
will be quickly sent
Sir W. Cotton expresses his astonishment I had not been
made acquainted with the determination of the negroes not to
work after New Year's day. Referring your Lordship to my
despatch of the 4th of August, I have now the honour to inclose
copies of two letters (Nos. 31 and 32), dated the 28th and 30th
of July, a4dressed to custodes of parishes, from none of whom
I received unsatisfactory accounts, nor has any complaint

reached me of insubordination amongst the slaves, or any dis-
position to insurrection, although the Members of Assembly,
from all parts of the island, had only separated, on adjournment,
from the heat of Government on the eve of the insurrection.

I send your Lordship the copy of a letter (B No. 33)._

have this day received from Commodore Farquhar, and it is
only due to that officer to declare that, in all my communica-
tions with him, he has always afforded me the most active assist-
ance and support in promoting the good of the public service.
When ft is considered how short a time Sir Willoughby Cot-
ton has been in the disturbed district, it is astonishing what
effect his presence and example have produced in the minds of
the insurgent slaves, whilst the pri,mptitpde and decision of his
operations, and the exemplary punishment he felt himself com-
pelled to inflict on the most atrocious offenders, have convinced
the great tmiis of the slave population that all further resist-
ance is unavailing; end the colony must ever acknowledge the
importance and ♦alue of his services.
Were Ito indulge my own personal feelings I might express
myself in a manner strongly indicating the consolation and
relief I have derived from his energy, and at the same time
discretion ; but in bestowing my humble meed of praise on an
officer of such distinction, I fear that I should render myself
liable to a charge of presumption in attempting to add any
thing to a reputation standing on such high ground as that of
Sir Willoughby Cotton.

I have, &c.
(Signed)
Right Hon. Viscount 4c.4l,:rich, &c.