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

No. 4.

SIR,—I have the honour to inclose an affidavit made by two
respectable individuals, and a copy of an application made to
Major Pennefather, at Maroon-Town, by which his Excellency
can observe the situation of this parish is extremely critical.
I have also received a letter from Mr. George Gordon, of
Moor-park estate in this neighbourhood, and of Windsor-lodge,
of which he is attorney, fully corroborating the affidavit ; in fact
so much information has been received here by the magistracy,
that no doubt can possibly be entertained of the determination
of the negroes to refuse to work after the holidays, and, on any
attempt to compel them being made, the white people were to
be destroyed, and the country set the to.
The information is of so convincing a nature, that I have
thought it my duty to lose no time in ordering out the whole
strength of this regiment to remain on duty at their respective
beats till further orders.

His Excellency I hope will permit me to request such in-
structions as he may be pleased to honour me with.

I have, &c.

;Signed)

William Bullock Esq. &c.

G. M. LAWSON, sen.
Col. St. James's. Reg.
December 25, Six o'clock, P. M,

No. 5. (Copy.)

JAMAICA, P. ST. JAMES'S.

Personally came and appeared before me, Robert .Stuart and
Alexander M'Kenzie, &qrs., who, being duly sworn, made
oath and said, that, from information received by these depo-
nents, they have every reason to believe that a general insurrec-
tion of the slaves en Adelphi, Content, Glasgow, Windsor_
lodge, Somerton, Paisley, and Palmyra estates, on Tuesday
evening, the 27th instant, will take place, with the intention of
burning the properties and murdering the free inhabitants
thereon.

(Signed) ROBERT STUART.
A. WEENZIE.
Sworn before me, this 25th day of December, 1831.
(Signed) GEO. GORDON.

St. James's, Dec. 2.5, IE3I

SIR,—It has just come to our knowledge, from the testimony,
upon oath, of several respectable witnesses, that a most exten-
sive conspiracy has been formed by the negroes of Adelphi,
Content, Glasgow, Windsor, Palmyra, and other estates, to
rise on Tuesday evening, the 27th instant ; the place fixed
on for the negroes to meet is Adelphi.works, where the
buildings are to be burnt, and the white people
murdered ; the conspiracy is so general that any militia
force that could be assembled would be probably ineffec-
tive, and by attempting to collect one at a given point, every
surrounding estate would be left deserted by its white residents.
We therefore call upon you, as the only means to save this part
of the island from tire and bloodshed, to send, without a mo-
ment's loss of time (for if it transpires that the whites have got
intelligence of this intended revolt, it will commence instantly)
a company of the '22d regiment, or such force as can be spared,
to Adelphi.works, there to remain till circumstances shall war-
rant their departure. We have, &c.
(Signed) GEO. GORDON,
ALEX. CAMPBELL.
Magistrates of the Parish of St. James.
To Major Pennefather, or Officer Commanding
`_`ld Regiment, Maroon Town.

ti*o. 6.

Court-house, Montego Bay, Dec. 19, 1531

SIR,— We, the undersigned magistrates, this day assembled
in special sessions, have to inform you, that from the disorderly
behaviour of the negroes on Salt Spring estate, in the neigh-
bourhood of this town, a guard of the militia has been stationed
on that property since Friday last. We consider it highly ne-
cessary, for the preservation of the public peace during the ap-
proaching holidays, that a company of the 22d regiment
should be stationed at the barracks in this town ; we therefore
require you, with as little delay as possible, to order the above_
mentioned force to be sent here, to remain for such period as
we may deem proper for the preservation of the public safety.
VITe have, &c.
Signed) LAWRENCE HISLOP.
JAMES GUTHRIE.
JOHN SHARP.
H. A. PLUMMER.
GEORGE CRAGG.
• W. REYNOLDS.
THOMAS JOSH. GRAY.
JAS. GORDOIki.
G. M. LAWSON, Sen.
GEO. GORDON.
WM. M. KERR.
GEORGE LONGMORE.
To Major Penneyfather, or Officer commanding
..2d Regiment, Falmouth.

No. 7.

Heads of Information received at the King's House,

relative to

the Disturbances on the North Side of the Island

Colonel Grignon, December 2fi, states—That insubordination
had appeared on Salt Spring estate, in St. James; that he had
ordered out the western interior regiment; that the negroes
were determined to strike work at Christmas, but no slaughter
to be committed, unless any of the rebels were killed in taking
the arms from the white people.
Colonel Lawson, November 27, states,—that an application
had been made by the magistrates of St. James to Major Penney-
father, requesting a detachment of the King's troops at Mon-
tego Bay ; states the disposition he had made of his regiment,
by which a line of post was established, and expressing his
doutjts how far the militia law would be sufficient to act with
effect, and suggesting the necessity of establishing martial law.
Colonel Campbell, Lucia, December 27, states,—that he had
ordered a guard to he kept at Fort Charlotte to protect the am-
munition ; and that, in consequence of a communication from
Colonel Lawson, lie called out the remainder of the regiment.
Colonel Tyler, Falmouth, December 27, states,—The alarm-
ing situation of the district about York estate, where the rebels
had bUrskt the trash-house, and as sufficient time was not af-
forded for sending the whole ie:,Timent, he was obliged to with-
draw the detachment he 'llad 'stationed ac 'iork.
The magistrates of St. James, December 27, transmitted,—
Three affidavits of no great importance, all, however, 'conCur-
-0
ring in , 44grrnination of the negroes not to work.
,t
aCt
eo:,o_nTe Colonel
states,—That
rlii ge non,
received 4 i
rg a t River Barracks, December '27,
..formaiicn that five hundred men
had assembled near Lapland, who had bound
solemn oath to obtain their freedom or die in the attempt; ri,..!
asking for 1 detachment of regular troops.
t4crn,eives
by a
Colonel Lawson, pecember 27, ten o'clock P. m. states,—That
since sun.set six fires have oeeri seen from the Court-house, at
Montego Bay, in the neighbourhood of Kensington, and ex-
-1
tending northerly to Content ; he feared the whole of the
east part of the parish would be destroyed before morning.
Collector, Montego Bay, December, 27, states,—That several

Area were ;ten, and giving Information much to the same pur.
pole as Colonel Lawson.

No. 8.

Head-Quarters, Spanish Town, December 29, 1831. M. G. 0.
His Excellency the Captain-General has received informa-
tion from the magistrates of St. James and Trelawny, that the
slaves on certain properties ih those parishes have manifested
a spirit of insubordination, and, in some instances, have pro-
ceeded to acts of outrage, which have excited his Excellency's
highest displeasure, and have exposed them to the utmost
rigour of the law. His Excellency, however, trusts, that his
Majesty's gracious proclamation will remove any erroneous im-
pressions which may have been received, and that they will
render themselves objects for the merciful consideration of the
Crown, by an instant return to their former habits of obedience
and duty.

His Excellency, however, is determined to employ a military
force against those who may be guilty of acts of violence or
outrage, which all their endeavours will be utterly unable to
resist. For this purpose his Excellency has requested the
Major-General commanding to proceed to Mcntego Bay with a
strong reinforcement of troops; and his Excellency delegates
to Sir Willoughby Cotton all the military authority he could
exercise were he personally present. His Excellency directs
all Major-Generals of militia commanding districts, and in
places not subject to the command of Major-Generals, all officers
commanding regiments of horse and foot, to consider them-
selves under the command of Major-General Sir Willoughby
Cotton, and to obey all his orders with zeal and alacrity.
Captains of forts, where depots of fixed ammunition are
established, will attend to any requisition the Major-General
may mail _

(Signed) EDWARD J. GREY,
Adjutant-General.

No. 9.

Falmouth, Trelawny, Dec. 28.
SIR,—It is with the deepest regret that I have to state to you,
for the information of his Excellency the Governor, that many
of the estates in this parish are at this moment in an actual state
of rebellion, and I believe nine-tenths of the whole slave popu-
lation have this morning refused to turn out to work ; the whole
country was in a blaze last night. Three trash houses were
burnt in this parish, viz. Pantrepant (in rebellion), Golden
Grove, and Carrick Poyle. Many must have been burnt in St
James's, from what I saw myself, but only the names of four of
them have yet come to my knowledge, viz. Palmyra, Leyden,
Windsor, Gilsburgh. Our militia is very weak, and we have
little to expect from the regulars, unless positive orders'are sent
to them to act. I would recommend to his Lordship to proclaim
martial law without a moment's delay, and in the mean time to
send down written orders to act with the utmost energy.
Orange Valley, seven hundred strong, has refused to turn out.
If I, or the Colonel of the regiment had authority :to act,
the plan I would propose is to assemble the whole of the
militia, and at once attack the largest estate, and then pro.
ceed to the others as circumstances might direct, and as I
stated in my last despatch it would be most politic to order
a company of the regulars with them, as it would do away with
the notion the slaves entertain that the King's troops are not to
act against them. If it possibly could be done the Admiral
might be applied to to send a man-of-war to each of the ports of
Montego Bay and Falmouth. His Lordship may depend Ido
not in the least exaggerate the situation of things,—they cannot
well be worse ; but fortunately no blood has been yet shed that
I have heard of. Every man is clamorous to get protection for
their own concerns, but it is advisable to make no detachments.
I fully expect to see a number of fires to-night, and our situa-
Gun is truly dangerous. The most prompt measures must be
taken for our relief, but of course his Lordship is the best judge
of these, though I have taken the liberty to suggest some plans.
Whatever is done must be done quickly. The militia are all
under arms, and the Magistrates at their posts.—l have, &c.
(Signed) JAS. MACDONALD, Custos.

No. 10.

Montego Bay, Dec. 28, 1831.

SlR,—Since I had the honour of addressing you by post last
evening, so many fires have taken place, that I have deemed it
proper to withdraw the outposts, as I do not wish to expose
them to a contest which I do not consider them equal to, and
to concentrate them here, with the exception of one company,
which I have directed to move in support of Colonel Grignon,
whose situation, with that of his regiment, I fear is extremely
critical. I have also directed the Hanover company, stationed
at Round-hill, to move on for the same purpose. _ .

1 am now convinced the contest must be decided in the
streets of Montego Bay.

I have, &c.
(Signed) G. 11,1. LAWSON, Col. S: J. R
William Bullock, Esq., &c.

No. 11.

Post-office, Montego Bay, Dec. 27, IP3I,
Nine o'clock, P.M.

consider it my duty to inform you that there is at
this moment a serious fire raging in a south-easterly direction
from this town, apparently about eight or ten miles distant, and
it is supposed to be at Hampton estate, but, from the glare, I
fear it extends to other estates in its vicinity, lying more to the
northward.

From the late insubordination of the negroes on many
estates in this neighbourhood, which has caused the militia to
be under arms since Sunday last, it is feared that this fire is not
from accidental causes, and I beg the favour of your giving his
Excellency the Governor immediate information thereof.

(Signed)

I have, &c.
JOHN ROBY,
Collector of his Majesty's Customs.

W. Bullock, Esq. &c.

P.S. Half.past Nine.---I have just been informed that Ken
sington Pen and Mr. Tulloch's settlement have been burnt.—
We have one company of the :2.d Regiment in this town.

No. 12.

Ten o'clock, p. in.

St a,—The late arrival of the Leeward post allows me to have
the honour to state, that since sunset six fires, apparently of
estates, have been seen from the Court.house, in the neigh.
bourhood of Kensington, extending northerly to Content, and
they seem gradually to be extending to the northward.

I have, &c.
(Signed) E. M. LAWSON, Col. S. J. R.
P.S.—I fear the whole of the east part of the parish will be
destroyed before daylight.

Five p.m.—A trooper has just arrived from Palmyra, with a
despatch from Captain Cleghorn, of the Bth company, stating
that the negroes on that estate set fire to the trash-house, when
his men were searching the negro houses for arms, agreeably
to my orders. The incendiary ran into the cane piece, which
induced Captain Cleghorn to threaten to set fire to the cane
piece, which he had ; the negro then came out and surrendered
himself with a woman who had been with bins ; these and the
head driver, who was taken up on suspicion of being an accom-
plice, and now in custody, having been delivered to a patrole of
the troop.

Hampton estate is threatened to be destroyed tonight.
I hare, &c.
(Signed) E. M. LAWSON, Col. S. J. R.
Wm. Bullock, Esq.

No. 13.
JAMAICA, SS.
BY THE KING.—A PROCLAMATION.
Whereas, we have thought fit, by and with the advice of
our Council of War, to declare martial law in our said island
of Jamaica, for the security and protection of our said island
against the evil designs of the enemies of our Crown ; in order,
therefore, to render effectual themeasures taken for the security
of our said island, we have thought fit, by and with the advice
of our said Council aforesaid, to issue this our Royal Proclama-
tion, strictly charging and commanding, and we do hereby
strictly charge and command, all and every the commissioned
and warrant officers and private men of our militia of our said
island, to repair forthwith to their several and respective regi.
ments and stations, and there to hold themselves in readiness to
receive and obey all such orders as shall from time to time be
given to them by our Captain-General of our forces in our said
island, or, in his absence, by any superior officer, upon pain of
the highest displeasure, and of such pains and penalties as by
the rules and articles of war, established in our said island, are
inflicted upon sucks persons as shall be guilty of disobedience of
orders.

Witness his Excellency the Right Honourable. Somerset
Lowry Earl of Behnore, Captain-General and Giavernor_
in-Chief of this our island of Jamaica, and other the ter-
ritories thereupon depending, in America, Chancellor and
Vice. Admiral of the same, at St. Tego de Vega, this thir-
tieth day of December, in the second year of our reign,
anno que domini, one thousand eight hundred and thirty-
one. (Signed) BELMORE.
By his Excellency's command,
(Signed) W. G. STE W A RT, Sec.
GOD SAVE THE KING.

No. 14.
Head-quarters, Dec. 30, 1831.
M. G. 0.
Martial law was this day proclaimed, but as the Captain-Ge-
neral is unwilling to employ a greater militia force than is ne-
cessary to repress the disturbances in St. James and Trelawny,
his Excellency does not think it at present necessary to call for
the services of the Kingston, St. Catherine, Port Royal, St.
Andrew's, Manchester, Were, St. John, and St. Dorothy, St.
Thomas-in-the-Vale, St. Thomas-in-the-East, and St. David,
Portland, St. George, and St. Mary's regiments, but the officers
commanding those corps will be prepared to assemble them at
the shortest notice.
Packet guards will likewise be established between Portland
and St. George's, to facilitate the communication with head-
quarters.
Colonel Hilton will assemble his regiment with the least
possible delay, and march the greater part of then lo Rid
Bueno, where they will hold themselves in readiness to pro-
ceed to Trelawny should their services be required there.
Colonel Hilton will leave a part of his regiment, composed of
the most inefficient men, at Bronistown.
Colonel Dunn, will immediately assemble the Clarendon re-
ginient and march the greater part of them to some station or
stations on the ContineS of Trelawny, taking care that a con-
stant communication be kept up between the two parts of his
regiment should it be found necessary to separate them, and
snake such arrangements as may enable them to act together
at
,tpe notice.
eo9nel Dunn will leave a part of his regiment, composed of
the Most inefficient men, at Chapelton.
Major-General Robertson will order the Westmoreland and
Hanover regiments to be immediately assembled, and the West-
moreland regiment will march to the confines of St. James's,
where they will hold themselves in readiness to act wherever

their services are required. Major-General Robertson will order
the Hanover regiment on duty, but they will remain in their own
parish, until their services are required by Major-General Sir
W. Cotton.

The St. Elizabeth regiment is not to be placed on duty, but
they ought to be in such a state of readiness a:, to act upon the
shortest notice.

The officers commanding the Clarendon and Vl:cstmoreland
regiments will give the earliest information to Major-General
Sir W. Cotton, as soon as their regiments have occupied their
respective stations.

The Captain-General has been pleased to confer on Lieute-
nant-Colonel Cadier, the colonelcy of the Trelawny regiment,
vice Colonel Tyler, who is superseded in the command of that
regiment, _ _

(Signed) EDWD. T. GREY, Adjt—Geni.

No. 15.
King's House, December 30, 1831.

MY DE►R SIR WmLot-Gnuy,—ln conformity with the in-
tention I communicated to you yesterday, I summoned a council
of war as prescribed by law, and agreeable to the unanimous
opinion of those who composed the council, martial law has
been proclaimed.
It will be my object to refrain as much as possible from call-
ing out any portion of the militia, whose services may not
appear to be absolutely necessary. And I inclose herewith an
order I have issued, by which you will be informed of the regi-
ments you may now consider at your disposal. These regiments
will be found to surround the district now in insurrection, by
which means I hope to interrupt any communication with the
slaves in other parts of the island.

I have also to observe, that should you deem it expedient to
increase the regular force you have ordered for embarkation, I
am now enabled to garrison the town or barracks they at present
occupy, by detachments from the militia.

As it will be highly satisfactory to his Majesty's Government
to receive the latest and most authentic information of the actual
state of the north side of the island, I shall wait with impatience
for your report, and detain the packet until I receive it. You
will by this means also have an opportunity, should you think
proper, to convey an account to the Horse Guards of the result
of your proceedings. I am, &c.
(Signed) BELIIIORE.
Major-General Sir Willoughby Cotton, &c.

No. IG.

Y. S. Estate, Jan. 1, IKI2.

MT LORD,—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 Hanover 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 com-
panies of St. Elizabeth's regiment, viz : the grenadiers, under the
command of Captain Stone, and thesth 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 works of which properties had been burnt down)
where they found the rebels in great force, and attacked them.
As far as can yet 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 means of preventing other negroes from
joining the disaffected party, which I apprehend the unfortunate
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 to these unhappy
disturbances among 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 my 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 theapproval of your Excellency.

I 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, 1532, Half-past
Two o'Clock, P.M.

$lll,-1 did myself the honour of addressing you yesterday,
since which I have received your despatches, of date the 31st
December, and Ist January, 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 on 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 for 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.

I have, &c.
(Signed) D. ROBERTSON.
Major-General.
W. Bullock, Esq.

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
suspect any thing of this kind. I slid not go down, being sa-
tisfied by the behaviour of the people that the information was
incorrect. I was, however, undeceived, for on Wednesday
morning, the 28th of December, when they were ordered to
turn out to work, seeing several of the slaves about the house,
I asked what they wanted; a slave belonging to Ginger-hill,
named Wm. Buchanan, said they had come to beg Busha
for to-day, as Sunday was Christmas-day. I said I had
already given orders to the driver to that effect; all that I
wanted was to 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
the house, and was followed immediately by the said slave,
William Buchanan, who laid hold of me, saying, " Busha,
you now my prisoner," and called for his accomplices, namely,
William Arnold, Charles Longmore, George Barrett, Alexander
Thomas Hedley, and Johnny, all slaves belonging to Ginger_
hill. On enquiring what was the matter, they said they had
worked long enough as slaves, and intended now to tight for
their freedom, which had been long promised them ; that all
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 impro-
priety of such conduct, but to no effect ; they said that I knew
as well as themselves that Jamaica was now free, and
half 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 who were
posted on all sides of the property. I remained in the house,
and observed them tbrougb the day bringing ip arms `rpm the
settlers around.

Op Thursday, the alth, 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 hills around, from the Y. S. estate, extending towards
Sqint James's to give them notice of the approach of the
militia. On seeing Escompany qf PhP Saint
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 al!
together in 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
to me that they intended burning the buildings on the place that
night. I sent for the heed driver, who came, and about three
o'clock, p.m., on seeing a strong party of them moving towards
the house, he (the driver) advised me to follow him, save my
own life, anti mind nothing else; 1 did so, and ne conducted ait
td the house of a freeman' names! Crawford.• I was informed,
that, on coming to the house, they''inquiredfor me, and expresses;
themselves themselves happy that I had gone away, as they intended setting
fire to the place immediately. They then went to the negn-
liQuses and in half as hour returned, taking away every move-
able thing' out of the house and stores, which they accomplishe
by dusk, and afterwards set fire to all the buildings. About
seven or eight o'clock a party of them came to the house
of Crawford, where I was, forced his arms from him,

and brAndudung their Cutlasses over my head, and pointint
their muskets at me, made me swear that I would never stan4
between them and their rights. The active person in this scene
and who seemed to have the command of them, was a slave
named Samuel Sharp, belonging, I was told, to T. G. Grey, Esq , of
Croydon, in St. James, and who, I understand, is a ruler (so
called; of the sect of the Baptists. He said he did not wish to
take away the life of any person who did not stand between him
and his rights ; that it was but lately that he had begun to know
much of religion, but that he now knew, and I knew as well, that
freedom was their right, and freedom they would have; that
letters had long ago been sent out from Engl Ind to that effect,
but that the people of Jamaica kept them as slaves, without any
authority for doing so. He said a great deal more, all tend-
ing to show that from the religious notions he had imbibed, he
conceived that the slaves had a right to be free.
At day-light on the morning of Friday the 30th ultimo, the
buildings of Ginger-hill were in ashes. I remained at the house
of Crawford, having been warned by the rebels that, if I at-
tempted to make my escape, I should be killed by the guards. A
large part of them, I understood, went this day to Ipswich, but,
seeing a company of militia there, returned, leaving a few hands
to burn the buildings of that estate, should an opportunity offer
during the night.

On the morning of Saturday the 31st, three of the party, named
William Buchanan, S. Barrett, belonging to Ginger-hill, and G.
Little, belonging to Mistress Milne, gone off the country, came
to me, two of them with fire-arms, and the other with a sword :
I asked William Buchanan what he wanted ; he said, here is the
captain, 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 presentingit 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 showing
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 add tion
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
t me, saying, that the white guard bad 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 Ging,r-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, Custoc

No. 19.
A PROCLAMATION,
By his Excellency Somerset Lowry Earl of Be'more, 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 eight hundred and thirty-two, and in the second
year of our reign. BELMORE.
By his Excellency's command. W. BULLOCK, Sec.
GOD SAVE THE KING.