The Sun.
London, England, 1866-02-23 00:00:00

Sir J. PAKINGTON said it was not his intenion to offer
any opposition to the measure of the Government, but it was
a subject of sincere regret to both sides of the house, and he
believed to her Majesty's Government, that any retrograde
step in colonial administration should be taken, and a tempo-
rary suspension of a constitutional Government which
Jamaica had enjoyed for upwards of 200 years. It was not, he
believed, necessary for him to enter at any length into the
state of that island, but he could not help concurring with
her Majesty's Government in the suspension of the Consti-
tution, for it was impossible for any man who made himself
acquainted with Jamaica, or who read the papers on the
subject laid on the table, not to come to the conclusion that
nothing else could be done. The state of things hadbecome
so bad, the events which occurred within tho last two years,
and the policy adopted towards the West Indian Islands, in-
volved Jamaica in gradual distress and decay, so that the
system of representative government existing there was an
abuse of a representation of the people. The proposal now
made by the Government was similar to what took place
in 1839, with this difference, that then the island was in a
state of great excitement in consequence of the emancipa-
tion of the slaves. This measure was proposed to the house
when party spirit ran very high, and when the Govern-
ment of the day were of opinion that the disturbances
which took place should be put down by suspending the
constitution. If that were done the history of Jamaica
would in all probability turn out very differently fromwhat
it has done. At that time differences arose between the
Legislature of Jamaica and the mother country, but now
there was none; for the constitution of the island was
about to be suspended at the recommendation of the As-
sembly of Jamaica itself, who abdicated their functions.
Under these circumstances, he could have no doubt what-
ever that it was his duty to support her Majesty's Minis-
ters in the proposal they had made. There was ono other
circumstance on which he would venture to address the
house. He was most anxious that this occasion should not
be taken advantage of by any hon. gentlemen on either
side of the house to introduce a discussion on recent events
in Jamaica. (Hear.) He was glad to hear from those cheers
that his opinion on this matter was shared by all ; and he
would therefore appeal to their good feeling to ask that
whatever prepossessions or impressions they have formed
to refrain from saying anything on the subject on this occa-
sion. They must remember that a solemn inquiry was being
conducted under a commission, issued by the Queen, into the
conduct of the civil and military officers engaged in recent
events, as any opinions expressed would be premature, until
that inquiry terminated, and the report was in their hands.
Having made that appeal to the house, he hoped the Go-
vernment would not in any way prejudice the case of those
accused while the inquiry proceeded. (Hear, hear.)

Mr. HADFIELD said that the Island of Jamaica con-
tained 500,000 inhabitants, who contributed £45,000 a year
for the maintenance of a Church Establishment in Jamaica.
Not one-eighth of the population were connected with the
Church of England, and yet they had to contribute to its
support. He remembered when a great commotion was
raised in Manchester in consequence of a rate of apenny in
the pound being imposed, but what must it be in Jamaica,
where seven-eighths of the population were opposed to the
English Church.
Mr. CRUM-EWING believed the only good act the Legis-
lature of Jamaica over did was to abolish themstives, and
rid a fertile island of their misgovernment. (Hear, hear.)
Provision should be made for the administration of cheap
and impartial justice by stipendiary magistrates, and the
establishment of a good system of education. If that were
done and good government prevailed he believed the negroes
would soon forget what had recently occurred, and ho
hoped the result would be that all classes would unite in
contributing to the general welfare of the island.
Col. EDWARDS— In common with many other members
of this house, I have received a very extraordinary epistle
from one of its members—a gentleman whose acquaintance
I never had the honour of, and, in fact, to whom I never
spoke in my life. Whether it is Parliamentary language or
not to say that this letter is an unwarrantable liberty Ido
not know, but I shall be glad to mitigate that phrase if, sir
I hear from your lips that it is unparliamentary. I will
take the liberty of reading to the house the letter in ques-
tion, which is from the hon. member for Surrey
:
"Sir,—At the Conservative dinner at Leeds you attacked
those who had denounced the doings in Jamaica in very
strong terms.

" I hope you will not shrink from making the same
charges in the House of Commons, face to face with us.
" Your speech will, I believe, be alluded to.
" I am, Sir, your obedient servant,
(Signed) "CHARLES BUXTON.

_
" 7, Grosvenor-terrace, S.W., Wednesday."
Now, in the first place, let mo tell the hon. member that I
am not one of those who are in the habit of saying things
behind a man's back which they dare not say to his face—
(cheers)—aye, even in the House of Commons. I am not
one of those who shrink from my duty. Now, sir, perhaps,
as I have been challenged to repeat what I said at Leeds,
the house will perhaps allow me to read a short extract from
that speech, which has galled the hon. member so exceed-
ingly. ("Hear, hear," from Mr. Buxton.) These were my
words :

" Colonel Edwards said he wished to make one or two
observations with regard to the Jamaica question. Was
there ever anything in this world so disreputable as the
conduct of certain parties ? Let them take the facts as
they stood. An insurrection planned years ago broke out
before all the plans were matured. He thanked God that it
did; and it showed that there was a Providence which
overlooked us all, and no doubt the premature outbreak of
that insurrection was a means to an end. The intention of
half a million of negroes was to massacre the 15,000 white
men in the island, and to take possession of the soil to the
exclusion of its rightful proprietors. Fortunately before
these plans were matured the plot exploded, and they had
to thank Governor Eyre for the prompt and energetic man-
ner in which ho crushed that rebellion. He hanged its ring-
leaders, and what then followed? By the return mail thanks
and congratulations were sent out by Lord Russell and the
Colonial Minister, who appreciated these services of Gover-
nor Eyre, and also the services of the army generally. Im-
mediately this was known there was a great howl in
Exeter-hall amongst the Baptists and philanthropists. Mr.
Bright denounced the Government of Jamaica and every-
body connected with its policy, and said it was wrong
altogether; but the fact was, that had it not been for
Governor Eyre's promptitude in the way in which he
dealt with those atrocious murderers, who had already
sacrificed the lives of numbers of our countrymen, the whole
white population of that island would have ceased to exist
months ago. Earl Russell, feeling the iron hand of Mr.
Bright, trembled in his shoes, and wrote out at once to
suspend Governor Eyre ; that a commission would issue
forthwith, thus punishing him prematurely, and the troops,
instead of receiving honour from the Crown, had to abide
the result of the inquiry. Was there ever such a miser-
able piece of administration ? Was there ever such a gross
injustice done—not merely to Governor Eyre, but to the
gallant troops under his command ? If the troops of the
British isles—if the troops under the command of her Ma-
jesty were to receive no thanks from this weak, impotent,
degraded Government, where were they to look ? Where
would the country find troops to servo her, or governors
to protect her colonies, if they were thus treated ?"
I must thank the hon. member for the honour ho has done
me in bringing my name before the house, for it gives me'
an opportunity of allowing the world to know what my
opinions are respecting the atrocities committed in the
island and the conduct of the Government towards the
Governor. This certainly was an after-dinner speech—
(cheers and laughter)—and therefore, perhaps, would not