The Sun.
London, England, 1835-01-30 00:00:00

THE WEST INDIES.

We have a file of the Trinidad Port of Spain Gazette,
which contains the following Ordinance regulating the
civil rights of the free coloured population, and their sta-
tions in society throughout the Danish West India Is-
lands :

We, Frederick the Sixth, &c.,
Make known that for a considerable time it has been
an object of our paternal care to remove those restric-
tions which formerly were attached to the free coloured
inhabitants of our West India Islands, and which restric-
tions, though partly removed or alleviated, still continue
in a great measure, to the injury of such of our subjects.
At the moment when our authorities in the colony have
exerted themselves in paving the way to the ultimate ful-
filment of our object in view, the coloured inhabitants
themselves, by a steady and gradual advance in the arts
of civil life, moral principles, and attachment to us and
their native country, have in a high degree contributed to
facilitate the accomplishment of our object, and to exte-
nuate those prejudices which from time immemorial were
imbibed in the minds of the white inhabitants against
these their fellow-subjects.
As it therefore seems evident that all parties have en-
deavoured hand-in-hand to meet our wishes, we in conse-
quence thereof feel the greatest satisfaction in being enabled
under some temporary restrictions as regard foreign free
people of colour, and those hereafter to be freed, do grant to
such of our subjects above alluded to a full participation of
every civil right, and we are assured that this will be an ex-
citement to them by zeal and loyalty to fulfil all the several
duties incumbent upon them.
We have, therefore, decreed as follows :

Section 1. The hitherto-existing regulations throughout
our West India Colonies, which drew a line of distinction
between our white and coloured population, shall no longer
be applicable or binding on those who at the promulgation
of this our Royal decree are in lawful possession of their
freedom, and have obtained a right permanently to reside
in our West India colonies, by which those, as well as their
descendants in every respect, either as regards their rights,
or relative to their duties, are to be dealt with conformably
to the common laws of the land. The plan for the ame-
lioration of the free coloured population graciously sanc-
tioned by us on the 10th of April, 1830, is hereby abro-
gated, as we are induced, on a more extensive scale, to
establish the objects the same had in view.

2. The people of colour who hereafter may obtain their
freedom are not by such emancipation to be admitted to the
full and unconditional rights as specified in Sec. 1, but are
subject, during the first three years of their freedom, to
such of the few restrictions as hitherto have been binding
on the free coloured population, consequently they can ob-
tain' no burghers brig ; but otherwise enjoy their privileges
granted to them with regard to trade, and any other mode
of employment.
S. At the expiration of three years, as mentioned in
Section 2, the person thus manumitted must, in order to
cancel the said restrictions, apply to Government, whose
duty it will be to have his conduct investigated during that
period, and especially to obtain evidence from the clergy-
men and master of police. Should it be found, upon such
evidence, that his conduct has been irreproachable, a deed
will then be issued to him, setting forth that, in consequence
of such favourable investigation, he is entitled to enjoy all
the rights and immunities equal with our subjects in the
Colonies. But should the evidence, on the contrary, prove
unsatisfactory, such deed must be postponed, 'until it has
been fully proved that he has for three successive years led
an irreproachable life.
4. When children under fifteen years of age obtain their
freedom, the stipulations in the 2d and 3d Sections must be
null and void with regard to these, but they are to be dealt
with agreeably to Section 1 ; but all children who have at-
tained the age of fifteen at the time of receiving freedom
are subject to the regulations specified in sections 2 and 3.
5. With regard to foreign people of colour they are to be
subject to the restrictions formerly in operation until the
expiration of three years constant residence in our West
India Colonies, and it is proved that during that time they
have comported themselves in conformity with the nature
and spirit of Sections 2 and 3, then, and, in that case, they
must be considered qualified to enjoy ali right and immu-
nities.

6. Our West India Government will take care that a re-
gular registry be kept designating those of the free coloured
inhabitants coming under Section 1, and others who are to

be dealt with according to the general tenor and spirit of
this ordinance.

All those concerned are desired most submissively to act
in accordance with this.
(Signed)

FREDERICK.

STATE OF THE POLLS.

COMBINED COUNTIES OF ROSS AND CROMARTY
First Day, Jan. 22.
3. A. S. Mackenzie. T. Mackenzie.
Cromarty.... 4O 48
Tain 62 59
Second Day, Jan. 23.
Thin 7O 63
Ullapool

175 184
Other returns not received.

NECESSITY OF THE BALLOT.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

SIR—We have at this time going on here one of the most
abandoned, disgraceful, and shameless displays of election
profligacy, ever witnessed or heard of.
A vacancy occurred in our Corporation, by the resigna-
tion of Louis Allsopp Lnwdham, Esq., one of the Mem-
bers of the Corporate body. He was one of the junior
council, of whom there are six, generally ultra-Tories. The
other Members of the Hall are Reformers. This contest
began on Monday last, when it was announced that five
shillings a man would be given to any voter who chose to
take it. It has been a usual custom, when an opposition
takes place, for either senior or junior councilman, that he
who gives the largest bribe is sure of success ; but the de-
linquency of this election far outstrips that of all former
ones. At the nomination, the candidates were very res-
pectfully addressed as to their intentions of procuring votes
by bribery, when Mr. Percy announced it to be the inten-
tion of his committee to pay poor burgesses, for their sa-
crifice of time in coming to poll.
Mr. Parsons declared he shoull not only feel it right to
pay the voters for coming to the poll for him, but he thought
it right that the same mode of payment ought, not only to
be adopted at this, but at all Parliamentary elections.
Our town is quite on the qui vice on this occasion ; both
parties being attorneys, great interest is excited, and an
immense sum of money will be spent. The office sought
affords neither honour nor emolument--the most that can
be gained by it is the privilege of dining with the Mayor
three or four times a year ; and for this paltry pleasure in
this case, it is thought some thousands will be spent. The
price of votes began at as., then rose to 7s. 6d., 10s. 155.,
and now at the committee-room (on the outside) of Mr.
Parsons', is a large blue placard-20s. to vote for Parsons,
who seems, if money can do it, determined to win his
election. If this do not, in terms that no man can miscon-
strue, call aloud for the Ballot, I do not know what will.

" 0 shame, where is thy blush i" This paltry office, worth
no man's notice, is made the instrument of the most beastly
debauchery and moral degradation ; in fact, the impurity of
election is, in this instance, carried to such a disgraceful
extent, that I should think it must attract the attention of
our reforming Parliament—a grand opportunity for Sir Ro-
bert Peel to try his reforming hand.
On a former occasion, where Dr. Crompton, about 36
years ago, strove to break the bonds of corruption here, the
tree of liberty was planted in our market-place, and he
polled 600 or 700 free and unbought votes, as a candidate
for the town.

Could he look down from the realms of bliss on the
scene of his former efforts, he would exclaim " How is the
virtuous fallen !"

Seeing the great efforts you have lately made in the
cause of the Ballot and virtuous Reform, I am induced to
trouble you with this account of the iniquity now exhibiting
in the famous town of Nottingham.
Your's, &c.
A BURGESS OF NOTTINGHAM.

SHIPPING-(THIS DAY).

(FROM LLOYD'S.)

DEAL, JAN. 29.—Wind S. W., light breeze.—Arrived from
the river and sailed the Isabella, (schooner) for Lisbon. Ar-
rived from the river and remains with the outward bound, the
Lady Fitzherbert, Ferriers, for Jamaica ; Albinia, Correy,
for Demerara ; Lively, Ford, for Constantinople ; Emerald,
Corrigill, for St. Mary's, Jamaica ; Cain, for Launceston ;
and the Betsey and Sarah, Bloom, for Leghorn.

PORTSMOUTH, JAN. 29.--Light and variable.
PLYMOUTH, JAN. 28.—Wind S. S. W.
FALMOUTH, JAN. 28.—Wind S. S. W. to S.. moderate

breezes.

LOWESTOPFE, JAN. 28.—The Oak, Smith, from Scarbo-
rough to London, was hove off the beach this morning, and
brought into the harbour in a very leaky state.
STANOATE CREEK, JAN. 28.—Arrived the Swift, Coster,
from Chesme, and Ariel, Hepburn, from Mogadore.
LIVERFOOt, JAN. 28.—Arrived the Bride, Moore, from Ma-
ranham ; Alceto, Findlater, from Jamaica ; Agathea, Breen,
from Marseilles; and Garonne, Hicks, from Cadiz. Off port
the Hector, —, for Bombay; Oberon, —, and May Pole,
—, for South America ; and John, Francis, for Demerara.
Sailed the Claremont, Stevens, for Calcutta.

LIMERICK, JAN. 27.—Arrived the Waterlily, Rubie, from
London.

KINSALE, JAN. 28.—Arrived the Ann, Swinford, from St.
John's, New Brunswick.
HAMBURG, JAN. 23. —The Mercurius, Deutscher, from Rio
Janeiro, has been obliged to haul on the strand near Docken-
heuden, on account of the ice.

Coax, JAN. 26.—The Bolivar, from Miramichi, which was
abandoned off the Mizen-head the 28th ult., waterlogged, has
since been seen ten miles S. W. of Cork, and is supposed to
have drifted towards the Waterford coast.

The Constance, Alkin, from Dundee to London, was run
down off Flambrough Head 24th inst.
The Henriette Fredericka, Walters, was driven from Co-
penhagen Roads on the night on the 16th instant, and is
aground between Saltholm and Malmoe.

VESSELS ENTERED INWARDS AT THE CUS-

TOM-HOUSE, JAN. 29.

The Neptune, Hawks, from Ostend ; Esther, Clarkson,
St. John's, New Brunswick ; Venus, Farman, Ibrail ; Cla-
rence, Croker, St. Michael's ; St. Mungo, M'Kenzie, Dor-
chester, N. B. ; Hippomenes, Dathie, Valparaiso ; Fancy,
Titchener, St. Michael's ; John Pedder, Atkinson, Trieste
and Malta; Belfast, Middleton, Calais; Minus, Reed, Ter-
ceira ; Earl of Liverpool, Lomax, Rotterdam ; Tagliaferro,
Ruzgen, Odessa.

ENTERED OUTWARDS FOR LOADING, JAN. 29.
The Rio Packet, Dench, for Monte Video and Muscat ;
Alexander, Ramsey, Hobart Town and Sydney ; Gem, Hum-
phreys, Malta and Messina; Constancia, Echevania, Cadiz
and Malaga; Cherub, Blake, Newfoundland; Marquis of
Chandos, Gaylor, Demerara; Brockelbank, Stranack, Os-
tend ; Commerce, Mann, Hamburg; Hardings, Thornton,
Bahia.

CLEARED OUTWARDS WITH CARGO, JAN. 29.

The Merven, Mitchell, for Leghorn; Liberty, Pain, Bcn-
logne ; Cambria, Clerring, Antigua; Arrow, Pieters, Ter-
ceira and Fayal ; Hylke Jans, Siedger, Amsterdam ; Eden,
Hearn, Jamaica.