The Sun.
London, England, 1866-02-08 00:00:00

MR. RAMSAY TO MR. JORDON.
Spanish Town, Police-office, Dec. 11, 1865.
Sir,—l have the honour to report, for his excellency the
Governor's information, that having been informed by Or.
Justice Manners that a body of men were accustomed to
drill for improper purposes in the parish of St. Dorothy, ,
yesterday (Sunday) sent policemen in plain clothes by
different roads, and myself proceeded with Dr. mannerS
unobserved to the place of supposed rendezvous, but could
not find any one there. This place is the yard near a shetPa
kept by William Thomas, at a settlement called "Pt-
house Penn," distant about four miles from Old Sabel'.
and an equal distance from the Red Hills, St. John's.
I found the head constable of the place, namedLawreneei
and he reluctantly confessed that on Sunday,
November, he had seen-about 24 men drilling, with red
cloth on their arms and caps, seven of whom he named.
On sending policemen to these men's houses and it
Manners and myself proceeding to Wm. Thomas's Priva-c,
residence, it was found that they were all away, and it was
supposed had gone to a place in the woods, the woman re-
fusing to give any information. It was then about 4 po•
After waiting for about an hour and a half, the we'
were seen coming back one by one, and were made Pri-
soners as pointed out by Lawrence.
Mr. Justice Manners gave me an order to search their
houses, which was done in their presence. the 24th ot.
In William Thomas's house I found concealed under hie
bed and covered up by female apparel, two fowling-Pieces'
one small pocket pistol, two powder flasks (very little
powder), and a very large quantity of bullets and siege,
with a bullet mould, also an old shako.
In Daniel Pingaley's house a sword (infantry officer's)
without scabbard, a machet, and a bamboo stick covered St
intervals with red cloth, said to be used for drill purposes'
In another prisoner's house another gun was found.
None of these guns have they paid taxes for.
William Thomas was cautioned (afterhearing the charge
he was taken into custody for) that he need say nothingi
but what he did say would be used for or against him,
a1111,,'
he voluntarily stated that he got the men together n'
drilled them for amusement, and to enable them to join the
Old Harbour Volunteers.
The seven prisoners are in the Lock-up, Old Baur/
bo
awaiting magisterial inquiry on Wednesday next.—I hale'
&c., (Signed)
GORDON D. RAMSAY, Inspector of Police;
P.S.—lt was getting dark when the searching come
menced, and, considering the number of persons who res 1"to"
in the neighbourhood, every opportunity was offered
concealment, although the police were very alert William
am
bourines, horns, &c., were found. Since writing „
Findlayson has surrendered, making eight as yet in
tody. G. D. B.
GOVERNOR EYRE TO THE RIGHT HON. EDWARD CARDVS—

m.r.—(Received January 15, 1866.)
King's House, Deo. 20, 1865•
at
Sir,—Having noticed in some of the English
the late serious outbreak in this colony has been designate
as a local riot stimulated by the circumstances a the
moment, and that no outrages took place, until after the
people had been fired upon by the volunteers, I have the
honour to enclose a statement which I have eceived Wel
the Hon. H. Westmorland, showing that the belief that e
rebellion was about to break out was entertained and wade
t, he
known to him a fortnight before it took place, though
then discredited and ridiculed such a supposed continge°o".
There can be no question but that for months prior Ln
the rising in St. Thomas-in-the-East there were line a°4
feelings and vague apprehensions entertained by Per°A%
papers Wadi.
having opportunities of seeing or hearing much of the
classes as to the intentions of the negro popula-
tion, not particularly in the eastern districts, but througli-
out the island generally.
With regard to the predetermined intentions of tba
rebels at Morant Bay, it is sufficient to state that prior to
their making their appearance before the Court-house or
coming into collision with any one, they had' sacked the
police-station and carried off all the arms and ammo,
tion. Many indications have also come undermy notice, evi
denting that persons at a distance from the scene had a goo"
ral knowledge beforehand of what was about to take Plan%
Nor was the rising confined to the inhabitants of 31010.
Bay. It spread from district to district with great
'verrill°.
dity until stopped by meeting the military 'iv" de
landed at Port Antonio in advance of the rebellion, an 4,
marched back to Long Bay, where they met the movers;
and prevented its further progress. It was not 4
Morant Bay people who went from district to distrl f
but the negroes of each district, who rose as the 'wore °
rebellion advanced towards them.—l have, &el
(Signed) E. EYE'

STATEMENT OF THE HON. H. WESTMORLAND.
About a fortnight before the breaking out of the rebel"
lianodn
Co.,
was purchasing soma wine at the store of D• linii
head c°le•,rlik,injugrs.ton,
Morais,an hwahiinlsftorinmedconinveetrhsaattio;
hwisittlitef
awnedwere on the eve of a rebellion. I ridiculed the lid
did not, being pressed for time, Mr. Morals for
.111:
osier,
reasons for coming to this conclusion. Shortly after le
rii
the store I met Mr. Nairne, inspector of pollee, t° Wvll°Ng
I mentioned the circumstance, and he took the same a
as myself. Shortly after the rebellion broke out dill Zit
upon Mr. 3lorais, and asked him what led him to eel W--
_ . oho
he had done to me ; and he replied that for some ti°l he
had heard the black people passing id soon
store use
expressions
to the effect that they No° ~,ilar
have brandy and rum for nothing, and that, from o.'"".n
expressions, he had come to the conclusion that some Pi;
and loitering about t
of plundering the stores was in contemplation. I clic :ii
his written statement, and have only to add that previouor.
to the time in question I was quite unacquainted with
D.
Morais. (Signed) HENRY WESTbiODIAI4
December 20, 1865.

GOVERNOR EYRE TO TILE RIGHT HON. 7d DWARD CARD*WSIII
~r.—(Received Jan. 15, 1866).
Sir,—l have the honour to transmit a COPY °f Tow)a;
received from the inspector of police of Spanish
showing that illegal drilling has been going on in t ,
King's House, Dec. 21,01r8e6ptrt
parish of St. Dorothy, and that upon capturing some °i;
the persons engaged in these drills and searching
the
houses several fire-arms and a large numberof bullets wet°
found concealed.
poi
turot
ebtf i
datdhdsbeti
ynocpgot
thlooent
unauthorisedhyne.
These practices appear to be going on more or less ill
rburenesc em ti recent
laant districtscsttomf
vowaoiArlvli oe
esxetproc drilling, And which
o(Sc •
(Signed) g• gl'
packet,edla gwsi.l-1--lenl:tbviee, the