The Sun.
London, England, 1866-01-01 00:00:00

'ME SUN, LONDON, MONDAY EVENING, JANUARY 1, 18E36,

tends to confirm the impressions previously enter-
tained of the disaffection in the Island. A message
from the Governor was laid before the Legislative
Council, which contained an extract from a com-
munication from Colonel WHITFIELD, who
commanded the western division of the Jamaica
forces. It affords the Legislature a further proof,
as it correctly states, that the Governor had " good
ground" for asserting in his opening address that " a
mighty danger threatened the land." In this letter
Colonel WHITFIELD says, " I quite agree with you
in thinking that a seditious and disloyal spirit per-
vades the entire island, and that in all probability
the negroes would rise if it were not for the presence
of the military." He goes on to state that he be-
lieves communications are made between the dis-
affected in different parishes, and that about one-
half of the negroes seem contented and happy, but
the remainder " seem as if they would take much
pleasure in cutting our throats." The police-force
the Colonel thinks is very inefficient, and requires
attention.

The bill for amending the political constitution
of the country has excited great interest, and been
carried by a large majority, notwithstanding afierce
fight was made over it in the House of Assembly.
It is just as well that it should have been passed,
for the adoption of stringent measures is rendered
absolutely necessary by the late outbreak, and
also in consequence of the bad feeling displayed
in so many places. The Chamber is to be dis-
solved every seven years, but, under the circum-
stances of the case, perhaps five years' tenure
might bo sufficient, and would prove more effica-
cious in the end. The bill provides for the punish-
ment of offences committed six months after
martial law, and this is intended to keep turbu-
lent spirits in check ; and notwithstanding the
vehement opposition made by certain hon. gen-
tlemen in the House of Assembly, we have no
doubt that there are many good grounds for the
proposition. Temporising with dangers is not the
way to meet them, and a vacillating course is
sure to prove eventually a disastrous one.

The revenue returns for the last quarter of the
year are eminently satisfactory. They afford con-
tinued proof of the buoyancy of the national
resources, and show repeated evidence of the elas-
ticity with which the revenue recovers itself after
every reduction. The two chief items in which there
is a deficiency, as compared with last year, are of
course those in which the principal restrictions were
made in the last budget—the tea duties and the in-
come-tax. The fire-insurance duty shows the pro-
priety of the reduction which was so long strenu-
ously, and it seemed hopelessly, advocated. The in-
crease in the insurances compensate for the reduction
of the duty. Mr. GLADSTONE calculated the total
loss on the year at £3,800,000, but there seems
good reason to believe that the result will be con-
siderably less. The vast increase in the consump-
tion of tea not only tends to benefit the revenue, but
proves how great a hardship was the heavy tax upon
the luxury of the poor, so long kept at a war rate by
successive Governments. The increase on the excise
during the last quarter alone amounts to
£llO,OOO on the Post-office, a constantly
improving source of profit to the revenue,
to £40,000, on Stamps to £150,000. Altogether
the prospects of the country are highly encouraging,
and it is probable that when the financial year is
completed the statistics will be even more favour-
able than at present, as the next quarter is likely to
be considerably better than the present. As we are
already through three-fourths of the year, and so

far within the Chancellor of the Exchequer's esti•
mate, we shall have no reason to complain if
should even show us a greater deficiency.