The Sun.
London, England, 1866-03-31 00:00:00

LONDON, SATURDAY, MARCH 31, 1866.

We learn by the last intelligence from Jamaica
that the Royal Commission have not been able to
complete their labours so soon as they expected,
but we are not at all surprised at this, because there
was so much to do, and that of a nature which re-
quired minute investigation. The number of wit-
nesses examined has been very great, and, indeed,
additional evidence has been tendered at the last,
so that the labours of the Commissioners have been
greatly augmented, although two courts were held
instead of one, as at the first, it has been found
necessary to prolong the inquiry. It seems strange,
to say the least of it, that Mr. GURNEY and Mr. 11.
PAYNE should not have been able to make up the
number of their witnesses before this, but instead
of this they have handed in a fresh list of more than
150 witnesses. It would not do to pass this over,
but, of course, the delay and awkwardness of this
proceeding are very great. Doubtless many of the
officers who have been examined will have to appear
again before the Commissioners. Provost RA3ISAY
has been examined before the magistrates at
Spanish Town, and discharged by them, but since
then he has been again arrested, and will be ar-
raigned before the next Circuit Court. Some wit-
nesses havd stated that MARSHALL used threaten-
ing language, which is contrary to what
was at first put forth, that he was hung without
having made a sign. We have the answer sent by
Ur. EYRE to the communication he received, on the
morn lug of the outbreak, from PAUL BOGLE and
others. It is very temperate and firm, and much to
the purpose,
but, of course, the circumstances which
took p 1.2..„, on that eventful day rendered it void of
effect. The Government Secretary wrote to say
that the writers mere misguided and under the in-
fluence of designing
and that serious conse-
quences would ensue it theytilllchd not withdraw from
the attitude they had a
ed This intimation
was only too well justified by what afterwards oc-
curred. It anittAnig great indigna-
tion was expressed by the black People about at the
outrageous assertions of SARAH ROBINo N. ,they
had discernment enough to audacious
see that this am
woman had done great harm to their cause by her
extreme course of mendacity. It is just as well that
she should have gone to such lengths, for it enables
one to see how little reliance can be placed on many
apparently ell-grounded tales, which, if thoroughly
looked into, would no doubt appear to be very
much the same in point of substance as hers have
done.

The evidence of Brigadier NELSON was given
with great clearness and precision, and this accords
with the opinion generally entertained of his con-
duct and his promptness of action. Among other
statements relative to the treatment of prisoners,
she brigadier declared that after the amnesty he
relea.sed about oue hunared prisoners. Previous
to that he sent for the preeident of the court-mar-

tial and told him he could not confirm proceedings
-which sentenced women to be flogged;
as might have
bean expected, he gave the most " unequivocal denial"
to the statement made by the man CaisHoLm, to the
effect that, because his answers in giving evidence
about GORDON were unsatisfactory, RAMSAY struck
him in the face, and that Gen. NELSON came in and
asked where the blood came from. NELSON said
he put a stop to the " gauntlet running," and for-
bade, in most peremptory terms, that it should be
repeated. It is of importance to notice that Briga-
dierNELSON'S explanation of the words " disposed
of
is
very
different to the interpretation that has
been put upon it in England. It occurred in the
Q,een,s Regulations as a " technical phrase," that
prisoners were not to be kept in confinement for
more than forty-eight hours without having their
cases disposed of. It is satisfactory to notice
the decided tone adopted by this wit-
ness throughout, and his bold denials and clear
statements are quite in contrast to the varnished
tales and gross exaggeration of some others.
The officers who were engaged in the trial of
GORDON have given in their evidence, and there is
nothing in their statements to gainsay the opinion
of the guilt of the accused so far as having stirred
up the people to revolt. Various evidence has been
handed in by the authcrities to show that the pri-
soner was implicated in the rebellion. Mr. GORDON
said at one time to a missionary, in discussing the
affairs of the island, " Matters will not be bet-
ter in Jamaica unless we have a Republic."
Some of his speeches were also cited, which showed
he thought he had great influence among the people.
On one occasion when a magistrate interfered in
some dispute GORDON threatened to meet force by
force, Band said that he would ll in the people to
his assistance. The Commiss loners pit,pped this
evidence, however, very inconsistently remarking
that they were not there to try' the character of
GORDON. It is one of the chief things which they
have to do and ought to do, and at any rate
they should hear all statements. The same thing
occurred respecting the Confederate vessel which it
was stated that Mr. GORDON had wished to purchase.
They would not allow the letter to be read from Mr.
EDENBOP.OUGII, the commander of the vessel. This
is quite inconsistent with the readiness with which
the Commissioners have listened fo the exaggerated
tales of the blacks, and we are at a loss to account
for their conduct in this matter. It would be much
more satisfactory if they would be more impartial as
to hearing both sides; and indeed, how can they form
a just conclusion if they do not act upon this course ?
It adds greatly to the difficulty of the tasl of those
who are accused that the rebellion was so promptly
put down, and all that they bring forward ought
to be attended to whether the Commissioners think
that it exactly bears upon the case or not. There
is no lack of evidence to show that GORDON'S great
desire was to raise the people up to deeds of vio-
lence against the authorities, which wish he plainly
showed by declaring that the people must do in
Jamaica as they had done at Hayti.

The arrival of the Java from New York on the
21st brings us satisfactory intelligence. St.
Patrick's-day had passed over quietly and the
Fenians, as well as the Americans, have, we may
hope, been taught a salutary lesson. The Cana-
dians have proved the truth of the old rhyme.
about the nettle, they have truly " grasped it like
men of mettle," and the consequence is that the
Fenian leaders had to think twice about crossing
the frontier. The enthusiasm, unanimity, and
decision of the Canadians could not be mistaken ;
it
.was very evident that they meant to give Yan-
kees and Fenians alike convincing testimony that
their country was not to be allowed to change hands
so easily as was believed in the States. In less than
twenty-four hours a formidable organisation was in
existence : volunteers replied to the appeal of the
authorites with a fervour and a promptitude that
augured well for the success of their arms, while on
every side their efforts were seconded by the popu-
lation who bore cheerfully the cost, the delay, the
inconvenience occasioned by the Fenian movements.
In fact, the national spirit was deeply moved, and
exhibited much the same temper and characteristics
that we should look for in an English community
if a similar alarm were raised. The danger, what-
ever the absurdity of the Fenian pretensions, is un-
doubtedly a real one, and if the Canadians had not
made so great and united an effort, it is more than
probable that there would have been actual blood.
shed. The leaders, audacious and unscrupulous
as they are, can hardly succeed in extracting more
subscriptions from their dupes, if they have nothing
to show for them. Hitherto it has been easy enough
to talk about invading Canada, as if the capture of
the whole province was to be accomplished by a
few bands of armed men taking the trouble to
walk across the frontier, but the suspension of the
Habeas Corpus Act in Ireland, and the advent of
St. Patrick's-day has brought affairs to a crisis.
Thanks to the credulity of the Irish and the general
ignorance of English affairs which prevails among
the lower classes in New York, it has been generally
believed in that city that SWEENEY, at the head of
20,000 or 30,000 men, would march triumphantly
into Canada on St. Patrick's-day. The American
press-has been very greatly to blame for encourag-
ing these schemes, and giving colour to their illu-
sory promises. In their hatred of England they
were glad to take up anything which appeared da-
maging or discreditable to her, and Fenianism was
a ready plea for denouncing English tyranny and
sneering at English weakness. Neither can the
American Government be acquitted of blame in the
matter, though they cannot, of course, be suspected
of complicity in the schemes of SWEENEY and his
friends. But the least that could have been expected
from the Washington Cabinet was a disavowal of
sympathy or approval, and an open protest against the
Fenian breach of neutrality laws. The Canadians,
it is said, complain bitterly of the American Govern-
ment for giving encouragement to the leaders of
this mischievous conspiracy, and entailing upon
them the expense of military preparations, which
amounts, it is said, to about £1,200 a day. This is
most unfair to the colonists, though, as we have
said, we have no doubt it will be beneficial in the
end. The Fenians will have received a vigorous
check. The pretensions of the leaders will be ex-
posed, and even their credulous dupes will hardly
be likely to put faith in further schemes. The ice
is breaking up, and therefore no one can pretend
that they can cross over into Canada so easily, and
in fact the evident opportunity has been allowed to
slip. It is possible that SWEENEY and his coadju-
tors never intended to do anything more
than talk and to profit by the sensa-
tion excited by their elaborate schemes and
the consequent subscriptions. Having done this
they may be
content to subside into insignificance.
There are quite enough elements of mischief, how -
ever, to render precaution necessary. The inflam-
inable materials of the
American-Irish population
have been kindled, and it would take very little real
to fan them
into a blaze.vigour aveearnestness on the part of the leaders
g their
prudence,
of
TheCd goodana sensediansin th
have
showne ou prudence, courage, and
their preparations, and. it is to be hoped will
effec-
tually silence those politicians who are so ready to
sneer at the colonists or the mother country. They
have proved that they are fullY prepared to do all