The Sun.
London, England, 1832-02-23 00:00:00

BY THE KING.-1A PROCLAMATION.

WILLIAM IV.
• Whereas it has been represented to us, that the slaves in
some of our West India colonies, and of our possessions on the
continent of South America, have been erroneously led to be-
lieve that orders have been sent out by us for their emancipa-
tion : and whereas such belief has produced acts of insubordi-
tnhaoiutognh,twfiht,icbhy and ewe;
he itthe de a
dvi o
che iogfhoesUr
Privy eacsouurnec;i
,wt eo
issue
this our Royal proclamation ; and we do hereby declare, and
make known, that the slave population in our said colonies and
West
t thisndi ourP aiproclamation, nd P
:end'
possessions, will forfeit all claim. on our protection if they shall
a
es
fail to render entire submission to the laws, as well as dutiful
s in their power, the punish_
obedience to their masters : and we hereby charge and command
the tranquillity and peace of
saint
oil
ol e
enforce,
:fro:
rfoGc oteghv,:ebseryent
aohwlrelshfotuohlfelme osaltueyrgp
disturb
saidlbsamltiiudce
btWny
our said colonies and possessions.
Given at the Court, at St. James's, this third day of June
one thousand eight hundred and thirty-one, and in
the second year of our reign.
GOD SAVE THE KING.

No. 2.—(Circular.)
King's House, Dee. 22, 1831

Eiscellency the Captain-General having received
information that 4 disposition to insubordination had maul-

tested itself amongst certain slaves on a plantation in St.
James's, although his Excellency trusts that this is a merely
temporary and local excitement, still prudence requires that
es cry measure of precaution should be adopted by the military
authorities to meet any possible extension of a spirit of dis-
obedience, by a prompt employment of the militia forces when
and where their services may be required. With this view re-
gimental officers should not be absent during the holidays from
their usual places of residence, and you will be pleased to
issue orders to the officers commanding regiments in your
district to this effect.

Should, contrary to his Excellency's hopes and expectations,
the employment of any of the regiments or detachments of
corps under your command become necessary, his Excellency
requests that you will act in conjunction with the civil power.
I have, &c.
(Signed) W. BULLOCK.
To the several Major-Generals.

No. 3.—(Copy.
Falmouth, Trelawny, Dec. %, 1831.

Stn,—l have had the honour this morning to receive your dis.
patch of the 24th instant, inclosing his Majesty's proclamation. I
am sorry it was not published sooner ; I forward a despatch,
which I found here this morning, from Colonel Lawson. I most
deeply regret to find a strong spirit of insubordination generally
among the slaves. On the morning of the 23d instant, both the
trash-houses on York estate, in this parish, were purposely burnt,
and the lives of the white people threatened ; and as the attor-
ney who lives on the estate was strongly impressed with the idea
that they intended to burn the rest of the works, I was induced
to order a company of the militia to that property ; I was at
Fontabelle when I issued the order, and lam sorry to say, that
three of the Magistrates down here thought proper to counter-
mand my orders, in consequence of which I made a requisition
to Major Pennefather, of the 22c1 regiment, who immediately
sent a small detachment to the estate; they are now relieved by
a company of the militia, and by a letter just received from the
company, I find the negroes have this morning cut down the
whole of the plantain-walk belonging to the overseer's establish.
Inent ; the whole of the negroes, both men and women, have
absented themselves since Saturday the 24th instant.
At a meeting of the Magistrates, which took place about an
hour ago, it was determined to order the whole regiment and
troops under arms, and a requisition has been sent to Major
Pennefather, at Maroon Town, requesting him to move a strong
detachment of the 22c1 regiment to the vicinity of York. If
the information contained in Colonel Lawson's despatch proves
correct, strong and energetic measures must immediately be
taken ; there are strong rumours that the Green-park and
Orange-valley negroes are determined to work no more ; they
are of themselves upwards of a thousand strong.
I have this instant read a despatch from Sir W. Cotton to
Major Pennefather ; it is certainly an extraordinary docu-
ment. He says the troops are not to act until the Riot Act is
read, and unless his Majesty's troops are insulted; the negroes
are already strongly impressed with the idea that the King's
troops have instructions not to act against them, and certainly
if this despatch were published, it would confirm their opinion;
I hope, most sincerely hope, this order will be immediately I,
countermanded, if not his Majesty's troops, who are so well paid
by the country, will be of little service to us.
As I have ordered packet guards, you will be regularly in-
formed of any occurrence worth noticing ; I hope things will
put on a more favourable aspect soon than they have at present.
I have, &c.
(Signed) JAMES MACDONALD,
W. Bullock, Esq., &c. Custos of Trelawny.

No. 4.

SIR,--I have the honour to inclose an affidavit made by two
respectable individuals, and a copy of an application made to
Major Pennefather, at Maroon Town, by which his Excellency
can observe the situation of this parish is extremely critical.

I have also received a letter from Mr. George Gordon, of
Moor-park estate in this neighbourhood, and of Windsor.lodge,
of which he is attorney, fully corroborating the affidavit ; in fact
so much information has been received here by the magistracy,
that no doubt can possibly be entertained of the determination
of the negroes to refuse to work after the holidays, and, on any
attempt to compel them being made, the white people were to
be destroyed, and the country set file to.
The information is of so convincing a nature, that I have
thought it my duty to lose no time in ordering out the whole
strength of this regiment to remain on duty at their respective
beats till further orders.

His Excellency I hope will permit me to request such in-
structions as he may be pleased to honour me with.
I have, &c.
(Signed) • G. M. LAWSON, sen.
Col. St. James's. Reg.
William Bullbck Esq. &c. December 25, Six o'clock, P. M.

No. 5. (Copy.)

JAMAICA, P. ST. JAMES'S.

Persdnally came and appeared before me, Robert Stuart and
Alexander 31`Kenzie, Emirs., who, being duly sworn, made
oath and said, that, from informltion received by these depo-
nents, they have every reason to believe that a general insurrec-
tion of the slaves on Adelphi, Content, Glasgow, Windsor_
lodge, Somerton, Paisley, and Palmyra estates, on Tuesday
evening, the :?,'"ith instant, will take place, with the intention of
burning the properties and murdering the free inhabitants
thereon. (Signed) ROBERT STUART.

A. WKENZI.E.
Sworn before me, this 25th day of December, 1831.
(Signed) GEO. GORDON.

St. James's, Dec. 25, MIL

Siu,—lt has just come to our knowledge, from the testimony,
upon oath, of several respectable witnesses, that a most exten.
sive conspiracy has been formed by the negroes of Adelphi,
Content, Glasgow, Windsor, Palmyra, and other estates, to
rise on Tuesday evening, the 27th instant ; the place fixed
on for the negroes to meet is Adelphi-works, where the
buildings are to he burnt, and the white people
murdered ; the conspiracy is so general that any militia
force that could be assembled would be probably ineffec-
tive, and by attempting to collect one at a given point, every
surrounding estate would be left deserted by its white residents.
We therefore call upon you, as the only means to save this part
of the island from fire and bloodshed, to send, without a mo-
mrnt's loss of time (for if it transpires that the whites have got
intelligence of this intended revolt, it will commence instantly)
a company of the '-'2d regiment, or such force as can be spared,
to Adelphi-works, there to remain till circumstances shall war-
rant their departure. We have, &c.
(Signed) GEO. GORDON,
ALEX. CAMPBELL.
Magistrates of the Parish of St. James-
To Major Pennefather, or Officer Commanding
2,2 d Regiment, Maroon Town.

No. 6.

Courthouse, Montego Bay, Dec. 19, 1531.

Sin,—We, the undersigned magistrates, this day assembled
in special sessions, have to inform you, that from the disorderly
behaviour of the negroes on Salt Spring estate, in the neigh-
bourhood of this town, a guard of the militia has been stationed
on that property since Friday last. We consider it highly ne-
cessary, for the preservation of the public peace during the ap-
proaching holidays, that a company of the 22d regiment
should be stationed at the barracks in this town ; we therefore
require you, with as little delay as possible, to order the above.
mentioned force to be sent here, to remain for such period as
we may deem proper for the preservation of the public safety.
We have, &c.
(Signed) LAWRENCE HISLOP.
JAMES GUTHRIE.
JOHN SHARP.
H. A. PLUMMER.
GEORGE CRAGG.
W. REYNOLDS.
THOMAS JOSH. GRAY.
JAS. GORDON.
G. M. LAWSON, Sen.
GEO. GORDON.
WM. M. KERR.
GEORGE LONGMORE.
To Major Pennefather, or Officer commanding

22cl Regiment, Falmouth,

No. 7.

Heads of Information received at the King's House, relative to

the Disturbances on the North Side of the Island.

Colonel Grignon, December 26, states—That insubordination
had appeared on Salt Spring estate, in St. James; that he had
ordered out the western interior regiment; that the negroes
were determined to strike work at Christmas, but no slaughter
to be committed, unless any of the rebels were killed in taking
the arms from the white people.
Colonel Lawson, November 27, states—that an application
had been made by the magistrates of St. James to Major Penney.
father, requesting a detachment of the King's troops at Mon-
tego Bay; states the disposition he had made of his regiment,
by which a line of post was established, and expressing his
doubts how far the militia law would be sufficient to act with
effect, and suggesting the necessity of establishing martial law.
Colonel Campbell, Lucia, December 27, states—that he had
ordered a guard to be kept at Fort Charlotte to protect the am-
munition ; and that, in consequence of a communication from
Colonel Lawson, he called out the remainder of the regiment.
Colonel Tyler, Falmouth, December 27, states—The alarm-
ing situation of the district about York estate, where the rebels
had burnt the trash.house, and as sufficient time was not af.
forded for sending the whole regiment, he was obliged to with-
draw the detachment he had stationed at York.

Tho magistrates of St. James, December 27, transmitted—
three affidavits of no great importance, all, however, concur-
ring in the determination of the negroes not to work.
Colonel Grignofi, Great River Barracks, December 27,
states,—That he received information that five hundred men
had assembled near Lapland, who had bound themselves by a
solemn oath to obtain their freedom or die in the attempt; and
asking for a detachment of regular troops.
Colonel Lawson, December 27, ten o'clock P.M. states—That
since sunset six fires have been seen from the Court-house, at
Montego Bay, in the neighbourhood of Kensington, and ex_
tendipg northerly to Content ; he feared the whole of the
east part of the parish would be destroyed before rnOrninF.
Collector, Montego Bay, December, 27, states—That several
fires were seen, and giving information much to the same put,
pose as Colonel LawsoU.

No. 8.

Head-Quarters, Spanish Town, December 29, 1891. M. G. 0.
His Excellency the Captain-General has received informa-
tion from the magistrates of St. James and Trelawny, that the
slaves on certain properties in those parishes, have manifested
a spirit of insubordination, and, in some -instances, have pro-
ceeded to acts of outrage, which have excited his Excellency's
highest displeasure, and have .exposed them to the utmost,
rigour of the law. His Excellency, however, trusts, that his
Majesty's gracious proclamation will remove any erroneous

runs

_„—
,
pressiong which may have bees received, and that they will
render themselves objects for the merciful consideration of the
Crown, by an instant return to their former habits of obedience'
and duty.
His Excellency, however, is determined to employ a military
force against those who may be guilty of acts of violence or
outrage,, which_ all their endeavours will be utterly unable to
resist. For this purpose his Excellency has requested the
Major-General commanding to proceed to Mcntego Bay with a, .
strong reinforcement of troops ; and his Excellency delegates
to Sir Willoughby Cotton all the military authority lie could
exercise were he personally present. His Excellency directs
all Major-Generals of militia commanding districts, and in
places not subject to the command of Major-Gentrals, all officers
commanding regiments of horse and foot, to consider them.
selves under the command of Major-General Sir Willoughby
Cotton, and to obey all his orders with zeal and alacrity.
Captains of forts, where depots of fixed ammunition are
established, will attend to any requisition the Major-General
may make (Signed) EDWARD J. GREY, Adjutant-Gen.

No. 9.
Falmouth, Trelawny, Dec. 28.
St It is with the deepest regret that I have to state to you,
for the information of his Excellency the Governor, that many
of the estates in this parish are at this moment in an actual state't'
of rebellion, and I believe nine-tenths of the whole slave popu-
lation have this morning refused to turn out to work ; the whole
country was in a blaze last night. Three trash-houses were
burnt in this parish, viz. Pantrepant (in rebellion), Golden 149,
Grove, and Carrick Poyle. Many must have been burnt in St. t;tJames's, from what I saw myself, but only the names of four of ode
them have yet come to my knowledge, viz. Palmyra, Leyden,
Windsor, Gilsburgh. Our militia is very weak, and we have
little to expect from the regulars, unless positive orders are sent All
to them to act. I would recommend to his Lordship to proclaim 33::;
martial law without a moment's delay, and in the mean time to
send down written orders to act with the utmost energy.
Orange Valley, seven hundred strong, has refused to turn out.
If 1, or the Colonel of the regiment had authority :to act,
the plan I would propose is to assemble the whole of the
militia, and at once attack the largest estate, and then pro..
coed to the others as circumstances might direct, and as I 1, _tett
stated in my last despatch it would be most politic to order
a company of the regulars with them, as it would do away with
the notion the slaves entertain that the King's troops are not to
act against them. If it possibly could be done the Admiral 1 544:
might be applied to to send a man-of-war to each of the ports of
Montego Bay and Falmouth. His Lordship may depend Ido -;11c
not in the least exaggerate the situation of things,—they cannot :/
well be worse ; but fortunately no blood has been yet shed that_ 1.
I have heard of. Every man is clamorous to get protection for •-•
their own concerns, but it is advisable to make no detachments:
I fully expect to see a number of fires to-night, and our situsi
tion is truly dangerous. The most prompt measures must be
taken for our relief, but of course his Lordship is the best judge
of these, though I have taken the liberty to suggest some plans.
Whatever is done must be done quickly. The militia are all
under arms, and the Magistrates at their posts.—l have, &c.
(Signed) JAS. MACDONALD, Custos,