Star.
London, England, 1828-03-20 00:00:00

WEST INDIA INTEREST.

A deputation, consisting of the Marquis of Sligo, and
about thirty of the principal West India Proprietors,
Members of Parliament, waited on the Duke of Wel-

Langton last week, and had a long conference respecting
the disposition supposed to be entertained by Ministers
towards that portion of our colonial possessions. Mr.
Peel. Mr. Huskisson, and the Chancellor of the Eiche-
quer were present. A statement had been 'nevi noly
for warded to the Duke of Wellington, containing the
points to which the West India interest desired to draw
the attention of Ministers. At the commencement of
the conference this paper was read by the Marquis
Sligo, who concluded by the observation. that the No.
blemen and Gentlemen who composed the deputation
attended merely as individual West India Proprietors.
The paper read was to the following effect :
That the deputation contemplated with great alarm
the present situation of the Colonies.
that in the West Indies. and also in this country,
a strong impression prevailed that the connexion be-
tween these colonies and Great Britain was held to be
of very doubtful value in the estimation of persons of
influence in the Government, and that the ties which
originally and intimately connected them with the
mother country are gradually Teta:ins.
The deputation theretore solicited from the Duke of
Wellington some declaration as to the views and inten-
tions of the Government with respect to the connexion
ith the colonies; they begged to inquire whether it was
the intention of Governmeot to endeavour to cr nciliate
the different Colonial Legislatures. and to avoid such in-
teifereace with their rights and privileges as would im-
pede their deliberations, and retard their consideration
of the amelioration of the slave population?
The deputation besought the continued attention oft
Minis.ers ro tl.is iniportaot subject: and further, that
in the event of any proceeding being instituted in Par.
'lament calculated to interfere with the rights of colo-
nial proprietors, the Government would adopt a course
tending to quiet the apprehensions entertained by those
interested in the fate of these colonies, and to re-
establi-h that belief in the security of their property,
which could alone restore them to the advantages they
formerly enjoyed.
When the reading of this statement had been con-
cluded by the Marquis of Sligo, the Duke of Wel-
lington replied, that in regard to the idea which ap-
peared to be entertained by some of the West India pro-
prietors, that the Government was not sufficiently alive
to the value and importance of the Colonies and of the
property vested therein, he begged to say, that the
West India proprietors were most certainly mistaken,
and that the Government was fully sensible of their
great value and importance. That as to the rights
and privileges of the different Colonial Legislatures,
his Majesty's Government considered that a conciliatory
line of conduct was as much due to them, and as expe-
dient, as towards the legislature of this country. That
the members present at the conference must at the same
time be aware of the strong feelings prevalent in this
country in favour of the amelioration of the condition
of the slave population, in which Government concurred
to the extent of every reasonable request consistent with
the safety of property ; and his Grace entreated the West
Indian members, as individuals, to lend their powerful
influence towards inducing the Colonial Legislatures to
adopt all such measures as were necessary for the accom-
plishment of the object, and which, indeed, their own
personal interests dictated.
The Marquis of Sligo again observed, that the mem-
bers composing the deputation were not there as repre-
senting any authorized body, but merely as individual
proprietors; that in all quarters the doubts as to the
value of the Colonies were expressed, and that sa
strongly, that they must have reached the ears of those
from whom one word would have set the matter at rest,
and that a public declaration in Parliament, on behalf
of the Government, was very deirable.
The Duke of Wellington then said, that he was
aware that he was addressing individuals of vent pro,
perty and influence. and that he relied upon the exer-
cise of their influence to promote the peace and good
order of the Colonies to which reference had been
made, as they might rely upon the influence of Go-
vernment being directed to promote the same objects,
and to conciliate the confidence and good-will of the
several Legislatures.
Mr. Huskisson observed, that if he was one of the
persons alluded to with whom such doubts had ori-
ginated, as to the great value and importance of main-
taining the connexion between the West Indian Colo-
nies and the Mother Country. and of protecting the
great intereiss by which both were reciprocally bound
to each other, he was glad that the opportunity wai
afforded him of stating unequivocally, that he enter•
tuned the highest opinion of the very great value and im-
portance of those Colonies. He lOoked to them not only as
contributing essentially to the extent and prosperity of
our navigation and commerce, but also with reference to
the great mass of British property vested' in them. He
knew of no greater calamity which could occur exter-
nally, to impair the welfare and power of this country,
than the breaking those ties of mutual good will and
common interest which exist between Great Britain and
her possessions in the West Indies.
After some further observations of no material im•
portance, the conference terminated.
:4t I

There is a report of a serious accident happening to
General CLINTON, at Lisbon, who, it appears, in passing
received a kick from a male, which has seriously in•
Jared his leg.