The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1840-02-11 00:00:00

Ebt Itbrrpoof

TUESDAY MORNING, FEBItUARr'ii, 1840.

We. have received oui-file of the Guiana Chronicle t°
the-20th of December, incluSiVe. 'Their contents are
extremely interesting and important.- The Chronicle
of December 14 gives a full report of -the Proceedings
at the great public dinner given,' on the previous ilaY'
to Governor Light, which- appears to have been vell
numerously and respectably attended... Sir Nl`Tur
occupied the chair, and the proceedings were charac:
tensed by the greatest unanimity. The Governor;
speech contains many remarks on the present state 50
future prospects of the Colony', which merit the great'
est attention. He said that he had presented to tbe
Colonial Secretary of. State the condition of "the ctlii
tivated, cultivable, and abandoned parts of that fity
mine' of gold"—that he had "pointed out the resource
of the interior, and the facilities of production and °r
inland navigation"—and " that all that the Colosg
wanted was hands." He had advocated the encolY
ragement of immigration into the Colony, not in 00e
despatch, but in twenty. He strongly condemned the
expedient of a loan as fatal to- all schemes for peopling
the country ; and insisted that. every - object could bei
secured by "an annual grant, ample for -the anil
supply of labourers." •
The Right Rev. Dr. Clancy, Roman Catholic Ordi'
nary of British Guiana, while addressing the sae
meeting, avowed himself to be " the fearless advocate
of a general scheme of immigration," which. he thought
would prove " the physical salvation of that invaluable
province," adding that " for his timely and accurate
views on that question Governor Light
.deserved the
gratitude of the present and future generations."
Abraham Garnett, Esq., in the course of a ory sPr
rited address, introduced the following pithy and with'
ful observations, which we especially - recommend
the notice of those who have been led away by the
Anti-Curn-Law agitation. In returning thanks for the
. agricultural portion of the community, he remarked,
" Agriculture was the foUndation of the prosperity of
every country. From agriculture proceeds commerce'
If that succeeded, the community could not fail to-in?
prove. He did not confine himself to that C010n5..
alone ; but when he made that assertion he referred to
every part of the world. This was no new theory Of
his. The pages of history afforded ample proof of it:
If the agricultural interests of British Guiana shoola
.not prosper, the coMmereiat body must fill. It fol"
lowed as a matter of course,—the•interests were
united." He concluded by recommending immigrr
tion as the great resource, to which all their energies
-should he devoted.

All the other speeches at this dinner were charac'
terised by the same tone. " Immigration" was the
burden of each, and that on a scale commensurate
with the wants and capabilities of the Colony.
On the same day another public meeting took place
at Georgetown, having for its specific object the fl,-
couragement of immigration. This meeting was held
at the Colony House, in pursuance of a request bY
public advertisement of J. A. Holmes, I4:sq., whose oh'
ject it was to lay before the public certain document'
received by him from Mr. Carberry, of Baltimore, 0°
the. subject of immigration into British Guiana froh,'
the United States—a scheme the feasibility of which
has been fully established. We are sorry that ive
cannot find ToOrn, in our present-publication for the
whole of the documents read by Mr. Holmes. \ie
.
have, however, inserted in' another column the Ws'
important of these documents—that it which Sr'
Carberry•gives a detailed description of the advantages
to be derived from - emigration to --British Guiana'
We recommend a careful perusal of that interesting
statement. It enters
ilninute/).+ -into 'the'. resources hi
that noble Coldny., afaitlikiihllo4' th6.-'stitingest corro-
boration of our"Prek4ftlioaiiiefeiri."lWlrust that the
truth's it ehitlitileil AVilllitifi'lleleist Upon the Br'-
fish public, and witlii4l4)vieiiPuli+Wiagiiiisliy solicit the
cooperation of ouittiiiitiffeiirliif Aellfiretgiln giving to
them increased publicity.. To 'the otheliarts of ivir.
,
Carberry's
statements on the "subject-8f emigration..°

3.—The a treasurer and secretary shall be appointed, to
which offices a suitable allowance shall be appended, if this
scheme of immigration succeeds, who shall be under the di-
rection of the chairman and directors of the society.

"4.—That the society does nominate, constitute, and ap-
point Edwa.rd Carberry, Esq. to be their sole agent, in the
-United States, to receive his instructions from the board of
directors through their secretary.
" That a subscription list be now opened, and that such of
the gentlemen present, who are willing to do so, shall at once
sipseribe,their names for such amounts as they may think
?roper ; and that lists be ' kept at some of the principal count-
' mg houses in Georgetown and New Amsterdami—our neigh-
, hours in Berbice being invited to join the society.'
Mr. Holmes having concluded, it was moved by
'fstAbraham Garnett, Esq., and seconded by Lawrence
'Titzgerald, " that the best thanks of this meeting be
now given to our fellow-colonist, Edward Carberry,
for.the ability with which he has drawn up the
document now read, and for his meritorious exertions
promote so important an object for British Guiana.
Carried by acclamation.

" It was moved and carried that a Provisional Com-

mittee should now be formed of the following gentle-
men A. Holmes, Esq. chairman. John Jones,
Esq: A. Garnett, Esq., L. Fitzgerald, Esq., R. G. Butts,
Esq., W. Sandbach, Esq., J. J. Gilgeous, Esq., E. J.
Troughton, Esq., C. Revers, Esq., John Christie, Esq.,
A. Pearson, Esq., S. H. H. Van Nooten, Esq., and
that Thomas C. Bagot,• Esq. he appointed Provisional
Secretary."
It was then agreed, after a vote of thanks to Mr.
Holmes, for his conduct in the chair, that another pub-
lic meeting should be held on the 19th of December,
for the full consideration of the subject of emigration.
In pursuance of the last resolution, another public
meeting was held at the Colony House, on the 19th of
December, when Mr. Holmes again occupied the chair.
At this meeting it was agreed that an Immigration
Society should be forrrAl for the supply of agricultural
and other labourers, under the title of " The Voluntary
Subscription Immigration Society of British Guiana."
In aid of the funds of this :society, Two THOUSAND
AND EIGHTY-FIVE POUNDS STERLING were sub-
scribed in the course of one day. A vessel was to
leave Georgetown for Baltimore on the following day,
and the first supply of immigrants was expected to
arrive in the course of two months.

So far so good : but why should British Guiana be
dependent for supplies of labourers on the United
States ? Are there not, in countries dependent upon
Great Britain itself, hundreds of thousands, nay milli-
ons, who would gladly avail themselves of an oppor-
tunity of removing to that magnificent Colony, if the
means were afforded them ? Look at the famishing
millions of India to whom such a change would be a
boon of the highest value. Why should they he
.deprived of the opportunity of taking their labour into
the best market ?

From a conversation, which took place in the House
of Commons, on Thursday night, it would appear
that Lord John Russell still persists in his refusal to
grant to British Guiana the advantages enjoyed by the
_,.:..Mauritius. This refusal we consider both unreason-
-4 able in itself, and inconsistent_ with the principles of
justice. It appears to us a monstrous piece of injus-
ticethat one Colony should be so much more highly
favoured than another. It would be equally just to
deny to, one part of Great Britain itself advantages
enjoyed by another part. It is clearly impossible that
the West India planters can compete with those cf the
Mauritius as long as such a difference is made.
The Colonial Secretary has admitted that the immi-
gration of the Hill Coolies into the Mauritius has been
attended with success. There is no earthly reason why
the experiment should not be equally successful in
reference to British Guiana. In point of climate there
is very little difference between the two Colonies. The
constitution of the Hill CoOly is just as well adapted
to the West Indies as it is to the Mauritius. Experi-
ence has fully proved this. Both at Demerara and
Berbice the Coolies have answered remarkably well.
Lord John Russell has ample documentary evidence
in support of this assertion. The despatches which
he has received from British Guiana are sufficient to
prove that the experiment has fully succeeded: As to
the question of distance, about which so much has
been said, we would merely remark, that we feel as-
sured, that the West India planters would readily enter
into an engagement to convey such of the immigrants
as might desire it hack to their native country, after
the expiration of a certain period of servitude. It
would be the obvious interest, as we are convinced it is
the desire, of the planters to treat the immigrants well.
No extended scheme of immigration could possibly

succeed unless the labourers were kindly treated. The
planters are quite willing to abide by the most stringent
regulations which the British Parliament may impose
upon them, if they only succeed in obtaining the boon
for which they are now seeking—a plentiful supply of
free labourers.

But it is of no use to seek for any improvement in
the prospects of the West Indies as long as Messrs.
Sturge, Scoble, and Company are allowed to prejudice
the public mind by their calumnious statements respect-
ing the planters. These men seem determined that
the West Indies shall not prosper. No scheme for the
improvement of that vast Colonial empire will please
them, as long as such scheme has the sanction of the
planters. The plans now in operation for procuring
increased supplies of labourers for British Guiana,
Mrinidad, and Jamaica, have been denounced by them
as fraudulent and dishonest. That is to say, it is, ac-
cording to these pretended friends of the Negro, an act
of dishonesty to procure free labour for our own Colo-
nies, in order to compete with the slave labour of Fo-
reign Colonies. Here is consistency with a vengeance !
How is it that these worthies never think of-inquiring
Avhat has become of the immense number of Negroes
who have been captured by British cruisers since the
Slave Trade was suppressed by this country ? Do they
know that these captured slaves, instead of being set at
liberty, are now pining in hopeless bondage in Cuba,
in the Brazils, and in other Foreign Colonies ? Do
they not know that the Slave Trade, notwithstanding
the immense sums of money which the Government of
this country has expended in the fruitless endeavour to
suppress it, is still flourishing with greater activity than
ever? If they want any information on this subject,
let them consult the recently published work of Mr.
Fowell Buxton, in which the frightful details connected
with the increase of the Slave Trade are furnished at
length by one of their own party.
We do not yield to the most zealous abolitionist in
our wish to see Slavery extinguished both in name and

in practice : but we contend that Sturge and his party

are going the wrong way to work to secure the end
which they profess to have in view. If they wish to
abolish Slavery and the Slave Trade let them do all in
heir power to people the luxuriant soil of the West
ndies with free. labourers from every part of the world.
Phis wouldsmril(e the very death-blow to Slavery. Let

1-0.1

. hese infatuated agitators remember that the West In-
ies are capable of supplying- the whole world with the
i.ila.st apic, products , those , countries in which Slavery,
ii:with all it" ,concomitant 'horrors, still exists. This is
in 0„ he way 'lAveFy is to he put down.
z-);),,,. We
.confess our astonishment .that the efforts of

shall give insertion on Friday, when we hope to have
more space at our command.
. _

After Mr. Holmes had read the documents adverted
to above, he proceeded to address the meeting in the
following words:—

" From these statements, gentlemen, I think we may safely
draw the conclusion, that if suitable arrangements are made,
emigrants can be immediately brought here in numbers.
" It has been suggested to me that a memorial to the Court
of Policy should be drawn up, praying that court for assist-
ance in the matter, but I am of opinon that it is vain to look
for it from our lecal government, and that none of thefpublic
money will be granted for the purpose of immigration.
" This point being decided, we must, of necessity, consi-
der whence we can draw thefunds necessary to carry through
this scheme ; and it is evident that no plan will answer, but
voluntary contribution. •
" The liberality of this colony is too well known, to doubt,
that a sum of money can be readily raised for any foreign
purpose of charity, in which the sympathies of the colonists
have been called for. It is not, therefore, too much to ex-
pect that we could raise amongst ourselves, as much money,
as will, at least, start the projeet ; and with permission of the
meeting, I propose—
_

" I.—That the meeting do now resolve itself into a society
to be call6d The Voluntary Subscription Emigration Society
of British Guiana,' to which may be added the names of any
other gentlemen, planters, merchants, and others, who may
from time to time be willing to join it.
" 2:—That the meeting do now nominate a committee of
12, including the chairman, as directors to act, as may appear
best in a consideration of the important matters contained in
the, letters now read.

such men as Sturge should meet with any countenance
from the manufacturers of Birmingham. It is incom-
prehensible to us that they should lend their assistance
in ruining the West India interest. Such conduct
is neither more nor less than an act of commercial
suicide. As we have stated on previous occasions, the
full development of the resources of British Guiana
alone would furnis4 the manufacturers of Great Bri-
tain with a market of greater extent than the whole
of !the European states put together. Is it not worth
while to foster and encourage such a market ? Is it
not positively mischievous to cramp the energies and
to frustrate the efforts of those who are labouring to
open up such interminable sources of prosperity to
British trade and commerce?
We have dwelt thus long upon this subject, because
we see a Colony capable of sustaining a population of

SIXTY-FOUR millions, and of furnishing employment

- -
to all the manufacturing industry of Great Britain,
absolutely thrown away, and consigned to ruin, by the
perverse policy of the Government of this country,
and that merely to gratify the whims of a set of short-
sighted visionary enthusiasts. To see such a Colony
lost to Great Britain—as lost it eventually must be, if
the planters are allowed to cry for help in vain—is a
source of deep and poignant regret to every true friend
to his country.
The documents which appear in our present publi-
cation afford some insight into the vast resources of
British Guiana and the West Indies generally. It is
not too much to say that these Colonies-are capable of
furnishing this country and the whole of Europe be-
sides, not only with sugar, coffee, rum, &c., their
present staples, but also with tea, rice, tobacco, indigo,
cochineal, cotton, &c. It has also been proved that
wheat may be cultivated with advantage in the West
Indies. Of this grain, as well as of rice and Indian
corn, two or three crops per year may be raised—
such is the extraordinary fertility of the soil. If we
must have supplies of grain imported into this country,
why should we not procure them from our own Colo-
nies? from which, be it remembered, these supplies will
be sent in exchange for our manufactured commodities,
and not, as from the Continent, in exchange for our
gold.

We might dilate upon the mineral resources of the
West Indies. These, with few exceptions, have scarcely
been thought of by British settlers. It is well known,
however, that the Spaniards realised immense wealth
from these sources. Recent experiments in Jamaica,
carried on on a very inadequate scale, have proved that
copper, of far greater purity than any produced by the
mines in Great Britain, is found in that island in great
abundance.

We hope to see the question of emigration to the
West Indies brought shortly before the House of Com-
mons, with a view to the introduction of some legis-
lative enactment on the subject. In the mean time we
venture to hint the expediency of forming at home; an
" Emigration Society," after the plan of that just
established in Demerara. Such a society, with ade—
quate means at its command, and countenanced in its
operations by Government, would be of incalculable
service.

The nuptials of her Majesty and her illustrious con-
sort have _been celebrated in Liverpool in a manner
worthy of the loyal character of the " good old town."
All parties seemed to have entered into a sort of rivalry
to mark their devotion and loyalty to the wedded Mo-
narch of Great Britain. Such, we have no doubt, has

been the prevalent display of feeling throughout the
kingdom. Long may our gracious Queen and her
Royal husband live to enjoy the felicity which Must be
the wish of every loyal subject. May the auspicious
event which took place yesterday be the prelude to an
uninterrupted continuance of domestic felicity to the
Royal Pair. May the future years of our Queen be
marked by the same peace and tranquillity which yes-
terday prevailed throughput her dominions.
We have only to conclude our felicitations by ex-
pressing a fervent wish th4t the union of the Regnant
Queenwith Prince Albert may prove a source of strength
to the Protestant Religion/ as established by law within
these realms. The Queen's profession of the Protes-
tant faith constitutes her title to the throne of Great
Britain. May she never forfeit that title; but transmit
it untarnished to generations yet to come.

We have received our files of the Jamaica Royal Ga-
zette and Standard, to the 4th ult. inclusive. They do
not contain much news of importance. The island was
perfectly tranquil ; and the greatest unanimity con-
tinued to exist between the Governor and the planters.
In Jamaica, as well as in British Guiana, the general
complaint is, that there is not a sufficient:number of la-
bourers to carry on the cultivation.