The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1840-03-27 00:00:00

EMIGRATION TO JAMAICA.

A LETTER ON THE UTILITY OF ESTABLISHING A VILLAGE
IN A CENTRAL PART OF EVERY PARISH OF JAMAICA, TO
BE PEOPLED BY BRITISH AGRICULTURAL EMIGRANTS,
ADDRESSED TO PROPRIETORS CONNECTED WITH THAT
COLONY, BY JAMES MAXWELL, M.D., OF ST. GEORGE'S.

(From the Jamaica Royal Gazette of Jan. 11.)

The object of this brief Letter is threefold :-Ist. To show
the beneficial influence which industrious European labourers
would have upon the indolent habits of the blacks. 2d. To
point out the salubrity of the interior of Jamaica, and its
compatibility with the health of strangers from temperate
climate ; and, 3d. To excite those who are interested in the
welfare of the island to give the measure their whole influ-
ence and assistance in carrying it into immediate effect.
I shall endeavour to establish these points without entering
into unnecessary details, and leave the completion of the
scheme to those whose interest it is to see it carried into
effect. •
The benefit of colonizing the interior of Jamaica, when
well understood, will secure the countenance and support,
not only of all those intimately connected with that valuable
colony, but likewise of those whose sincere desire is to see
the blessings of emancipation consummated, and the lately
enfranchised negroes reaping all the substantial benefits of
freedom in a moral, political, and religious point of view.
The present state of that island is the reverse of what every
well-wisher to the cause of rational freedom would like to see
it • and although civilization has made considerable progress,
and education and religion have effected much, still other
contingent circumstances are wanting to give a vital impulse
to all that is essential to an honest, intelligent, and industri-
ous peasantry, _ _

The most effective measure which could be devised to per-
fect the grand work of emancipation, in addition to the im-
pulses at present exerting so salutary an influence ; would be
to establish an agricultural village in the centre of each parish,
to be peopled by British peasantry, of thorough agricultural
habits, of approved moral principles, and who are either
members of temperance societies, or profess to abide by the
rules which regulate these associations.
The beneficial influence which would result from establish-
ments, upon the feelings and habits, and propensities of the

. .
negroes, would be infinitely more powerful than any precepts,
however wisely and carefully inculcated ; and when they saw
themselves surrounded, as it were, with European peasantry,
of sober economical habits, pursuing their avocations with
systematic perseverance, taking every advantage which cli-
mate and soil afforded, and turning their labour to profitable
account, it is the concurrent opinion of all acquainted with
the negro character, that such examples would have the most
gratifying effect in stimulating the recently emancipated
population to emulate their more enlightened rivals in every
thing which adorns a well regulated and industrious commu-
nity.

The system of emigration which is here projected, is
neither intended nor required to infringe upon, nor to sup-
plant the places of the present agriculturists, because, if
their labours were well directed, and turned into a proper
channel, they are sufficiently numerous for the cultivation of
the staple productions; hut to act as a moral engine upon
the Div inertim of the indolent, and render them, what every
peasantry ought to be, a " country's pride."
Whilst thousands are leaving their native land to seek a
livelihood in Australia, or in the equivocal colony of New
Zealand, the inhabitants of Jamaica, and those in the mo-

ther country connected with it, blind to their own interest,
allow the stream of emigration to pass their shores, and con-
tent themselves with taking a surface view of the present
precarious and ruinous state of an island which has, within
a given compass, more natural riches and resources than
probably any other spot under the sun.

Population and enterprise are the two fundamental prin-
ciples upon which hinge the future welfare of Jamaica ; and,
according as these are understood and carried into effect, so
will agriculture flourish, and its concomitant civilisation keep
pace with it.
It could scarcely be expected that the recently emancipated
peasantry would have immediately resumed their labour in a
continuous manner even for high wages. The transition
from hereditary bondage to unrestricted freedom ; the ex-
citement attendant upon such a transition, and the novelty
of the condition in which they were placed, from all former
restraint, have been removed, conspired to raise their expec-
tations to the exalted ideal notions which they had so long
and fondly cherished ; and instead of soberly looking upon
freedom as the labourers of Europe do, many of them be-
lieved, or affected to believe, that its direct tendency would
be to exempt them from labour, and place them upon a per-
fect equality, in every respect, with their former masters.
The present political and statistical state of the island

partially. favour these erroneous impressions, and will con-
tinue to do so, not only to the detriment of the proprietors,
and the labourers themselves, but also to the general inter-
est and welfare of humanity, until obviated by causes which
are exceedingly simple, and might easily be carried into
effect. _

The beautiful tracts of 'rich exuberant land, amounting to
upwards of two millions of acres, lying waste in the interior
of Jamaica. in all the primeval grandeur of nature, cannot
be exceeded, either for salubrity of climate or fertility of
soil, in any part of the world. These mountainous waving
lands are crowned with forest trees of great magnitude, of
the rarest and most valuable kinds ; and rivers of pure soft
water, are so profusely scattered over every variety of hill
and dale, that the Charibs bestowed its appropriate name,
signifying, " Is of Springs."
Valuable mineral productions of every description abound
throughout the island, and, from the recent analysis of cop-.
per ore found on I.Villiamsfield Plantation, in the parish of
Saint George, as well as from the report of a committee of
the Kingston Literary Association, who state, that it
would equal, if not exceed, any mine now working in any
part of the world." It is evident that both this, and nu-
merous resources of a similar description, might be profit-
ably developed by the patriotism and enterprise of capital-
ists connected with Jamaica.
_To enumerate the productions which might be advanta-
geously cultivated, independently of the grand staples of
sugar and coffee, would be to name the various products of
every region of the globe. Pimento, ginger, cotton, indigo,
cocoa, arrow-root, opium, drugs, dyes, and spices, the rear-
ing of the silk-worm upon the ramoon, which is an indi-
genous plant in every parish, and which answers as well as
the mulberry now acclamated, the culture of the vine, and
numerous other exotics; would afford healthy employment
for thousands of our industrious countrymen, Who are com-
pelled to seek a precarious subsistence in colonies favoured
with few such advantages.
Not only would the interests of the island be permanently
established, from the developement of its rich native stores;
but the revenue would be increased, commerce, as a matter
of course, would revive with 'successful agriculture, and in-
stead of vessels leaving the shores of Jamaica in ballast, as
they are now doing, the shipping interest would flourish, and
an outlet for manufactures would create a salutary reaction
on the present stagnation of trade at home.
By thus introducing a concentrated mass of industrious
labourers, with a proportion of mechanics, into the heart of
each parish, we would be transferring from the shores of
Britain a necessary degree of skill and intelligence, so much
required to diffuse, by the force of example, a knowledge of
the arts, together with improvements and invention in agri-
culture, at present almost totally and unaccountably neg-
lected ; and thus indirectly effect, with the collateral aids of
education and religion, all that is propitious to industry and
favourable to commerce.
This scheme is founded upon a thorough conviction, both
of its practicability and usefulness, from an intimate ac-
quaintance with the genius. habits, and dispositions of the
black population ; and may be received, not as the theory of
a speculatist, but as the result of the calm deliberation of
one whose knowledge of the state of the country entitles
him to be heard, and whose interests are identified with the
prosperity of the island.
It is submitted as a private measure, of course requiring
the sanction of a legislative enactment of Assembly, to se-,
cure its full and successful operation, and which would be
readily granted • and, no doubt, Government would likewise
afford every facility to its fulfilment.
The vigorous execution of the present system by public-
spirited gentlemen, whether proprietors, mortgagees, or an-
nuitants, ought not to be deferred, in expectation that the
Assembly may adopt this or a similar measure; for every
movement must now be prompt and efficient, to meet the
exigencies of the times, and to secure the advantages of a
plan possessing the elements of all that is requisite for
order, industry, and wealth.
A Central Emigration Company ought to be instituted in
London, under the guidance of those whose influence and
interest in the welfare of Jamaica best suit them for carrying
the scheme into effect ; and branch societies would cheer-

. -
fully respond to these efforts in every parish of that island,
to promote the fulfilment of a measure which the inhabitants
hail as the harbinger of their former prosperity.
The primary, and what is considered to be the only valid,
objection to the successful accomplishment of such a scheme,
is the popular belief that the island is unhealthy. This is a
vague assertion, resting upon partial statements, and admits
of satisfactory explanation. Every climate has unhealthy
localities, from the fens of Lincolnshire to the swamps of
Walcheren, from the malaria of Italy to the jungles of the
Ganges, and Jamaica has likewise its unhealthy spots; but
it would he as illogical to draw au inference of the insalubrity
of a climate, from partial statements, made from particular
localities in that island, as it would be to characterise Eng-
land, Holland, or Italy, unhealthy countries, because certain
districts are detrimental to health.
Taking the general state of the island, and leaving out cer-
tain low lying tracts, at present abounding in swamps and
marshes, most of which admit of being easily drained and
brought into cultivation, the climate of Jamaica is as com-
patible with the enjoyment of health and longevity, as the
most highly favoured districts of Europe ; and competent
judges will admit that the elevated range of lands in the in-
terior, are as pleasant and salubrious, and enjoy an immunity
from febrile diseases, which few countries can boast of.

If yellow fever be endemial, and occasionally prevails, at
certain seasons, along the shores of Jamaica ; typhus fever
originates in every densely populated town in Great Britain,
sweeping off thousands of the inhabitants, and is more in-
tractable in its nature, and fatal in its consequences, than
the gravest of West Indian febrile'diseases.

It-is well known that, beyond a sertain range of elevation,
intertropical fevers of high excitement are unknown in the
island, and, by observing proper precautions, strangers from
temperate regions may be acclimated with perfect safety.
The greatest apprehensions are to be entertained when in-
cautious soldiers and sailors, and new-comers, are allowed to
riot in dissipation, and are left to season in localities most
favourable for the production of disease. Every hundred
yards of elevation reduces the temperature one degree, so
that by ascending to an altitude of 3000 feet, a decrease of
ten degrees may be obtained, which would proportionally
continue, and thus enable immigrants to choose the climate
most agreeable to them.
Nothing exemplifies the pleasing variety of climate,
throughout the boundless range of mountainous lands, more
than the geographical distribution of plants, and in an ascent
of a few hours, the productions which give the peculiar fea-
tures to a tropical landscape, gradually give place to those of
more temperate climes. Convalescents also reap the advan-
tages of these cool retreats, by retiring to them to recruit
from the enervating effects of sickness contracted in the low
lands, and the bloom and vigour of the inhabitants of these
upland districts exhibit evidence of the most positive nature
of the purity of the atmosphere, and healthfulness of the in-
terior of Jamaica.
The unbounded access which new corners have to cheap
spirituous liquors, is the bane and the opprobium of the island;
remove that demoralising and fatal cause, and the problem is
solved regarding the insalubrity of the climate. If strangers
from temperate climates, to the excitement of the system oc-
casioned by a temperature higher than they have been accus-
tomed to, add the use of inflaming liquors, it will require little
foresight to foresee the consequences. Fatal effects are pro-
duced by the thoughtless and imprudent during the first
months after their arrival, from the unrestrained liberties
which they take with their constitutions ; and the danger in
acclimating is generally in an inverse ratio to their temperate
habits.
Several partial importations of ill-selected European la-
bourers of loose dissolute habits, have failed, by not attend-
ing to a system of temperance, as well as by locating them in
unhealthy situations in the lowlands, and consequently such
failures have thrown unmerited reproach upon a measure
which, under judicious regulations, would have succeeded
admirably.
I have particularly insistedupon the abolition of spirituous
liquors, as it becomes a sine qua non in the successful issue
of European colonisation ; and unless such abstinence be
particularly specified, and rigidly observed, it would be better
not to attempt such a scheme.
To obviate an evil of such paramoun' importance, and to
insure success to the undertaking, let all intended emigrants
be selected from agricultucal districts, by competent persons
of acknowledged integrity and honour, who have an interest
in the fulfilment of the measure, and who iwll take care that
no improper characters be engaged, and
.none but healthy
young moons of both sexes be allowed to join the parochial

communities; and let it also be distinctly understood that
the agricultural communities, are to be established upon the
principles which regulate temperance societies. This can
be easily attained, as such societies are already in operation
both in England and Scotland ; and when it is taken into
consideration that they are now generally diffused through-
out the United States, with the most gratifying results,
little difficulty will be found in peopling these villages with
sober characters ; and whilst effectual steps are thus taken
to ensure health and activity, we shall accomplish a plan
which will do more to revive the decaying interests of Ja-
maica, by abolishing indolence and substituting continuous
and well-directed industry, than the most sanguine could
have anticipated.
If sufficient encouragement be given to the object of this
letter, and villages be established under the prudential regu-
lations recardiiiended, they will form nuclei for numerous ad-'
venturers who are ready to go out, where such abundance of
every thing essential to happiness and comfort exists.
When it is taken into consideration, that Columbus found
Jamaica peopled by a million of natives, which the cupidity
and wickedness of his followers exterminated, and that only
a comparatively small proportion of the soil was then cultiva-
ted to supply their wants, it is surely not extravagant for us
to hope to see double the number of the present population
located in rich districts at present lying useless ; and by thus
carrying the scheme into vigorous effect, confidence would
be restored, property secured, and agriculture would flourish;
and instead of the present negative system of industry, we
would behold the energies of the black popillation enlisted in
a cause which would raise the country beyond her former
prosperity.
The advantages to be expected from a well-conducted sys-
tem of emigration are,-
Ist. To increase the security of property, enhance its value,
and revive the prosperity ofJamaica.
2d. To colonise and bring into cultivation the extensive
mountainous tracts of rich land, and to people the interior of
the island with European peasantry, from whom we might
derive occasional assistance, when required for extra planta-
tion purposes. -
3rd. To introduce new articles of produce, and otherwise
develope the numerous resources of the country.
4th. To set an example of morality and well directed in-
dustry to the black peasantry ; to teach them the value of
time and labor, and, by so doing, perfect the scheme of eman-
cipation.
The following regulations might be adopted for establish-
ing an agricultural community in each parish of Jamaica :
That the management of each parochial establishment be
entrusted to a committee, consisting of A president, and
twelve resident shareholders, to be annually elected by ballot
of shareholders, four of whom to be a quorum.; whose duty
it would be to superintend every thing relating to the economy
and welfare of the establishment.

•
That 700 shares, of £lO sterling each, be disposed of to
subscribers, to enable the committee to purchase 1500-acres
of land, and import 500 immigrants in families.
That a subscriber may purchase as many shares as he
pleases,,and that each share shall bear interest at the rate of
5 per centutn, to be transferable ; the principal to he paid
back out of the first proceeds.
That the committee shall, from time to time, inspect the
village, suggest such improvements as their local knowledge
may enable them to give to the new comers, and reserve a
fair proportion of the crops to pay off shares.
That the committee shall order a surveyor to run out 1000
acres of the land in comparments of 10 acres, upon each of
which a house shall be built, in a cottage style, in a neat
comfortable manner ; and one acre of each allotment be
cleared and planted with provisions, for the use of families
when they arrive. _ _

That each lot of land have a nominal value attached to it
by the committee, that in the event of any of the immigrants
wishing to purchase up the lot they may be allowed to do so.

Thai -a
Common of 100 acres lie reserved, for the run of
six cows, to be placed there by the committee, and attended
to by a boy, for the use of families, agreeably to bye regula-
tions.

That the immigrants shall plant, establish, and thoroughly
cultivate such a field of coffee, ginger, arrow-root, and other
profitable- commodities as the committee shall direct, so that
shareholders may be repaid out of the proceeds ; and that
each able labourer shall w ork in such field at least four days
in the week, of nine working hours each day, appropriating
to himself the two rtmaining days for cultivating his lot,
or employing himself and family as he thinks fit.
That as soon as the shares are paid off ; the houses and
lands, and all such fields as may have been established un-
der the superintendance of the committee be granted to the
immigrants, and to their heirs in fee-simple, for ever.

ESTIMATE FOR ESTABLISHING SUCH AN AGRICULTURAL

COMMUNITY IN EVERY PARISH.
1,500 acres of land, at 30s
__ _ .

Erecting 100 cottages, at £l5 each.
Clearing and planting 100 acres in the compart-
ments with provisions

£2250
1500

1000

4750

Incidental expenses for support, &c. during the --
first year, say..

5750
Importing 500 persons* in families, say lOOO
Expenses for an agent in selecting them- 250

£7OOO
That as soon as a sufficient number of subscribers are ob-
tained, a public meeting be called, to elect officers, and carry
the means into effect, and that an annual report of all pro-
ceedings connected with the establishment be printed.

* Sugar vessels might be obtained to carry out immigrants
upon advantageous terms.

A MISERABLE JOURNEY.-NARRATIVE OP

MR. NICHOLS.

The following narrative we extract from the Adelaide
Guardian. The letter is addressed to the editor of that
journal -
" As the circumstances attending my recent journey to
Encounter Bay; for the purpOse of holding a coroner's in-
guest on view of the body of Alexander Riches, must have
occasioned considerable excitement in the public mind in
Adelaide, will you allow me to request the favour of the in-
sertion in the following number of your journal, of the fol-
lowing brief account of the causes of the delay which has
taken place, and of the circumstances which have led to many
sufferings and privations experienced in the performance of
an important public duty. On Saturday, 10th instant, I
left his excellency the governor'S station, at Willunga, in
company with Mr. Calder, under whose directions 1 pro,
ceeded on-a route which he then pointed out to me. On
arriving at the base of Mount Compass, I succeeded in tra:-
cing the bullock tracks, as I had been directed to do, over
that part of the country where they were visibly defined. In
this way I proceeded about three or four miles, in the course
of which I crossed two temporary bridges, which had pre-
viously been described to me by Mr. Calder.
" Shortly after haying passed those bridges. I lost all tra-
ces of the beaten road or track, and found myself upon a
sandy spot covered with scrub, backed by a swamp of a very
considerable extent, which appeared to roe to be impassable.
I recollected some directions which had been given to me,
and, thinking it necessary, to cross the same, I endeavoured
to do so where it appeared to be passable, and I urged on my
horse accordingly. I had proceeded a short distance only,
when I was compelled to dismount, to save my horse from
being bogged, and succeeded with difficulty in extricating
him. After several other unsuccessful attempts to accom-
plish my object, in which my horse was nearly lost, I was
compelled to direct my course round the swamp, with the
view of attaining the summit of an eminence to which my at-
tention hail previously been directed.
" I found it impossible to accomplish this object ; and, as
the evening was fast approaching, I endeavoured to select a
convenient spot for passing the night. 1 fastened my horse
to a tree, and, having no provisions of any kind, or the means
of kindling a fire, without any covering I lay on the grass,
exposed to the cold. In this situation, impatiently awaiting
the morning, at daylight I again endeavoured to get round
the swamp, travelling a distance of upwards of 20 miles,
leading my horse, which at that time appeared almost worn
out, by the bridle, over steep ascents, covered with thick
scrub, and a species of vine, presenting a formidable barrier
to my progress. I now passed another night in a situation
similar to that which I have described.

" I had now been nearly two days without food of any de.-
scription, except grass and water from the swamps. 1 con-
tinued in this state several days, leading my horse by day,
and passing the nights in the manner I have described, which
produced sufferings of the worst description, thrOugh the
bilitated state to which 1 was reduced. I shaped my course
by the sun, in a direction which I intended to be S.E. by E.;
and finding that I could ,not succeed in crossing the swamp,
after several fruitless attempts, I abandoned the intention
of doing so, and returned to the spot from which I started.
I had been wandering about in this state six days, without
food-of any kind, and subsisting entirely on the grass, which
I chewed, and water. On this I succeeded in getting over
the swamp, leading my horse through high grass and hay,
and picking out the hardest portions of the ground over
which I was travelling ; and frequently wading through water
a considerable depth. I at last succeeded in reaching the
opposite side, where I had to contend with an extensive and
almost impassable scrub in my progress over an ascent of
the steepest description. With much difficulty I reached the
summit of this eminence, where my horse, now completely
exhausted, and unable to proceed further, fell to the ground
unable to rise. At first I determined to bleed him, in order
to obtain for myself the Means of sustenance, being at the
time weak and exhausted myself; but being unwilling to lose
my horse, and having no knife in my pocket, or other means
of accomplishing my purpose, I proceeded to a stream which
was running near me through the hills, to get water both for
myself and horse. In this I succeeded, making use of the
top of a pen-case which 1 had in my pocket, and pouring the
contents into the nostrils of the horse, which apparently
seemed to revive him. I afterwards used my hat for a simi-
lar purpose, and restored my horse at last, but 1 was unable
to proceed further that day. I then shaped my course towards
an eminence which I mistook for Mount Jarred, as well as
my recollection, already affected by the extreme bodily and
mental sufferings under which I laboured, would permit ;
but, being nearly exhausted from privation, having been now
nearly eight days without food, my feet swollen and excoriated
in a frightful manner, I became scarcely able to move, and
frequently sank from exhaustion, unable to proceed further.
" My horse dropped a second time, and I succeeded in re-
storing him, but I could not lead him onward ; he seemed
unable to proceed ; I therefore fastened him up in the usual
manner for the night. I laid down myself, prostrated almost
in mind and body. The horse had in the night broken the
bridle and strayed ; and, although I traced him on the fol-
lowing morning for some distance, I was too ill to follow up
my search •, I therefore proceeded alone on my journey. On,
the day following I found a few mushrooms which I de-
voured voraciously, and succeeded in reaching the surveying
station of Mr. Pullen, where I received the most hospitable
and kind treatment. He rowed me over the Henniss as soon
as I could be removed, and sent one of his men with me to
Encounter Bay.
" From the commencement I felt scarcely any sensation of
hunger; but I was visited with acute pains in the head and
chest, accompanied with extreme faintness, so much so as to
produce a total prostration of mind and body. I also expe-
rienced much annoyance from the wild dogs, several of whom
constantly surrounded me at night. I had no difficulty in
driving them away.
" I feel it unnecessary to apologise for trespassing on your
time, and occupying such a space in your columns. Having
received so many demonstrations of anxiety for my personal
safety, the publication of this statement has become a public
duty. In the mean time allow me to subscribe myself your
very obedient servant, "J. W. NICHOLS."

Lord Brougham, by special invitation, will visit the King
and Queen of the French, at the Tuileries, en route to Eng.
land.
A STORM IN KOORDISTAN.—Last year, I think it was,
nearly two hundred serbaz, who were proceeding from the
village of Nistiin by SoonAs, together with upWards of two
hundred yahoos and asses, were lost in one day. The suu
shone clear in the heavens, and the weather below was fine,
so that the men were tempted to proceed on their way. But,
in these lofty hills, the wind often blows hard while a calm
reigns below, and it seems a gale was blowing in the pass
which raised the dry snow in clouds ; this was observed
from several points below, but no one knew of the unhappy
caravan •, and even had the truth been known, what mortal
aid could have availed? The whole were buried by the snow
clouds, and frozen to death by force of the wind alone. I
was told that nearly a thousand living creatures, men and
cattle, had perished that season at Seradhust. Nay, so severe
is the winter there, that the khan's steward told me he had
frequently been storm-stayed in the khan's house, so that he
could not get to his own for days ; and that communication
between the villages was frequently cut off, so that all gene-
ral ceased for months.—Fraser's Travels in
Koordistan.

VESSELS ENTERED FOR LOADING.
.(SINCE OUR LAST PUBLICATION.)

- - - • WEST INDIES AND MADEIRA.
Tacitus, P Moore, Havana,Wildes, Pickersgill Rc Co
Christina, M Oginaga, 135 Havana, F Marrero
,Zeno, .W Mossop, 2 i 5. Jamaica, A Cliff & Son
Denison, II Jones, 325 Antigna, C W & F Shand
Standard, -----, 214 Demerara, G Booker & Co
Levant, T Bartlett, 413 Matanzas, It Zwllchenbart & Co
Mountaineer, W Williams, 296 Kingston, Jamaica,

Imrle-& Tomlinson

SOU TR AMERICA.
Huntress, N Putnam, 546 Pernambuco, Galt, Barff &Co
Diadem, J Ross, 213 Pernambuco, Cotesworth & Wynne
Bessy Robertson, D Christie, 149 Rio Janeiro, Imrie & Tomlinson
City of Perth, J Porter, 136 Para, W N Moore