The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1840-07-21 00:00:00

BRITISH GUIANA

Extract from the Minutes of the Proceedings of the Direc-
tors of the Voluntary Subscription Emigration Society,
held at the Public Buildings, in Georgetown, Demarara.

Monday, March 2, 1840.
The Board resolved that the following answers to the
questions contained in the letter of Messrs. Peck and Price,
be communicated to those gentlemen.
1. Will the emigrants from the United States have the pri-
vilege to choose their employers, without restraint or draw-
back for passage-money, &c. ?
Answer.—Emigrants arriving here from the United States
or elsewhere, are free to select their employers. They will
be superintended by the government emigration agent, whose
duty it will be to aid them, when they desire it, in the selec-
tion; to give them every information as to the localities of
the colony, the rate of wages, the nature of the employment,
and all other matters in which they are interested.

The passage money and expenses of maintenance during
the voyage, will be paid for by this society, for all labouring
emigrants, whether agricultural or mechanical, and no draw-
back for them, in any way whatever, will be made.

2. What do the society think of the plan of cultivating
canefields on shares, viz., to give over the fields after being
cut—the undertakers to keep up the cultivation, and deliver
the canes at the works ?

Answer.—The plan here suggested has the society's entire
approbation.

3. What portion of the produce should the undertakers
receive as reward?

Answer.—The society have to observe that the proportion
of the produce to be given to the cultivators, would, in the
first place, depend on the arrangement to be entered into
between them and the proprietor of the land ; which arrange-
ment, in the second place, will materially depend on the na-
ture of the soil, the state of the cultivation, the condition of
the drainage, and other local circumstances of the estate. The
society, therefore, cannot declare the proportion definitely.
but they give their opinion, that not less than one-third of
the gross produce of the land would be the remuneration to
the cultivators. The proprietor, however, should have the
option of paying the value thereof, in money, at cash market
price, or according to arrangement.

4. If undertaking new fields, what quota should be re-
ceived ?

Answer.—Not less than half of the gross produce for the
first crop, and one-third for the succeeding crops. These
remunerations to be free of deductions.

5. Should the undertaker wantadvances in money, on what
terms could he procure it ?
Answer.—The Board observes that, in their opinion, no
difficulty would arise in procuring advances of money from
time to time from the proprietor, having reference to the
progress in quality and quantity of the work undertaken ;
but this would also form a part of the arrangement between
the cultivator and proprietor.
6. Should emigrants bring out with them their house fur-
niture, and provisions for their own use, will the same be
subject to duty ? If so, please present us with a tariff, &c.

Answer.—Beds and bedding and cooking utensils, would
be considered passengers' baggage, and not liable to duty.
With regard to household furniture and provisions, the board
directs the following tariff of Queen's duty on articles from
the United States, and a list of those free of duty, to be fur-
nished to the delegates.
Household furniture, 15 per cent. ad val. Flour, ss. per
brl. Beef, pork, hams and bacon, 12s. per cwt. Sausages
7 per cent. ad val. Cheese and butter 15 per cent. ad val.
Corn, meal, biscuit, pease, beans, potatoes, corn, oats, hay,
rice, fresh vegetables, fresh fruit, horses, cattle, sheep, hogs,
feathered stock, free of duty. Salt fish prohibited altogether.
(A true extract.) THOMAS BAGOT, Secretary.
It may not be amiss to give you what information we ga-
thered as to the amount of sugar that an acre will produce on
land that has been in cultivation for thirty or forty years,
without manuring. The estimated amount is from 2550 lbs.
to 3400 lbs. and at the prices it brought to the planter at the
time we were there, was from 6to 7 dollars per hundred. At
the lowest quantity and price, it would yield 153 dollars per
acre. At the largest amount, 3400 lbs.- at 7 cents., it would
yield 238 dollars ; besides the rum and molasses ; which, at
the prices it was then bringing, say-from 30 to 40 cents. per
gallon, (taking the average quantity and price to the acre,)
would be about 60 dollars more; and thirty hands can keep
up the cultivation of 100 acres. Now we think the agricul-
turist has everything to gain and nothing to lose.
Labourers about the wharfs and shipping, can earn 1 dollar
per day throughout the year.

Brick and potters' chi are to be found everywhere in the
greatest abundance. The bricks now in use (which are
imported). are worth 20 dollars per thousand. There are no
potteries in the colony, nor did we see any stone-ware while
there. _

-~B
Boat-bnilders and wood-cutters are in much demand, as
well as those who understand sawing ship-timber, &c.
Washwomen, nurses, and sempstresses are in demand, and
1 dollar per dozen is paid for washing clothing.
It may not be unacceptable to the reader to learn the prices
of some articles, that he may know how to govern himslf.
House rent, about 100 per cent higher than in Baltimore.
Furniture, about the same. Flour from 11 to 13 dollars per
barrel. Hams, from 16 to 20 cents per pound. Veal and
mutton very scarce ; 25 to 30 cents per pound. Fresh pork,
20 to 25 cents per pound, scarce. Beef, 16 cents, and plenty.
Butter, from 50 to 60 cents per pound. Coffee 25 to 30 cents
per pound. Tea, Ito 2 dollars per pound. Brown sugar,
p2l6otuocven.ts per pound. Rice, 50 cents per gallon. Sperm
candles, 67 cents per pound. Dipped, 16 to 20 cents per
Chickens, Ito 1 dollar 50 cents per pair. Geese,
dollars 50 cents each. Turkeys, from 3to 5 dollars
each..,e Vegetables, such as grow in this country, very high.
of the of all the above articles are by retail ; but in-
steade high pric b • disadvantage, we look upon
them as a decided advantageesein toa the enterprising producer ;
for it is the scarcity of those articles, such as fowls, &c., that
tcharunsetthheoirsealtitiegnhtiionnicteos.f Let there be a sufficient number to
prices.
and our word for it, urnishing those articles for market,
theydownctrot fail to succeed in making
money, and bringin,r
Clothing of every bringing
reach
chheaper than in this country.
Fuel, in town, is within then
at many places, as low as 8 cents worth, the poorest ; is sold
and is only used for
cooking. On plantations, it can be tadh for the trouble of
irlilcetis, i
so f
covuatriitortyi s,
cutting it. Therefore, although the hi
articles of food, may, at the first glance, appear discouraging
to the emigrant, yet we do not hesitate toPc are, that they
are reduced even below the level of prices -
when we consider that in Guiana, the labourers on the
plan-
tations, have neither house-rent, doctors' charges or school-
ing for his children to pay ; while the expense of fuel is saved,
and the cost of clothing diminished more than one-half.
But in order to give a clear and distinct view of the colony
and its resources, let us imagine a large and extensive coun-
try, with the most luxuriant soil, capable of producing every..
thing that grows in a tropical region, and that all the cultiva-
tion is confined to the borders of the sea-coast, or along the
margin of three mighty rivers.
The first in order, and the largest and most important, is

blo for 2M miloa at the mouth
tan!' the two beautiful ialemle, Legaun and

the Eseeqtabo, Odell Is nev

Wakanaam, which alone are capable of receiving an addition
of many thousand emigrants. The Arabian coast, the ac-
knowledged garden spot of the colony, is we believe, equally,
if not more healthy than Baltimore. This coast, which is in
a high state of cultivation, is now prepared to receive an ad-
dition of some thousand emigrants ; who would be at once in
comfortable situations.
The next river is the Demerara, upon which, near the en-
trance, stands Georgetown, the capital of the colony, and the
principal sea-port. This river runs in a serpentine course into
the interior, to a very great extent. The cultivation, bending
o❑ this river, does not extend more than twenty miles from
the principal sea-port.
_ _

The Berbice river is tLe next, but not the least, it runs
nearly parallel with the two former, but to a greater extent
than the latter. The cultivation on this river does not extend
from the port of shipment (which is New Amsterdam, in
Berbice) over twelve miles. Hence, it is easy to discover the
many advantages that this country possesses in a great de-
gree for the enterprising agriculturalist.
A large amount of the very best land is lying idle, and a
great portion, (thousands of acres, bordering on those rivers,
where vessels of 230 tons can ascend for at least 200 miles,)
is entirely without cultivation. The inviting aspect of the
country is at once observable to any one having the most
cd ideas of agriculture.

contract

The timber upon ibis laud is of the most precious kind,
and is suitable for furniture, as it is susceptible of a very high
polish. There are several establishments in the interior for
cutting and exporting this timber, with several steam saw-
mills, to convert it into plank,-&c.

. .
Numerical bill of mortality for the years 1837, _
1839. Population trifle less than 15,000 in Georgetown
White Coloured
Inhabitants. Inhabitants

Total
664
685
611

447 1513 1980
The following letter was received in answer to questions
propounded by us relative to the prices of laud :
" Georgetown, British Guiana, March 9, 1840.
" Messrs. Nathaniel Peck and Thomas S. Price.

" Dear Sirs,—ln reply to your inquiry respecting tl►e price
of land in Essequibo, 1 beg leave to say, that to parties who
would engage to erect dwellings, and settle ou Great Troolie
Island, where I have about 1200 acres, of a soil equal to any
in the colony, and superior to a greater part of it, I would
now sell at from 15 dollars to 40 dollars per acre, in propor-
tion to the distance from the water side. This land 1 would
engage to afford the means of drainage, by one or more ko-
kers, as might be found requisite ; the drains to be made
and kept free by the purchasers. _ _ _

" The laud f have reference to is cn the windward or east
side of the island ; has been in former times in cultivation,
and could be drained and again put in cultivation at much
less expense than new land with heavy wood upon it. Should
the purchasers be disposed to provide kokers for drainage
for themselves, a deduction of 25 per cent. could be made
from the price named. The laud on the leeward side of the
island, which has never been in cultivation, I would sell at
from 10 to 30 dollars per acre, in proportion to its distance
from the water side, thg_purchasers draining it themselves.
I should not be disposed'to make a commencement of a sale
in this way unless fifty acres could be sold at once, and iu
lots of not less than five acres, and the pui chasers to be
bound to enclose their respective lots by a fence or trench,
sufficiently wide to answer the purpose of confining within
their own limits any live-stock they might keep. My terms
would be one-half the purchase money on giving possession
and title, and the other half in two equal annual instalments,
say in one and two years. The latter half might be paid in
agricultural labour, at the current rate of wages, if agreeable
to the purchaser.
" The offer hereby made, I should consider binding on me
until twenty thousand emigrants have arrived here after this
date, or .at any rate for twelve months from date, unless I
made a sale of the whole, in the meantime, to one party.
This right I am not willing to shut myself out of.

Remaining, dear sirs, your very obedient servant,
" CHARLES BENJAMIN."

On the afternoon of the 10th of March, every thing being
ready, we took our departure from Gecrgetown, on board the
steam-packet, Captain Lunn, for Grenada. We arrived at
Grenada, after a passage of fifty-six hours, on the night of
the 12th, procured lodgings, and at the end of four days
procured passage in a small sloop, the Governor Doyle, for
Trinidad, where he arrived on the night of the 17th • pro-
cured lodging, by the assistance of a friend, and the next
morning walked out early ; returned to breakfast, and learned
that Messrs. Bushe, Losh, and Johnson, had called to see
us. Shortly after, we met them on the street; they wel-
comed us to Trinidad, and Mr. Bushe invited us to his
dwelling. It was now arranged that we should be accommo-
dated with conveyance to the country on the 20th. We spent
the two days in town, to the best advantage, in order to find
out as many of the emigrants as possible, who had come out
in the Metamora and Archer, and to learn from them how
they liked the island. We met three or four, who had re-
mained in town ; they gave rather an unfavourable account
of it. As they were mechanics, they no doubt went out with
rather too high-wrought expectations. Their complaint was,
that they did not receive as much for their labour, per day,
as they did in the United States, and their board was high ;
tradesmen were not in demand. These persons were all un-
known to us, except one, whom Mr. Peck knew; therefore
we could not rely entirely upon what we heard.
Early on the morning of the 20th, by the kindness of
Messrs. Bushe and Losh, we were furnished with a horse and
gig, and proceeded through a delightful part of the country, and
were accompanied by those gentlemen. After travelling
obout six miles, we stopped at Mr. Jackson's, who received
us in the kindest manner. He is the proprietor of an exten-
sive plantation. Ile invited us to breakfast the next morn-
ing, and to take a look at another portion of the island.
After spending a short time here, we again set out four or
five miles further, to one of Mr. Bushe's estates, where we
breakfasted.

Here we saw a number of the emigrants, and conversed
with them ; some few were dissatisfied. The reasons they
gave for it were these :—That they sold their furniture in the
States, for little or nothing ; and when they went to purchase
there, they found every thing much higher than in this
country. The churches being a good distance froin some of
them, was another cause of complaint; others, with the price
of provisions. We endeavoured to convince them of the
necessity of undergoing-some difficulty and privations, which
is a sure attendant upon all such changes ; but although we
did not see as many advantages as we had witnessed in
Guiana, yet this island possesses many advantages over the
United States, for the industrious man of colour. At this
place we met two carpenters from New York, who said they
were satisfied, and were doing well.

We went further on to another of Mr. Bushe's estates,
where there were more of the emigrants, who appeared to be
in better spirits ; in fact, they appeared .determined to sur-
mount all temporary difficulties, and show what can be done.
They had planted gardens of many vegetables ; such as grow
in this country, and they appear to be thriving. Corn grows
luxuriantly, and three crops a year can be had from the same
field. After spending a considerable time here we returned
to town, highly gratified. By invitation, we dined with Mr.
Bushe, where we met several gentlemen, who gave us every
encouragement to emigrate to that island.

The next day, through the kindness of Messrs. Bushe and
Losh, we were furnished with horses ; a young gentleman
also accompanied us. We started to fulfil an engagement
with Mr. Jackson, where we arrived in a short time, and then
rode with him through his extensive plantation, which, like
all others, is in want, of labourers to keep up the cultivation.
After breakfast, our horses being ready, we set out through a
beautiful valley to a cocoa plantation, owned by Mr. Jackson.
It is a delightful retreat, with a fine house upon it ; this he
offers to any respectable party upon advantageous terms—
either to sell, lease, or work it upon shares. On the same
property, is erected a mill, turned by water, to grind arrow-
root, for starch. This place has been in arrow-root, and
would take but little trouble to cultivate it again. After
spending an agreeable time, we took leave of our friend, and.
arrived in town before sunset.

The next day, being Sunday, breakfasted with Mr. Bustle ;
while there, were waited upon by a committee of four gentle-
men, requesting us to prolong our visit, in order to partake
of a public dinner, which they tendered us. The list shown
us, was signed by some of the most respectable and wealthy
of the citizens ; but as we were then circumstanced, having
made arrangements with a captain, in conjunction with
Messrs. Smith and Shorter, (who were delegates from Ana-
polls) we could not revoke our engagement to start.
Monday afternoon at 4 o'clock, set sail from Trinidad in
the sloop Phoebe, for St. Thomas, in order to get paSs4e
home, as there are seldom vessels direct from this port to the
United States. We arrived at St. Thomas, the Sunday fol-
lowing.
On Tuesday, 31st March, sailed from St. Thomas in the
brig Norfolk, Captain Matthews, for Philadelphia, where we
arrived on the 11th of April.
PRICES OF ARTICLES, AND PRICES GIVEN TO FIELD-
LABOURERS.—The price
per task is 50 cents, and three
tasks has and can be done by the American emigrant. Flour,
11 to 13 dollars per barrel. Bacon, 16 to 20 cents per pound.
Fresh Beef, 10 cents per pound. Brown sugar, 12 1-2 cents
per pound. Butter, 50 to 60 cents per pound. Coffee, 25
to 30 cents per pound. Tea, Ito 2 dollars per pound. Veal
and Mutton, 20 to 25 cents per pound, and scarce. Fowls,
1 50 to 2 dollars per pair. Geese, 1 50 to 2 dollars each.
Turkeys, 1 50 to 2 50 each.

The great difference between Guiana and Trinidad is very
perceptible upon the estates. In Guiana, every estate has
the appearance of a manufacturing village. In Trinidad, the
works, &c. upon estates are on a very small scale, and the
lack of that animation and life which is everywhere found in
Guiana at the time of making sugar. In Guiana all the
works are propelled by steam-engines, and the mill is fed by
the same power. The workman's labour is lightened in many
ways by it., In Trinidad most of the works are propelled by
mules, or water, and the manual labour is greater. The
labourers' cottages, in general, are much more spacious and
comfortable in Guiana, than
.those, now in use in Trinidad.
In conclusion, we muhesitatingly.,say,.that Trinidad is a fine
and beautiful island, and possesses many advantages to the
agriculturist, over the United States, but is in want of but
few, if any mechanics.

As there appears a desire among many persons to know
whether we intend to settle in either of those places, and
which of the two we preferred, we thought it advisable to
get through with the report to the public meetings, before
we declare our intentions. We now declare our preference
for Guiana

NATHANIEL PECK
IHOMAS S. PRICE.

VESSEL BURNT AT SEA, AND PROVIDENTIAL PRESERVA-
TION OF THE CREW.—The Sardinian brig Telemachus, Capt.
tSou
bv oe a
os
nh y,Genoa,Jbuonuen, dw e tnh
about
bßrazils,was
equator.d discovered
v er
Thee d
fire fromn
the ls t
captain and crew, after endeavouring to. extinguish the fire,
finding that, instead of diminishing, it gamed on them, turned
their thoughts towards their own safety, and hoisting out
their boats (two in number) bade adieu to their ill-fated
craft. After experiencing for five days and nights the horrors
which the uncertainty of their final safety from their-immense
distance from land would naturally create, they were, on the
6th, in lat. 5 N., long. 27 27, picked up in a very weak state
(by their long exposure to the air and their cramped situa-
tion) by the Orient, Captain William Taylor, from Sydney,
New South Wales, (since arrived in the Downs,) and received
all the attention which they required and Captain Taylor was
able to render them. Thus thirteen human lives, after
suffering the worst of sea perils, have, under Providence, been
safely returned to their families. It is heedless to say that,
with the exception of what the men had on at the time in the
shape of clothes, they have saved nothing.

PAGANINI.—" The will of Paganini has been opened at
Genoa, says says a letter from that place in the Debate, `` and
the following account of its contents is given as authentic.
The greater Part of the fortune consists in houses and lands ;
the remainder is in the, funds in France, England, and Na-
ples. The total amount has been officially estimated at
1,700,000 francs, which is said to be rather an under than
an over estimate. Paganini has left to his eldest sister the
life interest of a capital of 75,000 francs, which is, after her
death, to be divided equally between her sons and daughters.
To his youngest sister he has left a life interest of 50,000
francs, on similar conditions ; to a lady of Lucca, whose
name the will declares is not to be mentioned, he has left
6000 francs a-year for life, and to the mother of his son
1200 francs a-year for life. This lady is not a Jewess, as
hgttllBai
esi
during
s 8 eeigelldaatn:ch
dgae generally
placed n,
singer,st
iaenralge
.Iwyi
nhsaid,nearly
travelledbrblu
lyu tkaalol
fßiee mithain
pCuagtihnoillliie,faronrdn aldB23istirtio-
lc) ceerrttys,
afterwhich d
deducting
cgtai
nv
ge
übne3eureaththeegud
atorthhainsshsoipn
oAfehthilleesm,
awrhquoiiss, by
Lo-
renzo Pareto of Genoa."

EXTRAORDINARY AND ROMANTIC SUICIDI

On Thursday an inquest was held at the Newbold Inn,
Leamington, on the bodies of two young women which had
been found in the river Learn.

irst witness examined was J

a porter, w

etated that as he was proceeding to his work On Wednesday
he found two bonnets and a shawl near the milldam of Mr.
Oldham's mill. He immediately gave information of the
discovery, end the river was dragged without delay. The
result was the further discovery, first of the body of Eliza-
beth Varney, a married woman, aged 21, whose husband had
lately enlisted as a soldier; and then that of Ann Smith,
aged 18. No marks of violence were discoverable on either,
and it was observed that their clothes appeared to have been
selected and put on with studied neat

Robin;, the father of Elizabeth Varney, stated that
since the enlistment of her husband she had been in an un-
settled state of mind, and could not be persuaded to remain
at home. On the morning after her death he received a let-
ter, which he now produced. He had not seen her for a
fortnight. _

Jane Crump stated, that deceased had taken lodgings with
her when she left her father and that a person named Wm.
Southam, whom she believed at first to be her husband, joined
her there in the evening. On discovering the true nature of
the connexion, she gave them notice to quit. Southam left
on Sunday; and Varney continued there until Tuesday even-
ing, when she went out, and never afterwards returned. De-
ceased was engaged several hours in writing on the Tuesday.
George Whorrall deposed, that on Tuesday evening Varney
had said to him in a jocular manner, as he thought, " I shall
drown myself to-night." The girl in his company, who was

suppose& to be Ann Smith, had said the same thing in the
same tone. Varney was inquiring for Southain, who was
believed to he keeping out of the way.

William 'Wells, a servant out of place, saw the two deceased
together on Tuesday night. The elder asked him to fasten
her gown. She seemed flurried, and there was something
melancholy in her laugh. They both on leaving him took a
direction towards the mill. It was proved in evidence that
Smith also had become melancholy after being visited by a
young man named George Jackson, and that she had been
heard to say, " It will goon and on until I kill myself." She

had borne an irreproachable character.
The jury returned a verdict of " Found drowned

PORT PHILIP, SOUTH AUSTRALIA

We have been permitted to make the following extracts
from a private letter, dated " Ship John Bull, Port Philip,
January 27, 1840

" I am glad to inform you that we arrived here on Tues-
day, the 22d instant, after a pleasant voyage, not having had
any rough weather since we passed the Canary Islands. Our
passengers are all on shore, except about a dozen. They all
got places directly we arrived : the single females get about
£2O a-year—the men about £.lO or £5O, that is, farm ser-
vants, &c.; clerks about £100; carpenters, &c. 'l2s. 6d.
a-day. Every one seems to be making their fortunes fast.
Fourteen acres of land that was bought a year ago, sold for
£lOOO. Melbourne is pleasantly situated on the Yarrayarra,
and contains about 7000 inhabitants. It has a very commo-
dious harbour, and large enough to allow any vessel in the
English navy to ride in perfect safety. We are anchored
about one mile from Williamstown (which is situated at the
most northerly extremity of the harbour), and about four
from Melbourne. I suppose we shall not be allowed to go
on shore much, as they are afraid of us running away ; in-
deed, it is almost impossible for any one to leave the ship,
as there is always an officer on the poop, and one of the ap-
rentices on the forecastle head : but, for all that, we ex-
pect we shall lose all the men yet before we leave. I
suppose we are to go to Bombay from here with a cargo,
though for what reason I do not at present know, and thence
to Liverpool, which will very much shorten the voyage.
The captain has bought a lot of land here, and is coming
out with his family after we return to England. The wind
is always blowing from the south, and is generally pretty
fresh. The country quite charms us, but it is very low about
the beach, and therefore very sandy ; but, I suppose, further
in, the land is very good. Kangaroos are very plentiful GO
miles in, and mocking birds, paroquets, &c., are to be' hot
ashore. Every thing is very dear here; two rooms.-two
guineas weekly; ls. 6d. fcr a bed. Every settler, not a
working man, who comes out here, should provide himself
with either a tent or a house in frame. I should prefer -the
former, both as taking up less root]] in the ship's hold, or in
your own berth while you are in the ship, and because they
fetch a good price here ; one of the intermediate passengers
brought one from London, cost £7 altogether, and here they
are 50 guineas. I would also advise them to bring out a few
carpenter's tools; spades, nails, &c., and as many pieces of
duck, for trousers, &c., as possible, as clothes are very dear
here. The Yarrayarra is a most beautiful river; the inha-
bitants are very independent, and understand the fashions as
well as any Cockney. Hunting coats, worn without waist-
coats, and with a broad shining leather belt, with a large
brass buckle, are " quite colonial:" white moleskin trousers
and a Manilla hat, very much like my China hat, although
some have a brim three times as broad. • There are two
newspapers, the Gazette and another. I hope to have the
pleasure of sending you one before I leave. There are lots
of mosquitos here, and a fly about three times as large as the
one you have in England. * * * I have had u very warm
winter, though it is not so warm as I expected. ** * I
am sitting here, at four in the afternoon, with port, door,
hatch, and every thing open, in nothing but a striped shirt
and duck trousers,—is it not comfortable ?"—Manchester
paper.