The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1835-01-16 00:00:00

13TH NOVEMBER.

Mr. M`Neel came before the committee and stated, that since
he gave his evidence, on the 11th instant, he had received a let-
ter from the overseer of Shrewsbury estate, a discreet and res-
pectable manager, stating that he had commenced sugar making
on the -lib instant, that everything went on well till breakfast
time, when the apprentices went iu a body to, their breakfast,
leaving the mill and boiling-house unattended to: That some
of the principal persons on the property interfered to prevent
the others from hiring themselves to do any extra work at the
factory. On this property we have been giving all the allow-
ances as heretofore, and continue to boil pot daily for young
children. We had on this property forty-seven children under
six years of age on the Ist of August; their nurses afe also
continued as before. THOMAS M‘NliaL.

KINGSTON, WEDNEstrav, NOVEMBER 19, 18.3 L
The inattention with which the governor treats all communi-
cations from proprietors on the non-working of the new system
of labour, is really " too bad ;" but this is perhaps part of the
system adopted by his Excellency to discourage communication
ou points which so materially affected the interests of the
country. We were informed by Mr. Moncrieffe, a respectable
magistrate of St. Ann's, that he represented to the Custos of
Trelawny, and Major-General of the district, that his appren-
tices were setting all law. and authority at defiance, and that
life and property were in jeopardy. This letter, we have been
assured, was handed to the governor by the gallant general,
and that the only answer he got was—" That his Excellency
had not time to attend to those kind of complaints!"—We
almost hope this cannot be true; but if it is, we know what we
have to depend upon.

From the Kingston Chronicle, 23th November.
"We understand that very unpleasant accounts have been re-
ceived from St. Ann's. The nature of them wd have not yet
heard, but it appears that they were considered of such impur-
tance by the governor as to require him to despatch an express
with orders. It appears to us quite clear that the executive has
received "instructions" from the colonial office not to adopt
any strong or vigorous measures until blood be actually shed.
Be this as it may, the day of retribution is approaching, and
ministers will be compelled to yield to the demands of-the

colonists. •
" Since writing the foregoing we have been informed that the
apprentices on two estates in St. Ann's (one of them named
Windsor) have struck work, and are at this moment in a state
el rebellion. Should this be the case, in what light can the un- '
foctunate inhabitants of Jamaica view the line of conduct pur-
sued by the executive? When we reflect upon the dangers '
with which we ate threatened, and consider that the actual and
lamentable state of the country has repeatedly been submitted
to the consideration of his excellency the governor—that he his
been seriously advised, nay, urged by our assembly to adopt the
only means by which the island might yet be saved from im-
pending ruin, and perceive that his excellency is still, even at
the eleventh hour, apparently deaf and calldlis to the represen-
tations and advice of those who value their lives and property,
we cannot but deplore, whatever his excellency's secret in-
structions may be, that he ever came to Jamaica—for we have
every reason to fear, that the apprehensions entertained and
expressed by the assembly are now on the eve of being realised."
We had indulged iu the hove that the division between the
executive, council, and assembly, with regard to Mr. Batty's
bill, would have been amicably accommodated, but our hope
has been dashed to the ground. Enchained as the governor 13
by instructions, it is useless and vain- to look to hint for.assist-
ance or to appeal to hisNjudgment. He is nothing more than
a mere automaton in the hands of the government,—his motions
to be directed by the pull of a string or piece of wire. In ad-
dition to the remarks we made yesterday on the subject of his
excellency's reply to the assembly, we feel called upon to allude
to a passage which contains a most ungenerous reflection.
Speaking of the difficullies which he has experienced in the go-
vernment of the island, he says, " If, however, I meet with the
co-operation I have been promised they will vanish. If that
ca-operation is withheld, it will be impossible for me, safely or
successfully, to administer the government of this island, and
the loss will fall on those from whom I expected assistance."—
There is an implication in this sentence not justified by fact.
The assembly are willing to co-operate with the government in
the maintenance of peace. They ask for an extension of powers
to be placed in their hands. It is refused. It is admitted by
the governor himself, the organ of the government, that the
number of special magistrates is inadequate to
.preserve order,
and enforce industry. In consequence of this a joint address of
the council and assembly is presented to the organ of govern-
ment, whose admission is recorded in a state document, for only
a partial power. That also is refused. The efforts of the colo-
nists are paralyzed, and at every turn "instructions are flung
into their faces." thus adding insult to injury. "The instruc-
tions of the Colonial-office are of more importance to me than
the safety of the island of Jamaica! !" This is the answer the
governor should have returned, and not spoken about " co-
operation." The assembly has repeatedly manifested an earnest
desire to co-operate—but their efforts of co-operation have been
rejected with scorn, reproach, and insult ! !
Extract of a private letter from Jamaica, dated Novem-
ber 28, 1834 :
" You ask me how Quashie comes on since he got his free-
dom? I am very sorry to inform you badly, and that every
day matters are getting worse. We dread the approaching
Christmas. God sendehat it may pass quietly over; but I fear
not. What do you think of the following for example ? Golden
Grove estate,. with 700 negroes, a steam engine, and a power-
ful water mill, and three sets of coppers, only, making one hogs-
head of sugar a-day, or six a-week. when before they used to
make twenty-four a-week. Holland's estate, with nearly the
same negroes, making only the same quantity; but they are
almost in a state of rebellion. The other day, when the bell
rang for breakfast, boilers, trash carriers, stoke-hole man, and
feeders, walked away, and left all the liquor to spoil—the same
at dinner time and at night. The manager was obliged to send
for the police; and you may judge of the state the negroes are
in, when it took three bodies of them, consisting of about ninety
men, to bring three of the ringleaders to Kingston, for fear of
a rescue. There are about thirty or forty of the principal ones
in gaol. The negroes, all over the island, gave entered into a
combination not to work for any amount that may be offered
to them during their own time. Should 'you ask one if he will
do so and so, he will give you no answer, but, perhaps, will do
what you require. In this quarter we are pretty quiet, being
surrounded with so many soldiers and police. Our troop ex;
pect to have hard work during Christmas. Our captain gave
orders yesterday to send for ammunition, so that we may be
ready at a moment's notice."