The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-12-08


have received file of the Morning Journal, pub
lished at Kisgston, Jamaica, from the 18th Novem-
Der to the LIST December, but we find them extreme
ly barren of news of importance.
KINGSTON, JAMAICA, Dec. l, lSl9.
Reciprocity and Ammexatio~ IN Jsmatca-DecEIne
of Prosperity, &c.
The decline of British West Indian prosperity
has been SO great, and the present condition of
those islands is so impoverished, that in the
opinion Of great and influential portion of the in
habitants OF this island there Is no remedy for our
distress but annexation to the great American re-
public. This is conceded, and although we are
all certain that the contamination Of such mea-
sure would be In the highest degree beneficial, it
is deemed certain that 1t would be opposed by a
great many, and by the colored population to
man. The movement, however, has been begun,
not by flattooted declaration that annexation Is
intended, but by commencing an agitation, having
ostens,by tor ITS object a treaty OF reciprocity
with the United States, such as has been talked OF
In Canada. BY beginning in tins way It Is thought
the public mind will be gradually brought TO con-
with the subject, will in the end become recon.
ciled to It, and embrace 1t as the only means OF
retrieving this beautiful island from the rum
which it is now in. The great difficulty in the
secure, it is thought the way to bring about annex
alton would be easy. We expect, OF course, deci-
ded opposition from the colored race. They will
oppose annexation because il would be a DEATH
blow to their social political ascendency, thing
which they ann ut; but we expect to be able To
nullify all opposition from that quarter, II the
whites can be- brought 10 unanlmlty in the matter
Time will tell what view England will take OF
this movement, when it shall have been fully
developed III all It's proportions. Ii Is feared that
although she has brought ruin upon us, and al
though she IL TOO dishonest TO support us, he will
a.
by national benevolence. But it is too soon to
speculate. I'll write again, and keep you regular.
ly informed OF tins annexation movement.
The Jamaica Council have " ordered, nemine
contrGdicents, that his Exceency the Governor
be requested to direct her Majesty's Attorney
General to prosecute the editor Of the Colonial
Standard tor gross contempt of the dignity OF the
Council in general, and OF the Honorable Alexan-
DIRE Bravo IN PARTICULAR.
The Kingston journals are discussing the pro-
pretty of forming reciprocity treaty with the
United States, similar 10 that which Canada pro-
posed. The Colonial Standard OF the Both No
vember, says on this subect:-" Why, then, not
make an effort for Jamaica in the same dlrecuon!
Ii is not yet too late, advanced as the session Is.
Let All agent, competent 10 the duty, be appointed
TO visit Washington TO negotiate such treaty as
that in Which Canada Is engaged. The expense
would not be great, and whatever II might be, 1t
would be tntiing IN comparison to the importance
of the object to be gained"
The Barbados papers mention that although No
Of rain having fallen, there was no great fear that
the AGRICULTURAL condition OF the island would there
by be materially affected. 1t was hoped the month
would not end as II had commenced. "Scorchng
sunshine, with no rain In the West Indies, Is (the
Mercury observes) serious subject for considera-
ton, and we pray earnestly, and with sincerity,
that the seasonable showers OF this season may de-
cend upon, and mature the products OF our fertile
soil. For unless the present month should prove
favorable, whatever might have been our brilliant
prospects OF an early and large sugar crop, these
will be considerable damped and frustrated unless,
within a few days, change OF weather should oc-
eur aud, instead OF warm suns these are succeed
ed by genial showers. "
The canes are represented as green, vigorous,
and auowlng, giving promise, being favored with
good weather. OF large return. Inc provision
crops maturing and being reaped, such as corn
and potatoes plenty oil early yaIns, gram, Nc.-.
The Guinea corn crop had protitled nothing by the
late dry days.
Local affairs were exceedingly dull and there
was little doing IN the Assembly. The Immediate
y Reuenchmcnt Bill had been abandoned, and
a prospective one introduced, which II was thought
would pass large and respectable meeting had
been IA, Id to petItIOn Parliament IN favor Ot the
iorcement Of treaties with foreign countries for the
suppression Of the slave.trade. The Bishop presl-
d.d att. Several able addresses were delivered
al ~, and resolutions and pettions to Her Majesty
adopted.
The AI,rc,ry mentions that robbeues had not
beth extensive, and that tranquility prevailed
throughout the island, which was ls general heal
house had determined il should be OF iron.
The Jamaica House of Assembly was in session
when the Crescent City left, aud the papers are
occupied with its proceedings. Political matters
remain IN HdfU quo.
The Morning Journal, Of the 9Th Nov, eays.--
The Eugli,h bark Alderman Thompson, which ar.
ri'.d yesterday from SUNDERLAND brought cargo OF
CO sls for the uto Of the American Steamers which peri
oGeay put into this port for supply Of That srtise
These steamers have lately been compelled 10 obtain
ecas from the ard at Fort Royal there not being
ne futd ran An a Len be-
G.0ut 70 BE- established In this city and large guam
ty of Goals eNpectsd-tho Aldsrusn thompson bttng-
future up 70 tits haTbcg fog the purpose OF coal
irg, ,,
lc duty on ruia TO be consumed IN the colony alter
the ist Jenusty hest, from siXpcuCe TO tOugpeuce
rer gallon for proof y, with an additional half
perry UIon every degree OF stronger proof
In Dominica, The House At Assembly and the
Lieutenant Governor are at issue, anda dissolution
Of the former has been threatened.
| The SAINT Einccnt's House of Assembly Is very
| likely "a be dissolved in consequence Of the in
rt'enton, the inability to attend, OF its members.
| The Og-eifc Of the lst November, IN announcing
the r.tnIn 10 The colony OF member OF the As
| sJuhly, remafks;-
BY tie return &c the Island q Mr Hughes Zone Of
The mcst Efficient nenbsrs) House may be got to-
fstLsr on the 18Th, hut should the expectation fail
tie aeuteHsut Governor viii be compelled To dissolve
| IT, House fer The want Of members.
| People have their own affairs 10 attend 10, says
| the Wofntrg Journal, which IN many instances re-
cure their constant attendance, and cannot afford
to give their tune to the public as they formerly
| did
Tie weather, according to the same paper, con.
unu,d as pIopitous az could be desired, and good
crop is expected for the ensuing year.
The Antigua papers mention that the weather IN
that island had been very favorable for agricultural
| purposes. " The rain (accordng 10 the Register
was plentiful, and, so far as we can learn, IL has
been general over the island Every part OF the
country presents most yerdant appearance, show
| ing the powerful vegetation that has taken place
since the change Of the weather. AotwIthstand-
ing the drought in the early part OF the JASON,
which continued for 30 heightened period, and
the injury il dad to the young canes, there is still
prospect Of a toleraby fair crop for the coming
year"
The Moving Journal, Of the 2sth Of November,
says smart shock OF earthquake was felt In this
city on sunday night, at ten minutes TO eight
O'Clock. The undulatlons were east to southwest,
and Its duration OF many seconds The shock
having occurred during divine service in the
MeIhcllisf and nfher chanels In thus city the and