The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1850-05-09
For the National Era.
STATE OF THINGS AT JAMAICA.

From file of the Morning Journal, published
by Mr.. Osborn, colored man, have CLEANED
several interesting items, some Of which will
doubtless be acceptable to the readers of the Era.
The conduct Of the Home Government, in rela-
ton to the Sugar act, continues to be animadvert-
ed upon severely. Is pseasStl IN exception
p, 10 have beep passe 10 favor Of the Colonies.
in their transition state, and that slaveAabor su
gar ought not TO be admitted into British ports
from Brazil and Cuba on equal terms as from ia
naica This is argued on the ground that the
policy Injuries the British Colonies and has great
" simulated the slave trade. The argument, sus-
tanned as it is by facts, appears unanswerable.
Still, it is strongly recommended to the Colonies
10 bear up manfully against this state of things;
to introduce agricultural and mechanical i'm
to practice economy; to lessen the
expenses of Government to improve their social
condition; and to work their way to prosperity,
in spite of impedments.
Complaints are made that the Legislature, in
stead of offering inducements to foreigners to
trade with the island, is, by unwise legislation,
throwing obstacles in the way The Home Gov
eminent is assisting, it is said, by consentng to-
the alteration in the route of the Royal Mail
Steam Packet Company, and thus making st
Thomas, instead of Kingston, the landiDg-place
between Southampton and Chagres.
Great satisfaction is expressed at the prospect
of having not only American skill, capital, and
enterprise, introduced into the island, but also
American labor. "If the Americans can come
here and work mines, or produce sugar or cotton,
at remunerating rate, we can do the same And
il we do not, it must be because we lack the ener
gy, industry, or skill which they will bring"
re isia.d -ieh in resources but it is confessed
that call hands, high and low" have been dis
tinguished for their "pride and incidence and
q hope is expressed, that if the Yankees come
among them, the people of Jamaica will be shamed
out Of their unskilful and wasteful modes of cul-
tivation and living, and the abundant resources
of the island fully developed by laborers and en-
ployers, uncontaminated by the system Of COM
pulsory and unrequited labor.
Let u.s." says the Journal, begin again, and
try to work up. How do men in England and
Scotland obtain means? BY patient, honest in
dustry and economy. But all must needs be gen.
tlemen in Jamaica, and gossip about in broadcloth
coats and silk gloves, instead of handling spade
where plough cannot be afforded, and showing
the untaught, uncared-for, uninstructed mass,
what man can do when he has mind, and is
disposedn
Jamaica produce is to be carried to England in
American vessels, owing to the new Navigation
law. A frst-class American ship is advertised to
leave Falmouth, Jamaica, direct for London, about
the middle of April The rates of freight will
be much reduced-two shillings and sixpence
sterling per cwt. for sugar, 2116d. per gallon for
rum, and halfpenny per pound for pimento.
The friends Of temperance and education will
learn with satisfaction that the Synod Of the Uni
ted Presbyterian Church in the island have taken
measures to arrest the progress of ignorance and
intemperance, and lead the people onward in the
path of virtue and responsibility. Intemperance,
it is said, has made such progress that it is
sary to adopt measures for checking, and, if pos
sible, putting an end to it. "Our experience"
says the Journal ON this side Of the island,
does not justify in saying that the bulk Of the
pOpulHtlOD naNc DcCOhc uioiV ihsSAPSA"s~1 VI CIV
more SO than they were" Still it oonfesses that
intemperance prevails, and should be checked. 1t
prefers moral suasion to legislative action. Ii
calls upon oil who have influence, to use it, for
the purpose of preventing the use of intoxicating
drinks.
A lecture on Jamaica and the Americans by
gentleman who had recently visited the United
States, is published, with editorial comments
The lecturer says" As to coil and climate, ex-
tent and variety Of productions, facilities to make
and accumulate wealth, and general appearance
of the country" we are greatly superior to the
United States; and on my return, felt more
contented than ever to remain in Jamaica, and
participate in the affections of the times, in the
sure hope Of better days, to contribute my hum
BILE share of duty in promoting the common wealn
He speaks highly of the honorable estimation
in which manual labor is held by all classes in
America, and contrasts it with 6" the spirit of
indolent, sensual life, which is stranger to self
denial and sustained energy, and the pride that
is founded, not on what is ennobling, but on the
pitiable notion that hard work degrades, instead
of elevating the mind too characteristic of the
inhabitants of Jamaica. The habits and opinions
which distinguish slaveholding communities still
linger in the island, and the lecturer strongly
recommends new condition Of society, and says,
" There is no land in the world that will so abun.
dainty reward the efforts of ingenuity and indus
try as the generous soil of Jamaica, if her sons
and daughters will only believe il, and seek to
develop its abundant bounties Even one we'll
titled acre Of properly selected land will nearly
secure an entire family against want. There
ought, therefore, to be no hanging heads or
rueful looks amongst the young and the strong
amongst uso
The editor, in commenting upon the lecture
says; ave have repeatedly stated, that IL per-
sons here would do as persons in the United States
and in Canada do, there would be no want no
poverty, no complaining in our strests
II has been fashionable to reserve all the conde-
nation and complaint for the British Government
and the laborers. So long ~ the hsppl-
ness and comfort Of the people, and the ProsPen'