The New York herald., 1851-10-18

their race have ever met, and quite free from the
accent and dialect Of the African This may be 40
counted for BY the numbers Of ships constantly
passing and repassing the Caymans.
Their occupation consists in cultivating their
grounds and plant ations fishing, turtling, S,, Sc
Necessity in all countries and in the mrs. rude
ages OF civilization has been fertile in invention,
consequently 1t 10 by no means extraordinary 70
find the mass Of these people familiar with those
rude mechanical arts Of which they stand 80 mu,n
in need Every man erects his ewn dwelling, plan's
and lays out his greundmmGsss s are IpnawsSgs Of
boat and ship building, the making OF lime, Nc,
and other useful attainments. Their dwellings are
we'll and comfortably made ~
The trade or commerce Is in their pl2rtains,
cocoanuts pine apples, Sc. and this trade Is steA-
dily increasing With these articles they trade TO
New Orleans, bringing back lunber, dry and salt
provisions, &c.
Their relations with eth or co intries consist prin
cipaly vita New Orleans, Belize, and Spanish
Honduras.
/ should conceive the island mi yht maintain q
population OF $1,000 or 20 900 when cultivated.
Each among the first settlers who came here from
the Caymans, chose whatever land or spot he liked;
which he appropriated to himself. From the few
on the island no one disputed his possession, and
his labor and occupation of the spot gave him a
claim AS the population increased, disputes arose
In ls4, constant disagree ment, taking place, they
convoked general meeting amongst themselves
they agreed to hold possession of what cash had a,
the time that from and after that date every per-
frontage Of $50 yards. and when that portion was
cleared, he might obtain much more. A public
surveyor was invested with the power Of measuring
the land oil, and certain quantity Of waste land
seems to have his wn plantation; a suflicency
of LAND is reclaimed from nature, and in q state OF
cultivation to give them abundance and a super
fluffy Of the ne ,essaries Of life.
GOVERNMENT.
Left to themselves, and increasing in numbers,
they experienced the wan, of some government,
avs and regulations. Individually and collective
iy interested, they assembled all together, and by
universal suffrage composed an assemblage of tf-
teen. This assembly enacted lo,al laws aud regu-
ations, which were put into execution by magis-
trates Of their own choosing. Their ideas OF gov
erpment and legislation appear to be all derived
from the Cayman Islands, whence they came, or from
what has been taught them by the few Europeans
VIII have settled here.
They aver that they are quite ignor ant under
what government they are placed, and whether
her Majesty's Superintendent at Belize has any au-
thority them, they desirous of kno wing in
what position they are regarded. Some discon-
tented people, such as are found in all commun-
ties, have poisoned the minds Of others, inducing
them to collect together and appoint magistrates
in opposition to those recommended by his Excel
lency the Superintendent of Belize
AT times, the island has been (from their not
knowing their exact position, and fron the inhu-
ence OF the discontented) without any sort of GO
vernment, every man fearing for himself and what
he possessed. Such was the sta.e Of things when |
arrived; they have now elected magistrates, from
universal suffrage, to act until the pleasure of the
Governor of Jamaica shall be known, to whom they
have sent petition
They seem greatly to desire British protection, to
be an English colony or settlement to choose their
own ma gisrates, or to select number for govern
ment to choose from, as they conceive, being re-
sdent on the spot, they better able to judge of
the ability and capacity Of individuals than those
who are not resident. They seem unwilling at pre-
sent to have a stipendiary magistrate from their
inabllity him but future neriOd thew
would have objection to il, when their means are
increased AT present. whatever is colle,ted in the
way Of tax, they desire to be laid out in buildings
and in mprovements on the island
They have at present the power of raising about
GOO year this, there is no doubt, will 60 on
gradually increasing, as their trade and population
augment, and other resources develope themselves.
The island at present may be unable to pay sala-
ried officers, but would in short time, il the trade
and population 60 increasing they have steadily
done for the last fevyears. In 1873 the exports did
not amount to thousand dollars per AMMAN;
these new not less than ten twelve tho lsand
dollars.
There have been remarks circulated in American
papers regarding American feeling in the island.
do not hesitate IN pronoun;ing that nothing Of the
sort exists :; some, as in all com munities, may
be easily lei away by little plausibility; but the
great mas is sincerely and strongly attacked to the
British govern nent, ard would be glad TO see go
vtrrmeDt appointed by he crown. All their re-
collections and associations their liberty and free
dom, the kIo Wedge they have attained, the inde-
Ierderce they have game the wealth they possess,
end their language and habits, are all English, and
60 to stTopg then this assertion.
may be allowed TO rena K that the local posi-
tiCn o. this island seems TO DC Of importance in
commercial, ard perhaps in political point Of view,
IL is the only place where good harbors are found in
an extensive and dangerous coast. Its proximity
TO Central America aud Spanish Honduras. seems
to point it out as good depot for English goods
and manufactures, where they would find a re ady
market, even in opposition to any duties placed on
them. Were IL made a free port for few years, IL
would rapidly rise in wealth and Importance, and
the results Of English industry would be here a,cu.
mulated to supply the wants and for the use Of
others.
The English settlers have never been disturbed
in their peaceful possession of the island Of late
years. The Spanish flag some years since
hosted, but was hauled down by order Of her Ma
iesty's Superintendent a, Belize. Threats. how
ever, are constantly held out by the neighborinng
governments, Of their intention to land and take
posfeSson Of it. The settlers are anxious, and even
fe srful on this point.
The barbors on the south side Of this island are
mary and good. | have visited Coxen Hole, or
Port McDoLald, and Dixon's Cove in both of
these you are sheltered from all winds. They have
great facilities for heiviDg down and repairing
lhips, ard fresh water is found in abundance.
Dixon's C've Is good hafb9r; II isa about six
miles 10 the eastward Of Port MsDonald, in 60 ne
points preferable to the latter ship having lIst
her rchors might run into this harbor aud ground
upon the soft mud without injury. Many ships
nj sht hLd anchorage here
There is again Port Royal, a much larger harbor.
and where twenty or thirty sail o. the line might
se mocred. It's entrance is exceedingly narroE,
vhich is its drawback ard TIE land is said not to
he 30 fertile. Generally speaking, these harbors
are ell tuuouLded By reefs 0f coral; their channels
are narrow, and ought never 20 be attempted by
sia gers, but Local knowledge is easily OIL aimed
J he channels between the reefs are deep and show
Themselves by The blucncss Of the water.
A UEsrrpATE CuARscrFK "A horrible afTai, toox
rsce yesterday afternoon, T.s Page place. three
res from the city resulting in the death OF one
nan ard the wouncirg ot another. The partcu-
lars are az iOlOwG-A man named Frank Scaicl.
living On the above place, had abused bis wife until
be fed frCr her home, ardappcalcd for protection
10 j. Z. Cook. living near. Forhil kindness 90 her,
ctidel declared be would shoot Cook, and az one
3 clock yestciday afternoon, be approached Cook,
ls be was at wcik. baytrg gun IN bis hand. lie
Eas { iefed 1f by Cook; be lef', anu on reaching
De fence. be statod % Coak thai DO was going Do