The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-04-15
Our jamaica COrrcsponllence.

The Legislatue-1he Iart6-7He Assise Court Of
SMry- Treasury Dt7aytnielt-U reck Of the Brig
Canibrian, of Balm,ore-Ihe We1ther, &c, &c
The Empire City is now taking in her coal with
all possible speed, and will, believe, leave this
afternoon for New York. Such items as are likely
to be of interest, string together in my present
letter.
The Legislature is still in session, "dragging its
slow length along The financial condition Of the
island has occupied great deal of public attention
and engaged the Assembly in discussion for many
nights They have agreed on a general property
tax, to meetithe liabties.of the..country As pre-
dicted in my last, alteration has been made in
the tariff, nor do believe any will be made this
session. | do not think, therefore, that the mer-
chants of the States who in the habit of shipping
to this port, need anticipate any interruptions in
their transactions by legislative cnactments. The
tariff, might observe, has not yet undergone con-
sideration but speak from the opinions am
enabled to form the subject from good authority
The CrimiI al Assize Court, for the county of
Surry, commenced its sitting yesterday. His Hon
or, the presiding judge, addressed the Grand Jury
as follows
THE calendar before me presents some features Of
ordinary character the indictments in point Of number
not many nor they Of kind which requires any
specific direction from me to aid the discharge Of your
duties. But you will find that the numbers which
summoned to during these AssiLes the
retribuve justce-are snsuarly large One Indictment
alone comprises fewer than eighty -four individuals
a charge Of riot aud tumult and, in another indct
ment. unhappiy for murder no fewer than twelve
included consider, on this OCCASION 1t will b. unne-
for to address any observations you the
testimony which will be given before YOU If had
the means have not the dispositions but should
abstain from remarkng them, wish you TO bring
to the consideration Of matters SO important will
find them the most calm and dispassonae minds with
out previous ailusion There Is indictment In which
as mentioned, twelve persons are included-n in
which human life has been sacrificed In point Of
gentlemen, TO make principal in felony of this
nature. in order TO convict person Of murder IL Is
10 prove that the fatal blow given by his
hand If he present, aiding and sbetting the act
committed he is principal in the felony Satisfy your
be justified in finding bill do not think IL necessary
further to detain you from your dutios.n
Extracted the above it is very short, for il con-
veys Mt an idea of the business that Is to be
brought before the court. ! have some idea that
most, IL not ALL of the rioters will ask to defer their
trials until the next assires and dare say request
OF the kind will be granted. These rioters the
parties who charged with nterrupting the late
election for member Of assembly for st. Davids of
which l wrote you fully on previous occasion.
Another case Of interest will positively be brought
on this courtIthe ease Of MIR. Macpherson, mem:
Der of assembly, who is charged with the forgery of
island treasury notes. OF this you have also
had particulars from me.
The treasury department here is most carccssly
conducted and has drawn forth many strong obser-
vations from the press condemnatory Of the system
or more properly speaking, perhaps, condemnatory
Of the want Of system.
The news of the resignation Of the Russell min
istry was received here by the West India steamers,
n few days ago. IL created much excitement, and
need not tell you the grea; interest with which we
wait another arrival with news from the mother
country. My own opinion is that Russell will be,
or 10, reinstated, and that few changes will be
made Of other members Of the cabinet.
am greved to acquaint you of the total wreck
oil the line brig Cambrian, of Baltimore, which for
some time has been a regular trader to this port.
She was wrecked on the 18th ultimo, of the light
house at Cienfuegos de Cuba. She was a favorite
packet brig.
The weather here is somewhat Of an unsettled
character. We have occasionally showers of rain,
but not heavy. The evenings are blcaky, but 10
wards night the weather becomes quite pleasant. IL
is thought from appearances that the May sea-
song will soon set in; they will be hailed cheerfully
by our planters, who, poor men, have many ills TO
contend with; not The least the great want OF labor
Whole fields Of canes, particularly since the preva
lence Of the cholera have gone to rot for the want
Of hands to take OF the same from the ground
The direful plague still hovers around us Kings
ton, and it's imme diatc neighborhood, are clear;
but in other parts Of the island although it, vru-
lencc has abated, IL is slowly doing its work of
death. hope In my next TO record its entire dsap
Icarance.