New-York daily tribune., 1854-07-13
JAMAICA.

"
~ be o5th july but not for the dispatch OF business,
as was the general expectation. There is now every
probability OF the ensuing session of the Legislature
commencing at the usual period namely, In Septehi-
her or October The expectation 0t an earlier meet
rr was founded the belief that the new Constita-
tim bill would have been early disposed OF by the
British Government and returned to this island with
suqrestioDs for few trhing alterations, which would
demand the immediate attention of our local Parma
meut But the batch Of right honorables composing
the Cabinet Of Saint James have other and more I'M
poltant work their hands than the AFFAIRS oi
a raltry little island that the Government which
they represent have contributed TO rum; and Dy
tte latest advices. the Jamaica Constitution
and the promised Government loan had not
heen mentioned in the Imperial Parliament.
Information Lac however been officially received by
Gov Sir Henry Barkly. that tse Government is very
much pleased wnh the bill for the better government
of this island aud that receiving the attention
Of the Minister who lie had no doubt, would confirm
it. With regard TO the loan of f500VjO his Excel,
lcncy is certain that Il viii be granted us we hau
already received IT, The matter is Only question OF
time This is certainly cheering news. The receival
Of $500 600 will enable the island to eXtrieate itself
from it, pecuniary difficulties, which, unless they are
removed. threaten natlcnal bankruptcy. nave no
doubt that for the British Government VIII en-
deayor to keep their word; but VIII they De able To
do so7 The Moncy cannot be obtained without an ap-
ulication TO Parliament, and Parliament may or may
not sanction the loan. II il do not. our situation VIII
be truly deporabe. And to judge by the many
defeats which the Government have sustained
in the ISuse of Commons of late, Paria-
uent at least the Lower House, does not
seem 10 be- in a temper to ield to the wishes ot the
Government, and We .lam3icaIs ought not to be TOO
sancuine Of speedy relief from that quarter Ihen
there is tie circumstance OF Great Britain beng en-
gagged in an expcrsyc war with powerful enemy,
which will render necessary every iarthing that the
Chancellor of the Exchequer can ccntrye to getnnder
his thumb. This circumstance, combined WIN the
doeped unwilupness OF the men OF the bright ana
I.l.l ..l. La
Africa furnished every year whole holOcausts OI We
tins to the high priests of Mammon in Cuba, so long
as thereby they enabled 10 sweeten their Tea az
iathpg pound cheaper-to afford the least reief TO
the unfortunate Western Colonies are certainly rea-
sons TO fear the result of he deliberations III Para
nent when the affairs of Jamaica shall be brought be-
fore that august body 1t would be curious circum.
stance by the way II defeat on this question should
lead 10 re esiqnstiOn Of the Ministry. Ii would exhibit in
striking light the changeabeness of the British Gov
ernment which since the premiership OF sir Robert
Peel, TO be the policy OF that Government In
I-a9 hill was introduced into the British Parliament
10 suspend the Constitution O this island unless GER
tain demands coupled with by our local Leg
isiature. This measure was carried with 50 small
minority as TO he considered as virtual defeat, ana
Ministers resigned. The consequence of this auda-
oious attack upon our liberties was, Jamaica was on
the very verge Of a revolution But man was found
carahle Of restoring peace TO the Colony by mild and
conciatory policy which alone at that time, could sue
ceed with the people Of this country. And although
the late Sir Charles Metcale, in superseding Sir
Lionel Smith Governor, actually brought out in
his eeches pocket commission empowering him under
the provisions OF the obnoxious bill already alluded to-
to suspend the Constitution of Jamaica, that excellent
man. by his iucicous policy avoided having recourse
TO 70 extreme measure. What Sir Lionel Smith
could not obtainby threats Sir Charles Mecsie gained
far above his desires, by the mere asking Ii would
be queer now if there should be change i'll the Min
is,ry in consequence of their endeavors to maintain
the Constitution OF this island, aud establish it upon
finn foundation
Private letters from well informed parties in London
mention that few slight alterations will be suggested
by the Ministry in the Constitution BILL so as 10 rem
der it workable. If this be true, immediately on the
meeting Of the Legislature these suggestions Will claim
tic frst attention Of the Assembly On the final pass
inc Of the BILL proclamation will be made OF change OF
Constitutions and the Governor will at once proceed
to name his first Ministry, Executive Committee
as il is termed in the bill. lie will also have to maine
some six gentlemen as members of the Legs-
atye Council in order 10 make up TIE requisite num-
ler uLder the new order Of things; and he will have
10 choose a Privy Council, which in future will be
distinct body from the Legislative Council Already
are ruriors afOat respecting the individuals whom il is
probable hs Exeeency will call 10 these several i'm
tort.nt posts-particularly the Ministry. Time will
alone show how tar these various coDecures cor
rect
Considerable excitement has been prevailing for
some time past in consequence OF the depreciation OF
tie Island treasury notes, which II was found necesss
n 10 issue TO the extent Of G55 0C0 70 meet the def
cheney caused by the loss OF revenue consequent on
tie Council having thrown out the several bills which
provided Tor the public expenditure. When these
notes came Into general circulation sOrekeepers and
other traders refused receive them at par demapd
ing at first discount of y per cent, which was after
ward increased to per cent, and Ia some instances
as high even as 10 per cent was demanded. Store
keepeTs went 70 far in their demands as 10 publicly
advertise that they would take the notes unless at
di.couut of per cent. The alleged TOR this
depreciation the refusal OF the Colonial and the
Jamaica Bank to receive the notes at all. A great
outcry raised against the storekeepers and not
without Justice; and the newspapers teened, and are
still ttenug. with arguments on the matter pro
con. The lewsIspers unanimous in condemning
the conduct of the deprecatOrs. Now, when Il s re-
Irembered that all customs duties. taxes fines, &C.
must be raid in specie treasur! notes alone, the
conduct of those LO insist receiving paIer repre-
senting twenty shlings for nineteen shiilnss, and
forthwith pay il 10 the Collector OF Customs or the
tsxsatherer ior its full value is highly dishonest
such Was the panic created that deputaton from the
Chamber Of Commerce aited the Governor for the
purro.e of inquirng il His Exceency had received
any information from his Government respecting the
Constitution bill and the loan when what have a.
ready stated respecting these important matters was
elected As the Island papers are TO be retired with
portion oi the loan, IL supposed that this nforma-
iion would have restored confidence and cause the
notes 10 circulate 81 par. But such not TIE case:
FIVE per cent STILL and still is, demanded as dis
count On them. IL f.ct, have to believe that
the very fact OF speedy redemption of the notes op-
crates additional incentive 70 certain parties 10 re.
ceiye them a, discount. In the mean time the news.
papers have been discussing measure of
the Bsnks the policy Of the legislature in renewing
their respective charters which will soon expire 10 |
impose handsome stamp duty each of their notes.
But tie feltsh policy CT tie Banks seems 70 be begin