New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1858-05-17
JAMAICA.
COLORED EMIGRATION INVITED FROM
THE UNITED STATES.


THE UNITED STATES.
Correspondence Of The N Y. Tribune.
KINGSTON, JAM, May ], 1858.
The unexpected departure Of the steamer Saladin
from this port has enabled me to forward you this,
accompanied by some copies of the Kingston jour-
nails, containing a report of the proceedings of a
public meeting held there on the 23d.
1t was called with view of determining upon
some plan to promote the emigration of the free
colored people of the United States into this
island, was numerously attended aud distin'
guished by the expression of strong sympathy with
the colored people of America, whose present OPP
pressed condition must have forciby recalled to
numbers of the audience and many of the officers of
the meeting their own struggles with prejudice and
Slavery here in days now happily gone by forever
Doubtless contamination of the expressed de-
sire of the meeting to introduce such an accession
to our population would be fraught with benefits to
the island and the emigrants Themselves. A single
glance at the composition Of the meeting would of
itself have been convincing evidence to the latter
that their cOlOr-whch in the United States is such
disquafcation-is here by no means the slightest
obstacle in the way of their attaining any station Of
honor profit to which their abilities might enttle
them.
The Hon. Edward Jordan, Prime Minister of the
leland and Mayor and CustOs of this city, is man
of color The Hon. Robert Osborn and the Hon.
Richard Hill, both members of the Governors
Council are also of the same complexion, and the
House of Assembly is very equally divided between
the whites and cOlored in fact you find them in every
rank of society, and filling the highest offices in
every department of State with credit to them
selves, and to the satisfaction of the public.
1t is rumored that q Mr.. Dalton from Louisiana,
who addressed the meeting, goes back to the United
States, bearing commission from Gov Darling
authorizing him to make some preliminary arrange
ments to bring the matter before the cOlored people
of the Southern States, with whOse wants and ca
pacties the former gentleman processes to be thor
Oughy acquainted. 1t has also been suggested that
we should avail ourselves of the assistance of the
British COnsuls at the ports in the Slave States, for
the purpose of disseminating information among
such Of this class likely to become emgrants.
How far the "freeating and manifest destiny"
gentlemen who go in for the acquisition and annex
alton of oil the Caribbees, will be disposed to favor
the scheme of still further Afrcanizing this island
time will shows and all opportunity will soon be af
fOrded them to prove whether their anxiety to rid
themselves of what they profess to regard as cum
bertOme and highly obnoxious portion of their
community is real, or whether their recent threat
of expellmg them is Only made that they may gain
credit for mercfu forbearance by resembling their
resolution of expulsion, and at the same time fill
the Golfers Of the treasury by levyiDg additional
heavy tax upon this already Overburdened portion
of their population. Should the authorities of the
Southern States however, throw no obstacles in
the way of a successful execution Of the design of
the meeting alluded to- i have no doubt that at
the approaching meeting of the Assembly, some
measure will be adopted calculated to promote the
scheme.
The Governor, / learn, has expressed himself
most favorable to such plan Of emigration from
the United States as may be coupled with colonial
tion-such one being most likely while adding to
the population, not TO deteriorate it morally or
Intellectually. From all that can learn, there is
strong party who entertain views similar to thOe of
his EIcelency and who decidedly prefer the intro
ducton Of persons Of this description to the half
civilized cody or, barbarous African who would be
brought here as indentured apprentices for term of
years. On the ether hand the planters, who desire
bone and understanding TO place at the end of
the hoe hande-and are Indifferent about the guam
tty Of brains that accompany it, prefer the latter
class, and, in all probability, will not be most
fayoraby disposed TO promote any likely TO
introduce body Of small farmers, who must
eventually become rival producers Of the principal
les and an influential class in society.
lie mercantile and other interests mot planting)
are, however decidedly inclined to favor the former
plan ss being the best calculated to establish the
pros erfy of the island on firm basis. Large pro-
prietors are usually absentees, spending in England
or on the Continent the means produced from a
,uccessful cultivation of their estates while small
farmers would constantly reside upon the island
and being Of class superior to the ordinary labOrer
would have wants calculated to augment the impor-
taton of foreign goods, thereby increasing the
revenue and adding Oy their productive industry to
the exports of our principal staples, and the general
prosperity Of the Island. At present, however, the
Governor is unable to do more than express his con-
currence in the design of the meeting, the Emsn
cipaton act, now in force contains provisions for
tie introduction Of any other than ndentured labor
ers, who are willing TO work for a term of years,
ard who ale introduced at the eIperhe Of the plant
ers.
Papers Of naturalization are obtained here with
but little trouble or formaity. The process is sim
pie and immediate making your declaration taking
tie oath of ale glance, and registering your papers
may oil be done in or two days; and you are at
once admitted 10 all The rishts Of citizens born upon
the soil.