The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-09-17


KnosIos, JAM, August H. 1886
The Laboers If Jomatea and Their ToEe-Their Ae0~f
Ldsinea-I1erveW with the Governor, and Ay0um ms
Pro and Con, DC
As everything relating to emancipated BLACKS o.
the British West India colonies must be interesting To
the people Of the United States particular juno
ture and affairs on this island present worry
peculiar aspect think il advisable keep you posted.
well am able Jamaica matters generally. 50
embrace the opportunity offered by tbs sailing OF vessel
from this place for New York to send you partcu
lars additional 70 those given you in my last reAtye to
the Hon Mr. Cardwell's lesterthe Queens letter. a.
1t is styled hereto the Jamaica negroes.
The most notable event in connection with that docu
ment and with the distress and popular discomfort 30
prevalent here that have TO chronicle is the fact
OH deputson Of black men having waited upon his XIX
celency the Governor few days since, with the view
OF presenting 10 him series Of resolutions passed al
meeting Of blacks In the parish Of 81 David aSoat thres
weeks ago. recoantng the grievances under which they
transmit TO the Secretary Of State for the Colonies rho
population consisted Of colored men, aud was
accompanied to kings House and introduced TO h,s
Exceency BY the two representatives for the parish IN
the House Of Assembly.
The Governor said that he happy to receive the
deputaton but although 1t Was his duty transmit tho
resolutions they desired him to forward TO her Majesys
Secretary OF State the Colonies he felt bound 70 .n
form Thorn that he could not coincide with those resolu
tons He did deny he said that there dislress
in the country but was not OF the character described
IN the resolutions The distress tina. was felt was not
among the able bodied persons like the dcpuation them
selves but emaes OF the towns OF the island
II large majority OF the people were to exert
honestly labOring for thoir daily subsistence thoy
could with facility elevate themselves TO social position
which he would be glad to thcm occupy The people
here he remarked satisfied 10 work only Tor row
hours and that being the case how could they expect to
ameiorate their s0ca condition. In other countries
where the peasantry less favored by climate ana
other facilities. they work from daylight TO DARK and
thus sufficient TO place them without the pale OF
fore the advantage over others abroad, which,
advantage, however, they did not seem to APP
preciatc; and he therefore convinced that
they could II they desired be In better position
than the aborers OF other countries There was land
enough the island which they could buy rcnt which
would enable them TO carry their own cultivation ~
advantage.
In reply TO these remarks the population sad that land
could not be obtained the peasantry wished It, or
able TO purchase IT, the large propreors would
sell loss than several hundred acres at lime
Besides they could not grow their produce with safety
the Catt0 Of the large proprieors were allowed y"
about and respassed generally their provision
fields AS the question Of industry there were so lew
estates cultivation that the people could not 1nd
employment continuously and even when they did LABOR
the estates for shilling and sxpence thirty i've
wages pretence another were reduced 10 one
half that sum- and II they went to the courts 10 seek
their rights they had to lOso several days In attending
there owing to the absence OF magistrates TO preside
and il they succeeded In recovering their DUE when 9y
returned y the estate to work they wers @Iysa on A"
to tho parish they represented they Assured his Excel
epcy that there were dark dongs there Of which no was
not Aware Only few days before that black hoy wnS
severely logged of the estates OF the CHIEF mss
trae Of the parish and afterwards shaokled ana SOM On
prison To all this his ExceIlency listened as,cn
iiveaS but summary disposed OF them by saying "a'
| they were all ec pdTEe statements 80