, 1865-12-19
8 q. g tx A VI 5.

IA t1l0- WI ~ bb4 $40 H0'RS OSA
must suffer under the most iniolerable
Of amputations, unless it is shown that
they honestly did their duty, and did not
exceed it. Our W conviction is, that
when the whole history is inquired into
it will appear that there WAS good reason
for believing that severity was necessary.
Placed with only a ! w hundred soldiers
amid a population of 400, 600 negroes,
known to be diSaf cted, and likely ut the
first success of the Eastern rebels to fol-
low their example, those to whom The
care of the island was committed had 10
use sterner means of repression than
would b. Necessary amid a loyal popuIa-
ton.
The outcry here against the Colonial
authorities will cause surprise in the ISL
land where their alleged mlsdeedS have
taken place. Among the little trustwor-
thy intelligence which we have been able
to obtain from Jam lea is the report of
the proceedings Of The two Houses of the
Legislature. When we are cenSured for
not publishing the most abSurdly extra
VACANT details from the Jamaica papers,
our critics, who adopt these fables, sup
press important intelligence about which
there oan be 10 doubt. What is to tie
said in favour Of a man is quite as worthy
10 be recorded as what is to be said
against him and it is at least a fact that
the Governor OF Jamaica has been public
ly thanked by both Houses of the Legis-
lature for his services 10 the island. The
Legislative Council, consisting oftbe most
respectable and trustworthy PERSONS IN
the colony, appointed by the Crown,
agreed unanimously to an address in which
they say, 1--WE desire 10 record our CRATE
"ful thanks 10 your Evcellency for the
"encrgy, frmness, and wisdom with
(which you have carried the island
"through this momentouS crisis, We
''are we'll aware that the slightest hesita-
''tlon on your part would have been
"frAught with the most imminent danger
"to the lives Of the loyal inhabitants
~"throughout the island, and we are we'll
"assured that all our loyal feIIow-coIonists
"unite in the expression of gratitude
(which it is now our privilege to Convey
"to you" Again, "We certainly concur
sin the painful statement your Excellen-
"cy has made, that there is scarcely a
'district throughout The island where dis
"'inyalty, sedition, and murdtrous intrn-
"tions, are not widely disseminated and
"openly expressed. We agree with your
''Excellency us TO the causes which have
''creatcd this danger which now threatens
''the country, and will heartily cooperate
"with you in rndeavouring to remedy
''this state of affairs" The House of
Assembly expresses similar opinions in
still stronger language.
Nor can ii be said that these are mere
words. The two Housee give proof that
they feel the full Importance of the crisis
by the readiness with which they meet
the Governors proposal for an amend
ment Of the Constitution. We are not
aware Of the nature of the intended
changes, but tAyg will probably greatly
curtalI the powers of the House Of AS
sembly. Yet this body speaks thus of
the proposed measure :-"Deeply i'm
"pressed with the full conviction that
"nothing but the existence of a strong
Government can prevent this island
''from lapsing into a second Hayti, we
"shall carefully take into consideration
''any measures recommended by your Ex-
"cellency." It. is thus evident, in the