New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1866-11-29

GORDON PARLIAMENTARY CoURTMARTIAL-
STEAM COMMUNICATION WITH NEw.YoRK-PRos-
PECu OF THB COUNTRY.
From Our special Correspondent
KINGSTON, Nov. le, 1866
The noV Government which is in future to control the
destnies Of the Island Of Jamaica naugura,ed on
the 10th utmo in St. Jago de la Vega The inaugural
ceremonies were, this OCCASION devoid Of the "pomp
and circumstance and military display which always
characterized the opening of tho Legislature hero under
the old regime The opening day Of the session was gen.
orally agala DAY at the Capital Crowds OF people rom
Kingston and other adjacent parts OF the island Hooked
thther obtain sight of the military and civil magnates,
decked ot in gtterng uniforms and long robes and
all the cite Of St. Jago de la Vega and Kingston assembled
in the legislative Halls TO pass the day in ghseelng But
this according TO peoples IDEAS suspicious oeea-
sion wien one would naturally imagine that there
would be rejoicing and stir and curiosity to sec the
debut OF the new Legislature which IS TO exercise 80
powerful influence for good evil on the fortunes OF
Jamaica it turned out TO be just the However
it is Il be hoped that this is no Ominous indl-
cation " the Islands future. Perhaps the people
of Jamaica have by this time discovered that
they re not likely 20 realize in hurry
that thorough reform and improvement IN the state OF the
island br which they surrendered privilege which IS
valued highly by every other people-the elective IRAN
chse Perhaps they Oreseo the consequences that are
likely oaccrue from the cowardy abdcaon OF the late
House Assembly Influenced by the nefarous policy OF
GoyernG Eyre. Desperate diseases, however, require
despemp remedies. Jamaica very sick quite as bad
the Sck Man. Of the East and perhaps her constu-
taken That wonderful physician Eyre after he has passed
through his coming ordeal at the Old Bailey had better
try his land at Turkey Mexico and thereby gain for his
iOnal remedies and himself world wide fame.
The pescnt Governor Sir Peter b. Grant, who dstIn-
gshedhimse in Bengal for his protection of the natives
against he oppression from which they so often suffer IN
India the hands of their European masters was no
doubt selected by the Home Government TO heal the
wounds which Mr.. Eyre has left The coored element IS
represented in the Legislature by the Hon. Alex.
Heslop, Attorney General, and the Hon. p MOncrlee,
both Of hem men Of liberal education and hne talents
planter, the Hon. L. MekinnOn, represents the planting
interest and the Hon. j. Mcdowell, merchant OF st.
Jago del Vega the mercantile interest His EXceency
the Pendent IN addressing the Council stated That the
new GWemment would turn its attention, with all pos
sble Dispatch, TO improving the Judicial system OF tho
island which In state of complete arrangement tho
consequence Of which that poor persons suffered great
haTdshps in trying 10 obtain justice.
Here His EIcelencys remarks on this point, and
from them you will be able TO Judge whether there was
for the discomfort prevailing among the negroes
10 wh@ Eyre referred in his dispatches 10 the Colonial
Minise falsely stating that the people had no good
ground Of complaint
hayepctitohs every day the Hon Colonial Secretary will
bear in what say from persons who complain Of hay
ing CONS from great distances week after week indeed one
petitioner says know not how truly FOR months together) on
court dgs 10 petty sessions and found court OPEN The In
spcio Prisons has reported to me case accidentally as
covered him Of three who bad been confined three
weeks nd Of them think month in lock up uniied
and lncmmteJ for want VI two Justices 10 hear the accuse
tons blame no one The reason assigned was that there
very few Justices Of the Peace within many miles.
Those gentlemen had their own private Affairs 70 attend 70
repeat that i blame blame the system. Now In
debl Of an owing TO him he has 70 travel some leo miles
this town ia country where travelling is very slow and often
when gets here he can't do anything without employing
an @aS S s who 15 must live by snS & %
saOr arrived today after paying his attorney he would be
months before the defendant need give in any answer
speak m the hearing OF the learned Attorney General This Is
the OF poor ignorant negro from Green Island and it
n any suit for than sl0 Have not right to
say that Tor such cases there Is no justice
Among the measures introduced by the new Govern
Stipend Dy Magistrates TO which the Governor alluded In
his opnng speech IL high time thatsomehing should
be dOhe in this direction for the administration OF the
laws by the planter Justices of the Peace have been on
the whole scandal 10 justice. This INSTRUMENTATION
had great deal 20 do you aware with the outbreak
Moant Bay. am afraid there has been very little i'm
provement in this respect since that deploabe event
Durn the past year the demeanor OF many OF the mags
tef toward the negroes described 10 have been OF the
harsles description and their ohand way Of administer
ing Justice IN no way 10 have improved but the dociiy
the people has, 10 their credit enabled them TO preserve
their orderly conduct or the large number of Stpend
airy Justices appointed by the British Government at the
period Of the abolition Of Slavery, than six
tnue still TO hold office in the island, three of whom
Of the mixed The influence OF this body OF mags
traes has been all along of the most sautay character
in the maintenance OF order among the negroes; but
their limited authority and diminished number in recent
have been serious drawback TO their usefulness
II affords most painful illustration Of the fact that the
spirit Of Slavery might live long after the vile body has
been destroyed that IL should be now years after free
domiOund absolutely necessary measure Of protec-
maica.
As far as taxation is concerned His Excellency init
mated 10 the Council that though the people would still
have to bear this burden the great changes eonem-
plated could not be carried into effect without money yet
much retrenchment would be adopted might appear
practicable The duty 10 be raised from 2s 3D. 10
IS. per gallon. Bills providing for the appointment Of
Spenday Justices and in relation TO the salaries Of GER
tain officials were read also bill repeating and amend
ing certain acts consequent the abolition OF the late
Constitution After the transaction of this business the
Council adjourned.
Ii is announced on the authority Of the newspapers
here that his EIceency the Governor contempates some
important changes the rates of duty upon Imports that
the rating will IN future be after very different theory
from thar laid down by any previous administration, and
that 1t will be Ia accordance with the English idea
which places the highest duty articles Of luxury, and
reduces the rating upon food and clothing TO much
81 aler and more equitable scale OF duties You will DO
surprised learn that the contrary has hitherto been the
rule here IL Is stated also that the duties will either DO
materially reduced abolished altogether upon raw ma
teras such as are used IN manufactures and which are
serious impeachment TO the progress Of manufacturers IN
jamaica who have 20 compete with manufacturers abroad
The Grand jury of the Circuit Court for the parish of
St Thomas in the East have ignored the bill against
Gordon Ramsay for murder and Others for e1cesses COM
mtted in supprcssng the late disturbances You will not
be surprised at this when you learn that the Grand Jury
was composed OF planters.
That this man should escape the punishment due to his
crimes is something monstrous but considering the COM
position of the Grand Jury the result will surprise no one
acquainted With the state Of things here. The Judges
opening charge strong and explicit as 1t could
possibly be- showing that unless Ramsays ohenses were
absolutely necessary they could not be considered as
covered Gy the Of indemnity passed by the Jamaica
Legislature after the outbreak IL embodied at the same
time summary Of the evidence found IN the depostohs
taken by the Crown and these will show you more
clearly than anything else the true character OF the man
Ramsay 10 the nature Of the oenses with When no
was charged, give the summary here:
The witness james Beckett says From the anguish OF
the logging Marshall said D LOrdp Mr. Ramsay SAID
Sediton take him down and hang him. Inc deP0hehI Au
gsts Lake states Marshall d receive the whole oil ms
AT the receipt the 4th and 4h lash for counted
them observed large quantity of blood flowing RON ms
He Immediately turned round and ground BIS eeh lie
said nothing but goaned standing within yard or
two the swing and must have heard whatever was sad Dy
Marshall The provost marshal said Take that man down
him aret ha NJ