New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1868-02-07
JAMAICA.
THE NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. AND TAXATION
CROPS AND TRADE.

THE NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. AND TAXATION
CROPS AND TRADE.
By late arrival at this'port from Kingston,
we have Jamaica advces TO January ~.
The reports which the planter press ofthe island gave
currency that the negroes secretly preparing them
selves for rebelous uprising about the time OF Christ
mas or the NewYear had been completely falsihed, by
the way In winch tho holidays passed of The most
striking feature Of the holiday season was the unusuMy
attendance OF the people at the various place.
Kingston New Years eye the several churches were
spend the last night Of the old year religious exercises
Even that portion of the press opposed To the people au
beeh compelled admit that the negroes, whether
from poverty aud want of money from more enligh-
cned ideas have not spent much ot their Time III ale
ness and friyOy il usual At this season Upon most
estates the aborcrs had already turned out 10 work and
sugaT-makng. which was fully month behind what IL
was at the same time last season, had commenced III
The Legislative Council stll in session, and the
Government had resolved upon carrying rigid sys
TEN Of retrenchment in the public expenditure. Several
useless Offices. which have been IN existence since the
DAYS Of slavery but which have lately become snecures
,ere 10 I've ab0l he'd and the incumhens other Offices
he thrown upon their fees for support The reye
Improvement IN the receipts from excise, but owing TO
the duner Of trade the receipts from the customs duties
had faii"n short OF tho estimate The merchants were
con,nlainng loudly of the imposition OF the additional
duty per cent imports and was feared that the
tax would be thrown upon the consumer by general
rise in the prices OF dry goods.
The day appointed FOR thanksgiving TO Almighty God
for preserving the island from the hurricanes aud earth
quakcs which have recently visited other parts OF tho
Nest Indies was generally observed the island
with great devouness The public Offices PLACES OF bust
ness, and newspaper offices were all closed.
Her Maieiys steamer Fawn had arrived M Port Royal
from Toriola She reported that before leaving Tortoa
occasional slight shocks Of earthquake felt at that
place but further damage sustained. The people
Of The island we're still in a state OF great alarm.
The heavy rains OF October and November have re-
tared the rpenng OF the canes but ut the same time
had added considerably TO their yield Crops in general
will be considerably the average. Cuec OF ordinary
quality was coming market freely, but prices were
s too high leave any margin on shipments. sugar
and rum were scarce and In demand for local consup
tion There was active demand for tunnagc, but no
vessels Offering they being taken mp immediately ON ar
rival the there would be considerable
demand for handy A vessels
THE Government IL was expected about ~ adopt
means for increasing the stream OF Immigration nom In
da The coolies now IN the island were doing well and
giving great satisfaction tn the planters, who calling
out for more Of them.
The weather was pleasant IN the lowands, and cold
the mountains owing 10 the prevalence al north Winds
The uublic health was good.