The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-06-27
JAMAICA.

Material Progress of the Island-The Sugar
and Tobacco Cuiture-The Grapeshot-Fires
In the Windward British Islands-English
Report Of the Capture of the Schooner La
Have.
KINGSTON. June IL. 1862
The two engrossng topics OF public discussion for
some time past are the extension OF the Jamaica
Railroad to double its former length and the con-
structlon OF ship dock in Kingston harb0r for the
repair OF vessels OF the largest tonnage such as the
steamers belonging to the Royal Mail Steam Packet
Company. The line, as formerly completed ex-
tended from this city to place called 'the Angels"
Los Angelosl distance OF thirteen miles, that
being the full distance to which the rails had been
laid down. The additional line, from Spanish Town
Isl. Jago de la Vega. to its ancient Spanish
name, which Is still retained in ofical documentsl
to Old Harbor, Is about the same length as the old
line consequently the entire length has been about
doubled; and there is talk OF still further extern
sion to the heart OF Clarendon and Manchester
parishes. The formal opening Of the extended line
will take place on the 25th or the present month 1t
is expected, with imposing ceremonies as the day
VIII mark an era In the history OF Jamaica. The
benefits which will accrue to Jamaica from this
much-needed work are likely to be immense, az the
extended line lies through tract Of fertile country,
rich In the sugar cane as In the parishes Of Vere
has mmenseIy Increased Of late 0 More than ~ t6is
when 1t reaches Manchester another advantage Will
be gained IN the facilities with which abundance OF
ton market for cattle breeding is the specially OF
Manchester, In which there are no sugar estates.
The other affair-the construction OF the new ship
d0ck-wOuld also tend In most mate rial degree To
the benefit or the island. Nature herself seems TO
point out this fine harbOr as the central depot OF the
Royal Mail Company's steamers. especially since the
opening up OF the railway route across the Isthmus
OF Panama, and the other still more extensive line
which now stretches across part OF the Continent
n
cisco on the Pacific Your fine island cannot fail to
participate In the benefits that must arse from the
traffic across the Continent.
Apropos OF the troubles in Cuba, curious inci-
dent has lately occurred In the port OF Falmouth on
ern coast OF that island On the evening OF the I'd
instant a schooner named the Grapeshot arrived at
that port and 1t was soon after ascertaned that she
came from Cuban port, where 1t Is said she sue
ceeded In landing upwards OF thlrty-slx men and
quantity OF arms and ammunition for the revoiu-
tlOnists. 1t seems that the Grapeshot had cleared
at New York for Falmouth, with the arms and am
munition, but that instead OF proceeding direct she
steered for port In Cuba where she landed her pas
sengers and portion OF her cargo. der crew
attempted to run the vessel on shore while the cargo
was being landed, when an alteration took place,
during which The captain received a bullet
from revolver through one of his legs.
He succeeded, however, In getting away from
Cuban waters, and steered for Jamaica.
making out manifest at sea, showing that he mad
ON board 1855 packages, containing arms, ammunition
and Announcements. Proceeding to one OF the Turks
Islands he there procured q clean bill OF health
after which he steered for Falmouth, for which port
he had originally cleared. On the arrival or the
vessel she admitted to entry, with her cargo for
expectation. The Collector OF Customs sent a tide
waiter on board as he entertained doubts as to the
right OF the Grapeshot lying in British waters
under the circumstances He also wrote TO the gov
ernm ent for instructions how to act, but the fol-
lowing day, without waiting for an answer, he
seized the vessel and cargo. The captain, through
the American Vice Consul, protested against the
seizure on the ground that he had been forced TO
come to an entry and did make proper entry at
the Customs that the cargo was entered for expora
in ha was Mt "a tn al I'm IN tn no
exported, which he was ready and willing TO 90, and
that he would seek indemnity from all parties con.
cerned In the seizure for detention OF his vessel and
for the value OF the goods seized. Information
subsequently reached this city that the Grapeshot
has been released her seizure and detention having
Attention has been awakened in this island to the
growth OF pimento spice peculiar TO Jamaica. IL
mas been discovered tnat this spice Is extensively
used In Russia for the tanning or leather. Hence
the peculiar aroma OF Russia leather. Here, then.
is CLEAN OF hope for us: but am afraid 1t will
not be OF long duration substitute for pimenCO
is to be found by some ingenious experimenter,
Just as 1t was discovered that sugar could be made
Of beet root to the injury the Whole OF e us NV west
mento growers will. In accordance with one OF our
proverbs, "make hay while the sun shines"-thst Is,
use their present advantage while 1t lasts.
The Legislative Council is still sitting The busi-
transacted Is OF no Importance to anybody out
rne island ana very e r 20 saos To The
pressure o: taxation. One measure now before the
Council has given rise to some rather strong discus
Ultimate children to support such offspring, and
Legitimate children to support their parents, but
the obligation extends mutually 10 grandparents
and grandchildren. Whether such bill will ever
become law remains to be seen. Public opinion
seems to be against it.
We have In Kingston society called "The Royal
Society OF Arts and Agriculture" the object OF which
is indicated by its title. At meeting Of the society
Secretary Of State England. with letter 'f from
silk association In London, was presented. The
Governor required Information regarding the cuu-
tiAn nf fhn rfefr amin ntahl
ceency had doubt would thrive In different parts
OF The island. His Excellency was also OF opinion
at the 'pe " dna arc ns
places where silk culture, skilfully conducted would
be successful Mr.. kemble, one OF the members
present, was requested to draw up paper on silk
worm cultivation, giving the results OF attempts
maze in Jam ica, with suggestions, &c. and IL was
ordered that the secretary do acknowledge his tx
ceency'5 letter, stating what action the society had
taken, and requesting further information on the
subject; and expressing their willingness to further
ply association.
The rainy seasons, which generally prevail In May,
have been rather backward this year, especially In
this city. No complaints appear to be made, how
ever, OF the prevailing drought nor does any ap-
prehension seem TO be entertained for the next
years crop. The sugar crop OF this year, 80 lar
ascertained, bids air ~ be an average one. Speak
ing OF sugar reminds me OF the admirable condition
In which Albion estate IN the neIgnborng parish OF
ST. David, mas been placed by its present enterprs-
ing proprietor, Mr.. Carson, who ~ absent IN Eng
land. Albion, winch, IN the best times, did not
will this year make 900 hogsheads; and If the rum
be In proportion, the quantity made will be 300
puncheons. leave u Win you to reduce the figures
10 your own standard.
CUBA ia likely TO have q rival in the production Of
tobacco, and the consequent manufacture OF cigars
quantity OF the article, grown In Metcaf PARISH,
has been brought into this city In an unmanulac-
tured state. IL has been pronounced By good judges
worth one shilling sterling per pound, though in-
ferior to some specimens OF native growth already
brought TO TINS market Kingston paper Says
This tobacco growing and curing busness Is worthy
OF encouragement for we see no reason why, under
proper management, Jamaica cannot be made To
produce as good an article OF tobacco any obtained
from Cuba.n In tact, the Cuba lear has long been
In the island The great difficulty
hitherto has been In the curing.
Another article OF utility mas been recently
brought into notice. Who would have thought that
paper could be manufactured rom the hard stem OF
the bamboot And yet the feasibility OF this SEEM
ingly improbable thing has been practically demon
strated by an ingenious American. Now, as
Jamaica already abOunds with the bamboo aud as
from It's rapid growth IL Is capable OF indefinite ex-
pansion, the Invention IN one that deeply concerns