The New York herald., 1869-06-07
JAMAICA.
Improved Condition Of the Islnnd-Policy of
Governor Grant-A New Fibre-Pimento for
Turning Purposes-Increase Of the British

Fleet.
KINGSTON. May IL, 1850.
The change which is rapidly coming ever jamaica
under the administration OF sir John Peter Grant Is
hardly within the comprehension OF any one who
has not been an eyewitness to what has been pass.
ing here since october, 1855, when q rebellion broke
out among the blacks OF St Thomas In the East.
sir John found the island ON his arrival ia state of
almost hopeless decay, ITS credit blasted ,and Euro
peans and Americans dying from Its shores in de-
spair-swallowed up by debt and the inhabitants
groanlng under taxation, ana lamenting stagnation
In trade and want OF industry among the
people, Now, by q changed order OF things, estates
have almost mirsculously revived; the island trea.
sury has recouped itself, and Ia In very nourshing
condition. Europeans and Americans are now
nockng TO develop the much neglected resources or
the island. The government Is advancing money
for improvements in Kingston and Falmouth, and
trade and manufactures are springng up in locai-
ties where such things have peen unknown for gene
rations In short, Jamaica is fairly on the way to
become the greatest and most wealthy In the Vest
The reception which Sir John Peter Grant received
IN his recent trip through the Island Indicates the
appreciation OF his administration felt by the people
and his practical suggestions to the various local
authorities were wei received, and there reason
to believe, VIII be acted on to the great
advantage OF the island In one parish PORTLAND
when the magistrates began TO bemoan their pow
erty aud crave help from She government, Sir John
IOil shcul llal 'nCaNen HCipSl luOse VINO neiptu
themselves" and strongly advised them 90 abandon
a idea OF government dong ANYTHING for them; for
unless they themselves made some effort 10 Improve
their condition they we're never likely 90 be better
than they were. They told him OF their rich but un'
cultivated acres their rivers teemiug with nsh. yet
no one to catch them; their highlands covered with
game yet no one to shoot it; that they were sur
rounded b7 wealth, yet they were living IA the midst
of poverty aud distress. sir John smiled as he lis
ieped to the tale Of aud quietly told them chat
N they would live they must labor and n they would
prosper they must be active, Industrious and persc
yeriiig IA turning 10 profitable account the rich
lands rivers and forests th which Providence had
40 abuudanty blessed them In Portland.
There are some important enterprises on foot here,
In which capitalists are Investing largely with good
prospects one gentleman Is about erecting IN this
cty at cost OF ca 0OO large factory for the working
up OF the cocoon vine lie has obtained patent in
Jaualca rom the Governor aud this simpc vine Ia
speedily TO converted rsb into Dre Tor mating,
stuing for bedding, &C; second, nbre for ielts FOR
hating and blanketing; third thread equal to and
hardly 10 be distinguished from silk, valued az |
twenty.eight shlllings per pound; fourth, woven |
goods. similar TO silks; nth, rich and valuable |
purple dye. THIS IL what the silver Spring Paper |
Company, OF New YORK, might have done had their |
enterprisnR Mr.. McCracken renamed " work out
his plans, but now they have lost the advantage
they had, ana an enterprsing Engshman has cut
the ground from under them.
II has been ascertained that Jamalca pLmsnto pos