The New York herald., 1869-05-03
JAMAICA.


tho Gevcrnment-The People Informed Of
Their Affairs Through the New York
Herald-A Blockade Kunner-scarcity OF
LOgweod-Thievery Of the Negrees-CautIon
20 Underwriters.
KINGSTON, April 0, 1869.
In my despatch Of the 2sth of February last men,
toned that changes were In contemplation among the
secretaries Of Kings House. At that time there was
diversity OF opinion regarding Mr.. Rushworths
budget, and had got an inkling that Mr. Rush
worth, the Financial Secretary had been offered the
governorship OF Antigua, and that the portfolio OF
finance would thereby become vacant. Rumor with
its thousand tongues had 1t that Mr.. George Levy
was about TO be called to the Council and that from
his great commercial experience and knowledge OF
finance he would not only represent the CONNER
cla interests OF the colony but materially strengthen
the influence OF Sir John Peter GRANTS
cabinet Sir John had been long resident
In India and possessed great practical knowledge
regarding cOole immigration. while Mr.. Levy's long
experience and residence In China eminenty quail
fed him for the superinsendence Of immigration
from that country. The packet from England, how
ever arrived and materially altered the plans OF the
West India administrations; SIR Benjamin Pyne,
who had been gazetted for governorship in Aus
tralia, had his appointment cancelled, and was
named Governor Of Antigua. and Mr.. Rushworth
was promoted to the Lieutenant Governorship OF
Jamaica, in prospect OF Sir John Peter Grant be-
coming Governor General under o confederation OF
the British West India colonies The consideration
OF Mr. Levy's claims was therefore shelved for
time, and the Hon. Mr.. Irving, having been called
to the Colonial Secretaryship OF CeylOn, Mr.. Rush.
worth assumed the sans position in this island in
conjunction with that Of Finance Secretary, while the
Hon. Mr.. Rennalls was called to the Council. All
these changes unexpectedly burst upon the
colony, and few could understand the mo-
tives which prompted the sudden change In
the policy and the vehement, opposition OF
Mr.. Levy and his friends until the arrival
OF the NEW YORK HERALD OF the 10th OF March con-
tanning the rumor Of Mr.. Levys probable call to the
Council. Not thaHthe information was to them,
but the idea OF his being offered the portfolio Of
finance accounted for all that had been before mys
terious. The intelligence brought by the HERALD
spread like wd1re; the stationers' shops were be-
seged for copy of 1t, and there was rustling and
whispering among the officials in Kingston and
Spanish Town as to how these secrets found their
way into the columns of the HERALD.
remarkable instance OF sagacity and good for
tune has turned up IN the history OF the schooner
Anna, Of this port which, In running the blockade
at St. Marc, In possession OF the insurgents mstook
the harbOr and ran INTO GoAaives held by Salnave's
forces. While running in she was fired at from the
Haytien gunboat Salnave, which gave the captain
Delfossej the first intimaton Of his mistake. Two
Hayten eXles were on board, and to save them from
falling into the hands OF General Chevaer pun
cheOns OF rum sacrificed, the contents being
of and the exies carefully headed up In them. The
Anna was towed into Gonaives where her crew were
made prisoners. Captain DefOsse was. however,
smarter than those who captured him. and he turned
II the tables upon them by boldly demanding an ex-
iplanatOn from the authorities. He stated that by
decree of the President all vessels running for rebel
ports were required call in at government port
to undergo examination OF cargo, tnat the authori-
ties might be satisfied that they carried nothing con-
traband Of war. He professed to have acted In CON-
pliAnce with this order and insisted on knowing
upon what ground his vessel was fired upon. The
Anna was searched, and as nothing cOntraDand was
found her she was released and permitted TO con-
on o er he carg aG beep nv the Of
the Salnave. Inc rum preserved exles were speed.
lily released and warmly embraced Captain Defosse
as their deiverer.
The demand for logwood continues in consel
quence OF troubles In Hayti, which interfere with
commerce. The demand upon Jamaica has swal-
lowed up all the ripe wood around the coast and
the result Is that no logwOod Is to be had except In
localities where it is either difficult to get out or ex
pensive to remove TO shipping port. The
quence Is logwoOd has gone up In value and is
quoted at f3 As per ton; but even at that price 1t
cannot be procured in quantities.
For a considerable time past there has been loud
cry in the country that the industrial spirit OF the
negroes, who too lazy to work, and live upon the
provisions and small stock OF others. Various reme-
dies have been suggested and even iOgglg has been
resorted to by the judges. But convictions have
been so few compared with the damage done that
the people have become exasperated, and In many
instances have turned out to watch for the thieves.
One setter near Vaudeville, alter nights OF patient
watchfulness, at last saw q man walk over his
whereupon ne shot him dead on the spot and Quietly
returned home to sleep. He made no mention Of 1t,
nor did he attempt to inter the body. After time
the stencil attracted attention and search revealed
the body, half eaten up by dogs and wolves. A
great excitement followed and the settler gave him.
self up, explaining the whole matter. He was In
carcerated, and, being troubled with remOrse UNDER
took to commit suicide by cutting his throat. The
surgeon sewed up the wound, however, ana he Is
likely to recover
The Jamaica Guardian has recently been sounding
forth ola
underwriters to the Objectionable practices
nected with the sale OF goods reported damaged by
for the benedt Of the underwriters ana others com
cerned. The quantity OF goods thus disposed OF Is
rightful and 1t would appear that certain class OF
their goods landed at this port damaged
by salt water; even candles and glass
manner and the Guardian significantly asks, as
there no agent In Kingston to look alter the interests
os 1e anaerwrters m M and to see that Others con-
recent case wnere flour, leaf tobacco and candles
were condemned and ordered sold, your cores
OF events. There was very large attendance Of
provision dealers; but one thing was painfully evi
prevent small and middle men becoming purchasers
The competition, therefore, was confined to few OF
the 'heavy men" " creating monopoly, which might
have been for the benefit Of the others concernedv
but certainly was not TO the interest OF the under
writer's Another Objectionable feature OF ihis sale
was that all the condemned goods were put up TO
competition ''duty paid" This might have been
OF advantage to the auctoneer 20 swell his commis-
sion, but II Is at least questionable whether II was
for the interests OF the underwriters, and IL sug-
gests two very important points Tor inquiry First,
whether the customs authorities acknowledge all
the goods 80 condemned to have been SO seriously
damaged by sea water as to permit of a remission
OF any part OF the dutiess second, what IL the
practice OF the customs authorities relative TO goods
condemned as damaged by sea waterS DO tney get
the duties paid In full by being less credulous than
others and requiring satisfactory evidence TO the
actual condition or all they are asked TO remit duties
uponS These are points well worthy the attention
and investigation OF American underwriters. II Is
also important that they shoufreceive, In account
sales,n the names OF the respective buyers and the
quantities which they purchase, and In what sized
lots they were put up TO competition.
The flrst ship load Of cooe immigrants has ar
rived In ninety-six days from Calcutta Sne brings
the full complement of women required under the
new Colonial once regulations, and finer
or more healthy body OF laborers never landed
on these shores. There was not, upon landing, a
solitary OF sickness among them, and great
praise has been awarded to the captain and the sur.
geOn OF the vessel the Paricanl for the care taken