Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-10-24
NO. 252
@iseellany.
MARTINIQUE INSTRUCTION.

On the 22d ult. serious disturbance
broke out in the southern part of the is
land of Martinique, which but for the
prompt action Of the Governor and the
cheerful alacrity with which all classes of
the population of the middle and northern
parts OF the island obeyed his call, would
greatly have marred the prosperity of the
colony. AS it is, about twenty sugar es-
tates have been burned and several re-
spectacle planters lost their lives
The incendiary bands were composed
of the idle and worthless portion Of the
community, joined, it is reported, by per-
sons of the same class from the neighbor-
ing English island of St. Lucia. Very
few, if any, of the working people are
known to be among them. Their pretext
for the outbreak was revenge for what
they considered the unjust condemnation
of one of their class, who had been SEN
fenced to FIVE years imprisonment for
murderous assault and battery committed
on an aged white gentleman; but their
real motive was plunder, and the mail
from France, having arrived the day pre-
vious with the news of the proclamation of
the republic, they thought that the times
of '48 had returned and that they could
kill, burn and rob with impunity.
The Governor, De Loisne, an expert
enced soldier, Immediately issued proc
lamation placing the communes OF st.
Esprit, Riviere Pilote, Riviere Salee, St.
Luce, Marin and ST. Anne under martial
law, and calling for volunteers to aid in
restoring law and order. The call was
speedily responded to. Within twelve
hours after its reception in Fort de France,
st. Pierre and Trinity companies of vol
unteers, both horse and foot, were organi-
zed at each of those places and on their
way to headquarters to place themselves
at the disposal of the Governor. They
were dispatched at once, under competent
officers to the scene of the disturbance,
where all the regular troops had been sent
that could be spared, and, vigorously ap-
plying themselves to their work, in about
six days killed, captured or dispersed the
insurgents, who were estimated to number
about four hundred, and completely sup
pressed the insurrection. About two hun
dred of them were killed and one hundred
and fifty captured. The only casualties
reported among the troops were NJ. Emile
Romanet, a highly esteemed young mer-
chant of St. Pierre, killed, and one colored
man shot through the shoulder.
Many of the rioters tried to escape to St.
Lucia, but the French Transatlantic Com
pany had given one of their steamers-the
Sonora-and M. CASTOR Depaz, a mer-
chant of St. Pierre, the schooner Rapid,
an old English yacht, to the Governor, who
armed them and sent them to guard the
st. Lucia channel, thereby cutting off their
retreat in that direction.
On the Goth the Governor issued his
proclamation granting amnesty to all the
insurgents except the chiefs and assassins,
provided that no more estates were at
tackled or burned, and offering a reward
for the apprehension of the principal ring
leader-Eugene Lacaille-who was cap
tured on the 1st inst.
On the Sd instant the volunteers had all
returned and been disbanded, the vessels
restored to their owners and the prisoners
were under trial by military commission
at Fort de France. 1t is probable that the
Brazil mail will bring news OF the execu-
ton of the persons excepted in the Gov
ernor's proclamation. The people of the
island were full of excitement and anxiety
for a time, not knowing but that it might
be the commencement OF general rising !;
but after few days confidence was fully
restored and they were unanimous in their
expressions of approval of the conduct OF
Governor De Soisne and admiration Of the
energy, wisdom and moderation he dis
played under the trying circumstances.
The outbreak, fortunately occurred in
the poorest and least settled part of the is :
land and the destruction of the estates. al
though, of course, probably running their
owners, will make no perceptible dimin-
ution in thefaggregate sugar crop for the
ensuing season, and will not materially
affect the prosperity of the island.