The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-09-01

ing Out Their Destiny-An
Interesting Interview.
By the steamship st. Thomas that arrived In our
harbor on Friday, came Sir John p. Grant, Governor
General of the island OF jamaica and his Attorney
General Hon. N. scharsh. The distinguished gentle
men took rooms at the Brevoort House, where His
Excellency will remain until Wednesday Saturday
next, when he will embark for four months
sojourn in England. The Attorney General will in
a few days leave for an extended tour OF Niagara,
the Thousand Islands, and other points OF interest
In Canada
casual glance at Sir J. r. Grant, he ap-
peared yesterday on greeting representative of
the HERALD who called upon him, would not giveS
one the impression that he had rendered such dis
tingulshed services to the crown and received such
honors as he has. In personal appearance he is
tall, well built possesses fine, intellectual head,
long, flowing. fun beard, mixed with gray cheer
full round ford face that shows great intelligence,
and indeed, possesses all the attributes necessary
to make up fine old English gentle
man. Although sixty-four years of age,
the sun OF India and the heat of the
tropics have been so generous that he
does not look to be more than fifty years OF age.
Governor Grant, when but eighteen years OF age,
became an official OF the East India Company, and
left his Scottish home in Inverness-shire for his
new field Of duties in the East. Later he was
Deputy Secretary Of the government OF India in
the Revenue Department, Secretary OF Bengal, a
member Of the Supreme Council Of India. This
last position he held for many years, and in 1t
displayed great ability as statesman
His last service in India was as Lieu
tenant Governor during the mutiny Of
1879. So valuable were his services and
counsel in this trying period OF the government
that the Queen testified her appreciation of them
by raising him to the Order OF the Bath. When Gov
ernOr Eyre precpltated the blacks OF the Island Of
Jamaica into revolt by his mismanagement Of Its
AFFAIRS the home government looked for states
man who could establish confidence among the un-
ruly classes In its distant colony, and the position
was forced upon Sir J. p Grant after Sir H. Stokes,
who had been sent out to report upon Governor
Eyre's administration, had served as Governor for
. short time. Governor Grant assumed
direction Of affairs at critical moment,
when the black population was excited and
violent and the treasury bankrupt. One
OF the first reforms inaugurated was the
abolition Of the representative system Of gov
The Governor called to his counsel gentlemen Of
well known prohity, and by REFRESHING irreeulari-
ties he inaugurated and carried out such reforms
perity and tranquility the black population indus
trious and peaceable, the revenue more than is
making great strides and the commerce of the
colony monthly increasing.
The reporter was cordially welcomed by His Ex-
celeDcy on sending in his card, and after the usual
"Do you propose to remain long in our city, Your
''Oniy few days. am on a four months leave
visit Great Britain ns not yet decided
years the representative Of Her Majesty in jamaica
upon the condition Of anairs on the island"
well, sir, we are now enjoying high degree OF
great prOgressi in education and habits Of industry"
what Is the coored population ?"
THE total population L. in the neighborhood Of
are whites. The others are blacks and nalfcastes
We are increasing largely in point Of population
'Can you inform me whether the black popula-
ton has increased diminished since the massacre
the year previous to your assumption Of CON-
"Oh, there has been steady increase. believe
me Increase OF population IN the last ten years over
'What is the condition Of the colored population
Are the negroes industrious do they enjoy superior
educational advantages. equal with the whites, or
have they separate schools p"
OF the island. They are open to all classes and
shades Of color. they are very comfortable; in
wealth and prosperity have largely Increased since
their emancipation, and many OF them attain
high degree OF intelligence.
MANY ofthem cultivate sugar plantations others
prosper finely In commercial callngs. There is alb
00utely no distinction Of color in the colony.
"Then the blacks hold ofnceY"
emouin Si The predecessor Of that gentleman
tpointng to Attorney General Schasch) Is colored
..What is his name, Governorg-
"Heslop. He was educated at Oxford, although
native Of the colony and admitted TO the bar He Is
OF the island as well as Attorney General. Other
colored gentlemen hold high oiices, to witch they
"May / ask, Your Excellency. what you find the
capacity OF the West India blacks to acquire an edu-
cation TO be. Are they quick to learnY"
"When young they are remarkably quick in the
acquisition OF knowledge, but when they grow
older they do not learn so easily They have during
tion."
as the trade Of the island increasing 2''
ut is constantly improving, especially with this
country. The whole island Is in high degree Of
prosperity In 1865, after the revolt, they gave up
their constitutional government 1t was volun-
tary act. and the affairs are now administered by
governor and council appointed by the Crown"
Are the blacks satisfied with the change TO the
colonial system ~
They. certainly are. do not think there is on
Jamaica blacks now II ev are nercy happv
What induced the revolt under Governor Eyre ~
well, can hardly say. Things did not progress
TO the satisfaction OF the blacks for they are fac
iious people There is great deal OF faction, and
VIZ 'oc'lo "us tiat WcIe uissdtlsueu WltH Tic
management OF affarsn
HAS there been much emigration from Cuba to
the island since the rebelion.'i
''Yes, many Of our best citizens are Cuban refu-
gees, who have come in and commenced the cult
walton OF tobacco. They number perhaps twelve
or fifteen hundred.n
Tobacco believe, is new experiment thereSv
eyes; but 1t promises to open new field OF com.
merce. II Is now an experiment, but learn that
the tobacco equal TO the second quality produced in
Cuba. There have been little or exports yet. do
not know whether any cigars have been made equal
60 the Cuban brands, but Cubans say they can make
the finest quality from the Jamaica product. ex