The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-08-13

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called Port Royal, and In the following year that
monarch granted by letters patent to tine Duke
OF York and other distinguished persons a lease
OF the exclusive right as a royal company OF
adventures to trade with Africa. This com
pany undertook to supply 1900 slaves annually
to the West indies The first Legislature met
In 1854 IL consisted Of thirty members. In
1887 notable event occurred In the arrival OF
Christopher second Duke OF Albemarle. only
son OF the famous Monk by a farrer's daughter.
He took the post In order to recuperate his
finances, having been pursuadcd by some specu-
lators to Join them In a scheme for raising n
Spanish Raeon sunk near tho island. He sue
ceeded, and 1t Is supposed that his share
amounted to a very large sum but he died
within a few months, and leaving no heir, his
title became extinct. In his suite went very
celebrated character as physician, young Irish
man, now world famous a. sir Hans sloane,
founder OF the British Museum. sloane's ob.
Icct In procuring this appointment was TO In
vcsti ;ate the natural history Of the West
Indies, and although in consequence OF the
death OF the Duke within In n few months Of
his arrival his own stay was cut short, he
managed to make ample collections OF natural
history, taking to England from Jamaica, Bar
BADGES, Nevis. and St. Kits about $40 species Of
dried plants, enriched with abundaa. nforma
ton concerning them, which he published
sloane's work throws curious light on the
Jamaica Of his day. Describing the discipline
on estates he says:
Slaves are usually whipped by the oversecr
with lancewood switches I'LL they be bloody aud
several OF the switches broken being first tied
up by their hands in the mill houses. After
they are whipped till they are raw some put on
their skins Pepper aud salt 10 make them smart (:
at other times their masters will drip melted
wax on their skins, ana use very exquisite tor
lures. For running away, they put iron rings Of
great weight ON their ANKLES. or puttorks about
their necks. which are iron rings with two long
necks riveted to them, or a spur In the mouth.
For rebellion. the victim was fastened down to
tue ground with crooked sticks on every lin :
they then applied fire 10y degrees from the feet
and hands. burning them gradually up to the
head, whereby their pains are extravagant"
And adds benevolent Sir Hans, these pun
lshments are sometimes merited by the blacks
aud though they Appear harsh. yet are scarce
equal To some OF their crimes. ana inferior to
what punishments other European nations in
met ON their slaves In the East Indies.
Mr. Bryan Edwards. member OF the british
House Of Commons, records scene which he
himself witnessed so late as 1890. Three blacks
were found guilty Of murder and insurrection.
One was condemned to be burnt, and his body
being chained to an iron stake fire. was applied
to his feet. lie uttered not a groan. but with
perfect composure saw his legs reduced to ashes.
one OF bis arms getting loose, be snatched a
brand from the fire and flung IL at the face Of the
executioner. Ibe other Two were hung w In
irons on the parade at Kingston. and left to per-
18th. Before being suspended they had, at their
own request, a hearty meal. Edwards visited
them on the seventh day, and the two criminals
Laughed INN oderately at something which hap
pened. Next morning one silently expired, and
the other on the morning OF the ninth day.
Well may Sir sibbald say: Enough OF sick
ening details, and We may thank our stars we
were born In days Of emanc patton" Unhappily,
however, the dreadful events OF 1885 went to
prove that, give them but the chance and there
are men as brutal now as there we're u century
before. 81 adopted a PLAN" wrote an officer IN
that year. (which has struck Immense terror
Into these wretched men, far more than death I;
which is, l caused them to hang each other.
They entreat to be shot to avoid this" Another
officer writes: Hi doing splendid ser.
vice with his men, shooting every black man who
cannot account for himself. sixty ON IA line OF
march) n hanging like fun by court. mar
tial." The noggngs," says the report " the
Royal Commission. were reckless. and at Bath
positively barbarous." Fifty and II hundred
lashes were frequent aud at Bath twenty women
were 1ogged.
Jamaicas chief difficulty to-day, SAYS the au.
thor, Is the inertness OF the blacks, habituated
TO low standard Of physical comfort. Any
thing will grow oy scratching the ground, and
they don't choose to do more. An acre. at
rent Of 6, will maintain family
The glores of fashionable Jamaica are quite
OF the past. In Park street, Westminster, al
most beneath the shade OF the Abbey Is a house
which bears upon 1t the words, West India
Eucumbered Estates Commission" Therein Is
written the decline aud TALL OF many family
which once lived in almost princey style. The
Hstla
Llwrences, Thorps,i Beekfords Lewises Che
Monk) and many more, are now not worth near
a 1.-THE u what they were seventy years ago.
Some Of these families had English properties.
and were then able to hold their heads above
water; some went under. Nearly ali who were
nnluent were reduced TO moderate means
spanish Town, Ike all scenes OF past splendor.
when dilapidated and deserted, Is melancholy
Large houses, which once resOunded with
me Il'neht music, aud dancing, are now silent
ana tutterng. thcir walls deftccd with cracks
or their windows partly boarded up, with "A black
face her and there pcering out. Inc sounds Of
wheels In the street are rae; = we heard none but
our own. How different the descriptiou OF AN
eve witness In l,iD: 80 lis surprising to see the
number II COACHES and rh riots winch are per
petually plying. besides those which belong TO
private persons. they have frequent balls, and
lately have cot play house where they retain a
set OF extraordinary good actors"
The Kings House" once the scene Of mag
nncent hospitality, was rebuilt by the Duke Of
Portland when Governor. AT the instance Of
the late Governor, Sir j. Z. Grant. 1t has been
turned into college, which he hoped might
succeed in attracting pupils from oil the West
India Islands, aud two oxford graduates II hi.h
attachments came out, at handsome salaries, Ms
principal and vicc-principal. Every sort Of edu.
catlonal and scientific apparatus was provided,
and dormitores and refectories prepared for
hundreds Of pupils. The result when Sir SID.