The Express. — 1851-02-21 (London, England)

ELECTION RIOT AND LOSS OF LIFE IN  JAMAICA.  By the Franklin we are placed in possession of dates from Jamaica to the 31st of January. From Kingston we learn that a serious riot occurred in the parish of St. David's a few days previous, which led to serious loss of life. It appears that an election for a member of the House of Assembly, to represent that parish, was appointed to take place on Monday, the 27th of January, when two candidates were placed in nomination—Mr. John Nunes, put forward and supported by the heads of the Kings' House, or government party, and Mr. James Porteous, by the conservative party. Mr. Porteous had once before sat in the house for Port Royal, but Mr. Nunes could never succeed in obtaining a seat, having been before defeated in four different attempts to gain an election. Determined efforts were therefore made on this occasion to secure the return of the government candidate. The polling went on briskly, each party keeping even on the poll until about half-past two o clock in the afternoon, one and a half hours before the time for closing the poll. The excitement now became great, and it was increased by the fact that the whole of Nunes' interest wall exhausted—he had not a chance of procuring another vote. At this juncture a voter appeared for Porteous, and as this would have given that gentleman the majority, the services of a body of armed men, apparently organised for the purpose, were called into requisition, and a most fearful riot ensued. The court house was almost entirely demolished; the police dreadfully cut and wounded, as well as several other persons, some of whom, it is feared, will not survive from the injuries sustained. Mr. David NPLean, coroner of the parish, was beaten by the rubble so cruelly that he died a few hours afterwards. A verdict of " wilful murder" against three persons has been returned. They had been apprehended, as well as several other parties charged with being concerned in the riot. The poll was resumed the next day, and Mr. Porteous elected by a majority of one vote. No acts of violence were renewed, but still the greatest possible excitement prevailed in the parish. A detachment of white troops was to proceed to the district, in order to quell any further outbreak. During the riot, the sheriff; A. S. Lyons, Esq., was struck ; and, among others, lie escaped greater injuries, by " flying for his life." The cholera had decreased in many localities, disappeared from others, and in some few was as violent as ever. The Journal says : The disease has entirely disappeared from the town of Falmouth, the medical gentlemen having on Saturday last presented the local board with a clear bill of health. The accounts from the rural districts of the parish arc also favourable.  The recent frauds on the treasury of the island still excite interest. Mr. Macpherson, charged with the forgery of island checks, was in gaol. lie had been once tried for the offence, but the jury could nut agree to a verdict—ten were for pronouncing hint guiky, whilst tw•o were opposed to it. Ile will be tried in April next. Steps are being taken to declare his scut in the Assembly vacated.