The Express. — 1866-08-03 (London, England)

JAMAICA. • The Earl of ROMNRY, adverting to the late disturbemcee in Jamaica and the report of the royal commisaioners in reference to them, asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether her Majesty's ministers agreed in the main with their predecessors in office on the subject, and whether they had taken or contemplated taking any steps open the Lord CMIRVON, in reply, pointed out the difficulties col:meted with the question. It was admitted, he said, that vigorous measures were justifiable and necessary far the repression of the disorders that took place, but it must also be admitted that some eases of cruelty, oppression, and injustice bad oocuned. With respect to the military °fames against whom charges had been made,the commissioners had mentioned three whose conduct they considered should undergo further investigation. ProvostMarshal Homey wasnowOn trial inJamaicafor murder,and Ensign Cullen and Dr. Morris would be tried by courts-martial oompossd of officers who were unconnected with the late proceedings in Jamaica. Sir J. Grant, the Governor, had been instructed by the late government to ascertain whether there were any civilians whose conduct demanded further inquiry, and the present government had also directed his attention to that point. Sir J. Grant had also been instructed to examine the cases of those who had been sentenced to heavy punishments for ticipation in the riots, with a view to ascertain whether & mitigation might not be prudently made. Of Governor Eyre's conduct Lord Canary= remarked that while he had displayed the vigour and promptitude in the repression of the rebellion with which it was his duty to act, yet he bad been wanting in sound judgment, and bad, under the influence of panic, permitted the unnecessary prolongation of martial law, which had been the cause of most of the mischief that subsequently occurred. AI the same time it would be preposterous to hold that Mr. Eyre hod been guilty of murder in the case of Gordon (although the execution upon the evidence adduced was moat indefensible), as he acted bond fide, and his want of judgment and discretion had entailed upon him his recall, which was in itself a very heavy penalty. Foil RUSSELL concurred in the opinion expressed by the commiesioners with respect to the trial and execution of Mr. Gordon, and he only wished to say on behalf of theists government, that they all thought the report of the commissioners not only a very able one, but that it judged impartially between the conduct of Governor Eyre and all other persons who came under their notice. The report praised Governor Byre for his promptitude and extreme readiness in putting down an incipient insurrection, and he (the noble earl) saw no ground for indicting Governor Eyre for murder, although at the same time he deplored the undue severity he bad exercised. me Earl of CARNARVON said that so far as he understood the verdict of the commissioners was entirely accepted by the government He understood the commisMenem to say that Gordon was not proved to be guilty of complicit in this insurrection, and that be was executed upon evi which was wholly insufficient. In that °pinyon he entirely concurred. Lord HOUGHTON asked whether the government were Marto entertain the question of compensation to the eTsdof those who had suffered. The Earl of CARNARVON said the question of compensation was shackled with the difficulty, that corn pansaties must come either out of the consolidated fund in this country or from the colonial revenues. The question of compensation out of the consolidated fund was rather one for the consideration of the other house of parliament, and he doubted whether the people of this country would be disposed to make any grant on that account. So far as the colonial revenues were concerned, he feared that only a very poor account could be given of them, and it would require the utmost efforts of Sir John Grant to make both ends meet. The revenue itself had declined, and it would probably be a keg time before any considerable allowance could be made from that quarter. It must be borne in mind that the question of compensation was in itself most difficult, in consequence of the fraudulent claims which would be set up the moment the subject was mooted. He should, however, be sorry to say that the government would not entertain the question of compensation. Much must depend upon Sir John Grant's report.