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ང མ མ བ བ 1:|: མ

290

ANNUAL REGISTER, 1832.

by Cotton, copies of which (Nos. 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14,) are enclosed; and in conformity with the unanimous opinion of this numerous council, on the 30th instant martial law was forthwith proclaimed. No time was then lost in issuing general orders, directing the St. Ann's Western regiment to assemble at Rio Bueno, the Clarendon regiment on the confines of Trelawny, the Westmoreland and Hanover regiments on the confines of St. James, whereby I endeavoured to cut off all communication between the disturbed districts and other parts of the island with a force ready to act under sir Willoughby Cotton on his arrival at Montego-bay. At the same time I addressed a private communication to sir Willoughby Cotton, a copy of which (No. 15) is herewith annexed.

Accounts arrived on the 31st of December from Maurice Jones, Esq., custos of the parish of Portland, the north-east extremity of the island, stating that the negroes on three estates had refused to work, and had betaken themselves to the woods. It is somewhat remarkable, that this same gentle man, a few days previous, on learning that a man-of-war, as I have before informed your lordship, had sailed for Port Antonio, appeared to consider the application of the magistrates had proceeded from illfounded apprehension of the hostile disposition of the negroes in that quarter, although he was not ignorant that some excitement remained in the minds of the negroes about their being made free, expressed his regret that such a precaution had been adopted, stating, that he never considered the negroes in that neighbourhood to be more peaceable and contented.

In the course of the night a despatch arrived from general Robertson, by which it appeared that the depredations committed by the negroes in the parish of St. James had extended along the great river towards the parish of St. Elizabeth, and that the estate of Ipswich had been threatened. The officer commanding the Westmoreland regiment had posted two companies at an estate called Haddo, and orders were given for the St. Elizabeth's regiment to hold themselves in immediate readiness. Further accounts from general Robertson informed me that "the rebels were proceeding in the direction of Ipswich and New Savannah, and that he had moved a large body of men to oppose them." The following day he communicated to me the destruction of Ipswich estate, with several others, and thus concludes:

"I am of opinion that all the force in my district is unequal to suppress the incendiarism and destruction, without the co-operation of regular troops." At this time general Robertson was not aware that sir Willoughby Cotton had proceeded with a force of troops of the line to Montego-bay. Fifty men of the 77th regiment, under the command of Major Wilson, with a supply of arms and ammunition, were embarked on board his majesty's ship Rose, and proceeded on the 3rd instant, to Black River. On the 3rd of January I received another despatch from general Robertson, enclosing the deposition of an overseer, who had been eight days a prisoner of the rebels. A copy of this document, and of general Robertson's despatches (Nos. 16, 17, and 18), are also enclosed. The loss which the rebel negroes sustained at Ginger-hill, I have every reason to

hope may check the depredations committed in that district. But I thought it proper to issue the accompanying proclamation (No. 19.) On the 3rd instant, I received a despatch from sir Willoughby Cotton, informing me of his arrival at Montego Bay, as well as the troops embarked on board his majesty's ship Blanche. I shall not curtail the impression the majorgeneral has transmitted to me by making extracts from his despatch, I therefore enclose it. (Nos. 20, 21, 22, and 23.)

On the morning of the 4th, I received unfavourable accounts from Portland, especially from Mr. Panton, a magistrate and proprietor in that parish, whose letter (No. 24) I enclose. Mr. Panton appears to have laboured under feelings of much alarm. I had, however, anticipated the necessity of checking any insubordination which might appear in that quarter, having assembled the Portland, St. George, and St. Thomas-in-the-East regiments of militia before his letter arrived. Forty men also of the 77th had been conveyed in the boats of the Champion from Port Antonio to Manchioneal, under the command of captain Buchan; and colonel M'Leod, also in the absence of sir Willoughby Cotton, commanding at Kingston, had ordered captain Tathwell, with thirty men of the 33rd regiment, embarked on board of his majesty's ship Hyacinth, to proceed to Morant Bay, and from thence to march through a populous, and as yet a tranquil, district, where, however, the St. Thomas-in-the-East regiment were assembled, to Manchioneal.

The appearance of this force will, I trust, be sufficient to check any disposition to revolt in that quarter. It is obvious, however, from all the

information that has been received, that the negroes have been impressed with a general and firm belief that after Christmas they were to be free. They will have much to answer for who have deluded these unfortunate people into expectations which have led to such scenes of devastation and ruin, and which now recoiling on themselves, numbers must expiate by their death. My chief attention, therefore, is directed to maintain good order where quiet still remains, to protect the well-disposed, and to be always prepared to assemble a strong disposable force, ready to act on the first appearance of insubordination.

To give greater efficiency in the direction of all military affairs in this part of the island, I have given colonel M'Leod, deputy adjutantgeneral on the staff in this island, the rank of lieutenant-general of militia, whereby I obtained the assistance of an able and experienced officer, and extended his command over the militia, as well as over the troops of the line.

I also received despatches from Montego Bay, dated the 3rd inst. (No. 25). I have the honour to enclose a copy of one from sir Willoughby Cotton, whereby it appears that the burnings still continued to be executed in concert, by signal from the heights. That the leaders who had suffered the day preceding had all declared that they had been told by white people that they were to be free at Christmas, and that by these people the plan of insurrection had been arranged. That in concurrence with the custos of the parish (Mr. Barrett), prisoners to the amount of 100, not actually implicated as incendiaries, with the women, had been dismissed into the country,

with copies of the proclamation before alluded to, numbered twenty

one.

A despatch was also received from the custos of St. James, of which I enclose an extract (No. 26). He speaks highly of the conduct of the militia; but, I lament to say, adds to the list of destruction contained in list numbered twenty-three intimating the number of plantations and settlements destroyed to the amount of

100.

From Morant Bay I received a letter from colonel Delpratt, enclo sing a despatch from lieutenantcolonel M'Cornock, of the St. Thomas-in-the-East regiment, containing nothing of sufficient importance here to notice, but by which I collected this important fact, that although the negroes on some estates had refused to work, no act of destruction had been committed in that quarter, with the exception of a trash-house, which had been burned, but not ascertained to have been destroyed by design; at any other time the information would have been sufficient to have created great uneasiness in my mind, but now, contrasting it with what is passing in the west end of the island, I regarded it as rather satisfactory.

On the 5th I received further accounts from sir Willoughby Cotton, dated the 4th, (No. 27) and 1 am happy to say their contents began to wear a more satisfactory appearance. The active measures he had adopted, together with the proclamation he caused to be issued, he observes," had produced an extraordinary effect;" the negroes were coming in fast, and a communication opened to Maroon Town; the loss the negroes had sustained created a strong panic, and a move

ment which the major-general proposed to make the following day, he imagined would stop any further depredations in that neighbourhood. By the same express a letter arrived from the custos of Trelawny, a copy of which (No. 28) is enclosed. I should hardly think it necessary to transmit a copy of this letter from the custos to your lordship, did it not refer to a person of the name of Box, who I am informed is a missionary from the Baptist Society, and who has since been reported in custody in this town. I have caused his removal to Falmouth to be delayed, and have directed a letter to be written to the custos, a copy of which (No. 29) I enclose. I am as yet unacquainted with the charge on which orders were issued for his apprehension at Falmouth; but the information received from the custos renders it, at all events, necessary that he should be for the present detained; motives, however, of prudence and humanity caused me to interpose a delay in hurrying him to trial at a moment when so great excitement must necessarily prevail.

This morning, the 6th instant, I have had the satisfaction to receive a despatch from sir Willoughby Cotton, dated Montego Bay, Jan. 5, 10 a. m., with still more favourable accounts, a copy of which (No. 30) I enclose. Tranquillity, he states, is fast returning in the adjoining neighbourhood, and the negroes coming in from all directions, desiring to avail themselves of the promise of pardon offered in the proclamation. The roads to Lucea and Maroon Town were open, and many proprietors and attornies proceeding to visit their estates. Provisions, he states, are scarce, but being informed of that

yesterday, I caused letters to be written to the mayor of Kingston, and the custos of St. Mary, from whence I have no doubt a supply, if not already, will be quickly

sent.

ledge the importance and value of his services.

Were I to indulge my own personal feelings, I might express myself in a manner strongly indicating the consolation and relief I have derived from his energy, and, at the same time, discretion; but in bestowing my humble meed of praise on an officer of such distinction, I fear that I should render myself liable to a charge of presumption in attempting to add any thing to a reputation standing on such high ground as that of sir Willoughby Cotton.

Sir Willoughby Cotton expresses his astonishment I had not been made acquainted with the determination of the negroes not to work after New Year's day. Referring your lordship to my despatch of the 4th of August, I have now the honour to enclose copies of two letters (Nos. 31 and 32) dated the 29th and 30th of July, addressed to custodes of parishes, from none of whom I received unsatisfactory accounts, nor has any complaint Right hon. Viscount Goderich, &c.

reached me of insubordination amongst the slaves, or any disposition to insurrection, although the members of Assembly, from all parts of the island, had only separated, on adjournment, from the seat of government on the eve of

the insurrection.

I send your lordship the copy of a letter (B, No. 33) I have this day received from commodore Farquhar, and it is only due to that officer to declare, that, in all my communication with him, he has always afforded me the most active assistance and support in promoting the good of the public service. When it is considered how short a

time sir Willoughby Cotton has been in the disturbed district, it is astonishing what effect his presence and example have produced in the minds of the insurgent slaves, whilst the promptitude and decision of his operations, and the exemplary. punishment he felt himself compelled to inflict on the most atrocious offenders, have convinced the great mass of the slave population that all further resistance is unavailing; and the colony must ever acknow

(Signed)

I have, &c.
BELMORE.

No. 1.-(Circular.)

King's House, Dec. 22, 1831. vernor having received intelligence Sir,-His excellency the gohad manifested itself amongst certhat a disposition to insubordination tain slaves on a plantation in St. James, his excellency no longer hesitates to give every possible publicity to his majesty's proclatranquillity that has hitherto premation, which the uninterrupted vailed throughout the island had not seemed to render necessary.

I am directed, therefore, to transmit to you printed copies of this proclamation, and his excellency requests that you will cause it to be read to the slaves by the persons in charge of the several plantations in your parish.

I have the honour to be, &c. (Signed) To the Custodes of the several W. BULLOCK. parishes.

By the KING.-A PROCLAMATION.
William IV.

Whereas it has been represented

to us, that the slaves in some of our West-India colonies, and of our possessions on the continent of South America, have been erroneously led to believe that orders have been sent out by us for their emancipation; and whereas such belief has produced acts of insubordination, which have excited our highest displeasure; we have thought fit, by and with the advice of our privy council, to issue this our royal proclamation; and we do hereby declare and make known, that the slave population in our said colonies and possessions will forfeit all claim on our protection

if they shall fail to render entire submission to the laws, as well as dutiful obedience to their masters; and we hereby charge and command all our governors of our said West India colonies and possessions, to give the fullest publicity to this our proclamation, and to enforce, by all the legal means in their power, the punishment of those who may disturb the tranquillity and peace of our said colonies and possessions.

Given at the court, at St. James's, this 3rd day of June, 1831, and in the 2nd year of our reign. God save the King.

REPORT OF

THE COMMONS' COMMITTEE ON DRAMATIC REPRE

SENTATIONS.

1. In examining the state of the laws affecting the interests and exhibition of the drama, your committee find that a considerable decline, both in the literature of the stage, and the taste of the public for theatrical performances, is generally conceded. Among the causes of this decline, in addition to those which have been alleged, and which are out of the province of the legislature to control, such as the prevailing fashion of late dinner-hours, the absence of royal encouragement, and the supposed indisposition of some religious sects to countenance theatrical exhibitions, your committee are of opinion that the uncertain administration of the laws, the slender encouragement afforded to literary talent to devote its labours towards the stage, and the want of a better legal regulation as regards the number and distribution of theatres, are to be mainly considered.

2. In respect to the licensing of theatres, your committee are of opinion, that the laws would be rendered more clear and effectual by confining the sole power and authority to license theatres throughout the metropolis (as well as in places of royal residence) to the lord chamberlain; and that bisthe sole jurisdiction, should be extended twenty miles round London (that being the point at which magistrates now have the power of licensing theatres for the legitimate drama). And as your committee believe that the interests of the drama will be considerably advanced by the natural consequences of a fair competition in its representation, they recommend that the lord chamberlain should continue a licence to all the theatres licensed at present, whether by himself or by the magistrates. Your committee are also of opinion, partly from the difficulty of defining, by clear and legal distinc

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