AFFAIRS IN JAMAICA, W.I.

New Zealand Herald, Volume III, Issue 684, 23 January 1866, Page 6

AFFAIRS IN JAMAICA, W.I.

NEGRO REBELLION QUELLLED. (Correspondence of tho iVWr York Times.) Havaxa, Tuesday, Oct. 31, 1535. The scene of tho disturbances in .lamaica is around Moranie Bay, which is the part of tho island nearest to Huyti, and is in the district of St. Thomas. Lately, previous to the fearful slaughter committed by tho furious mob, (here had beon a dispute between some sail rs of the navy and tho 'police; but this was promptly stopped by the Government. Tho succeeding events arc of a more serious character, and aro authoritatively declared to be a deoided and marked rebellion. The first alarm was given by a letter, dated Oct. 11th, read in the Commercial Exchango of Kingston, from lion. W. P. Georges, of Moranta Bay, announcing that the writer was -wounded hv two bullets in his legs, and that. Hon. Karon Von Ketelholdr, tbe Magistrate of St. Thomas Vast., Dr. Gerard, C. Price, S. Cook, and Lev. Mr. Hi rschell, had bsen killed. The Baron is afterward mentioned as arriving in JV n fr? fon on a steamci ' i R o he esraned at least with his life. The beginning (,[ (] lfi outbreak is thus described :— On the <th it ; •was said that the vcopln were greatly enraget,, especially at an arrest. Sunday passed, anil on Monday the magistrate issued warrants for tho I arrest of twenty persons who had figured on Saturday in the rescue ; but tho police were over-powered and socurcd with their own handcuffs, being held, at hostages. On the next day three hundred men, armed with swords, loft Dumfries and appeared in Stony Gut, where they held a secret meeting in the Baptist Chapel. Previous meetings had been held the night before, at the house of a man named Grant, called bv the insurgents Captain G ' .nt. The magistrate wrote at once to"tho Governor, at Spanish Town, and also to Bath, for a company of volunteers. Tho volunteers arrived on Wednesday, which was the day for the sessions. All was tranquil till o'clock, and the magistrates were about to retire for refreshment, when a cry of women was heard —"Here tlia peoplo are coining!" From the windows ot the Court-house could bo perceived a furious mob of four or five hundred persons rushing down the main street to tho Police Station. In they rushed, seized the i-T'.ms, swords, and powder, and triumphantly hurried on to tho Court-house. The local magistrate caught up tho " Hiot Act," which he read amidst a stirmof stones and bricks; the volunteers were ordered to fire, and when tho smoko rolled away, several of tho rioters were seen dead or wounded. Then camo a momentary pause, when the mob rushed furiously on tho handful of volunteers, who fought bravely. Over tho railing climbed tho assailants, and an obstinate effort was made to break open the door. In the meantime the. volunteers had succeeded jn retreating into tho building and set to work to barricade it, trying also to save the portrait of Sir Charles Metcalf f r cm the conflagration, with which the edifice and school-house were threatened. Every soldier who looked out of the windows was received with bullets, which he returned. Tho schoolhouse was soon in flames, hut tho wind for a timo saved the Court House. Two of tho magistrates who tried to escape through a window, wero at once killed by tile besieger-. In the confusion each member of the Court tried to escape as ho could. All took refuge in tho fort, when it was discovered that tho few volunteers who defended it had been ovcrcomo. The roof was now on fire. At tho request of tho Rev. Mr. Hcrschell a prayer was ofTcred up. Scarcely was it concluded when tho bullets camo dashing through the windows, wounding the sfipendary magistrate, tlio Hon. Mr. Georges, and child of the Inspector. Down camo tho roof, and to leave tho place was imperative. Mr. M'Commark was dashed to pieces against a. cannon lying on tho steps. Another rushed out with a sword, while the mob shouted, " Now we hare the Barou, kill him ! kill him !" and loud shouts announced their satisfied vengeance. Others perished, aud after having mutilated tin Inspector, they wero going to kill his child, but some women succeeded in saving it. The tonguo of the clergyman was cut out, and the Baron's finger's wero similarly treated. _ Tho volunteers fought well and dearly sold their lives. Not New Zealandcrs or Indians could have shown more cruel ferocity than tho insurgents. ' r !} r o f, torm riofc then rushed on to tho District of the Valley, and news of the atrocities there committed soon arrived. Great numbers of refugees had arrived ot Kingston. In Hordley tho Government House was attacked In it a number of women and children had sought a refuge. The inhabitants at once armed themselves with revolvers and other weapons, boldly withstood the rioters, and killing some, had succeeded in holding fhe others at bay. From that locality tho following despatch was received by the Governor • " Tho rebellion increases. Tho Court Houso is in flames. Ihe womon are in tho Government House. Helptroops. A gunboat can lie ofr Holland Bay. Do not lo?o time." Troops were at once sent to the sceno of confusion and reinforcements as rapidly as possible, whilst the Governor hurried to tho spot; 3CO soldiers of tho V-,\ , y . a , , amved at Kingston from Newcastle, whilst the inhabitants of that place were being rapidly enrol .ed as volunteers, a troop of volunteer cavalry having already left for Rock Fort. As the Wolverine steamed out of Morante Bay, it met the Ardent, from Nassau and dirocted her to proceed at Jon e to Barbadoes for troops. "* Forty of tho insurgents have already been hanged, and so has tho policeman who favoured the escape of the rebel leader, Paul Boyle. This latter has surprised most who knew him, for he was always considered as pacific and jovial in his character. Of another leader, Grant, it is also said ho was always very sensible and one of the supporters of the acts of the local committee of which he was a member. General O Connor writes that Captain Luke marched upon Port Morante, expecting to find tho rebels m force but found no opposition : a gunboat, however, found a mob of 800 mostly women, employed m setting fire to the houso of Mr. Duflers ; some 32-pounders scattered them. On ho oth Captain Luko was ordered to Lath, and jwith the detachment there to proceed to nordley Hall and Golden Grove, to protect the women and children above mentioned. Ihe distance from Port Morante to Bath is seven miles, apd thenco to Golden Grove five ; after carina tor the safety of the womon a/id children, to proceed by tho coast to Port Moranto. Among the clertrvmen murdered is Rev. Mr. Foote, a venerable and excellent man. As the Govornor, Attorney-General and other officials wero about to leave for where their presence was required, the Wolverine entered the buy, having on board 21 prisoners, but as martial law had beon declared whence they came, they wero ordored back to .be tried there. Tho whole of Surrey county except iwngstoß has been placed under that law.

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LDAILY.