THE INSURRECTION IN JAMAICA.

West Coast Times, Issue 288, 25 August 1866, Page 1 (Supplement)

THE INSURRECTION IN JAMAICA.

CONCLUSIONS OF THE COMMISSION.

The report of the Jamaica Commission has been issued, together with a despatch from Mr Cardwell to Sir Henry Storks, reviewing the report so far as concerns Governor Eyre.

The conclusions arrived at by the Commission are as follows :—: —

"I. That the disturbances in St. Thomas-in-the-East had their immediate origin in a planned resistanc to lawful authority. " 11. That the causes leading to the determination to offer that resistance were manifold : (1.) That a principal object of the disturbers of order was the obtaining of land free from the the payment of rent. (2.) That an additional incentive to the violation of the law arose from the want of confidence generally felt by the laboring class in the tribunals before which most of the disputes affecting their interests were carried for adjudication. (3.) That some, moreover, were animated by feelings of hostility towards political and and personal opponents, while not a few contemplated the attainment of their ends by the death or expulsion of the white inhabitants of the island.

" 111. That though the original design for the overthrow of constituted authority was confined to a small portion of the parish of St. Thomas-in-the-East, yet that the disorder in fact spread with singular rapidity over an extensive tract of country, aud that such was the state of excitement prevailing iv other

parts of the island, that had more than a momentary success been obtained by the insurgents, their ultimate overthrow would have been attended Avith a still more fearful loss of life and property. " IV. That praise is due to Governor Eyre for the skill and promptitude, and vigor which he manifested during the early stages of the insurrection ; to the exercise of which qualities its speedy termination is in a great degree to be attributed.

"V. That the military and naval operations appear to us to have been prompt and judicious. "VI. That by the continuance of martial law in its- full force to the extreme limit of ii + s statutory operation the people were deprived for a longer than the necessary period of the great constitutional privileges by which the security of life and property is provided for.

" Lastly. That the punishments inflicted were excessive. (1.) That the punishment of death was unnecessarily frequent. (2.) That the floggings were reckless, and at Bath positively barbarous, (3.) That the burning of 1000 houses was wanton and cruel. (Signed) H.K. Storks, Lieut.-General, Russell Gurnet, J. B. Maule."

Mr Cardwell, in his despatch, says : — " Under the circumstances, Governor Eyre fully deserves all the commendation which you have bestowed on the skill, promptitude, and vigor which he manifested during the early stages of the insurrection, to the exercise of which qualities on his part you justly attribute in a great degree its speedy termination." "Thcsnddenness of the insurrection ; the uncertainty of its possible extent ; its avowed character as a contest of color ; the atrocities committed at its first outbreak ; the great disparity in numbers between the white and the black populations ; the real danger and the vague alarms by which he was on every side surrounded ; the inadequacy of the force at his command to secure superiority iv every district ; the exaggerated statements which reached him continually from distant parts of the island ; the vicinity of Hayti, and the fact that a civil war was at the time going on in that conntry," are mentioned as his justification. With regard to the continuance of martial law after the rebellion was reported j by Governor Eyre himself to be virtually suppressed, Mr Cardwell says that, " when a Governor has been compelled to proclaim martial law, it is his bounden duty to restrain within the narrowest possible limits the severities incident to that law, and for that purpose to keep himself constantly informed of what is taking place under it.'/ Mr Cardwell observes that " future good government is not the object of martial law. Example and punishment are not its object ; its severities can only be justified when and so far as they are absolutely necessary for the immediate re- establishment of the public safety."

He acquits Mr Eyre of any direct responsibility for the excess of the military tribunals, but he blames him for not informing himself of what was occurring under a reign of terror established by himself. He also considers that Mr Eyre showed himself superior to the feelings of alarm felt by those around him, and neither thought it necessary to summon troops from Britv&h North America, nor to proclaim n?.irtial law elsewhere than in tb/g rVsturbed district of St. Thomaa-in-tJfie fiast. With regard to Gordon's trip- and execution Mr Cardwell concv-^tfith the Commission " that the p^rttence, oral and documentary, appears to be wholly insufficient to establish the charge on which the prisoner took his trial." His transmi^ion to Morant Bay for the purpose I of triui by the military authorities, "his I trial hv court-martial, and his execution by virlie of the sentence of that Court, aye event-* which her Majesty's Governi meat cuunot but deplore and condemn;" and so for from any necessity existing for the summary delivery of Gordon to the j orisdiction of Lieutenant Brand, an obvious alternative suggested itself, and was recommended by Mr Westmoreland. Once on board the Wolverine, he might have been kept there in safe custody until he could be tried by the ordinary process of law ; as it was, the formality of his transmission to Morant Bay added nothing to the legality of his execution. In conclusion, Mr Cardwell says that it is impossible" that Mr Eyre should, under the circumstances, resume the government of Jamaica, and that her Majesty bad therefore been advised to intrust the new administration to other hands The second part of the report was issued on Wednesday. It contains minutes of evidence and an appendix. It is in the form of a huge blue-book of more than 1000 pages, and, in addition to the matter-^ the appendix, it contains 49,158 questions and their answers.

On the occasion of Princess Helena's birthday, her Majesty invited the children of the servants of the Royal Household to a tea-party, in the Orangery of Windsor Castle, and about three hundred were present. The Queen joined the party at five, and stayed till eight o'clock, and the Princess danced with the children, and all enjoyed themselves much.

The third child of the Prinees3 Royal, Prince Sigismund, was taken ill yesterday week, aud died on Monday.

The Princesses Victoria and Ella, children of the Prince and Princess Louis of Hesse, have been sent over to this country for safety, and have arrived at Windsor Castle. The Princess Louis of Hesse is near her third confinement, and could not come over with them, while the Prince himself haa had to join hi* army,

The King aud Queen of the Belgians are expected to come over to England to reside during the European turmoil.