Jamaican Family Search Genealogy Research Library

(Published by Francis Hall & Co. every Tuesday and Friday)

From the Baltimore American of Tuesday

THE SLAVE INSURRECTION IN JAMAICA --- The schooner Harvey, Snow, came up yesterday evening from Montego Bay, Jamaica, whence she sailed on the 5^th January. Captain Snow reports that the whole Island was in a state of confusion and alarm, in consequence of the insurrectionary movements of the slaves. The troops had been called out, and had attacked them, and all who did not surrender at discretion were shot. Many slaves, it is added, had met that fate. Martial law had been declared, and the vessels in port were not permitted to sail. The H., however, being full, and having applied for a clearance several days before the declaration of the martial law, was allowed to depart. --- Three British frigates had arrived there from Kingston, with 500 marines on board. The insurrection was not quelled when the H. sailed, and Capt. S. saw several large fires burning at distances. A negro hut had been examined, and 30 stand of arms found therein. The insurgents appeared to be well armed.

The following proclamation was issued on the 2d Jan.

NEGROES --- You have taken up arms against your masters, and have burnt and plundered their houses and buildings. Some wicked persons have told you that the king has made you free, and that your masters withhold your freedom from you. In the name of the king I come among you to tell you you are misled. I bring with me numerous forces to punish the guilty, and all who are found with the rebels will be put to death without mercy. You cannot resist the king's troops. Surrender yourselves and beg that your crime may be pardoned. All who yield themselves up to any military post immediately, provided they are not principals and chiefs in the burnings that have been committed, will receive his Majesty's gracious pardon. All who hold out will meet with certain death.

WILLOUGHBY COTTON

Major General Commanding

(Published by Francis Hall & Co. every Tuesday and Friday)

JAMAICA --- By the brig Enterprise which arrived at Savannah on the 2d inst., files of Jamaica papers have been received, down to the Montego Bay Chronicle of the 14^th January. The rising of the blacks had been a very general one; but the disturbance was the greatest in the vicinity of Montego Bay. The paper of the 7^th gives a list of 106 plantations of sugar, destroyed in the parish of St. James alone. By the prompt action of the Governor, Sir Willoughby Cotten [sic], and of Commander Farquhar, and the naval commanders, citizens and sailors had been put in requisition, in addition to the regular forces. Numbers of the insurgents had been taken and shot or hanged by military or civil tribunals. The number of the whites killed is not mentioned. --- During his absence in the interior, whither he had gone to put down the rebellion, the Governor had suspended martial law at Montego Bay, and numbers were left for trial, confined in the Court House or on board of the vessels. Several missionaries had been arrested, who remain for trial, after the excitement shall have subsided. The rising, is, as is usual, most falsely, as we believe, charged to their labors to instruct the blacks. Many insurgents have fled to the mountains; and a new Maroon war was expected. Coffee was 15 cents, rum 75, and sugar 7. The works being destroyed, the cane would be mostly lost. An embargo took place which lasted 14 days. Capt. S., of the Enterprise, says his vessel for several days was crowded with females seeking refuge.