which was put into my hands by a friend, who is one of the principal planters
Jamaica, and who is not surpassed, in point of political knowledge, by any man living.
The extract, which he allowed me to copy, is as follows:
May 15, 1807.

J

"It is impossible to foretel what will be the consequences of the late resolutions of the British parliament; but I must say that, for one, I contemplate nothing less than the total ruin of this country; and that at no very distant period; and in a way which the greatest advocates for abolition cannot be aware of. I should be very sorry to create any unnecessary alarm; but I have no hesitation in saying, that it is my opinion, (and there are hundreds who entertain the same) that this island will, ere long, be in a similar situation to St. Domingo; and that there will be a struggle between the white inhabitants and the blacks for ascendancy. When the period of the abolition arrives, there will be so little inducement for young men to come to this country, and so little encouragement for many that are here to remain in it, that a very considerable diminution of the white population may be expected. It is generally suspected, that the negroes keep up a secret intercourse with St. Domingo; and when they see us so reduced in numbers, they will not fail to take all the advantages which such a circumstance gives them; indeed, the speeches of many of the members of the British legislature (which a number of the blacks have an opportunity of hearing read) tend to encourage revolt; and they cannot more effectually inflame their minds against us, than by representing us in the horrid light they have done.”

With respect of the groans of the saints, I am at a loss to know upon what possible grounds the pious missionary, who is the author of the letter below, took it into his head to apply to me as his advocate, when it is well known that, as a member of the church of England, I am an inflexible, but tolerant opponent of those crazy vagabonds, who corrupt, mislead, and ruin the hearts and heads of our people, under the name of methodists. These soul-saving maniacs do their portion of political mischief here; but, in the West Indies, they disclose their nature, and shew themselves to be a set of more ignorant, illiterate, and debauched rascals, than any race of scoundrels that ever figured upon the face of the earth. When, therefore, such fellows send to me to defend them against the judicious laws of the colony; they ought, at the same time, to give me proofs of their honesty. I have proofs, in my possession, that they have shewn themselves to be, in general, the greatest villains that ever existed; and, if christianity cannot be dispensed in any other mode than through the medium of these fanatical incendiaries, it is better to leave the negroes to the dark superstition which they profess, and to the doctrines of Obi, and to the Fatishtas. Why do not they apply to the apostle, instead of tormenting me? Why do they not invoke St. William, of Palace-yard, the apostle of the African world? The papers annexed to his epistles, respecting the Jamaica legislature, display a thorough knowledge of these celestial cruizers, and meet my most perfect approbation. Christianity will never prosper under the ignorance and knavery of fanatics, bankrupts in fame and fortune; who are sent from Europe to teach infidels those sacred truths, which the preachers themselves do not understand. If, in the civilization of the unenlightened world, the grand truths of the gospel had been promulgated by such ministers of our blessed Saviour, as had truly and deeply examined the fundamental principles of our faith; if christianity had been promulgated by men of sense and virtue, its Divine precepts would have been received as the sacred rules of moral conduct here, under the hope of retributive felicity hereafter. But, villains, with starch grimaces, and with ascetic hearts, are the most unfit of men to preach the doctrines of mercy, justice, and benevolence.

OFFICIAL ACCOUNT OF THE SPORTING EXPEDITION TO THE NEIGHBOURHOOD

OF IPSWICH.

If any one conceives, that in the following relation, there is the most distant allusion to the executive part of the expedition against Buenos Ayres, a slight reflection will convince him to the contrary. It is well known to most of your military readers, who have been quartered in the ea tern district, that the vicinity of Ipswich abounds with game, and that several gentlemen, and, amongst others, Mr. Berners, of Wolverstone, are at considerable expence and trouble in preserving it.-The present account of a sporting expedition is supposed to have been written by the commanding fficer of a regiment at Harwich, to his colonel, (recently dismissed the service) the

right hon. W. Weathercock, in town. It unfortunately happens, that the geographi cal part bears some analogy to the late affair, as general Whitelock terms it, at Buenos Ayres.

Harwich, 10th Sept. 1807-Sir-I have the honour to acquaint you, that on being joined by the dogs, under capt. Ridiculous, I lost not a moment in making the necessary arrangements for the attack of Mr. Berner's manors: the dogs employed on this occasion were three light pointers, under capt. Able;- Ponto, Bob, and Hector, under major sir Samuel Steady;-Juno, Fan, and Linco, under capt. Promise;→→ Carlo and Basto, under capt. Ridiculous ;-and Flora, Sancho, and Helen, under eapt. Senior. All the guns were unflinted, except Joe Manton's gun, under lieut. Cambrian. After a very fatiguing march through Manningtree, over Catawade Bridge, and the mud of the river at low water, we reached Stutton, a village about four miles distant from the point of attack, and to the eastward of which the enemy had established and arranged a formidable line of defence.-I resolved, therefore, to elude their notice, and with this view turned to the left, and walked round by Hol brook, with the intention of uniting in the neighbourhood of Woolverstone.-I gave directions, at the same time, to capt. Senior, to wait with the greater part of the dogs and guns at Stutton, until further orders. Lieutenant-col. Stafford moved on to Harkstead by the right, and falling in with a party of keepers, gallantly refused delivering either his name or place of abode.-Owing to the ignorance of my guide, I did not unite with the party until early in the afternoon; when, making my arrangements, I posted sir Samuel Steady on the left to Wherstead and Freston ;-major Promise was on his right, and capt. Ridiculous occupied the ground leading to the mansion, about a mile distant from the grand preserve. The manor was thus nearly invested, and the circumstance of its being on the banks of a river, and the knowledge that the enemy had sent out all his game-keepers and servants to look out for us, either from the tops of the trees, from the steeples of the adjacent churches, or from the roofs of the barns, gave rise to the following plan of attack :-sir Samuel Steady was to move on to the great preserve, and the others were to penetrate separately into the fields immediately opposed to them; and after examining each field carefully, to ascertain that there were no keepers in them, to take post at the other extremity of the park-paling; thus proceeding directly through the manor, they would arrive at the banks of the river, and balt until further orders. Every one was to have before him either a terrier or a pug dog, and which, provided with a collar and bell, should announce the name and approach of the invaders; the whole were unloaded, and no firing was to be permitted until the several officers had made their final points, and arrived at the opposite extremity of the entire manor. In conformity to this ar rangement, sir Samuel Steady moved forwards, and after repeated admonitions from the farmers, during which they annoyed him to a considerable degree, succeeded in taking possession of a considerable quantity of game: major Promise was soon opposed by a very persevering tenant, and obliged to retire from his friend sir Samuel--not, however, before his dogs had an opportunity of distinguishing themselves by some admirable points, to one of which he knocked down a brace of birds. He continued to occupy a position, under the very nose of a game-keeper, five fields in advance of that which he had taken at the commencement of the attack. The repeated admonitions of an indignant peasantry induced capt. Ridiculous, whose original idea was to gain the Red Lion, to retire upon the parson's barn, with the intention of quitting it when the success of his associates should free him from his present adversaries. Surrounded, however, by notices, lurchers, and impudent game-keepers, and judging that his fellow sportsmen were just as incapable as himself, and that he should not be able to get another shot that day, he surrendered at discretion, and his gun was taken from him. The result of this day's action had left me in possession of a thick stubble, and a wood near the great preserve; but these advantages had cost us three lame dogs, one gun taken, and four officers liable to prosecutions. Every means of intimidation and prevention were employed to obstruct our progress; and it is not, perhaps, too much to say, t , that the whole male population of Mr. B.'s family were out of doors upon the occasion. Such was my situation when I received a letter from the head steward, offering to give up all the game that had been shot, and the gun, proxided I would quit the manor, adding, that he would not be answerable for the

game-keepers not shooting the dogs on my refusal. Under these circumstances, and knowing of how little use it is to shoot upon a manor, when you cannot get leave, I acceded to the treaty, which I hope will meet your approbation; I have now only to add my thanks to the several officers employed upon the expedition, and especially to lieutenant-col. Stafford, whose reputation cannot stand higher by my praise. My thanks are also due to Samuel sir Steady, and to capt, Able; capt. Ridiculous deserves to be mentioned as a very promising shot. The quarter-master will deliver this letter to you, and, from his knowledge in shooting, will be able to give you any further intelli gence respecting our sporting operations.

I have the honour to be, &c. &c.

JOHN GREYHAIRS, Lieutenant-col. Com.

Rt. Hon. W. Weathercock.

THE GENIUS OF BRITAIN.

O for that warning voice, which he who saw
Th' Apocalyps, heard cry in Heaven aloud-
Woe to the inhabitants of the earth!

MILTON.

From her white native cliffs, the proud throne of the main,
The Genius of Britain was heard to complain!

While sorrow subdued the bright glance of her eye,
She gaz'd o'er the deep, and began with a sigh!
Fall'n Europe! thou victim of follies and crimes:
Too late hast thou learn'd the dread signs of the times!
Too late hast awoke to escape from the rod,
Which teaches vain mortals to turn to their God!
Corruption's foul taint thro' thy vitals had spread,
And sicken'd thy heart, and perverted thy head.-
Thy members were wasted, thy powers deprest,
Yet sweet was the poison which lull'd thee to rest.
The warnings of virtue and reason were vain,
To nerve thy cold bosom and quicken thy brain;
And, therefore, in vengeance, the flag was unfurl'd,
Which led the destroyer to punish the world!
Those idols of witchcraft, in whom was thy trust,
Have vanish'd like phantoms, or crumbled to dust!
O earth thro' thy nations, now delug'd in blood,
May this awful truth be at length understood:
From INBRED-CORRUPTION proceeds the decay,
Which moulders the pageants of mortals away!
And vain, and delusive, each effort to save

That body, which breeds its own death, from the grave.
Thou glorious orb! which now sinking from sight,
Hast deckt the blue waves in thy mantle of light:
How long hast thou blush'd 'mid such scenes to behold,
The orgies of lust, and the triumphs of gold?
Vile self still usurping the throne of the mind,
And party o'er-gorg'd with the spoils of mankind.

For the ills they committed, the truths they withstood,
Their deep expiation's recorded in blood!
Yet why need 1 fear, tho' the arrogant foe
Has laid yon foul dens of iniquity low?

Yet why need I fear, tho' my rival's proud height

Again mock these shores with its awning of white?

Because my brave sons unappall'd, tho' alone,

Dare hold back the world, he would seize for his own!
My sons are too manly to stoop to a chain
Intended to shackle their rights on the main,-
Too gallant to barter a bright, well-earned name,
For the pleasures of siu, or the wages of shame,

Too hauglity to bend, and too fearless to fly;
Prepared for their country to conquer or die!
Foul shame on the traitor, whatever his place,
Who, slave of a faction, would plot her disgrace!
And shame on the cowards, wherever they dwell,
Who, to buy their own safety, her freedom would sell
O no! 'twas a story contrived, but in jest,
That rancour e'er prompted an Englishman's breast;-
Or interest excited, or party could sway,

To plunder the state, and his monarch betray,-
To stoop to vile measures for infamous ends,
And forfeit his soul for the sake of his friends.
Thou bulwark of nature! which witness'd of yore,
The Romans beat back, overwhelm'd in their gore;
Ordained by that voice, never speaking in vain,
A bar to the rage of the turbulent main.
Oh soon, in compassion to him whom alone,
High Heaven finds worthy a permanent throne:
Whose prayers for his people like incense arise,
To bring down the blessings of peace from the skies!
May my deep-shaken rocks hear this awful command,
To the angel of vengeance, "Here slacken thy hand:

E'en here raise an altar, no force dare invade,

Where discord shall cease, and the plague shall be staid.”

DISTRESS OF JAMAICA.

S. W.

SIR,-From the spirit and good sense, which mark your writings, I take the liberty of addressing you on a subject, involving consequences of the most serious nature to Great Britain and her West Indian colonies. To a thinking man, to one of your understanding, I need not point out how much cause every planter, and every person concerned in the West Indies, have to reprobate the illiberal, the unjust, the unfeeling treatment they have received from a weak, impolitic, and short-sighted government, who have done the most incalculable mischief, by the abolition of a trade sanctioned by repeated acts of parliament.

It is not, Sir, the loss of a regular supply of labourers, great as that will be to us at present, and injurious as it must ultimately prove to the resources and revenues of the mother country, that we most deplore :-It is the unhappy effects it will produce in the minds of our negroes, who are not in the habit of discriminating, or drawing very nice distinctions. The effects of this insane measure will shortly be seen; indeed they already begin to discover themselves; the negroes of some properties, in St. Elizabeth, having refused to work, and taken themselves to the woods, assigning as a reason, that king George had made them free, and they would not work for any man. By going to any part of the United Kingdoms, they well know they have a right to demand their freedom; they will now consider that right extended to the West Indies, and those ideas striking root, will spread like wild fire, and be productive of consequences which no considerate person can contemplate without horror. Thus are the most comfortable, easy, and happy set of people on the face of the earth, in the class of labourers, rendered dissatisfied with their condition,-the condition in which they were born, and beyond which they never aspired. By the wild measures of frenzied speculatists, they are now instigated to rebel against the lawful authority of their owners! Where is the humanity of arming the servant against his master, and obliging that master, in his own defence, for his own safety, to take that life which it was his first wish to cherish?

It has been observed, that there are periods in the history of all nations, when they have laboured under the influence of some particular species of madness; the obser vation was never more strongly illustrated than by the present mania, which seems to have seized almost all ranks in Great Britain, from the highest to the lowest.

I am not so uncharitable as to suppose, that even those men who have given their

firmest support to this business, were aware of the fatal conséquences to which it directly tended, for I eannot for a moment imagine, that people, really actuated by motives of humanity, could delight in scenes of bloodshed and desolation, in a war of extirpation!

We all along entertained the most sanguine expectations that his majesty would have temmed this torrent of folly, or fanaticism, more worthy of the parliament of Oliver Cromwell, than of the imperial parliament of the United Kingdoms, in the commencement of the nineteenth century; when the speeches of several members of both houses, on this subject, shewed a total want of knowledge of human nature, and really disgraced common sense. Coloured by the specious and delusive name of humanity, for in this instance it was made the stalking horse, the most oppressive and tyrannical conduct is pursued by our rulers, towards thousands of his majesty's most loyal subjects. For I will venture to affirm, without danger of contradiction, that his majesty had none more faithful, or more firmly attached to his person and family, than the aspersed and vilely calumniated inhabitants of the West Indies. That the cruel treatment they have experienced has caused a revulsion in their affec tions, I have not the smallest doubt, nay I am convinced it has, for in the bitterness. of their heart, arising from corroded feelings, blasted prospects, and, at no distant period, ultimate ruin, they would now most willingly throw themselves into the arms of any government powerful enough to afford them protection. The worm will turn when trod upon. That government must be foolish indeed, that will press. the subject beyond a certain point of bearing, that which puts his life and property in jeopardy. How would our noble lords, or our honourable commoners, relist a bill introductory of the agrarian law? Unpalatable, however, as such a bill would be to then, it would only go the length of dividing their overgrown estates among a number of industrious, idle, dissipated, and abandoned characters; it would not, probably, affect their lives. But this famous humane bill of their's, has the most direct tendency to destroy both the lives and properties of their fellow subjects in this quarter How did Tom Paine's doctrines sound in the ears of the great in Britain?They came home to their breasts; their levelling principles, destructive of all order and subordination, were not more infamous, and certainly far less dangerous, considering the people to whom they were addressed, than many speeches of the members of both houses of parliament, on the abolition of the slave trade, and gradual emancipation. Before these gentlemen talked of emancipation, or, in other words, preached up the doctrine of rebellion to our slaves, they should have found out ways and means to indemnify their owners for their property. There is no man in this country that will not now agree to receive a compensation for his estate, far below what would have been deemed, before the late discussions, a fair valuation. He will cheerfully bid adieu to an unhealthy climate, and to an ungrateful set of beings to whom his life and attention have been devoted, and who has, in fact, known less happiness than those people whose hard fate has been so pathetically deplored, by men who were total strangers to their condition, their tempers, and habits.Savage, cruel, and vindictive by nature, pity never touches their souls; and miserable indeed must be the lot of man or beast subject to their power. Yet, Sir, to such a remorseless set, do our mild and gentle rulers wish to devote us! My worst wish to the promoters and abettors of this humane bill, is, that they were condemned to live as long amongst these objects of their tenderest solicitude as I have done. I know them so well, that I should not hesitate, for a moment, to exchange a plantation, that, communibus annis, netts 1200/. and will, if destruction does not sooner. overtake us, nett, in the course of two or three years, 3000l. annually, for an estate in any part of Great Britain of 600l. a year. Any of their admirers that wish for a bargain may find me out,-my address is with the editor.

I am no visionary or alarmist, Sir; thirty years residence here has made me acquainted with the subject on which I treat. Would to God they had known any thing of it, who reasoned upon it so fallaciously in both houses. They reasoned in error, or something worse, and their conclusions were correspondent. If misled by misrepresentation they are pardonable, if not they merit the execrations of their

Country.

I shall appeal to the good sense of the nation,-to every man who is not bewildered