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by methodism, or religious bigotry; by humanity, that abused term, sounded in the cars of a well-meaning, but credulous people, to deceive and work upon their feelings. I shall appeal, in short, to every unprejudiced nian, whether we have not been cruelly, unjustly, and inhumanly treated? After so many years spent in a trying climate, where many of these right honourable gentleman would be afraid to trust their precious lives for a month, after investing the whole of my hard earnings in landed property, and the returns in improvements, After the fair prospect of ease and competence presented itself, to have it in a moment blasted by an absolute breach of faith in the mother country, is a trial beyond human endurance. Let any man bring the matter home to himself, will he not feel as I do?-As we all do? For the picture I have drawn of my own situation, is a faithful one of a great proportion of the inhabitants of their devoted colonies.

Now, looking forward to probable consequences, the result of imprudent measures, how am I to turn myself?-Reduced to poverty, who would support me and my family? Would his majesty, on representing my situation-what I was-and what I am-graciously vouchsafe me a small pension? Perhaps the innate goodness of his heart, always open to the calls of distress, might induce him to extend his bounty to a few individuals, fortunate enough to have the hardship of their cases properly represented; but when thousands, similarly circumstanced, should so many escape massacre, presented petitions, what could even majesty do? A call is made on the humanity of the country in favour of the unhappy victims of ministerial oppression. The enlightened lord Grenville, the redoubtable lord Howick, the humane and consciencious Mr. Wilberforce, the celebrated Mr. Sheridan, who hoped to atone for his moral and political sins, by a solitary act, which he deemed acceptable in the eyes of his maker, with a long list of lords and commoners of equal zeal in the good cause, but less ability, would start up in their several places, by a simultaneous movement, and exclaim, as with one voice,-We have had the merit, during our short-lived ministry, of bringing on this desolation; let the wretches perish, our black brethren are triumphant! This we have effected; more we would have done, which would have involved consequences equally fortunate for the nation, had not our career been so abruptly stopped.-Peace be with you, bright luminaries.-Long may you enjoy the seats of opposition; seats where you are best calculated to shine. But it would be blameable to take leave of the heads of the late sapient administration, without offering a tribute of praise for opening that safe, politic, and delectable trade with the Haytians, so productive to the mother country, and so cheering to the hopes of their friends, their éléves here. But I should beg pardon, Sir, for uttering my indignation against a set of men who have done all in their power to ruin us, and injure their country, to hurry me for an instant from my purpose, which is, to open the eyes of those who have been led astray, by error or misinformation, to the danger of the situation in which we are unhappily placed, then the evil may be rectified before it is too late.

The business of our ruin had been carried on systematically, and by the basest means, Recourse has been had to every species of falsehoods, to blacken our characters; the grossest slanders that could be invented, have been industriously propagated by the vilest hirelings, to impose on the credulous; and when they believed they had wrought a complete change in the public mind to our prejudice, they ventured to develope their real intentions.

Whoever has set foot in the West Indies, must soon be acquainted with the character of the inhabitants. The most inveterate of our calumniators cannot be in Jamaica six months, before he must feel, and lament, if he be a man of rectitude, the errors into which he has been led by misinformation. He will find them humane, generous, and so hospitable, that if he possess the manners or appearance of a gentleman, he may travel from one end of the island to the other, without a dollar in his pocket, and be kindly received, and handsomely treated, wherever he calls. He will witness the extreme indulgence with which our slaves are treated,---and will be delighted with the ease, content, and happiness, which every where reign among them. His sight will not be shocked by beggars, or the appearance of beggary ;but he will see a happy set of beings, well fed, well clothed, and whose daily labour is ease, in comparison to that of the labourers in any part of the United Kingdoms

through which he may have travelled. When sick, they are attended by regular practitioners,---and if disabled, by any casualty, or calamity, from attending their master's work, or their own gardens or grounds, they are amply provided for. To them, misfortune is not the cause of want, for while their masters possess the means, they will be supported and protected. This, Sir, is by no means a surcharged picture of the whites and blacks in this country. Every honest, well-meaning man, who has resided here, will readily subscribe to all I have advanced.

We have long groaned under the pressure of imports, so heavy on many articles of our produce, that, after freight, and a long string of charges were deducted, the poor planter has not, unfrequently, had the mortification to find, that his shipment brought him in debt to his agent, and obliged him to borrow money on the security of his estate, to pay taxes, and support his family. To these distressing circumstances his majesty's ministers could not be strangers. They have been temperately, but impressively represented. Yet, what attention has been paid to our interests in parlia ment? Has any effectual mode been adopted for our relief? All that we can raise centers in Great Britain. What, Sir, is our return? The most shameful dereliction of our interests; and, it now appears, nothing short of our destruction, could satisfy ministers, and the good people of England,

Who can refrain from lamenting the general infatuation, when we see the rulers of a great empire losing sight of its interest? When we see the manufacturer and tradesinan, supported by our industry, so far losing sight of their own interest, as to join in the general outcry, to close for ever that extensive vent for their commodities! They must be blind indeed, who cannot perceive that they will be involved to a greater or less degree in our fate.

It is devoutly to be wished, that the present ministry may view this matter in a light very different from their predecessors, and correct, before it is too late, the errors into which they have fallen. The promptest measures will be necessary. The evil will not admit of delay.

Jamaica,

St. Andrews, 22d June, 1807.

I remain, Sir, your very obedient servant,
A. PLANTER.

THE GROANS OF THE SAINTS.

SIR, The patriotic spirit, and noble sentiments, which breathe through your Political Review, and your respect for the sacred doctrines of the protestant faith, point you out as a friend to your country, humanity, and religion. To men of such dignified principles and conduct, every invasion of the rights of conscience, social happiness, and British constitutional liberty, must be regarded as highly censurable, and the invaders, as unworthy members of society. A true lover of his country will always remember, that the fear of God is the best palladium; that his nation can look for adversity only, while without the blessing of Heaven; and that the destruction of civil establishments is, and ever has been, the result of immorality, and contempt of religion. He will, therefore, according to his power, promote divine worship and christian instruction, sensible that the more enlightened his fellow subjects are in their puty to God, the more they will reverence their rulers and the laws, and never engage in conspiracies or insurrections. Happy must that land be whose inhabitants are influenced by the precepts of the gospel. On the other hand, when religion is ridiculed and discountenanced, by men in power, and the ignorant restrained from acquiring christian instruction, what motive can be effectual to make, or keep, the people good subjects? What has irreligion done for the continent? and what for St. Domingo? Or what has not the fear of God done for the British empire? Happy would it be for England, if all parts of the kingdom were equally aware of the advantages to be derived from the cultivation of christian knowledge! Happy would it be, if the West-India colonies were alive to this consideration! They would then have no cause to apprehend insurrections from the slaves, nor would they have much to fear from hostile squadrons !--The fear of the Most High would annihilate the seeds of discontent and rebellion, and attach both slaves and free people to their duties, their superiors, and the country. Far from exciting alarms, when the islands are invaded, they would readily assist to preserve them from the enemy.

But these remarks are little considered in Jamaica; on the contrary, religion is Supplement to No. XIII,--VOL. III.

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depressed, and vice exalted. It has been urged, in support of the slave trade, that the slaves, transplanted from the dark regions of Africa, have an opportuity of emerg ing into the light of christianity, a system far excelling the doctrines of Greece and Rome; and that this abundantly compensates for their loss of savage freedom. This would, undoubtedly, appear a strong argument, but it cannot be used, at least, in Jamaica, it being contrary to law, to teach, in seasonable hours, either slaves or free people, the tenets of the gospel. Of this, Sir, you will be convinced by the inclosed documents. The preambles state, indeed, some ostensible reasons, and it would be extremely ridiculous if none were urged; but these are mere pretences and disguises. The evils complained of do not exist any more than in England, or in the best regulated societies of christians, and there are sufficient, and easy means to withstand real fanaticism, and every breach of the toleration act, without framing new laws to check religious meetings, or to suppress them altogether. This ordinance of the Kingston corporation (several of whose members it is generally supposed are Roman Catholics, and most of whom scruple not to open, either front or back doors of their stores on sundays, and keep concubines) might almost as well pull down the chapels, as prohibit divine worship before sun-rise, and after, sun-set. The poor bond negroes, and labouring free people, have little opportunity of religious instruction, excepting from day-break to sun-rise, and after sun-set, being in their owner's or employer's service, &c. so that this ordinance strikes at the root of such instruction. The rules and practice of the methodist church, which is the principal dissenting society in Jamaica, are the same as in England, where they are protected by worthy magistrates, and the best of sovereigns, who are fully satisfied, that this body of people came behind no class of British subjects, in loyalty or patriotism. The true motives for this conduct of the magistracy are as follows :---First. They cannot endure, that the slaves and free people should know that all men, rich and poor, black and white, shall be judged at one bar hereafter.---Second. The tenets of the dissenters are directly contrary to fornication, swearing, sabbath breaking, and intemperance, their darling sins.---Third. They find themselves abandoned by many of their mistresses, and feel their consciences frequently alarmed.

You will observe by earl Camden's letter, that the act, passed in 1802, was annulled, and, notwithstanding this act, with regard to its restrictions, is more than revived by the ordinance, the time of worship being infringed upon. The injury the gospel will sustain will be as iminense as the attack upon liberty of conscience, and constitutional rights, is presumptuous. It is said, the toleration act, does not extend to this island, and no one can be qualified in the sense of the ordinance, unless by the quarter sessions; but which, sometime ago, positively refused to grant any license. Now, Sir, these things are left to your consideration; your remarks upon will, no doubt, gratify every pious and loyal breast; and, at the same time, afford additional reasons to applaud the Editor of the Political Review, as an independent writer, and as an able defender of religious and civil liberty.

With these sentiments, and wishing you every solid happiness,
I remain, Sir, your affectionate reader,

Kingston, Jamaica, 20th June, 1807.

VERITAS.

them

P. S. Is it not astonishing, that while the United Kingdom is sending the gospel over the world, the magistrates of Kingston are suppressing it in their juris diction !!

JAMAICA.

HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY, FRIDAY, 17th DEC. 1802.

Ordered, that as soon as the act to prevent preaching by persons not duly qualified by law, and the act concerning Inland bills of exchange and promissory notes, shall have passed the several branches of the legislature, the secretary of this island do cause the same to be published in the Royal Gazette, St. Jago Gazette, and Cornwall Chronicle, for two weeks.

By the House, F. Smith, Clerk to the Assembly.

An Act to prevent preaching by persons not duly qualified by Law. Whereas there now exists in this island an evil which is daily increasing, and threa tens much danger to the peace and safety thereof, by reason of the preaching of ill

disposed, illiterate, or ignorant enthusiasts, to meetings of negroes and persons of colour, chiefly slaves, unlawfully assembled, whereby not only the minds of the hearers are perverted with fanatical notions, but opportunity is afforded to them of concerting schemes of much private and public mischief; we, his majesty's most dutiful and loyal subjects, the lieutenant-governor, council, and assembly of this your majesty's island of Jamaica, humbly beseech your majesty, that it may be enacted; and be it therefore enacted and ordained by the authority of the same, that from and after the passing of this act, in case any person, not duly qualified and authorised, or permitted as is directed by the laws of this island and of Great-Britain, shall, under the pretence of being a minister of religion, presume to preach or teach, in any meeting or assembly of negroes, or people of colour, within this island, every such person shall be deemed and taken to be a rogue and a vagabond, and within the intent and meaning of this act, and be punished in the manner hereinafter directed.

II. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, That it may and shall be lawful for any magistrate of the parish, wherein the offence aforesaid shall be committed, on complaint made to him on oath, or upon his own hearing or view, to cause the offender to be apprehended and committed to the common gaol, and shall forthwith associate with himself two other justices of the peace of the same parish, and have authority to summon all persons, capable of giving evidence, to appear before them, which three magistrates so associated shall, upon the due conviction of the offender, adjudge him or her, if of free condition, to be committed to the workhouse, there to be kept to hard labour for the first offence, for the time of one month, and for every subsequent offence, for the time of six months each; and in case the offender shall be a slave, such offender shall, for the first offence, be committed for hard labour to the nearest workhouse, for one month, and for every subsequent offence, be sentenced to receive a public flogging, not exceeding thirty-nine lashes: Provided always, That whenever the offence committed by a white person shall appear of extraordinary heinousness, it shall and may be lawful for any one or more of the justices of the peace, and he and they are hereby required, to secure the appearance of every such offender at the next subsequent supreme or assize court, by sufficient bail or commitment, to answer for the offence, and, on conviction, to suffer such punishment, as such court shall see fit to inflict, not extending to life.

III. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, That from and after the passing of this act, in case any owner, possessor, or occupier, of any house, out-house, yard, or other place whatsoever, shall knowingly permit any meeting or assembly of negroes, or people of colour, for the purpose of hearing the preaching or teaching of any person, of the discription hereinbefore declared to be a rogue and a vagabond, every person so permitting such meeting or assembly shall, on conviction thereof, before the court of quarter-sessions of the same parish or precinct, incur a fine not exceeding one hundred pounds, at the discretion of the said court, and be committed to the common gaol until such fine be paid, and until the offender shall have given security for his future good behaviour, by recognizance, for such time, and in such sum, and with such sureties, as the court shall judge fit.

Passed the council, 18th Dec. 1802. Passed the assembly, this 17th day of Dec. 1802.
M. ATKINSON, Cl. Conc.
PH. REDWOOD, Speaker.

I consent, this 18th day of Dec. 1802. G. NUGENT..

A message from his honour the lieutenant-governor by his secretary, with the following extract of a letter from the right hon. earl Camden, dated Downing-Street, 7th June, 180 4:

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Sir,I herewith transmit to you an order of his majesty in council, dated the 23d of April last disallowing an act passed by the legislature of the island of Jamaica in December, 1802, entitled "An act to prevent preaching by persons not duly qualified by law," and a further order of his majesty in council of the same date, to which is annexed the draught of a bili upon the same subject, which, in compliance with the directions conditioned in the said order, I am to desire you will take an early opportunity of proposing to the assembly to be passed into a law."

The above message and papers sent down therewith ordered to lie on the table, for the perusal of the members.

His honour the lieutenant-governor's message of the 12th inst. with the papers

sent therewith, being taken up and again read, ordered to be referred, together with the above report, to committee on state of the island.

House accordingly in such committee; and being resumed, four resolutions reported, and the first agreed to nem. con. as follows:

1. To send a message to his honour the lieutenant-governor to acquaint him that in consequence of his honour's message of the 12th instant, accompanied with a report from the lords of trade and plantations to his majesty, and an order of his majesty in council thereupon, the house have maturely weighed the purport of the proposition recommended to them, to enact into a law the bill framed by that board for the prevention of unlicensed preachers in this island; but are of opinion that any attempt by that board, or of any other, to direct or influence the proceedings of this House in matters of internal regulation, by any previous proposition or decision on what is referred to, or under their consideration and deliberation, is an interference with the appropriate functions of the house, which it is their bounden duty never to submit to.

SUPPLEMENT TO THE LONDON GAZETTE EXTRAORDINARY,
OF WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16.
THURSDAY, SEPT. 17, 1807.

Downing Street, Sept. 16.-Dispatches, of which the following are copies and extracts, were received this morning from admiral Gambier and lieutenant-general lord Cathcart, addressed to lord viscount Castlereagh, one of his majesty's principal secretaries of state.

Prince of Wales, Copenhagen Roads, Sept. 1.-MY LORD,-Conceiving it to be of great importance to the success of his majesty's arms against Zealand, that every exertion should be used to deprive the enemy of the means which the merchant vessels at Stralsund may afford, for transporting troops from thence to this island, I have judged it my duty to issue orders (of which the inclosed is a copy) for the blockade of Stralsund; and I hope this measure will meet your lordship's approbation. I have the honour to be, &c. (Signed) J. GAMBIER.

The Right Hon. Viscount Castlereagh. By James Gambier, esq. admiral of the blue, and commander in chief of a fleet of his majesty's ships and vessels employed on a particular service.

Whereas I have received information that the French army is in possession of Stralsund; and it being essential to the service in which his majesty's fleet under my command is employed, that no reinforcements should be sent from thence to the island of Zealand; you are hereby required and directed to station such part of the force under your orders off Stralsund, as you may judge sufficient for the above purpose, as well as for maintaining a close blockade thereof; and to this end you are to direct the captains and commanders of the ships and vessels which you may employ on the above service, to give notice of this blockade to any neutral vessels which they may find going into the port above-mentioned, or into any of the channels or creeks leading thereto, or connected therewith, with directions not to enter the same; and in case any neutral vessel, after having received this notice, shall attempt to enter into the said port, or into any of the channels or creeks leading thereto, or connected therewith, the said captains and commanders are hereby authorised and required to detain such vessels, and leaving their respective masters, and a proportion of their crews, on board, to assist in navigating them, put a careful petty officer, with as many seamen as may be necessary, into them respectively, and send them to me at this anchorage.

Given on board the Prince of Wales, off Copenhagen, August 23, 1807. To Commodore R. G. Keats, &c. Superb. (Signed) J. GAMBIER.

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Prince of Wales, off Copenhagen, Sept. 2.---MY LORD,-I have the honour, in reply to your letter of the 26th ult. to transmit to you a copy of the summons which was yesterday sent in to the governor of Copenhagen, and of the governor's answer; by which your lordship will be informed of the terms which, in pursuance of your former instructions, lord Catheart and myself conceived it our duty to propose, preiously to the opening of the batteries against the city. Not conceiving it expedien.

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