Leicester Journal, 24 February 1832, “Revolt of Slaves at Jamaica.”
REVOLT OF SLAVES AT JAMAICA.
It appears by dispatches which reached the Colonial Office on Monday, from the Governor of Jamaica, that intelligence has been received of a partial insurrection of the slaves, principally those of St. James’s, Portland, and Trelawney parishes. Shortly after the 20th of December the slaves on several estates refused to go to their work, and large bodies of them met together and set fire to many plantation buildings. On the 30th of December martial law was proclaimed, the several corps of militia were called out, and Sir Willoughby Cotton, Commander of the Forces, proceeded with 300 or 400 troops of the line to Montego Bay, accompanied by Commodore Farquhar, in his Majesty’s ship Blanche.
In the meanwhile two conflicts had taken place between militia corps and the insurgents, who had on one occasion about 25 men killed, on the other about 10 killed with 20 wounded, with the loss of only two men on the part of the whites. The insurgents were dispersed on both occasions, but the militia corps had, nevertheless, retired to Montego Bay, as it was apprehended that large number of negroes were approaching from other quarters. The arrival of Sir W. Cotton, however, seems to have had an immediate effect in suppressing the insurrection. Two negroes were executed under sentence of a court-martial; and after the issue of a proclamation of pardon for all but the ringleaders, the negroes came in great numbers, & on the 5th of January, which is the date of Sir Willoughby’s latest dispatch, tranquillity was fast returning, and many proprietors and attorneys were proceeding to visit their estates.
(From the Kingston Chronicle & City Advertiser, Jan. 6.)
St. James’s.—Dispatches were received at four o’clock yesterday evening from Major-General Sir Willoughby Cotton, dated Head-quarters, Montego Bay, Jan. 4, five P.M. giving very favourable accounts from St. James’s. The measures adopted, together with the proclamation issued, have had the most extraordinary effect; accounts had been received that afternoon from Pitifour and Latium Estates, stating the negroes were coming in, and the road to Maroon Town was open.
The attacks made on the 3d instant, and the number of rebels that have been lost in the various affairs, appear to be more considerable than was at first imagined.
Colonel Hilton occupies Duncan, Cambridge, and Mountain Spring.
A sloop of war has been moored to the mouth of the Great River, and landed a party of marines and sailors to occupy Round Hill, and Colonel Campbell was to move in advance this day, 5th instant.
It appears beyond doubt that the burnings are conducted by the regular parties, who are dressed in blue jackets and black cross belts; thus accoutred, four or five were seen by Captain Barnet, who had advanced up the hills, and had addressed several parties, who were standing within hail, in groups, and they hallooed—“War, war.” Only 20 of them were armed. They fled, with 3 or 400 others who were on the side of the hills.
A strong party of sailors and marines from the men-of-war had landed, and did duty in the night.
Movements.—The whole of the troops were to move forward, on the morning of the 5th inst. in three columns:—
1st Column.—The Western Interior Regiment, under Colonel Grignon, and three officers and sixty men of the 33d Regiment, move by the Bog Estate and Anchovy Bottom, on Montpellier New Works, thence to patrole in the direction of Head and Crown Tavern.
2d Column.—Colonel Campbell with the Hanover Regiment move from Round Hill, by Welcome and Content, on Golden Grove and Panas, and patroles towards Montpellier, New Works, and Crown Tavern.
3d Column.—Colonel Williams with a detachment for Savanna-la-Mar, by the Haddo on Crown Tavern.
Maroons.—From Accompong, on Chesterfield, Belfont, and Great River, towards Dackets Spring.
Trelawney.—Favourable accounts have been received, numerous prisoners are coming in, and no fresh fires had taken place.
St. James’s.—Dispatches were received this morning from Sir Willoughby Cotton, dated ten o’clock A.M., Jan. 5, containing most favourable intelligence from St. James’s. The slaves were returning in numbers to the estates. All the ladies and other women, who had embarked on board the ships in the harbour, were landing, and resuming their domestic avocations.
Several attorneys were going to visit the estates. The roads to Lucea, Maroon-Town, and Savannah, were all open. The slaves of Retirement and two other properties had come in bodily.
Colonel Campbell had taken one of the “Ruler,” who came with torches in the act of setting fire to a property; and, when questioned, fully avowed the purpose he came for, and regretted not having done it; he is to be tried.
St. Thomas’s in the East.—Dispatches have been received from Morant Bay, dated the 5th of January. A chief of the rebels had been taken by the Plantain River Company, and was immediately tried and sentenced to be shot, which was carried into execution, and his body taken to Rose Garden Estate and hung up.
The negroes of Providence, Betty’s Hope, Orange Hill, Mulatta River, and Fair Prospect, had all returned to their work.
Captain Buchan, of the 77th Regiment, with his detachment, was to march to Manchioneal for Mulatta River.
Portland.—All are quiet; the negroes who have revolted have returned to their homes.
A field officer and one hundred men, of the St. Dorothy Regiment, have been ordered to proceed to the Alley in Vere.
Bogue Estate and three wharfs to the westward of Montego Bay were burnt on the 2d instant in daylight, and in the evening the Ramble Pen and Belfield Estate, to which place a party of the 22d Regiment, stationed on the adjoining estate, went, on whom the rebels fired; nine rebels were killed, and several wounded.
Torbay, within half a mile of Montego Bay, was burnt on the morning of the 3d instant, about nine o’clock.