to ship any produce on their own account, but dispose of it on the spot to the agents of the British merchants whose ships must be employed, and who themselves, aided by the consumers, may and can fight the battle of excessive duties, when it comes within the reach of the Navigation Act, as it is alleged, but erroneously so, the consumer pays all. By this mode, and putting only a very moderate value, on their produce, it would soon find its level; the planters would, in course, as usual, take their supplies of British manufactures in part of ment, apply part in discharge of British and other debts, and receive a part in money, or bills of exchange, for their own support. pay Such a plan might be carried into effect without breaking faith, more than what the planters' unfortunate, situation would compel them to, with the mercantile interest of this country, to whom, under the present system, the planters cannot do justice in discharging their debts; and also, without diminishing a strict adherence to the real interests of our country, and our valuable constitution, or that loyalty and attachment which I do, and I trust every other planter does, unfeignedly bear for the best of Sovereigns. Memorandum. Mr. Addington was pleased to acknow ledge the receipt of this, my first letter, which was afterwards sent to Mr. Vansittart of the Treasury, to whom I was referred, with whom I had some meetings, aud remarks were made apparently not unfavourable to the planter, which I communicated to our agent, Edo. P. Lyon, Esq. &c. But as a general application from the planters and merchants to a similar, and I trusted, to a more forcible effect, did not take place, as was expected, I felt myself compelled to persevere individually, and to explain in manner and form, as will appear by the copies of any letters No. 2 and 3. (No. II.) To N. Vansittart, Esq. Treasury. Dated March 1, 1801, and signed JOHN HENDERSON. SIR,In consequence of what passed when I was favoured by a meeting on the Bubject of my letter respecting West-India produce, I beg leave to submit a few additional observations for your consideration. - I admit, that upon the first view the difference between 8s. 6d. per gallon duty on English spirits, and 11s. d. per gallon duty on rum, as you observed, does not appear enormous; but the point in difference by no means rests upon that statement only, as will appear by the following remarks. 1st. Because the capital engaged in making rum is not only much more propor ed. tionally extensive, but also much more hazardous than that which is required for distilling British spirits. 2d. When British spirits are once from the still, they are immediately, and upon a trifling expense, at market; whereas rum brought, to the British market is, upon a fair and full calculation, attended with an additional expense, and loss, equal to about 4s. per gallon, which makes a difference of about 6s, 6d. per gallon against rum, including duty and charges from the still only; this, I trust, will be a fair matter for consideration when the question of duty shall be fully consider3d. Here I do not pledge myself, but if I have been rightly informed, "the pro"fts on British spirits, and the demand, "have, of late years, been so great, that many have taken up the business very extensively indeed, perhaps, even to ex"ceed the consumption;" partly from that cause, and partly from the great temptation for smuggling both British and Foreign spirits, together with the force of habit, (as the Spaniards prefer rancid batter in the West Indies, where we prefer it sweet,) the use of rum, owing to the difference of price, by high duty and other unavoidable charges, is almost given up, and inferior spirits preferred. In answer,-I cannot hazard an opinion respecting a fair line to be drawn between the English and Scotch distilleries, however, I am inclined to think, that the landed interest, say the Scotch farmer, with whom I have had more particular opportunities of being acquainted, does not benefit more, if so much, as the English, by reason of the great consumption of grain used, and by the great extent to which British spirits are distilled and used. The middle man and smuggler seem to reap the benefit, and not the landed interest.- That the use of malt liquor, upon a full and fair investigation, would be found preferable not only to increase the revenue eventually, but also be found beneficial in every other point of view, I think, can be clearly demonstrated. The distillation of British spirits, I understand, is by no means confined to malted grain; goverument is defrauded by the vast number of private stills which are daily at work in short, smuggling is carried on to such an extent, that it will require a very exemplary punishment before it can be checked or abolished.As to the 15lb. of sugar which I mentioned in my letter, I can only add, that trifling as it may appear, it will always be conceived to be an act of injustice to pay duty on that which we have not to sell, and which, I am fully persuaded, was not originally so intended, and as you, Sir, no doubt mean that your system of finance should be founded upon justice, I fully hope, that trifling as it may seem, you will not only remove that evil, but also direct that a proper allowance should hereafter be made at weighing, as it is a well known fact, that even the best of sugar, upon laying a moderate time for sale, after the movement and weighing immediately at landing, must suffer a considerable diminution of weight, by draining, before it can be sold.--I am sorry to add, that in course of conversation I have found several of the gentlemen interested in this business, who admit the facts in my statements on this subject, and who allow, that without a redress of these grievances, unavoidable ruin must attend many, yet they seem hopeless as to the effect of even a general application to his Majesty's minister; because, say they, our applications of late upon that subject have had no serious attention paid to them. However, Sir, though a general application would be much more desirable, because it would undoubtedly have more force, yet such reasoning shall not deter me, because I am of opinion that his Majesty's present minister will lis ten to facts and redress real grievances, whether the application comes from a body collectively, or from an individual, and I flatter myself with the hope, that my opinion in this instance will soon be verified to the world.I wrote to the gentleman whom I mentioned, respecting a plan for adopting the ad valorem duty, &c. and I have received for answer, that as he will have occasion to wait on you very soon upon other business, he will take the same opportunity of entering upon that business. (No. II) To N. Vansittart, Esq. Treasury, Dated April 26, 1801, and signed Jous HENDERSON. SIR,In consequence of what passed when I was last favoured, with an audience, and having been unfortunate in not seeing you on my late calls at the Treasury, I beg leave through you, Sir, again to solicit the attention of Lis Majesty's minister upon the subject of West India produceThat the motives by which I have been actuated thus to trouble you individually, may be clearly understood, I beg leave to observe, that my first letter upon that subject, was submitted at a period when there was no prospect of an early meeting of the West India planters and merchants; at a period when there was no agent for the Island of Jamaica to consult with, or to bring the business forward with that force and ability which the magnitude of the grievance required; at a period calculated to give full time for inquiry, touch ing the facts complained of; before the system of finance for this year could have been decided upon; and at a period when my own particular case loudly called for redress, baving then had a 'quantity of rum on the point of being sold; which, under the pressure of duties, would have brought me in debt, instead of yielding about the sum of 20001. as an adequate return for my capital, and actually for my support. Thus circum stanced I stopped the sale, in hopes that through my representations I should obtain relief; but now, as the bond is nearly expired, and no relief is signified to be granted, the same cause of grievarice still exists, and the same reasons operate for my again addressing you. -I have had communica tions respecting a further remonstrance from the North, upon the subject of rum and British spirits, and the result is, that “I still "find that a great proportion of the inhabi"tants are supplied so amply and so ex 86 66 ceedingly cheap by spirits from the smuggled stills, that the use of rum is almost suspended, and meant so to be, whilst that "mode of supply in part, and also the sup"ply from entered distilleries can be ob "tained upon the present low terms, compared with the unavoidable high price of rum, in consequence of the high duties upon it."As to the question of ad valorem duties, I understand that the gentleman whom I mentioned has by this time submitted his plan for your consideration; however, I find that he does not seem inclined to have the plan adopted at which you hinted, for selling sugars by public auction, because, as he observes, that the present mode is in fact a public sale. I am aware, I may be told, that if the grievances of which I complain are of magnitude, an application would have been made long ago by a general meeting of the West India planters and merchants. To this I answer, that many meetings for this, and similar causes have been held, particu larly one on the 24th of June, 1803, when their resolutions clearly evinced the neces sity for adopting the ad valorem principle, and also, exhibited the consequences that must ultimately follow from excessive duties on rum; but these representations on this question having slept at the Treasury ever since that period, it appears to be considered by many as a proof that the planters' distress, by whatever mode it may be represented, seems not to attract the attention of his Ma❤ jesty's minister, and many are of opinion, that farther similar applications will not produce relief. However, Sir, as I observed in a former letter, such reasoning must not prevent my statement of the facts; "Majesty's free-born subjects of England." -The settlers in Jamaica do thereupon apprehend, that the laws of England are their birth right, and that they have just the same legal right to the protection of their freeholds as the people of England have to theirs, and to the framing their internal laws by a governor, council, and assembly, exactly in imitation of the King, Lords, and Commons. That the revenue act, which was passed in the year 1728, having been wisely, voluntarily, and for a valuable consideration ratified by the Crown, doth amount to a fair, honest, and mutual contract between the King and People, in virtue of which, all the privileges, immunities, freeholds, and possessions of the people of Jamaica, and all the incidents of every of the said immunities, freeholds, and possessions, were of new declared, and by his Majesty ratified and expressly confirmed, and for him, his heirs, and successors for ever, and to all intents and purposes made perpetua!. and, if I am, by the act of his Majesty's minister to be reduced to beggary, or a state of starvation, as I cannot yet suppose it to be an intentional act, I am determined it shall not be owing to want of my giving him previous information with regard to this matter. As to the reduction of duties, J am aware of the existing idea that these are not times for reducing them, or by any means lessening the revenue. In answer, I freely admit that these are times when the planter, in conformity with other subjects, ought to contribute freely and largely to support the exigencies of government. Yet, Sir, as I formerly hinted, there is an ultimate point beyond which the planter's grievance cannot patiently be endured. It is a stubborn fact, that the planter's all is now at stake, and if his Majesty's ministers shall determine against every mode of relief, is it to be wondered at if despair should ensue, and consequences follow thereupon highly injurious to the real interest of this country? If I am rightly informed, there -This being an act for granting a grow are gentlemen in office who do not hesitate ing revenue to his Majesty, his heirs, and to declare," that the West India colonies successors, and for reviving and perpetuating "(say Jamaica) does not fairly contribute the acts and laws of that island, is, in truth, "to the general expense of government, the modern magna charta of Jamaica. It is " and therefore, is not entitled to an equally a charter of confirmation which is not sub"free protection with this country, or to ject to the same or the like exceptions as "that effect." The conséquence is, that were taken to the magna charta of England, such observations from gentlemen high in when it was suggested that the old charter power, has an improper influence on the could be vacated upon the heads of infancy minds of many, who erroneously suppose and duresse. (See Lord Coke's Proem to that the planters are rolling in riches, and the second Part of his Institutes.) Whereas cannot be loaded too heavily with taxes and the Jamaica charter is grounded on a pleduties. Now, Sir, fairly to meet such de- nary consent, proceeding from a valuable clarations involves two great questions, and growing consideration, and was volunwhich seem not to be fully understood.- tarily confirmed by his Majesty in the maThe first is, whether or not the planters of turity of his judgment, as well as in the ripeJamaica, (the produce of whose industry, ness of his years; it was neither extorted by whose wealth and riches, whatever they may force or obtained by fraud, and therefore, be, being ultimately lodged in the bosom of all their liberties, immunities, privileges, this country) are or are not entitled to an and possessions enjoyed under that charter equally free and full protection with British- are possessed justa causa precedente. born subjects in this country? I answer, short, it is very plain and clear from the laws that they are entitled to an equally free and of our mother country, and the confirmed full protection, in terms of what must be laws of Jamaica, that all the old and vadeemed the modern magna charte of Ja- luable laws in England are truly the birthmaica. That his Majesty, King Charles right of the people of that island; and it the Second, by his Royal Proclamation for hath been adjudged in Westminster Hall, encouraging planters in Jamaica and the that those brave Britons, who made the conWest Indies, given at Whitehall the 14th quest of Jamaica, can never be supposed to December in the thirteenth year of his have forfeited the concessions of the Crown, reign, did publish and declare, that all or the benefit of the laws of their own connchildren of his Majesty's free boy sub try, by adding a valuable jewel to the for"jects of Englandy to be born in Jamaica, mer, and by opening a new fountain of trade shah, from the respective births, be re- and riches to the latter.The second is, puted to be, and shall be free denizem of whether or not the planters of Jamaica, in"England, and shall have the same rider the circumstances of a colony, do or do leges, to all intents and purpose as his not, by various ways, contribute a füll přő In portion of their income, towards the general | Majesty's person and government, and which support of government? I answer, that the planters of Jamaica do contribute more than a full proportion of their income to the general expense of the empire. This is a position that will admit of easy proof, for many of the planters, so far from even deriving, a scanty support from their estates, are by excessive duties, &c. daily sinking their capital, and this is unfortunately for them too palpable a truth to require demonstration.-If these facts are unknown to the adminis trative government, as they seem to be, and if my statements can make no impression, or if they can have but little weight, let the question be brought fairly to issue, and then the planters will have an opportunity of producing such evidence in support of their assertions, as will carry conviction to every unprejudiced mind. I have also heard that it has been observed, "the planters have "not the means of obtaining relief, but by "the act of his Majesty's ministers, in which "" case, be their bed hard or soft, they must "lie thereupon." In answer, I freely admit the fact, yet, I shall be bold to remark, that neither their condition, the general tenor of their conduct, nor the pressure of the times, can justify an exercise of such severity against them. I remember well the American war; I remember when ideas were afloat, and industriously circulated, tending to show that North and South America, and the West India Islands united, would form a government of great strength, possessing great wealth, and would furnish immense resources for trade with all the world; I remember being one of those who contributed to suppress such circulating ideas, and with the honest loyal planters and inhabitants, spurned and rejected them; I remember the period when the inhabitants of South America were ripe for shaking off their yoke, and had our expedition for the Lake Nicaragua at that time been well digested, as government meant to assist them, it would have been carried into effect.It is with all due loyalty and respect, that I submit these facts for consideration, which I do, for the good of this my native country; for the good of my brother planters in the West Indies, and that of my own interest united with both; because, I clearly foresee what must eventually take place, unless relief be obtained in some shape or other ---My case is only similar to that of many other unfortunate but loyal planters, who are anxiously looking up to his Majesty's ministers for speedy relief, at a moment when ruis stares those of them in the face who are attached to their mother country, and to his they have on many occasions zealously demonstrated. They have been ever ready to contribute their proportion to the exigencies of government, teeling equally entitled with British-born subjects to every privilege, and protection; and they are daily, by their hard earned means, producing a growing and im mense revenue to his Majesty's government, -I earnestly solicit the favour of an an-swer, whether in favour of, or against relief, that I may the better prepare my family for their reduced situation. Memorandum by Col. Henderson. I am informed, since writing the above, that about 300 puncheons of rum were lately sold at Liverpool, subject to the pay ment of the duty only, at from Is. to 1s. 6d. per gallon, Jamaica, and 6d. per gallon for Leeward Island rum; so thal by my formet calculation, which stands uncontroverted, the unfortunate owners in addition to the loss of the whole return expected from rum for their capital, and annual contingencies, they will suffer also a loss of about 2s. 6d. per gallon, to make up the charges from the still only. I did not see the proceedings of the Assembly in Jamaica for 1803, respect ing the French prisoners, &c. nor the pointed calculations of Simon Taylor, Esq. till this 1st day of May, 1804; and on the same day, I observed by the proceedings of the House of Commons, that the duty on rum would now be 12s. 6d. per gallon, and on sugar 278. per cwt. The old argument is erroneously kept up; that the consumer pays all notwithstanding that rum is scarcely used, and the consumption of sugar from the old British Islands in this country, for last year, I am informed, is but little more than half of what it was in 1801. (No. IV.) Copy of a Letter from Edmund P. Lyon, Esq. Agent for the island of Jamaica, to Col. Henderson, dated May 29, 1804. DEAR SIR,I received your letter yesterday evening, and now enclose, for your perusal, my copy of the resolutions of the standing committee on the subject of the late additional duties on sugar. When the committee waited on Mr. Addington, he expressed his conviction that the tax would fall on the consumer, and seemed to adhere to that notion, though we adduced reasons to the contrary. He told us that the additional duties would continue to compose part of the taxes which it was necessary to impose, and promised that he would, individually, as a member of Parliament, endeavour, by proper regulations, to encourage the exportation of the surplus of sugar beyond the home consumption. As to rum, he informed us that government had endeavoured to promote the consumption of it, by directing, in certain instances to which he alluded, that it should be used by the army and the navy. I shall be extremely happy to hear that any thing is likely to be done by which the planter shall be relieved. (No. V) Answer to Memorial, dated Treasury Chambers, June 23, 1804, and signed by W STURGES POURNE. SIR. Having laid before the Lords Commissioners of his Majesty's Treasury, your memorial of the gth inst. praying that your tum may be purchased at a fair price for the use of the navy or army. Or that the execution of the bond upon it may be suspended till relief can be obtained. I am commanded by their lordships to acquaint you, that upon consideration of all the circumstances stated in your application, my lords cannot comply with your request. (No. VI.) Memorandum by Col. Henderson. Col. Henderson having been informed that applications for relief, upon the subject of duties on West India produce, had also been made from Liverpool, Bristol, and Glasgow, he waited on Mr. Bourne at the Treasury, on the 27th June, 1804, and begged to know if these applications had met with the same fate as his memorial. Answer." They "did. Your memorial was laid before the "Lords of Council for Trade; and also, "the Lords of the Treasury, who were of "opinion that they had not power for grant ing relief." Col. Henderson then asked, if hope might be entertained, that his Majesty's ministers had in contemplation any plan for bringing about relief.-Answer."I have not heard of any such plan being in contemplation," Or words to that effect. DOMESTIC OFFICIAL PAPER. Extract from the Minutes of the Assembly of Jamaica, Dec. 17, 1803, relative to the French Prisoners brought thither from St. Domingo. tary. Message brought by the Governor's Secre Mr. Speaker, I am commanded by his Honour the Lieutenant Governor to inform the House, that he has communicated with Sir Thomas Duckworth, on the subject of the number of prisoners of war now in this Island; and, as his Honour finds that the Admiral's instructions strictly enjoin him not to hire vessels for the purpose of sending prisoners to Europe, but to avail himself from time to time of the opportunities which Amay offer, in vessels employed in the service of government, or in his Majesty's ships of war. His Honour is induced to submit to the most serious considerations of the House, the propriety of their adopting some means of relieving the Island from its present state of alarm. His Honour has the satisfaction to add, that the Admiral has expressed his readiness to afford any facility in his power, by employing his Majesty's artificers in caulki. g and preparing the vessels for sea, and furnishing provisions and water at the expense bf his Majesty's government. The pro bable expense of shipping for three thousand prisouers of war in cartels to France, is esti mated at 50,0001. sterling; but, should the House be of opinion, that it would be more eligible to send off all the commissioned officers, a measure which his Honour cannot too strongly recommend, as the Admiral's instructions restrict him from permitting them to return to France; the expense of providing accommodations for the officers is estimated at 40,0001. sterling. Ordered That the above report and two messages be referred to the committee of the whole House, to inquire into, and take further into consideration the state of the Island. Resolution, Dec. 21, 1803.To send a message to his Honour the Lieutenant Governor, acquainting him, that although there is great cause for apprehension and alarm, in having a very large body of prisoners in the Island, yet the House cannot undertake, for any part of the expense of sending prisoners of war off the Island; and, the House beg leave to request that his Honour will use all means that may be in his power for the speedy removal from the Island of all pri soners of war now here. SUMMARY OF POLITICS. JAMAICA COMPLAINTS.-The former part of this sheet the reader will find occupied with a correspondence relative to this subject. That the statements in this correspondence are correct few persons can doubt, and, admitting them to be so, no one, it is to be supposed, will deny that the particu lar case complained of is very hard. In deed it is evident some redress is become absolutely necessary. The system of taxation has in this respect been carried beyond all endurance: the bow has been strained till it must break if not speedily relaxed." Far other seems, however, to be the opinion of government. Not only do they appear to be resolved to persist in the enormous custom-house impositions, but also to bur den the colony with the expenses necessary to its security. If there wanted any proof |