COPIES of DESPATCHES addressed to the Secretary of State by the Governors of Barbados, St. Vincent and St. Lucia, and EXTRACT of a LETTER from the Bishop of Barbados, relating to the late HURRICANE in the West Indies. O No duty has ever devolved upon me of so heartrending a nature as the one which it becomes now my melancholy task to perform. I have to acquaint your Lordship that on the morning of the 11th instant, this flourishing and happy colony was visited by one of the most dreadful hurricanes ever experienced in the West Indies. On the evening of the 10th, the sun set on a landscape of the greatest beauty and fertility, and rose on the following morning over an utter desolation and a waste. The prospect at the break of day on the 11th instant was that of January in Europe; every tree, if not entirely rooted up, was deprived of its foliage, and of many of its branches; every house within my view was levelled with the ground, or materially damaged; and every hour brought intelligence of the most lamentable. accidents, and of very many shocking deaths. The evening of the 10th instant was not remarkable for any peculiarity of appearance that I could observe, and every one in my family went to bed without the least suspicion that any atmospherical changes were likely to disturb their rest. Soon after, however, it began to rain, accompanied with flashes of lightning and high wind; it appeared to me from the north and east; towards midnight the wind increased, and was more to the westward and south-west, the rain fell in torrents, and the lightning was vivid in the extreme; at one o'clock, or thereabouts, it was first suspected by me, from its extreme violence, to be a hurricane, and not long after some of my servants came running into the house, saying, that the roof of the kitchen had fallen in. Several poor people in the neighbourhood also took refuge in Government-house, their wooden houses having been blown down. From about two o'clock until the day broke, it is impossible to convey to your Lordship's mind any idea of the violence of the storm; no language of mine is adequate to express sufficiently its horrors. The noise of the wind through the apertures formed by it, the peals of thunder, and the rapidly repeated flashes of lightning (more like sheets of fire), and the impenetrable darkness which succeeded them, the crash of walls, roofs and beams, were all mixed in appalling confusion, and the whole house shook to its very foundation; whether this last effect was produced by the force of the wind, or by an earthquake, supposed by many to have accompanied the storm, I am unable to decide; but the rents and fissures, which are visible in the massive walls of this building, would lead one to suppose the latter cause only could have produced them. About this time, two o'clock, finding that Government-house, which had been but recently repaired, was giving way, the officers of my staff, myself and servants, together with some unfortunate persons who had escaped from the neighbouring huts, took refuge in the cellar, where we remained in perfect safety, thank God, until the day dawned; had we continued in the rooms above stairs, or indeed in any other part of the house, there is little doubt our lives must have been sacrificed, from the ruinous appearance presented in the morning. The tempest did not entirely cease, nor the atmosphere clear up, until about nine o'clock in the morning of the 11th, and then it was we became more sensible of the calamities and heart-breaking consequences of this most awful scourge. Whole families were buried in ruins. Fortunately some of the churches were found less injured than any other buildings (although many are destroyed), and they were instantly thrown open for the reception of the wounded and maimed. Medical aid was procured with all the haste which the encumbered state of the streets and roads would permit, for many trees and houses had fallen across the public ways, and much obstructed our intercourse. Under these most distressing and appalling circumstances, it is wonderful with what equanimity and fortitude every one seems to bear his loss, and this affords some little consolation to my mind. But I cannot hide from my view the awful prospects of want and destitution, accompanied, as it may be, with pestilence, which must naturally result from such a general and wide-spread calamity. No estimate of damage done or loss sustained can be at present formed, with any degree of accuracy, or even surmised; suffice it to say, that there is no exaggeration in the picture I have drawn; and that as soon as any correct opinion can be formed on the subject, your Lordship shall be duly apprised of it. I must not omit to add, that the barracks and hospitals at St. Ann's are in a state of complete dilapidation and ruin; and I have been under the necessity of ordering the troops under canvass. No deaths have occurred amongst the officers, with the exception of one gentleman of the Commissariat department, a Mr. Flanner, who was entombed, with three of his children, a female relative, and two servants, in the ruins of his house. The number of soldiers killed, however, of the corps composing the garrison, viz. the Royal Artillery, the 35th and 36th regiments, amount, by this day's return, to 36; and very many accidents of a serious nature have also been sustained by the troops. I have called a meeting of the Legislature for Monday the 15th instant, the earliest moment which I could hope to collect them together. In the meantime the most wealthy and influential inhabitants are making every effort to relieve the poor, houseless and destitute. The sacred work of charity has begun, and will be encouraged and assisted by every means in my power; and under circumstances of such grievous and awful calamity, I look forward with hope and confidence to the sympathies of the mother country. I will not conclude this despatch without giving your Lordship the assurance, that my determination is, as well as those who surround me, to meet our accumulated evils with resolution and fortitude, and to exert our best efforts to assuage and mitigate to the utmost of our abilities every distress which may present itself. The task may be arduous, but it will be continued with unshrinking perseverance so long as it may please Almighty Providence to afford us health and strength to do so. The Right Hon. Viscount Goderich, &c. &c. &c. I have the honour to be, &c. James Lyon. P.S.-It has escaped me to mention that the few ships in Carlise Bay were driven high on the strand, but fortunately no lives lost. How far this hurricane may have extended I have hitherto had no means of ascertaining. (signed) J. L. My Lord, Government-House, Barbados, I HAVE the honour to transmit herewith two copies of a temporary Act, which was passed by the Legislature of this island at their last meeting, and which Act, under the exigencies of the moment, I trust will meet with your Lordship's approbation; its duration, it will be noticed by your Lordship, does not extend beyond a period of 30 days. The commissions mentioned in the Act, for clearing the streets, &c. &c. have been in operation for the last fortnight, and it gives me great satisfaction to acquaint your Lordship that they have been attended with the most beneficial effects. Free intercourse is again restored; and the slaves, who were much inclined to be idle, and in some instances refractory, have resumed work and are perfectly obedient to their masters. A very favourable reaction has taken place in all quarters, and much activity prevails in roofing-in houses, and restoring ruins to habitable habitable form. A committee of philanthropic gentlemen, with the Lord Bishop of the Diocese as their chairman, are making every effort to relieve the distresses of the poor and destitute; and the wounded and maimed in St. Michael's Church' continue to receive every attention required from the medical gentlemen of the island. With a liberality and good feeling, which reflects the highest honour upon the neighbouring colonies who have escaped this most direful visitation, they are daily forwarding, in aid of our charities, provisions, materiais and money. The particulars of these munificent acts of charity I shall make known to your Lordship in a future letter; meantime, I may acquaint you, that, with the advice of the Council, I have directed the officers of His Majesty's Customs to admit free of colonial duty all provisions, &c. which are bonâ fide for the use of the poor. Your Lordship will learn with much satisfaction that our supply of provisions is such as to remove all fears of want; the weather has been particularly favourable to the ground crops, and the quantity of flour in the island is equal to four months consumption at the least. The report of our treasury, I regret to say, is not so favourable; I find from the treasurer that a balance of 750 l. only remains in the public treasury; but the taxes for the year are still outstanding, with the exception of 50 l., which are included in the above balance. A committee has been appointed in each parish, consisting of the resident members of Council, the representatives, the rector, churchwarden and two vestrymen, to take an account of the deaths, white, black and coloured, bond and free, and for ascertaining the losses, by the killing of slaves and destruction of property, of every description; and as soon as the result of their labours is made known to me, I shall lose no time in transmitting them to your Lordship. The Right Hon. Viscount Goderich, &c. &c. &c. James Lyon. I have the honour to be, &c. My Lord, Government-House, Barbados, 2 September 1831. IT is with feelings overflowing with gratitude that I proceed to give your Lordship an outline of the bountiful and munificent assistance afforded to this devastated island by the sister colonies; these acts of charity have been doubly enhanced by the solicitous haste and promptitude with which they have been furnished. On the 13th ultimo I considered it my duty to make known, as widely as possible, our calamitous circumstances to the neighbouring islands and colonies; and no sooner had the distressing intelligence reached the colonies of Demerara, Grenada, Antigua, Dominica and Trinidad, than the benevolent inhabitants of each set about preparing supplies, both of provisions and money, for the relief of our destitute sufferers. All classes and all colours vied with each other in their haste to contribute their mite towards relieving the wants of the poor and houseless; and it is with feelings of pride and satisfaction that I state to your Lordship, that the troops stationed in the different islands have emulated the bright example of the inhabitants; even in this island, where their privations have been great, one day's pay has been subscribed by all ranks; and the 86th regiment, stationed in Antigua, has contributed no less than three days' pay. By these generous and timely efforts they will have the satisfaction of knowing that they have alleviated the sorrows of many a widow, and appeased the hunger of many an orphan child; and what reward can be higher I know not. At the head of these subscription lists I observe the names of Sir J. Campbell for 2001. currency; Sir Patrick Ross, 120l.; Sir Charles Smith, 1,00 l.; and Mr. President Lockhart, 25 l. I may inform your Lordship that the subscriptions are still going on, and considerable sums may yet be added to the above amount. The Right Hon. Viscount Goderich, I have the honour to be, &c. (signed) James Lyon. &c. &c. &c. COPY of a Circular Letter addressed by His Excellency Lieutenant-Genera! Sir, Government-House, Barbados, I HAVE the melancholy intelligence to communicate to your Excellency that on the morning of the 11th instant we had the misfortune to be visited by one of the Jost awful and violent hurricanes ever experienced in this island. The loss of life and dreadful accidents are numerous, and the damage done to property is immense, although no correct estimate can be at present formed. May I request that your Excellency will make known our situation to your community, and communicate, if possible, by the first ship (if any are at present in your port) to England the intelligence, that our situation and wants may be supplied with as much celerity as circumstances will permit. It will be obvious, that as nearly every 'house in the island is levelled, or materially injured, lumber will be much required, and provisions of I have the honour, &c. every kind. James Lyon. BARBADOS. A PROCLAMATION, By His Excellency Sir James Lyon, K.C.B. and G.C.H. Governor and Commander in Chief of this Island, &c. &c. J. Lyon. WHEREAS, it having pleased Almighty God to afflict this colony with a most awful and destructive hurricane, which has destroyed all the dwellings and plantations of the inhabitants of the island; and whereas it is apprehended that some evil-disposed persons may attempt to plunder the distressed inhabitants of the few articles and provisions which they have preserved; I do, therefore, hereby order and command all magistrates and constables to exert themselves, to the utmost of their power, in preserving, on this melancholy occasion, the peace and tranquillity of the island, and to prevent, as far as in them lies, the depredation and plunder by such evil-disposed persons; and I do require all His Majesty's liege subjects to be assisting to the magistrates and constables in the execution of their duty herein: and should the civil authorities be found insufficient to uphold the laws, I do hereby require all commanding officers of the several regiments of militia of this island to exercise the power granted to them by the 31st clause of the Militia Act of this island, by appointing or commanding any sufficient part of their respective regiments as may be needful, to assemble for the purpose of preventing disturbance, and preserving the general peace. be And whereas it has been represented to me, that the principal merchants of Bridgetown have not enhanced the prices of the necessary articles of life; now I do hereby strongly recommend, that so laudable and benevolent an example may generally observed; and I trust and expect that no advantage will be taken by mechanics and other tradesmen in the present lamentable state of the colony; and I do call on and command all the inhabitants of the island, white, free coloured, and slaves, to demean themselves with propriety, order and decorum; and whatsoever 1 whatsoever person or persons shall be detected in committing any robberies, or Given under my hand and seal of arms, at the Town-hall, this fifteenth day of GOD save the King. By his Excellency's command, Return of Killed and Wounded in the Hurricane of the 11th August 1831. INFIRMARY ESTABLISHMENT. Naval Hospital, Barbados, 15 August 1831. Strength of the Asylum, 30. I.G. Died from wounds, 1; slightly wounded, 3; dangerously wounded, 1. Return of Men, Women and Children of the Military Labourers attached to St. Ann's, Barbados, 15 August 1831. Strength, 10th August, 132. Killed, 1 drummer, 2 privates, 1 woman, 1 child; wounded severely, 4 privates, 1 woman; wounded slightly, 1 corporal, 9 privates. N. Eckersley, Lieut. Col. D.Q.M.G. Detachment 1st West India Regiment. Return of the Men Killed and Wounded in the late Hurricane, 15th August 1831. H. Brocklass, Lieut. 1st W. I. Reg. Return of Killed in the 65th Regiment, during the Hurricane at Barbados, William Brennan, private, killed in the Hospital. The Acting Dep. Adjt. General. T. M. Byrne, Lieut. F. A. 1 36th Regiment. Nominal Return of Men Killed during the Hurricane on the Night of the 11th August 1831. Daniel Chisholm, corporal; Augustus Henn, private; Edward Carroll, private; Return of Officers, Men, Women and Children Wounded, severely and slightly, on Severely wounded, 2 officers, 6 serjeants, 28 rank and file, 2 women, 1 child; Names of Officers severely wounded. Rob. Nickle, Lieut. Col. 36th Regt. |