gorrtgn an eoloniat.

FlIANCE.—In the Assembly, on Wednesday, M. Ledru-Rollin complain- ed of the frequent interference of the police with electoral meetings lately held in the provinces. In virtue of what law were these attempts to suppress political movement made? Great excitement had been caused in some districts, the civil functionaries even threatening to resign. M. Leon Faucher replied, that whatever steps had been taken were taken only in conservation of social order, under the provisions of the law of August 1790 on public meetings, and that of July 1848 on clubs. The latter law has been violated by the transformation of clubs into "electoral meetings," at which anti-social doctrines are maintained in sanguinary speeches. is to the elections themselves, the Cabinet would set an example never yet eitnesssed in France, of a Government abstaining from influencing elections and awaiting the judgment of the country with calmness and confidence. It would not imitate the conduct of its predecessors by issuing circulars, intended to Republicanize France, and converting the meanest parochial schools into as many clubs. M. Ledru-Rollin replied with ex- ceptions to the applicability of the law of 1790, which was a mere law of police to control markets, coffeerooms, and taverns, and had no controlling relation to the sacred and primordial right of reunion. A great tumult was caused by a personal altercation which here oc- curred between M. Ledru-Rollin and M. Denjoy; but order in the „As- sembly was restored by news of a disorderly incident elsewhere. M. Coquerel stated that a personal rencontre had occurred between two re- presentatives in one of the couloirs: M. Raspail had struck M. Point a blow on the face, on account of evidence given by him against Raspail's uncle at the Bonrges trials. The Attorney-General put in a requisition to be allowed to prosecute M. Raspail; and the latter ascended the tribune to defend himself. He declared that the evidence given by M. Point was net the cause of his anger; that M. Point had looked at him with an eye-glass with a certain affectation, and that he had resented that insult. M. Point protested that he had not inspected any representative with his eye-glass. Leave was given to prosecute M. Respell.

M. Ledru-Rollin's interpellation was ultimately disposed of by a vote of 409 to 261 in favour of passing to the order of the day.

The London deputation to Paris grew to upwards of 500 persons; and the newspapers and correspondence concur in statements that their visit, notwithstanding the absence of military costume and official eclat, is re- garded by the Parisians with much good-will and pleasure. The public buildings and places of entertainment were opened to them with alacrity, and the Prefect of the Seine announced a ball in their honour at the Hotel de Vile. At the Grand Opera on Monday- night, "God save the Queen" was struck up by the band; and, to the surprise of the taciturn English- men present, the audience joined in the chores, and, rising throughout the hOuse, encored the performance.

A section of the party, who are inhabitants of Westminster, presented to M. Lamartine an address voted by some of their fellow citizens on the 4th instant. The address, referring not to the present state of affairs but the past, hailed the Liberalism of the measures, and eulogized the firmness and disinterestedness of M. de Lamartine's patriotism.

M. de Lamartime acknowledged the address with poetical warmth,—ex- claiming, "Justice comes from afar; today from England; hereafter, per- haps, from our own country!"

• A female Socialist banquet, held on Monday last, mustered about two hundred guests. The proceedings were rendered piquant by the announce- ment of a female candidate for a vacant Parliamentary seat in the Seine department—Madame Jeanne Derain. Her address has been published, as follows.

"Citizens—I present myself to your suffrages by devotedness to the consecra- tion of a great principle—the civil and political equality of the two sexes. I is in the name of Justice that I make an appeal to the sovereign people against the negation of principles which are the basis of our social future. If, exercising your right, you call a woman to take part in the labours of the Legislative Assembly, you will consecrate in all their integrity our Republican dogmas—liberty, equality, fraternity, for women as well as men. A Legislative Assembly entirely composed of men is as incompetent to make the laws which govern our society, composed of men and women, as would be an assembly composed of privileged persons to discuss the interests of workmen, or an assembly of capitalists to support the honour of the country.

"JEANNE DEROIN, Directress of the Journal L'Opinion des Femmes."

SPAIN.—The Conde de Montemolin was arrested on the frontier of Ca- talonia on the night of the 4th instant, by a party of French donainers, who suspected but were not certain of his identity. He was treated with the utmost consideration, but conducted in strict custody to Perpignan; and being there recognized by a student who had known him at Bourges, he was placed under the immediate guard of the Governor of the citadel. The Morning Post states that the French Government immediately com- municated the fact to the Spanish authorities; but has resolved to give the Prince a passport for whatever place he may wish, notwithstanding the opposition and demands of the Spanish Ambassador at Paris.

Letters from Perpignan state that the Count had been lying concealed for a fortnight in a farmer's cabin quite close to the frontier, expecting some of the Carlist chiefs to come and receive him. He was betrayed by a guide, whom he had largely paid to conduct him over the frontier, and who guessed his rank through the extraordinary respect paid to him by some companions.

ITALY.—The insurrection at Genoa has failed. It began in the afternoon of the 1st April, and was continued through that night; the insurgents compelling the peaceable inhabitants to illuminate for the benefit of their operations. The troops held good positions, however, and maintained their ground till late on the morning of the 3d; then, the insurrection gaining increased strength, General de Azarta capitulated, on condition of with- drawing his troops with the honours of war. On the 3d, General Marmora, under a royal commission, declared the city in a state of siege; on the 5th, he invested it with a considerable army; and on the 6th, attacking it at several points, he reduced the insurgents to ask for a truce. In cooperation with Charles Albert's resumed movements against Mar- shal Radetzky, several cities and districts on the North-west of Lombardy rose against their Austrian garrisons. The populace of Brescia assaulted the citadel which overawed their town; and were repelled with difficulty by the garrison, which in turn bombarded the town at intervals for ten days. On the 30th March, General Ilayneau arrived with a body of troops from Padua, and summoned the town, under peril of carrying it by storm if it did not surrender in two hours. The insurgents defied him, and de- fended themselves heroically, though unavailingly. After immense slaugh- ter on both sides, the Austrians were complete victors; but they had cap- tured a wreck. It is stated that Brescia has not suffered so severely since the year 1512, when it was carried by assault by the French under the command of Gaston de Foix: the inhabitants are decimated, and the city is described as literally a heap of smouldering ruins.

SCIILESIVIG.—The most remarkable incident of the renewed struggle is the disastrous capture of a line-of-battle ship and a war steamer of the Danish navy, mounting together 154 heavy guns, by the two insignificant four-gun forts which defend the coast-town of Eckenforde; an occurrence due chiefly to a series of blunders and accidents. It is described by an eye-witness, a townsman of Eckenforde, having strong German sympathies. "A Danish squadron, consisting of the largest vessels of the Danish navy, sp- eared last night (the 5th April) in the offiog of our harbour, where it anchored. These vessels were the ship-of-the-line Christian VIII., 84 guns, the frigate Ge- Son, 46 guns., the corvette St. Croix, 26 guns, and two more corvettes, the names of which I do not remember, the war steamers Geiser and Skirner, of 12 guns each, besides some small craft. Our city is protected by two strand batteries, of which the Northern, situated near Louisenberg, has two 84 and two 24-pounders ; the Souther; two 18 and two 24-pounders. The dis- tances of these batteries from the city are, the first a quarter of a mile, the second hardly so much. The engagement commenced this morning at seven o'clock, by the ship-of-the-line, the frigate, and the two war-steamers; the latter directing their fire on the Northern battery. Its gallant defenders had the Schleswig-Hol- stein flag shot away from their blockhouse. When they saw it fall, the two corn- raanding officers, Captain Tungrnann and Lieutenant Schneider, climbed on the roof, and, regardless of the hail storm of balls, planted it again firmer than before. The enemy unfortunately succeeded, after a cannonade of about an hour's time, ai silencing the Northern battery; when they attacked the Southern one, which is less strong but more favourably situated. It has held out these last six hours

against the superior Danish force, numbering in all 154 guns of much heavier calibre. I am told that the Christian VIII. has gone aground ; bat its guns still play without cessation, and if God does not work a miracle, our town is doomed to destruction. The fire of the Southern battery slackens, as they have now got only two available pieces.

" Eight o'clock, pus—An immense excitement prevailed over the whole town, when, at one o'clock, the Christian VIII. and the Gefion hoisted flags of truce. An officer was sent on shore with a message to the civil and military authorities of EckenfOrde, by which the Danes offered to cease firing if our batteries would do the same; should, on the contrary, the batteries continue, the whole town would be reduced to a heap of ruins. In consequence of this communication,.a council of war was held by the commanders of the different troops stationed in and near the town, and of the Schleswig Northern battery. However, all doubts were removed by the declaration of the Burgomaster of Eckenffirde, Mr. Lang- heim, that the citizens of the town would leave it with God and history to pass judgment on the wanton destruction of a defenceless town, and that they were prepared to see their habitations rained, provided their fatherland could be saved. However, a truce of two hours was agreed upon; daring which our artillerymen were engaged in repairing the damage done to their batteries. Their embank- ments were completely battered down, and six out of their eight guns dismounted. Very luckily for us, the Danes seem not to have been aware of our weakeess. During these two hours of truce, the two batteries were completely repaired, the citizens assisting in throwing up embankments. A great relief it was for us to see a Nassau battery of six 6-pounders and two howitzers, coming on at full speed. The hostilities recommenced at five o'clock. The Christian VIII. hail succeeded in getting afloat, and made signals to one of the steamers to come in and take it in tow. However, a well-directed shot fired by the Nassau battery shattered her paddle, and forced her to retreat. The Christian VIII. now veered round, took up a position opposite tho Southern batttery, and opening upon it, poured out vollies of shot. But in reply, the Southern battery began to fire red.- hot shot, whilst the Nassau battery played with admirable precision upon the stern of the vessel. The Northern battery was, meanwhile, engaged with the frigate; the war-steamer Geiser being damaged to a considerable extent, having been taken in tow by the Skirner, and carried out of the fight. The Christian VIII, veered round again, and, as it appears, very clumsily, for it ran aground a second time, and got into such close quarters with the Southern battery that every shot tsld. As the vessel caught fire almost at the same time, all prospects of prolonging the fight were gone."

The Christian struck her flag; and almost immediately afterwards the Gefiou followed her example. Boats were despatched to receive the cons, menders, and to rescue them from the fire. The commander of the Danish squadron, Captain Paludau, surrendered his sword on shore to Duke Ernest; "the people by respectful silence paying the tribute due to the misfortune of these brave men, though they came to throw their country into misery." Great efforts were made to save the whole of the Danes; but the Christian VIIL blew up at eight o'clock.

The loss to the Danish cause is very serious; 44 superior officers and nearly 1,000 men are taken prisoners. It is stated in late accounts that the surrender of the Christian VIIL was occasioned leas by the damage done than the fears of the raw crew; whom the officers, during the last hours, could not force back to the guns even by presenting pistols at them. TheGefion has been removed to the inner port, and has been found less damaged than was expected: she is under the process of being hastily re- paired, with the intention of using her as a defensive battery before the town.

THE WEST hsnrEs.—The Clyde mail steam-ship, which arrived at Southampton on Monday, has brought news of considerable interest from Jamaica, British Guiana, and St. Lucia.

The Jamaica accounts extend to the 10th March. The dispute between the Legislative Council and the House of Assembly continuing, on the 4th March Sir Charles Grey prorogued both bodies to the 24th; with this in- timation of his further intentions—

"If, within that period, there should be any indication on which I can rely of a disposition to retrieve advantages which are now in so much peril of being aban- doned and lost, I shall make no difficulty of calling you together again for the de- spatch of business. If the opportunity should pass unheeded, my impression is, that in order to relieve the island in some degree from its present restlessness and uncertainty, and to allay the anxiety which recent proceedings have been calcu- lated to excite, I shall best consult the interest of the colony by proroguing its Legislature for a considerably longer period." The Jamaica Dispatch condemns the step. It characterizes as the most vexatious proceeding that can be conceived, the Council's rejection of the Rum-duties Bill, containing provisions essential in the present state of public credit to the security of the public, merely because it provided no money for the purposes of die Council.

"Sir Charles Grey has prorogued the House of Assembly to the 24th March, with the qualification that if meanwhile he finds the members more bent to the wishes and interests of himself and his Council, he will have no difficulty in call- ing them together for the despatch of business ; otherwise he proposes farther to prorogue them to a distant period. Ile had better do so at once ; for unless he

is prepared to do justice to the country, and to enforce justice from those who are under his immediate control, he will have no supply, let him call the House as often and as vexatiously as he may think fit. 'No retrenchment—no supply,' is the motto which the majority of the House has adopted and will maintain "

The Kingston Morning Journal of the 10th March says- " The principal reason for desiring the meeting of the Legislature on or shortly after the 24th, is that the excise-duty on rum should not be lost. The bill which imposed this duty was passed by the Assembly, and the amount to be received un- der it appropriated to the redemption of the Island cheques now in circulation. A clause was also introduced into it, repealing a permanent law of the island. For these reasons the Council rejected it; and the result is likely to be the loss of

revenue, at least for a time, or until the Legislature again assembles for the dis- charge of business. . . . The last general election having taken place in Oc-

tober 1844, our Colonial Parliament ought to be dissolved next year (1850), or

previous to the period of its meeting in 1851. A dissolution daring the present year will only, therefore, be a short time in advance, and appears very likely to be resorted to. The Governor, it is expected, will report the present condition of affairs to the Secretary of State for the Colonies, and wait for instructions how he shall act in the event of the Assembly continuing in its present mood."

An important public meeting was held at Kingston on the 6th March, to take into consideration the propriety of petitioning the Crown for such a Government in Jamaica as has been granted to the British North American Provinces. The meeting was attended by the leading men of all parties—the Speldings and Girods of the old Planter interest; the Osbornes and Jordens of the Liberals and the enfranchised race.

"We have seldom," says the Jamaica Despatch, (and the Morning Journal concurs in its description,) "witnessed so numerous an assemblage at any public meeting, and never have we observed so much general unanimity and total ab- sence of party feeling on any public occasion in this city. Only one feeling seemed to prevail throughout, and that was adverse to the further continuance of a con- stitution which all admitted to be faulty in its very essence. If there was a dif- ference of opinion, it was how an admitted evil was to be remedied effectually. On this head there were of necessity various opinions; but those opinions were

submitted in a kindly spirit, were argued on their merits, and yielded cheerfully to the sense of the majority. The resolutions, as originally proposed, were car- ried without amendment; and thus the struggle for responsible government has commenced, where it ought to commence, in the principal city of the British Wmt Indies."

These are the resolutions- " That, in the opinion of this meeting, it is highly desirable that the qualifica- tions of the respective members of the Legislative Council in this island, and their powers as an independent branch of the Legislature, should as far as pos- sible be assimilated to those which are deemed essential in the constitution en- joyed by the British North American Provinces. "That it is likewise highly desirable that an Executive Council be nominated by the Governor of the island for the time being, on whom shall devolve the du- ties of the various departments of the public service, and who shall, as members of the Legislative Assembly, be responsible to the public for their advice to her Majesty's representative.

" That petitions to her Majesty in Council and to the Imperial Parliament, em- bodying these resolutions, be signed and forwarded by the inhabitants of this city; and that a committee to prepare such petitions, and make the necessary arrange- ments for their presentation, be appointed."

The papers from British Guiana come down to the 7th March; and they bring less agreeable news than was looked for by this mail. At the very

opening of Governor B.trkly's commission, a subject of difference was found. A protest was lodged against the following passage in his commis- sion—

" Provided nevertheless, and we do hereby reserve to ourself, to our heirs and successors, our and their undoubted right and authority to disallow any such

laws; and to make, enact, and establish from time to time, with the advice and consent of Parliament, or with the ode-ice of our and their Pricy Council, all such laws as may to us or them appear necessary for the order, peace, and good go- vernment of the said colony.

The protesters thus argue the question they raise-

" We admit the right of her Majesty to disallow any act passed by the Court of Policy; we also admit the right ot the Imperial Parliament to enact laws for the colony of British Guiana, as well as for every other part of her Majesty's domi- nions. But, with all due respect to her Majesty's person and prerogatives, we deny her Majesty's right to enact laws for the colony of British Guiana with the advice of her Privy CounciL' The Imperial Parliament and the Court of Policy being the only authorities who can legally enact laws for the order, peace, and good government' of the colony, the powers thus asserted in the Royal commis- sion are illegal, unconstitutional, and in violation of the rights guaranteed to us under the capitulation dated the 19th September 1803, and confirmed by her Ma- jesty's Royal predecessor. For these and other reasons, we deny the validity of orders in Council, and protest against being governed by them." (Signed by Messrs. James Stuart, John Jones, Peter Rose, Thomas Porter junior, J. Gordon.) On the 20th February, the Governor met the Court of Policy, and ad- dressed the members in a speech, which was replied to on the 26th. On the 27th, the new Governor met the Combined Court, and his troubles began. Mr. Barkly made a long speech, conciliatory in its manner. Alluding to the past, he readily assumed that the endeavour to reduce the civil list originated purely in a persuasion that it was heavier than the colony could afford, and that the moral effect of such a reduction during the struggle to lower wages would have been of all the importance that has been urged: he only re- gretted that the demand had from first to last appeared to be urged upon her Ma- jesty's Government rather as a retaliation for the diminution of the protective duty on Colonial sugar than on its own intrinsic merits. He hoped, however, that A more conciliatory course would be taken; and, adhering to the civil list compact, he recommended economy in other fields. "1 state my conviction, that, with the utmost regard for the public service, and scarcely infringing at all on the emolu- ments of those officers whose salaries are provided by annual vote, you might ac- complish an enormous reduction—by adopting a more careful system of con- trolling public accounts; by extending those reforms which have lately been in- troduced into the administration of the principal departments ; and, above all, by postponing the execution of several undertakings of utility and importance, until better times."

Discussing the proportions in which the sources of direct and indirect taxation should be resorted to, he threw out hints on other points. "I would gladly see the public burdens of the colony very considerably lightened, by confiding exten- sive powers of taxation for some of these objects to local bodies under popular control; and, probably, no better means could be adopted for training the people for those representative institutions to which we may, I trust, look forward. In either case, however, the great bulk of the taxation in this colony must fall upon that part of the produce of the soil which is paid to the labouring population in the shape of wages, and will be best expended with a view to their advancement in the duties and privileges of civilized life." On the revenue he gives this information—" It is certainly a satisfactory sign of the elasticity of the resources of this colony, that alter a year of such deep distress, and in spite of an abandonment of revenue amounting on the fist De- cember, as you will see from the Receiver-General's statement, to about 400,000 dollars, the arrears which it is absolutely incumbent on you to provide for only amount to 82,000 dollars."

Little difficulty would exist in making good this sum, from many sources. He recommended an excise on foreign spirits; observing—" Should the opportunity of imposing such a tax be now neglected, I dread the effect upon the morals of our peasantry, and anticipate a competition which will eventually prove injurious to the producers of rum in this colony."

The stoppage of the supplies has not hitherto produced dire calamities, though distressing individual misery; but "the funds now in the chest little more than suffice to meet the respective purposes to which they must be appropriated under ordinances to which the faith of the colony is pledged; and unless you provide the means of upholding the existing establishments of the country, I must frankly tell you that the consequences may be fearful." He recalled the subject of the proffered loan, with hints of more ccnsiderable advances if this first offer were not rejected; and he urged the colonists to abandon the idea of enforcing their claims to relief, which they deserved, by joining issue with the Mother-country as to the policy she has pursued in regard to the Sugar Colonies. "Surely there meet be some better mode of doing so than by thus in- juring themselves, and themselves alone."

At the request of the Vice-President of the Financial College, a copy of this address was granted, to enable them to propose a reply. The Go- vernor then requested the Court to name a day for taking up the estimate; but the majority giving him to understand that they would do so only on condition that the civil list was to be left open to discussion, he adjourned them sine die. On the 6th March, the Combined Court transmitted a reply to the Governor's address.

They regret and dissent from his expressed opinion that their policy has a re- taliatory appearance; and in refutatiou, they refer to "resolutions of the Court of Policy, dated the 30th December 1847, and to Lord Grey's despatch, dated the 15th February 1848, acknowledging the receipt of the resolutions." They throw back on Lord Grey the charge of refusing the supplies; thus stating their case- " We have always been most anxious to proceed with the public business, as the minutes of the Combined Court will prove. It will be seen, that on the 16th January 1848, the Combined Court extended the Tax Ordinance, which would have expired on the 30th June, to the 30th September following, in the confident expectation that the representations which had been made would have indneed the Secretary of State for the Colonies to sanction a reduction of the civil list; but in- stead of this, Lord Grey, in his despatch of 17th June, instructs the Lieutenant- Governor not to give his assent to the renewal of the Tax Ordinance unless passel for the remainder of the financial year, which would expire on the 30th June 1849- and he reiterates this instruction in his despatch of the 15th August following: It has been the Right Honourable the Secretary of State for the Colonies who hits stopped the supplies, and prevented us from proceeding with the estimate. " On the 20th July 1848, a vote was taken on the first item of the estimate, and carried by a majority, reducing the civil list from 39,0721. to 26,0721. The

Combined Court was then adjourned sine die. It was subsequently assembled by

Lieutenant-Governor Walker, on the 25th September 1848 and 22d January 1849, but, however, without transacting any business; Lord Grey still refusing to listen

to our representations, although be had yielded to the colony of Trinidad that which he had denied to British Guiana; thus evincing a spirit of hostility to this colony unprecedented in the records of the Colonial Office. We most solemnly affirm, that all the losses which hare taken place, and all the evils that may fol- low from the stoppage of the supplies, are attributable solely to the conduct of Lord Grey; and on him the sole responsibility must rest."

To the advice given on the subject of economy, the reference to a reform in the constitution, and the statements regarding the revenue, they briefly declared them- selves ready to attend, as soon as the Governor should give them an opportunity by calling them together in Combined Court. They conclude with the following pointed reference to the opinions of the Governor before and after his acceptance of office—" It is with extreme regret that we observe in your Excellency's speech that you have animadverted on the past proceedings of the Combined Court. We certainly expected that if your Excellency were not intrusted with authority to set- tle the matter at issue, and to redress our grievances, you would have refrained from passing censure on the acts of the Combined Court previously to your taking over the government. But, notwithstanding the apparent change in your Excel- lency's views, we are desirous to meet your Excellency in the most conciliatory spirit, to bring about, if possible, a satisfactory settlement of the differences which exist between the Colonial Minister and the Combined Court; and we regret deeply that we are not permitted to proceed to business."

The reply is signed by all the non-official members of the Combined Court. Thus, the government of the colony is brought to a stand-still.

The St. Lucia papers, to the 13th March, describe a serious outbreak of the Negro cultivators of provision-grounds; provoked it is not clear by what, bat probably by a tax on provision-grounds which was imposed some years since. A petition was received by the Governor on this subject, pur- porting to come from some provision-ground Negroes: the document was anonymous, and no regard paid to it. A crowd of Negro men and wo- men assembled on the 5th March, before Special Justice Drysdale's office in Castries, and clamoured for a release from the hated tax. Mr. Drys- dale reasoned with them, and offered to go with a deputation to the Governor; but they became highly excited, and at last, on an injudicious attempt against Mr. Drysdale's orders, by a subordinate Police Commissary, to arrest some leaders, a general attack was made on the Government offices. The Governor was besieged some time, and his life was endangered by the heavy missiles which were cast against the building. On the appearance of some soldiers of a Native West India Regiment, the rioters suddenly de- camped; but reassembled in the neighbourhood of their provision-grounds, and threatened to fire the town of Castries. Their numbers being swelled by a great influx from the town of Gros-islet, they commenced a march on Castries; but Mr. Drysdale had been active in his measures, and soon con- fronted them on the Chaussee with a body of special constables and a com- pany of the Fifty-fourth Regiment under Captain Smith. He rode for- wards to the excited mob, to parley with some of the ringleaders.

"Four men," says the Palladium, "stepped out from among them armed with cutlasses: Mr. Drysdale declared he would not listen to armed men, and they passed their cutlasses to their comrades behind. They refused to disperse; de- clared that the tax on cultivated lands was an unjust tax, and that they could not pay it; that 'those in possession of the land as proprietors ought to pay the tax, and not those who did not own the land.' The Riot Act was then read a first and second time, in French. After some time had elapsed, the crowd still refusing to disperse, it was read a third time. The same determined stand was maintained by them: and one man having advanced a little forward, assuming a determined attitude, with his arms folded across his breast, Mr. Drysdale directed a few of the spscial constables to advance and arrest him. Four or five of the constables immediately advanced and laid hands on him. As soon as he was touched he made a blow against the constable with the weapon he then had, vio- lently resisting and struggling. The mob gave a loud shout and rushed forward to his rescue, showering stones, broken bottles, and every description of missile on the constables. The constables were in imminent danger of being overpowered; so Mr. Drysdale directed the commanding officer to fire. Four men and a ser- geant were immediately marched forward to his bide, and with deadly aim brought down four of the persons. Even this did not stop their attacks, stones still con- tinuing to fly all round. One of the soldiers received a severe blow from a stone thrown by some of the mob. Muskets were then discharged from the whole body of the troops in attendance. Many shots were fired into the bushes on each side of the road to dislodge parties there concealed, and who were assailing the author- ities with stones. After a few moments, the mob slowly retired. Mr. Drysdale immediately ordered the firing to cease, and the bugle was sounded. He then rode forward, accompanied by several constables, to ascertain the extent of injury done: there were five bodies lying dead, and one or two persons wounded. The since ascertained number of dead was eight—seven men and one woman."

A Coroner's Jury next day returned a verdict of "Justifiable homicide! ly a detachment of the Fifty-fourth Regiment firing in the legal discharge of their duty. On the 8th March, the Legislative Council, after some debate, unani- mously passed these resolutions- " That this Board authorizes the Executive Government to expend such sums as may be absolutely necessary, undsr present circumstances, for the protection of the public peace, the lives and property of the inhabitants of this island, and the restoration of tranquillity therein. "That this Board guarantees to defray, by a supplemental tax ordinance, any sum not exceeding one hundred pounds sterling." The open outbreak has been suppressed, but the ill-feeling of the Negro populace is displayed by numerous incendiary fires in the sugar plantations. Megass-houses and cane-plots have been destroyed on five estates, and bands of men endeavour to cut off communications in all directions. But the better town population was energetic in its cooperation with the au- thorities.

WESTERN Aemea.—A letter respecting the movements of the British slave-cruisers off the African coast has been published in the Morning Chronicle. Among its interesting particulars, are the following, "relative

to the late mission to Dahomey " ; which the writer thinks" will prove how utterly in the dark you all are in England upon many points relative to the slave-trade."

"It was an effort made on the part of the Colonial Office to induce the power- fa chief of Dahomey to put a stop to the slave-trade in his dominions. About the 2d of November, a Mr. Cruickshank, a Cape Coast merchant, was commis- sioned by Governor Winnyett to proceed to Dahomey. He took papers in the English brig Zante, to Whydah: disembarking there he proceeded in due course to Dahomey, taking with him as a dash 1501. of goods purchased from the Zante: bat before he could possibly leave Whydah for Dahomey, a slave-dealer starts for Dahomey with 3001. worth of goods, also purchased from the Zante, thus outdoing our ambassador by double the amount in the shape of presents. Cruickshank, however, reaches Dahomey in good time; is well received and taken care of by the King, whom he reports to be a very princely fellow; and enters at once upon the subject of his mission, which was the offer of 2,000 dollars per annum to abolish she trade in slaves throughout his dominions. His Majesty listened attentively to all Cruickshank had to say; received the portrait of our Queen with every appearance of pleasure; and after, in his turn, expressing to Cruickshank the necessities of his state, the nature of his obligation to the multitude of chief men, and his absolute inability to raise the necessary amount of funds by any other than the slave-trade, he declined giving a decisive answer. In fact, he was not prepared to give up for 2,000 dollars per annum a traffic which insures him an annual income of 350,000 dollars; or, in plainer English, he prefers holding his 70,000/. rather than sur- render it fee a trifling 4001. a year, which Cruickshank was authorized to offer him. Cruickshank was well entertained for the seven days he remained at Da- homey, and not only protected but courteously treated on his way there and back, and treated to a review of his Majesty's regiments of women. The country is, to ell-appearance, well managed by its present chief, who is a man of no mean capa- city or intelligence. His customhouse regulations and police generally are in ex- cellent training; and altogether Cruickshank's visit, from his description, must have been a very agreeable one: but the object of it he views, and truly, as im- practicable in this quarter. Three little black girls were the return present to Cruickshank; who has taken steps for their transmission to Cape Coast Castle; where, of course, they will be perfectly free to follow ths bent of their inclination. Verily this is the age of humbug: 8,000 slaves are annually shipped from Why- dah alone, not 100 of whom are captured. So much for the success of our squadron." On another point the letter has these statements and criticisms—

"All the cruisers in the Bights of Benin were directed to assemble at Princes by the 1st of January, for inspection by the Commodore before his departure from the station. A jolly fine season the slaves will have had of it while they are all thus absent front the cruising-ground. The Commodore, it would appear, funks the Bights. He will do his utmost to make the station appear healthy in the eyes of you at home; while he appears to dread visiting the Northern part of the coast, except in the very fine season, and then but for a very brief period; and he avoids the Bights in tots,.