The dissolution of the House of Assembly in Jamaica has
not at all served the Government, but has strengthened the Country party very materially ; and the new House uses language pre- cisely like that of the former House. On the other hand, amiable and well-meaning Sir Charles Grey, who would rather coax the stiffnecked Representatives into a little pliancy than provoke a rupture with the Colonial Office, has resorted to a more 'wheedling manner than usual. Ile is at some pains to show what prosperity the colony may enjoy, though his assurance is qualified with a multitude of "ifs," including a turn of favourable: seasons.. He " earnestly requests and recommends" the House " to pass the ordinary revenue bills in the ordinary manner," and avows that he makes the request "in the name of the Crown " I He hints that he would willingly cooperate in various reforms, making the institutions of the island " approximate more to a constitutional and English model " ; " objects of legislation" which might reward the labour of a lengthened session." And he assures the House that he lies under restrictions which on some points leave him " no discretion." From the manner of this address, it is naturally to be inferred that Sir Charles had received from Down- ing .Street instructions not to confess that he and his chief were in the wrong, but to induce the colonists to abandon their posi- tion by promising a good round " reward " for their doing so, and thus enabling Lord Grey to get out of his false position with- out the appearance of giving way. The colonists seem to have put no faith in Grey promises; for they declined to abate the firmness of their demands for retrenchment.
