A WEST INDIA ISLAND. 
477 
destination, and which belongs to Denmark, with her cargo of arms and 
ammunition. £1,000 was lodged in the Treasury by the consignees, 
which was repaid on the production of a certificate from the British 
Consul at St. Thomas of the fulfilment of the contract. It was for 
the delay and the contingent expenses that the actions were instituted. 
The verdicts were for the plaintiff, the damages being assessed at 
£6,700. The amount, with the costs in the suit, were paid by the 
Governor, as an advance from the Treasury, to save the interest and 
also the possible indignity of having his property levied upon to 
liquidate the claim. Sir Anthony Musgrave, however, in referring to 
the Secretary of State for instructions as to how the damages and 
costs were finally to be paid, expressed his readiness to pay the amount 
himself, if so ordered. I need not go at length into what followed, 
but the Secretary of State ordered a vole to be taken in the Legisla- 
tive Council for the payment of the money from the Jamaica revenues. 
The despatch required the official members to support the vote. This 
decision was protested against, and two of the official members, the 
Auditor- General and Crown Solicitor, resigned their seats, while a 
Select Committee to whom the despatch was referred reported “ that 
the Council would not be justified in sanctioning the vote, as the 
detention of the vessel was made entirely to protect Imperial interests, 
and in no way would this island derive any benefit therefrom.” Public 
meetings were held in support of this view, and various petitions were 
presented against the passing of this vote, and the Governor, in reply 
to a further reference home, was told that a vote for half the amount 
would be presented to the Imperial Parliament, but that half must be 
paid by Jamaica. A vote for the sum was accordingly presented to 
the Council, and carried by the votes of eight official members, who 
were required by the Secretary of State, as already stated, to support 
the vote. The six unofficial members, who were in the minority, 
resigned their seats, and it was found impossible to obtain any 
gentlemen of sufficient position to accept seats in the Council, which 
therefore remained a Council wholly composed of officials. 
At this time there was great excitement, and various grievances 
of the people were publicly urged. A strong party at home, with 
members of Parliament from both sides of the House of Commons, 
agitated for a grant of a liberal form of government to Jamaica, if not 
for a return to the ancient Constitution. 
The Royal Commission already referred to made a comprehensive 
report on the affairs of Jamaica in the early part of 1883, and sub- 
mitted many recommendations as to administration and finance. 
Sir Anthony Musgrave left the island on expiry of office, and on 
appointment to this colony in April, 1883 ; and for some months the 
government was carried on with much good judgment by Major- 
General Gamble, who was in command of all the troops in the West 
Indies. Meanwhile the agitation lor a change in the Constitution was 
continued in the island and in England. 
At the end of October I was appointed Governor, and arrived on 
the 21st December, charged, among other matters, with the duty of 
introducing a representative form of government on certain lines laid 
down, and of considering each of the proposals of the Royal Commis- 
sioners. The first duty involved the settlement of a franchise and the 
formation of electoral districts ; but by the end of June all my proposals 
