Fascinating 1842 entire from JAMAICA to LONDON. Informal intelligence report sent by Colonel Thomas Land adjutant general of Jamaica Militia to military historian JOHN PHILIPPART. References political situation in Central America, army personnel changes, mood of locals, controversial court case, local fire in Spanish Town and fears of Haiti style rebellion in Jamaica.

Land was a Londoner who went to Jamaica as a lawyer. Was a slave owner who received compensation in 1833.

TRANSCRIPT

Up Park Camp, Jamaica

14 April 1842

My dear Friend,

Your letter of 24th Jany came to hand, and a case of the articles you mentioned was immediately ordered to be forwarded by Forbes and Co. I have not heard the name of the Vessel and trust that it has left. It will be off next week, and I shall send your particulars as soon as I know the name of the Ship.

Not much news has at present come. The Admiral [Vice-Admiral Sir Charles Adam], with several Vessels, has gone to Honduras to arrange some matters in dispute between Colonel MacDonald, the Superintendent [Col. Alexander MacDonald, Superintendent of British Honduras], and the Government of Central America.

The Troops continue healthy, and remain at the City of [Esquintla] since the West Indians passed at Spanish Town from Cuba on the 5th.

The late Mr. Preston [Barrack Master], having been succeeded, Brevet-Major Rowland R.A. [military officer; not to be confused with Land’s civilian legal partner of same surname] has been appointed Acting Barrack Master of Up Park Camp and [Rockfort] Castle.

The Governor, Sir C. Metcalfe [Sir Charles Theophilus Metcalfe, Governor of Jamaica], gave his Farewell Ball on Friday the 15th at the Hanover Rooms.

We see by the Papers that a great deal of fuss has been made about the late Vestryman’s affair, and the Mayor of Kingston [Hector Mitchell] is blamed by all Parties.

I cannot agree with the good People, however, considering that Doctor Beckett [Dr. Anthony Beckett, Police Magistrate, Kingston], as Magistrate, did his duty to the City.

The Magistrate acts are clear. A man disagreed with him was set aside by Party influence, and the death of the poor Woman at the Workhouse [Kingston Workhouse] is what has been used as shame with the reason crying here.

Believe me, a few years hence this country must be as a second St Domingo [i.e., Haiti, referencing the Haitian Revolution].

There are Parties here. I shall not be more particular, the more aware the cause of the late disturbance than others.

Instead, I was by the continuance which was given in the Packet, in a Town not much more than 16 miles from this [Spanish Town], and this is my opinion but not meant to offend.

There was a Fire in the Town [Spanish Town] on Saturday night, also by day, which destroyed almost a dozen Houses and Company. The Government sustained by a Bank, they lose £25,000. The alarm was given in Camp at 4 o’Clock. It was given in Town, the whole of the people there turned out and the best was soon done. The heat of War and Riot and Order was restored in darkness, which worked well as to the minds of Women; and the Black gentry were much alarmed and escaped when they were trying to be at the Storehouses, & so on I am told.

Believe me,

My dear Friend,

Yours very truly,

Colonel Thomas Land

Adjutant-General of the Jamaica Militia

Mr. J. Philippart

19 Catherine Street

Strand

London

P.S. The case is to be delivered to you by Forbes and Co. free of all expense. The Passengers for Ship R—, and the Jackets & Leggings they gave to small G.R.