ΙΑΝΑ. Encl. 2, in No. 5. Enclosure 2, in No. 5. Sir, Colonial Laboratory, 31 December 1849. In reply to his Excellency's note, affixed to my Report, regarding the sugar and molasses made according to Scoffen's process, I have to state, that the quantity of lead being very small, and the process of detection more complicated than usual, I exhausted the greater part of the samples in the qualitative examination, and that I would require to operate on much larger quantities to determine with accuracy the amount of lead present. I attached more importance to the establishment of the fact that lead is present, than to determine with exactness the quantity; for that will differ in every different making of sugar, according to the nature of the juice, the skill of the operator, and the suitability of the apparatus empoyed. My reason for not noticing the effects likely to result from the use of sugar containing minute quantities of lead, was simply that it is not usual for chemists to express opinions on purely medical questions: I have no hesitation, however, in stating, that it is my opinion that the habitual and continued use of any important article of diet, drink, or condiment, containing even a very minute quantity of lead, cannot fail to prove injurious to health. It might, perhaps, be well, however, on this point, to obtain the opinion of the colonial Surgeon-general. The Honourable W. Walker, I have, &c. Enclosure 3, in No. 5. Encl. 3, in No. 5. Sir, Colonial Hospital, 3 January 1850. IN reference to the minutes on the Report of Dr. Shier, which bear date 27th and 31st ultimo, I have the honour to report, for your Excellency's information, that all the salts of lead exert a poisonous action on the human system, varying in their power in proportion to their solubility. That lead poison has two modes of action; first, locally and immediately when a soluble salt is taken into the stomach in considerable quantities; second, constitutionally, and on the nervous system when it has been insidiously introduced in minute quantities, either by frequent contact with metallic lead, or by the inhalation of its fumes, or by its ingestion with food or drink, in which case, it may remain latent for many months; but when excited to action by long continuance and accumulation, or by any accidental disturbance of health, such as an attack of fever or indigestion, colic with obstinate constipation supervenes, which is followed by palsy of the limbs, extreme emaciation, and death. That the addition of sugar to the preparations of lead communicates no antidotal quality. That experiments and observations are wanted to determine with any degree of precision the smallest quantity of the material, and the shortest time of action, which will produce poisonous effects from the ingestion of lead. But it is highly probable that any quantity habitually introduced into the system must end by inducing the symptoms being referred to. It is, therefore, my opinion, that the admixture of an aliment so variously, extensively and continuously used as sugar with any preparation of lead, must be followed by disastrous consequences to the health of the consumers. His Excellency Governor Barkly. I have, &c. (signed) Daniel Blair, M.D. Encl. 4, in No. 5. Enclosure 4, in No. 5. EXTRACT from a Letter by Dr. Wilton Turner; dated 2 January 1850. WE now come to Dr. Schoffern's process, involving the use of lead. The beautiful clarification produced by the sub-acetate of lead has long been known. It not only separates the proteine compounds, but at the same time throws down the acids of the juice and the colouring matter, so as to leave the juice of good canes little inferior to a solution of sugar in water. This juice is, however contaminated with lead, and the object of Dr. Schoffern's process is to effect its complete separation. If this cannot be ensured, however we may regret abandoning a method producing so splendid a clarification, it must be done. The separation of the lead from the poisoned juice (I can use no milder term) is effected by sulphurous acid gas. Although far from granting that the chemistry of this process be correct to the extent claimed by the patentee, still by way of argument let it be allowed that the whole of the lead is rendered insoluble by this reagent. To complete the separation of the lead, a perfect filtration must now be effected. This is a mechanical process, and to be perfect requires the greatest care and attention, even on a small scale. To suppose it could be conducted with the same nicety in the sugar-house, and without frequent failure, failure, would be contrary to all our experience. It would be wrong to say such a thing BRITISH GUIANA. was impossible, but its realization is highly improbable. The evidence offered by Dr. Schoffern that such has been effected, though strong, and perhaps worthy of credit, must not be taken as proof that such would be the general working result in this colony. The reverse is so likely to be the case, and the effects of the most minute doses of lead so terrible, when taken habitually, that all estates using this process should be compelled to brand their casks with the word lead. If on examination by a properly qualified person, the slightest trace of lead be found, the public safety requires the immediate destruction of such sugar. If the process be used, some such step will be imperatively called for on the part of Government. Enclosure 5, in No. 5. EXTRACT from a Letter from Mr. Lambert to Mr. Walker. Demerara, 11 January 1850. I MUST guard myself from any semblance of a desire to question the absolute results of Encl. 5, in No. 5 the investigation of that particular sample of sugar and molasses, subjected to analysis by Dr. Shier, and which that gentleman had witnessed in progress of manufacture on the 11th December, on the "Hope" estate, although it would not be difficult to trace the presence of the lead it was found to contain (to what extent, or in what proportion Dr. Shier does not state) to causes entirely extraneous and accidental, and I beg indulgence whilst I submit. that during the operations on the 11th December, there arose causes distinct and apart from the principles of the process of Dr. Schoffern, and opposed to the correct development of that process, each sufficient in itself to account for the presence of lead in the specimens of that produce, which manufactured by an apparatus now (from the want of means of remedy on the spot) palpably, though partially, defective, has been thus for the first time subjected to critical investigation, and on the first occasion of the use of the part mainly found to be deficient. (Answered, 6 March 1850, No. 158, page 392.) No. 6. WITH reference to your Lordship's despatch of 23 January 1849, No. 6, com- Governor Barkly municating representations from Marshal Saldanha, on behalf of the Portuguese to Earl Grey. Government, respecting the spiritual destitution of the Roman-catholic labourers 10 January 1850. who have emigrated from Madeira to this colony, as well as in connexion with the observations which I made in my despatch of 23d November, No. 170, on the statements contained in a memorial from some of the Roman-catholic inhabitants of Georgetown, I have now the honour to inform your Lordship, that the Combined Court have been induced to provide the stipend of another priest, speaking the Portuguese language, upon the estimate of last year. Indeed, as I anticipated in that communication, there was no indisposition on the part of that body to make a more adequate provision than heretofore for the Roman-catholic population generally, and the election of a member of that church under the new Franchise Bill having enabled them to make their wants known, several additions were carried, with the aid of Government, notwithstanding my wish generally to defer to the desire of economy expressed by the Court. The result is, that, in addition to the vote already alluded to, the salary of the two clergymen in Georgetown was restored to its former rate; two catechists were again placed on the estimate, and grants were for the first time made to the Roman-catholic schools of Georgetown and New Amsterdam; the provision of 5,450 dollars, proposed by the Court of Policy in July last, being increased to 8,142 dollars, to meet the extra expenses thus sanctioned. In common with those of every other religious denomination, the allowances for house-rent and for the support of the fabric of the churches are still withheld by the financial body; and it was argued that the deprivation of the former was BRITISH GUIANA. much less felt by the Roman-catholic priesthood than by the married clergy of the Protestant establishments, and that for the same reasons the stipends of the priests were in all countries of small amount. As regards education, too, it was asserted, and with truth, that no distinction of creed had ever been instituted in respect to the "per capita" allowance for scholars, and that if Roman-catholic schools did not exist in the rural districts, it was not for want of the same encouragement from the state as was enjoyed by other sects. Without examining these arguments at greater length, I feel bound to state that I do not think the local Legislature can be accused of neglecting to make spiritual provision for the Madeiranese immigrants now here, amounting probably to about 7,600 souls, so long as they vote stipends for seven priests and contribute towards the maintenance of two catechists, who are also in Holy Orders. With reference to the other complaint preferred in the memorial transmitted with my former despatch on the subject, I have only to add that a motion in the Combined Court for dividing the trifling sum voted to the gaol chaplains in Georgetown and New Amsterdam into three portions, so as to admit of the appointment of Roman-catholic chaplains in addition, fell to the ground for want of a seconder, and that I have taken advantage of a vacancy in the Board of Church and Poor's Fund to appoint Mr. French, the chairman of the meeting from which that memorial emanated, to be a member, thereby remedying, as far as lies in my power, the grievance of the omission of the Roman-catholic rector of Georgetown from the ex-officio members nominated by the Order in Council of 1824. Trusting that my report, if not altogether satisfactory to the Roman-catholic inhabitants, will at least satisfy your Lordship that I have done my duty impartially by them. I have, &c. (signed) Henry Barkly. -- No. 7. No. 7. Governor Barkly to Earl Grey. 17 January 1850. (No. 19.) COPY of a DESPATCH from Governor Barkly to Earl Grey. My Lord, Government House, 17 January 1850. (Received, 23 February 1850.) (Answered, No. 155, 1 March 1850, page 392.) I HAVE the honour to forward the usual number of authenticated copies of Ordinance, No. 1,* of the present year, intituled, "An Ordinance for requiring Annual Returns to be made and sent in for purposes of Colonial Taxation.' This Ordinance has been passed by the Court of Policy, in accordance with annual custom, to prepare for the imposition of the usual taxation when the Combined Court for 1850 assembles; and though it might seem advisable to extend the powers necessary for this purpose to the latter body, nothing can more strongly mark its deficiency of all legislative authority (save that of concurring with the members of the Court of Policy in raising taxes), than this immemorial usage in a matter so closely bordering on this peculiar province. In transmitting the corresponding Ordinance of 1849. in his despatch of 18th January last, No. 15, Lieutenant-governor Walker observed to your Lordship, that it required remodelling, many of its provisions being particularly ineffective; and I have now the satisfaction of stating that this has been accomplished, with the aid of the proper officers, and the present Ordinance rendered, I believe, as complete as the altered circumstances of society demanded. It has not been usual for the Attorney-general to report upon these annually recurring enactments, nor do I consider it requisite now to occupy your Lordship's time with all these modifications, especially as they were unanimously agreed to in the Court of Policy, but I enclose a copy of the former law for the purpose of comparison, by which it will be easily perceived, that whilst its provisions have been in some respects made more stringent, so as to prevent the less conscientous from continuing to have an advantage over those who honestly made returns of income, &c. ; several vexatious regulations have been done away with, such as those in the 2d clause respecting "milk, corn and grass, ground provisions, and other vegetables," which were in practise quite disregarded, though they constituted a standing grievance for agitators; and, furthermore, a "declaration" has been substituted for an oath before a justice of the peace, which No. 1, of 1850. This Ordinance will be found in the Appendix to the present Paper. which was very troublesome to those occupied in business. There is, however, BRITISH GUIANA. one omission in the Ordinance now forwarded, to which I am bound to direct your Lordship's attention, and that occurs in the 4th clause, in the proviso to which it has been usual to exempt the salaries on the Civil List from income tax. The opposition to such an exemption was first mooted in the last Combined. Court, when Ordinance No. of 1849, was under discussion, and though it was surmounted then, I certainly did not feel justified on the present occasion, when a motion for omitting the words was made in the Court of Policy by the Hon. Mr. Ferguson, seconded by the Hon. Mr. Van der Gon Netscher, in placing the official section in the invidious position of refusing to share the burdens of their fellow colonists at a time of great financial difficulty, and I, therefore, stated my intention of not voting, an example which was followed by the three other ex-officio members present, the Attorney-general protesting still, on public grounds, against any deduction whatsoever from the amount secured to Her Majesty by the existing Civil List Ordinance. I trust your Lordship will not disapprove of a concession, which I sincerely believe is calculated to remove a good deal of the bitterness of feeling which has sprung up between the elective and official sides of the Legislature, and which is in itself so inconsiderable in its extent, as to involve an amount hardly exceeding 300l. per annum. Had I felt the principle of interference with the Civil List to be at issue, I should have, of course, upheld the rights of the Crown, as I have heretofore successfully done, but it appeared to me clear than an exemption which depended, as far as I am aware, upon no stipulation, but upon an annual vote of the Court of Policy, might lawfully be abolished by the same power that gave it birth. (No. 24.) My Lord, COPY of a DESPATCH from Governor Barkly to Earl Grey. Government House, 4 February 1850. (Received, 4 March 1850.) (Answered, 12 March 1850, No. 164, page 393.) IN my despatch of 3d of January, No. 2,* I had the honour to mention the progress made by the Combined Court with the financial business of the colony. I have now the satisfaction of adding, that the usual Tax Ordinance having been passed, securing the revenue to the 30th of June next, I this day declared the Session of 1849, to be closed, in a brief address, of which I have the honour to enclose a copy. As I anticipated, no alteration has been made in the tariff of customs duties, which has been enacted in every Tax Ordinance for some years past, nor has it been deemed requisite to raise a loan for the purpose of making good the deficiency of revenue occasioned by the stoppage of the supplies during seven months of the past year, it being estimated by the Committee of Ways and Means that the current surplus accruing in the Receiver-general's chest from time to time, in consequence of the great reduction of the public expenditure, will, without such adventitious aid, suffice to pay off all outstanding liabilities before the end of the year. This important object will, as I am sure your Lordship will be glad to learn, be most unexpectedly promoted by the unusually large receipts of import duties, which have recently taken place, the effect I venture to trust of greater confidence in planting operations, and the consequently increasing prosperity of the labouring class. The receipts from this source in the month of January for five years past, have been as under: No. 8. Governor Barkly to Earl Grey. 4 February 1850. * Page 1. BRITISH GUIANA. Encl. in No. 8. Enclosure in No. 8. Honourable Gentlemen of the Court of Policy, Gentlemen Financial Representatives, THE primary object of my assembling you being accomplished by the passing of the Tax Ordinance, I have to announce the closing of the Session of the Combined Court for 1849. The consideration of the steps to be taken for procuring a portion of the Parliamentary loan, and the important collateral issues thence arising, will be, it has appeared to me, more appropriately reserved for an extraordinary assembly, such as was held under somewhat similar circumstances in 1844, and again in 1845. It only remains for me to thank you for the great attention which you have devoted to the financial affairs of the colony; I was not mistaken, I rejoice to find, in the anticipations. which I expressed in my opening address, either as to your political moderation, or as to your determination to support me in placing the colonial revenue once more upon its proper footing. I now declare the Session closed. No. 9. Governor Barkly to Earl Grey. 2 February 1850. (No. 25.) COPY of a DESPATCH from Governor Barkly to Earl Grey. My Lord, (Answered Government House, 2 February 1850. [15 June 1950, No. 202, page 398.)Į 1. In your Lordship's important despaches of 1 June, No. 56,* and 21 September 1849, No. 96,† four principal modes of promoting the restoration of prosperity in this colony were pointed out: 1st. Municipal organization for effecting objects of a local nature by local assessment. 2d. The revision of the laws affecting landed property. 3d. The application of the Parliamentary loan to improvement, tending to lower the cost of producing sugar. 4th. The renewal of immigration under better regulations. 2. The comprehensive scheme of policy thus laid down, coinciding closely with my original opinions, commanded my humble but cordial concurrence, and if the fruit of my exertions yet remains to be developed, in the passing through the colonial Legislature of a series of measures calculated to effect the foregoing objects, I am confident that your Lordship will make allowance for the political turmoil to be surmounted before the attention of elective members could be attracted to questions so much less exciting, though so much more useful, than those to which they had unhappily suffered their attention to be diverted. 3. The past year, however, has not been altogether lost. Great Great progress has been made in collecting and placing before the Attorney-general materials for future legislation, on many of the points embraced under the three first heads of your Lordship's suggestions, partly by my own personal investigations into the condition of the villages, schools, roads, &c., throughout the country, partly by consulting the stipendiary magistrates, and other officers competent to give advice, and more recently still by Commissioners appointed at the instance of the Legislature to draw up a plan of public education, and to inquire into the local exigencies of the different districts of the colony. 4. It is, however, to the fourth point alluded to by your Lordship that I purpose confining myself in the present despatch; viz. immigration. For some time past the idea of continuing to import labourers at the expense of the colony or of the proprietary body, had been almost given up by the leading colonists, as utterly unavailing to avert the ruinous effects of the competition of foreign sugar growers, insomuch that I in vain called the attention of the Court of Policy, a few months ago to the fact of the expiration of the term of service of the two first arrivals of Coolies before the end of the present year, and to the necessity of considering what steps should be taken to supply their places if they elected to go back. 4. Latterly, * Page 188, House of Commons Paper, No. 594, 31 July 1849, "British Guiana." |