11 NOVEMBER 1848, Page 1

Four movements are going on in the West Indies, indepen;

dently of the perpetual motion in Hayti. In our own Colonies, the retaliatory agitation for reduction of official establishments and expenses does not appear to flag : Demerara, in particular, is as obstinate as ever ; and at Georgetown the contest between the Government and the Combined Court has occasioned a renewal of that wholesale importation of goods without payment of duty which has before taken place in the same colony on the expiry of unrenewed import-laws. The French Colonies participate the changes in their Mother-country. The Danish Government has to a great extent adopted the revolution in St. Croix, and besides ratifying Negro emancipation, has promised a reduction of esta- blishments and salaries. Negotiations are reported between the Governments of Madrid and Washington for the sale of Cuba to the United States,—a pretended scheme of " annexation," got up probably by the friends of General Cass, to promote his election as President. But what is a humbug now may become a reality if it should thrive in the humbug stage. The more sagacious politicians of the United States will pause before they adopt an island which lies in the very region of Negro emancipation. Still, these concurrent movements in the West Indian archipe- lago ought to remind our Government how desirable it is to strengthen the British position in that quarter, by measures which shall develop the resources of our Colonies, foster popular institutions, elevate the Black population to an English standard, and impart to British rule the prestige of a prosperous content. meat.