The session of the Jamaica I louse of' Assembly was
opened by Sir Charles Metcalfe, on the 27th October. His Excellency's speech and the replies to it are charaeterized by a strength and warmth of expres- sion altogether uncommon in compositions of the kind. Sir Charles appeared as the zealous champion of the once-recusant Legislature : lie intimated that the so-called tyrants of Jamaica were in some respects in advance of their self-constituted correctors at home ; and he expressed thorough confidence in the benevolence and wisdom of their future pro- ceedings. The conduct of the emancipated Blacks was, lie said, most praiseworthy ; and their condition bad greatly improved. The House of Assembly agreed :to their reply on the 30th. They reiChoed the sentiments of the Governor respecting the state of the island and the condition of the Negroes ; and expressed their desire cordially to coope- rate in making such amendments in the laws "as may tend better to secure impartial justice to all classes of the community, and to improve and elevate the moral condition of all the inhabitants of the island."
The supplies, they said, would be provided, with due regard to the economy which the "prostrate condition" of agriculture demands.
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