We were one month in Jamaica.  For about a week we remained in Kingston,[B] and called on some of the principal gentlemen, both white and colored.  We visited the Attorney-General, the Solicitor-General, some of the editors, the Baptist and Wesleyan missionaries, and several merchants.  We likewise visited the public schools, the house of correction, penitentiary, hospital, and other public institutions.  We shall speak briefly of several individuals whom we saw in Kingston, and give some of their statements.

[Footnote B:  The chief town of the island, with about forty thousand inhabitants.]

The Hon. Dowel O’Reily; the Attorney-General; is an Irishman, and of one of the influential families.  In his own country he was a prominent politician, and a bold advocate of Catholic Emancipation.  He is decidedly one of the ablest men in the island, distinguished for that simplicity of manners, and flow of natural benevolence, which are the characteristics of the Irishman.  He received his present appointment from the English government about six years ago, and is, by virtue of his office, a member of the council.  He declared that the apprenticeship was in no manner preparing the negroes for freedom, but was operating in a contrary way, especially in Jamaica, where it had been made the instrument of greater cruelties in some cases, than slavery itself.  Mr. O’Reily is entirely free from prejudice; with all his family rank and official standing, he identifies himself with the colored people as far as his extensive professional engagements will allow.  Having early learned this, we were surprised to find him so highly respected by the whites.  In our subsequent excursions to the country, the letters of introduction with which he kindly furnished us, to planters and others, were uniformly received with avowals of the profoundest respect for him.  It should be observed, that Mr. O’Reily’s attachment to the cause of freedom in the colonies, is not a mere partizan feeling assumed in order to be in keeping with the government under which he holds his office.  The fact of his being a Roman Catholic must, of itself, acquit him of the suspicion of any strong partiality for the English government.  On the other hand, his decided hostility to the apprenticeship—­the favorite offspring of British legislation—­demonstrates equally his sincerity and independence.

We were introduced to the Solicitor-General, William Henry Anderson, Esq., of Kingston.  Mr. A. is a Scotchman, and has resided to Jamaica for more than six years.  We found him the fearless advocate of negro emancipation.  He exposed the corruptions and abominations of the apprenticeship without reserve.  Mr. A. furnished us with a written statement of his views, respecting the state of the island, the condition of the apprentices, &c., from which we here make a few extracts.