Remarkable 1839 entire from Jamaica to London sent by missionary Walter Dendy to the governor of Jamaica Sir Lionel Smith on behalf of his congregation - freed slaves - shortly after emancipation.
They are refuting claims from the planters that they are refusing to work and are disloyal to the Queen. The reply from Smith is included.
Address to Sir Lionel Smith
To His Excellency Sir Lionel Smith, Baronet, Knight Commander of the Most Honourable Military Order of the Bath, Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Hanoverian Order, Lieutenant-General in Her Majesty’s Land Forces, and Colonel of the 40th Regiment of Foot, Captain General, Governor-in-Chief, and Commander of the Forces in and over Her Majesty’s Island of Jamaica, and other Territories thereon depending in America, Chancellor and Vice-Admiral of the same.
May it please Your Excellency,
We, the members of the Church, and the Congregation assembling for worship in the Baptist Chapel at Salter’s Hill, St James, beg leave to approach Your Excellency on the present occasion, and to assure you of our loyal and cordial attachment to our Most Gracious Majesty Queen Victoria, to the Imperial Parliament, and to Your Excellency as Her Majesty’s representative in this Colony.
It now is our duty, as to express our unfeigned gratitude to God for the signal favours bestowed upon us during the past years in delivering us from civil bondage, in directing and supporting Your Excellency in the faithful discharge of the arduous and important task of governing the Colony amidst all the opposition and contumely with which you have been assailed, and for Your Excellency’s persevering exertions to carry into effect the benevolent purposes of the British nation with respect to our rights and liberties.
We most unhesitatingly assure Your Excellency that the charge brought against us by our enemies of disloyalty to our Queen, and of reluctance to work for fair and equitable remuneration, is totally unfounded; and that the statements respecting the ruined and helpless prospects of the country through our indolence or extortionate demands for wages are equally devoid of truth.
We wish for nothing but what is fair between man and man. Therefore we beg leave to declare to Your Excellency that, notwithstanding all that may have been said to the contrary, our Ministers have not advised us to make any unreasonable demands, or to refuse acceptance of any just and honourable offer.
In conclusion, we assure Your Excellency that our prayers shall be unceasingly presented at the footstool of Divine mercy, that you may be guided by heavenly wisdom in administering the affairs of this important Colony, and that you and your esteemed family may at last be crowned with glory and eternal life.
Signed on behalf of the Meeting,
Walter Dendy
Baptist Missionary
Salter’s Hill
25th January 1839
Sir Lionel Smith’s Reply
Jamaica, King’s House, 4th February 1839
Rev’d Sir,
I have received with great pleasure the Address of your Congregation at Salter’s Hill.
I beg to thank them for it, and to assure them all, that I have the highest confidence in their loyalty to the Queen, and in their disposition to labour under just treatment.
I would further beg you to assure them, that I will do all in my power to see the whole emancipated population established in the blessings of British Freedom.
Signed
Lionel Smith
1839 4pp EL Jamaica to London Walter Dendy to governor Lionel Smith. 👀
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