CO885(3-4) — Page 119

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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

HC.O. 885

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO

PUBLIC

RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

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general, is scarcely, as I think, very ardent. There

is an intense desire in all quarters to be relieved from the evils under which the island is, in all truth, groaning; but there is no apparent determination to submit to the sacrifices necessary to pay for their

cure.

The people are, as I frankly told them, like Verzogene Kinder," who having been allowed by us for the last fifty years to have their own way in everything, have now found out that they are wholly unable to govern themselves. They laughed good- humouredly at my observation, and fully admitted its truth.

The population is now divided into three distinct parties, all crying out for "government," and yet all divided in their views as to the means by which the present system is to be reformed. I will define these parties to be--

1. The party in power.

2. The moderate reformers.

3. The mass of the burghers, or unreprésented class. The party in power have a profound sense of their utter inefficiency and helplessness. But they cling with tenacity to the consideration and influence which their superior wealth has alone procured for them. "Give us means of repression," they say: "that is what we want."

"

Among the Councillors there was only one who frankly admitted that reform of the administration of justice was indispensably necessary. If it might be safe to draw any conclusion from a man's manner, I should say that my informant was well aware that

something more was wanted than that.

of

The moderate reformers comprise, as I think, the most active and industrious men of the community— those who have yet to acquire wealth. The persons this party with whom I conversed, belong to the most respectable class of pilots, shipwrights, car- penters, or superior mechanics, and are fully equal in appearance, manners, and conversation, to better- most men of the same classes in England.

They are intensely anxious that the Government should be made aware that the present state of things cannot last longer. The whole machinery of government is falling to pieces. No authority is obeyed. Every man does as he pleases. If I would

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