1-150-539 - The Cartoon Collector/Heritage-Images

For the Defence, 1868. This cartoon refers to Edward Eyre, Governor of Jamaica during the years 1864-65. In October 1865, there had been an uprising of black workers in Jamaica, starting in Morant Bay. General Eyre had proclaimed martial law and the ringleaders had been summarily dealt with by shooting or hanging. Eyre was suspended pending enquiry, although, at the time, Punch held that the Governor had been justified in that his prompt action had probably saved the island's white population from butchery. The case against General Eyre began at the beginning of June 1868 and this cartoon, in accordance with Punch's sympathies, shows the ghost of the former PM, Lord Palmerston, chiding his successor, Disraeli, for not doing anything to save the disgraced governor. In the background, Eyre sits clutching his paper, whose headline is 'Jamaica Saved'. From Punch, or the London Charivari, June 6, 1868.