KINGSTON, a town of Jamaica, seated on the north side of the bay of Port-Royal. It was founded in the year 1693, when the repeated defolations by earthquake and fire had driven the inhabitants from Port-Royal. It extends a mile from north to south, and about as much from east to west, on the harbour. It contains about 3000 houses, besides negro-houses and warehouses. The number of white inhabitants is about 8000; of free people, of colour, 1500; and of slaves, about 14,000. It is the county-town, where the assizes are held, in January, April, July, and October, and last about a fortnight. It is a place of good trade; and is much resorted to by merchants and seamen, because most of the ships come to load and unload their cargoes here. W. Long. 76. 32. N. Lat. 17. 40.