After the start of the Morant Bay rebellion in October 1865 , Eyre declared martial law in that area , directed troops to suppress the rebellion , and ordered the arrest of Gordon in Kingston . He had him returned to Morant Bay to stand trial under martial law . Gordon was quickly convicted of conspiracy and executed , on suspicion of having planned the rebellion . Eyre 's rapid execution of Gordon on flimsy charges during the crisis , and the death toll and violence of his suppression of the revolt , resulted in a huge controversy in Britain . Opponents of Eyre and his actions attempted to have him prosecuted for murder , but the case never went to trial . He was forced to resign . The British government passed legislation to make Jamaica a Crown Colony , governing it directly for decades . In 1969 , the Jamaican government proclaimed Gordon as a National Hero of Jamaica
Morant Bay rebellion
Morant Bay rebellion
George William Gordon