Alexander joined the Ceylon Civil Service in 1868 and worked there until 1883 , before being appointed Receiver-General for Cyprus in 1884 , returning to Ceylon in 1891 where he was appointed the 20th Accountant General and Controller of Revenue in Sri Lanka . His appointment commenced on 31 July 1891 , succeeding G. T. M. O'Brien , and he held the office until 10 June 1895 , when he was succeeded by J. A. Taylor . Alexander moved to Singapore on 11 February 1895 and served as the Colonial Secretary until 1899 , becoming acting Governor that year , when Sir Charles Mitchell died in office , until handing over to his brother Frank in November 1901 . From 1901 to 1904 he served as Governor of British Guiana before moving to Jamaica to become Governor there . In 1907 there was a severe earthquake on the island and he was responsible for dealing with its aftermath . When a corps of American marines arrived under Rear-Admiral Charles H. Davis Jr to offer assistance he asked them to leave as he had matters under control . The Americans took offence and caused a diplomatic spat referred to as the Kingston Incident , as a result of which Swettenham was obliged to resign his position
severe earthquake
1907 Kingston earthquake
James Alexander Swettenham