o 4^^.

IMAGE EVALUATION
TEST TARGET (MT-3)

1.0

1.25

■tt iiii ||Z2

^ |i£ 12.0

■IWU

FhotogFaidiic

Sciences

Corporation

^^^^

33 WBT MAIN STMIT

WIUTIR,N.Y. MiM

(71«)t72-4S03

<<^
^

4^ ^ \. ^f>N

CIHM/ICMH

Microfiche

Series.

CIHIVI/ICIVIH
Collection de
microfiches.

Canadian Institute for Historical IMicroraproductions / Institut Canadian da microraproductions historiquas

Tachnical and Bibliographic Notaa/Notaa tachniquat at tiibliographiquaa

Tha Instituta haa attamptad to obtain tha baat
original copy availabia for filming. Faaturaa of tW i
copy which may b» bibliographically uniqua,
which may altar any of tha imagaa in tha
raproduction, or which may aignificantly changa
tha usual mathod of filming, ara chaclcad balow.

Coiourad covara/
Couvartura da coulaur

I I Covara damagad/

Couvartura andommagte

Covara rastorad and/or laminatad/
Couvartura rastaurte at/ou paiiiculAa

□ Covar titia miaaing/
La

titra da couvartura manqua

iourad mapa/
Cartaa gtegraphiquaa an cculaur

Coiourad inic (i.a. othar than blua

Encra da coulaur (i.a. autra qua blaua ou noira)

pn Coiourad mapa/

I I Coiourad inic (i.a. othar than blua or black)/

|~n Coiourad piataa and/or illuatrationa/

Planchaa at/ou illuatrationa an coulaur

Bound with othar matariai/
RaiiA avac d'autraa documanta

Tight binding may cauaa ahadowa or diatortlon
along intarior margin/

La re liura sarrte paut cauaar da I'ombra ou da la
diatortlon la long da la marga IntMaura

Bianic laavaa addad during raatoration may
appaar within tha taxt. Whanavar poaaibia, thaaa
hava baan omittad from filming/
II aa paut qua cartalnaa pagaa blanchaa ajoutAaa
lora d'una raatauration apparaiaaant dana la taxta,
mala, lorsqua cala 4tait poaaibia, caa pagaa n'ont
paa §t6 filmAaa.

Additional commanta:/
Commantalras aupplAmantairaa:

Varioui pagingt.

Thi
tol

L'Inatltut a microfilm* la maillaur axamplaira
qu'il lui a At4 poaaibia da aa procurer. Laa dAtalla
da cat axamplaira qui aont paut-Atra uniquaa du
point da vua bibliographiqua, qui pauvant modifiar
una imaga raproduita, ou qui pauvant axigar una
modification dana la m4thoda normala da f iimaga
aont indiqute ci-daaaoua.

□ Coiourad pagaa/
Pagaa

D
D

Thia itam la filmad at tha reduction ratio chackad balow/

Ca documant aat film* au taux da rMuction indiqu* ei-daaaoua.

Pagaa da coulaur

Pagaa damagad/
Pagaa andommag^aa

Pagaa raatorad and/or laminatad/
Pagaa raataurAaa at/ou paiiiculAaa

Pagaa diacolourad, atainad or foxad/
Pagaa dAcolortea, tachatAaa ou piquAaa

Pagaa datachad/
Pagaa d*tach*«i

Showthrough/
Tranaparanca

Th«
poi
of 1
fiin

Ori
oai
thfl
sio
otii
firs
sio
or

I I Quality of print variaa/

Qualit* inAgaia da I'impraaaion

Includaa aupplamantary matariai/
Comprand du material auppMmantaira

Only adition avaiiabia/
Saula Mition diaponibia

Pagaa wholly or partially obacurad by arrata
alipa, tiaauaa, ate., hava been refilmed to
enaura the beat poaaibia image/
Laa pagee totalement ou part*«llement
obacurciea par un feuiilet d'errata, una pelure,
etc., ont it* fllm4ea * nouveau da fapon A
obtenir la meilleure imege poaaibia.

Th(
shi
Tir
wli

dif
an
be

rig
ra(
mi

10X

14X

lax

22X

28X

30X

•

12X

aox

a«x

2BX

32X

The copy filmed hare has b««n reproduced thanks
to the generosity of:

National Library of Canada

L'exemplaire film* f ut reproduit grlce A la
O^nirositA de:

BibliothAque nationale du Canada

The images appearing here are the best quality
possible considering the condition and legibility
of the original copy and in keeping with the
filming contrect specifications.

Las images suivantes ont M reproduites avec le
plus grand soin, compte tenu de la condition at
de la netteti de I'exempleire filmA, et en
conformity avec las conditions du contrat de
filmage.

Originel copies in printed paper covers are filmed
beginning with the front cover and ending on
the last page with a printed or illustrsted impres-
sion, or the back cover when eppropriate. All
other original copies are filmed beginning on the
first psge with a printed or illustrated impres-
sion, and ending on the last page with a printed
or illustrated impression.

The last recorded frame on each microfiche
shall contain the symbol ^^- (meaning "CON-
TINUED"), or the symbol V (meaning "END"),
whichever applies.

Les exemplaires originoux dont la couverture en
pepier est ImprimAe sont filmte en commen^ant
par le premier plat et en terminant soit par la
dernlAre pege qui comporte une empreinte
d'impression ou d'iilustration, soit par le second
plat, salon le cas. Tous les autres exemplaires
originaux sont fSlmte en commenpant par la
premiere page qui comporte une empreinte
d'impression ou d'iilustration et en terminant par
la derniire page qui comporte une telle
empreinte.

Un dee symboles suivants apparaftra sur la
dernlAre image de cheque microfiche, selon le
cas: le symbols — »> signifie "A SUIVRE", le
symbols V signifie "FIN".

Maps, plates, charts, etc., may be filmed at
different reduction ratios. Those too large to be
entirely included in one exposure are filmed
beginning in the upper left hand corner, left to
right and top to bottom, as many frames as
required. The following diegrams illustrate the
method:

Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent Atre
filmfo it dee taux de reduction diff Arents.
Lorsque le document est trop grand pour Atre
reproduit en un seul clichA, il est film* A partir
de I'angle supArieur gauche, de gauche A droite,
et de haut en bas, en prener.t le nombre
d'images nAcessaire. Les diagrammes suivants
illustrent la m^thode.

32X

^■4:

im:

THE

H I S T O R Y,

CIVIL AND COMMERCIAL,

Of THI

)5RITI&H COLONIES IN THE WEST INDIES.

IN TWO VOLUMES.

BY BRTAN\EJ1WARDS, ESOk.

OF THE ISLAND OF JAMAICA.

vol. I.

SS9»9i

DUBLIN:

LUKE WHITE.

NtOOC.ZCIll.

V. /

26194-7

King's

POLITI

■'■■^th^^=ts»^-

His Majej

UNDEJ

ARE BECOM

WITH

Mi
1

LOKDOH,

3d June, 179

\ :

TO THE

King's Most Excellent Majesty ;

THIS

POLITICAL AND COMMERCIAL SURVEY

His Majesty's Dominions in the West Indies ;

WHICH,

UNDER HIS MILD AND AUSPICIOUS
GOVERNMENT,

ARE BECOME THE PRINCIPAL SOURCE OF THE NATIONAt
OPULENCE AND MARITIME POWER,

IS,

WITH HIS GRACIOUS PERMISSION,

MOST HUMBLY INSCRIBED,

BY HIS MAJESTY'S

MOST LOYAL AND DUTIFUL SUBJECT

AND SERVANT,

LONDOK,

3d June, 1793.

B. EDWARDS,

a 2

r!./

The

Chriftop
the Span
defcrved
ries in t
the fubj(
luftrate^
feives.—
tread, aga
of occur]
if the m
producinj
tant in t
ilances d)
My at

^^UOUS|

To pre
count of
ments mi
|ni(Uan ifli

To ex
ment$, ir
cal fyflem
them; —

To dei
tbp prefer

1^' " i iw » ' !■ ■■■ ^M

F R E F A C E.

|jP»

X HE difcovery of a new hemiQ>here by
Chrifloph^er Columbus, and the progrefs of
the Spaniards it) the concjueil of it, have beezf
defervedly the theme of a long feries of hifto-
ries in the feveral languages of Europe ; and
the fubjedt h^s l^een recently refumed and il-
luftrate^ by a celebrated Writer ampng our-
ifeives.— It is not therefore my intention to
tread, again in fo beaten a track, by fhe recital
of occurrences of which few can be ignorant,
if the nobleft exertions of the hufnan mind^^
producing events the moft fingular and impor-r
tant in the hifiory of the world, are circumr
ilances deierying admiration and inquiry.

My attempt^ which I feel to bf fuffici^ntjy
^^uous^ iS|

To prefent the reader with an historical ac-r
count of the origin and progrefs of the fettle-^
ments made by our own nation in the Weft
Indian iilands ;—

To explain theij* conftitutional eftablifli-y
meats, internal governments, and the politi-
cal fyftem maintained by Great Britain towards
them J—

To defcribe the manners and difpofitions of
^he prefent inhabitants, as influenced by cli-

PREFACE.

mate, fituation, and other local caufes; com-
prehending in diis part of my book an account
of the African ilave trade, fome obfervations
on the negro character and genius, and reflec-
tions on the fyflem of flavery eftablifhed in our
colonies ;— »■

To furnifli a more comprehenfive account
than has hitherto appeared of the agriculture
of the Sugar Iflands in general, and of their
rich and valuable flaple commodities, fugar,
indigo, coffee, and cotton, in particular;—
finally.

To difplay the various and widely extended
branches of their commerce ; pointing out the
relations of each towards the other, and to*
wards the fcveral great interefts, the manu-

. fadtures, navigation, revenues, and lands of
Great Britain : —

Thefe, together with feveral collateral dif-

' quifitions, are the topics on which I have en-
deavoured to colledt, and convey to the pub-
lic, ufeful andaccceptable information. Their
importance will not be difputed, and I have
only to lament that my abilities are not more
equal to the tafk I have undertaken*

But, before I proceed to invefligations
merely political and commercial, I have ven-
tured on a retrofpedtive furvey of the Urate and
condition of the Weft Indian iflands v<rhen firft
difcovercd by Columbus ; and I have endea-
voured to delineate the mofl prominent fea-
tures in the charadter and genids of their an-
cient inhabitants. I was led to a refearch of

thi9

this na

riving
{iavingr
which I
fbmewh
(hience
pofition,
pitants,
without
to comp
on this
author hi
and perf<
induftry
againft t
prejudice
whofe an
want of
poffeffed
even to b
have und<
Wrafelf, 1
on the fa
ories are
qtrence,
jfufpedls r
aflerting,
qucntly 1
faeh hSi
accidental
premifes
whereon
tematical

P » £ F A C E.

this nattife; not nwrely for the putpc^ of
giving uniformity to nay work, biit becitttfe,
^ving rcMtd many years in the countries of
which I write, I prefunM ta think that I anf^
fbmewhat better quaHiied to judge of tl>e W ^
fhience of climate and fituation', on t^^ clif*
pofition, temper, and intellects of t|icir inha-*
bitants, than many of thofe writers, ^ho,
without the kme advantage, have undertiakei)
to compile fyilems, and efbblifh conclufionSf
on this fubjcd^. I conceive that, unleiis ai>
author has had the benefit of a^ual experience
and perfonal obfervation, neither genius no|!
induftry can at all times enable him to guard
againfl the miilakes and mifreprefentations of
prejudiced, ignorant, or interefted men | tq
whofe authority he fubmits, merely from the
want of advantages which thofe ' whp hare
poffeffed them have perverted. He is liable
even to b^ mifled by preceding authprs, whp
have undertaken, on no better foundation than
Mmfelf, tq compile hiftories and form fy^cim
on the fame fubjedt ; for virhen pfeufible the-
ories are deduced, with ingenuity and elo-?'
qtjence, from fedts confidently aflerted ; he
jfufpedls not, or, if he fufpedts, is cautious of
aflerting, that the foundation itfelf (as it fre-
quently happens) is without fupport ; that no
fach fe€ls actually exift, or, if^exifting, arc
accidental and local peculiarities only, — not
premifes of fufficient extent knd importance
whereon to ground general cpnclufions and fyf-
tematical combinations. , * ^**

PREFACE.

I have been induced to make this remarlft
from peruiing the fpeculation$ of Monf. Buf«
fon and fome other French dieorifts, on the
condition and chara^er of the American na-
tions. Whether from a deiire to lefTen the
ftrong abhorrence of all mankind at the cruel-
ties exercifed by the Spaniards in the conqueft
of the New World, or from a ftrange afFedia-
tion of paradox and iingularity, rifely claim-
ing the nonours of philofophy, thofe writers
have ventured to a£ert, that the air and cli-
mate, or other phyiical phenomena, retard the
growth of animated nature in the New He-
mifphere, and prevent the natives from at-
tainuig to that perfection at which mankind ar-
rive in the other quarters of the globe. Not-
withftanding the variety of foil, climate, and
feafons, which prevail in the feveral great pro-
vinces of North and South America ;•— not-
withflanding that the aboriginal inhabitants
were divided into a great many diflferent
tribes, and diflinguifhed alfo by many different
languages } it is pretended that all thofe vari-
ous tribes were uniformly inferior, in the &-
cukies of the mind and the capacity of im-
provement, to the reft of the human fbecies ;
that they were creatu^^cs of no confideration
in the boolf of Nature ;— denied the refined
invigorating fentiment of loye,«*-and not pof-
feffing even any very powerful degree of ani-
mal deiire towards multiplying their fpecies.
The author of a fyftem entitled * Recherches
Phiiofophiques fur les Americains' declares, with

unexampled

unexam]
been fbi
theN(
rior fa^
treatife
vages wj
fort of
beflowed
degree
dually at
againft t
they are
ings of a
fcale of
Altho
much to
extent, i
deed, be
is impofl
degree c
which he
ter : for
New W<
which th
repeatedl
ing to tl
may be
With thi
that the
repugnar
told that

* Dr. J^

t Hiftor

,iF'^

11^

PREFACE.

unexampled arrogance, that there never has
been found, throughout the whole extent of
the New World, a iingle individual of fupe-
rior fagacity to the reft* And the fcope of his
treatife is to demonflrate, that the poor ra-
vages were adtuated, not by reafon, but by a
fort of animal inflindt ; that Nature, having
beftowed on the whole A)ecies a certain fmaU
degree of intellect, to which they all indivi-
dually attain, placed an infurmountable barrier
againfl their further progrefs:— of courfe, that
they are not (properly fpeaking) fften, but be*
ings of a fecondary and fubordinate rank in the I
fcale of creation. K

Although our own learned Hiflorian* is
much too enlightened to adopt, in their fiillefl
extent, thefe opinions ;— -wnich cannot, in-
deed, be read without indignation ; — ^yet it
is impoflible to deny, that they have had fome
degree of influence in the general cftimate
which he has framed of the American charac-
ter : for he afcribes to all the natives of the
New World many of thofe imperfections on
which the fyilem in queftion is founded ; and
repeatedly aflerts, ** that the qualities belong-
ing to the people of a/I the different tribes
may be painted with the fame features -f*."
With this bias on his pen, it is not wonderful
that the author is fometimes chargeable with
repugnancy and contradidlion. Thus we are
told that ** the Americans are, in an amazing

degree,

* pr. Robcrtfon.

f Hiftory of America, Vol. I. P' 280 and 283.

P R E F A Q Er

degree* Arangers to the £rft inilind of m^
lure (a ptxiSion. for the fex), and, in every fart
pf the New Worlds tireat their women with
coldncfs and indifference *." Yet we fin4
foon afterwards, that, " m fome countries of
the New World, the women are valued and
admired, the animal paffion of the fexes be-
comes ardent, and the diflolutcnefs of their
manners is exceffivp -f/* It is elfewhere ob-
served, that ♦^ th^ Americans were not only;
averfe to tp>I, b»t incapable of it, and funk
under tafks which the people of the other con-
tinent would have performed with eafe ^ and
it is added, that *« this feeblenefs of confti-
tution was univerfah and may be conjidered as
fhattaSi&iflic rf the ffeciesX^* It appears, how-
ever, in a fubiequent page, that *• wherever
the Americans hgve been graduaity accuftomed
to hard labour> their conftitutions become m-
buft enough to equal any effort of the native^
pither of Africa or Europe |j." Perfonal de-
bility, therefore, could not nave been the pe-
culiar charaifteriflic of the American fpecies ;
for the human frame, in every part of the
globe, acquires flrength by gradual employ-
ment, and is comparatively fcel?le without it.

Again : Among the qualities which the Hif-
torian confiders as univerfally predominant in
the Americans, he afcribes to them» in a re-
markable degree^ a hardnefs of heart and a
brutal infenfibility to the fufferings of theif

fellow-

* Hiftory of Americn,

1; P. 2Q0.

Vol. T. p.

DP.

292.

a9f

t ?' 29<5-

fellow-
is the 1
fentime
attentio
vinces (
necefiar
manity
account
ferociou
or to the
The au
uncivilis
It confli
cftimate
• ciple, t
of man i
equals o
animals
charade
intent o
by its c
or fenfil
the bein
Certa
in this re
account
inteivie^
tives of
was wr<
the Hif
they crc

«''■

a
if

PREFACE.

fcUow-creaturcs *. ' «* So little (kc obfcfves)
is tho breafl: of a (avage iufceptible of thofe
fentiments which prompt men to that feeling
attention which mitigates diftrefs, in fome pro-
vinces of America me Spaniards have found it
neceflar/to enforce the common duties of hu^
manity by pofitivc laws-f*" Neither is this
account of their inflexibility confined to the
ferocious barbarian of the northern provinces,
or to the miferable outcaft of Terra del Fueso.
The author extends his defcription to all die
uncivilized inhabitants of the New Hemifphere.
It conftitutes a ftriking feature in his general
cftimate ; for he eftablifhes it as a fixed prin*
• ciple, tint " in every part of the deportment
of man in his favagc ftate, whether towards his
equals of the human fpecies, or towards the
animals below him, we recognize the fame
charader, and trace the operations of a mind
intent on its own gratifications, and regulated
by its own caprice, without much attention
or fenfibility to the fentiments and feelings of
the beings around him || .

Certainly the learned author, while employed
in this reprefentation, had wholly forgotten the
account which he had before given of the fir/l
inteiTiew between . the Spaniards and the na-
tives of Hifpaniola, when a ihip of Columbus
was wrecked on that ifland. " As foon (fays
the Hiftorian) as they heard of the difafter,
they crouded to the fhore, with their prince

Guacanahari

»l

* Hiftofy of Amenta, Vol. t. p. 405.
t P. 406. J P. 407.

xij PREFACE.

Guacanahari at their head. Inflead of taking
advantage of the diflrefs in which they beheld
the Spaniards, to attempt any thing to their
detririient, they laniented their misfortune with
tears of Jincere condolance. Not fatisfied with
this unavailing expreflion of their iympathy,
th^y put to fea a vaft number of canoes, and,
under the direction of the Spaniards, aflifted in
iaving whatever could be got out of the wreck ;
and by the united labour of fo many hands,
almoft every thing of value was carried afhore.
Guacanahari in perfon took charge of the goods,
and prevented the multitude not only from em^
bczzling, but even from infpedting too curi-
pufly what belonged to their guefts. Next
morning this prince vifited Columbus, and en-
deavoured to confole him for his lofs by offering all
that he pojjejfed to repair it '*

Thus exceptions prefent themfelvcs to

every general conclufion, until we are bur-

thened with their variety : — And at laft we

end juft where we began ; for the wonderful

uniformity which is faid to have diflinguifhed

the American Indians, appears to be as little

founded in nature, as it is fupported by analogy.

Of the other branches of my work, great

part, I prefume to think, will be new to many

of my readers. I have not met with any book

that even pretends to furnifh a comprehenfive

and fatisfadtory account of the origin and pror

grefs of our national fettlements in the tropical

parts of America. The fyftem of agriculture

jjr^dtifcd in tJie Weft Indies, is almoft as mucl^

.ppknp\yf|

tihkno
that of
gar, ai
raifed x
genera
formec
and otl
and br
deed is
even ai
neral
cameb
few yei
prefide
give fb
melade
conceri
fured h
** mek
cxtra<ft<
gar wa!

On
conconc
faid of
there re
certain,
the tra
negroes
eflentia]
been g
pamphl
\yj man

* lg»v

tleman wl

- 1

PREFACE.

iihknown to the people of Great Britain a§
that of Japan. Tney know, indeed, tliat fu-
gar, and indigo, and .ifee, and cottonj are
raifed and produced there j but they are Very
generally* and to a furprifing degree* unin-
formed concerning the method by which thofe
and other valuable commodities sire cultivated
and brought to perfection. So remarkable in-
deed is the want of information in this refped*
even among perfons of the moft extenfive ge-
neral knowledge, that in a law queftion which
came by appeal from one of the Sugar Iflands a
few years ago, the noble and learned lord who -
prefided at the hearing, thinking it neceflary to
give fbme account of the nature of rum and
melades (much being ftated in the pleadings
concerning the value of thofe commodities) af-
fured his auditors with great folemnity, that
** melafTes was the raw and unconcofted juice
extracted from the cane, and from which fu-^
gar was afterwards made by boiling*!"

On the fubjedt of the llave trade, and its
concomitant circumftances, fo much has beert
faid of late by others, that it may be fuppofed
there remains but little to be added by me. It is
certain, however, that my account, both of
the trade and the fituation of the enflaved
negroes in the Britifh colonies, differs very
elTentially from the reprefentations that have
been given, not only in a great variety of

Eamphlets and other publications, but alfo
y many of the witneffes that were examined

before

* I give this anecdote on the authority of a Jannaica gen»
tleman who was prcfent j a perfon of undoubted veracit/.

ttil

xtv

PREFACE.

before the houfe of commons. The publiiS
muft judge between us, and I ihould be in
no pain about the refult, if the characters of
fomc of thofe peribns who have flood forth
on this occafion as accufers of the reiident
planters, were as well known in Great Britain,
as they are in the Weft Indies., What I have
written on thefe fubjedls has at leaft this ad-
vantage, that great part of my obfcrvations are
founded on perfonal knowledge and adtual ex-
perience ; and with regard to the manners and
difpofitions of the native Africans, as diftin-
guifhed by national habits, and charaderiftic
features, I venture to think, that my remarks
will be found both new and interefting.

After all, my firft objedt has been truth,
not novelty. I have endeavoured to coUedt
ufeful knowledge whcrefoever it lay, and
when I found books that could fupply what
I fought, I have fometimes been content to
adopt, without alteration, what was thus fur-
niftied to my hands. Thus, extradts and paf-
fages from former writers occupy fome of my
pages ', and not having always been careful to
note the authorities to which I reforted, I find
it now too late to afcertain the full extent of
my obligations of this kind. They may be
traced moft frequently, I believe, in the firft
and laft parts of my work : In the firft, be-
caufe, when I began my tafk, I had lefs con-
fidence in my own refources than I found after-
wards, when practice had rendered writing
f.iniiliar to me -, and in the laft, becaufe, when

my labc

came

wheref(j

Pre
mation^l
aftiftam
ed defi^
boaft ai
local at
men and
themfeh
this ocai
for favc
feel fror
allow n:
Long, I
Hiftory,
indebted
always a
careful t(
fupply n
reputatio
For g
pofe the
gations t
fpeaker
through
anfwers
rage me
to the p
not afluE
iilands.
thefe, I

-W'

■:^„ *P R E i? A C E»

my labours grew near to a cohcluiion^ I be-
came weary^ and was glad to get aiiiflance
wherefoever it ofi&red.

From iivifig rather than from niritten inLr*
mationj however^ have I generally fought
aiBflance^ when my own refources have prov-*
ed deficient; and it is my good fortune to
boaA an acquaintance with men, to whom, for
local and commercial knowledge, our flatef-
men and fenators might refort, with credit to
themfelves and advantage to the public. On
this ocafion, neither the gratitude which I owe
for favours beftowed, nor the pride which I
feel from the honour of his friendfhip, will
allow mc to conceal the name of Edward
Long, Eiqmre, the author of the Jamaica
Hiftory, to whom lam firfl.and principally
indebted ; and who, with the liberality which
always accompanies true genius, has been as
careful to corre<5i: my errors, and afiiduous to
fupply my dcfedls, as if his own well-earned
reputation had depended on the ifTue.

For great part of the materials which cont-
pofe the Hiftory of Grenada, I am under obli-
gations to Thomas Campbell, Efq. formerly
fpeaker of the affembly of that ifland, who>
through means of a friend, furnifhed fuch
anfwers to queries that I fent him, as encou-
rage me to prefent that portion of my work
to the public with a confidence which I dare
not afliime in my account of fome other of the
illands. Yet, even with regard to moft of
thcfe, I have no caufe to complain that aflifb-
■ ■ , ance

if,

xvi ^ R E 15' A C £.

ance has been oftentimes denied me. CoUt
cerning Barbadoes and Saint Chriflopher's in
particular, I have been favoured with much
accurate and acceptable information, by John
Braithwaite and Alexander Douglas, Eiquires,
gentlemen who are intimately acquainted with
the concerns of thofe colonies ; and the polite
and chearful readinefs with which they fatisfied
my enquiries, entitle them to this public tefti-
mony of my thanks.

The fame tribute is mod juftly due to Ben-
jamin Vaughan and George Hibbert, Efquires,
merchants of London, for many excellent and
important remarks, and much valuable mat-
ter j which, at length, have enabled me to
look bapk on the commercial difquifitions in
the laft book, with a degree of fatisfadtion that
at one period I dcipaired of obtaining ; being
well apprized that this part of my work will,
on many accounts, be moft obnoxious to criti-
cifiii. That it is now rendered free from mif-
takes, I do not indeed ptetend. In all re-
searches of a political and commercial nature,
the beft authorities are fometimes fallible ; and
there is frequently much difference both in
general opinion and particular computation be-
tween thofe who are equally felicitous for the
difcovery of truth. The faSts, however, that
/ I have coUedted cannot fail to be of ufe, whe-

ther the conclufions I have drawn from them
\>c well founded or not.

I might here clofe this introductory difcourfe,
and leave my book to the candour of my

readers ;

readers
ments t
their ki
and feel
of the ]
dignatio
afperfior
upon th
inhumai
I Ihould
thofe CO
giving I
gratitudt
lity, at 1
Sovereig
and the
injured c
condefce]
the Duk<
more vali
is found(
obfervati
of their
Thus pa
treat wit
the bafe
the leafl
with obl(
ed fuppo
innocenc
unfavour;
might in<
and hum;
Vol.

PREFACE;

readers ; but having made my acknowledg-
ments to thofe gentlemen who have given me
their kind afliftance in the compilation of it ;
and feeling, in common with-all the inhabitants
of the Britifli Weft Indies, a juft fenfe of in-
dignation at the malignant and unmerited
afperfions which are daily and hourly thrown
upon the planters, for fuppofed improper and
inhuman treatment of their African labourers j
I fhould ill acquit myfeljf, as the hiftorian of
thofe colonies, if I omitted this opportunity of
giving my teftimony to the fulnefs of their
gratitude, their honeft pride and lively fenlibi-
lity, at beholding, in a Son of their beloved
Sovereign, the generous aflcrtor of their rights,
and the ftrenuous and able defender of their
injured charadlers, and infulted honour ! The
condefcending and unfolicited interpofition of
the Duke of Clarence on this occauon, is the
more valuable, as, happily for the planters, it
is founded on his Royal Highnefs's perfonal
obfervation of their manners, and knowledge
of their difpolitions, acquired on the fpot.
Thus patronized and protected, while they
treat with lilent fcorn and defervcd contempt
the bafe efforts of thofe perfons who, without
the leaft knowledge of the fubjedt, alTail them
with obloquy and outrage, they find a dignifi-
ed fupport, in the confcioufnel's of their own
innocence, even under the mifguided zeal and
unfavourable prepofieirions of better men. It
might indeed be hoped, for the intereft of truth
and humanity, ihsxfuc/i men would jiow frank-
VoL. I. ' b ly

XVII

xvili

PREFACE.

ly acknowledge their error, and ingenuoufly
own> that we nave been moil cruelty traduced^
and ignominioufly treated : If this be too much
to afky we may at leaft expedt that gentlemen
of education and candour will no longer periift
in affording countenance to the vulgar prejudi-
ces of the envious and illiberal, by giving cur-
rency to fuggeftions which they cannot poflibly
know to be true, and which *we know to be
falfc.'

London, 1793*

P. S, The author has to obferve, that the firft part of
the work was written before his Return to the Weft Indies
in the beginning of 1787;— AconiMerable part while he
was there, and the remainder, with moft of the notes, fince
his return to Great Britam, in the autumn of 1792. It
may poflibly be found therefore, that events and changes of
a political and commercial nature have taken place, during
the time which elapfed in the progrefs of the wori^ diat
have paflled unnoticed in it; and the author is apprehenfive
alfo, that there are in fome of his pages, from the fjune
caufe, appearances of anachronifm ; which, however, it
was impoflible wholly to remove, without newly arranging
and modelling the work throughout.

I
%

[ xix ]

CONTENTS.

BOOK I.

A GENERAL VIEW OF THEIR ANCIENT STATft
AND INHABITANTS.

C H A P. I.

Ge OGRA PHICAL arrangement Climatt.

"-^Sea'hreezei and Land-wind.^^-Beauty and
Jingularity of the vegetable and animal creation^
— Magnificence and fuhlimity of the mountains :
rejledions concerning their origin, &c, - Page i

C H A P. II.

Of the Charaihes, or ancient tnkdbitants of the
Windward Iflands. — Origin, — DiJSculties at--
tending an accurate invejiigation of their cha-
rader. — Such particulars related as are leafi
diluted concerning their manners and difpoji-
tionSy perfons and domejlic habits, education of
their children, arts, manufactures, and govern*
ment, religious rites, funeral ceremonies, Sfc—
Some rejleSions drawn from the whole* - 24

CHAP.

CONTENTS.

C H A P. ni.. - ^

Of the natives of HiJpanJola, Cuba, 'Jamaica^
and Torto-Rico.-^Their Origin. — Numbers.-^
Perfons.-— 'Genius and difpojitions. — Government
and Religion, — Mifcellaneous Obfervations re~
/peeing their Arts, Manufa^ures and Agricul-
ture, Cruelty of the Spaniards, &c, - - 55

CHAP. IV.

Land animals ufed as food. — Fijhes and wild
fowl.— Indian method of fijhing and fowling.— *
Efcuknt vegetables, ^C'^ConcluJion. - - 87

AFPIE' ND IX', containing fome additional
obfervations concerning the origin of the Cha-
raibeSf " " • - • . loi

B O O K IL

Jamaica.

1^'

CHAP, I.

Pifcovery of Jamaica by Columbus. — His return
in iSo:^.^^Spirited ^proceedings of hisfpnl^iego,
after Columbus's death. — Takes pojfejion of Ja-
maica in 1509. — Humane condud of Juan de
Efquively thefrfl Governor. — Bflablijhment and
d^jertion of the town of Sevilla Nueva, — De-
Jlru&ion of the Indians, — St. Jago de la Vega

founded^

*li>

CONTENTS.

. founded. — Gives the title of Marquis to Die-
go's fin Lewist to whom the IJland is granted
in perpetual fovereignty.'-^De fiends to his ffier
Ifaoella^ wlut conveys her rights by marriage to
the Houfi of Braganza.-^-~ReL rts to the crown
of Spainy in 1 640. Sir Anthony Shirley in-
vades the Ifland in 1596, and CoL Jackfin in
1638. - • - • - 117

CHAP. II.

Cromwell vindicated for attacking the Spaniards
in i6-)t).—^Thetr cruelties in the Wejl Indies , in
contravention of the treaty of iS^o.-^PropoJh/s
offered by Modyford and Gage. — Forcible ar-
guments of the latter.-"-^— Secretary Thurlocs
account of a conference with the Spanijh Am-

haffador. CromweWs demand of fat is faction

rejeded. State of 'Jamaica on its cap'

fure, 135

CHAP. III.

Proceedings of the Englijh in Jamaica after its
capture. — Col. D^Oyley declared prejident."-^
Difiontents and mortality among the army.-"-'
Vigorous exertions of the Protedor.^^Col. Brayne
appointed commander in chief— ^His death,-^
lyOyley reaffumes the government.— ^-^Def eats
the Spanijh forces ^ which had invaded the if-
land from Cuba. — His wife and jleady admi-
niJlration.—Bucaniers. — -Conciliating condud
of Charles II. on his reJloration.'-^-FirJl ejiab-
lijhment of a regular government in Jamaica.
"^Lord Windfor^s appointment ^Royal procla-
mation. — American treaty in 1670. — Change of
meafures on the part of the crown. — Nexv con--
Jiitution devifedfor Jamaica.— ^Earl of Qarlijle

appointed

rxx

■^:;i-

Mu CONTENTS.

i^pointed chitf governor for the furfofe of eti"
forcing the new fyJiem.''^Succefsful oppofition
of the ajfembly^^^SubJequent difputis refpe&ing
the cenfirmatton of their /aws.-^Termittated by
the revenue aH of I'] 2S. • • 152

CHAP. IV.

Situation .-^'Climate. — Face of the Country.
Mountains, and advantages derived from them,
"^Soil. — Lands in Culture,^— -Lands unculti'
vated, and ohfervations thereon. — Woods and
Timbers. •'^Rivers and Medicinal Springs."^
Ores.-^- Vegetable- ClaJfes.'^Grain. — GrajTes.'-^
Kitchen'garden produce, and Fruits for the Ta-
lk^ ^c. ^c 175

Catalogue o/* Exotic Plants in the Botanical Gar-
Ant^ Jamaica, 1792. • • 190

e H A P. V.

Topographical defcfiption.'^Tmvns, villages, ar.d
parijaes. —-'-'Churches, church-livings, andvef
trios, -"-^Gofvernor or Commander in chie f.
Courts of judicature.-^Public Offices,, — Legif-
latufs and laws. •'^--Revenues,— Taxes. — C6/«j,
a»d rate of exchange.—Militia,'— -Number of

' inhabitants of all conditions and complexions,— -
Trade, Jhipping, exports and imports.— Report
, of the Lords of Trade in i '^y^,—Prefent Jlate
of the trade with Spanijk America,— ^Origin
iLnd policy of the a3 for eflablifiing free ports,
"^Difplay of the progrefs of the ifland in cul-
tivation, by comparative fiatements of its inha-
bitants and products at different periods. 203

JFPENDI X— N^ /. A Return of the Num-
ber of iSugar Plantations in the Ifland of Jamai-
ca,

COMTIKTS.

eSt and the Negro Slaves thereon^ on the i^thof
Marckf 1789, diflinguijbing the feveral Parifi'
es» - ----- ^yj

A PPE ND I X-N». //. Jn Hijiorkal Account
of the Conji.ution of Jamaica ; drawn up in
1764, for the Information of his Majejifs Mi*
niflers, by his Excellency William Hmry LitteU
ton, Governor and Commander in ChieJ of that
Ifland, - 238

Documents annexed to the hijforical Account* 249

««{«!

BOOK III.

ENGLISH CHARAIBEAN ISLANDS.

C H A P. I.

Barbadoes, — Firfl Arrival of the Englijh at this If*
land. — Origin, progrefs, and termination of the
Proprietary Government^^-^Revenue granted to
the Crown of i^\ per centum on all Produce ex-
ported-^how obtained^'^'^Origin of the AB of
Navigations—Situation and extent of the Ifland*
'^Soiland Produce. — Population. — Decline, and
Caufes thereof '■'Exports and Imports. - 315

CHAP, II.

Grenada and its Dependencies.-^-^-^Pirfidifcovery,
name and inhabitants.-^^Prench invajion and
efiablijhment in i65o» ■ War with, and ex-
termination of the natives* — The ifland and
its dependencies conveyed to the Count de Ce»
rillac. — Mifcondu6t and puuijbment of the de-
puty governor. — The colony reverts to the crown
of France. — State of the ifland in 1700. — And
again in 1 762, when captured by the Englijh.'^

Stipulations
3

Mtr CONTENTS.

Stipulations in favour of the French inhabitants.
"^Firft meafures of the Britijh government. —
Claim of the crown to levy a duty of 4J per
cent* on produce exported. — Arguments for and
ohjeiiions againf the meafure. — Decijion of the
court of king's bench on this important quejlion.
- — Strictures on fome pofttions advanced hy the
lord chief juflice on this occajion. — Tranfadions
within the colony. — Royal inJiruSi ions in favour
of the Roman Catholic capitulants.— — In tern aJ
dij/entions. — Defencelejs fate. — French invafton
in 1779. — Brave defence of the garrifon. — Un-
conditional furrender.'-^HardJhips exercifed to-
. wards the Englijh planters and their creditors,
— Redrcfs given by the court of France. — Gre-
nada, &c. rejlored to Great Britain by the peace
of 1783. — Prefent fate of the colony in'refped
to cultivation^ produBions and exports ; govern-
ment and population. - - - ^44

CHAP. IIL

St. Vincent and its Dependencies, and Dominica.

375

CHAP. IV.

Leeward Charaibean Ifland Government, compre-
hending St. Chrijlopher's, Nevis, Antigua, Mont-
ferrat,andthe Virgin Iflands. — Civil Hi for y and
Geographical Defcripion of each.-— Table of Ex-
ports f,om each Ifland for 1787; and an
Account of the Money ariftng from the Duty
of Four and a Half per Cent. — Obfervations
concerning the Decline of thefe Iflands, which
conclude their Hifory. - - - , 404

APPENDIX. Hortus Eajlenfts.

455

■ ^

,.4

.*■ .fr

! ;

»-»

K, <*-/...4'--

*" ■

■■'L.^'-'
^-^

/i h'^ '■ yl

'i\-

IVI ^IIIWiW *^.

'4MIM««»'

-.<<<%*(**>?*.,_•',,

PnMtfti /rtf lii/cf H^hite. I>til>li/i

s c

/«

'• iofu/ttt III M

CiitIm i'r./iilm/tnifBa\'\
('i^'ir JtitnpiU'

_ 1^- Ti'Tttti/tl _

^Klnithm

CliMntl

nell

.itOKMir tfy

^ ifUMtiuKir ^ Calrnr Ifl,^

//. J-'n^t'j/i

/! /iriich

r SpiinuA

S F. SpairuPi V f'um/t. .

Jill. Ihtfrh

J>.Oanuh

/t'tfLfh SfnfiUtJUi/a6'if t^it />tt/n'c

(KBlfUII

'■,,Hisltri/iM

f« A/v

7urV5 /^ /■;. />

'ijw

^OM(>ipr HaiKoia

<■• SanhtmUa or

•a

.<f»^

/at : tfciMilt

Jamaic:

'^JT'

Ttwinc of Cancer

tl CtucaM'.

JMrtf Jfeyx

1" X i ,.

-^ *Cunifci«

X^S'Mtrfir,- S. K

Qj}arntiifF^^

tfurrli^

It/-../*.-,. . if
•)0 .

/Uf Jift7ni7<7U' V

^ -Bcrttca

intfii /^r l„/cf tt'hifr. t>ul'/ui

/.J

i»i «■■

mmmm

1HMW—Miiwiii»ii I. '!..s^--

1 5

..■k.

•^i'.

A GENES

;^.

Geograpkica
i -^Sea-bre
Jingularit
on. — Ma
mountaim
gin, &c.

EOGRi

lion of Nat

THE

HIS T O R Y,

CIFIL AND COMMERCIAL,

«♦ •

OF THE

Btitifli Colonies in the Weft Indies.

,jp

B O O K I.

A GENERAL VIEW OP THEIR ANCIENT
STATE AND INHABITANTS.

.imn ■

CHAP. I.

[ Geographical arrangement. '•"■^Name. — Climate,
— Sea-breeze^ and Land-wind, — Beauty and
Jingularity of the vegetable and animal creati^
on. — Magnificence and fublimity of the
mountains ; refieQions concerning their ori-
gin, &c.

IGeOGRAPHERS^ following the diftribu- ^^i^^'
lion of Nature, divide the vaft Continent of ^^i^^y^^^
Lmerica into two great parts. North andArrangc-
mth; the narrow btit mountainous Ifthmus"*^"'*
>f Darien ferving as a link to conned them to-
gether, and forming a rampart againft the
encroachments of the Atlantic on the one fide.
Vol. I. B and

3 HISTORYOFTHE

BOOK and of the Pacific Ocean on the other. Thefc
^' great Oceans were anciently diftinguifhed alfo,

'"-^^^^ from their relative fituation, by the names of
the North and South Seas. *
Name. To that prodigious chain of Iflands which
extend in a curve from the Florida Shore
on the Northern Peniniula, to the Gulph of
Maracaybo on the Southern, is given the deno-
mination of Wefi Indies, from the name of
India originally afligned to them by Columbus.
This illuilrious Navigator planned his expedi-
tion, not, as Raynal and others have fuppofed,
under the idea of introducing a New World to
the knowledge of the Old ; but, principally,
in the view of finding a route to India by a
Weftern navigation; which he was led to
think would prove lefs tedious than by the
Coaft of Africa ; and this conclufion would
have been juft, if the geography of the Anci-
ents, on which it was founded, had been ac-
curate f. Indeed, fo firmly perfuaded was

Columbus

* The appellation of iVor/^, applied to that part of the
Atlantic which flows into the Gulph of Darien, feems now
to be entirely difufed; but the Pacific is ftili commonlj
called the South Sea. It was difcovcred in 1513, and,
having been firft entered towards the South, might, per
liaps, have derived its name from that circumilance.

f " The fpherical figure of the earth was known to the
' ancient geographers. They invented the method flill in ufe,
of computing the longitude and latitude of different places,
According to their doctrine, the equator contained 360 de-
grees; thefe they divided into twenty -four parts, or hours
each equal to fifteen degrees. The country of the Seres oi
Sin* being the farthefl part of India known to the an
cients, was fuppofed, by Marinus Tyrius, the moft emi
nent of the ancient geographers before Ptolemy, to be fif
teen hours, or 335 degrees to theeail of the firft meridian
paHing through the Fortunate Iflands. If this fuppofitioi
was well founded, the country of the Seres, or China, wa

onl

<■; y rr

continuec

difcovery

ingthattl

Eaflern e

Europe, li

in the fam

the Pacif

take, all

vifited ftil

and in co

Portuguefi

Hope, ha

courfe, th

of the Weft

Among

however,

glory of (

ancient fal

cotempora

ly-difcover

only nine hou

Canary Iflan(

much fhorter i

purfuing." I

debted to the '.

fcheme of Co!

principles, ace

v/hereas if he

difcover a nev

have been juft

projeiftor, and

temerity to th(

* Columbu

1492' In 141

Good Hope;

when Vafquea

modern naviga

midable attemj

which
Shore
Iph of I
deno-
me of I
imbus. 1
xpedi-
)pofed,
orldtol
:ipally,
ia by a
led to
by the
would
e Anci-
een ac-
id was
lumbus

irt of the
;ems novf
jommonlj
13, and,
|ght, per-
;e.

n to tK(
illinufe
int places.
360 de
or hours
ie Seres 01
the an
loft eml
to be fif
Imeridian
ippofitio
[hina, wa
onl

WEST INDIES. I

Columbus of its truth and certainty, that he CHAP,
continued to aflert his belief of it after the I*
difcovery of Cuba and Hifpaniola ; not doubt- ^
ing that thofeiflands conflituted fome part of the
Eaflern extremity of Aiia : and the nations of
Europe, fatisfied with fuch authority, concurred
in the fame idea. Even when the difcovery of
the Pacific Ocean had demonftrated, his mif-
take, all the countries which Columbus had
viiited (lill retained the name of the Indies ;
and in contradi(lin£lion to thofe at which the
Portuguefe, after paffing the Cape of Good
Hope, had at length arrived by an eaflern
courfe, they were now denominated the Indies
of the Weji*.

Among the Geographers of thofe days^
however, there were fome, who envying the
glory of Columbus, or giving more credit to
ancient fable than to the achievements of their
cotemporaries, perfifted in affigning to the new-
ly-difcovered Iflands the appellation of Antilia

only nine hours, or 135 degrees weft from the Fortunate or
Canary Iflands; and the navigation in that direction was
much Ihorter than by the courfe which the Portuguefe were
purfuing." From this account, for which the reader is in-
debted to the learned Dr. Robertfon, it is evident that the
icheme of Columbus was founded on rational fyftematical
principles, according to the light which his age afforded ;
v/hereas if he had propofed, without any fuch fupport, to
difcover a new hemifphere by failing weft ward; he would
have been juftly contidered as an arrogant and chimerical
projector, and fiiccefs itfelf would not have reconciled his
temerity to the fober dictates of reafon.

' * Columbus failed on his firft voyage the 3d of Auguft,
1492. In 1494 Barcholemus Dias diicovered the Cape of
Good Hope; but it was not doubled till the year 1497,
when Vafquez de Gama fucceeded (for the firft time in
modern navigation) in this, as it was then fuppofcd, for-
midable attempt.

B 2

4 HISTORYOFTHE

BOOK or Antiks : the nami (according to Charlevoix)
!• of an imaginary country, placed in ancient
charts about two hundred leagues to the Weft-
ward of Azores ; and it is a name ftill very
generally ufed by foreign Navigators, ithough
uie etymology of the word is as uncertan, as
the application of it is unjuft. To the Britifh
nation the name beftowed by Columbus is
ibundantly more familiar : and thus the whole
of the New Hemifphere is, with us, common-
ly comprifed under three great divifions;
North America, South America, and the Weft
Indies*.

But, fubordinate to this comprehenfive and
fimple arrangement, neceflity or convenience
has introduced more minute and local diftinc-
tions. That portion of the Atlantic which is

feparated

* The term /iHtiles is applied by Hoffman to the Wind-
ward or Charaibean lilanda onljr, anjd is by him thus ac-
counted for : ** Dicuntur Antilse Ameficae quafi ante Infu-
las Amerlcae, nempe ante majores Jnfulas Sinus Mexican!."
(Hqffinan Lexie. Univ.) Rochibrt and Du Tertre explain
the word nearly in the fa«ie manner, while Monf. D'An-
ville applies the name to thofe Ifl^nds, (»ly, which are more
immediately oppofed to, or iituated againfi, the Continent :
thus he terms Cuba, Hifpaniola, Jamaica, and Porto Rico,
the Great jintUest and the fmall Iflands of Aruba, Cura^oa,
Bonair, Magaritta^ and fome others near the coaft of Ca-
raccas on the fbuthern Peninfula, the Left ; excluding the
Charaibean Iflands altogether. A recurrence to the early
Spanilh HiAorians would have demonilrated to all thefe
writers, that the word Antilia wiis applied to Hifpaniola
and Cuba, before the difcovery either of the Windward
Iflands, or any part of the Ainerican Continent. This
appears from the lollowing paifage in the Firft Book of the
JFiril Decad of Peter Mastyr, wluch bears date from the
Court' of Spain November 1493, eight months only after
Columbus's return &om his firil expedition ; " Ophiram
Iniulam ie^e. reperiffe refert : fed Cofmoaraphorum tradhi
diligent(?T conliderato, jfntilst Infulae funt lUse et adjacentes
aliz : hanc Hi%aniolam appellavit, &c."

feparatec

and to tl

tioned, t

neral api

felf proj

Baiins: 1

Hondurai

latter tak

which bo

the Eaft.

fefled by

and terrc

of Hifpar

Columbus

like invad

it was in

that the If

ed, when

were by ]

raibean Ifl

Of this

joing to th

Rico, is 111

tindion of

in its place

* Vide In
Jefferies.
t Herrcra,
i It may
Navigators, i
neral, frequei
the terms Bar
ward and Lee
ilri<ft propiiet
of jhem in tl
Iflands of Cu
ihe latter. I
terms to the C

*»

WEST INDIES.' I

feparated from the main Ocean to the North CHAP^
and to the Eaft, by the Iflands I have men- ^*
tioned, although commonly knovin by the ge-
neral appellation of the Mexican Gulph, is it-
felf properly fubdivided into three diftindl
Bafins: the Gulph of Mexico, the Bay of
Honduras, and the Charaibean Sea^. The
latter takes its name from that clafs of Iflands
which bound this latter part of the Ocean to
the Eaft. Moft of thefe were anciently pof-
fefTed by a nation of Cannibals, the fcourge
and terror of the mild and inoffenfive natives
of Hifpaniola, who frequently exprefled to
Columbus their dread of thofe fierce and war-
like invaders, Charaibes, or Caribbees f . And
it was in confequence of this information,
that the Iflands to which thefe favages belong-
ed, when difcovered afterwards by Columbus,
were by him denominated generally the Cha-
raibean Iflands. y

Of this clafs, however, a group nearly ad-
joing to the Eaftern fide of St. John de Porto
Rico, is likewife called the Virgin Ifles ; a dif- ^
tindion of which the origin will be explained
in its place J. yj :. ;•

^ Neither,

* Vide Introduction to the Weft Indian Atlas, hy
Jefferies.

t Herrera, lib. i. Fer. Columbus, chap, xxxiii.

X It may be proper to obferve, that the old Spanlfh
Navigators, in fpeaking of the Weft India Iflands in ge-
neral, frequently diftineuilh them alfo into two claflTes, by
the terms Bario-vento and Sotavento, from whence our fVind-
noard and Leeward Iflands ; the Charaibean conftituting in
ftri<ft propriety the former clafs (and as fuch I fhall Ipeak
of jthem in the courfe of this work), and the four large
Iflands of Cuba, Jamaica, Hifpaniola, and Porto Kico,
the latter. But our Englifli mariners appropriate both
terms to the Charaibean luands only, fubdividing them ac-
cording

-^.■•*

HISTORY OF THE

Neither muft it pafs unobferved, that the
name of Bahama is commonly applied by the
EndiOi to that clufter of fmall iflands, rocks>
and reefs of fand, which ftretch in a North-
wcfterly diredion for the fpace of near three
hundred leagues, from the Northern coaft of
Hifpaniola to the Bahama Strait, oppofite the
Florida (hore. Whether this appellation is of
Indian* origin, as commonly fuppofed, is a
queflion I cannot anfwer ; neither does it merit
very anxious inveftigation : yet thefe little
iflands have defervedly a claim to particular
notice ; for it was one of them * that had the
honour of firft receiving Columbus, after a
voyage the moft bold and magnificent in defign,
and the moft imponant in its confequeuces, of
any that the mind of man has conceived, or
national adventure undertaken, from the be-
ginning of the world to the prefent hour.
Climate. Moft of the countries of which I propofe to
treat being fituated beneath the tropic of Can-
cer, the circumftances of climate, as well in
regard to general heat, as to the periodical
rains and coufequent variation of feaions, are
nearly the fame throughout the whole. The
temperature of the air varies indeed confide-
rably according to the elevation of the land ;
but, with this exception, the medium degree
of heat is much the fame in all the countries
of this part of the globe.

A tropical year feems properly to com-
prehend b"t two diftind feafons j the wet and

the

cording to their fituatlon in the courfe of the trade Avind;
the Windward Iflands by their arrangement terminating, I
believe with Martinico, and the Leeward commencing at
Donunica, and extending to Porto Rico.

* Guanahani. The whole group is called by the Spa-
niards Lucayos.

to commc

the foliag<

vivid, an

change th

firft perio<

peded, ai

die of the

Autumnal

ihowers.

commonly

breakups

and beauti

ant vegetal

fon varies

or eight d(

rains : its i

After tl

fortnight, i

and falutai

in full glor

and the Ik;

For fome \

ten in the

the fea-brec

fon blows i

and regula

heat is fcai

the influeni

all Nature

ftiade, bec<

pleifant.

little in the

dium, near

vrind ;
ting, I
ing at

e Spa-

W E S T INDIES.

the dry, but as the rains in thefe climates con- CHAP,
ititute two great periods, I (hall defcribe it, ^ _'•
like the European year, under four divifions.

The vernal feafon, or Spring, may be faid
to commence with the month of May, when
the foliage of the trees evidently becomes more
vivid, and the parched favannas begin to
change their ruflet hue, even previous to the
firft periodical rains, which are now daily ex*
peded, and generally fet in about the mid*
die of the month. Thefe, compared with the
Autumnal rains, may be faid to be gentle
fhowers. They come from the South, and
commonly fall every day about noon, and
break up with thunder-ftorms ; creating a bright
and beautiful verdure, and a rapid and luxuri-
ant vegetation. The thermometer at this fea-
fon varies conliderably ; commonly falling fix
or eight degrees immediately after the diurnal
rains : its medium height may be ftated at 75«.

After thefe rains have continued about a
fortnight, the weather becomes dry, fettled,
and falutary; and the tropical Summer reigns
in full glory. Not a cloud is to be perceived ;
and the Iky blazes with irrefiftible fiercenefs.
For fome hours, commonly between feven and
ten in the morning, before the fetting in of
the fea-breeze or trade-wind, (which at this fea-
fon blows from the fouth-eaft with great force
and regularity until late in the evening) the
heat is fcarcely fupportable ; but, no fooner is
the influence felt of this refreihiug wind, than,
all Nature revives, and the climate, in the
Ihade, becomes not only very tolerable, but
ple^fant. The thermometer now varies but
little in the whole twenty- four hours: its me-
dium, near the coaft, may be ftated at about

80'.

HISTORY OP THE

BOOK do". 1 have feldom obfervr'^ it higher than
85" at uoou, nor much below 75" at lun-rife.

The nights at this feafon are tranfcendently
beautiful. The clearnefs of the heavens, the
fereuity of the air, and the foft tranquillity in
which Nature repofes, contribute to harmo-
nize the mind, and produce the mofl calm and
delightful lenfaiions. The moon too in thefe
climates difplays far greater radiance than in
Europe ; the fmalleft print is legible by her
light ; and in the moon's abfence her fundion
is not ill fupplied by the brightnefs of the
milky-way, and by that glorious planet Venus,
which appears here like a little moon, and glit-
ters with fo refulgent a beam as to call a (hade
from trees, buildings, and other objefts, mak-
ing full amends for the fhort ilay and abrupt
departure of the crepufcnlum or twilight *.

This ftate of the weather commonly conti-
nues, with little variation, from the beginning
of June until the middle of Auguft, when the
diurnal breeze begins to intermit, and the at-
mofphere becomes fultry, incommodious, and
fuffocating. In the latter end of this month,
and moft part of September, we look about in
vain for coolnefs and comfort. The thermo-
meter occafionally exceeds 90", and inftead of
a fteady and refrelhing wind from the fea, there

are

* In the mountainous and interior parts of the larger
iflands, innumerable ^r^^rVj abound at night, Mihich have
afurpriiing appearance to a ftranger. They coniift of dif-
ferent fpecies, ibme of which emit a light, reiembling a
fpark of fire, from a globular prominence near each eye •,
and others from their fides in the adt of refpiration. They
are far more luminous than the glow-worm, and fill the air
on all fides, like fo many living ftars, to the great aftonifh-
roent and admiration of a traveller unaccuftomed to the
country. — In the day-tirne they difappear.

:fe V
to a con
they comi
mountain
and rollin
peak to
roaring o
the fcene,
the fpedla
mity.

The wa
gregated -v
fall with g
ginning oi
vens pour
has not vij
conceptio]
deluges tl
account w
height of
Barbadoes
peared to
cal inches

It is nov
ning of A
that hurri
the Almig
noflics of

•fr'

WESTINDIES. ^

areufually faint breezes and calms alternately. CHAP.
Thefe arc preludes to the fccond periodical ^•
or Autumnal fcafon. Large towering clouds, ^■'^''^^
fleecy, and of a reddifti hue, are now feen, in the
morning, in the quarters of the fouth, and Ibuth-
eafl; the tops of the mountains at the fame
time appear clear of clouds, and the objefts
upon them wear a blueifh caft, and feeni much
nearer to the fpedlator than ufual. When
thefe vaft accumulations of vapour have rifen
to a confiderable height in the atmofpherc,
they commonly move horizontally towards the
mountains, proclaiming their progrefs in deep
and rolling thunder, which, reverberated from
peak to peak, and anfwered by the diflant
roaring of the fea, heightens the majefty of
the fcene, and irrefiftibly lifts up the mind of
the fpedkator to the great Author of all fubli-
mity.

The waters, however, with which thefe con-
gregated vapours load the atmofphere, feldom
fall with great and general force until the be-
ginning of Odober. It is then that the hea-
vens pour down catarads. An European who
has not vifited thefe climates, can form no juil
conception of the quantity of A\ater which
deluges the earth at this feafon : by an exati
account which was kept of the perpendicular
height of the water which fell lu one year in
Barbadoes (and that no ways remarkable) it ap-
peared to have been equal to lixty-feven cubi-
cal inches.

It is now (in the interval between the begin-
ning of Auguft and the latter end of 06lober)
that hurricanes, thofe dreadful vifitations of
the Almighty, are apprehended. The prog-
noftics of thefe elementary confli^s, have been

minutely

HISTORY OF THE

'A ■

BOOK minutely defcribed by various writers, and
^* their effedls are known by late mournful ex-
perience to every inhabitant of every ifland
within the tropics, but their immediate caufe
feems to lie far beyond the limits of our cir-
cumfcribed knowledge.

Towards the end of November, or fome-
times not till the middle of December, a con-
fiderable change in the temperature of the air
is perceivable. The coails to the northward
are now beaten by a rough and heavy fea, roar-
ing with inceflant noife; the wind varies from
the eaft to the north-eaft and north, fometiraes
driving before it, acrofs the higheft mountains,
not only heavy rains but hail ; till at length, the
north wind having acquired fufficient force,
the atmofphere is cleared ; and now comes on
a fucceffion of ferene and pleafant weather, the
north-eaft and northerly winds fpreading cool-
nefs and delight throughout the whole of this
burning region.

If this interval, therefore, from December
to March, be called winter, it is certainly the
fineft winter on the globe. To valetudinarians
and perfons advanced in life, it is the climate
of Paradife.

The account which I have thus given is,
however, to be received not as uniformly ex-»
a6i and minutely particular ; but as a general
reprefentation only, fubjedl to many variations
and exceptions. In the large iflands of Cuba,
Hifpaniola, and Jamaica, whofe lofty moun-
tains are clothed with forefts perhaps as old as
the deluge, the rains are much more frequent
and violent than in the fmall iflands to wind-
ward; feme of which are without mountains,
and others without wood; both powerful agents
^ . ■ . , ,. ^ on

WEST INDIES.

on the atmofphere. In the interior and ele- CHAP,
vated diftridls of the three former iflands, I I-
believe there are ftiowers in every month of the
year; and oa the northern coafts of thofe
iflands, confiderable rains are expeded in De-
cember or January, foon after the fetting in of
the north winds.

Of the trade- wind, or diurnal fea-breeze,
which blows in thefe climates from the eaft,
and its collateral points, with little intei'mifllon
or variation nine months in the year, the caufes
having been traced and difplayed with great di-
ligence and accuracy by Dr. Halley, and re-
peated by numerous writers, it is unneceflary
for me to treat; but the peculiarity of the land-
wind by night (than which nothing can be
more grateful and refrefliing) has been lefs ge-
nerally noticed. This is an advantage, among
others, which the larger iflands of the Weft
Indies derive from the great inequality of their
furfacc; for as foon as the fea-breeze dies
away, the hot air of the plains being rarefiecf,
afcends towards the tops of the mountains, and
is there condenfed by the cold ; which making
it fpecifically heavier than it was before, it de-
fcends back to the plains on both fides of the
ridge. Hence a night-wind is felt in all the
mountainous countries under the torrid zone,
blowing on all fides from the land towards
the fliore, fo that on a north ftiore the wind
fliall come from the fouth, and on the fouth
Ihore from the north. Agreeably to this hypo-
thefis, it is obfervable that in the iflands to
windward, where they have no mountains,

they have no land-breeze *.

...;.--. ..,.., gut

* The account thtis given of the land-'wffid, is cLiefl/
in the words of Dt. Franklin, who& defcription is fo prc-

cife

^1^

HISTORY OF THE

But I now turn to fcenes of uncommon va-
riety and luftre ; to a retrofped of thefe iflands
as they muft have aippeared to the firft difco-
verers; than which, beheld from the fea, no
ohje6ls in nature could have been more ftrik-
ing to the imagination; not only from the
novelty of the fcene, but alfo from the beauty
of the fmaller iflands, and the fublimity of the
larger, whofe lofty mountains form a ftupen-
dous and awful pidure ; the fubjedl both of
wonder and contemplation.

Nor did thefe promiiing territories difap-
point expe6lation on a nearer fearch and more
accurate infpedlion. Columbus, whofe veraci-
ty has never been fufpeded, fpeaks of their
beauty and fertility in terms of the higheft ad-
miration : " There is a river (he obferves in one
of his letters to King Ferdinand) which dif-
charges itfelf into the harbour that I have
named Porto Santo *, of fufficient depth to
be navigable. I had the curiofity to found
it, and found eight fathom. Yet the water
is fo limpid, that I can eafily difcem the
fand at the bottom. The banks of this river
are embelliflied with lofty palm-trees, whofe
ihade gives a delicious frefhnefs to the air ;
and the birds and the flowers are uncommon
and beautiful. I was fo delighted with the
fcene, that I had almofl come to the refolu-

tion

((

cife and accurate as to admit of no improvement. In
Barbadoes, and moft of the fmall iflands to windward,
the fea-breeze blows as well by night as by day. It is fome-
times the cafe in Jamaica in the months of June and July,
the land at that time being heated to fuch a degree, that
the air of the mountains is not fufiiciently denfe to check
the current which ilkjws from the fea. \

\ * In Cuba.

» v# -tx *f

*ff^i

'■ll

f '

• i I;-

•ij

tc.

WEST INDIES.

ward,
fome-

Julx.
, that
check

" tion of flaying here the remaindc • of my CHAP.
" days ; for believe me, Sire, thefe countries ^*
far furpafs all the reft of the world in plea- ^^ ^
fure and conveniency ; and I have frequent-
ly obferved to my people, that, with all my
'« endeavours to convey to your Majefty an
" adequate idea of the charming objedls which
" continually prefent themfelves to our view,
" the defcription will fall greatly Ihort of the
« reality."

How ill informed, or prejudiced, are thofe
late writers, therefore, who, affeding to dif-
believe, or endeavouring to palliate, the enor-
mities of the Spanifti invaders, reprefent thefe
once delightful fpots, when firft difcovered by
Columbus, to have been fo many impenetrable
and unhealthy deferts! It is true, that after
the Spaniards, in the courfe of a few bloody
years, had exterminated the ancient and right*
ful pofTeffors, the earth, left to its own natural
fertility, beneath the influence of a tropical
fun, teemed with noxious vegetation. Then,
indeed, the fairefl of the iflands became fo ma-
ny frightful folitudes, impervious and unwhole-
fome. Such was the condition of Jamaica
when wrefted from the Spanifti Crown in 1655,
and fuch is the condition of great part of Cuba
and Porto Rico at this day; for the infinitely
wife and benevolent Governor of the univerfe,
to compel the exertion of thofe faculties which
he has given us, has ordained, that by human
cultivation alone, the earth becomes the pro-
per habitation of man *. >

But

* Dr. Lind, in his •' Eftay on the Difeafes of Hot Cli-
'* mates," has preferved an extraA from the Journal of
^ an OfHcet who failed up a river on the coaft of Guinea,

which

BOOK
I.

HISTORY OF THE

But as the Weft Indian Iflands in their an-
cient ft ate were not without culture, fo neither
were they generally noxious to health. The
plains or favannas were regularly fown, twice
in the year, with that fpecies of grain which is
now well known in Europe by the name of
Turkey Wheat. It was called ty the Indians
Mahez, or Maize ; a name it ftill bears in all
the Iflands ; nor does it require very laborious
cultivation. This however conftituted but a
part only, and not the moft conliderable part,
of the vegetable food of the natives. As thefe
countries were at the fame time extremely po-
pulous, both the hills and the vailies (of the
fmaller iflands efpecially^ were neceflarily clear-
ed of underwood, and the trees which remain-
ed afforded a fliade that was cool, airy, and de-
licious. Of thefe, fome, as the papaw and the
palmeto*, are, without doubt, the moft grace-
ful of all the vegetable creation. Others con-
tinue to bud, bloffom, and bear fruit through-
out the year. Nor is it undeferving notice,
that the great Father of mankind has difplayed

his

■whicK affords a ftrlking lUullration of this remark : " We
** were (fays the Officer) thirty miles diftant from the fea,
*' in a country altogether uncultivated, overflowed vrith
*' water — ^furrounded with thick impenetrable woods, and
" over-run with flime. The air was fo vitiated, noifome
*' and thick, that our torches and candles burnt dim,
** and feemed ready fo be extingui/hed ; and even the human
** voice lo/l its natural tone." Part I. p. 64.

* The fpecies here meantL(for there are feveral) is the
palmeto-royal, or mountanf-cabbage. Lieon mentions
ibme, at the firft fettlement of Barbadoes, aDout 200 feet
in height ; but Mr. Hughes obfer\'es, that the higheft in
his time, in that ilia nd, was 134. feet. I am inclined to
believe, that I have feen them in Jamaica upwards of 150
feet in height; but it is impoffible to fpeak with certainty
without an at^ual meafurement.

WEST INDIES.

-m,

his goodnefs even in the ftrudlure and forma- CHAP,
tion of the trees themfelves ; for, the foliage ^•
of the moft part fpringing only from the fum-
mit of the trunk, and thenv^e expanding into
wide-fpreading branches, clofely but elegantly
arranged, every grove is an aflemblage of ma-
jeftic columns, Supporting a verdant canopy,
and excluding the fun, without impeding the
circulation of the air. Thus the fhade, at all
times impervious to the blaze, and refrefhed
by the diurnal breeze, affords, not merely a re-
fuge from occafional inconveniency, but a
moft wholefome and delightful retreat and ha-
bitation.

Such were thefe orchards of the Sun, and
woods of perennial verdure ; of a gro wth un-
known to the frigid clime and lei's vigoro^is
foil of Europe ; for what is the oak compared to
the cedar or mahogany, of each of which the
trunk frequently meafures from eighty to nine-
ty feet from the.bafe to the limbs? What Eu-
ropean foreft has ever given birth to a ftem
equal to that of the ceiba *, which alone, lim-
ply rendered concave, has been known to
produce a boat capable of containing one
hundred perfons ? or the ftill greater fig, the
fcvereigc. of the vegetable creation, — itfelf a
foreft t?

The majeftic fcenery of thefe tropical groves
was at the fame time enlivened by the lingu-
lar forms of fome, and the furprifmg beauty
of others of the inferior animals which pof-

fefTed

* The -wild cotton tree.

t This monarch of the woods, whofe empire extends
over Alia and Africa, as -well as the tropical parts of Ame-
rica, i« defcribed by our divine Poet with great exaft-
nefs :

'' ' The

■ \

HISTORY OF THE

BOOK fefled and peopled them. Although thefe will
T. be more fully defcribed in the fequel, a few
obfervations which at prefent occur to me,
w' U, I hope, be forgiven. If it be true, that
in moft of the regions of the torrid zone the
heat of the fun is, as it were, refled^ed in the
untameable fiercenefs of their wild beafts, and
in the exalted rage and venom of the numerous
ferpents with which they are infefted, the So-
vereign Difpofer of all things has regarded the
Iflands of the Weft Indies with peculiar fa-
vour; inafmufeh as their ferpents are wholly de-
ftitute of poifon *, and they poilefs no animal

The fig-tree, not that kind for fruit renown'd.
But fuch as at this day to Indians known
In Malabar and Decan, fpreads her arms,
' . . Branching fo broad and long, that in the ground
' The bearded twigs take root, and daughters grow
Above the mother tree, a pillar* djhade^
High over-arched, and echoing walis hetiveen !

Paradife Loft, Book IX.
It is called in the Eaft Indies the banyan-tree, Mr. Marf-
den gives the following account of the dimenfions of one,
near Manjee, twenty miles weft of Patna in Bengal : Dia*
meter, 363 to 375 feet; circumference of the ihadow at
noon, II 16 feet; circumference of the feveral ftems, in
number fifty or fixty, 921 feet. Hift. Sumatra, p. 131.

* I fiy this on the authority of Brown, Charlevoix,
and Hughes (of whom the firft compiled the Hiftory of
Jamaica, the fecond that of Hifpaniola, aixi the laft of
Barbadoes) — on the teftimony of many gentlemen who
have refided in feveral of the Windward lilands — and on
my own experience during a refidence of fifteen years in
Jamaica. In that time I neither knew nor heard of any
perfon being hurt from the bite of any one ipecies of the
numerous fnakes or lizards known in that iuand. Some
of the fnakes I have myfelf handled with perfeA iecurlty.
I conclude, therefore (notwithftanding the contrary afler-
tion of Du Terire refrie<^ing Martimco and St. Lucia)
that all the Iflands are providentially exem]^ted from thi»
evil. Neverthelefs it muft be admitted, that the circum-
, ,. . ftance

WEST INDIES.

of prey, to dcfolate their vallies. The croco- CHAP.

dile, or alligator, is indeed fometimes difcover- ^'
led on the banks of their rivers; butnotwith-

flanding all that has been faid of its fierce and
jfavage difpofiticji, I pronounce it, from my

own knowledge,' a cautious and timid creature,
javoiding, with the utmoil precipitation, the
lapproach of man. The refl; of the lizard kind
lare perfedly innocent and inolFenfive. Some
lof them are even fond of human fociety.
iThey embellifh our walks by their beauty, and
Icourt our attention by gentlenefs and frolic ;
[but their kindnefs, I know not why, is returned
iby averiion and difguft. Anciently the woods
Vol. I. C of

lance is extraordinary ; inafmuch as every part of the con-
inent of America, but efpecially thofe provinces which lie
inder the Equator, abound in a high degree Avith ferpents,

irhofe bite is mortal. Mr. Bancroft, in his Account ok'

ruiana, gives a dreadiul lift of fuchasare iound in that ex-
Itenfive country; and, inipeakingof oneof afpecies which he
calls the fmall labarra^ makes mention of a negro who was
Linfortunately bit by it in the finger. The negro had but
juft time to kill the fnake, when his limbs became unable
[0 fupport him, and he fell to the ground, and expired in
lefs than five minutes.— —Dr. Dancer, in his Hiftory of
[he Expedition from Jamaica to Fort Juan on the Lake of
tlicaragua, in 1780, which he attended as phyiician, re-
lates the following circumftance : A fnake hanging from
the bough of a tree bit one of ihe foldiers, as he paifed
along, juil under the orbit of the kit eye ; from whence
[he poor man felt fuch intenfe ^ain, that he was unable to
broceed: and when a meifenger was fent to him a few
lours afterwards, he was found dead, with all the lymp-
[oms of putrefa^on, a yellownefs and fwelling over his
vliole body ; and the eye near to which he was bitten,
I'hoUy difiblved. This circumftance was confirmed to me
by Colonel Kemb^e, who commanded in chief on that ex^
j)cdiiion. It may not be ufckfs to add, that tholb ferpents
vhich are venomous are furniihed with fangs Ibinewhat
lefembling the tuiks of a boar ; they are moveable, and
arerced in the upper jaw.

m
I .'I ■

HISTORY OF THE

mi^

p^. i. •

BOOK of almoft all the equatorial parts of America
*• abounded with various tribes of the fmaller
monkey ; a fportive and fagacious little crea-
ture, which the people of £urope feem like-
wife to have regarded with unmerited detefta-
■tion ; for they hunted them down with fuch
barbarous afliduity, that in feveral of the iflands
every fpecies of them has been long fince ex-
terminated. Of the feathered race too, many
tribes have now nearly deferted thofe ftiores
where polifhed man delights in fpreading uni-
verfal and capricious deftrudion. Among
thefe, one of the moft remarkable was the fla-
mingo, an elegant and princely bird, as large as
the fwan, and arrayed in plumage of the bright-
eft fcarlet. Numerous, however, are the fea-
thered kinds, defervedly diftinguilhed by their
fplendour and beauty, that ftill animate thefe
fylvan receffes. The parrot, and its various
affinities from the maccaw to the perroquet,
fome of them not larger than a fparrow, are
too well known to require defcription. Thefe
are as plentiful in the larger iflands of the Weft
Indies as the rook is in Europe. But the boaft
of American groves is doubtlefs the colibry,
or humming bird ; of the brilliance of whofe
plumage no combination of words, nor tintsl
of the pencil, can convey an adequate idea]
The confummate green of the emerald, the rich
purple of the amethyfl:, and the vivid flame of
the ruby, all happily blended and enveloped|
beneath a tranfparent veil of waving gold, an
diftinguiftiable in every fpecies, but different!
arranged and apportioned in each. Nor is tb
minutenefe of its form lefs the objed of ad
miration, than the luftre of its plumage ; tb
fmalleft fpecies not exceeding the fize of

.V : beetle,

beetle, a;

the bird ;

It has

though n

birds of t

greater pc

and the ol

digalityof

ders everj

is unknow

ons; yet a

harmonioui

defervedly

riads of bu

of the inni

}ng in thefe

if it ferve

butes at lea:

the murmur

repofe.

.But, refig

minutely de

of thefe reg

markable ths

thefe, the fn

active life, t

jedls of inai

abrupt ; but i

elevation of t

that the Aim

ed the wonc

of South An

twice the hei

liemifphere, a

their tops im

thofe maflive

Imoft elevated

WEST INDIES.

beetle, and appearing the link which connefls CHAP,
the bird and infedl creation. I*

' It has been frequently obferved, that al-
though nature is profufe of ornament to the
birds of the torrid zone, fhe has bei^'> 'ed far
greater powers of melody on thofe of Europe ;
and the obfenration is partly true. That pro-
digality of mufic which in the vernal feafon ren-
ders every grove in Great Britain delightful*
is unknown to the ihades of equatorial reri*
ons ; yet are not thefe altogether filent or m-
harmonious. The note of the mock-bird is
defervedly celebrated, while the hum of my-
riads of bufy infedls, and the plaintive melooy
of the innumerable variety of doves abouna-
ing in thefe climates, form a concert, which,
if it ferve not to awaken the fancy, contri-
butes at leafl to footh the afiedions, and, like
the murmuring of a rivulet, gives harmony to
repofe.

But, refigning to the naturalift the tafk of
minutely dei'cribing the fplendid aerial tribes
of thefe regions, whofe variety is not lefs re-
markable than their beauty, I now return from
thefe, the fmallefl and mofl pleating forms of
active life, to the largeft and moft awful ob-
Ijeds of inanimate nature. The tranfition is
I abrupt ; but it is in the magnitude, extent, and
elevation of the mountains of the New World,
that the Almighty has moil ftrikingly manifefl-
ed the wonders of his omnipotence. Thofe
of South America are fuppofed to be nearly
twice the height of the higheft in the ancient
heraifphere, and, even under the equator, have
their tops involved in everlafting fnow. To
Ithofe mallive piles, the loftieil fummits of the
Imoft elevated of the Weft Indian Iflands can-

C z not

HISTORY OF THE

OOK not indeed be compared; but fome of thefc
!• rife, neverthelefs, in amazing grandeur, and
arc among the firft objects that fix the atten«
tion of the voyager. The mountains of Hif-
paniola in particular, whofe wavy ridges are
defcried from fea at the diftance of thirty
leagues, towering far above the clouds in flu-
pendous magnificence, and the blue mountains
of Jamaica, have never yet, that I have heard,
been fully explored. Neither curiofity nor
avarice has hitherto ventured to invade the top-
mofl of thofe lofty regions. In fuch of them
as are acceflible, nature is found to have put
on the appearance of a new creation. As the
climate changes, the trees, the birds, and the
infedls are feen alfo to differ from thofe which
are met with below. To an unaccuilomed
fpedlator, looking down from thofe heights,
the V lole fcene appears like enchantment.
The firft objedl which catches the eye at the
dawn of day, is a vaft expanfe of vapour, co-
vering the whole face of the vallies. Its boun*
daries being perfectly diftindl, and vifibly cir-
cumfcribed, it has the exad refemblance of an
immenfe body of water, while the mountains
appear like fo many iflands in the midfl of a
beautiful lake. As the fun increafes in force,
the profped varies: the incumbent vapours
fly upward, and melt into air; difclofing all
the beauties of nature, and the triumphs of in
duftry, heightened and embellifhed by the fulll
blaze of a tropical fun. In the equatorial fea
ion, fcenes of ftill greater magnificence fre
quently prefent themlelves ; for, while all i
calm and ferene in the higher regions, th(
clouds are feen below fweeping along the fidei
of the mountains in vaft bodies ; till, growin

mora

niore pon

length in

found of i

fpciSator s

to irradiate

verberated

neath his f

But lofti

rally are, '

known par

teftible evi

flion over i

diftance aff<

conclufion.

and their v

convexities,
tuations^ of
too, marine
til various pi
on a mounta
petrified oyf
fembled, in (
the large oy
land; afpec
believe, intl
then, is an a
tiate in ; anc
ed greater ex
ters, than th
Some philofo
various ineqi
ges of the d<
fountains as
maintain that
and that, firft
were created
to the force of

-^'".

WEST INDIES.

«t

more ponderous by accumulation, they fall at CHAP,
length in torrents of water oa the plains. The I*
found of the tempeft is diftindlly heard by the
fpeftator above ; the diftant lightening is I'een
to irradiate the glooiM ; while the thunder, re-
verberated in a thouland echoes, rolls far be-
neath his feet.

But lofty as the tropical mountains gene-
rally are, it is wonderfully true, that all the
known parts of their fummits furniih incon-
teftible evidence that the fea had once domi-
nion over them. Even their appearance at a
diftance affords an argument in I'upport of this
conclufion. Their ridges refemble billows,
and their various inequalities, inflexions, and
convexities, feem juftly afcribable to the fluc-
tuationsi of the deep. As in other countries
too, marine ihells are found in great abundance
in various parts of thefe heights. I have feen
on a mountain in the interior parts of Jamaica
petrified oyfters dug Uj); which perfedly re-
fembled, in every the moft minute particular,
the large oyfters of the weftern coaft of Eng-
land ; a fpecies not to be found at this time, I
believe, in the feas of the Weft Indies. Here,
then, is an ample field for conjefture to expa-
tiate in ; and indeed few fubjedts have afford-
ed greater exercife to the pens of phyfical wri-
ters, than the appearances I have mentioned.
Some philofophers affign the origin of all the
various inequalities of the earth to the . va-
ges of the deluge. Others, conftdering the
mountains as the parents of fprin^s and rivers,
maintain that they are coeval with the world ;
and that^ firft emerging from the abyfs, they
, were created with it. Some again afcribe them
I to the force of volcanos and earthquakes : " the

^•Abnighty,"

HISTORY OF THE

'I'lB'i

PI I*'

** Almighty," fay they, " while he permits
fubterranean fires to fwallow up cities and
plains in one part of the globe, caufes them to
produce promontories and iflands in another,
which afterwards become the fruitful feats of
induftry and happinefs.

All thefe and other theorifts concur, howe-
ver, in the belief that the furface of the globe
has undergone many furpriling and violent
couvulfions and changes fince it nrft came from
the hands of the Creator. Hills have funk in-
to plains, and vallics ha\c been exalted into
hills. Refpeding the numerous iflands of the
Weft Indies, they are generally confidcred as
the tops of lofty mountains, the eminences of
a great continent, converted into iflands by a
tremendous concuflion of nature, which, in-
creafing the natural courfe of the ocean from
Eaft to Weft, has laid a vaft extent of level
country under water *.

But notwithftanding all that has been writ-
ten on this fubjedl, very little feems to be
known. The advocates of this fyftem do not
fufficiently confider, that the lea could not
have covered fo great a portion of land on one
fide of the globe without leaving an immenfe
fpace as fuddenly dry on the other. We have
no record in hiftory of fo mighty a revolution,
nor indeed are many of the premifes on which
this hypothefis is built, eftabliftied in truth.

Perhaps, iiiftead of confidering thefe iflands
as the fragments of a defolated continent, we
ought rather to regard them as the rudiments
of a new one. It is extremely probable, that
many of them, even now, are but beginning

* See L'Abbe Ra/nal, L'Abb^ Pluche, and others.

upper parts

thefe ftrata

fudden revc

al, and fucc

flow of tide;

which have

creation, ac

deep operat

I fore, moft

happened ii

globe, and t

and inequali

lifh, and in

|leaft) deface

But by wh;

I accumulated

reach of the

I to increafe t

height at whi

the Andes ?

Ion Mr. Buffo

lup his waves

fnows of Chii

I mock our n

W E S T I N I) 1 £ S. 23

to emerge from the bofom of the deep. Mr. CHAP.
BufTon nas Ihewu, by incontrovcnible evi- ^•
dence, that the bottom of the fea bears an
exad refemblance 10 the land which we inha-
bit ; confifting, like the earth, of hills and
rallies, plains and hollows, rocks, lands and
foils of every confiflence and i'pecies. To the
motion of the waves, and th^ lediments which
they have depofited, he imputes too, with
great probability, the regular pofitions of the
various ftrata or layers which compol'e the
upper parts of the earth ; and he fhews that
thefe ilrata cannot have been the effed of a
fudden revolution, but of caufes flow, gradu-
al, and fucceflive in their operations. To the
flow of tides and rivers, depofiting materials
which have been accumulating ever fince the
creation, and the various flu6luations of the
deep operating thereon, he afcribes, there-
fore, mofl of the great changes which have
happened in the original ftru£ture of our
globe, and the rife of many of thofe heights
and inequalities which in lome parts embel-
lifli, and in others (to our limited view at
leafl) deface it.

But by what means did thefe materials, when
accumulated together, and raifed to the utmofl
reach of the furrounditag fluid, ftill continue
to increafe till they became elevated to the
height at which we now behold the Alps and
the Andes ? Who can believe that the ocean,
on Mr. Bufibn's fyflem, has at any time lifted
up his waves to the peak of TenerifF, or the
fnows of Chimborazo * ? Thefe are points that
mock our refearches; for conjedures are

endlefs,

'•• • Tlic higheft of the Andes.

HISTORY OF THE

BOOK endlefs, and the labours of the wifeftof men
I- afford but a glimmering of light to direft us
in tracing the wonders of creation. They
who feem beft qualified to contemplate the
works of the Deity, will moft readily ac-
knowledge that it is not for men to unfold
the page of Omnipotence ! — Happy, if to
confcious ignorance they add humble adora-
tion.

CHAP.- II.

■■■■%

Of the CkaraibeSy or ancient Inhabitants of the
Windward Iflands. — Origin. — Difficulties at-
tending an accurate invefiigation of their

' charaiier. — Suck particulars related as are
leaji difputed concerning their manners and
difpofttionSj perfons and domejlic habits ^ edu"
cation of their children, arts, manufailures,
and government, religious rites, funeral ce-
remonies, &c. — Some refections drawn from
the whole.

.AVING thus given an account of the
climate and feafons, and endeavoured to con-
vey to the reader feme faint idea of the beauty
and magnificence with which the hand of
Nature arrayed the furface of thefe numerous
Tflands, I Ihall now proceed to enquire after

thofe

[■' ;,-

■

■r- , ; t;

WEST INDIES.

lerous

after

1 thofe

thofe inhabitants to whofe fupport and conve- CHAP.
niency they wete chiefly found fubfervient, ^^•
when they firft came to the knowledge ot
Europe.

It hath been obferved in the |)receding
chapter that Columbus, on his firft arrival at
Hifpaniola, received information of a barba-
rous and warlike people, a nation of Canni-
bals, who frequently made depredations on
that, and the neighbouring Illands. They
were called Caribbees, or Charaibes, and were
reprefented as coming from the Eaft. Colum-
bus, in his fecond voyage, difcovered that they
were the inhabitants of the Windward Iflands.
The great difference in language and charac-
ter between thefe favages and the inhabitants of
Cuba, Hifpaniola, Jamaica and Porto-Rico,
hath given birth to an opinion that their ori-
gin alfo, was different. Of this there feems
, indefid to be but little doubt ; but the queftion
from whence each clafs of Iflands was firft
peopled, is of more difficult folution. Roche-
fort, who publiihed his account of the Antiles
in 1658, pronounces the Charaibes to have
been originally a nation of Florida, in North
America. — He fuppofes that a colony of the
Apalachian Indians having been driven from
that continent, arrived at the Windward If-
lands, and exterminating the ancient male in-
habitants, took poifeffion of their lauds, and
their women. Of the larger iflands above-
mentioned, he prefumes that the natural
ftrength, extent and population affording fe-
curity to the natives, thefe happily efcaped the
deftrudlion which overtook their unfortunate
neighbours ; and thus arofe the diftin£liou ob-

fervable

■<•

Ife'i

IrHi

HISTORY OF THE

BOOK, fervable between the inhabitants of the larger
I- and fmaller iflands *.

To this account of the origin of the Infular
Charaibes, the generality of hiftorians have
given their aflent ; but there are doubts attend-
ing it that are not eafily folved. If they mi-
grated from Florida, the imperfedl ftate and na-
tural courfe of their navigation, induce a be-
lief that traces of them would have been found
on thofe iflands which are near to the Florida
Shore ; yet the natives of the Bahamas, when
difcovered by Columbus, were evidently a fi-
milar people to thofe of Hifpaniola f. Befides,
it is fufficiently known that there exifted anci-
ently many numerous and powerful tribes of
Charaibes, on the Southern Peninfula, extend-
ing from the river Oronoko to EfTequebe, and
throughout the whole province of Surinam,
even to Brafil ; fome of which flill maintain
their independency. It was with one of thofe
tribes that our countryman Sir Walter Raleigh
formed an alliance, when that commander
made his romantic expedition to the coaft of
Guiana in 1595 J ; and by him we are aflured
that the Charaibes of that part of the Conti-
nent, fpoke the language of Dominica §. I in-
cline therefore to the opinion of Martyr ||, and,
conclude that the iflanders were rather a Co-
lony from the Charaibes of South America,
than from any nation of the North. Rochefort
admits that their own traditions referred con-

* Rochefort Hiftoire des Ifles Antilles, liv. ii. c. vii.
See ailb, P. Labat nouveau Voyage aux Ifles de L'Ameri-
que, torn. iv. c. XV.

t Herera, lib. ix. chap. II. ' ''.

X Bancroft's Hiftory of Guiana, p. 259.

§ Hakluyt, vol. ill. p. 668.

U P. Martyr, Decad. z. lib. i.

litu

WEST INDIES.

7»

ftantly to Guiana*. It does not appear that CHAP,
they entertained the moft remote idea of a ^^'
Northern anceftry.

It may be thought, perhaps, that the Con-
tinental Charaibes, were themfelves emigrants
from the Northern to the Southern Peninfula :
But, without attempting to controvert the po-
iition, to which recent difcoveries feem indeed
to have given a full confirmation, namely that
the Afiatic Continent firft furnifhed inhabitants
to the contiguous North- Weflern parts of
America, I conceive the Charaibes to have
been a diftindl race, widely differing from all
the Nations of the New Hemifphere ; and I
am even inclined to adopt the opinion of Hor-
nius and other writers, who afcribe to them
an oriental anceftry from acrofs the Atlantic f .

Eniquiries however into the origin of a re-
mote and unlettci- 1 race, can be profecutcd
with fuccefs only y i omparing their ancient
manners, laws, h ;*pi;e, and religious cc-^e-
monies with thofe of other nations. Unfortu-
nately, in all or moft of thofe particulars re-
fpedling the Charaibes, our knowledge is li-
mited within a narrow circle. Of a people
engaged in perpetual warfare, hunted from
ifland to ifland by revenge and rapacity, few
opportiuiities could have offered, even to thofe
who might have been qualified for fiich re-

fearches,

* Rochefort, liv. *ii. c. vii. See alfo, Note 94 to Dr.
Robertfon's Hiftory of America. The people called Gali-
bis^ mentioned by Dr. K. are the Charaibes of the Conti-
nent, the term Galtbis or Callbis (as it is written by Du
Tertre) being, as I conceive, corrupted from Caribbee,
Vide Lafitau, torn. i. p. 297. and Du Tertre, torn. ii. p.
360.

t Some arguments in fupport of this opinion are fuby
joined in the Appendix to £ook 1.

'.'■■

HISTORY OF THE

-I- '■ .

lip

BOOK fearches, of inveftigating the natural difpofiti*
^- ons and habitual cuftoms with minutenefs and
precilion. Neither indeed could a juft efti-
niate have been formed of their national cha-
radler, from the manners of fuch of them as
were at length fubjugated to the Eurapean
yoke ; for they loft, together with their free-
dom, many of their original charafteriftics ;
and at laft even the defire of afting from the
impulfe of their own minds. We difcern,
fayi Rochefott *, a wonderful change in" the
difpofitions and habits of the Gharaibes. In
fome refpedls we have enlightened, in others
(to our Ihame be it fpoken) we have corrupted
them. An old Charaibe thus addrefifed one
of our planters on this fubjeft : — " Our people,
he complained, are become almoft: as bad as
yours. — We are fo much altered fince you
came among us, that we hardly know otir-
felves, and we think it is owing to fo me-
lancholy a change, that hurricanes are more
frequent than they were formerly. It is
the evil fpirit who has done all this, — who
has taken our beil lands from us, and given
us up to the dominion of the Chriftians f.
• > jvty

* Rochefort. liv. ii. ch. ix. p. 436.

t This extraft from Rochefort is furely a fufficient an.
Twer to the obfervations of Monf. de Chanvalon, who
A rote fo late as 1751, and judging of all the Charaibes
Irom the few with whom he had any communication, repre-
fents them as not poffeffing any fagacity or forefight beyond
mere animal inftind. He makes no allowance for their
degradation in a ftate of captivity and fervitude, although
in another part of his book, fpeaking of the African blacks
in the Weft Indies, he dwells ftrongly on this circumflance
refpeding the latter. " Peut on connoitre (he obferves)
" le vrai genie d'un peuple opprime, qui voit fans celTe les
*' chatimens leves fur fa tete, et la violence toujours prCte

((

WEST INDIES.

My prefent inveftigation muft therefore be CHAP,
neceflarily defedive. Neverthelefs, by iciodl- H.
ing and combining fuch memorials as are ieaft
controverted, I fliall hope to exhibit a few
ftriking particulars in the charaAer of this ill-
fated people, which, if I miftake not, will lead
to forae important conclufions in the ftudy of
human nature.

Their fierce fpirit and warlike difpofition
have already been mentioned. Hiflorians have
not failed to notice thefe, among the moil dif-
tinguifhable of their qualities *. — Reftlefs, en-
terprizing and ardent, it would feem they con-
sidered war as the chief end of their creation,
and the refl of the human race as their natu-
ral prey ; for they devoured without remorfe
the boaies of fuch of their enemies (the men
at leaft) as fell into their hands. — This cuftom
is fo repugnant to our feelings, that for a cen-
tury

" a 6tre foutenue par la politique et la fiirete publique ?
" Peut on juger de la valeur, quand elle eft enchainee, et
" fans armes?" — Voyage a la Martinique, p. 58.

* Dr. Robertfon, in note 93 to the firft vol. of bis
Hiftory of America, quotes from a MS. Hiftory of Ferdi-
nand and Ifabella, written by Andrew Bernaldes, the co-
temporary and friend of Columbus, the following inftance
of the bravery of the Charaibes. " A canoe with four
" men, two women, and a boy, unexpectedly fell in with
" Columbus's fleet. A Spanifh bark with 25 men was fent
" to take them, and the fleet in the mean time cut off their*
" communication with the Ihore. Inftead of giving way
•' to defpair, ?he Charaibes feized their arms with undaunt-
" ed refolution, and began the attack, wounded feveral of
" the Spaniards although they had targets as well as other
" defenlive armour, and even after the canc; was overfet,
" it was with no little difliculty and danger that fome of
" them were I'ecured, as they continued to defend themfelvcs,
*' and to ufe their bows with great, dexterity while fwJm-
** ming in the fea."-— — licrrara has recorded the fame
anecdote. ,

_1 w"

$•

HISTORY OF THE

^'M'S-

tVi

BOOK tury paft, until the late difcoveries ofafimilar
!• pxaAice in the countries of the Pacific Ocean,
the philofophers of Europe had boldly im-
peached the veracity of the moft eminent an-
cient voyagers who had firft recorded the ex-
iftence of it» Even Labat, who refided in the
Weft I" ''*es at a period when fome of the
Iflands ftill remained in pofTeflion of the Cha-
raibes, declares it to be his opinion that inftan-
ces of this abominable pradlice among them,
were at all times extremely rare ; — ^the effedl
only of a fudden impulfe of revenge arifing
from extraordinary and unprovoked injury;
but that they ever made premeditated excurfi-
ons to the larger iflands for the purpofe of de-
vouring any of the inhabitants, or of feizing
them to be eaten at a future time, he very con-
fidently denies *.

Neverthelefs there is no circumftance in the
Hiftory of Mankind better attefted than the
univerfal prevalence of thefe pradices among
them. Columbus was not only informed of it by
the natives of Hifpaniola, as I have already re-
lated, but having landed himfelf at Guadaloupe
on its firft dil'covery f, he beheld in feveral
cottages the head and limbs of the human body
recently feparated, and evidently kept for oc-
cafional repafts : He releafed, at the fame time,
feveral of the natives of Borriquen (or Porto
Rico) who, having been brought captives from
thence, were refer vcd as vidims for the fame
horrid purpofe. J

Thus

* Labat. torn. iv. p. 322. f November 4, 1493.

J F. Co'umbus, cap. xlvi. Peter Martyr, Decad. I.
lib. ii. Herrara, lib. ii. cap. vii. See aifo Bancroft's
HlAory of Guiana, p. 259, who is of opinion, tliat no

Other

WEST I N I> T F. S.

ad. I«

icroh's
lat no
Other

Thus far it muft be confeffed, the difpofition CHAP,
of the Charaibes leaves no very favourable ^^•
impreflion on the mind of the reader; by
whom it is probable they will be confidered
rather as beafts of prey, than as human beings ;
and he will think, perhaps, that it was nearly
as juftifiable to exterminate them from the
earth, as it would be to deftroy the fierceft
monfters of the wildernefs ; fince they who
ihew no mercy, are entitled to no pity. —

But among themfelves they were peaceable,
and towards each other faithful, friendly and
affedionate*. They confidered all ftrangers
indeed, as enemies ; and of the people of
Europe they formed a right eftimation. — The
antipathy which they manifefted towards the
unoffending natives of the larger iflands ap-
pears extraordinary ; but it is faid to have de-
fcended to them from their anceftors of Guiana :
they confidered thofe iflanders as a colony of
Arrowauks, a nation of South America, with
whom the Charaibes of that continent are con-
tinually at war f . We can affign no caufe for
fuch hereditary and irreconcileable hoftility.— *
The cuftom of eating the bodies of thofe they
had flain in battle excites our abhorrence, yet
it may be doubted whether this abb "ice does
not arife as much from the bias ot . ^r educa-
tion, as from the fpontaneous and original dic-
tates of our nature. It is allowed that with
regard to the people of Europe, whenever
any of them had acquired their confidence,
." ■.;,- .. ■ ■ ., it

other tribe of Indians in Gular?! eat human fleflx but the
Charaibes. Amongft thele, the proof that this praAice
Aill fubfifts is incontellible.

* Rothefort, liv. ii. cap. xi. Du Tertre. tomJi. p. 359.

■(• Rothefort, liv. ii. chap. x. p. 449.

■it'

H-V'-l

HISTORy OF THE

IF;' ,

i.i

BOOK it was given without referve. Their friendlhip
^- was as warm as their enmity was implacable.
The Charaibes of Guiana ilill fondly cherifh
the tradition of Raleigh's alliance, and to this
day preferve the Englifti colours which he left
with them at parting *.

Of the loftinefs of their fentiments and their
abhorrence of flaverj^, a writer, not very par-
tial towards them, gives the following illuura-
tion : " There is not a nation on earth (fays
Labat) f more jealous of their independen-
cy than the Charaibes. They are impatient
" under the leaft infringement of it; and
when, at any time, they are witnefles to the
refped and deference w.^ich the natives of |
Europe obferve towards their Ai^riors,
they defpife us as abjedl flaves ; wondering
how any man can be fo bafe as to crouch
before his equal." Rochefort, who con-
firms this account, relates ftlfo that when kid-
napped and carried from their native iflands in-
to flavery, as they frequently were, the miferable
captives commonly funk under a fenfe of their
condition, and finding refiftance or efcape
hopelefs, fought refuge in death from the cala-
mities of it I-

To this principle of confcious equality and

native dignity, muft be imputed the contempt

which they manifefted for the inventions and

'? ^ ^ - improvements

lence on

* Bancroft, p. 259.

t Labat, torn, iv, p. 329. ^

J Rochefort, liv. ii. cap. xi. Labat relates that
the following fentiment was proverbial among the firft
French fettlers in the Windward Iflands: — '* Regankr de
*' trnvers tin Cbaraibe., c'cjl le battre^ et que de le hattre c'ejl
" le tuevy ou s' expufsr a en etre tue." Labat, torn. ii. p.
74-

WEST INDIES.

improvements of civilized life. Of our fire- CHAP,
arms they foon learnt by fatal experience, the ^^'
fuperiority to their own weapons, and thofe'
therefore they valued : but our arts and manu-
failures they regarded as we regard the amufe-

iments and baubles of children: hence the

propenfity to theft, fo common among other
favage nations, was altogether unknown to the
Icharaibes.

The ardour which has been noticed in them
Ifor military enterprize, had a powerful influ-
lence on their whole condudl. Engaged in
Icontinual warfare abroad, they feldom^ ap-
Ipeared chearful at home. Refle6lions on pail
lifcarriage, or anxious fchemes of future '
ichievement, feemed to fill up many of their i
bours, and rendered them habitually thought-
ful, penfive and filent*. Love itfelf, which
exerts its influence in the frozen deferts of/
[celand, maintained but a feeble dominion ;
)ver the Charaibes f . Their infenfibility to- :
^ards their women, although they allowed a ^
)lurality of wives J, has been remarked by:
lany writers ; and it muft have arifen from
pxtrinfic caufes; — from the predominance of
laffions ftrong enough to counteradl the effeds
jf a climate which powerfully difpofes to vo-
luptuoufnefs, and awakens the inflindts of nar
|ure much fooner than colder regions, 't'he
)re vailing bias of their minds was diftinguifti-
iible even in their perfons. Though not io tall
jis the generality of Europeans, their frame
/as robuft and mufcular ; their limbs flexible
md adive, and there was a penetrating quick-
VoL. I. D nefs,

* Du Tertre, torn. ii.
t Ibid, c. xxii.

t RochefoTt, c. xi.

HISTORY OF THE

DOOK nefs, and awildnefs in their eyes, that fecmcd
an emanation from a fierce and martial fpirit *.
But, not Satisfied with the workmanftiip of na-
ture, they called in the afliftance of art, to
make thenifelves more formidable. They
painted their faces and bodies with arnotto fo
extravagantly, that it was with difficulty their
natural complexion, which was nearly that of a
Spanifh olive, was difcoverable under the fur-
face of crimfon f. However, as this mode of
painting themfelves was pradiifed by both fexes,
perhaps it was at firft introduced as a defence
againft the venomous infects fo common in tro-
pical climates, or poffibly they confidered the
brilliancy of the colour as highly ornamental ;
but the men had other methods of deforming
their perfons,^ which mere perverfion of tafte
alone, would not, I think, have induced them
to adopt. They disfigured their cheeks with
deep incifions and hideous fears, which they |
fiained with black, and they painted white and i
black circles round their eyes. Some of them
perforated the cartilage of the noftrils, and|
inferted the bone of fome fi{h, a parrot's fea-
ther, or a fragment of tortoifelhell J, — a fright-
ful cuftom, pradlifed alfo by the natives of I
New Holland ||, and they flrung together the!
teeth of fuch of their enemies as they had flain

* Oviedo, lib. iii. This agrees likewife with the Che-
valier Pinto's account of the Brafilians in note 42 to voLI
i. of Dr. Robertlbn's Hiftory. " At the firft afpcfll
*' a Southern American appears to be mild and innocent.l
" but, on a morv attentive veiw, one difcovers in his coun-
" tenance fomething wild, diftrullful and lullen."

t Rochefort, liv. ii. c. ix. Hakluyt, vol. iii. p. 539.

X Rochefort, liv. ii. c. ix. Purchas, vol. iv. p. 1157.
Du Tertre, torn. ii. p. 391, 393.

II Hawkefvvorth's Vo/ages, vol. iii. p. 171.

f> • ' 1. -

WEST INDIES.

539-
IP- ii57-

in battle, and wore them on their legs and arms, CHAP,
as trophies of fnccefsful cruelty *. II-

To draw the bow with unerring fkill, to
wield the club with dexterity and ftrengrh, to
fwim with agility and boldnefs, to catch lifh
and to build a cottage, were acquirements of
ii?difpenlible neceffity, and the education of
I their children was well fuitcd to the attain-
Iment of them. One method of making their
boys Ikilful, even in infancy, in the exercife
of the bow, was to fufpend their food on the
branch of a tree, compelling the hardy urchins
to pierce it with their arrows, before they
[could obtain permiflioiv to eat f . But thefe
were fubordinate objects : — The Charaibes in-
krufted their youth, at the fame time, in lef-
fons of patience and fortitude; they Endea-
voured to infpire them with courage in' war,
md a contempt of danger and death ; — above
ill things to inftil into their minds an heredi-
tary hatred, and implacable thirfl of revenge

D 2 towards

* Oumilla, torn. i. p. 193.

t See Rochcfort, c. xxviii. p. 555, and Gumilla, torn,
li. p. 283. Their arrows were commonly poifoned, ex-
cept when they made their military excuriions by night.
jn thofe occaiions they converted them into inftruments of
Ull greater milchief ; for by arming the points with pled-
\&.s of cotton dipt into oil, and fet on flame, they fired
\hole villages of their enemies at a diftance*. The poi-
m «/hich they ufed, was -i concoAion of noxious gums
|nd vegetable juices t» and had the property of being per-
feftly innocent when received into the llomach, but
[' communicated immediately to the blood, through the
lighteft wound, it was generally mortal. The Indians of
■Juiana ftill prepare a limilar poiibn. It is fuppofed how-
ver that fugar fpeedily adminidered in large quantities, is
In antidote. (See Relaiion ^Ihregie d'un Voyw^e^ ^c. par
Xlonf. dt la Coiulam'iHf, and Bancroft's Klft. of GuIaUfi.)

• Rochel'ort, cti. r.x. p. 559. f O/tJa, lib. i.;.

HISTORY OF THE

BOOK towards the Arowauks. The means which
^' they adopted for thefe purpofes were in fome
rel'pef^s fuperditious ; in others cruel and de-
teftable. ,

As foon as a male child was brought into
the world, he was fprinkled with fome drops
of his father's blood. The ceremonies ufed
on this occaiion were fufficicntly painful to the
father, but he Submitted without emotion or
complaint ; fondly believing that the fame de*
gree of courage which he had himfelf dif-
played, was by thefe means tranfmitted to his
fon*. As the boy grew, he was foon made
familiar with fcenes of barbarity ; he partool;
of the horrid repaits of his nation, and he
was frequently anointed with the fat of a
flaughtered Arrowauk; but he was not allow*
ed' to participate in the toils of the warrior,
and to (hare the glories of conqueft, imtil his
fortitude had been brought to the teft. The
dawn c^ manhood uihered in the hour of fe-
vere trial. He was now to exchange the]
name he had received in his infancy, for one
more founding and fignificant; — z ceremony
of high importance in the life of a Charaibe
but always accompanied by a fcene of fero
cious feftivitv and unnatural cruelty f .

The feventies infli6led on fuch occafions bjj
the hands of fathers on their own children,
exhibit a melancholy proof of the influence ol
fuperflition in fupprefling the mofl powerfi
feelings of nature ; but the pradlice was noi
without example. Plutarch records the pre

valenc

valence
monians.
" boys a
** times 1
" and th(
" them V
" ber of
youth, yi,
the fevcri
fymptom <
he was dif
perior to f
fecutors, b
ceived the
forth num]
country, ai
tions and c
iike one of /,
A penance
excruciating
conftituted
honour of
war*; for
admitted of
Having no I
To their olc
kind of aut
fined, and n
ficient to pr
—In war, J

them that fub
|«ge; they tl
their general
but, as hath I

* Rochefort, liv. ii. c. xxv. p. 552.
■ t Rochefort, liv. ii. c. xxiii. p. 556. Du Tertre, vo!i Rochefort, \\
ii. p. 377. IP- 1262. Gumil

1297. « feq.

!*V .

WEST INDIES. fTf

valence of a fimilar cuftoni among the Lacede- CHAP,
monians. " At Sparta,'* fays the HiHoiiai , ^^■
" boys are whipped for a whole day, often -
" times to death, before the altar of Diana,
" aild there is a wonderful emulation among
" them who beft can fuftain the greateft num-
" ber of ftripes." Nor did the Charaibe
youth, yield in fortitude to the Spartan. If
the fcvcrities he fuftained extorted the lead
fymptom of weaknefs from the young fufferer,
he was difgraced for ever ;«— but if he rofe fu-
perior to pain, and baffled the rage of his per-
fecutors, by perfeverance and ferenity, he re-
ceived the higheft applaufe. He was thence-
forth numbered among the defenders of his
country, and it was pronounced by his rela-
tions and countrymen, that he was now a man
like one of themfelves.

A penance ft ill more fevere, and torments more
excruciating ; ftripes, burning and fufb/ation,
conftituted a teft for him who afpired to the
honour of leading forth his countrymen to
war * ; for in times of peace the Charaibes
admitted of no fupremacy but that of nature.
Having no laws, they needed no magiftrates.
To their old men indeed they allowed fome
kind of authority, but it was at beft ill-de-
fined, and muft at all times have been infuf-
ficient to prote6l the weakagainft theftrong.
—In war, however, experience had taught
them that fubordination as was requifite as cou-
rage ; they therefore eledled their captains in
their general afTemblies with great folemnity t >
but, as hath been obferved, they put their pre-

tenfions

I voii * Rodiefort, liv. ii. cap. xix. p. 519. Purchas, vol. iv.
' * ^ p. 1262. Gumilla, torn. ii. p. 286. Lafitau, torn. i. p.

ich
»me
de-

into
rops
ufed
)the
a or
; de-

dif.
LO his I
made I
rtooH
id he I

of a

allow- 1

arrior,!

til hisl

The

of fe-
re the!
ar one!
emonyl

araibe,

ferO'

297, et feq.

t Rochefort, ch. xxiii. p. 553.

HISTORY OF THE

BOOK tenfions to the proof with circumftances of
^- outrageous barbarity : — the recital however is
difgufting, and may well be fupprefled.

If it appears ftrange that where fo little was
to be gained by preheminence, fo much (hould
be fo willingly endured to obtain it, it muft
be confidered that, in the eftimation of the
candidate, the regard was doubtlefs more than
adequate to the coll of the purchafe. If fiic-
cefs attended his meafures, the feaft and the
iiiumph awaited his return. He exchanged
his name a fecond time ; aflumiug in future
that of the moft formidable Arrowauk that had
fallen by his. hand *. He was permitted to
appropriate to himfelf, as many of the cap-
tives as he thought fit, and his countrymen
prcfented to his choice the moft beautiful of
their daughters in reward of his valour f.

It was probably this laft mentioned teftimo-
ny of public efteem and gratitude that gave
rife in thefe Iflands to, the inftitution of poly-
gamy, which, as hath been already obferved,
prevailed univerfally among them, and ftill pre-
vails among the Charaibes of South Ameri-
ca I ;• — an inftitution the more excufeable, as
their women from religious motives, carefully
avoided the nuptial intercourfe after pregnan-
cy II . I am lorry to add, that the condition
of thefe poor creatures was at the fame time
truly wretched. Though frequently beftowed
as the prize of fuccefsful courage, the wife
thus honourably obtained, was loon confider-
ed

■

* Rochefort, cK. xxiil. p. 55?.
t Pochefort, ch..xxii. p. 546.
J Bancroft, p. 254.
II Rochefort, ch. x:di. p. 548.

Du Tertre, torn. 11. p.

374-

* Purchas,

t Labat, toj

i Lafitau, t(

ir Father Jof

bordering on t

tranilatlon) tha

their women cau

" ftoning them 1

but as J do not :

and becaufe it Is

author's hypoth<

fcended from the

ed:— at Jeaft the

among the infuJa

'atter, obferves, 1

theChriftlansthej

WEST INDIE S. I

ed of as little value as the captive. Deficient CHAP,
in thofe qualities which alone were eftimable I^-
among the Charaibes, the females were treated "^
rather as flaves than companions. They ful-
tained every fpecies of drudgery: They
ground the maize, prepared the cafTavi, ga-
thered in the cotton and wove the hamack * ;
nor were they allowed even the privilege of
eating in prefence of their hulbands f : Under
all thefe cruel circumftances it is not wonder-
ful that they were far lefs prolific than the wo-
men of Europe {. But brutality towards their
wives was not peculiar to the Charaibes. It
has prevailed in all ages and countries among
the uncivilized part of mankind ; and the firft
vifible proof that a people is emerging from
favage manners, is a difplay of tendernefs to-
wards the female fex || .

Perhaps a more intimate knowledge (not
now to be obtained) would have foftened ma-
ny of the ftiades which thus darken the. cha- ,
ra6ler of thefe iflanders, and have difcovered

fome

* Purchas,. vol. iv. p. 1272. Labat, torn. ii. p. 40.

t Labat, torn. il. p. 15 and 95.

} Lafitau, torn. i. p. 590.

II Father Jofeph Gumilla, in his account of the nations
bordering on the Oronoko, relates (torn. i. p. 207. Fr.
tranflation) that the Charaibes of the Continent punifh
their women caught in adultery, like the ancient Ifraelites, by
" ftoning them to death before an aiTembly of the people;"
but as I do not find this fad recorded by a ny other writer,
and becaufe it is evidently brought forward to fupport the
author's hypothefis that the Americans are originally de-
fcended from the Jews, I fufpeft that it is not well found-
ed :— at leaft there is no trace that fuch a cullom exifted
among the infular Charaibes. Rochefort fpeaking of the
latter, obferves, that before they had any intercourfe with
the Chriftians they had noeftablifhed puniihnient for adulie-

\ N

HISTORY OF THE

.1;

BOOK fome latent properties in their principles and
^' condud, tending to leflen, though not wholly
to remove the diiguft we naturally feel in be-
holding human nature fo debafed and degrad-
ed ; but of many particr^ rs wherein curiofity
would delire to be gratified, we have not fuffi-
cient materials to enable us to form a full and
correal idea. We know but little for inftance
concerning their domeftic csconomy, their arts,
manufadures and agriculture; their fenfe of|
filial and paternal obligations, or their religi-
ous rites and funeral ceremonies. Such further
information however, in thefe and other re-
fpedls, as authorities the leaft difputable afford, |
1 have abridged in the following detached ob-
fervations.

Befides the ornaments which we have I
noticed to have been worn by both fexes, the
women on arriving at the age of puberty, were
diilinguifhed alfo by a fort of bufkin or halfl
boot, made of cotton, which furrounded the
fmall of each leg *. A diftin^lion, however,
which fuch of their females as had been taken!
■' ■ in

ry, becaufe (fays he) " the crime itfelf was unlnown."—!
He adds, that when this, with other European vices, •wajl
intvoduced among them, the injured hulband became hiJ
own avenger. — Labat's reafoning on this head Js too curi-
ous to be omitted : " II n'y a que les femmes qui foieni |
" obligees a robeiflance, et dont les hommes foient abfolul
" ment les maiires. lis. portent celte fuperiorite jufqu* al
" I'exces, et les tuent pour des fujels tres legers. Un foiipl
" con d'infidelitc, bien ou mal fonde, lulfit, fans autre)
" formalitc, pour les mettre en droit de leur caffer la t6te.[
Cela ejl tin hat fuuva^e a la verite i mais ce'Jl un fre'in UA
proprepoui rctiuir I cs femmes dans leur devoir." Tom. iv.j

327-

* Rochtfort, liv. ii. c. ix. p. 446. Purchas, vol. iv. p.|
1159. Labat, tom. ii. p. 12. 1

WEST INDIES.

in the chance of war, dared not afpire to*. CHAP.
In other refpefts both male and female appear- ^^'
ed as naked as our lirft parents before the
fallf. Like them, as they knew no guilt,
ihey knew no fhame ; nor was clothing thought
neceffary to perfonal comfort, where the chill
blaft of winter was never felt.

Their hair was uniformly of a Ihining black,
ftrait and coarfe; but they drefled it with
daily care, and adorned it with great art ; the
men, in particular, decorating their heads
with feathers of various colours. As their hair
thus conftituted their chief pride, it was an
unequivocal proof of the fincerity of their for-
row, when, on the death of a relation or friend,
they cut it fhort | like their flaves and cap-
tives; to whom the privilege of wearing long
hair was rigoroufly denied ||. Like moft other
nations of the New Hemifphere, they era-
dicated, with great nicety, the incipient
beard §, and all fuperfluous hairs on their
bodies ; — a circumftance which has given rile
to a notion that all the Aborigines of America
were naturally beardlefs. This opinion is in-
deed countenanced by many refpedable writers,
but after much enquiry, and fome inftances of
ocular infpedion, I am fatis£ed that it is
groundlels.

The circumftance the moft remarkable con-
cerning their perfons, was their ftrange prac-
tice of altering the natural configuration of the

head.

♦ Du Tertre, torn. 11. p. 394.

t Rochefort, liv. il. c. ix. p. 441. Purchas, vol. iv. p.

"57-
X Rochefort, liv. ii. c. ix. p. 439. Du Tertre, torn. ii.

p. 412.

II Du Tertre, torn. ii. p. 405. '

i Dtt Tertre, tom. ii. p. 392.

■?:■' i

4»

HISTORY OF THE

BOOK hitad. On the birth of a child its tender and
T- flexible Ikull Avas confined between two fmall
pieces of wood, which, applied before and
behind, and firmly bound together on each|
iide, elevated the forehead, and occafioned it,
and the back part of the fkull, to refenible|
two fides of a fquare * ; an uncouth and fright-
ful cuftom, flill obferved, if I am rightly in- 1
formed, by the miferable remnant of Charaibesl
in the Ifland of ot. Vincent f .

Theyrefidcd in ^'illages which refembled aul
European enca ipuient ; for their cabins were!
built of poles fixed circularly in the ground,
u^d drawn to a point at the top |. They were I
t.icn covered with leaves of the palm-tree. In
the centre of each village was a building of
fuperior magnitude to the reft. It was form-
ed with great labour, and ferved as a public
hall or ftate houfe |j, wherein we are affured
that the men (excluding the women) had their
meals in common ; " oblerving that law" (faith
the Earl of Cumberland, who vifited thefe
Illands in 1596) " which in Lycurgus's mouth
" was thought ftrange and needlefs §." Thefe
halls were alfo the theatres where thejr youth
were animated to emulation and trained to

martial 1

* Oviedo, lib. iil. Rochefort, liv. ii. c. ix.

t I ha^e been told by anatomills that the coronal future I
ot new-born children in the Weft Indiesis commonly more
open than that of infants born in colder climates, and the
brain more liable to external injury. Perhaps therefore I
the Indian cuftom of depreffing the os frmtis and ihe occi-
put, v/as originally meant to affiil the operation of nature |
in doling the fkull.

X p. Martyr, decad. i. lib. ii.

jl Ibid Rochefort, liv. ii. c. xvi. Lafitau, torn. ii. p. ?.

:§ Purchiis, vol. iv. p. 1159.

^.A^:|

WEdT INDIES.

martial enterprife by the renown of their war- CHAP,
riors, and the harangues of their orators. I^-

Their arts and manufaftures, though few, ^^'"^'''^
difplayed a degree of ingenuity which one
would have fcarcely expected to have found
amongft a people fo little removed from a flate
of mere animal nature, as to rejedl all drel's as
fuperfluous. Columbus obferved an abundance
of fubftantial cotton cloth in all the illands
which he vifited, and the natives polfeffed the
art of ftaining it with various colours, though
the Charaibes. delighted chiefly in red *. Of
this cloth they made hammocks, or hanging
beds, fuch as are now ufed at fea ; — for Europe
has not only copied the pattern, but preferved
alio the original name f .

They poffeffed likewife the art of making
veffels of clay for domeftic ufes, which they
baked in kilns like the potters of Europe.
The ruins of many of thele kilns were vifible
not long fince in Barbadoes, where fpecimens
of the manufadure are ftill frequently dug up ;
and Mr. Hughes, the hiflorian of that iiland,
obferves, that they far furpafs the earthen ware *
made by the negroes, in thinnefs, fmoothnefs
and beauty J. Befides thofe, they invented
various other utenfils for ceconomical- purpofes,
which are enumerated by Labat. The bafkcts

which

, * Labat, torn. ii. p. 40.

t All the early Spanifh and French writers exprefsly .
afiert, that the original Indian name for their fwinging
beds was amath or hammach ; — but Dr. Johnfon derives the
Englifh word hammock from the Saxon.

X Nat. Hill, of Barbadoes, p. 8. Ligon, who viiited
this ifland in 1647, declares that fome of thefe veffels,
which he faw, even furpaffed any earthen-ware made in
England "both" (to ufe his own words) "in lineffe of
" mettle, and curiofity of turninge."

HISTORY OF THE

mW^

BOOK which they compofed of the fibres of tlie
I- palnieto leaves, were Angularly elegant, and
we are told thai their bows and arrows,
othei^ weapons, difplayed a neatnefs and
polifti, which the moft fkilfnl European artift
would have found it diflicult to have excelled,]
even wjth European tools.

Of the nature and extent of their agricul-
ture the accounts are flender andunfatisfat^tory.
We are told on good authority, ihat among ^,
the Charaibes of the Continent, there was iioi
divifion of land, every one ciiUivatiiig in pio-
portion to his exigencies*. Where no crinii-
iial jurifdidlion is eflabiifhed, the idea of pri.!
vate property muft necelTarily be unknown or
imperfedl; and in thefe iilauqs where land isj
fcarce. it feems probable that, as among iomc
of the' tribes of South America f, cultivation!
was carried on by the joint labour of each fe
parate commuiikyy and their harvefts depofitedl
in public granaries, whence each family received
its proportion of the public ftock. — Rochefort
indeed obferves that all their interefts were in I
common.

Their food, both vegetable and animal, ex-
cepting in the circumftance of their eating hu-
man flelh, feems to have been the fame, in mod
refpedls, as that of the natives of the larger
illands, which Ihall be defcribed hereafter.'
But although their appetites were voracious J,
they rejeded many of the befV bounties of na-
ture. Of fome animah they held the flefh in
abhorrence ; thefe were the pecary, or Mexican
hog, the manati, or lea cow, ana the turtle ||.
. J.., ■ ,,^v. ... .:;„,,;:, , ■ ,/ , ,., ■ Labat

Bancroft, p. 254. f GumlUa, torn. i. p. 265.

} Gumilla, torn. ii. p. it, 70, 237. Laiitau, torn. i.

Ij Kochcfort, liv. ii. c. i6.

WEST INDIES.

■•'••'ti-

Labat obferves that they fcrupled likewife to CHAP,
eat the eel, which the rivers, in feveral of the II-
iflands, fupply in great plenty *.

The ftriking conformity of thefe, and fome
other of their prejudices and cuftoms, to the
pradlices of the Jews, has not efcaped the no-
tice of hiftoriansf. — But whether the Cha-
raibes were adluated by religious motives, in
thu? abft aining from thofe things which many
n<i ions account very wholefome and delicious
food, we are no where fufHciently informed. ,„

It moft probably was, however, the influ-
ence of fuperftition that gaye rife to thefe and
other cei emonies equally repugnant to the dic-
tates of nature and common fenfe ;— one of
which at firft appears extraordinary and in-
credible, but it is too ftrongly attefted by hif-
torians to be denied. On the birth of his firft
Ton the father retired to his bed, and fafted
with a ftri£lnefs that often endangered life |.
Lafitau, obferving that the fame ceremony was
praftifed by the Tybarenians of Afia, and the
Iberians or ancient inhabitants of Spain, and
is ftill in ufe among the people of Japan, not
only urges this circumftance as a proof among
others that the new world was peopled from
the old, but pretends to difcover in it alfo
fome traces of the do6lrine of original fm ; he
fuppofes that the fevere penance thus volunta-
rily fubmitted to by the father, was at firft
inftituted in the pious view of proteding his
, iflue

* Labat, torn. iv. p, 304.

t Gumilla, Adair, Du Tertre, and others.

X Du Tertre, torn. ii. 371, 373. Ro'.hefott, Viv. «i. c.
xxiii. p. 550' Labat, toin. iv. p. 368. Lafitau, torn. i.
p. 49. Nieuhoff relates that this practice prevails likewife
among the natives of Brafil. Churchill's Voyages, vol. ii.

m
If ']

HISTORY OF THE

■ %

BOOK ilTue from the contagion of hereditary guilt,
!• averting the wrath of offended omnipotence
at the crime of our firft parents, and expia-
ting their guilt by his fufferings *.

The ancient Thracians, as we are informed
by Herodotus, when a male child was brought
into the world, lamented over him in fad va-
ticination of his deftiny, and they rejoiced
when he was releafed by death from thofe
miffjries which they conlidered as his inevitable
poirtion in life : but, whatever might have been
the motives that firfl induced the Charaibes to
do penance on fuch occafions, it would feem
that grief and dejeftion had no great* Ihare in
it ; for the ceremony of fading was immedi-
ately fucceeded by rejoicing and triumph, by
drunkennefs and aebauchery. Their lamenta-
tions for the dead feem to have arifen from the
more laudable didates of genuine nature ; for,
unlike the Thracians on thefe folemnities, they
not only defpoiled their hair, as we have before
related, but when the niafter of the family
died, the furviving relations, after burying the
corpfe in the centre of his own dwelling with
many -demonftrations of unaffedled grief,
quitted the houfe altogether, and erected ano-
ther in a diftant fituation +.

Unfortunately, however, if now and thou
we difliiiguiih among them feme faint traces
of rational piety, our fatisfadtion is of Ihort
continuance;

.---;. . . .. :•: No

* Lafitau, torn. i. p. 257.

t Labat, torn. iv. p. 307. They jjlaced the dead bod/
in the grave in a fitting poilure with the knees to the chin.
Lalitau, torn. ii. p. 407. JLiu. Tcrtre, torn. ii. p. 402.

Jiiiountams ; —

.■•-^#-

P-I

body
chin.

WEST INDIES. »

No light, but rather darknefs vifxble,
Serves only to difcover lighs of woe :

lor it is a light, that glimmers for a moment,
I and then fets in blood.

It is aflerted, and I believe with truth, that
[the expedlation of a future ftate has prevailed
amongil all mankind in all ages and countries
|of the world. It is certain that it prevailed'
jamong the Charaibes* ; who not only believed
that death was not the final extindlion of their
being, but pleafed themfelves alfo with the fond
Iconceit- that their departed relations were
fecret fpedators of their condu6l ; — that they
Iftill fympathized in their fuflferings, and parti-
Icipated in their welfare. . To thefe notions, fo
Iflattering to our wifhes, — ^perhaps congenial to
lour nature, they added others of a dreadful
[tendency ; for, confidering the foul as fufcep-
Itible of the fame impreflions, and obnoxious
[to the fame paffions, as when allied to the
[body, it was thought a religious duty to their
Ideceafed heroes to facrifice at their funerals
feme of the captives which had been taken
lin battle f. Immonality feemed a curie
Iwithout military glory: they allotted to
Ithe virtuous and the brave the enjoyment
)f fupreme felicity, with their wives and their
[captives, in a fort of Mahometan paradife.
iTo the degenerate and the cowardly they
iffigned a far different portion : thefe they
loomed to everlafting baniihment beyond the
bountains ; — to unremitting labour in employ-
ments

* Rochefort, liv. ii. c. 14. 485. Du Tertre, torn. ii.

372- . • ..

t Rochefortj c. xiv. p. 484. Du Tertre, c. ii. p. 412.

iPurchas, vol. iv. p. 1274.

HISTORY OF THE

HI:

€(

BOOK mcnts that difgrace manhood; — and this dif.
I. grace they fuppofed would be heightened by
the greateft of all afHidions, captivity and fer-
vitude among the Arrowauks *,

One would imagine that the idea of a Hate of
retribution after death, neceflarily flowed from a
well-founded belief in the exigence of an all*
wife and almighty Governor and Judge of the
Uuiverfej but we are told, notwithftanding,
that the minds of the Charaibes were not ele-
vated to this height. " They admitted," P ya
Rochefort, " that the earth was their bountiful
parent, which yielded them all the good
things of life, but they were fo lamentably
" funk in darknefs and brutality as to have
" formed no conception of its beneficent
" Creator, through the continual energy of|
" whofe divine influence alone it yields any
" thing. They had not even a name for the
" deity f." . Other writers, however, of equal
authority I , and even the fame writer elfc-
where || , prefent us with a different reprefcn.
tation in this refped, and allow that the Cha-
raibes entertained an awful fenfe (perplexed I
indeed and indiftinft) of one great univerfal
caufe, — of a fuperior, wife, and invifible
Being, of abloluie and irreliftable power §,
Like the ancient heathens, they admitted alio
the agency of fubordiiiate divinities. They
even i'uppofed that each individual perion had

his

* Rochefort, c. xiv. p. 485.

'j* Rochefort, c. xiii p. 469-

J Du Tertre, torn. ii. p. 364.

II Rochefort, c. xiv.

^ The Galibis Indians, or Charaibes of South America,!
from whom I have fuppofed the Infular Charaibes to have I
been immediately defcended, named the Supreme BeinjI
Tamoiijp, or Univerfal Father. — Barters.

ii'!

WEST INDIES.

Linenca,
to have

his peculiar prote6lor or tutelary Deity *. Nor CHAP.
[is it true as affirmed by fome authors, tluit ^^•
they had no notion of praftical worQiip ; for, "***
belides the funeral ceremonies above-mention-
led, which arofe furely from a fenfe of miftakeu
)iety, they had their lares and penates, gods
)f their own creating, intended as fymbols
,)robably of their invifible Deities, to whom
!hey oflered facrifices, fimilar to thofe of the
mcient Romans in their days of fimplicity
ind virtue f. It was their cuftom to eredl in
tvery cottage a ruftic altar, compofed of
j)anana leaves and rulhes, whereon they occa-
ioaally placed the earlieft of their fruits, and
le cnoiceft of their viands, as humble peace
ifferings through the mediation of their infe-
por deities to incenfed omnipotence J ; for it
admitted that their devotions confifted lefs
the effufions of tharikfulnefs, than in depre*
itions of wrath ; — but herein neither were
ley diftinguilhable from the reft of mankind,
Ither in the old world or the new. We can
)l forget benefits though we implore mercy.
Vol. I. E Strange

I* Rochefort, c. xlii. p. 471.

[t Mr. Hughes, in his Hiftory of Barbadoes, makes
ention of many fragments of Indian idols dug up in that
ind, which were compofed of the lame materials as their
then veflels above mentioned. — ■* I faw the head of one"
)ntiaues he) " which alone weighed above iixty pounds,
''his before it was broken off, ftood upon an oval pedef-
il about three feet in height. The heads of all the
nhers were very fmall. Thefe lefler idols were in all
>robability their Penates^ made fmall for the eafe and
Eonveniency of being carried with them in their feveral
journeys, as the larger fort were perhaps deiigned for
fome Itated places of worfliip." —

Natural Hiftory of Barbadoes, p. 7.

Lafitau, torn. i. p. 179. Kochefort, c. xiii. p. 472.

Tcrtre, torn. ii. p. 366.

'y^

'^-1:
^'^

SO HISTORY OF THE

BOOK Strange kowever it is, that the fame author*
^- who accufe them of atheifin, fliould actoi.
them likewifc, in the fame moment, of poly
theifm and idolatry.

Athcifts they certainly were not ; and though
they did not maintain the dodtrine of pure
Theifm, yet their idolatry was probably found-
ed on circumilances, the moral influence ofl
which has not hitherto, I think, been fuflid
cntly noticed. If their devotion, as we have
feen, was. the offspring, not of gratitude, but!
of fear ; — if they were lefs fenfible of the good,
nefs, than terrined at the judgments of the|
Almighty ; it Ihould alfo be remembered, tha
in thefe climates the tremendous irregularitieii

entiuflec
we lamei:
and exuJi

^pc^y let

vated pel

(before t|]

difplaved)

by all the

world; oi

^^ong an a;

Thefe ol

to the fair

of benevok

h'kcwiie pre^

inhabitants

of nature are dreadfully frequent; — the hurMonly ]}elie
ricane that fweeps nations to the deep, and till evil fpirjts^*^
earthquake that fwallows continents in liil hands of tl
bolbm. — Let us not then haftily affix the chaijl facrifices ^^
of impiety on thefe fimple people, if, wheMon fuch iol^^
they beheld the elements combine for their dlthe teeth of"
ftruftion, they confidered the Divine Being jMrible ^aihe
infinite indeed in power, but fevcre in flinah'giiant n*
juftice, and inexorable in his anger. Undlmifery, and °
this impreflion, it is not wonderful that tlnian biood * ^
mind, humbled to theduftinthe confcioufnAhat even th*
of its own imbecility, and fcarce daring to lilBrinated in ^
iip a thought to the great caufe of all thintnfe of alml
fhould fondly wiih for fome mild and graciothat we re^
interpreter ; fome amiable intermediate ageliands of Gq^
in whom to repofe with confidence,' as iijqually wife
guardian and a friend. This defire encreafiiftf both are ?
is at length exalted to belief. The foul, fwell by'cultjv t
ing refuge from its own apprehenfions, creJhey are truth^
imaginary beings, by whofe mediation it ho#hich uuciviJi ^'
to render itfelf lefs defpicable in the fight" ^

the Supreme. To thefe its devotions

entruftb * Du

WEST INDIES.

cmrufted, and its adoration. «, -J , '

•-0 lament the blindnerXthfit'l;''",^ '^''"e "^"AP.
and exult in our own ZJ.- ■ P"?' '*^'8«, 11.
fpe^, let us not Ce, IhL ir,7 '" A'''^ '«'
vated periods of tlfe hlL "^ V°'* '^"•'i-
(before^he light of rev& ""derilanding.
difplaved) a/milar fSf" "'"' »"'*°"fly
by alf the various S„ ° r ""f '"'''^'fed
world; of which, not o^i °^ 1*"= ''^'"hen

flrongan ''P^'ogy t'o pfeadTthe'ct? '.i*'' '"''
Thcle obervation. i,„ '"* '-""Mibes.

to the fair iide of "Lr ° T-'^' '^''"<^ only
, of benevolent deities a ^T' 'i"^ ^°'^V

likcwile prevailed a" on.tlll;;:''^ ^T^'"°^
, inhabitants of thelb cKnl ""^"''ghtened

onlvI,elievedi„.hc e^S'of'^^'" ""^>' "»'
evil fp.rit.,, but they oS 5.^""°""'"^

hands of their Boyel or n^ '°, '^^^ by the

fterilices and Sr, Z"^'^ -'^'"'''''^

on fuch (blemnities w fh an bftn "^ "'"""■'••'^<='

Jthe teeth of the airouti , '.".T?'*"" made of

■nalignant po,ver, deSed in'^' '*"" '^'
pifery, and were to be =mt. r 5 ^'■°*°» and
Jman blood *. I am of ?? ''^'' °°'^ by hu-

h" even this Lter°fpee^ " of Tr^^'^'^-
fcinated in reveremiar ^^1! 'f°'^"'y <>"-

|afeofalmightrpowerr^-^'fi''-"^ »'' wful
bat «-e receive Ch t^^ '"''»"* Perfeaion.
H^of God7nd^tel,«d «vilat the

h»ally wife and Sen^ite? ^T« '^
Jfboth, are truths wh^? '"'''P'"'»"oa

N by cultivated rtafa^^^r^?;? '^"Sbt, as
bare truths, to the right ^t^K^'^' = *""

r """^■'-'' T/4u?pTatt z:r

unequal.
* ^ Tcnre, torn. ii. p. 365.

>...
t

HISTORY OF THF

BOOK unequal. The favage, indeed, amidft the de-
^' ftrudive terrors of the hurricane and the earth-

9,1

toms of t}

bean Iflar

but, as 1 1

tQ fome ir

corredingr

which are

influence o

it may tend

hypothefisc

pronounces

unpolluted]]

conformable

perfedion oJ

RoufTeau obi

tween what]

quake, might eafily conclade that nothing lefs
than Omnipotence itfelf, " vifiting the nations
in his wrath," could thus harrow up the world ;
but the leffer calamities of daily occurr'^nce, —
the various appearances of phylical and moral
evil which hourlyembitter life, he dared not af-
cribe to an all perfe6l and merciful Being. To
his limited conception i'ucha conclufion was de-
rogatory from divine juftice, and irreconcileable
with infinite wifdom* To what then would he
impute thefe terrifying and inexplicable pheno-
mena, but to the malignant influence of im-
pure fpirits and aereal demons ? The profa
nations built on fuch notions certainly throw Ha™JpgT
a luftre on the Chriftian religion, if they ferveBygj []jyg ' '"
not as a collateral evidence of its divine origin-Bcou^f j l ^
A minute detail of the rites and ceremonies Bfjefiypj ^u • ^
which thefe and other religious tenets gavel^jjQj. £j. ^
birth to among the Charaibes, moft of themRjjg perverf
unamiable, many of them cruel, together witlittndo^^^j^/^'
an iiluliration of their conformity to the lumot onlv h
perflitions of the Pagan theology, would leadBj^Qij^jji^ i ^^

nie too far ; nor is fuch a difquifition ^^ceffRTjM^^Ybntous r't !
It is fnfficient for me to have fhewn that thet t|jg j^ ^?^
foundations of true religion, the belief of tW "

Deity and the expe6lation of a future Hate, (tol
borrow the expreflion of an eloquent prelate]
" are no lefs conformable to the firft natud
" apprehenlions of the untutored mind, thaij
" to the founded principles of phiiofophy *.

I have thus feledled and combined, from Mfj^js'^ "'"/•**"'
mafs of difcordant materials, a few ftrikinjtion . 1 an^*f J
particulars in the charader, manners and culllafsof philof ^

reformer, con
Bilhop of Chefter's Sermon^ l^^te of u/irel

giving energy
faiit principles
wtion among tl
ftyand benev(
krsandfocial
fy the cuiti vatic

Jl^'i

WEST INDIES.

de-
rth-
lefs
ions
rid;
e,—
loral
Dtaf-
. To
lS de- 1
cable I
Id he I
heno- 1
►f im-l
profa-
throw I
' fervc
origin.'
noniesi
i

I from

trikifl!
id €Ul]

tomi

toms of the ancient inhabitants of the Charai- CHAP,
bean Iflands. The pidure is not pleafing; H*
but, as I have elfe where obferved^ it may lead
to fonie important conclufions; for, belides
correding many wild and extravagant fancies
which are afloat in the world refpedling the
influence of climate on the powers of the mind, l
it may tend to demonftrate the abfurdity of that .
hypothefisof fome eminent philofophers, which ,
pronounces favage life the genuine fource of i '
unpolluted happinefs ; — falfely deeming it a ftate »
conformable to our nature, and conftituting the ,
perfedion of it. It is indeed no eafy tafk, as ,
Rouffeau obferves, to difcriminate properly be-
tween what is originally natural, and what is
acquired, in the prefent conftitution of m^n :
yet thus much may be concluded from the ac-
icount I have given of the Charaibes, that they i
|derived their furious and fanguinary difpofition >
not from the didates of nature — ^but from
he perverlion and abufe of fome of her nobleft
ndowments. Civilization and fcience would -
ot only have given them gentler manners, but
robably have eradicated alio many of their
arbarous rites and gloomy fuperllitions, either
ythe introdudion of a purer religion, or by
iving energy and effed to thofe latent iiiipor-
ant principles which I have Ihewn had a foini-
ation among them. But while I admit the uecel-
ty and benevolent efficacy of improved inau-
ers and focial intercouri'e ; conceiving that man
ythe cultivation of his reaion, and the cxercife
I" his faculties alone aniV/ers the end of his cre-
1 am far from concurring with another

Ition

[lals of philofophers, who widely diftering from
le former, confider a Hate of pure nature as
ftate of uiirelenting ferocity and reciproiai

hoililitv ;

HISTORY OF THE

:M,

BOOR hoftility; maintainiug that all the foft and tcn-
!• der afTedions are not originally implanted in us,
but are fuperinduced by education and reftefli-
on. A retrofpe6l to what has been related of the
Charaibes will fhew the fallacy of this opi-
nion. Man, as he comes from the hands of
his Creator, is every where conftituted a
mild and a merciful being. It was by rigid
difcipline and barbarous example, that the
Charaibe nation trained up their youth to
fuffer with fortitude, and to inflift without
pity, the utmoft exertions of human venge-
ance. The did^ates of nature were as much
violated by thofe enormities of favage life, as
they are fupprefled by the cold unfeeling

apathy of philofophical refinement. Still

however, to the honour of humanity, it is as
certain that compaflion and kindnefs are among
the earlieft propenfities of our nature, as thai
they conftitute the chief ornament and the
happinefs of it. Of this truth our next re-
fearches will furnifh a pleafmg example.

• *',

?.'

'■-

-■» ' .

' .is:

J- ■

'1 .'

i ^' '

' '"

>.'i

\ • •,

! .

\ ■ V

CHAP.

-• "■ t i- i

WfiST INDIES.

■sM-

C H A P. III.

..^'

CHAP.

III.

Of the natives of Hifpaniola, Cuba, Jamaica,
and Porto-Rico. — Their Origin.— *- Numbers,
— Perfons.'^' Genius and Difpojitions. — Go-
vernment and Religion. — Mifcellaneous Ob-
fervations refpe&ing their Arts, Manufac-
tures and Agriculture, Cruelty of the Spa-
niards, £sfc.

X AM now to give feme account of a mild
and comparatively cultivated people, the an-
cient natives of Hifpaniola, Cuba, Jamaica,
and Porto-Rico ; for there is no doubt that
the inhabitants of all thole lilands were of
one common origin, — ^fpeaking the fame lan-
guage, — poffeffin'^- the lame inftitutions, and
praSifing fimilar fuperftitions. Columbus
Ihimfelf treats of them as fuch ; and the tefti-
mony of many cotemporary hiftorians confirm
his opinion. It appears likewife from the in-
formation of Las Cafas, the Biihop of Chia-
pa, to the Emperor Charles V. that molt of
the natives of Trinidad were of the fame
nation ; the extent and natural ftrength of that
ifland, as of the others above-mentioned, hav-
ing protefted them, in a great meafure, from
the depredations of the Charaibes. • .>

I ha>'C elfe where related that they were con-
[fidered by thefe Barbarians as defcended from a
|Colony of Arrowauks, a people of Guiana ;
and there can be no good reafon to fuppofe

that

HISTORY OF THE

BOOK that the Charaibes were mifinformed in this

^articular. The evidence of Raleigh, and

others who vifited both Guiana and Trinidad
two centuries ago, niiglit be adduced in Sup-
port of their opinion. Thefe voyagers pro-
nounce uhe ancient inhabitants of Trinidad to
belong precifely to the Arwacks or Arrowauk
nation o ^ the Continent ; a race of Indians to
whole noble qualities the nioft honourable tef-
timony is borne by every traveller that has
vifited them, and recorded his obfervations.
And here, all enquiry concerning the origin
of our illanders feenis to tenninate. It is in-
deed extremely probable that all the various
nations of this part of the new world, except
only the Charaibes, emigrated anciently from
the great hive of the Mexican empire. Juan
de Grijalva, one of the adventurers from Cuba
in 15 1 8, found a people who fpoke the lan-
guage of that ifland, on the coaft of Juca-
tan * ; but at what period fuch emigrations
were made : whether the Charaibes were pre-
vioufly poflefled of the widely extended coait
that bounds the Atlantic, or, in pofterior ages,
accidentally found their way thither by fea,
from the ancient Continent — (perhaps by their
invafion giving birth to that hereditary and
unconquerable hatred which ftill prevails bj?-
tween them and the other Indian nations)—
thefe are points concerning which, as it is
impoflible to determine, it is in vaiu to en-
quire.

In eftimating the number of our iHanders,
>«^hen firft difcovered bv Columbus, hiftoriaiis

^ ' I

widely difl'er. Las Cal'as computes them at

. ' * P. Martyr, Decaii. lil. lib. ,x. ' '

WEST INDIES.

fix millions in the whole; but the natives of CHAP.
Hifpaniola weie reckoned by Oviedo ar one ^^^•
million only, and by Martyr, who wrott on
the authority of Columbus, at 1,200,000, and
this laft account is probably the moft corredt.
Judging of the other illands by that, and fup-
pofing the population of each to be nearly the
fame in proportion to its extent, the whole
number will fall greatly Ihort of the computa-
tion of Las Cafas. Perhaps if we hx on three
millions, inftead of fix, as the total, we Ihall
approach as near the truth as poflible, on a
quellion that admits not of minute accuracy.
Indeed fuch are the accounts of the horrible
carnage of thefe poor people by the Spa-
niards, that we are naturally led to hope that
their original numbers muft have been greatly
exaggerated ; firft by the aflbciates of Colum-
bus, from a fond and excufable propenfity to
niagnify the merit and importance of their dil-
coveries, as undoubtedly they were afterwards
by the worthy prelate I have quoted, in the
warmth of his honeft indignation at the bloody
proceedings of his countrymen : with whom
indeed, every man of a humane and refie£l-
ing mind, nmft blufh to confel's himfelf of the
fame nature and Ipecies !

But, not to anticipate obfervations that
will more properly appear hereafter, I Ihall

now proceed to the confideration, 1. Of

their perions and perfoaal endowments : IL
Their intelledual faculties and difpofitions ;
III. Their political inftiiutions : IV. Their re-
ligious rites. Such fubordiiiate particulars as
are not eafily reducible to either of thofe
heads, will conclude the prcfent chapter.

I. Both

HISTORY OF THE

"Mm '"/V

BOOK I. Both men and women wore nothing more
I- than a flight covering of cotton cloth round
the waift; but in the women it extended to
the knees : the children of both fexes appear-
ed entirely naked. In flature they were taller
but lefs robuft than the Charaibes *, and they
were univerfally graceful and well proportion-
ed. Their colour was a clear brown ; not
deeper, in general, according to Columbus,
than that cf a Spanifli peafant who has been
much expofed to the wind and the i\in f . Like
the Charaibes they altered the natural configu-
ration of the head in infancy; but after a
different mode J ; and by this pra6Uce, lays
Herrara, the crown was fo ftrengthened that a
Spanifh broad-fword, inftead of cleaving the
fkull at a ftroke, would frequently break ftiort
upon it II ; an illuftration which gives an ad-
mirable idea of the clemency of their conque-
rors ! Their hair was uniformly black, witliout
any tendency to curl ; thtir features were hard
and unfightly ; the face broad, and the nofe
fiat; but their eyes ftreamed with g6od na-
ture, and altogether there was fomething plea-
fmg and inviting in the countenances of moft
of them, which proclaimed a frank and gentle
difpofition. It was an honeft face, coarfe, but
not gloomy ; for it was enUvened by confii
dx^nce, and foftened by compafTion.

Much has been I'uggefted by modern phi-

lofophers concerning a fuppofed feeblenefs in

•" ■-♦■;■-' ■'■ -•' i - ■ ' -_ their

* Oviedo, Som. f F. Col. r. xxiii.

X The Jinciput, or tore- part af the lu ad from the eye-
brows to the coronal 3 mure, was depreffed, which gave an
unnaiural thicknels and elevation to the occiput, or hinder
part of the fkull-

II Herrara, lib. i. c. xvi, who copies this circumftance
from Ovied J.

their perfo

prefented

left degree

infenfible <

and the inf

debility am

fome writer

is pretende

appetite foi

but nothing

indolent in

combining t

fame chara<S

tuous difreg

feature pecu

ver, as we 1

rous in theii

of food. I

pofition of (

attachment

cuous. Lo^

not a tranfie

the fource o

bufmefs of 1

raibes, oppr<

ifolicitude, a

ble thirft of

genceto the

' fluence of th

lity of the pj

in truth, a,

the greateft d

* Kobertfon,
t See Oviedo,
acrount at this d
^^ their natural
" amorous and
*' lubriques aufupi

gp.i

xlij^

phi-

Ifs in

their

eye-
Ive an

finder

tance

W E S T I N D I E S.

their perfons and conftitutions. They are re- CHAP,
prefented to have been incapable of the final- m.
left degree of labour, incurably indolent, and
infenfible even to the attraftions of beauty,
and the influence of love *. This wonderful
debility and coldnefs have been attributed by
fonie writers to a vegetable diet : by others, it
is pretended that they derived from nature lefs
appetite for food than the natives of Europe ;
but nothing can more ftrongly demonftrate the
indolent inattention of hiftorians; than their
combining thefe circumftances in one and the
fame charader. An infenfibility, or contemp-
tuous difregard, towards the female fex, was a
feature peculiar to the Charaibes ; who howe-
ver, as we have feen, were robuft and vigo-
rous in their perfons, and infatiably voracious
of food. It conftituted ao part of the dif-
pofition of our iflanders; amongft whom an
attachment to the fex was remarkably confpi-
cuous. Love, with this happy people, was
not a tranfient and youthful ardour only ; but
the fource of all their pleafures, and the chief
bufmefs of life : for not being, like the Cha-
raibes, oppreffed by the weight of perpetual
folicitude, and tormented by an unquencha-
ble thirft of revenge, they gave full indul-
gence to the inftin£ls of nature, while the in-
fluence of the climate heightened the fenfibi-
lity of the paflions -f-,

in truth, an exceffve fenfuality wsls among
the greateft defedls in their charader : and to

this

* Robertfon, Buffon, De Pauw, and others.

t See Oviedo, lib. v. c. iil. We have nearly the fame

account at this day of the Arrowauks of Guiana. '* In

" their natural difpoiition" (fays Bancroft) '* they are

" amorous and wanton; and Baryere obferves, ** ih font

' *' lubriques an fupreme de^re."

€o

HISTORY OF THE

iv*

'I!'

, I;

BOOK this caufe alone is imputed, by fonie writers,
!• the origin of that dreadful difeafe with the in-
fli6tion of which they have almoft revenged
the calamities brought upon them by the ava-
rice of Europe: — if indeed the venereal con-
tagion was firfl introduced into Spain from
thefe iflands ,* a conclufion to which notwith-
ftanding all that has been written in fupport of
it, an attentive enquirer will ftill hefitate to
fubfcribe *.

That

* " The venereal difeafe" (fajs Oviedo) *' was cenain-
*' ly introduced into Europe from thefe iflands, where the
".heft medicine fo/ the cure of it, the Guaiacum, is alfo
*' found; the Ahnighty fo reniembering mercy in judg-
" ment that, v.'hen our fin? provoke puniihment, he fends
" likewifo a remedy. — I was acquainted with many perfons
" who accompanied Columbus in his firft and fecond voy-
" ages, and lulfertd of this difeafe; one of whom was
" Pedro Margarite, a man much refpefted of the King and
" Queen. In the year 1496 it began to fpread in Europe,
" and the phyficians were wholly at a lots in what man-
" ner to treat it. — When, after this, Gonzales Fernandes
" de Cordova was fent with an army by his Catholic Ma-
*' jt%.y on behalf c»f Ferdinand the Second King of Na-
" pies, fome infedled perfons accompanied that array, ond
" by intercourfe with the women, fpread the difeafe among
*' the Italians and the French; both which nations had
" fticceflively the honor of giving it a name ; but in truth
'• it came originally from Hifpaniola, where it was very
*' common, as was likewife the remedy."

This account is fufficiently particular; neverthelefs there
is'reafon to believe that the venereal infedlion was known
in Europe many ct^niuries before the difcovery of America;
ahhough it is poHible it might have broke out with renew-
ed violence about the time of Calumbus's return from his
firft Cicpedition. — This was the era of wonder, and proba-
bly the intirequency of the contagion before that period,
gave colour to a report, perhajjs at firft malicioufly propa-
gated by fouie who envied the fuccsf? of Cnluirbus, flut
th'u diftafe ivas one of the fruits of his ceUbraled enter-
prize. It is impollible, in the fpace of a marginal not.',
to tnter deeply into this fubjed; neither does the full in-

vefti'/ation

men to ai

!».

#^'

WEST INDIES.

That a people who poflefTed the means of CHAP,
gratifying every inclination without labour, ^^^•
Should fonietimes incline to be indolent, is a
circuniftance not very extraordinary. As the
"wants of nature were fupplied ahnoft fponta-
neoufly, and no covering was abfolutely requi-
lite but the (hade, that neceflity which urges
men to adion, and, by exercife, invigorates
the fibres, was here wholly unknown. It is
probable therefore that in nmfcular flrength
the natives were inferior to their invaders, and
being lefs accuftomed to labour, they might al-
fo require lefs nourilhment. Thefe concluii-
ons may be admitted without fuppofing any
degradation of their nature, and with no very
unfavourable impreffion of the climate. Their
limbs however were pliant and aftive, and in
their motions they dil'played both gracefulnefs
and eafe. TKeir agility was eminently confpi-
cuons in their dances ; wherein they delighted
and excelled; devoting the cool hours of night
to this employment!. It was their cuftoni,
fays Herrara, to dance from evening to the

dawn;

veftlgation of it come within the defign of my work. I
therefore refer fuch of my readers as are defirous of form-
ing a decided opinion on the queAion, to the Philof. Tranf-
aftions, vol. xxvii. and vol. xxxi. (No. 365 and No. 11)
alfo to two learned treatifes on the fubje<ft by Mr. Sanches,
publilhed at Paris 1772 and 1774, and to the authorities
referred to by Mr. Forfter in his " Obfervations made
" during a Voyage round the World," p. 492. (C/* In
Stew's Survey of London, vol. ii. p. 7. is preferved a copy
of the rules or regulations eftablilhed by Parliament in the
eighth year of Henry the Second, for the government of the
licenfcd Hews in Southwarlc, among which I find the fol-
lowing, " No ftcwholder to keep any woman that hath the
" perilous infirmity of burning." This was 330 years be-
fore ihc voyage of Columbus.
t P. Martyr, Dccad. iii. c. vli.

HISTORY OF THE

t.:

BOOK dawn ; and although fifty thoufand men and
^' women were frequently aflembled together on
thefe occafions, they leemed aftuated by one
common impulfe, keeping time by refpoufive
motions of their hands, feet, and bodies, with
an exadnefs that was wonderful *. Thefe pub.
lie dances (for they had others, highly liceii^
tious) were appropriated to particular iolemni-
ties, and being accompanied with hiftorical
fongs, were called Arieses ; a fingular feature
in their political inftitutions, of which I fhall
prefently fpeak.

£eiides the exercife of dancing, another di-
verfion was prevalent among them which they
called Bato ; and it appears from the account
given of it by the Spanifh hiftorians f, that
it had a diftaut rcfemblance to the Englilli
game of cricket ; for the players were divided
into two parties, which alternatively changed
places, and the fport conlifted in dexteroufly
throwing and returning from one party to the
other, an elaftic ball ; which however was not
caught in the hand, or returned with an in-
ftrument ; but received on the head, the elbow,
or the foot, and the dexterity and force with
which it 'vas thence 'repelled, was aftoniftiing
and inimitable. — Such exertions belong not to
a people incurably enervated and flothful.

II. They are, neverthelefs, pronounced by
many writers, to have been naturally inferior
to the natives of Europe, not only in bodily
ftrength, but likewife in genius and natural en-
dowments. This aflertion has I think been
ad\anced with more confidence than proof.
-... -^ . . . -.,-«- .,- ■ That

* Herrara, lib. ix. c. ii. ''

t Oviedo, lib. vi. c ii. Herrara, lib. iii. c. iv.

ikM

WEST INDIES..,

That the mind, like the body, acquires ftrength CHAP.
by empioyment, is indeed a truth which we ^^^•
all acknowledge, becaufe wc all experience it ;
and it requires no grieat fagacity to difcover,
that ingenuity is feldoni very powerfully ex-
erted to gratify appetites which do not exift,
or to guard againft inconveniences which are
not felt. If our iflanders therefore rofe in
fome refpedls to a degree of refinement not
often obfervable in favagc life, it may juAly be
prefumed that in a ftate of fociety produdive
of new defires and artificial neceflities, their
capacities would have been fufceptible of flill
further improvement. Their fituation alone,
without recurring to the various other caufes
affigned by philofophers, fufficiently accounts
for the paucity- of their ideas. Men, without
anxiety for the future, have little reflexion on
the paft. What they wanted in excited ener-
gy of mind, was however abundantly fupplied
by the fofter affedlions ; by fweetnefs of tem-
per, and native goodnefs of difpofition. All
writers who have treated of their charafter,
agree that they were unqueH ionably the moft
gentle and benevolent of the human race.
Though not blefled with the light of revela*
tion, they pradlifed one of the nobleil pre-
cepts of Chriftianity, forgivenefs of their ene-
mies : laying all that they pofTefled at the feet
of their oppreflbrs; courting their notice, and
preventing their wifties, with fuch fondnels
and aifiduity, as one would have thought
might have difarmed habitual cruelty, and
melted bigotry into tendernefs *.

Among

* Martyr. Herrara. F. Columbus, c. xxvll. xxxli.

■flp

IMAGE EVALUATION
TEST TARGET (MT-3)

1.0

1.1

11.25

1^128 12.5

no ^^ IIII^H

1^ I&2 12.2
S L& 12.0

(#-

^ >

^14

flioliographic

Sciences

Corporalion

^^2^

#> ^

as VnST MAM STHfT

wiisnR,N.Y. usto

(71*)t7a-4S03

<?4

HISTORY OF THE

BOOK Among other inftances of their generous
^* and compaffionate turn of mind, the follow-
ing is not the leaft remarkable. Soon after
Columbus's firft arrival at Hifpaniola, on6 of
his Ihips was wrecked on the coaft. The na-
tives, Icorning to derive advantage to them-
felves from the diftrefs of the ftrangers (un-
confcious indeed of the calamities which their
arrival was foon to bring upon them) beheld
the accident with the livelieft emotions of for-
row, and haftened to their relief. A thoufand
canoes' were inftantly in motion, bufily em-
ployed in conveying the feamen and cargo
alhore ; by which timely afliftance, not a life
was loft; and of the goods anc provifions
that were faved from the wreck, not the
fmalleft article was embezzled. Such was
their celerity and good will on this occafion,
fays Martyr, that no friend for friend, or
brother for brother, in diftrefs, could have
manifefted ftrong^r proofs of . fympathy and
pity. * Other hiftorians ftlll heighten the
pifture ; for they relate that Guacanahari, the
Ibvereign of that part of the country, per-
ceiving that, notwithftanding the efforts of
his people, the ftlip itfelf, and great part of
the cargo were irrecoverably funk, waited on
Columbus to condole with him on the occa-
fion; and while this poor Indian lamented
his misfortune in terms whibh excited fur-
prize and admiration, he offered the Admiral
(the tears flowing copioufly down his cheeks
as he fpoke) all that' he himfelf poflefled, in
reparation of his lofs. f

This

* Martyr, Decad. i. lilb. i.

t Fer. Col. c. xxxii. Herrara, Decad. i. lib. u c. xviii*

, WE S f INDIE S.

This benevolence, unejfampled in the hiftory of G
civiliaed nations, was loon balely requited by the
condud of a band of robbers, whom Columbus,
with no ill intention, left in the ifland, on his
departure for Europe. Guacanahari however
was covered with wounds in defending th^m
from his injured countrymen * ; to whofe juft
refentment the Spanifh ruffians at length fell a
facrifice ; but their anger was of ihort duration.
On Columbus's return, rin his fecond voyage,
their fondnefs revived ; and for a confiderable
time the Spaniards Uved among them in perfedl
ecurity, exploring the interior parts of the coun-
ry, both in companies and individually, not
nly without moleftation, but invited thereto by
he natives. When any of the Spaniards came
ear td a viUage, the moft ancient and venerable
f the Indians, or the Cacique himfelf, if pre-
'ent, came out to meet them, and gently con-
uding them into their habitations, I'eatea them
n ftools of ebony curioufly ornamented. Thefe
nches feem to h^ve been feats of honor re-
ived for their guefts ;— for the Jndians threw
emfelves on the ground, and kiffing the hands
d feet of the Spaniards, offered them fruits
d the choiceft of their viands; entreating
em to prolong their flay, with fuch folicitude
d reverence as demonft rated that they confi-
red them as beings of a fuperior nature, whofe
efence confecrated their dwellings, and brought
blefling with it f.

The reception which Bartholomew Columbus,

was appointed; Lieutenant, or Deputy Go-

rnor, in the abi^iice of the Admiral, after^

^i; Bids met with, in, his progyefs through the

•^^^* ■Y0L..I. ' rfe / iflan4

HAP.
III.

i t,

xviiu

Herrara, Decad. ii- Wi. ii. c. Ix. Fer. Col. c. xl.
Uerrara, Decad. i. lib. i. c. xiv. F. Col. c xxvii.

HIStORY OF THE

^j:J#y..

I -i J f

M: m

V/l

BOOK ifland to levy tributes from the fc eral Caciques
^' or Princes, manifefted not only kindncfs and
fubmiifion, but on many occaiions munificence,
and even a high degree of politenefs. Thefi
Caciques had all heard of the wonderful eager-
nefs of the ftrangers for gold ; and fuch of them
as pofTeiTed any of this precious metal, willingly
prefented all tnat they had to the Deputy Go.
vernor. Others, who had not the means of cb-
taining gold, brought proviiions and cotton in
great abundance.* — ^Among the latter, was Be-
hechio, a powerful Cacique, who invited the
Lieutenant and his attendants to his dominions;!
and the eiitertainment which they received froml
this hofpitable chief is thus defcribed by Martyr.l
As they approached the king's dwelling, theyl
were met by his wives, to the number of thirty,]
carrying branches of the palm-tree in thein
hands ; who iirft fainted the Spaniards with
folemn dance, accompanied with a general fon^J
Thefe matrons were fucceeded by a train

^«g. a /j
mght app
ed to fej
was accoj}
^he ue?t
with danc
by matches
ter whicJ

nexpedled
allied,- e:i
efence in
hree days ^
rtained, a
fldians recrr,
in. The f
f thefe pla<
nd thofe th
robably, in

ir governi
e Charaibes

ance

virgins, diftinguiihed as fuch by their appearwrchical and

y however,

ve inftitutioi

ifs by that

edomiuated

flciua, from

mpsthy y^hi

«refs of otl

etched them

\^'7 and mi

the former wearing aprons of cott
cloth, while the latter were arrayed only in tl
innocence of pure nature. Their hair was tii
fimply with a fillet over their foreheads, or fi
fered to flow gracefully on their fhoulders a
bofoms. Their limbs were finely proportion!
and their comple:*ir"s, though brown, wei
fmooth, Ihining ai; J »ly. The Spaniards w(
ftruck with admiration, believing that theyl , , ,„
held the dryads of the woods, and the nymplf ^h of vinue
of the fountains, realizing ancient fable. TiB Their Kings
branches Which they bore in their hands, tli#<i their pow
now delivered with lowly obeifance to the L»^e alfo fubori
tenant, who, entering the palace, found a wlp^ tributariei

tiff <^- Thus t

* P. Martyr, Dec»d. i. Ub. v. " ^

W£STINDI£S. 69

liful, and, wcpyding to the Indian mode of liv- CHAP,
ing, a fplendid repaft already provided. As ^^^•
night approached, v^ Spaniards were conduA-
led to feparaie cottages, wherein each of then^
was accommpdj^ted with a cotton hampiock ; and
the nejiit qiorning the^ were a^aia entertained
with dancipg and $nging. This was followed
[by matches of wreftling and nmning for pri^s ;
ifter which two great bodies of armed Indians '
inexpeAedly s^ppeared, and a mock engagement ,
snfued ; eiijchibiting their modes of attack and
}efenct in their wars with the Charaibes. For
^hree days were the Spaniards thus rqjrally en<
^rtained, and on the fourth, the aiedionate
[adians regretted th^ir departure.

III. The fi^bniiflive and r^fpe^Uul deportment
^f thefe placid people towards their fuperiors,
id thofe they cohudered as fuch, was derived
probably, in K>me degree, froni the nature of
:ir government ; which, contrary to tli^t of
le Charaibes under a fimilar climate, W9$ npo-
l^rchical and even abfolute. The regal author-
however, though not circumfcribed by pofi-
|ve inftit^tions, was tempered into great mild-
efs by that confiitutional benevolence which
ir^dominated throughout every part of their
}qdu6l, from the highefi to the lowed. Tlmi^
[inp^thy which they m^nifefted towards the
|ftrefs of others, proves that they were not
retched themfelves ; for in a (late of abfolute
pery and mifery, men are commonly devoid
pth of virtue and pity.
I Their Kings, as we have feen, were Caciqyes,

|id their power was hereditary: ^But there

jre alfo fubordinate Chieftains, or Princes, who

lerc tributaries to the Sovereign of each dif-

lift. Thus the territory in Hifpaiiiola, anci-

mv called Xaraguay, extending from the plain

F 2 of

i-i':

■■> I,,-.

H,I'S T O R y OF *r H E

I ,

p: Wl

V- ''I

€d. Cua
ous difp<

Guacanal

murderini

by that cc

(hip periil

tunate wic

moil atroc

the Gover

I can difc

BarthoIoHK

large in th<

repeated h<

The iflan

BOOK of Lcogane to the Weftermoft part of the ifland,
I. was the kingdom of the Cacique Behechio,
whom I have mentioned above ; but it appears
from Martyr, that no lefs than thirty-two inferior
chieftains or nobles had jurifdidlion within that
ipade of country, who wer6 all accountable to
the fupreme authority of Behechio*. They
leem to have fomewnat refembled the ancient
barons or feudatories of Europe; holding their
poffeflions by the tenure of fervice. Oviedo
relates that they were under the obligation of
perfonally attending the Sovereign, both in
peace and war, whenever commanded fo to dof.
It is to be lamented that the Spanifh hiHorians
afford very little information concerning this or-Bed, like hT;
der of nobles, or the nature and extent of theirHkingdoms • f
fubordinate jurifdi6lion. Btent of Port

The whok ifland of Hifpaniola was dividdBonly *, Jt .
into five great kingdoms J, of two of whicli,Bof thele Chi<
when Columbus firift landed, Guacanahari and"
Behechio were abfolute fovereigns. — A thin
principal Cacique was Cuanaboa, whofe hiftoi
is remarkable : He had been originally a W
Captain among a body of Charaibes, who h;
• invaded the dominions of Behechio, and, on coi
ditioh of preventing the furthei* incurfions of
countrymen, had received his fifter, the beautifuB' they prefe
Anacoana, in marriage ; together with an cxtentcB' not happe
country, which he had converted into a feparaf ' " '
kingdom. The eftabliftiment of this leader ai
his followers in Hifpaniola, had iutroduced ini
this part of the ifland the Charaibean languai
and alfo the ufe of the bow and arrow
weapon witli the practice of which the nativi

yr is to be c
hem, was d
le; for he
ueathed th
ren of th^
ifinheriting
tain, add

^ of the chil
"he relation
leems more
he wives of
ingui/hed abJ
l^n confiderj

of the larger iflands were genetally unacquainweigning q^^^

■ ■ I '.•■?.'■■

* P. Martyr,» iDecad. j. lib. v.
•I- nvit^An I'll-, i^, ^ ;.,

C. IV.

„ t Oviedo, lib. in

i Oviedo, lib. iii. c. Iv.

il Oviedo, lib. iii.

* P. Martyr,
t Oviedo, lib.

:W,EST INDIES.'

ed. Cuanaboa ho\Vever ftill retained his feroei- CHAP,
ous difpofiiion, and having been accufeld by ^^^•
Guacanahari before Chriftopher Columbus, of v
murdering fome of the Spaniards, was ordered
by that commander to be lent to Spain; but the
ihip perifhed at fea. The fad fate of his unfor-
tunate widow, the innocent Anacoana, who was
moft atrocioufly murdered in 1505, by Ovando, .
the Governor of Hifpaniola, for no caufe, that
i I can difcover, but her fond attachment tp
j Bartholomew Columbus, having been related at
large in the late American hiftory, need n^t i]^
[repeated here. • " j

The iflands of Cuba and Jamaica were cjividr
led, like Hifpaniola, into many principalities, or
[kingdoms ; but we are told that, the whole exr
Itent of Porto Rico was fubjieft to one Cacique
lonly*. It has been remarked, that the dig^iity
)f thefe Chieftains was hereditary; but,i if Mar-
tyr is to be credited, the law of fucceffion among
them, was different from that of all other peo-
)le; for he obferves f, that, the Caciques l?er
jueathed the fupreme authority i, to the <hil- .
iren of their ififters, according to feniority,
lifmheriting their own offspring j •** being cer-
tain, adds Martyr, that, by this poHcy,
they preferred the blood rpyal ; ; which might
not happen to be the cafe,; in ?ld\ancing any
t' of the children of their numerous wive^."
i'he relation of Oviedo is fome what different,, ^4
feems more probable : he remarks that one of
[he wives of ^ach Cacique was particularly diif-
[inguifhed above the reft,. and appears to have
sen confidered by the people ^t large as the
[eigning Q^een | ; that the children of this lady,

according

* P. Martyr, Decad. i. lib. ii., t Deca4»;iii« c, ix.
} Oviedo, lib. V. c. iii. ,,j,, ..^^^ii ^

Ui*

HISTORY OF THE

. • ■ V

'I )'

■■J ' f-

f. ■ ■■'' • ■■■

Book according to priority of birth, fucceeded to th;'
^' fatlier's honors ; but, in default of iflue by the
favourite Princefs, the fillers of the Cacique, if
there were no furviving brothers, took place of
the Cacique's own children by his other wives.
Thus Anacoana, on the death of Behechio her
brother, became Qjieen of Xaraguay.* It is ob-
irious that this regulation was intended to pre.
vent the mifchiefs of a difputed fucceflion, among
children whofe pretenfions were equal.

The princlpid Cacique was diilinguifhed byl
regal ornaments, and numerous attendants. In
travelling through his dominions, hie was com-
monly borne 09 ihen's Ihoulders, after a manner|
very much rdfembKng the ufe of- the palaD-
Tjueen in the Eiift Indies.f According to Mar-I
tyr,t he was regtfded by all his fubjefts withfucli|
reverence, as >ven exceeded, the bounds of m
ture and reafoh ; for if he ordered iiny of thei
to caft themfelvcs headlong from k msh roctj
or to drown themfelves in the ftea, alledging nt
caufe but his fovereign pleaftfre, he was obeyed
iiirithout a murmur : oppofition to the fupn
authority, being confidered, ndt 6nly as unavail
ing, but impious.

Nor did their veneration terminate with tl
life of the Prince ; it was extended to his nic|
mory after death ; a proof that his authorit
however extravagant, was feldon!^ abufed. Whej
a Caci^e died, hife body was «mbowelled, ai
dried in an oten, moderately heated ; fo th
the bones and cVen tlie ikin were preferved ei
tire. II The corpfe was then placed in a cai
with thbfe of his anceflors, this being {dbfei

Ovie(

*■ Herrai^, lib. vi. c. il. f Herrara, lib. i. c. xvi.

} Martyr, Decad. i. c. i.

H Herrara, lib. iii. c. iii. F. Columbu«, c. Ixi.

* It Is re
cique, the m
tkneral. Th
>her hroiiier
man, whole
ried alive in
above mentio
V ^o means
l9iat this ctti
who had bee
4he praAice
hulband of h
ble, under a
Aat the extr
«MUributeid td
* Martyr, I
t Herrara,
f. Columbus.
J Oviedo.

m:/:. .

WEST INDIES.

Ovledo) among thefe fimple people the only CHAP.
fy.ftem of herakky ; whereby they intended to ^^^*
render, not the 3ianie alone, but the perl'ons al-
io, of their wortliies immortal. If a Caciqu^
was (lain in battle, and the body could not be
recovered, they compofed fongs in his praife,
which they taught to their children; a better
^nd nobler beftimony furely^ than heaps of dry
bones or even monuments of marble ; fince me-
piorials to the deceafed are, or ought to be, in-
tended lefs in honor of the dead, than as incite*
ments to the living.*

. Thefe heroic effuiions conilituted a branch of
^ofe folevnnities, which, as hath been obferved,
were called Ariefoes; C0Qlimn;g of hymns and
public dances, accompanied with mulical inflru-
anents made of ihells, and a fort of drum, the
found of which was heard at a vaft diflance.f
Xhefe hymns, reciting the great anions of the
departed Cacique; his fame in war, and his
^entlenefs in peace, formed a national hiflor}%t

which

* It is related by Martyr, (hat on the deatH of a Ca-
cique, the moft beloved of his vrives was immolated at his
fiineral. Thus he obferves that Anacoana, on the death of
>her brother Kin^ Bdiechio, ordered a very beautiful vro-
man, whole name ivas Guanahata Benechina, :o be bu-
ried alive in the cave where his body (after being dried as
above mentioned) was depofited.* But Oviedo, though
by no means pSftial towards the Indian charafter, denies
iftat this cttftom was general among them.t Anacoana,
who had been married to a Cluraibe, probably adopted
4he praAice from the account ihe liad received from her
huiband of his national cuftoms. And it is not impofii-
ble, under a female adminiftration, — among favages^— hut
diat the extraordinary beauty of the unfortunate vidim,
contributed to her deftrt^ion. -

• Martyr, Qeca^'Ui. lib. ix.

t Herrara, lib. iii. c. iv.
F. Columbus.
X Oviedo, lib. v. c. iii.

t Oviedo, lib. v. c. iu.
P. Mar^r, Decad. iii. c. vii.

7»

H IS TORY OF THE

S.I. •(

I'' :.'■■■

Ill

B O 6 k. which was at once a tribute of gratitude tQ the de-
^' ceafed monarch, and a leiTon to the living. Nor
could any thing have been more inftrudlive to
the rifmg generation than this inflitution, fince
it comprehended alfo the antiquities of their
country, and the traditions of their ancedors.
ExpreiTions of national triumph for yidtory in
war, lamentations in times of public calamity,
the voice of feftivity, and the language of Jove,
•were likewife the fubjedls of thefe exhibitions;
the dances, fo eflential a part of them, being
grave or gav as the occafion required. It is
pretended tnat among the traditions thus pub-
licly recited, there was one of a prophetic na-
ture, denouncing riiin and defolation by the ar-
rival of ftrangers compleatly clad, and armed
with the lightning lofj heaven. The ceremonies
which were obfervediwhen this awful predidioa
was repeated, we may weU believe were flrong-
ly expreflive of lamentation and horror*.: r ; .0
IV. Like all othe» .unenlightened nations,
theie poor Indians were indeed the flaves of
fuperftiiioa. Their general theology (for they
Had an eftabliflied fyftehi, ind a priefthood to
fupport it) was a medley of grpfs folly and chil-
difh traditions, the progeny of ignorance and
terror. Yet we are fometimes dazzled with a
ftrong ray of funrhine in the m?dft of furround-
ing darknefs. Hiiiorians have preferved a re-
markable fpeegh of a venerable old man, a na-
tive of Cuba, who, —approaching Chriftopher
Columbus Avith- 'fr^at reverence, and prefenting
a b'aiket of fruit, addrefled him as follows.
*' Whether you. are divinities" (he obijerveil)
" or mortal men, we know not.' You are come
** into thefe countries with a forces againft which,

Were

Martj^r, ut fupra. Herrara, lib. ii. c. ir,

3 KW E B T 1 N *> IE S: f|

« were we inclined to rcfift it, refiftance would CHAP.

«* be folly. We are' all therefore at your mercy; ^^^•

« but if you are men, fubjedt to mortality lixe

« ourfelves, you cannot be unapprized, that af-

" ter this life there is anotheir, wherein a very

" different portion is allotted to good and bad

« men. If therefore you expe6^ to die, and be-

«< licve, with us, that every one is to bereward^

*< ed in a future (late, according to his condudi

»* in the prefent, you will do no hurt to thofe,

« who do noiie to you."* • •

Their notions of future happinefs feem howc-
vcr to' havt been narrow and fenfual. They fup-
pofed thsit thte fpirits of good men were convey-
ed to a' pleafant valley, whi^h they called Coyaha;
-a place 6f indolent tranquillity, abounding with
ptaim B.nd' Other delicious fruits, cool ihades,
andJ mtitmuring rivulets ;f in a country where
drought never rages, and tl^ hurricane is never
felt. : In this feat of blifj^ (the Elyfium of anti-
quity) tiheybelietted" that; their greateft enjoy-
ment wOulaarife'fifomthfc"Cbmpany of their de-
paited itnoeftbrs, andr of thofe perfons who weje
dear to therii in life ;I — 6 proof at leaft of their
filial piety, and 0f the warmth and tendemefs of
their affedlions and difpo^tions.

The confcioufnefsi in our Indians that th^
were accountable beings, feems to indicate a
greater degree of improvement than we are wil-
ling to allow to any of the li^atives of the New
Hemi^here. Although, like the Charaibes, our
iilandv 'Acknowledged a plurality of Gods, like
them too, they believed in the exigence of one
fupreme, in^vifible, immortal, and omnipotent
I i i; ,' Creator i

^mm'^-

, ub. ii.

*! Her ara

t Fer. Col. c. Ixi.

I Hen ara, lija.'i^.

c. xiv. Martyr, Decad. i. lib. iii.

c. lu.

HISTORY OF THE

■^

' V'3

■ri, ;•,,'

1'. ■■^■. '!

ii^

Iff

; '-Mi^

BOOR Orettor; whom they named Jocahuna.* But
^' unhappily, with thefe important truths,' thefe
poor people blended the moil puerile and extra-
vaeant fancies, wHoh were neither founded in
rational piety, nor produdlive of moral obliga-
tion. They afligaea to the fupreme Being, a fa-
ther and mother, whom thev diilinffuiih^ by a
variety of narnes^ and they mppofed the fun and
moon tp be the chief ieata of their reAdencef.
Their fyflem pf idol-wor£hip wae, at the fame
time, more lamentable than that of the Cha-
■saibes ; for it would feem that they ^id divine
Jionors to flocks andilones converted into images,
which they called Zemi; .not r^gardiiVg thefe,
idols as fymbolical reprefenti&tions only of their
fubordinate divinities, and ufeful as fepfible ob>
jeAs, to awaken the memory and animate devo-
tion, but afcribing divinity to the rmaterial itfelfJ
and actually worfhipping the rude iftone or block
which their own ihands had fafliioned. It .maJ
he oblervpd, however, that aa equal 4egree ofj
folly prevailed among people mudh more en-
l^hteised.. The Egyptians themfelvcs, the molt I
endietkt of civilised nations, worflsi^ed vari-|
fOus kinds of animals, and repwfentations of ani-
mals ; fome of them the mofl noxious in nature;!
«nd even the accomplifhed philoiophers of Greece
fand Rome, paid divine honours to men to whom
-they had themfdves given an apotheiofis ! — Sol
nearly allied, in reli^ous refearches, is. the blind{
loefs of untmored nature, to the iniiil&ciency of]
mere cultivated reafon !

• It has indeed been aiflcrted (whether jufUyorl
tnot)that " the fuperflitions of Paganifm alwaysj
,*f wore the appearance of pleafure, and often off
virtue;"! but the theology of our poor iflandenj
.'•■'-■ 'borer

.I'l

* Martyr, Decad. i. lib. ix- 3F. Co^^mbns.

t F- Columbus, P. Martyr. Benzoni. I Gibbon.

propriatcc
wherein tl
Nor was i
all times,
£ons appi
tion. Th(
fengers an
their pray
dreaded,
folemnitiea
calculated
minion, an
the fame •<
profeflion,
claimed lik
children o
bination of

WEST INDIES.

bore a different afpefl. By a lamentable incon- CHAP.
fiftency in the human mind, they confidered the ^^*
Creator of all things as wholly regardlefs of the
work of his hands; and as having transferred
the government of the world to fubordinate and
malignant beings, who delighted in converting
into evii that which he pronounced to be good.
The effufions of gratitude, the warmth of affec-
tion, the confidence of hope, formed no part
of their devotions. Their idols were univer-
fally hideous and frightful, fometimes reprefent-
ing toads and other odious reptiles; but more
frequently the human face horribly diftorted ; —
4 proof that they coniidered them, not as be-
nevolent, but evil, powers; — as objects of ter-
ror,— -not of admiration and love.

To keep alive this facred and awful preju-
dice in the minds of the multitude, and heigh-
ten its influence, their Bokiios or Priefts, ap-
propriated a coufecrated houfe in each village,
wherein the Zemi was invoked and worfhipped.
Nor was it permitted to the people at large, at
all times, to enter, and on unimportant occa-
lions approach the dread object of their adora«
tion. The Bohitos undertook to be their roef-
fengers and interpreters, and by the efficacy of
their prayers to avert the dangers which thev
dreaded. The ceremonies exhibited on theie
folemnities, though grofsly ridiculous, were well
calculated however to extend the prieftly do-
minion, and confirm the popular fubjeflion. Id
the fame view, the Bohitos added to thdr holy
profeflion, the pradlice of phyfic, and th^
claimed likewife the privilege of educating the
children of the firft rank of people ;*— -a com-
bination of inflttlence wliich, extending to the

n^areft

* Martyr.

H IS T O R Y OF T H E

^?:l

'A,'t -■

BOO K nearefl and deareft concerns both of his life and
the next, rendered their authority irreliftible.

With fuch power in the priefthood, it may
well be fuppofed, that the alliance between
church and flate, was not lefs intimate in thefe
iflands, than in the kingdoms of Europe. As
in many other nations, religion was here made
the inftrument of civil defpotifm, and the will
of ^he Cacique, if confirmed by the Prieft, was
impioufly pronounced the decree of heaven.
Columbus relates that fome of his people enter-
ing unexpededly into one of their houfes of
worjfhip, found tne Cacique employed in obtain-
in/ refponfe^ from the 2emi. By the found, of
the voice which came fi;om the iaol, they knew
that it was hollow, and dalhing it to the ground
to' expofe the impoftUre, they difcovered a tube,
which was before covered with leaves, that
communicated from thi:. back part of the image
to an inner apartment^ whence the Prieft ifiued
his precepts as through a fpeaking trumpet; —
but the Cacique earnenly entreated them to fay
nothing of what they had feen ; declaring that
hy means of fuch pious frauds, he cplledted
iributes, and kept his kingdom in fubjeflion.

The reader, I believe, will readily acquit me
for declining to enter into any further detail of
the various wild notions, and fantastical rites
Which were founded on fuch arts and impoftures.
Happily for our iflanders, however, the general
fyfteni of their fuperftition, though not amiable,
was not cruel. We find among them but few
of thofe barbarous ceremonies which filled the
Mexican temples with pollution, and the fpec-
taiors, with horror. They, were even more for-
tunate in this refpedl than the 'otherwife happy
iiihabiiauts of the lately difcovered iflands in the

Southern

WEST INDIES.

Southern Pacific Ocean ; amongft whom the prac- CHAP,
tice of offering human facrifices to their deities, ^l^-
is ftill asdreadfully prevalent, as it anciently was
among moft of the nations of the earth.

Having thus mentioned the natives of the
South-fealflands, I cannot but advert to the won-
derful fimilarity obfervable in many refpeds,
between our ill-fated Weft Indians and that
placid people. The fame frank and affectionate
temper, the fame chearful fimplicity, gentlenefs
and candour; — a behaviour, devoid of mean^
nefs and treachery, of cruelty and revenge, are
apparent in the charadler of both :- ^^and al-
though placed at fo great a diftance from each
other, and divided by the intervention of the
American Continent, we may trace a refemblance
even in many of their cuftoms and inftitutions ;
fuch as their national fongs and dances, their
domeftic ceconomy, their jfyftem of government,
and their funeral cereftionies. I pretend not,
however, to affirrm that this refemblance is fo
exadl, as to create the pfefumption of a com-
mon origin. The affinity perceivable in the dif-
pofitions and virtues of thefe widely feparated
tribes, arofe probably from a fimilarity in their
circumftances and fituation, operating on the ge-
neral principles of human nature. Placed alike
in a happy medium, between favage life, pro-
perly fo called, and the refinements of poiiftied
Ibciety, they are found equally exempt from
the fordid corporeal diftreffes and fanguinary
paffions of the former ftate, and from the arti-
ncial neceffities, the, reftraints and folicitudes
of the latter. To a fpeculative mind, fuch a
fituation may appear, for a moment, even fu-
perior to our own ; " but if we admit" (fays
the elegant hiftorian of the amiable Otaheiteans)
" that they are upon the whole happier than

we.

9 .

A
fl

i: t

9t HISTORYOFTHE

BOOK << we, we mull admit that the child is happier
^» « than the man, and that we are lofers by the
" perfedlion of our nature, the increafe of our
" knowledge, and the enlargement of our
** vie^ys.'**

In thofe inventions and arts which, varying
the enjoyments, add coniiderably to the value
of life, I believe the Otaheiteans were in gene-
ral fomewhat behind our iflanders : in agricul-
ture they were particularly fo.t The great fup-
port of the infular territories of the South-Sea
confifts of the bread-fruit, and the plantain;
both which flourifh there fpontaneoufly ; and
although the inhabitants have likewiie plan-
tations

* Haw^efwoTth's Voyages, vol. ii. p. 105.

f Dr. Robertfbn, in his Hiftory of America, vol. - \. p,
532, obferves that as the natives of the New World had no
tame animals» nor the uie of the metals, their agriculture
muft neceiTarily have been imperfe^; It fhould however be
remembered that as every family raifed corn for their own
iupport, and the iflands being (to ufe the expreilion of Las
Calas) " abounding with inhabitants as an anthill with ants"
a very fmall portion of ground allotted to the maintenance of
each family, would compi^ehend in the aggregate an immenfe
ipace of cultivated country. Thus we find Bartholomew Co-
lumbus obferving, that the fields abbut Zabraba, a country in
the Gulph of Darien, which he viewed in 1 503, " were all covered
" with maize, li^te the cornlSelds of Europe, for above Jix leagues
•' together." Unacauainted with the foil of the Weft Indies, Dr.
Robertfon fhould nave delivered his fentiments on this fubjeA
with difiidence. That foil which is known in thefe iflands by
the name of brici-mould^ is not only fuperior to nfioll others in
fertility, but requires very little trouble m cultivation. Among
our iflanders, to whom the ufe of iron was unknown, inftru-
ments were ingcnioufly formed of Hone, and of a certain
ipecies of durable woqd, which were endued with nearly equal
iolidity and fliarpnefs. We find them felling targe trees,
building canoes and houfes, and forming domeftic utenfils of
ezquifue worknianfliip. Pofiefling the tools and materials
ncceflary for thefe purpofes, they could not be deftitute of pro-

})er implements for the ruder operations of hufl>andry, on a
oil inca))able of much refiilance.

WEST TNDIES.

7»

tationa of yaBOs and oUac^r eiculent roQl8,.GHAF.
yet the cultivatio of none of them appears to, ^^*
be as extenfivc, was that of the maize in the
Weft Indies, oi lo ^^^^«y equal (kill with the
preparation of the cafiavi-bread from the ma-
niock.* The Weft Indians, notwithftanding
tkxt they pofie&d ahnoft every variety of vege<>
uble naciire which grew in the countries I hav^
mentioned) the bread fruit exceptied, iratf^d alfa
both the maiie and the mamock in great abuBp
dance; and they had acquired the (kill of w»>
tering their knciis firom diftant rivers, in times of
drought.f It may likewife be obferved, thait al-
though the Otaheiteans poiTefs the fiirub wluch
produces cotton, they neither improve it by cul*
mre, nof have the knowledge of converting its
wool into cloth ;|- but content themfdves with a
far meaner produ£lion as a fubftitute. Our
iflanders had-^not only the fkill of making e3(cel*
lent cloth from their cotton, but they pra£iifed
alfo the art of dying it with a variety of co-
lours ;
*

* L'Ablw lU^cnal, in o])pafi,tion to the tefiloiony of ^U the
early SpanifK Ipftorians -who have treated of the difcovery and
produoions of Anierica^ (n6ne of vrhom indeed does he ap-
pear to have conluhed) aflerta that the num'toch plant was ori«
l^oally introduced iota the Weft Indies from Atrica, and that
the Indiaivs were firft inftruAed by the negroes in the art of
convertii^g the poifonour root into wholefome food. For the
fatisfadion of fuch of my readers as are not intimately ac-
quainted with the American Hiftory, I think it neceflary to
obferve, that P. Martyr, in his firft decad, which bears date
November, 1493, feveh months only after the return of Co-
lumbus from his firft voyage, particularly mentions the ma-
niock, or juccot as furniming great part of the food of the
iflanders, and he defcribes their manner of making the cajfavi
bread firom it; obferving that the raw ^e is as ftrong a poir
fon as aconite. Negroes were not imported into the iflandsi
till many years after this account was publifiied.

t Martyr, Decad. jii. ■

t Forfter's Obfervatio^.

H I S TORY or THE

1 1

J f

f^.

BOOKlolirs; fome of them of* the utmpft brilliancy
, ^' and beauty.* , i ;

In the fcience of fliip-building (if the con-
ftrudion of fuch veffels as either people ufed,
may be diflinguiihed with that appellation) the
fuperiority is on the fide of Otaneit€; yet the
Piragua* so£ the Weft Indians were fully i&iifici-
ent for the navigation they were employed in,
and indeed were by no means contemptible ilea-
'boats. We are told that fome of thefe veffels
were navigated with forty oars;t and Herrara
relate?) that Bartholomew Columbus, in pafling
tjirough the Gulph of Honduras, fell in with one
that was eight feet in breadth, and in length
equal to a Spaniih galley. Over the middle was
an awnfng, compofed of mats and palm-tiee
leaves ; underneath which were difpofed the wo«
men and children, fecured both from rain and
the fpray of the feai--rli was laden with commo-
dities from ]\icataii.»f;nm-L/.'iM^' m-

On the other hand, . our ifl^Bdets far furpafTed
the people of Otaheite, in the elegance and va-
riety of their domeftic utenfils and furniture;
their earthenware, curioufly woven beds, and
implements of hulbandry. Martyr fpeaks with
admiration of the workmanfhip of fome of the
former of thefe. In the account he gives of a
magnificent donation from Anacoana to Bartho-
lomew Columbus, on his firft vifit to that Prin-
cefs, he obferves that, among other valuables,
fhe prefented him with fourteen chairs of ebony
beautifully wrought, and no lefs than fixty veffels
of different forts, for the ufe of his kitchen and
table, all of which were ornamented with figures
of various kinds, fantailic forms, and accurate

reprefentations

* Oviedo. Purchas, vol. iii. p. 985.

t Martyr, Decad. i.

X Herrara, Decad. i. lib. v.

igures

:urate

latioDS

WEST INDIES.

fft

rcprefentations of living animals*. The in- CHAP,
duftry and ingenuity of our Indians therefore ^^^•
iniih have greatly exceeded the meafuie of their
wants. Having provided for the neceSties of
their condition^ they proceeded to improve and
adorn it. V

But t<^iiiuft now leave them to the miferable
fate in which it pleafed infinite, but infcrutable^,
Iwirdom to permit their mercilefs invaders to 'in-
volve them for ever! — It may,' I think, befafely
affirmed, that the whole (lory of mankind afibnU
no fcene of barbarity e^ual to that of the cruel*
ties exercifed on thefe mnocent and inpfienfive
Ipeople. AH the murders and defolaticiita^of thc^
noft pitilefs tyrants that ever diverted tfaemfdve^
ivith the pangs and convulfiohd of their IttAo^
creatures, fall infinitely fhort' of the bloody ^hor-
nlties committed by the Spanifh nation in the
conqueft of the New World j-^-a conqueft, on a
low eftimate, effected by the murder of ten millional
[)f the fpecies ! But although the accounts which
^re tranfmitted down to us of this dreadful car*
lage, are authenticated beyond the poflibility of
Jifputc, the mind ffarinking from thfe contempla-
|ion, wiihes to refift conviSion, and to relieve it*
elf by incredulity :— Such at leafl: is the apolo^^
t'hich I would frame for the author of the Am^«
|ican Hiftory, when I find him attempting, in
>atradiAion to the voice and feelings of all
lankind, to palliate fuch horrible wickednefs f .

Vol. I. G Yet

* 1^. Martrr, Decad. i.

t tittroduction< to the Hiftory of America, by Dr.
obertfon, vol. i. p. lo. " It is to be hoped" (fays this au*
Ltkor) *' that the Spaniards \viU at laft difcover this fyftem
of concealment to be na lefs impolitic than illiberal.
From trhat I have experienced in the courfe of my en*
quirifs, I amfatisfied, that upon a more minute fcrutinj
I into their earlj operations in the Nev^ World, however

** RF.PKtK£NSl»I.K"

S«s

HTSTOAY OF THE

, 4

B0(XK Yet the fame author admits, that in the ihort
1- interval of fifteen years fubfequent to the difco-
very of the Weft Indies, the Spaniards had re-
duced the natives of Hi^^aniola " from a million
to fixty thoufand*." It is in vain that he re-
marks on the bodily fecblenefs of thefe poor
Indians, and their natural incapacity ^^or labour.
Such a coiiftitutipn?il defedl, if it exifted, enti.
tied them to greater lenity ; but the Spaniards
diftributed them into lots, and compelled them
to dig in the mine^, without reft or intermiflioo,
until death, their only refuge, put a period to I
their fufiferii^s,. Such as attempted reuftance or
efcape, thdi: mercilefs tyrants hunted down with
dogs, w;hich were fed pn their flefti. They dif-
regarded fexand age, ai^d with impious and
fr^tic, bigotry even ca^ed in religion to fandiiy
their cruelties ! Some) more jealous than the reilj
forced their iui|erable captiyes i^p the water]
and after admimiiering to them the rite of bap.|
tiiin,, cut their throa^ts the nes^ moment, to pre*!
vent their apoilftcy! Others nuide a vow to ha
or burn thirteen every morning, in honour
our Sayiour and t.he twelve Apoftles ! Nor weit|
thefe the exceflies only of a bUndand remorfeleli|
fanaticifm, which exciting our iibhorrence, ex*]
cites alfo our pity: The Spaniards were adiuat
in many inftances by fuch wantonnefs of malic
as is wholly unexampled in the wide hiftory
human depravity.— Martyr relates "that it was^
frequent pradice among them to murder tli

India

** AXViiSHZNSiBi.1" (a tender expreflion) "the aAions<
« individuals may appear, the conduA of the nation m
*' be placed in a more favourable light." This opink
however, needs noiother refutation than that which is to
found in the fubfequent pages of the learned Authoi|
Hiftoryj

*■ m&oty of America, vol. i. bookiii. p. 185^ -

WEST INDIES.

Indians of Hifpaniola in fport, or merely, he ob- CHAP.

ferves, to keep their hands in uje. They had an ^*

emulation which o£ them could moft dexteroufly

flrike off the head of a man at a blow ; and

wagers frequently depended on this helliih exer-

cife*. To fill up the meafure of this iniquity,

and demonftrate to the world, that the nation at

large participated in the guilt of individuals, th^

Court of Spain not only negledled to puniih thel^

enormities in its fubjeds, but when rapacity and

avarice had nearly defeated their own purpofea*

by the utter extirpation of the natives of Hifpa-

mola, the King gave permiiHon to fei^e on the

unfu^eAing inhabitants of the neighbouring^

iflands, and tranfport them .to perifh in the^miiie^

[of St. Domingo. " Several veflels'* (fays Dr.

iRobertfon) " were fitted out fpr the Lucayos^

th(i commanders of which infiirmed the natives,

with whofe lan^age they were now well ac-

j"* quainted, th>t tfey came from a delicious

country, in .iwJiich their departed anceflort

refidea, by whom they were fent to invite

them to refort thither, to partake of the blifs

which they enjoved. That fimple people

liitened with wonoer and credulity, and fond

of viiiting their relations and friends in that

happy region, followed the Spaniards witb

eagernefs. By this artifice, above 40,000

were decoyed into Hifpaniola, to ihare in the

fufferings which were tne lot of the inhabitants

of that ifland, and to mingle their groans

and tears with thofe of that wretched race of

mea-f." After reading thefe accounts, who

G z ■ * can

l:h is to fl * V' Martyr, Decad. i. lib. lii.

Autbof t Hiftory of America, book iii. p. 186. See Iikewi&

Mart/Tt Decad. vii. This author relates the following

edting -particulars of the poor Lucajrans thus fraudu-

lentl/

**ii"-

HISTORY OF THE

t-:;A-t

iim

S i 4

BOOK can help forming an indignant wifhthat the hand
I* of rieaven, by fome miraculous interpofition,
had fwept thefe European tyrants from the face
of the earth, who, like fo many beads of prey,
roamed round the world only to defolate and de*
ftroy; and, more remorfelefs than the fierceil
favage, thiriled for human blood, without hav.
ing the impulfe of natural appetite to plead in
their defence!

On the whole, if we confider of how little
V benefit

A','

(«

benefit i
proved
coft of J

difficult
of ten m
inij the b
the numt
fy termin
hly recon
of infiniu
foreju%
that whici
the exiften
the unequa
in this life
''Jball be
'''plainer

lently decoyed from their native countries. " Many of
** them in the angriifti of defpair, obftinately refiife all
manner of fuftenance, and retiring to defert caves and
unfrequented woods, filently nve up the ghoftt Othen,
repairing to the fea-coaft on ue northern fide of Hifpa-
niola, caft many a longing look toivards that part oftiw
ocean -where they £ippofe their own iflanda to be fituated
and as the fea -breeze rifea. th^y es^rly inhale it *, fond-
ly believing, that it has iatelv vinted their own hapjij
vallies, and comes fraught /mstth the breath of thofe tknl
love, their wives and thieif^ children. With this idq^
they continue for hours on the 0Q9ft,.until nature becona
utterly exhaufted*, when ftretching out their arms towanJi
the ocean, as if to take a laft embrace of their difim
country and relations, they fink down, and e^re wid-I
" out a groan. "--One' of the Lucayaas" (continues
fame author) " who was more defiroiu of life, or
" irreater courage than moft of his countrymen, took U|
" him a bold and difficult piece of work. Having
" ufed to build cottages in his native country, he pri
'* inflruments of ftone, and cut down a large fpongy
" called ^artfflia*, the body of which he dexteroufly fc
** ed into a canoe. He then provided himfelf with
** fome Indian corn, and a few gourds of water, and
** vailed on another man and a woman to embark with
'"'■ on a voyage to the Lucayos lilands. Their navigatii
" was prolperous for near 200 miles, and they were a'
^* within iieht.of their own long-loft Ihores, when uni
" tunately they were met by a Spanifh ihip, which brouA^ pofterior toj
** them back to flavery and forrow. The canoe is v^' ^^nifeJf on thj
preferved in Hifpaniola as a fingular curiofity,'^ cbDfidS'>ove five hundre

ttur the eirfiifnflanr#>!i iiiu1«r urhirh Ir lira* m<i()»." B^addl. that- .11 ^i

* In 1585
jww'ola ; and
ferved in Hak
Javmg utterly «
defendant bein
lefs derived fo
obliged to eonve
W the attainme
nwuy thoufands
fince found its ^
Iweans of getting
It may be pro
ircumftances wl
Jties of the Sp

Bartholomew De

exaggeration ;

^ate the monf

e natives, byaj

KM, which rend)

a charge, by th(

;— Oviedo, I

X-

'".Xt

tng the circumftances under which it was made.'
* The iomiax, or wild cotton tree.

'atid*, that all ti

y^^^^^^^^ I

WEST INDIES.

benefii the acquifition of thefe iflands has iince CHAP,
proved to the Sp^milh nation, and count over the ^^^'
coft of thc-conqueft, we muft find it extremely
difficult to include fi^ch an event as the maflacre
of ten millions of innocent people (comprehend-
ing the butcheries in Mexico and Peru) amongft
the number of tbofe partial evils which ultimater
]y terminate in general good : Nor can we pofTi-
bly reconcile its permiffion to our limited ideas
01 infinite wifdomand goodnefs! Divines there-
fore juflly conclude, that ho flronger proof than
that which arifes from hence need be given of
the exiflence of a future and better flate, wherein
the unec^ual diflribution of mifery and happiuefs
in this life fhall be adjufted ; "when the crooked
" /haii be made Jiraightt and the rough places
'^ plain* r

* In 1585 Sir Francis Drake made a defcent on Hlf-

Eniola ; and in his account of that ifland, ^vhich is pre-
ved in Haklu^t, vol. iii. he relates that the Spaniards,
I having utterly externunated the ancient Indians, (not a Angle
defcendant being, I doubt, at that time living) had neverthe-
ilefs derived fo fittle advantage from their cruelty, as to be
I obliged to convert pieces of leather into money ;— all the filver,
jin the attainment of which from the bowels of the earth fb
jmauy thoufands of poor wretches had perifhed, having long
Ifince found its wa;- to Europe, and the inhabitants had no
jmeans of getting a frefh fupply.

It may be proper in this place to obferve, that fome of the
(circumftances which I have related above, refpedting the cru-
elties of the Spaniards, are extracted from the writings of
Bartholomew De Las Cafas, who is accufed by Dr. Robertfon
of exaggeration ■, — ^but Oviedo himfelf, who endeavours to
lalliate the monftrous barbarities of his countrymen towards
be natives, by aflerting that they were addiAed to unnatural
ices, which rendered them properly obnoxious to puniihment
[a charge, by the way, which Herrara admits to be ground-
p) — Oviedo, I fay, confefles that in 1535, only forty-three
rears pofterior to the dlfcovery of Hifpaniola, and when he
kas himfelf on the fpot, there were not left alive in that ifland
Ibove five hundred of the original natives, old and young* for
\t adds, that all the other Indians at that time there, had been

forced

'.^■■'

HISTORY or THE

■ ■If'

" ( ■

u.:\

\ '■

BOOR forced or decojcd intoflavery, from the neighbouring iflands*.
I. Lai Caiat, it is true, when he loeaka of numbers in the grofi,
certainly over-rates the original inhabitants. But it does not
appear that he meant to deceive ; nor is there any juft reafon
to fufpeA his veracity when he treats of matters fiifceptive of
precifion ; more efpeciallj in circumftances of which he de-
clares himfelf to have been an eye-witnefs. Let the reader
radee of Las Caias firom the following narrative, in which
hia nl&hood (if the ftory were falfe) could have been very
cafily dieteAed. ** I once beheld" (fays he) " four or five prin.
** cipal Indians roafted alive at a flow fire ; and as the miferable
viAims poured forth dreadful icreams, which diflurbed the
commanding officer it his afternoon flumbcrs, he fent wond
that they fhould be ftr^neled; but the officer on guard (I

KNOW HIS NAM I, AND I KNOW HIS RILATIONS IN SI.

villi) would not fufier it; but caufing their mouths to be
ngged, that their cries might not be heard, he flirred up the
nrc with his own hands, and rbafled them deliberately till
♦• they all expired.— I saw it Mvsair." ! \ \

It may be necefTary perhaps, on my own account, to add,
that I have no other edition of Las Cafas, than that which
was publiihed at Antwerp, in 1579. From a copy of that
edition I have e^^trfifted the foregoing horrid relation ; my
hand trembling asl write, and wj heart devoutly wiffiinj
i^ could be proved to be falfe.

• Ovtedo, lib. iU. c. vl

.1*

CHAP.

•••f I

t W-

tKTBST INDIES

CHAP. IV.

[hand animals ufed as food,^Fifies and wildfowl
—"Indian method of Jijbing and f§wfing,'^Efiu' .
lent vegetables, ^c*-^ConcluJion*

In tracing the feveral tribes of quadrupeds,
{properly fo called, which ancielitly exifted in the!
Weft Indies, it will be found that the Windward ^^
ir Charaibean Iflands, poilefled all that were
)oflefred by the larger iflands, and fome fpecies
vhich the latter were without. It is likewife ob-
servable that all the animals of the former, are
found in Guiana; aiid few or none of them
A North America: Thefe are additional proofs
iiat the Windward Iflands were anciently peo-
pled from the South* The enumeration of them
follows:

1. The Agouti,

2. The Pecary,

3. The Armadillo,

4. The Opuflum,

5. The Racoon,

6. TheMuflcRat,

7. The Alco.

8. The fmaller Monkey of feveral va-
rieties.

Thefe I think are their moft general appella-

A p BODS ; but, from the variety of Indian langua^s,

' "t dialers rather of the lame language, which^

iciently prevailed in the Iflands and on the

[clghbouring Continent, fome of thefe animals

have

-i^

-^/rt-

^ i,

§a

HISTORY OF THE

•v>

BOOK have been diAinguifhed by fo many different
^' names, that, in reading the accounts^ of theni
tranfmitted by the French and Spanifh hiftorians,
it is often diOBcult to underftand of which in
particular they mean to fpeak.

The agouti is fometimes called couti, and coati.
It was corrupted into uti and utia, by the Spa-
niards ; and at prefent it is known in fome parts
of the Weil Indies by the itxm* pucarara and In-
dian coney* It is the mvs aguti of Linnaeus, and
the cavy of Pennant and Buffou.

To thefe writers it is fufficient to refer, for a
defcription of its nature and properties. — I ihall
briefly obferve that, in comparing it with the
quadrupeds of Europe, it feenis to conftitute an
intermediate fpccies between the rabbit and the
rat; and pf the.ainimals which I have enumerat>

ed above, this and the lail are I fear the onlv
ones that have efcaped the common fate of all
the nobler juhabitfint^ of thefe unfortunate iflands,
man himfelf (as w€ have feen) not excepted!
"^he aeouti is l^ill frequeptly found in Porto-Ri*
CO, Cuba ^nd Hifpaiiiola, and fometimes in the
mountains pf Jamaica. In n^Q^ pf the iflands
to Windward, the race, tliough once common to
them all, is now I believe utterly extindi.

The pecary, which was known in the Wind*
ward Iflands only, and the Continent, has been
honoured with no lefs variety of names, than the
agouti. According to Rochefort it was alfo
called javari and pacquire. By Dampier it is
named pelas. By Aco^z faino and zaino. It is
the Jus tajacu of Linnzeus, and the pecary and
Mexican-wujk hog of our Engliih naturalius.

Of this animal a very full and particular ac-
count has been given by Monf. Button in his Ka*
turai Hiftory, and by Dr. Tyfon in the Philpfo-,
phjcal Tranfa^tions. I iiave Jieard that it iHll,
,» ■ ' abounds

aboundfl
but in t)
has been
have ,jci
as objedii

to dlf[CT

the £ngu
having a
gland on
the navel
the pecarj
the bridle
blue, tipt
animal, th
the hog oi
will frequ
retreat. *:
within the
lefs to its fi
Of the a
in thefe iflai
fyftematical
vcred with
iias the hi
hedge-hog.
and delicate
the Weft In
The opu
from all oth
Under the ^
wherein flie
Both this a
icnown to i\
render it nee
I believe th<
known to thi
The racoo
time of Sloai

,J^^

WESTINDIES. 19

abounds in many of the provinces of Mexico; CHAP,
but in the Weft Indian Ifland,^ I believe the breed ^^•
has been long iince exterminated. Thole that I
have c'cn were carrie|d thither from the Continent
as obiedls of curiofity ; and they appeared to me
to differ from the Europeai. hog principally in
the lingular but well-known circumlUnce of their
having a mufky difcliarge from an aperture or
gland on the back, erroneoufly fuppofed to be
the navel ; and in the colour of their briftles ;
the pecary beinff indeed highlv ornamented ; for
the briftles of thofe that I beneld, were of pale
blue, tipt with white. It is alfo related of this
animal, that it poiTeflcs far greater courage than
the hog of Europe, and when hunted by dogs,
will frequently turn and compel its enemy to
retreat. Thus its native bravery bringing it
within the reach of fire arms, contributed doubt-
lefs to its final deftnidion in the Iflands.

of the armadillo, the fpecies anciently known
in thefe iflands was I think that which is called by
lyftematical writers the nine banded* It is co-
vered with a jointed ihell or fcaly armour, and
has the faculty of rolling itfelf up^ like the
hedge-hog. As food it is (aid to very wholefome
and delicate. It was once found in all parts of
the Weft Indies.

The opuiTum (or mdnitou) is diftp^^iftiable
from all other animals, bv a wonderful property.
Under the belly of the female there is a poucn,
wherein fhe receives and ihelters her young.*-
Both this and the former animal are too well
known to the curious in natural refearches, to
render it neceiTary forme to be more particular.
I believe the opuiTum, like the pecary, was un-
{ known to the larger iflands.

The racoon was common in Jamsuca in the
[time of Sloane, who Obferves that it was eaten

HISTOKV OF THE

»^4

BOOK by all forts of people. Its abode was chiefly in
!• hollow trees, from whence, fays Sloane, it
makes paths to the cane-fields, where it chiefly
fubfifls ; a circumflance which while it indicates
that its number was conflderablcj eafily accounts
for its deflrudion.

The mufk rat is the pildris of naturalifts : it
furrows in the earth, and fmelh fo ftrongly of
mufk, that its retreat is eafily difcovered. Ac-
cording to the French writers, thefe abounded
anciently in Martinico. and the other Windward
Iflands to a great degree * ; and its refemblance
to the common rat of Europe, though four times
as large, probably proved fatal to the whole
race. I am incliiied to fufpe^ that this animal
is the agouti of the larger Iflands.

The alco, was the native dog of the New
Hemifphcre, nor doe$ it feem to have differed
greatly from that of the Old ; except that it pof-
feffcd not the power of barkingf. The natives
of Hirpat^iola, like thofe of Otaheite, fattened
them with care, and accounted their fleflv a grfeat
delicacy. " In St. Domingo" (fays Acof>i) " the
" dogs of Europe have multiplied fo excceding-
« ly that at this time (1587) they are a nuifince
'* and a terfor to the inhabitants, and a price is
<* fet on their heads as on wolves in Old Spain.
" At firft there Were no dogs in this ifland, but
" a fmall mute creature refembling a dog, with
" a nofe like that of a fox; which the natives
" called alco. The Indians were fo fond of
" thefe little animal»ti:hat they carried them on
" their ftiouWcrs wherever they went, or nou-
" riflied them in their bofoms."

The monkey and its varieties require no de-

fcription.— An Englifhman is not eafily recon-

• ciied

^ P. Labat^ torn. ii. p. 302.

t F. Col. c. xxlv..

WEST INDIES.

tiv»

cilcd to them as food ; but I have been afliired CHAP,
by an officer of diftinftion, who was obliged to ^V.
live on them feme time for want of other animal
food, that they have very much the flavour of

hare.

Thus it appears that out > of eight different
fpecies of edible quadrupeds, one only was do-
nieilic and fequacious. Few indeed are the ani-
mals that own allegiance to man in his favage
ftate. Of the beafts of the foreft, the ftrongeft
difpute his fuperiority and the weakeft avoid his
approach. To hi's conveniency therefore they
contribute nothing, and towards his nouriftiment,
the fuppUes that they afford are cafual and un-
certain. Nature however feems to have difplay-
ed towards the inhabitants of thefe iflands, a
bounty that almoft rendered fuperfluous the la-
bours of art in procuring them fuflenance; for,
beiides the animals that I have mentioned, and
thofe that are furnifhed by the rivers and the fea,
the woods were peopled with two very extraor-
dinary creatures ; both of which anciently were,
and ilill are, not only ufed as food, but account-
ed fuperior delicacies.

Thefe are the iguana and the mountain-crab.
[The iguana (or, as it is more commonly written,
the guana) is a fpecies of Lizard :-^a clafs of
animals, about which naturalifls are not agreed
whether to rank them with quadrupeds, or to
degrade them to ferpents.— They feem therefore
to ftand aloof from all eflabliihed fyilems, and
liadeed juftly claim a very diftinguifhed place by
Ithenifelves. From the alligator, the moll formi-
Idable of the family, jneafuring fometimes twenty
|feet in length, the gradation is regular in dimi-

lution of fize to the fmall lizard of three inches ;
|the fame figure and conformation nearly (though

lot wholly) prevailing in each. The iguana is

one

1^^

^0"^

1 1*-.

1 ■ il[,..

JV '■

;4-'

' \

9«

HISTORY OF THE

; I

i' :i^ :■ S

BOOK one of the intermediate fpecies, and is common-
!• ]y about three feet long, and proportionably
bulky. It lives chiefly among fruit trees, and is
perfedly gentle aua innoxious. Europeans
doubtlefs learnt to make food of them from the
example of the ancient Indians, amongil whom
the pra6lice of hunting them was a favou<
rite diverfion* ; and they are now become gene-
rally fcarce, except in the iflands of the Wind-
ward pafTage, and fuch other places between the
tropic* as are feldom vifited by man. I believe
indeed the Englifh, even when they were more
plentiful, did not often ferve them at elegant
tables ; but their French and Spanifti neighbours,
lefs fqueamifh, flill devour them with exquiiite
rclifh : I imagine too they have good reafon ; for
I have been affured by a lady of great beauty
and elegance, who fpoke from experience, that
the iguana is equal in flavour and wholefomenefs
to the fineft green turtlef.

Refpedling

* F. Col. c. XXV.

t P. Labat likewife fpealcs of a fricafTeed guana with high
approbation. He compares it to chicken, for the whitenefs of
its flefli and the delicacy of its flavour.-— Tom. iii. p. 315,
lo a fubfequent page, he gives a minute account of the man.
ner of catching tnis animal, and if the reader has no objeAi-
on to accompany the good Father a la chqffe^ he may partici-

Eate in the diverfion as follows: " We were attended Hays
e) ** by a negro, who carried a long rod ; at one ena of
** which was a piece of whipcord with a running knot.
'* After beating the bufhes for fome time, the negroe difco-
** vered our pame baiking in the fun on the dry limb of a tree.
Hereupon he began wniftling with all his might, to which
the guana was wonderfully attentive, ftretching out his neck
and turning his head, as if to enjoy it more fully. The
negro now approached, itill whiitling, and advancing his
rod gently, began tickling with the end of it the fides and
throat of the guana, who feemed mightily plfafed with the
operation; for he turned on his back, and ftretched out like
a cat before a fire, and at length fairly fell afleep ; which
■ ■ , .. ' . •' the I

«t

•c

'Yk. t

W\'

'• the negro f
" head, and w
" fi)ort it aiib
" fee the treat
'• entrapped.
" one of them
" the heart to
Thefe animals
Tofeph Banks
Food.

(fays
ena o(
knot,
difco-
>f a tree.
o which
lis neck
Thel
cing his I
ides and
with the
out like
which
»' the

WEST INDIES.

U^^

m''

IV.

RefpeAingthe mountain crab, which Hill fur- CHAP,
vives in the larger of thefe Iflands, though its "^^
final extinAion is probably at hand, its hiftory is ^
fo wonderful, that I choofe rather to give it in
the language of others, than in any recital of
my own. The authors from whom I tr^cribe,
are Du Tertre and Brown. They both wrote
from their own knowledge and penonal obferva-
tion, and the fadls which they relate have been
repeated to me a thoufand times in the Weft
Indies, by perfons, who I am fure never knew
what has been publifhed on the fubjeft by any
author whatever. "' Thefe animals" (fays Du
Tertre) " live not only in a kind of orderly
*< fociety in their retreats in the mountains, but
" regularly once a year marcH down to the fea-
** fide in a body of fome millions at a time. As
** they multiply in great numbers, they chufe
** the months of April or May to begin their
" expedition; and then fally out from the
«* ftunips of hollow trees, from the clefts of
«* rocks, and from the holes which they di^; for
** themfelves under the furface of the earth. At
" that time the whole ground is covered with
*« this band of adventurers ; there is no fetting
" down one's foot without treading upon them.
** The fea is their place of deftination, and to
" that they direft their march with right-lined
" preciiion. !No geometrician could fend them

"to

" the negro perceivingr, dexteroufly flipt the noofe over his
" head, and with a jerk brought him to the ground : and good
" fij)ort it afibrded" (continues the reverend hiilorian) " to
" fee the creature fwell like a turkey cock, at finding himfelt'
'* entrapped. We caught others in the fame way, and kept
" one of them alive feven or eight days, but it erieved me to
*' the heart to find that he thereby loft much delicious fat."
Thefe animals are likewife known in the Eaft Indies. Sir
Tofeph Banks ihot one of them at Batavia, and found it good
rood.

;i i

■yi

'■'i-: >

((

{{

((

HISTORYOF THE

to their deftined flation by a ihorter courfe ;
they neither turn to the right nor to the left
whatever obftacles intervene ; and if they meet
with a houfe, they will attempt to fcale the
walls to keep the unbroken tenor of their way.
But though this he the general order of their
route, they upon other occafions are compell-
** ed to conform to the face of the country, and
" if it be interfered by rivers, they are feen to
" wind along the courfe of the ftream. The
" procefilon fcts forward from the mountains
«« with the regularity of an army under the gui-
" dance of an experienced commander. . They
<« are commonly divided into battalions, of
« which the firft confifts of the firongefl and
*« boldeft males, that, like pioneers, m^rch for-
" ward to clear the route and face the greatef^
d^gers. The night is their chief time of
proceeding, byitif-it rauis Byday they do not
fail to profit by the occafion, and they conti-
nue to move forward in their flow uniform
manner. When the fun fhines and is hot up-
on the furfacc of the ground, they nciake an
univerfal halt, and wait till the .cool of the
evening. When they are teriiiied, they
march back in a confufed difordvly manner,
holding up their nippers, with which they
fometimes tear off a piece of the (kin, and
leave the weapon wjjere they iuflidled the
wound.

" When after a fatiguing march, and efcaping
a thoufand dangers, for they are fometimes
three months in getting to the fhore, they
hare arrived at their deftined port, they pre- .
pare to caft their fpawn. For this purpofe the
crab has no fooner reached the {hore, than it
eagerly goes to the edge of the water, and lets
the V. aves wafh over its body two or three

" times

:i: \

ii pufhr^i

:apiBg
;times
ihey
pre-
ife the
Ihan it
id lets
three
times

WEST INDIES.

« times to walh off the fpawn. Theeggs are hatch- CHAP.
« ed under the faud; and foon after, millions ^^•
" at a time of the new born crabs, are feen
«' quitting the Ihore, and flowly traveUiug up
" to the mountains."

So far Du Tertre, as copied by Goldfmith.
What follows, is from Brown's Hiftory of Ja-
maica. " The old crabs having difburthened
« themfelves" (as above) " generally regain
« their habitations in the mountains by the
« latter end of June. — In Auguft they begin
« to fatten, and prepare for moulting; filling
« up their burrows with dry grafs, leaves, and

« abundance of other materials. When the

*« proper period comes, each retires to his hole,

" ihuts up the pafTage and remains quite un^

« a6live until he gets rid of his old mell, and

« is fully provided with a new one. How long

<* they continue in this ftateis uncertajin, but

« the fhell is firft obferved to burft at the bftck

« and the fides, to give a p^ge to the body,

" and the animal extracts its limbs from all the

" other partsgradually afterwards. At this time

« the ilefti is in the richeft ftate, and covered

" only with a tender membranous Ikin, vane-

" gated with a multitude of reddifti veins, but

" this hardicns gradually, and foon becomes a

" perfeft fcell like the former. It is however

" remarkable that, during this change, there

" are fome ftony concretions always formed in

" the bag, which wafte and diffolve as the crea-

" ture forms and perfedls its new cruft."

To thcfe full and particular accounts I will
add, of my own knowledge, that many people,
ia order to eat of this iingular animal in the
higheft perfedlion, caufe them to be dug out of
the earth in* the moulting ilate; but they are

ufuallv

. . ,,, .|

.;J5. J-

^ .

i;,-r ,v.

96 HISTORY OF tW|:

BOOK ufually taken from the time they begin to move
!• of themfelves, till they reach the fea as alrea-
dy rekted. During all this time they are in
fpawn, and if my teflimony can add \veight to
that of all ^I'ho have written, and all who have
feafled, on the fubjedl, I pronounce them, with-
out doubt, one of the choiceil morfels in na-
ture. The obfervation therefore of Du Tcrtre,
is neither hyperbolical, nor extravagant. Speak-
ing of the various fpecies of this animal, he
terms them " a living and perpetual fupply of
manna in the wildernefs; equalled only by
the miraculous bounty of Providence to the
children of Ifrael when wandering in the de-
** l^rt. Thev are a refource," continues he,
" to which tne Indians have at all times re.
" fort ; for when all other provifions are fcarce,
" this never fails them."

Such plenty, if not variety, of animal food
had the lavi(h hand of nature enabled the
groves and the forefts of thefe highly favoured
iflands to furnifh for the ufe of man. The regions
of water and of air were ftill mof e copioufly gift.
ed. Happily the inhabitants of thofe elements,
lefs obnoxious to the arts of defiru6iion than
the races that I have defcribed, are yet fufhci-
ently numerous to bear witnefs themfelves to the
inexhauflible liberality of their almighty Creator.
— ^We may fay in the language of Milton,

Each creek and bay
With fry innumerable fwarm, and Ihoals
Of fifh glide under the green wave.'

Part fingle, or with: mate.
Graze the fea-weed weir pafture ; and thro' groves
Of coral ftray, or, fportine with quick glance,
Show to the fun their wav'd coats dropt with gold.

While the woods and the mjfrfhes equally I
abound with wild fowl of infinne variety, and |

exquilitc i

* The moft

nOaober-bird.
ice-bird of Sou

7 Catefby Y,

« paflage in N
'atefby obfervea
wrtibers in the
jiey continue th<
Ice begins to grt
'Uba to Carolina
K month of Of
jfit Jamaica in t

'uinea grafs A

'arolina in Septt

y\ and coloure

% pale yellow

laped like moil c

ills lead colour,

"■ part and the n

e wing white, tl

K the rump vv

nole tail black; 1

e Tello-uf F/y.catc

Ives

Id.

WEST INDIES.

exquifite flavour*. But of the tribes which CH A
thefe iflands dill abundantly furnilh, and from ^^•
whofe nature and properties there is no rea-
fon to apprehend an extindlion of the race, it
is not within my province to treat. The enu-
, meration that I have made has chiefly extend-
ed to fuch as from their fcarcity are feldom
noticed by modern naturalifts and voyagers,' or
I of which the knowledge and even the names
are loft to the prefent inhabitants : — for it has
[been juftly obferved that what from its antiqui-
Ity is but little kno\vn, has from that circum-
Iftance alone the recommendation of novelty. I
llhall therefore clofe my account of the animal
[creation with a defcription of two very curious
lethods, known to the antient Indians, of catch-
mg filh and wild fowl, with which I believe the
reader will be amufed.
Vol. I. H "The

• The moft. delicious bird in the Weft Indies is the ortalatif

r 08ober-btrd. It is the emberlza oryzivora of Linnaeus, or

ice-bird of South Carolina ; of which a defcription is given

y Catelby. — Yet it is remarkable that they are reckoned bird*

if paffage in North America as well as in the Weft Indies.

Jatelby oblerves, that they arrive in Carolina in infinite

lumbers in the month of September, to devour the rice ;

ey continue there about three weeks, and retire when the

ice begins to grow hard.— He fuppofes their route to be from

!uba to Carolina ; but I believe they are not in the iflands till

e month of Oftober.^ — ^At leaft it is in that month that they

fit Jamaica in prodigious flights, to feed on the feeds of the

uinea grafs. — ^According to Catefby, the hens only arrive in

larolina in September. The hen is about the bignefs'of a

rk, and coloured not unlike it in the back •, the breaft and

lly pale yellow, the bill ftrong and fharp-pointed, and

aped like moft others of the granivorous kind. — The cock's

II is lead colour, the fore part of the head black, the hin-

x part and the neck of a reddifh yellow, the upper part of

e wing white, tha back next the head black*, lower doA^yn

»i. ■•■■»

97
P.

equally „

\v and ■,^5^' *^^ rump white, the greateft part cf the wirjg and the
\y* . /» Hiole tail black •, the less and feet brown in both fexes. — Vide
'[qUllUe ■ j.^11^^ Fly-catcher of Edwards, p. 5

f*l

I-/

;:: 'i

((

«c

HISTORY OF THE

" The Indians of Jamaica and Cuba" (fays
Oviedo) " go a filhing with the retnora, or fuck-
ing-fifh, which they emplo" as falconers cm-
ploy hawks. This filh, \^hich is not above
a fpan long, is kept for the purpofe and re-
gukrly fed. The owner on a calm mom-
ing carries it out to fea, fecured to his canoe
by SL fmall but ftrong line, mafty fathoms in
" length; and the moment the creature fees a
" fifh in the water, though at a great diftance,
" it dirts away with the fwiftnefs of an arrow,
" and foon faftens upon it. The Indian in the
** mean time loofens and lets go the line, which
" is provided with i buoy that keeps on the
" furfkce of the fe^, and ferves to mark the
**" courfe which the remora has taken, and he
purfuei it in his Caiide, until he conceives his
game to be iieirly exhaulled and run do^vn.
— He then, taking^ up the buoy, graiduallyl
" draws the line towards the fliore; the remo-i
ra ftill adhering with inflexible tenacity to
its prey, and it is with: great difficulty that
he is made to qiiit his holdf. By this method"
(adds Oviedo) " I have known a turtle caught,
*' of a bulk and weight which no fingle maii{
" could fupport *.

Their contrivance for catching wild fowl Avasl
equally ingenious, though pradlifed I believe by
other nations, particularly the Chinefe, evenat|
this day. In the ponds which thefe birds fre-
quent, they ufed to throw calabalhes (a fpeciesl
of gourd) which float about the water, andl
which being at length accuftomed to, the wildl
fowl would approach without fear, and fome{
times even reft upon. Having fucceeded thus!

farJ

* Herrara confirms this account. See alfo P. MartyfJ
Decad. i. lib. ii.

((

WEST INDIES.

far, the fportfman puts one of thefe gourds on CHAP,
his head (firft making apertures for the fight ^^'
and the breath) and very cautioufly creeps into
the water, either gently fwiniming, or walking
where the dream is fhallow, with his head only
above the water, until he gets among the fowl,
when feizing one at a time by the feet, and
dragging it by a fudden jerk under the furface,
|he faftens it to his girdle, and thus loads him-
elf with as many as he can carry away, with-
ut creating the leafl alarm or diflurbance among
he reft. /■

I might now proceed to an enumeration and
ccount of the efculent vegetables originally
reduced in thefe Iflands; efpecially thofe mou
aluable ones, the maize, the plantain, the ma-
iock, and the different fpecies of the diofcorea
r yam; of which, and the many delicious
uits, the growth of thefe climates, the natives
ithout doubt compofed the chief part of their
ally fupport : but I am here happily anticipated
the voluminous coUedlions of fyftematical
nters; particularly thofe of Sloane, Brown,
d Hughes. • Neverthelefs it were to be wilh-
that thofe authors had more frequently dif-
iniinated than they appear to have done, fuch
getables as are indigenous, from thofe which
ive been tranfplanted from foreign coun-
les. Nature, with moft beneficent intention,
,s beftowed on diftant climates and regions
ny fpecies peculiar to each. This variety
her works, is one of the greateft incitements
human induftry ; and the progrefs of men in
eading abroad the bleflings of Providence,
ming and enriching the widely feparated re-
s of the globe with their reciprocal pro-
Ions, as it is one of the moft ufeful em-
Mattyrjywents of our faculties, fo it is a fubjeft

H ar .which

remo*
ity toi

ICX>

HISTORY OF THE

■^ i.

BOOK which well defervcs the notice of the hiftorian,
and the contemplation of the philofopher.

But it is now time to quit general defcription
for particular hiftory. Many objefls indeed are
hereafter to be coniidered, which, being com-
mon to all our Weft Indian pofieffions, will be
comprehenfively difcufled;*^ — ^but in previoufljr
treating of the origin and progrefs of our nati*
onal eftablifhments in them, it feems proper to
difcourfe of each Iftand feparately ; — and, as the
moft important, I be^n with Jamaica.

appe:

*;s

HAVI^

this book,
and other i
lives of Ar
that they a]
beg the rea
the evidenc
teni, whici
fome late pi
So many
written, anc
on the fubje
I doubt the
an inveftiga
to as great
ftion (fbme
ed) that ev(
kind.

It may be
mean to ap
Nation on/y;
rafteriftic fea
ferent anceft
the American

It is not
Nufatlamic

WEST INDIES.

APPENDIX TO BOOK I.

Containing feme additional ohfervations concern'
ing the origin of the Charaibes,

XlAVING ventured, in the fecond chapter of APPEN
this book, to adopt the opinion of Hornius * ^
and other writers, who affign to fome of the na-
tives of America an oriental origin, and fuppofe
that they anciently croffed the Atlantic Ocean, I
beg the reader's indulgence while I briefly ftate ^
the evidence whereon I attempt to rebuild a fyf-
tem, which it has become fjUhionable, among
fome late philofophers, to rejed and deride.

So many volumes have indeed already been
I written, and fo much ufelefs learning exhaufted,
on the fubjeA of the firft peopling America, that
I doubt the reader will flirink with'difguft from
an inveftigation, which perhaps has given rife
to as great a number of idle books, as any que-
ftion (fome difputed points in divinity except-
ed) that ever diftra6led the attention of man*
I kind.

It may be neceffary therefore to premife, that I
imean to apply my argument to the Charaibe
ligation only ; a people whofe manners and cha-
Irafteriftic features denote, as I conceive, a dif-
Iferent anceftry from that of the generality of
Ithe American nations.

It is not wonderful that the notion of their
liranfatlantic origin ftiould have been treated

with

■\ ■■■'■■.

^ J)e originibus Americanis, lib. ii. e, \i.

, r

193

HISTORY OF THE

I "liii

BOOK with derlfioD. — TL advocates for this opinion,
I- like the framcrs of nioft other fyftems, by at-
tempting to prove too much, have gained even
lefs credit tnan they deferve. In contending
that the New World was firft planted, by ad-
venturers from the Old, they univerfally take
for granted, that fomc of thofe adventurers re.
turned, and gave accounts of their difcoverics;
for they fuppofe that America was well known
to the ancients; that not only the Phenicians
made repeated voyages thither; but that the
Egyptians and Carthaginians alfo, voluntarily
croned the Atlantic, and planted Colonies, at
diflerent periods, in various parts of the New
Hemifphere.

In lupport of thcfe opinions, quotations. have
been made from poets, philofophers and hifto^
rians : But, if we refleft on the limited extent
of navigation before the difcovery of the com.
pafs ; the prevailing direftion of the winds be-
tween the tropics; and virions other obftnic-
tions, we mav I think very confidently deter-
mine (notwithftanding the traditions prefervedB Pliny, f that the
by Plato; the poetical reveries of Seneca theB ruins of great bu
tragedian, and many other pafTages in ancieutia proof that the
writers, which admit of various interpretation^ periods of which
and therefore prove nothing) that no veffel ewM So far, we hi
returned from any part of America before that mguide us in our
Columbus. — This conclufion however does byP
no means warrant us in pronouncing that no
veflel ever failed thither from the ancient con-
tinent, either by accident or defign, anterior to|
that period. That fuch inftances did adluall;
happen, and by \yhat means, I ihall now endea-
vour briefly to point out.

There is no circumftance in hiftory bettei
attefted than that freC[uent voyages from the Me
diterraneau along the African coaft, on the At

lantii

lantic Ocean,

ans and £gyr

the Chriftiaa

accounts whic

profane hiftor

volved in obli

dity and fable

V^y to feparat<

fal/hood; and

ibme circumfta

without founda

bie authority,

the Azores, ar

before the Troj

the Carthaginia

for the fpirit of

elude from the c

who, about 250

Saviour, failed j

rtme within fiv-

^t Carthaginiai^

Iflwds. and it

Procopius, Secrets

inian mentions in his

then ftanding in Africa

^refted by the Chanan,

un. Eufebius alfo w:

iven out by the Ifraeli

inca. CBochart in C

;l»e Weftern Ocean

ntam (-cap, xiii.) See

ntain.

t Uh. vi. c. xxxii. d^

!||!i|,

WEST INDIES.

103

lantic Oceau, were made, both by the Phenici- APPEN-
ans and Egyptians, many hundred years before ^^^•
the Chriftian era. It is true, that aimoft all the
accounts which have been tranlhiittcd to us, in
profane hiftory, of thofe expeditions, arc in-
volved in obfcurity, and intermixed with abfur-
dity and fable ; — but it is the buiinefs of philo-
phy to feparate, as much as poflible, truth from
falmood; and not hadily to conclude, bccaufe
Ibme circumftances are extravagant, that all are
without foundation. We know from indifputa-
ble authority, that the Phenicians difcovered
the Azores, and viiited even our own Ifland
before the Trojan war.* That their fucccfTors
the Carthaginians, were not lefs diftinguifhed
for the fpirit of naval enterprize, we may con-
clude from the celebrated expedition of Hanno j
who, about 250 years before the birth of our
Siviour, failed along the African coad, until he
ctme within five degrees of the line. It was
the Carthaginians who difcovered the Canary
Iflands, and it appears, from the teftimony of
dl Pliny, t that they found iu thofe iflands, the
ruins of great buildings, (vejiigia Mdifciorum)
a proof that they had been, well inhabited in
periods of which hiftor) is iilent.

So far, we have clear hiftorical evidence to
guide us in our refearches. Not lef» clear and

certain

le
nt

IS,

■UOl

Procopius, Secretary to Belifarlus in the time of Jufti-
inian, mentions in his Vandalica, book ii. that there were
[then Itanding in Africa Tingitana, (Tangier) two columns
erefted by the Chananiies that fled trom Joihua, the fon of
Eufebius alfo writes that thofe Chananites which were

<iun.

iven out by the Ifraelites conduced Colonies to Tripoli, ia
Africa. (Bochart in Canaan^ cap. xxiv.) — that they navigat-

the Weftern Ocean (cap. xxxvi.) atid were in Gaul and
Britain (cap, xlii.) See alfo Sammes's Phsenician Hiftory of
Britain.

t Lib. vi. c. xxxii. de Fortmat'u Infulit.

104

HISTORY OF THE

V.!. i

■ 'ili:

BOOK certain (though lefs numerous) are the accounts
I. of the Phenician navigation, down the Arabian
Gulph, or Red Sea, to diftant parts of Afia and
Africa, in ages ftill more remote than thofe that
have been mentioned. In the voyages under-
taken by King Solomon, he employed the fhips
and mariners of that adv^nftirous and commer-
cial people. With their afliftance he fitted out
fleets from Ezion-geber, a port of the Red Sea,
fuppofed to be the Berenice of the Greeks. Of
thole ftiips, fome were bound for the weftern
coaft of the great Indian continent ; others,
there is reafon to believe, turning towards Afri-
ca, paffed the louthern promontory, and re-
turned home by the Mediterranean to the port
of Joppa.

In fupport of this account of the flourilhing
ftate of ancient navigation in the Arabian Gulph, ^
we have, fir ft of all, the higheft authority to re-
fer to; that of the fcriptures. Next to*whi{?h,|
we may rank the teftimony of Herodotus, the
father of profane hiftory ; the truth of whof
well-known relation of a Phenician fleet dot
ling the Cape of Good Hope fix hundred year
before the birth of Chrifl:, was never difputedl
'I believe, until our learned countryman, the
Author of the late American hiftory, delivered it
as his opinion that " all the information ^ve
have received from the Greek and RoniaQi
authors, of the Phenician and Carthaginianl
voyages, excepting only the fliort narraiivel
of Hanno's expedition before mentioned, i$|
qf fufpicious authority."*
I Ihall quote from Herodotus the paffage all
luded to, that the reader may judge for himicl|
of the veracity of the venerable old GrecianJ

■: iJ

* Roberifoa's Hiftory of America, vol. i. p. 9*

((

«c

WEST INDIES.

loy

It is as follows. " Lybia is every where encir- APPEN-
" cled by the fea, except on that fide where it ^^
" adjoins to Afia. Pharaoh Neco, King of^
" Egypt,* made this nianifeft. After he had
" defifted from his project of digging a canal
" from the Nile to the Arabian Gulph, he fur-
« nifhed a body pf Phenicians with ihips, com-
" manding them X6 enter the Northern Sea by
« the Pillars of Hercules ; and fail back by that
" route to Egypt. The Phenicians therefore
" failing from the Red Sea navigated the South-
" em Ocean : At the end of autumn they an-
" chored, and going afhore fowed the ground,
" as thofe who make a Lybian voyage always do,
" and flaid the harveft. Having cut the corn,
« they failed. Thus two years having elapfed,
" they returned to Egypt,., paffing by the Pil-
« lars of Hercules ;. and they reported a cir-
« cuoittance which I can. fcarcely credit, but
*' other people may, that failing round Lybia
*' the fun rofe on the right hand f ."
, Notwithftanding the doubts entertained by
t)r. RobertfoDL refpe6ling this account, I per-
ceive in it fuch evidence of truth, as to my
own mind, affords entire convidion. — How could
it have been known, unlefs from adual obferVa-
tion, that Africa, towards the South, was ^n-
compafled by th« fea ? The caution with wliich
the venerable hiftorian expreffes himfelf, is re-
markable; and the circumftance that the fun
rofe on the right, is decifive of the main fa6l ;

— ^for

* There were two tings of Egypt of this name. The
fecond, who is generally luppofed to have ordered the cir-
cumnavigation of Africa, was flain in battle by the Aflyri-
ans, I think under the command of Nebuchadnezzar; but an
ambiguous phrafe in Herodotus, fecms rather to point out the
elder Neco, who was contemporary with Solomon.

I Herod. Melpomene 42.

J 06

HISTORY OF THE

,1 ■

BOOK — for it demoriftrates that they had then aftu-
I- ally doubled the fouthern promontory, and were
fleering in a northerly direftion ; — the courfe
they would neceflarily puri'ue.

Dr. Robertlbn has fhewn, it is true, that ma-
ny hiftorians and geographers of antiquity, who
lived long after the days of Herodotus, knew
nothing concerning the form and ftate of the
fouthern parts of Africa. — He obferves particu-
larly that Ptolemy, the aftronomer, fuppofed
that this great continent ftretched without inter-
ruption to the South Pole. All this however
only demonftrates that navigation, like many
other branches of fcience, flourifhed in one age,
and declined in another. Herodotus lived 400
years before the birth of our Saviour, and
Ptolemy 140 years after. Ancient hiftory abun-
dantly proves that the Phenicians, and their fuc-
ceflbrs the Carthaginians, poflefled far greater
Ikill in naval affairs, than the Greeks, Romans,
or any other nation that came after them, until
the Ipirit of naval difcovery revived, and ihone
with greater, luftre than ever, ^'m the fifteenth
century, v^l:' •'^•.

From this recapitulation which I have thought
neceflary to make, though the fubftance of it
may be found in a thoufand different authors,
(commonly blended indeed with much learned
abfurdity and frivolous conjedure) the reader
will clearly perceive that the navigation of the
Atlantic Ocean, along the coaft of Africa, both
from the North and the South, and even at a
confiderable diftance from the land, was well un-
derftood and prevailed in very remote ages.
Now if we enquire into the nature of the winds
and currents on the African coaft, nnd refled,
on the various cafualties to which inips at fea
are liable, even in the moft favourable feafon of

the

" ry mome

" and fooE

, " that iflam

" inhabitan

.m.

lought
of it
ithors,
arned
reader
of the
both
at a
ell Ull-
ages,
winds
reflea,
at lea
ifon of
the

WEST INDIES.

107

tlic year ; we muft admit, that it not only pro- APPEN-
bably happened in fome of thofe ancient expe- ^^•
ditions, but even that it was fcarce poffible not
to happen, that veJGTels would be driven by fud-
den gulls, or carried by adverfe currents, with-
in the verge of the trade-wind ; in which cafe,
if they happened to lofe their mafls, they mufl
necefl'arily run before the Avind, towards Brafil,
or the W^eft Indies.

Two remarkable accidents of this nature,
precifely in point, are recorded by writers of
credit, and doubtlefs there are many other in-
ftances equally well authenticated, that have
efcaped my refearch. The firft is related by
Glafs, in his hiilory of the Canary Iflands, who
obferves that a fmall bark, bound from Lance-
rota to Tenefiffej ivas thus forced out of her
courfe, and oljliged to run before the wind until
fhe came within two days fail of the coaft of
Caraccas ; where Ihe fortunately met with an Eng-
lifti cruifer which relieved her diftrefles, and di-
re6led her to the Port of La Guaira on that coaft.
The other is tpli by Gumilla, as follows. " In
*[ December I73l>" fays this author, " while
« I was at the town of St. Jofeph, in Trinidad,
" a fmall veffel, belonging to Teneriffe, with
" fix feamen, was driven into that ifland, by
" ftrefs of weather. She was laden with wine ;
•' and being bound to one other of the Canary
" Iflands, had provifions for a few days only,
" which, with their utmoft care, had been ex-
" pended a confiderable time ; fo that the crew
" lived entirely on wine. They were reduced
" to tht laft extremity, and expedled death eve-
" ry moment, when they difcovered Trinidad,
" and foon afterwards came to an anchor in
" that ifland, to the great aftonifliment of the
<* inhabitants ', who ran in crowds to behold the
, " poor

zot

HISTORY OF THE

' '■■■ ■*'

BOOK « poor feamen ; whofe emaciated appearance,
^' " would have fufficiently confirmed the truth of
their relation, even if the papers and docu-
ments which they produced, had not put the
matter out of all poflible doubt."
To the preceding inftances, it may be added
that Columbus himlelf, in his fecond- expedition
to the Weft Indies, found the ftern-poft of a
vt'U'el lying oii the Ihore at Guadaloupe ; — a cir-
cumftance which affords a ftrong prefumption
that a ihip had been in the New World before
him.

Under this head of fortuitous vifits to the
American continent prior to that oi Columbus,
may likewife be iiicluded the circumftance men-
tioned by Martyr, that at a place called Q^are-
qua, in the Gulph of Darien, Vafcho Nunez
met with a colony of negroes*. The enquiry (if
any was made) by what means they came into
that region, or how long they had refidedin it,
and the anfwers to fuch queflions, are not re-
corded by the Spanifh hiftoxians; but from the
fmallnefs of their number, it was fuppofed they
had not been long arri\'«d upon that coaft.
There can be no doubt but that fome acciden-
tal caufe had condud^ed them thither from Afri- I
ca, and in open canoes, of no ^<fl!pBrconftru6lion ^
than thofe of the American Indians f .

.'. The

* Mancipia ibi nigra repererunt ex regione diftante \
Quareqiia, dienim fpado tantiiml(j&ijorum quae folos gignit ni-

gritas et cos feroces at{|ut', atlinodmn yuces. ' — -P. Martyr,

Decad. iii. c. i. ;<

•j" Such accidents in truth are common in all parts of the
world. The inhabitants of Java report their origin to have
been from China ; the tradition among them being that, 85Q
years ago, their progenito'-s were drivejL by a tempeft upon
that ifland in a Chinefe junk : And we- owe the European dif-
oovery of Japan to three Poriugueiic exiles who were fliip-

wreckedl

The ]
Dr. Robe

obferved

have me

" have J

" pen, V

" clear t

" timatio

ftrange, a

€d author

ilance of

the Portuj

" cefsful

(obferves i

« King of

" ful, as I

" tempt c

" to Pedrc

" the coafl

"meeting

" calms, t<

*' to iea,

" to his fil

wrecled there 1
I'ope to the Ea
rally mafce for
in with the we
'each the Cape
<lagafcar; for
conftantly bai!
are driven to
In the year i6
embafly to the ;
forced by contrj
Trinidad, in tl:
account of this
" when they w«
" they met with
" ed them unab
' leeward 100 1

WEST INDIES.

109

e,
of
u-
he

,ed
on
fa
:ir-
ion
■ore

the
bus,
Lien-
lare-
inez

7 (if
into

in it,

k re-

the

they

oaft.

dea-

Afri.

dioa

The

mte I
|rnit ni-

lartyr,

I of tk
|o have

upon

lan (iif-

ftiip-

vreded |

The reader will now perhaps conclude thatAPPEN-
Dr. Robertfon pronounced too haftily, when he ^^•
obferved " that fuch events," (as thofe that I
have mentioned) " are barely poflible, and may
" have happened ; but that they ever did hap-
" pen, we have no evidence, either from the
" clear teftimony of hiftory, or the obfcure in-
" timations of tradition." This declaration is
ftrange, and the more unexpeded, as the learn-
ed author had a little before related the circum-
llance of the accidental difcovery of Brziil by
the Portuguefe, in the year 1500. " The fuc-
" cefsful voyage of Gama to the Eaft Indies"
(obferves the hiftorian) " having encouraged the
" King of Portugal to fit out a fleet, fo power-
" ful, as not only- to carry on trade, but to at-
*• tempt conqueu, he gave the command of it
" to Pedro Alvarez Cabral. In order to avoid
** the coaft of Africa, where he was certain of
" meeting with variable breezes, or frequent
" calms, to retard his voyage, Cabral flood out
** to fea, and kept fo far to the Weft, that,
" to his furprife, he found himfelf upon the

" fliore *

wrecked tKere in 15^2. I believe ihat fhips bound from Eu-
rope to the Eaft Indies, at a certain feafon of the year gene-
rally maire for the fouthern coaft of Braiil, in order to fall ,
in with the wefterly monfoon, which enables them either to
reach the Cape of Good Hope, or purfue their route by Ma-
dagafcar ; for while the eaftern monfoon prevails, they are
conftantly baffled in their attempts to double the Cape, and
are driven to leeward towards the coaft of South America.
In the year 1616, when Sir Dodmore Cotton was fent on an
embafiy to the Perfian Court, the fleet in which he failed was
forced by contrary winds within a few leagues of the ifland of
Trinidad, in the Weft Indies. Sir Thomas Herbert in hit
account ot this voyage, relates that " on the firft of June,
" when they were by obfervation in 24° 42' fouth latitude,
*' they met with many fudden gufts and ftotms which render-
" ed them unable to purfue their courfe, and drove them to
'* leeward 100 leagues upon the coaft of Braiil."

lie

HISTORY OFTHE

BOOK " Ihore of an unknown country, in the tenth
I. " degree beyond the line. He imagined, at firft,
" that it was fonie iiland in the Atlantic Ocean
" hitherto unobfcrved ; but, proceeding along
•* its coafls for feveral days, he was led gradu-
" ally to believe that a country lb extenfive
" formed a part of ibme great continent. This
" latter opinion was well founded. The coun-
" try with which he fell in belongs to that pro-
" vince in South America now known by the
" name of Brafjl. He landed ; and having form-
" ed a very high idea of the fertility of the
*« foil and agreeablenefs of the climate, he
« took pofleffiou of it for the Crown of Por-
** tugal, and dii'patched a fhip to Liibon with
Vlf* an account of this event, which appeared to
" be no lefs important than it was unexpeft-
** ed. Columbus'sxHfcovery of the New World
" was the effort of an adlive genius, enlight-
" ened by fcience, guided by experience, and
" adling upon a regular plan, e^recuted with
" no lefs courage than peifeverance. ,£utfi^om
*' this adventure of the Portuguefe, it appears
"that chawe might have accomplilhed that
" great defign, which it is now the pride of
" human reafon to have formed and perfe6led.
" If the fagacTty of Columbus had not con-
" dudled mankind to America, Cabral, 'by a
" fortunate accident,- might have led them, a
" few years later, to the knowledge of that
" extenfive continent*.

And certainly, by fome fuch accident, in
ages long paffed, might the ancient Hemifphere
have given a beginning to population in the
New ; or at leaft have fent thither the progeni-
tors of that feparate race of people of which I
now treat. It remains for me however to aflign

^ my

* Hift. Ameiica, vol. i< p. 151.

my reafo
clufion tc
of the ni
ern iide
America.
The m
by their la
attending
ducing a
dilTerent p
fometimes
different c
frequently
ters be of
iiabituated 1
and orthogi
nion theref;
voyagers fe
formaiion on
are, ueverthe
of which th

mifunderftoo
. Thus, on
jpreferved by
Jtal dialeiSis*
Itlie following
jtheir origin
pay readily 1
•^ilar nature n
have affign
^nich differei
each accordir
round, of red]
Fu: creating f
[«e to difental

* For thi« illui
Jf this enquir/, jl

)here

the

reni-

lichl

^ffign

WEST INDIES.

iti

my reafons for particularly applying this con-APPEN-
clufion to the Charaibes, inftead of any other ^^*
of the numerous tribes which inhabit tne eaft-
ern fide of the immenfe continent of South-
America.

The migration of any people is beft traced
by their language : but there is this inconveniency
attending this fpecies of evidence, that in re-
ducing a language, merely oral, to writing,
different perfons even of the fame nation, would
fometimes reprefent the fame found by a very
different combination of letters; — much more
frequently would this happen, fhould the wri-
ters be of diftant countries, and confequently
habituated to various modes of pronunciation
and orthography ;—- but although I am of opi-
nion therefore that vocabularies preferved by
voyagers feldom afford much certainty of in-
I forma.ion on a compariibn with each other ; there
are, neverthelefs, in every language, many words
of which the found is too fimple to be eafily
[mifunderftoodor grofsly mifreprefented.

Thus, on comparing the Charaibe vocabulary,
Ipreferved by Rochefort, with the ancient orien-
Ital dialers *, it is fcarce poffible to doubt that
Ithe following words ufed by the Charaibes, had
Itheir origin in ihe Old Hemifphere, and we
|niay readily believe that many inftances of a fi-
lilar nature might be adduced, but for the caufe
have affigned, namely, the different modes
i^hich different perfons would necelTarily adopt,
each according to his own perception of the
found, of reducing the fame words to writing :*
khii: creating a perplexity which it is now too
[ate to difentangle.

Charaibe.

* For this illuftration, and other aflillance in the courle
[f this enquiry, I am indebted to a learned friend j by whonn

2 I am

Ill HISTORY OF THE

*°°'' ■ To.h,

a^d ano
that the J
accuflomi
coafts, ai
fit for th
up and f(
came to ]

5, j's? s rm 2 1 II §1^331 ■with food

muft doub

Now it is

1*1 ?^%'^ ^^"pS'Tn^ £ I the Arabic

ll ngc E; ^ E eg ^ , iwemaybc

^•S f I -r g*^ X B natives on

The tefti]
^ ^ . . Hners, thouj

n dance of lai
[not withou
Itoms of the
i . ' a ■ Vol. I.

r*" rS O* 4» Si M

•S •*• 4, a .- S^ j3 ««•"!- g

a t>

St ,S '♦^ 01 C< •- ei pD P^ 3 W > tj e a ci s

a
o

\i:a

111

WEST INDIES.

>>S

To the proofs arifing from language, I Ihall APPEN-
a^d another. — We have feen from Herodotus, ^^^'
that the Phenicians in their African voyages were
accuftomed to land on the Arabian and Lybian
coafts, and taking po{}einc\. of a fpot of ground
fit for their purpole, they proceeded to plough
up and fow it with corn, and waited until it
came to maturity ;— thus providing themfelves
with food for a long navigation. This pradtice
muft doubtlefs have given rife to difputes*and con-
fli£ls between the intruders and the inhabitants.
Now it is remarkable that the word Charaihe, in
the Arabic language, fignifies, as I am inform-
ed, a robber or deftroyer, an appellation which
we may believe was frequently beftowed by the
natives on the invaders of their country*.

The teftimony arifing from a fimilarity of man-
ners, though far lefs conclufive than the evi-
dence of language, is furely, in the prefent cafe,
not without its force. That many of the cuf-
[toms of the eaflem nations prevailed among the

Vol. I. I Charaibes,

: am informed (being myfelf unacquainted with the oriental
[languages) that the Samaritan, and old Phenician, the Syriar,
thaldee and Hebrew, are all dialect of one language; difFer-
Ing but little from each other, except in their letters. The
Hebrew agrees lefs w'th the other dialects than the reft, but is
pow printed in the fame character with the Chaldee. The/
i\\ form a noun in the fame manner except the Hebrew,
Khich prefixes M) (S) to form the genitive cafe, and nK (at)
lo form the accufative ; all the others ufe ^ (D) and n^ (it);
1 * lieri, and fome others, fpeak of the Charalbes as 'priefts
n prophets found in BrafiL Kochefort makes Charaihe a na*
lonal name. Thefe words are oriental, founding alike, but
elt differently *, and of a different meaning : The prieils may
i called W^M lip as men who offer pip %t^»i an ofFeriiig,
4»S«s is the Greek word for a prieft of Cybele, unde Cory-
iNTEs. mrr^b pip taan a*lp> >*? Leviticus i. 2. But if
ke national name be derived from their warlike and predato-
' way of life, then we may derive it from ain the verb Chal-
e. Syr. Arab, to lay wajie» The noun Agnifie; a fword or
ear and nain Sam. War.

''iil!,.:'^

'('

I': .'•

114

£0
I

'^■■.i

HISTORY OF THE

OK Charaibes, I have, I think, fafficiently deniou-
ftrated, to thole at leaft who are acquainted with
oriental hiftory, in the fecond chapter of this
work. Of fome of thofe cuftonis, the refem-
blance was probably fortuitous, and a fimilarity
of climate and fituation, might have given rife
to others; but when very fmgular pradiices pre-
vail between didant nations, which are neither
founded in nature nor climate, nor proceed froni
fituation and rank in the fcale of reiinement,
the coincidence can fcarcely be deemed acci-
dental. Thus, among other cuftoms equally re-
markable, it has been related that the Charaibes
buried their dead in a cowering pofture, with
the knees to the chin. That this was an anci-
ent pradlice of fome of the eaflern nations ap-
pears from the authorities of Herodotus and Ci-
cero ; the former recording th'j exiftence of it
among the Nafamones, a people who inhabited
the countries between Egypt and Carthage; and
the latter relating the fame circumftance of the
ancient Perfians. I am inclined to believe that
this praftice prevailed alfo in the country and
age of the patriarchs; — for how otherwife are we
to underftand the fcripture phrafe of gather-
ing UP THE FEET OF THE DYING? " And whitt

Jacob had made an end of commanding his fins, I

HE GATHERED UP HIS FEET INTO THE B£D,|

and yielded up the ghoft*".

Equally prevalent among the Charaibes, and I
many of the ancient nations of the Old He-
mifphere, were the fuperftitious rites of (hor-l
tening the hair and wounding the fielh, in re-
ligious ceremonies and lamentations for thel
dead. That thel'e practices were tifual among!
the heathens, fo early as the days of MofesJ

* Qen. c. xlix. v. J3.

((

• Jevit. c. xi
T Deut. c. xi
5 I Kings, c.
11 Decad. viii.

•■'IHII

^iv

WEST INDIES.

"IS

is evident from the injundlion which the LprdAPPEN-
laid on the children of Ifrael to avoid them. ^^*
" Ye Jball not round the comers of your head,
" neither Jbalt thou mar the corners of thy heard*
" Ye Jball not make any cuttings in your fiejh
" for the dead, nor print any marks upon youfJ**
Again, — " Ye are the children of the Lord, your
" God: Ye Jhall not cut your/elves, nor make
" any haldnejs between your eyes for the dead f."
Among the heathens however the fame cere-
monies were ftill continued; for in Samaria, in
the days of Ahab, King of Ifrael, it is record-
ed of the prophets of Baal that, in worfhip-
ping their idol, " they cried aloud and cut them-
" felves after their manner with knives and lances
" //'// the blood gufhed out upon them J."

But perhaps the inilance the moft appoHte
and illuftrative, was the habit among the Cha-
raibes of chewing the betele, preparing it with
calcined fht Ms precifely after the manner of the
Indians in the Eaft; — a circumftance, which,
though recorded by P. Martyr ||, had efcaped
I my refearches, until it was pointed out to me
by Mr. Long. Some other refemblances almoft
equally ftriking, might be colle6led; but the
reader will probably think that more than
lenoueh has already been faid on a fubje£k, the
linveftigation of which he may perhaps deem a
Imere matter of idle curiofitv, neither contri*
Ibuting to the improvement o fcience, nor the
Icomfort of life.

Here then I conclude : An atten^pt to trace
Iback the Cbaraibes of the Weft Indies to their

I 2 progenitors,

* Levlt. c. xix. V. 27.
t Deut. c. xlv. V. I.
X I Kings, c. xviii. v. 28.
I Decad. viii. c. vi, - •

P',

if"'

ii6

HISTORY OF, &e.

BOOK progenitors, the firft emigrants from the ancient
^ hemifphere, in order to point out, with any de-
gree of precifion or probability, the era of their
migration, were (like the voyases I have been
defcribing) to venture on a vait and unknown
ocean without a compafs ;— -and even without
one friendly ftar to guide us through the night
of conjedlure.

y M

■1:1

l:. :*',<:. '■■s

THE

•;-^l %¥■' ■

?'■•■

C "7 2

TH X

HISTORY,

:irMIEf '

f ill.-

CIFIL AND COMMERCIAL,

or TH %

i» .'.«''

Britilh Colonies in the Weft Indies.

;'?

BOOK II.

JAMAICA*.

CHAP. I.

Difcoviry of Jamaica by Cohmhus, — His return in
i^o^.'-Spirited proceedings of his fin Diego,
after Columbus* s death. — Takes pojeffion of
Jamaica in 1509. — Humane conduct of Juan
de Efyuivel, the frfi Governor. — Efiablijhment
and defertion of the town of Sevilia Nueva,--^
Dejiruffion of the Indians. — St. Jago de la

. Vega

* It may be proper to obfervethat the governor of Jamaica
is ftiled in his commiifion Captain general &c. of Jamaica
Mi the territories thereon depending in America. By thefe ok-

FSNOXNCIXS

■^ ■'■I

i ''Wh

1x8 HIST O R T dF THE

Vega founded.-— Gives the title of Marquis to
Dtego^sfon Lewis, to whom the IJland is granted
in perpetual foveretgnty. — Defcends to his ftjhr
Ifahellay who conveys her rights by marriage to
the houfe of Braganza. — Reverts to the crown of
Spain, in iS/^t.'^Sir Anthony Shirley invades
I the IJland in iSS^t o,^d Col. jackfon in 1638.

BOOK Jamaica had the honour of being difco-
II- vered by Chriftopher Columbus, in his fecond
expedition to the New World. In his former
Toyage he had ^xploted the north-eaftern piart of
Cuba, proceeding from thence to Hifpaniola;
but he had returned to Europe in doubt whether
Cuba was an ifland only, or part of fome great
continent, of which he had received obibure
accounts from the natives. To fatisfy himfelf
in this particular, he determined, foon after his
arrival a fecond time at Hifpaniola, on another
voyage to Cuba, by a fouth-wefterly courfe,
and, in purfuance of this refolution, on the 24th

pzNDiMCiss were meant the Brltifh fettlements on the Muf-
quito ihore, and in the bajr of Honduras: But his jurifdidti-
on over thofe fettlements having been imperfedlly defined,
•was feldom acknowledged^ by the fettlers ^ except when they
wifhed to plead it in bar of the authority claimed by their re-
fpeftive fuperintendants. On fuch occaftons they admitted a
fuperior jurifdiAipn in the governor of Jamaica, and applied
to him for commiflions civil and military. As both the
fettlements were furrehdered to the crown of Spain by the
Spanifh convention iigned at London on the 14th of Jul/
1786, it comes not within the plan of my work to enter on
a difplay of their pall or prefent ftate. \ formerly drew up a
memorial concerning the fettlement on the Mufquito fhore,
wherein an account was given of the country, its inhabitants
and produAions. and the queftion between Oreat Britain
and Spain, asto the territorial right, pretty fully diifcufred. This
memorial having been laid before the Houfe of Commons in
1774 (by Governor Johnftone) was foon afferwardt piiblifhed
Id Almon's Parliamentary Regiftef. \

of Ap

Oflftt

Tuefd
of St.
to Cub
that

* P. Mart)
ans wrote the
the language
Columbus havi
on, and fome <
was the augmei

i^ii- i

xe Muf-
iirifdifti-
defir.ed,
Ken they
their re-
[mitted a 1
applied
loth the
by the
of July
inter on
•ew up I
J fliore,
labitants
Britain
led. This
.mons in
iubUlhed

WEST INDIES.

119

of April, 145[4> Columbus failed from the Port CHAP,
of Iftbclla, with one fhip and two ihallops. On ^•
Tuefday the 29th, he anchored in the harbour
of St. Nicholas. From thence he croffed over
to Cuba, and coafted along the fouthern fide of
that liland, furrounded by many thoufand
canoes filled with Indians, whom curiofity and
admiration had brought together. In this navi-
gation, on Saturday the3dof May,hedifcovered,
for the firft time, the high lands of Jamaica on
the left, and probably learnt its name (the name
which it ftill retains*) from fome of the Indians
that followed him. As this was a new dif-
covery, and many of the feamen were willing to
believe that it was the place to which they had
been formerly direded by the Indians of the
Bahama lilands, as the country moil abounding
in gold, Columbus was eafily perfuaded to turn
his courfe towards it. He approached it the
next day, and, after a flight conteft with the
natives, which ended however in a cordial
reconciliation, he took poflelfion of the country,
with the ufual formalities.

But it was not until the fourth and laft voy-
age of Columbus, a voyage undertaken by this
great navigator, after he had fuffered a feverer
trial from the bafe ingratitude of the Country
and Prince in whofe fervice he laboured, tlian
from all his paft toils, dangers and inquietudes,
that he learnt more of Jamaica ; which, as it had
the honour of being firft difcovered by him,
nine years before, had the ftill gteater honour of

aifording

* P. Martyr. F. Columbus. The early Spanifti hiftori-
ans wrote the word Xaymaca. It is faid to have fignified, in
the language of the natives, a country abounding in Springs.
Columbus having at firft named the Ifland 5/. 'Ji^gOy Oldmix-
on, and fome other writers, erroneouily fuppole that Jamaica
was the augmentative of James.

120

HISTORY OF THE

. I.

BOOK affording him fhelter from ftiipwreck. For, on
^^' the 24th of June 1503, being on his return to
Hifpaniola from Veragua, he met with fucli
tempeftuous weather, as compelled him, after
lofing tM'o of his Ihips, to bear away in the
utmoft diftrefs for this Ifland. With great diffi-
(pulty, he reached a little harbour on the north
fide (which to this hour bears the name of Don
Chrijiophers Cove) where he was forced to run
aground the two veffels that were left him, to
prevent their foundering. By this difafter, his
fliips were damaged beyond the poflibility of re-
pair, and he had now the melancholy refledlion
that his miferies and his life would probably ter-
minate together. During the i'pace of twelve
months and four days, that he remained in this
wretphed fituation, he had new dangers to fur-
mount, and unaccuftomed trials for the exercife
of his fortitude, his people revolted, the Indians
deferted him, and ^he Governor of Hifpaniola
not only refufed to relieve, but with monftrous
and unexampled barbarity, aggravated his mif-
fortunes by outrage and mockery. All thefe
occurrences however, together with the dexteri-
ty with which he availed himfelf of the fuper-
itition of the Indians, by the circuniftance of
an eclipfe, and the means wherebjr his deli-
verance was at length effedled, having been re-
counted by a thoufand different hiftorians, need
not be repeated by me, The bardlhips he
fuffered on this occafion, and his Sovereign's
ingratitude together, proved too mighty for his
generous fpirit : he funk under them, foon after I
his return to Spain; leaving however a namel
not to be extinguilhed, but with that world
whofe boundaries he had extended *,
, Afterl

• There is preferved among the Journals of the Hon.
Council in Jamaica, a very old .volume in MS. conftfting ofl

diaries f

After
the tran

WEST INDIES. , ! 121

After the death of its illuftrious difcoverer, CHAP,
the tranfadions of the Spaniards, during a cen- ^*

tury

diaries and reports of Governors, which relate chiefly to the
proceedings of the army and other tranfadions in the firlt
lettlement of the Colony. In this book is to be found the
tranflation of a letter to the King of Spain, iaid to be writ-
ten by Columbus during his connnement on this Ifland. As
it appears to me to bear rtiarks of authenticity, I ihall pre-
fent it to my readers. It was written probably about eight
months after the departure of his meffenger Diego Mendez,
who had attempted to reach Hifpaftioia in an Indian canoe.
Hearing nothing from him in that interval, Columbus feems
to have relinquifhed every hope of relief, and to have writ-
ten this letter in an hour of defpondency, not as having any

gen re-

, need

.ps he

reign's

or his
after '
name!
world I

After]

■he Hon.
]fiftingo{|

probable means of fending it to Spain,
It would be found after his death.— It is

but on the idea that
as follows.

A letter from Chriftopher Columbus, in Jamaica, to King

Ferdinand.

"Jamaica, 1504.
^D'm I'endes, and the papers I lent by him, will
(hew y«' ''• -hncfs what rich mines of gold I have dilcover-
ed in V».i«gaa, and how I intended to have left my brother
at the river Belin, if the judgments of Heaven arid the great-
eft misfortunes in the world had not prevented it. However
it is ftifficient that your Highnefs ar»d your fucceflbrs will
have the glory and advantage of all, and that the full difco-
very and lettlement are referved for happier perfons than the
unfortunate Columbus. If God be fo merciful to me as to
condu(ft Mendes to Spain, I doubt not but he will convince
your Highnefs and my great miftrefs that this will not only
be a CaJiU and £.««, but a difcovery of a world of fubjedts,
lands and wct^lth, greater than man's unbounded fancy could
ever comprehend, or avarice itfelf covet ; but neither he, this
paper, nor the tongue of mortal man can exprefs the anguifh
and aiBi(^ions of my body and mind; nor the mifery and
dangers of my fon, brother and friends! Already have we
been confined ten months in this place, lodged on the open
decks of our fliips, that are run on ihove and lafhed together;
thofe of my men that were in health have mutinied' under the
Porras's of Seville, my friends that were faithful are moilly
fick and dying, we have confumed the Indians' proviiions, fo
that they abandon us ; ail therefore are like to periih by hun-
ger, and thefc miferies are accompanied with lo many aggra-
vating

'1 '■!«'',,

-ir

122

HISTORY OF THE

.LJ

BOOK turyand a half, in the fettlemeni of Jamaica,
^^* Lave fcarcely obtained the notice of hiftory.

Happy

vating circumftances, that render me the moil wretched ob-
jeA of misfortune, this world Ihall ever fee •, as if the difplea-
lure of Heaven feconded the envy of Spain, and Would punifli
as criminal thofe undertakings and difcoveries which rbrmer
ages would have acknowledged as great and meritorious ac-
tions ! Good Heaven, and you ho^ faints that dwell in it,
let the King Don Ferdinand and my illuftrious miftrefs Don-
na Ifabella know, that my zeal for their fervice and intereft
hath brought me thus low ; for it is impoflible to live and
have aiHiaions equal to mine. I fee, and with horror ap-
prehendj my own, and, for my fake, my unfortunate and
deferving peoples' deftrudtion. Alas, piety and juflice have
retired to their habitations above, and it is a crime to have
undertaken and performed too much ! As my mifery makes my
life a burthen to myfelf, fo I fear the empty titles of Vice-
Koy and Admiral, render me obnoxious to the hatred of the
Spanifh nation. It is vifible that all methods are adopted to
cut the thread that is breaking ; for I am in my old age, op-
preiTed with infupportable painft of the gout, and am now
languifhing and expiring with that and other infirmities,
among favages, where I have neither medicines nor provifi.
ons for the body, prieft nor facrament for the foul. My men
in a ftate of revolt ; my brother, my fon, and thofe that are
faithful, fick, itarvin^ and dying; the Indians have aban-
doned us, and the Governor of Saint Domingo has fent ra-
ther to fee if I am dead, than to fuccour us, or carry me
alive from hence ; for his boat neither delivered a letter, nor
fpoke with, nor would receive any letter from us ; fo I con-
clude your Highnefs's officers intend that here my voyages and
life fhould terminate. O biefTed mother of God, that com-
paffionates the miferable and opprefTed, why did not cruel
fiovadilla kill me when he robbed me and my brother of our
dearly-purchafed gold, and fent us to Spain in chains without
trial, crime or fhadow of mifcondufl ? Thefe chains are ail
the treafures I have, and, they fhall be buried with mc, if I
chance to have a coffin or grave ; for I would have the re-
membrance of fo unjufl an action perifh with me, and, for
the glory of the Spanifh name, be eternally forgotten. Let
it not bring a further infamy on the CaftilUan name, nor let
ages to come know, there were wretches fo vile in this, that
think to recommend themfelves to your majefly by deflroying
the unfortunate and iniferable Chriflopher Columbus; not

, , fori

Happy :
tionai c

for his crim<
Spain a nev
i&d condu<5^(
ihew pity .» I
tice and mere
God, that kr
have merey f
Wl*, furely tl
thtbld that
ran the hazarc
littie or no ex
four voyages,
Ola to prince <
ing chargefd w
but his chain*
Spaiip another
;age for himfel
vin &m perfeci
wbe^ ae if the
^^f old, and aj
this miferable i
cow the opprei
wiftrefs. She

JteVBwhatlhav
Mfojuft and

Inas brought to

vaft and unkno

/ubfiftonly on

jmelty and ingr;

[0 that the wea

ft/rring up all n

p>"h nation fuflFei

^un^atefulpeopl,

life

^EST INDIES.

Happy indeed it would have been for .1. • ^ ''^
tional characiter, if the record, nf theirna- CHAP,
more extenfive enteiprif^s ^n • '"f^^^ °^^^eir I.
riod, were veiled nequa'd^r"^ '^^ ^^^^ P^- '

fplcndour had been tror^r -^ . ""' ii the t
ing chiefly to render vSblp,!; ^'"°"'' '■«^^-

als.

«S^I

' J ,' ;

uwana mercy, weep for me ( a«/ — V " ^"^t ioves mf-
God. that kno^n.y^lZoZ'J'fSl^ ^ g^o/fied Sainti of
hycmtrtyl for though thisBrln. ' -^^^ buffering, here
m. fureJy thofe that ^are to TotjS' " '"^^°"» «' o^duJ
*fc told that Chriftopher CoE. -W '"^' ^hen they
nn the hazard of his own and Si' T'^ ^^^ ^^'^ fortunT
ktk or no etpence to the Crottf S°:.t '• '""' ^"^'^^^^
W voyages, rendered greater TervLfc '" ''" ^'"'' ^"^
aid to prince or kingdom, yet w,, ? f! ° *''^'" "™o«al man
jng ch^r^ wiA the leaft crfmr „ ' '^ P'"*' ^«^o«t be^
but his cUitt being taken fi!S, u- ^''T'^' ^"^ »«iiery. Vu
I Spain another worii had nehW r?' ^° ^'^^ ^e who ^ave
-7/- Welt no/ hi, ^:?^^^^^ «. not yet a^!

vin ftiU peHecute me, and .eem HJf i fc ^"*' ^o»W Hea-
«|>fae, as if the difcovfery of 'u, ^^.^P^eafed with what I hive

thedld a«d.,a puSS.^L^bS ^ T "^^^ '^ ^^*'"«
Aif. miferable place, yet do you "^i^^^'^t *** * Period in
COOT the oppreifed ahd in'oint ' bW T^^'"' ^^^^ *^« «^-
«nftrefs. ^he knows how much ll^ ^' ^^P^ *° »^ gre«
Mitve what I have fuffered fHer il .°'^ ""^ ^^» be-

befojuft and piou, a» no^to 1-^7 V,^/''''^^^^ ^"^ ^"
bs brought to Spain fuch mmeni • ?'^^'^" ^^ ^'''^ Aat
vaft and unknown kingdom? and ,"'•''* ""^ ""^^"^ »« ''t
rubfifl only on alms. Siie if A. f-^^J'^''"' want bread, or

If^f/ ^"d ingratitude wmbrLd^i'"^''^ ^^'' ^^^«d^^ hat

Ift mng up all mankiud to revenl' ^ ^^^} ^^ ^^^ '"eans of

Inifti nation fuffer hereafter for S. ! ''P'""' ^"^ ^'^^ Spa-

ungrateful people, do not* ^'' '"'^^"'' "^^^i^'ous a^

iiji:.

If .

lli'

1^4

HISTORY OF THE

II'!' '^1 ■■ '«

f. ^

BOOK als, I have been able to coUeft, I fhall now pre-
II' fent to my readers.

About feventeen years had elapfed after the
Spaniards had firft fixed themfelves in Hifpani-
ola, before they feem to have entertained any
ferious defign of fending forth a colony to pof.
lefs itfelf of Jamaica. As this ifland produced
neither gold nor filvcr, it feems to have been
negledled as unworthy further notice, and per-
haps it might have continued a few years longer
the peaceful feat of innocent iimplicity, but tor
the bafe ingratitude of King Ferdinand, towards
the family of Columbus. This great man, after
his return to Spain in 1504, was compelled to
employ the cloie of his days in fruitlefs and irk-
4 fome folicitation at the court of an unthankful
and unfeeling monarch; who meanly fuflered
him to be cruelly defrauded of thfe rights and
privileges originally granted to him; and
which he had fo cfearly and fo nobly earn-
ed. His fon Diego^ the heir of his fortunes,
fucceeded to the fame debaiing neceffity, till at
length, wearied out with frivolous and unprincc*
ly excufes, he inilituted a memorable proceii
againft his fovereign before the council of the
Indies at Seville; and this court, with a firm-
nefs and virtue that cannot be fufHciently ap*
plauded, decided in favour of his pretenfipns.
After a minute and folemn invefligation of his
claims, the council pronounced him hereditary,
Viceroy and high admiral of all the countries and
iflands difcovered by his father. They decreed,,
that he was invefted with a jurifdiftion over
them fimilar to that of the high admiral of Caf4
tile; that he was entitled to a tenth part of all the
gold and filver that might thereafter be found in
thofe territories; and they adjudged him various
other privileges and immunities, of vaft extent

and

V ..<■ .<>'U

-.«,'•*' ''■*'

fecure his
November i
N, withabc
Muiredthere
pftill more

the very few

WEST INDIES.

ttS

, per-
onger
utibi
wards
, after
led to
id irk.
ankful
uffered
Its and
; and
r earn*
irtuncs,
till at
Lprincc'
proced
of the
a firm-
Ltly ap-
lenfions.
of his
•editary
ics and
iccreed,
>n over
of Caf-
If all the
found in
various
extent
and'

and authority. But the king, notwithftanding CHAP,
this diftinguifhed and competent recognition of I*
his rights, confirmed to him only the title and
authority of governor and admiral of Hifpaniola ;
and even of this diminilhed command, it is pro-
bable he would have been deprived, if he had
not fortunately ftrengthened his intereft by an
illuftrious marriage. The gallant youth, never-
thelefs, ftill boldly perfifted in his claim to the
full exercife of all the rights and am] > '*y,
which had been fo recently decreed to beloiig to
him; and fhortl]^ afterwards, accompanied by a
numerous and fplendid retinue, embarked for
his government, refolved to enforce his preten-
fions.

He arrived in Hifpaniola in the month of July
1508, but had very foon the mortification to dis-
cover that the king had aftually invefted in two
other perfons (Alonzo de Ojeda and Diego de
Kicueua) not only two feparate and diflind go-
wrnments, which comprehended all the conti-
nent as far as it had been difcovered by Chrif-
topher Columbus, but had alfo included the
ifland of Jamaica, as a joint appendaige to, and
place of refrefhment within, the jurifdi6lion of
each. Thefe appointm^^ Diego Columbus con-
fidered as a manifeft vioi .^n of his own rights,
and ftrenuoufly contended for the exclufive pri-
vilege of nominating, in particular, to the go-
vernments of Veragua and Jamaica, the prior
difcovery of both thole countries by his father
|being a circutnflance of universal notoriety. To
fecure his claim to Jamaica, in the month of
iNovember 1509, he fent thither Juan de Efqui-
vel, with about feventy men. Efquivel had ac-
quired the reputation of a gallant foldier, and it
|is ftill more to his honour, that he was one of
the very few Caflillians, who, amidil all the hor-
rors

1- V

:•■■■»

* / -.1

ia«

HISTORY OF THE

I-

?: -t

■;■.

'."■*■

■ 'I

S' i^;

■ ^

BOOK rors of bloodfhed and infedious rapine, were
II' diftinguifhed for generofity and humanity. An
eminent inilance of his greatuefs of mind is thus

recorded by Herrera.- About the time that he

failed from Hifpaniola to take pofTeifion of his
new government of Jamaica, his competitor
Ojeda was on his departure to the continent.
Ojeda violently oppofed the intended expedition
of Efquivel, and publiclj^ threatened that if he
fhould find him at Jamaica, on his return from
the continent, he would hang him up as a rebel.
It Ijappened that Ojeda's voyage was unfortunate
in the higheft degree; for afterfuftaining.a feries
of calamities altogether without example, he was
fhipwrecked on the Coafl of Cuba, and was m
danger of miferably perifhing for want of food.
In his diflrefshe called to mind that Efquivel was
in Jamaica, and l^e was now reduced to the fad ex-
tremity of imploring fuccoui; from the very man
whofe deflru&ion he had meditated; but the
magnanimous Efquivel was no fooner made ac*
quainted with the fufferings of hi^ enemy, than
he forgot all his refentment. IJe immediately
fentover to Cuba, Pedro deNarve?, an officer
of r»nk, to condud Ojeda to Jamaica. Efquivel
received him with the tendereft fympathy, and
treated him during his ftay with every poffible
mark of diftinftion and refpe£t, and provided him
"With the means of a fpeedy and fafe conveyance
to Hifpaniola. It is pleafing to add, that Ojeda
was not ungrateful to his benefaftor.

Under fuch a man it is reaibnable to fuppofe
that the ;^oke of fubjedion fat light anci eafy
pn the natives of Jamaica, and that the ravages
of conqueft were reftrained within the limits of I
humanity. Accordingly, the Spanifh hiftorians|
bear the moft honourable teftimony to his vir-
tuous and gentle adminiftration. — " The affaire I

■1 .-, -*!

WEST INDIES.

izf

of Jamaica (fays Herrera) went on profperouf- c H A P.

ly, becaufe Juan de Efquivel having brought I.

the natives to fubmiffion without any effu^on

of bloody they laboured in planting cotton, and
** raifing other commodities which yielded great
« profit." This praife is the more valuable be-
caufe it is almoft peculiar to £fauivel, who alone
feems to have been fenfible oi the abominable
wickednefs of vifiting dillant lands only to defo-
late them ; and of converting the Indians to
Chriftianity by cutting their throats. How many
noble qualities, in Ibme of his cotemporaries,
were tarniftied by cruelty and rapine, or unhap-
pily blended with a mifguided and frantic zeal
for religion, that rendered their pofTeiTors ftill
more remorfelefs and favage !

Efquivel continued in his oiHce but a few
years. He died in his government, and was bu«
ried at Sevilla Nueva, a town which he had
founded. He was probably fucceeded by gover-
nors of a far different chara6ler, who, it is to be
feared', foon began to fpread among the wretched
natives the fame horrible carnage that was now
defolating Hifpaniola. It appears that Francis
deGaray held the chief command in 1523, iince
in that year he fitted out an eiqpeditioO' from this
ifland tor the conqueil of Panuco, a territory
which Cortes, unknown to Garay, had already
annexed to the Spanifh dominion. In this ex-
pedition were employed nine Ihips and two bri-
gantines, and there were embarked in it 850 Spa-
niards, and a confiderable body of Jamaica In-
dians, and i44horfes. Such a force, ifcoUeded
chiefly within the ifland, proves that a great pro-
grefs had been made in its fettlement and popu-
lation during the thirteen years that the Spa-
niards had been in pofTellion of it. As Efquivel

had

!'■■

* i'

Mil.

I'^J

128

HISTORY OF THE

K had eftablifhed the feat of government near to
the I'pot which Jiad been honoured by the refi-
dence of Columbus after his fhip wreck in 1503,
it may be 'prfel'umed that the town of SevilU
Nueva was now become of fome conflderation.
This town, as we are informed by Herrera,
was founded on the fcite of an ancient Indian
village, called Maima *, and near to the port
named by Columbus Santa Gloria (now St.
Ann's Harbour) and the daily accefiion of new
inhabitants would naturally extend the boun-
daries of the capital, till the rude village, con-
lifting at firft of a few temporary huts, muft
have increafed to a place of importance. Re-
ligion too, in all the Spanifti territories, very
foon forced architedlure into her fervice ; for,
by a lamentable inconfiftency in the human
mind, thefe deftroyers of their fellow creatures
were wonderfully exa<5t in the obfervance of
all the outward ceremonies of divine worlhip.
With hands yet reeking in the blood of mur-
dered innocence, they could eredl temples to
the Almighty, and implore that mercy from
Heaven, which they had juft denied to the mi-
ferable vidims of their cruelty and rapine.
Among other coftly buildings a cathedral and
monaftery were defigned, and the foundations
of both were vifible not long ago, as many of
the ruins are at this day. Peter Martyr of An-
gleria, the author of the Decades, being appoint-
ed abbot and chief miflionary of the ifland. A
fort was alfo ereded, the remains of which, as

well

* ^<2^Mamei. There is a bay a little to the eaftward,
■which is called at this hour Mamee Bay. The ground on which
Sevilla Nueva was built, is now chiefly the property of Mr.
Heming, who has a large fugar plantation thereon.' It is cal* I
led Seville Plantation ; and the ruins of the ancient town are |
fiill vifible in fome of the cane-fields.

H'ell as
Sioane, i
was difcc
t/je chun

, oi its pre
draJ ftood
the judgn

ImanAip.

png was n
Jveral arch.
Jligiied for
Jput up *. •

Icondition, \
IbabJy intenc
Trom thefe
m prevails
Jjabitants of
Iheir wars v
ply cut o
I oane, indct
\mtts, who
pfferent reafi
Mile counti
Fumerabie j
IfioD grounds
Ipital wasiJJ

VOL. I.
. " Ov-er the do

r^^tfidea:
Y""^ mo his he,
.^''"'"tiedin
'•""deracoato
.■"»! Martin Ab
,7'. Apo». Huiy.

y™. jfateriTi

»«f

„ ^^ST INDIES.

was d,fcovered at the diftiace of ''.» " '^?^""«t "
the church ; a circumftance ,^ . "■" '""«' from
iome >dea of ,he e„eM onhl "aX pve us
of us profperity. The wlft^ "'^ '" »•>« days
dral flood entire in ,/:S? ^*'« "f thecathe
.he judgment o7 ^foa'f ^e^l'^ifi'VeS 't
mannup ; but t was his n„-^ excellent wo't.
'"? was never complertJ^P/TV''''' "»« build-
veral arched ftonTtKuft ^ °'''"'='^«' fe-
fjgned for it. whi.k ' "'"" have been rf»

P« "P •• He Hkewifrd-r'''' ''»'' »e^ beta
Mi'jo". ""^rials'^'for.'''^];!';^' ■■'I'hef^^
|ably intended for the n.i '^ "J """nfion, pro.

N-n «hefe,circumftLees ,^°^*J?^ 8°^^«on
m prevails in ,he X^j" 't^ tradition which

,l«to.nt, of Setnle'Si^f' ""^SpanilT
heir wars with thi • ^^ ^^'ne period i«

k cut oi is'p^orbZ%f '?'J 'Ad-

Mne, indeed, relate7,3<- ""'"'«' « truth

Ners, who had St Cut °*>^ ^P^™^"

tfrerem reafons for the Z?}^ ''''8°ed very

the country, aHedriL .u"'°» "^ this pa?

f", Martin Ab An i • »

.1..^-'

^Fii I

Sloa

NX.

?S0

HISTORY OF THE

■I

■ \

BOOK commerce. Thefe reafons might poflibly have
II. operated againft the re-eftablilhment of the place;
but were not, I think, of fufficient efficacy to
induce a whole body of people, the inhabitants
of a growing capital, fuddenly to remove their
families and effedls, and voluntarily fabniit to
the labour of building an entire m|^j|^wn» in
a very diflant and wholly unculuHU^art of
the country. It is certam that tTOiCl(^p|i>f Se.
TiUe was not fuffered to fall graduafty^no de-
cay ; but wa4 depopulated while it was yet in
an unfiniftied ftate, manv- years before the con.
queft of the IflaAd by tne Englilh *. Neither
(if this traditaoQ pf the cataftrophe were true)
could a juft accoii^k be expelled from the de.]
fcendants of ib£B/ who defetvedly iJroughtdi
(lru£iion on tlii&miclveivt.^^ce the recital,
their fate would agliii t^v^'^ought
alfo of their ^nc^&^'Wt'Ptn^
they were^deeds of ilfjy^ifjfc/ 'too moil^ffi
contemplate, too^tfa$iM:i£B$^|j^^

Both ancient uatimoiif^ #i^ recent difcovi
ries give too much room tQ nblieve that the woi

thofe ]
aJterna
iag ui
ders *
of the
poSHbU

ticat

the;

cxtiipatJ

happily

to the M

lading di

for reafoi

ipit the t

pie; who,

Icrate

m^^

of deftrudlion proceeded not kfs rapidly '^^^^^tkveii I
Ifland, after EfquivePs death, than in Hifpaiijj,j|.j^,^.*^^
ola; for to this day weaves are frequently dif(
vered in the mountains, wherein the ground
covered, almoft entirely, with human bonesj
the niiferable refaains, without all doubt, of fo
of the unfortunate aborigines, who, immured

thi

Barbow noi
trophe whic
ohave c^u
K St. Jag;
^panifh To
Of the ^
erhaps ufel

* See the account of Jamaica tranfmitted to Cromwell]
general Venabies, preferved in Thurloe't ftate papers, vol.
V' 545" ^^'^crein he fpeaks of Seville as a town thathad«
illed in times pajl. And Sloane relates that when the Engl
look the iiland, the ruins of this city were overgrown ui
wood and turned black with age. He faw timber trees groj
ing within the tvalls of the cathedral, upwards of fixt/ f|
in height. Sloane Hift. Jamaica, vol. i. p. 66. ^

« li difcovj
Npreffed, that
, t There i, ft
'Ji'a. at tJii, da
'^^/refideina
f^^f, and have

m^-

WEST INDIES
thofc recefles. wero nr^u u. I3i

ing under the fword! of ,i?"°«"' OJ- of bleed- I *
ders • ! When therefor. „ ^"^ ""«left inva
of the Spanift in afc^oT '<"?}, "^ the ftt^
?^.»^ feel any other emoHo;'"!' " » '•»-

theHlpian, j^^^"" ■» mercy had permitted
e«"T«t&l their oppreffor, I^T"' '» '»ve
happily this faintSmerini T''"' ^^ >■«-
to tlie wretched A«^« *^?^''^""H"ng)'Vht
lafting darknef^ fi^ It «rj5*« '»« « ev«.
for reafon. infcmaWe l*^^*^ *.""= Almighty

P^; who. tothgnuX°drfi*''':*''^'''«l pV
Itfcedi^^^^^P Spanwrd,, not,

'rU^iii- ^fy^fBn^tMM&^j. ■ ^5> nor,

, TMofs of aiB(4TaKfP<**t-

th»t of M^ai^^SgS?J^«»»b^foIlowed by

i>»rbow now called^rfM^:: V*^! '"^ »« the
Khe which attended°w!^'Sf>*"*^''<= «t,f.
hhave cnfcdthe eftabHftS.en^*';^f 'I '^PP^^d

«''ptfi;:r^i--f.»he^^^^^^^^^^^

S^e^butjfconjeaaremay .

■m

J34

HISTORY OF THE

*::

1'<

It- A

^ ^

;> ■

B O O K be allowed, I Ihould fix on the year 1523, im-
II. mediately after the departure of the force un.
der Garay ; and if the new capital was really
founded by Diego Columbus, as tradition re-
ports, and which there feehis no good reafon
todifpute, the conjedure is ftrongly confirmed ;
for he embarked for Spain indil'content in 15 17,
returned to his government with fuller pow-
ers in 1520, and died in his native country in
th6 latter end of 1525 or the beginning of 1526;
and it was certainly after his arrival the laft
time in Hifpaniola, that he laid, or caufed to
be laid, the foundation of St. Jago de la Vega.
The new city encreafed rapidly, and in 1545
(twenty years after the death of its founder) it
had the honour of giving the title of Marquis
to his fon and heir, who received at the fame
time from the emperor Charles V. a grant of|
the whole ifland in perpetual fovereignty, as an ,
hereditary fief of the crown of Caftile.

As this is an important circumftance in the I
hiftory of this ifland, and feems not to liavc[

been perfedlly underftood by any of the Eng- ^^

lifh hiftorians who have treated of the aifairsMjohn^^yT
of Jamaica, I prefume that a more copious de-Bg^]^ ^

du6lion and explanation of it, will not be un-l Sir Han

acceptable. IdukedeVei

Diego Columbus left iffue three fons and twoBf^njaj^.^
daughters. His eldeft fon, Don Lewis, fucceededBje Endifli '
to his father*s honours and extenfive claims.B(J. ^g j^ I
Of the daughters, the eldeft, Ifabella, afterwardsftf Columbus
intermarried with the count de Gelvez, a PotMfiind and
tuguele nobleman of the houfe of Braganza-fcrdinand
Lewis Columbus was an infant of fix years oM fiyj jjjtl
age on the death of his father ; but was gene-Bnd confir J
rally confidered as hereditary vice-roy, and higWor which th
admiral of the Weft Indies. The emperor how-lcounts T ^
ever, though he treated him with fingular dif-f

tindionl

iR-'^f-

WEST INDIES.

133

tin£lion, and confiderably augmented his reve-CHAP.
nues, as he grew to manhood, abfolutely refufed I-
to admit his claim to fuch extenfive authority,
and Lewis, as his minority expired, instituted,
after his father's example, a legal procefs for the
recovery of his birthright. It does not appear
that his fuit ever came to a legal iflue ; for, in
the year 1545, he found it prudent to accede to
a conipromife with the emperor, whereby he
transferred all his hereditary rights to the crown,
for a grant of the province of Veragua and the
ifland of Jamaica, with the title of duke de Vera,
gua and marquis de la Vega. What might have
been the precife extent and nature of this grant,
we have not information fufficient to enable us
to judge. Whatever it was, he left no iffue to
enjoy it; and his brothers alfo dying without
male iffue, his lifter Ifabella, wife of the count
deGelvez, became fole heirefs of the Columbus
family, and conveyed by her marriage all her
rights to the houfe of Braganza, where they con^
rinJed, I believe, till the year 1640, and then
reverted back by forfeiture to the crown of Spain,
in confeque^C? of the revolution which placed
e affairs (John duke of Braganza on the throne of Portu.
(iousde-

tbe un-B" Sir Hans Sloane therefore, in afferting that a
iduke de Veragua enjoyed a yearly revenue from
and twoBjamaica, at the time the iiland furrendered to
cceededKhe Englilh in 1655, muft have been mifmform^
claimS'ftd ; as he clearly is in fuppoling that the family
erwardsfcf Columbus were at that time proprietors of the
aPor-Bjland, and had fo continued ^Tom the days of
raganza. Verdinand and Ifabellap

years ofl But there is a cir^umftance recorded by Blome,

as gene-lnd confirmed by the ftate papers of Thurloe,

nd higliBor which the relation I have given fufficiently

ror how-ftccQunts, I mean the eftgbliihment in Jamaica

lar difl of

unftio^r

eun-
■eally
n re-
eafon
•med;

pow-

itry in
1526;
ne laft
fed to
Vega.

a 1545
ider) it
/larquis
le fame
jrant of
y, as an

in the
to have
he Eng

I?::'

134

HISTORY OF THE

BOOK of many Portuguefe families. The transfer of
II- Ifabella's inheritance to the houfe of Braganza,
might have encouraged many of the Porruguefe
to fix their fortunes in the newly acquired
colony, and it is equally probable that the fame
event would excite jealoufy in the old Spanifti
fettlers towards their new vifitors. Blome adds
that the Portuguefe were abhorred.

Such mutual diftruft of and irreconcileable
averfion among the inhabitants towards each
other, was perhaps the caufe that Sir Anthony
Shirley met with fo little refiftance when he
invaded the ifland in 1596, and plundered the
capital. About forty years afterwards it was
again invaded by a force from the Windward
lilands undef colonel Jackfon. It is faid
however that on this occafion the inhabitants
behaved with great, gallantry in a pitched battle
at Paflage Fort; but being overpowered. Jack-
fon, after lofing forty men, entered St. Jago
de la Vega fword in hand, and, having pillaged
it of every thing valuable, received a confidera.
ble ranfom for fparing the houfes. He then
retreated to his fhips, and carried off his booty
without interruption.

From this period, until the capture of the
ifland by the Englifh in 1655, during the ufur-
pation of Cromwell, I know nothing of its con-
cerns, nor perhaps were they prodndlive of any
event deferving remembrance. I fhall therefore
proceed in the next chapter, to the confideration
of the Proteftor's motives for attacking the terri-
tories of Spain at a time when treaties of peace
lublifted between the two nations; which I
conceive have hitherto been greatly mifuuder-
flood, or wilfully mifreprefented, by hiltoriansl
in general,

CHAR

HER]
in the pen
fite than th
protedlor C
which in cc
of time, ha
againft this
tions, from
funimit of
induftrious
that authoi
exercifed wi
It is not

proceedings
nation, in ji

cenfure, or
fical priiicip]
|l>is condua
^emale repuh
iiadcal," an

♦ Ml

WEST INDIES.

CHAP.
II.

CHAP. II.

Cromwell vindicated for attacking the Spaniards
in 1655. — Their cruelties in the Wejl Indies,
in contravention of the treaty of 'i 630. — Pro-
pofals offered by Modyford and Gage. — Forcible
argutnents of the latter. — Secretary Thurloe's
account of a conference with the Spanijh Jni-
haffador. — CromwelPs demand of fatisfadion re-
jeded. — State of Jamaica on its capture,

l HERE is no portion of the Englilh annals,
in the perufal of which greater caution is requi-
fite than the hiftory of the adminiftration of the
protedor Cromwell. The prejudices of party,
which in common cafes are loll in the current
of time, have floated down to us in full ftrength
againft this profperous ufurper; and his ac-
tions, from the period that he reached the
lunimit of power, are ftill fcrutinized with
induftrious malignity, as if it were impoffible
that authority irregularly acquired, could be
exercifed with juftice.

It is not ftrange therefore that the vigorous
proceedings of the proteftor againft the Spanilh
nation, in 1655, Ihould have beeii obnoxious "to
cenfure, or that writers of very oppolite poli»
jtical priiiciples ihould concur in mifreprefcnting .
Ihis condua on that occafion. The celebrated
'emale republican * terms it " difhonourable and

iratical," and the courtly and elegant apologlft
' of

*** Mrs. MacauIe/'9 Hiftory of Sftglandf

JB-:

23^

HISTORy OF THE

! :y\- (

BOOK of the Stewart family*, pronounces it a moll
unwarrantable violation of treaty.

The publication of the ftate papers of Thur-
loe (the Secretary) ought, however, to have
mitigated this weight of cenfure. In truth, it
will be found that nothing but a moft difingenu-
ous ccicealment of the hoftile proceedings of
the Spaniards, too grofs to be palliated, towards
the •aliens of England, can give even the
colour of plaufibility to the charge which has
been brought againft Cromwell, of having com-
menced an unjuil and ruinous war, againft a
friend and ally, contrary to the intereft of the
nation, and in violation of the faith of treaties.
If the power which is vefted in the executive
magiilrate, by whatever name he be diftinguilh-
ed, be held for the prote6lion and fecurity of
t Jie religion, liberties and properties of the peo-
pie under his government, the meafures adopted
by the protedor on that occalion were not mere-
ly juftifiable; they v/ere highly necelfary, and
even meritorious; for the cpndud of Spain,
efpecially in America, was the declaration and
exercife of war againft the whole human race.
T ihall adduce a few remarkaDle fa6ls to fuppon
this aflertion. The fubje^l is curious in itfelf,
and, in lome refpeds,' will be new to the
reader.

'I he lateft treaty which had been made be-
tween England and Spain, previous to the
alliiniption of the protedlorate by Cromwell, was B^eft indTea, ^^
concluded in the year 1630; by the firft article B^^ "^^^^ to a
of which it was ftipulated, that there Ihould be i^/^/J^^S*"!
peace, amity, and friendftiip between the two Bwards, in Tutu
crowns and their refpe6live fubjedts in all parts m^^, that \he s
of the world. Before this period, the Ibvereigns ■"vent/.fi.t Eng.

• %f Jutting their th
^■noie uionth, a

* Pavid Hume-Hiftory of Great Britain. w4Tgh',^WoTk

o£ Spai

avowed

the fhif

rope, tl

of the

to them

ritories ^

there, bi

privilege

Pretcn

the laws

every ma

the ifliie :

already p

* In the

concluiion o

iaved the Sp

Charles Corj

1606, inform

a Spani/h ai

iaden with co

and firit fet tl

€d them into }

as much to th

f'cs, Luthera

hang them ;

ft." See Wi

quent letters pi

complaining to

of Firardo's

iome Engliih

n
an

WEST INDIES.

of Spain had not only encouraged, bat openly CHAP,
avowed, the exercife of perpetual hoftility on II.
the fhips and fubjedls of all the nations of Eu-
rope, that were or might be found in any part
of the new hemifphere; arrogantly afluming
to themfelves a right not only to all the ter-
ritories which their own fubje6^s had difcovered
there, but claiming alfo the fole and exclufive
privilege of navigating the American feas *.

Pretcnfions fo exorbitant, which violated alike
the laws of nature and nations, were refifted by
every maritime ftate that felt itfelf concerned in
the iffue : by the Englilh particularly, who had
aheady planted colonies in Virginia, Bermudas,

St.

* In the reign of James I. within two years after tli2
concluiion of a peace between England and Spain, which
ftved the Spaniih monarchy from abfolute deftruAion, Sir
Charles Cornwallis, in a letter dated from IVJadrid in May
1606, informs the Earl of Salifbury that Don Lewis Firardo,
a Spaniih admiral, having met with certain Engliih fhips
laden with corn and bound to Seville, " took the mafters,
and firft fet their necks in the (locks. He afterwards remov-
ed them into his own fhip, and there with his own hands did
as much to their legs ; reviling them, and calling them here-
(ics, Lutheran dogs, and enemies of Chrift, threatening to
j hang them ; and in concluiion robbed them of what he thought
I iit." See Winwood, vol. ii. p. 143. I t appears by fubfe-
Jquent letters preferved in the fame collection, that Cornwall's
complaining to the Duke of Lerma, the minifter of Spain,
[of Firardo's condu<ft, particularly in fending to the eallies
Ifome Engliih mariners whom he had made prifoners m the
IWeft Indies, was told by that minifter " that Firardo (hould
jbe called to account, not (adds the Duke) for fending the
Imen to the gallies, but for not having hanged them up, as he
Xtn^ht to have Hone." Sir Walter Raleigh, fome time after-
Iwards, in a letter to king James, fpenks of it as a well-known
Ifa^, that the Spaniard:*, in another inftance, had murdered
penty-lii Enghihmen, tying them back to back and then
putting their throats, even after they had traded with them a
ifhole month, and when the Engliih went aihore in full con-
fidence, and without fo much as one fword among them. See
laleigh's Works by Birch, vol. ii. p. 376.

I ,,

13«

HISTORY OF THE

■V - /-sill

BOOK St. Chriilopher's and Barbadoes; territories feme
II. of which Spain had not even difcovered, and
none of which had fhe ever occupied. Thus
actual war, arid war in all its horrors, prevailed
between the fubjeds of Spain in the new world,
andthofe of the feveral other rsation.* who ven-
tured thither, while at the fame i/me, peace
apparently fubfifted between the piirev., ftr. es isi
Europe.

To fecure to the Englifti an uninterrupted in-
tercourfe with their feitlements above mentioned,
was one great obje6l of the treaty of 1630. It
feems indeed to have been more immcdlatel^y
founded on a remarkable inttanctt of Spani(h
perfidy, which had recently happened in the
iilsnd of St. Chriftopher; for the court of Spain
iirrving towards the latter end of the year 1629,
fitted out a fleet of twenty-four fhips of force,
and fifteen frigates, under the command of Don
Frederic de Toledo, oftenfibly to attack the
Dutch fettlement in Brafil, fecretly ordered the
admiral to proceed in the firft place to the ifland
I have mentioned (which, although the Spa-
niards had indeed nrft difcovered it 130 years
before, they had never once occupied) and rout
out from thence both the Englifti and French,
who at that time held a joint and peaceable pof-
feflion.

Neither the French, nor Englifti, nor both
together, were ftrong enough to oppofe fuch
an enemy. The French planters took refuge
in the neighbouring ifland of Antego, and the
Englifti fled to the mountains ; from whence
they fent deputies to treat for a furrender ; but
the haughty Spaniard required and obtained un-
conditional fubmiflion ; and, having felefted out
of the Englifti fettlers fix hundred of the ableft
men, whom he condemned to the mines, he

ordered

ordered
and chi]
Englifti
under p,
fettlemej
duced tt

jiK' I I

WEST INDIES.

•$•

ordered all the reft (confifting chiefly of women CHAP.
and children) inftantly to quit the ifland, iu Ibme ^^•
Englifh veffela which he had i'eized at Nevis,
under pain of death. He then laid watte all the
fettlements witliin hit:, reach, and, having re-
duced the country to a defart, proceeded on his
voyage.

It might be fuppofed that the treaty of 1630,
prevented fuch enormities in future; but, in
violation of all that is folemn and facred amoAg
Chriftian ftates, and to the difgrace of human
nature, the Spaniards, eight years only after the
aft'air of St. Chriftopher's attacked a fmall
Englilh colony which had taken pofleflfion of the
little unoccupied Ifland of Tortuga, and put
every man, woman, and child to the fword:
they even hanged up fuch as came in and
furrendered themfelves, on the promife of
mercy, after the firft attack.

The unhappy monarch at that time on the
throne of England, was too deeply engaged in
contefts whh his fubjeds at home, to be able
to -afford protedion to his colonifts abroad;
and thofe contefts terminating at length in a
civil war, the Spaniards proceeded in the fame
career with impunity; treating all the Britifti
I'ubjeAs, whom they found in the Weft Indies,
as intruders and pirates. In the year 1635, the
I Englifti and Dutch had jointly taken pofieflion
1 of Santa Cruz, which at that time was wholly
I unpeopled and deferted. Difputes ariflng be*
I tween the new fettlers, the Englifti took arms and
became fole matters of the Ifland. In 1650 the
Spaniards landed there, and, without the
fmallett provocation, exterminated every inha-
bitant that fell into their hands, murdering, as
Jat Tortuga, even the women and children. Aa
lues, he lulual with this revengeful nation, they conquer-
)rdcrecl| ed

ne
nd

lUS

led
rid,

'CIV'

;ac<^
s iu

lin-
fned,
. It

ately
aiiiih
1 the
Spain

1629,
force,
f Don
:k the
d the
ifland
Spa-
years
d rout
rench,
lie pol-

' I

K -.

140

HISTORY OF THE

IS:

i';

: <

BOOK ed but to defolate;. for, having deftroyed all the
!'• people they could leize, they laid wade and
then deferted the Ifiand, and when fome of the
Dutch nation, in confequence of fuch defertion,
took poffeflion a fecond time, the Spaniards
returned and treated them as they had treated
the Englilh.

Of their cruelties towards the fubjedls of
foreign dates, even fuch as were forced on their
coails in diflrefs, the inilances were without
number. Their treatment of the failors was as
barbarous and inhuman, as their pretences
for feizing them were commonly groundlefs
and unjuft. The very mercies of the Spa-
niards were cruel; for if, in fome few inftances,
they forbore to inflid immediate death on their
prifoners, they fentenced them to a worfe
puniihment ; condemning them to work in the
mines of Mexico for life*.

It is evident, from the fchemes and propo-
fals for attacking the Spaniards, which were pre**
fentcd to Cromwell on his elevation to the pr(K

te6iorat€,

te<Sorai

and ju(

ed fron

Spani/h

applicat

made to

out any

pofe thai

nate, or i

would in

prefume i

and the <

powerful ]

tion, is to

did^ccur

next to im

perfons wj

iion, we fi

and Thomj

earlieft »nd

does,- and

Spain in pr

Henry Gag<

J- * and aj

ty and extei

* The Spaniards, after the death of Cromwell, revived
thefe pradlices, and continued them to our own times. About
the year 1680, they landed on the Ifland of Providence, one
of the Bahamas, and totally deftroyed the Englifh fettlement
there. The governor (Mr. Clark) they took with them to
Cuba, in irons, and put him to death by torture. Oldmixon,
who wrote *' The Britiih empire in America," was informed
"by Mr. Trott, one of Governor Clark's fucceffors, that the
Spaniards roaited Clark on a i])it. The infolence and bru-
tality of the commanders of the Spanifh guarda-coftas in the
days of Walpole, are remembered by many perfons now
living; and perhaps there are thofe alive who yrere prefent
when Captain Jenkins gave that remarkable evidence to the
houfe of commons, which^it woulc^. be thought might J^*^^ Band'fome^ "f ^^ ^
animated every Britifh heart to infift on exemplary vengeance. ■ o 1* f

The cafe was this: — ^A Spaniih commander, after rummaging ■#«,,. ^
this man's vefiel for what he called contraband goods, without 1^ ,. "^' ^ir

rhomas Gage.

finding any, pi

wJtJiout the fnj

»«'U»g him tof

ter- Jenkins .

difplayed to the L

we members, wj

0^ fiich a barbal

\Ood, and my]

were averfe f

WEST INDIES.

»4t

te6lorate, that the Engliih, in general, had a deep CHAP,
and juft fenfe of the wrongs which they fuftain- II.
ed from the bigotry, avarice and cruehy of the
Spanifh nation. — ^We may furely conclude that
applications of liich^a nature could not have been
made to the fupreme executive magiflrate, with-
out any pretence of injury received. To fup-
pofe that a body of the Ibbjedls of any civilized
ftate, or that even any individual of found mind,
would introduce into the national councils, and
prefume to folicit a violation of the public faith,
and the commencement of hoftilities towards a
powerful ftate and an ally, without any provoca-
tion, is to fuppofe a cafe which I believe never
didx)ccur in hiftory, and which indeed it feems
next to impoffible mould happen. Among other
perfons who prefented memorials on this occa-
fion, we find the names of Colonel Modyford
and Thomas Gage. The former was one of the
earlieft and moft enterprifing planters of Barba-
does; and Gage had rended twelve years in New
Spain inprieft's orders. He was brother of Sir
Henry Gage, one of the Generals under Charles
I. * and appears to have b^en a man of capaci-
ty and extenfive obfervation.

Ill

finding any, put Jenkins to the torture, and afterwards,
without the fmalleft provocation, cut off one of his ears,

I telling him to carry it to the king of England his maf-
ter. Jenkins had preferved the ear in a bottle, which he
difplayed to the Houfe of Commons. Being afked by one of
the members, what he thought or expeded While in the hands
of fuch a barbarian? " I recommended (he replied) my foul
to God, and my caufe to my country." The court members,

Iwho were averfe to a war with Spain, hung down their heads,

land fome of them fneaked out of the houfe.

See Torbuck's Parliamentary Debates, vol. ix. p. 414.

* This Sir Henry Gage was killed at the battle of
iCulham-Bridge, in 1644. He was anceilor of the late G&-
heral Gage, by whom I was favoured with this account of
iThomasGage.

I !i

iA*

HISTORY OF THE

BOOK In his memorial, which is prcfervcd among the
II. ftate papers of Thurloe, he enters fully intoa jufti.
fication of the meafures which he recommends.
" None in confcience (he obferves) may better
attempt fuch an expuliion of the Spaniards froni
thofe parts, than the Englilh, who have been of.
ten expelled by them from our plantations ; as
from St. Chriftopher's, St. Martin's, from Pro-
vidence and from Tortugas, where the Englilh
were inhumanly and moft barbaronfly treated by
the Spaniards, who to this day watch for their
befl advantage to caft us out of all our plantati-
ons, and fay that all the iflands as well as the
main belong to them. And in confcience it is
lawful to caft that enemy or troublefome neigh-
bour out of his dominions, that would, and hath
attempted to caft us out of ours." — ^He then pro-
ceeds to demonflrate that it is not a work of dif-
ficulty to diilodge the Spaniards from fome of|
their moft valuable pofTeflions, and recommends
theiirfl attack to be made on Hifpaniola or Cuba;
the former, he obferves, "was the Spaniards' firft
plantation, and therefore it would be to them a
bad omen to begin to lofe that, which they firit
enjoyed." " This ifland (he adds) is not one
quarter of it inhabited, and fo the more eafy to
take." — Gage, fome years before, had publimed
a book, which is now before me; entitled "A
new furvey of the Weft Indies." It contains
much curious information refpeding the ftate of
Spanifh America, at the time that he reiided
there. In the dedication to Fairfax, General of I
the parliament's forces, he combats, with great [
ftrength of reafoning, the pretenfions of the Spa-
nifti Crown to an exclufive right to the countriesl
of the New World : " I know of no title," he ob-|
ferves, " that the Spaniard hath (the Pope's dona-
•• tion excepted) but force, which by the famel
Z " titlcl

title nr

" countri<

" ther by

" country

" making

" ginning,

« kind ?"

Thefe, <

Spanifh de]

made with

mind of Ci

court of Sj

fevereft vei

, and endea\

Thurloe, tl

vate audiei

his elevatio

of the true

either in th<

he would gc

the crown,

of Spain tc

difcourfes ci

^; . i h

j^W:,

WEST INDIES:

I4S

« title may be repelled. — And as to the frft dif- CHAP.
** cover y, to me it feems as UllIc reafon, that the ^I*
<* failing of a Spanilh ihip upon the coaftofin-'
<< dia, iliould entitle the king of Spain to that
*' country, as the failing of an Indian or Englifh
" ftiip upon the coaft of Spain, Ihould entitle ei-
« ther the Indians or Englilh unto the dominion
thereof. No queftion but the juft right or ti-
« tie to thofe countries', appertains to the na-
tives themfelves ; who, iftheyftiould willing-
ly and freely invite the Englifti to their pro-
tedfon, what title foever they liave in them,
no doubt but they may legally transfer to
<' others. But, to end all difputes of this nature,
fmce God hath given the earth to the fons of
men to inhabit, and that there are many vaft
countries in thofe parts not yet inhabited, ei-
ther by Spaniard or Indian, why fhould my
** countrymen, the Engliih, be debarred from
<' making ufe of that, which God, from all be-
" ginning, did ordain for the benefit of man-
« kind ?"

Thefe, or fimilar arguments, and a long lift of
Spanilh depredations on the fubjedls of England,
made without doubt a deep impreffion on the
mind of Cromwell. It appears indeed that the
court of Spain, confcious of having merited the
fevereft vengeance, forefaw an impending ftorm,
and endeavoured to avert it. We are told by
Thurloe, that Cardenas the ambaflador, in a pri-
vate audience, congratulated the protedlor oa
his elevation to the government, " affuring him
of the true and conftant friendfhip of his matter,
either in the condition he then ftood, or that if
he would go a ftep further, and take upon him
the crown, his matter would venture the crown
of Spain to defend hhii in it." Thefe general
difcourfes came afterwards to particular propofi-

tions ;

((

«44

HtSTORV OF THE

y^'^i

BOOK tions; which Cromwell received wicii n coldnefs
II' that alarmed the ambairador; who v\\d dchred
that former treaties of alliance between the two
kingdoms might be renewed, as the firll Hep to-
wards a nearer union. It does not appear that
Croihwell had any objedlion to this propofition.
That he fought to involve the nation in an un-
provoked and unneceflary war with Spain, or, as
Ludlow exprelTes it, that " he meant to engage
thofe men in diftant fervices, who otherwife were
ready to join in any partv againft him at home,"
though It has been confiaently aiferted, has been
aiTertedagainft clear and fubftantial evidence. He
demanded, it is true, fatisfadtion for paft, and fecu-
rity againft future injuries ; and he appointed com-
mifiioners to treat with the Spaniih ambaffador
thereupon ; with whom feveral conferences were
held, chiefly, fays Thurloe, on the right inter-
pretation or the treaty of 1630. — ^The refult of
thofe conferences, which lihall give in Thurloe's
own words, affords fo full and clear a juftificati-
on of the protedlor'sfubfequent proceedings, that ,
no excufe can be offered for thofe hiltorians by
whom this evidence has been wilfully fupprefled.
The chief difficulties (obferves Thurloe) were
the following, " ilt, touching the Weft Indies,
" the debate whereof was occafioned upon the
firft article of the aforefaid treaty of 1630,
whereby it is agreed, that there Ihould be
peace, amity, and friendihip between the two
kings and their refpedlive fubjedls in all parts
" of the world, as well in Europe as elfewhere.
Upon this it was fhewn, that in contravention
of this article, the Englifh were treated by the
Spaniards as enemies, wherever they were met
in America, though failing to and from their
own plantations, and infilled that fatisfadlion
was to be given in this, and a good foundation

« of

((

€{

WEST INDIES.

S4S

" of friendfhi]) laid in ihofc parts for the future, cHAP.

" between their refpcftivc fubjeds (the Englifli ii.

" there being very confiderable, and whofe fafe-

« ty and intereft the government here ought to

" provide for) or elfe there could be no folid

" and lafting peace between the two dates in

« Europe.

** The fecond difference was touching the in-
" quifition, <kc.-^To thefe two, Don Alonfo was
« pleafed to anfwer; that to afk a liberty from
" the inquiiition, and frte failing in the JVeJi In-
" dieSt wtis to q^ his mafter's two eyes; and that
" nothing could be done in thoje points^ but accord*
ing to the praH ice of former times,
" Then it came into debate, before Oliver and
his council, with which of thefe crowns (France
or Spain) an alliance was to be chofen. Oliver
himfelf was for a war with Spain, at leaji in the
Weji Indies, if fatisfa6tion were not given for the
* pafi damages, and things weii fettled for the fit*
f ture. And mofl of tne council went: the fame

way>

((

From the fads ai>d riecital which I have thut

,iven, it is apparent that the Spaniards; not only

vere the firft aggrefTors, but had proceeded to

We hoftilities againft the fubje6ls of Engjand,

pich are unjuftinable, even in a ftate of aclual

rar; and, although the outrages complained of,

pefuchas the inolliinfignificant (late in the

[orld would not have tamely fubmitted to, from

Be mofl powerful ; yet did Cromwell, in feeking

rel's, difplay his regard to juUice by his mo*

ration and temper. He demanded, it is true,

bparation for paft injuries, and fecurity againft

pre; but he did not order reprifals to be made,

itil his demand was rejeded, and until he was

iinly told, that the fame hoflile line of con-

|i£l which the Spanijirds had hitherto purfued

I Vol. I. L towards

I hi

I4«

HISTORY OF THE

■■'\ P

{■;

BOOK tdwatds the Engliih ih America Ihould be perfift.
II* edih. NbW, as Blomc well obfervos, on this
Occaiion, " war muji needs be juftijiahle' token
peace is not allowable^

The courfe of my work would now bring me
to an illuftration of the proteftor's meafures in i
confequence of his appeal to force; the equip,
fticnt of a powerftil armament, its mifcarriage at I
Hifpaniola, and fuccefs at Jamaica; but of all
thefe tranfaftions a very accurate ard circuin.
ftantial narrative has already been given in the!

fcttlers,

more pre

cxaggerai

but fuffio

few vears

worihip, j

the abbey,

Of the

appears to

named by

hiftory of Jamaica by Mr. Long; to whofe account B^^jjI™ ^*V!

I cannot hope to aod perfpicuity or force. Re.B|g^ ^^ ? ..J

ferring the reader, therefore, to that ^aluableB^g'^j.L !

work, for fatisfaftory information in thefe parti.BpQjjf • ^

culars, I fhall conclude this chapter with an ac-Bpgj.jf^ \\\

count of the ftate of Jamaica, its inhabitants andKopt^ ^ ^

produdlions, as it Ivas found by the EngliiiBj,gpg2 ' A^®

forces on its capture in May 1655; obfervi-'*

only, and I mention the circumiltnce with a

gret in which I am furc the reader will partici-

pate, that Gage, who planned the expeditioj

embarked with and periftied in it!

: The whole number of white inhabitants on tl

ifland, including women and children, did ni

exceed fifteen hundred. Penn, in his examini

tion before the protedlor's council, on the Ktl

of September 1665, f^atesthem at twelve or foui

teen hundred only, of which he fays about fi

hundred men were in arms when the Engli

landed. It is remarkable however that Blo!

who compiled a fhprt account of Jamaica fo eai

as 1672, avers that the town of St. Jago de

Vega confifted of two thoufand houfes, t

churches, two chapels and an abbey. The|

mufl therefore have happened at fbme period

wonderful diminution ill the number of the w

To the we

iquivel (Pu

ym^, in hoii

"Wsport fee

felted at the

•paniards gi^

w'asftiUrel

Aelter durj

• The foJIowiJ
M«. at Green- J

inhabitants, and the expulfion of the Portuguii

,. ,.^ere lies the]
Jwlife, at Port
le was born at
rjijreligion, .i
'[lowed up in tl
'ijeprovi^nce,
,'/?. tnimirat

.f^^k

WEST INDIES.

14^

i/;'i!'

:Tflft-

when

Qg me
res in
equip-
iage at
of all
nrcum-
, in tk
iccount
c. Re.
iralu&blel
jfe parti-

I an ac-
:ants and]
) Englii
>bfervi
atha

II particiJ
tpediiioi

fettlers, as related by this author, appears the CHAP,
more probable. Blome perhaps has given an H*
exaggerated account of the number of the houfes j
but fuffictent evidence remained, till within thefe
few years, of the buildings confecrated to divine
wormip, particularly, of the two churches and
the abbey.

Of the other principal fettlements, the chief
appears to have been at Puerto de Caguaya, finc^
named by the Engliih Port Royal ; but though it
was next in confeqaence to St. Jago, it was pro-
|bably nothing more than an iiiconfiderable ham-
let, eftabliihcd for the puipofe of fome fniall traf-
fic with the ihips bound from Hifpaniola to the
continent. Its fubfequent rife and cxtenfive prof-
perity, its deplorable wickedncfs and fatal cataf-
trophe, are circumftances too well known to be
|repeated*.
To the weftward of Caguaya was the port of
Jiquivel (Puerta de Efquivella) fo called, I pre--
fm^y in honour of the governor of that name.
'his port feems indeed to have been almoft de-
ferted at the time of the conqueft in 1655, the
Spaniards giving the preference to Caguaya j but
was ftill reforted to by the galleons, as a place
'filelier during the hurricane months, and, from'

■ L2 ■■■''^ ^ its

* The following fiIq;^lf r infcnption appears on a tomb-
one, at Green-Bay, adjoining the Apoiiles' Batter/.

" DIEU SUR TOUT.

Here lies the body of Lewu Galdy, Efq. who departed

lis life, at Port Royal, the aid December 1736, aged eighty.

le was born at MontpelUcr in France, but left that country

rhis religion, aad came to fettle in thisiflaud, where he was.

allowed up in the great earthquake, in the year 1692, and

, pgfiodH the providence of God, was by anodier fhock thrown into

the wh» ^'*» •"•* miraculoufly faved by fwimir.ing, until a boat

iniM^ '*''" "P* ^* ^^^^ many years after, in great reputation,

'ortugum^veti by all who knew him, and much TamfentM at his

leiikliik." '

;iS ^

, ■ I

This Moi

plentiful J

Ming of]

tie and hoj

mine, whi

itlelf, by

Antonio."

Such is

in general ^

dated 13th

that no niei

ifland; whi

undoubtedl

448 HISTORY OF THE

BOOK Its ancient reputation, the Englilh named it Old
H. Harbour,

From Old Harbour to Punto Negrillo, the wef.
tern point of the ifland, the fea-coaft was chiefly
in favanna, abounding in horned cattle ; but
there does not appear to have been any lettle-
ment in all that great extent of country, except a
finall hamlet called Oriftan, of which however
the accounts are obfcure and contradidlory.

Returning eaftward, to the north of Port Ca.
guaya was the Hato de Liguany ; prefenting to the
harbour an eixtenfive plain or favanna, covered
with jcedar apd other excellent timber. This
part of the country was alfo abundantly ftored fcrt, from c
with horned cattle and hori'es, which ran wild Buninhabittec
in great numbers; and the firft employment of I Of the in
the Englifh troops was hunting and flaughteringMhat Guanab
the cattle, for the fake of the hides and tallo\^',lnd the low I
which foon became an article of export. It wasK)bacco.
fuppofed by Sedgewicke, that the foldiers had! Upon the ^
killed 20,000 in the courle of the firft four monthsBjo/Tefled the
after their arrival ; and as to horfes, " they wereBundredth pj
" in fuch plenty (lays Goodlbn) that we accountMivition whei
" ed them the vermin of the country***

Eaftward of Liguany was the Hato, by fomi
called Ayala, by others YaloSy and now wroti
Yallahs ; a place, faith Venables " which hat'
much commodity of planting or eredling of fugaBuftion of Jia
engines of water, by reafon of two convenience number o
rivers running through it fit for that purpofe.
Next to Ayala was the Hato called Moranh
-■ • . Thi

[ersofit. Y

tterminated,
Mginal prop
Vith their nei

* " Colonel Barry's hoiife all galleried round (now ea
Cavaliers) was foTnierl/, when the Spaniards poifefled the
land, the only place in Liguany inhabited; a rich widow I
here a fugar-work, and abundance of cattle ih the favanna]
near 40,000." (Sloane, vol. i. Introd. p. 7^.)— The mouj
tains of Liguany yrere fuppofed alfo to contain mines both/
gold and copper. .. .^ • _^_ .,

If its capture, |
is not eafy

ke labour of t|

id penury of I
landed,

bmniodities
great abuni

iiown, and
«ed no morel

i I

WEST INDIES.

'49

Old I This Morante (faith Venablcs) "is a large and CHAP.
plentiful Hato, being four leagues in length, con- II.
lifting of many fmall favannas, and has wild cat-
tle and hogs in very great plenty, and ends at the
mine, which is at the Cape or Point of Morante
itfelf, by which toward the north is the port
Antonio."

Such is the account of Jamaica as tranfmitted
in general Venables's letter to fecretary Thurloe,
dated 13th June 1655. The reader will perceive
that no mention is made of the north lide of the
illand; which gives room to conclude, as was
undoubtedly the fa<5l, that it was one "ttatire de-
fert, from caft to weft, totally uncultivated and
m wild ■uninhabitted.

ment of H Of the inland parts, it appears ifrom Sloane,

hat Guanaboa was famous for its cacao trees,

d the low lands of Clarendon for plantations of

iobacco.

Upon the whole, although the Spaniards had

r monthsHpoffeffed the ifland a century and a half, not one

ley wereRundredth part of tlie plantable land was in cul-

ivation when the Englifh made themfelves maf-

lers of it. Yet the Spanifh fettlcrs had no fooner

terminated, in the manner v/e have feeu, the

riginal proprietors, than they had recourfe,

ith their neighbours of Hifpaniola, to the intr? -

luftion of fiaves from Africa. We are told that

enumberof negroes in the ifland, at the time

urpofcW its capture, nearly equalled that of the whites.

JVforflww is not eafy to difcover to what ufeful puipofe

Thijie labour of thefe Blacks was applied. The floth

d penury of the Spanifli planters, when theEng-

lauded, were extreme. Ofthe many valuable

mmodities which Jamaica has fince produced in

great abundance, fome were altogether un-

own, and of the reft the inhabitants culcl-

ced no more than were fnfficient for their own

expenditure.

wef.
[liefly
, but
fettle.
cept a
wever

irt Ca.

to the

overed

This

ftored

Shtering

. tallow,

It mi

iers had

accomt-l

by fom^
►w wrold
uch hatll
offuga
►nvenieni

(now call
teffedthei

widow 1
le favannal
-The mouij

ines both (

15»

HlStOHY OF THE

'I i

BOOK expenditure. Their principal eJcppn, befides

II. cacao, confifted of hogs-lard and hides. The

Tale of thcfe articles, and fupplying the few

Ihips that touched at their ports with provifi.

ons, in barter for European manufaftures, cou.

ftituted the whole of their commerce ; a com. I

merce which the favages of MadagafCar con, j

dvL& with equal ability and fuccefs. They pof.

fefled nothing of the elegancies of life, nor were|

they acquainted even with many of thofe grati.

fications which, in civilized ftates, sre confider.l

ed as necefTary to the comfort and conveniency

of it. They were neither polifhed by focial

intercourfe, nor improved by education; but

paffed their days in gloomy languor, enfeebled

by floth and deprefled by poverty. Having at

the fame time but little or no conneftion withl

Europe, nor the means of fending their chilJ

dren thither for education (a circuniilance thail

might have introduced among them, from timel

to time, fome portion of civility and fciencejl

they had been for many years in a ftate off

progreffive degeneracy, and would probably, ini

a ihort time, have expiated the gi-ilt of their anj

ceftors, by falling vidlims themfelves to the venJ

geance of their flaves. Time indeed had!

wrought a wonderful change in the manners andl

difpontions of all the Spanifti Americans. la

muft hov/ever be acknowledged, that if the/

pofleffed not the abilities of their forefathers,

they were unftained with their crimes. If \si

find among them no traces of that enterprifin||

genius; that unconquerable perfeverance, tha

contempt of toil, danger, and death, which fJ

w^onderfully diftinguifhed the great adventurersl

who firft explored and added a new hemifpherj

to the Spanilh dominion ; we miift own at thj

fainl

A*-

' ,4

ii -M

WEST IKDI|:$.

»s»

fame time that they were happily free from their CHAP.

I guilty ambition j their remorlekls fanaticifm, aad ^ '

Ifrantic cnieky. But, whatever was their charac-

Iter, it i& impofiil^^ to juflvfy the hard terms im.

[pofed by the Engliih commanders on the poor

ifettlers hi Ja.naica, in requiring them to deliver

up their flaves and efieds, and quit the country

altogether. They pleaded that they were bom

^theiiland, and had neither relations, friends,

lor country elfewhere, and they declared that

ihey were refolved to perilh in the woods, rather

khan beg their bread in a foreiga foil. This was

iheir final anfwer to the'propofiitionsof Vrnable:.,

[he Englifh General, nor could they be brought

gain to enter into any treaty. The reiiftance

bey afterwards made againll the efforts of our

joops to expel them from the ifland, may fumifti

[his important lelFoii to conquerors — that even

^6^ory has its limits, and that Injuftice and

jrranny frequently defeat their own purpofes.

■»' ;

'^■' -l-l^

i s

CHAP.

»5«

BOOK

II.

-nil uw.

HISTORY OF THE

' C;H A P. Hl!"'''-^-''

Proceedings of the JEngliJh in Jamaica after its

' Cdpture.-^Col, D'Oyley declared prejident. —

Vifcontents and mortaiity among the army,-^

* Vigorous exertions of the Profe^ar.'—Co/. Braytie
appointed commander in chief — His death —

* uOyley reajfumes the government. -^Defeats the
' Spanijb forces i which had invaded the ijland

from Cuba.^^His wife and fteady admnijlration,
•^-Biicanneers.-^Conciliating conduB of Charles
II. on his reJloration.-^Firfl ejlahlijhment of a
" regular government in famaica.'—Lord Wind-
firs appointment. "-^Royal Froclamation.^-Ame-
' rican treaty in i6*) a. -^Change of meajidres on
the part of the crown.^-—New conflittition devif-
edfor Jamaica.'-^-Earl of Carlifle appointed \
chief governor for the purpofe of enforcing tk
newfyftem.'-^Succefsfuloppofitionof the ajfem-
biy»-^oubfequent difputes refpe8ing the confirma-
tion of their laws, — Terminated by the revenml
ad of 1728.

XIlFJER the capture of the ifland, until the!
reftoration of Charles II. the Englift. in Jamaical
remained under military jurifdi6lion. Cromwelll
had nominated Winflow, Serle and Butler to adl
as coii miiiioners, with Penn and Venables, in-|
tending, I prefume, '.o conftitute by this arrange-
ment a council of ftate, 'whofe authority migh^
mitigate the rigour of the law-martial ; but the
two generals, with commiflioner Butler, returning

to Engit

the armj

and of t

thelefs it

eilablifhe

very libc

the accoi

tion decJi

turn to E]

over Maj

ScdgewicJ

Win/low

falleii vi<ft

adi under

fiirther a

ment was

the eighth

the princi]

themfelves

managing ~

which Fort

dying foon

the next i:

in his room

quired mar

tie difpofli

continued t<

alarms. M

ambufh.

themfelves

dered, with

rambling ab<

They wgtq

night to at

quarters, an<

which they v

de la Vega,

!l!i

'►WEST INDIES.

JS3

to England without leave ; the fole commmdof CHAP,
the army devolved on Major General Fonefcu^, ^^^'
and of the fleet on Admiral Goodfon. Jlever-
thelefs it was the intention of Cromwell to have
eftablifhed a civil government in the ifland on
very liberal principles. Soon after he received
the account of its capture, he iiTued a proclama-
tion declaratory of that purpofe, and oh the re-
turn to England of commiifioner Butler, he fent
over Major Sedgewicke to fupply his place.
Sedgewicke ariived in Jamaica in Odober, but
Winflow and Serle having in the mean time
falleii vi^ms to the climate, he was unwilling to
aft under the protedtor's commilfion without
further ailiftance. . An inflrument of govern-
ment was thereupon framed, and fubfcribed, on
the eighth of 0<ftober 1655, by Sedgewicke and
the principal officers, who thereby conftituted
themfelves a fupreme executive council for
managing t.he general affairs of the ifland; of
which Fortefcue was declared prefident, and he
dying foon afterwards, Colonel Edward D'Oyley,
the next in command, was chofen to prefiae
in his room. But the fituation of the troops re-
quired martial array, and Arid difcipline; for
tne difpoflefTed Spaniards and fugitive negroes
continued to harrafs the foldiers with perpetual
alarms. Men were daily killed by enemies in
ambufh. The Spanifh blacks had feparated
themfelves from their late matters, and mur-
dered, without mercy, fuch of the Englilh as
rambling about the country fell into their hands.
They were even fo audacious as to venture by
night to attack the Englifh croops in their
quarters, and to fet fire to Ibme of the hories in
which they were lodged, in the town of St. Jago
de la Vega, the capital.

,•.,,: ...,v,;v--..' . But

J54

. 4

HISTOHY OT THE

But the prctcfior was determmed to maintain
his conquefl, and feemed anxioufty bent on
peopling the ifland. While recruits were raiiing
in England, he dire6^ed the govemcM of Barba*
doeS) and the other Britiih colonies to windward
(which at that time were exceedingly populous)
to encourage fome of their planters to renuxveto
Jamaica, on the aiTurance of their having lands
afiigned them there. He difpat<ched an agent
to New England on a Similar errand, as w^U as
to engage the people of the northern provinces
to fumifh prbvilions to the newly-acquired tcrri^
tory. He gave inftruftions to his fon Henry
Cromwell, who was Major GcneJral of the forces
in Ireland, to engage two or three thoufaod
young perfons of both fexes horn thence, to be-
come fetlcrs in Jamaica ; and he advifed with the
lord Broghill, who commanded at Edinburgh,
on the hA means of inducing as great a numbei
to emigrate for the fame purpofe from Scotland.

In the mean while the old foldiers within the
ifland, difliking their iituation, and conceiving
^om the preparations of the government at
home, that the proted^or had thoughts of con-
fining them to Jamaica for life, became diflatisii-
ed and feditious. Other caufes indeed concurred
to awaken among them fuch a fpifit of difcontent
as approached nearly to mutitiy. Having at firil
found in the country, cattle and fwine in great
abundance, they had deftroyed them with fuch
improvidence and wantonnef^ of profufior, as to
occa£on a fcarciiy of frefh provifions in a place
which had been reprefented as abounding in the
highcft degree. The chief commanders appre-
hending this event, and finding that the bread
and flour which arrived from England were often-
times fpoilt by the length of the voyage and the
heat of the climate, had urged the foidiers, with

great

great es
by thei
cafTavi,
endeavc
from E]
uncertai
have cc
ground;
with the
tribute i
prefervat
were pof
to Englaj
flual greai
troops at
ofprote^(
rooted up
?nd left
(writes Se
provifions
them whej
neither wii
to ftarve t
to a famir
fuch milfco
its ufual at
haps there
wherein a
cumulated
this occafii
principal o
which are p
pers. Sucf:
iizards and
I together wit
bles. This
other circu
Myfentery, v

WEST INDIES.

155

great earneftneft, to cultivate the foil, and raife, CHAP,
by their own iaduftry, Indian com, pulfe and ^^^•
caflavi, fufficient for their maintenance. They
endeavoured to make them feufible that fuppHes
from England muil neccflarily be cafual and
uncertain; and, perfuafion failing, thev would
have compelled them by force to plant the
ground; but the fubaltem officers concurred
with the private men, abfolutely refufing to con-
tribute in the fmalleft degree to their own
prefervation by the means recommended. They
were pofTefTea of a paflionate longing to return
to England, and fondly imagined that the conti-
nual great expenceof maintaming fo large a body
troops at fo great a diftance, would induce the
ofprotedtorto relinquilhhis conqueft. They even
rooted up the proviuons which had been planted
snd left by the Spaniards. " Our foldiers
(writes Sedgewicke) have deftroyed all forts of
proviiions and cattle. Nothing but ruin attends
them wherefoever they go. Dig or plant, they
neither will nor can, but are determined rather
to ftarve than work." A fcarcity, approaching
to a famine, was at length the confequence of
fuch mil'coadu^\, and it was accompanied with
its ufual attendants, difeafe and contagion. Per-
haps there are but few defcriptions in hiftory
wherein a greater variety of horrors are ac-
cumulated than in the letters addreffed on
this occafion by Sedgewicke and the other
principal otficers, to the government at home,
which are preferved among Thurloe's ft ate pa-
pers. Such was the want of food, that fnakes,
lizards and' other vermin, were eagerly eaten,
[together with unripe fruits and noxious vegeta-
bles. This unwholefome diet concurred with
other circumftances to produce an epidemic
dy fernery, which raged like the plague. For a

coniiderable

!>^ffyw

156

HISTORY OF THE

■^tc

J!.

BOOK confiderable time 140 men died weekly, and
^ ^^ Sedgewicke himfelf at length periihed in the
' general carnage.

The proted^or, as foon as he had received
information o fthe diftradled and calamitous ftate
of the colony, exerted himfelf with his ufual
vigour, to aftbrd it relief. Provifion^ and necef-
faries of all kinds were ihipped wichout delay ;
and Cromwell, diftruftful it is faid of D'Oyley's
attachment, fuperfeded him, by granting a com.
miflion of commander in chief of Jamaica, to
Col. Brayne, governor of Lochabar in Scotland.
This gentleman, with a fleet of tranfports, and
a reinforcement of one thoafand recruits, failed
from Port Patrick, the beginning of 06lober
1656, and arrived at Jamaica in December fol-
lowing. Col. Humphreys with his regiment,
confifting of 8.^0 men, had landed, feme time
before, from England ; and Stokes, governor of
Nevis, with 1500 perlbns collefted in the Wind-
ward iflands, had reached Jamaica, and begun
an eftablifliment near to the Port of Morant,
where fome of Stokes's defcendants, of the fame
xiarae, poflefs at this day confiderable property.
Another regiment, commanded by Col. Moore,
aj.Tived in the beginning of 1657 from Ireland,
y.nd fome induftrious planters followed foon
afterwards from New England and Bermudas.

Brayne's firft accounts are very difcouraging.
He complains that he found all things in the
ntmoft confufion; that violent animofities fub-
fifted among the troops ; and, above all, that
there was a great want of men cordial to the
hujinefe', fuch is his expreflion. He defires a
remittance of £.5000, to enable him to ere6l
fortifications, and a further fupply of provifions
for fix months; ftrenuoufly recommending, at
the fame time, a general liberty of trade be-
tween

peneti
troops
rpread
Brayn<
little c
Hepra
to Eng
he wri
weaken
bIood-1
fatal to
months
death, f
fent to
authority
fefled al
was defi(
relu^ant
fuperfed<
haps fuc
which h<
On the e
himfelf
highnefs;
he told h.
'vithout I
contents
of your c
the affea
that ever
my own
Tonable di
" I vvoulc

cw :'-'■"''

, and
n the

WEST INDIES.

i\feen the ifland and all nations in amity with CHAP.
England ; an indulgence which he thinks would HI.
ipeedily encourage planters enough to fettle in,
and improve, the country.

But Brayne, though a man of fagacity and
penetration, wanted nrmnefs and fortitude. The
troops ftill continued unhealthy, and, ficknefs
fpreading rapidly amongft the new comers,
Brayne, alarmed for his own fafety, became as
little cordial to the bufmefs of fettling as the reft.
He prayed moil earneftly for permiflion to return
to England. In the mean while, b^ ^y (as
he writes) of precaution againfl a r, he

weakened himfelf to a great degree v pious
blood-letting; a pradlice which probaoi) proved
fatal to him; for he died at the end of ten
months after his arrival. A few days before his
death, finding himfelf in imminent danger, he
fent to D*Oyley, and formally transferred his
authority to that officer. D^Oyley happily pof-
feffed all thofe qualifications in which Brayne
was deficient ; yet he entered on his charge with
reluilance; for, hj.ving already been roughly
fuperfeded by the protedor, he expedled per-
haps iuch another difmiflion. In the letters
which he addrefTed to Cromwell and Fleetwood,
on the event of Brayne's deceafe, he expreflfes
himfelf with propriety and dignity. " Your
highnefs," he obferves to Cromwell, " is not to
be told how difficult it is to command an army
without pay, and I tremble to think of the dif-
contents I am to ftruggle withal, until the return
of your commands ; though I blefs God I have
the affeAion of the people here, beyond any
that ever yet commanded them ; and a fpirit of
my own not to fink under the weight of unrea-
fonable difcontents." To Fleetwood he writes,
I would have refufed to accept of this com-
mand,

IMAGE EVALUATION
TEST TARGET (MT-3)

1.0

1.1

11.25

bi|2j8 |25
itt Uii 12.2

14.0

u 1^

Hiotographic

Sciences
CorporatiQn

23 WBT MAM STMIT

WIISm,N.Y. 14StO
(71*)S73-4S03

»5»

H I STO RT O r TH E

4' ^il

|[4 V

BOOK mand, if I could hav« quitted with hopour ^nd
n. faithfulnefs to my country ; but I am ttQw refolved
to go through, until I receive further orders from
his highnefs^ or a difcharge from him, which I
humbly defire your lordfliip to effe^ for me^ Ho-
nours, and riches are not tne things I s^m . at. I
blefs God I have a foul much above them. Pray,
my lord, decline your greatnefs, and command
your fecretary to give me an anfwer ; for if I
were difrobed of all my titles of honour and great
command, yetvou know that I am a gentleman,
and a faithful ^iend to my country.".

It was fortunate for his countify that his refig-
nation was not accepted, and that the |>rote^or,
fenfible at length of the ability and OHerili of this
brave man, confirmed him in his ^{^mnnupid;. To
the exertions of D'Oylej^, feeonded iod fup-
portedbythe affe^ion which bi« folc^rs,: under
aU their difhculties and diftr^Qs, mailifeftod on
every occafion towards him, we owe at this day
thepolfeffion of Jamaica ; the recapture whereof
by the Spaniards, towards the end of the year
1657, became to them an obje^ of great national
concern. Its defencelefs llate, theoifiatisfii^a
of the l&ogliih troops, and the exertions making
by CrofnweU to afford them relief, as w<^l as to
augment their numbers, led the governor of
Cuba to believe, that" the jun^une was thea
arrived for retrieving the honour of his coun-
try, by the reftoration of this ifland to its do*
mmion. Having communicated to the vice-roy
of Mexico, a fcheme built on this idea, and re-
ceived the fandion and fupport of that oificer,
he made preparations for a formidable invafion,
and appouited Don Chriftopher Safi Arnoldo,
who had been governor of Jamaiea at the time
of its capture, to take the conduA and command
of the enterprize.
i ■ On

I 5

•' V4/^_a

►Ived
from
Achl
Ho-
lt. I
Pray,
mand
« if!
I great
ieraan,

i refig-
itefllor,
of this
d. To
4 fup-
, vinder
fted on

;b» day
vhereoC

h« year

ttional

making
il as to
tor oi

las thea

jia coun-
ita do-

/ice-roy
and re-
officer,
ivaiioot,
ynoldo,
:b€ time

WEST IKDIES.

fj9

On the eighth of Mav 1658; thirty companies CHAP.

of Spaniih infantry lanaed at Rio Nuevo, a fmali m*

harbour on the north fide of the ifland. They

were provided with eight months provifion, ora-

nance and ammunition of all kinds, and they

brought engineers and artificers for ereding ex-

tenfive fortifications. Twelve days had elapfed

before D'Oyley knew of their landing, and fix

weeks more interv^ied by the time that he was

able to approach them by fea. During this in^

terval, the Spaniards had efiabliihed themfelves

in great force ; but D'Ovley at length reaching

Hio Nuevo, with feven hundred and fifty of his

beft-^fciplined foldiers, attacked them in their

entrenchments ; carried by aflault a flrong for-

trefs which they had erected on an eminence over

the harboot ; and con^Ued the late unfortunate

governor to get back as he could to Cuba,, after

thelols of all his^res, ordnance, ammunitioQ

and colours, and of ono half the forces which

he had brought with him. Few vidories have

been more decifive; nor does hiftory fiimifh

many inftances of greater military fkill and in*

treptdity, than thofe which were difplayed by

the £ngt^ 0% this occafion.

After fo fignal a defeat, the Spaniards made
to efifort of confequmce to reclaim ][amaica. A
party of- the ancient Spaniih inhabitants, how-'
ever, ftill kuked in the woods, and Safi, their
governor, had returned to ihare their fortunes ;
bat a body of their fiigitive negroes having fur-
rendttred to D'Oyley on the promife of freedom^
thefe wretches informed him where their late
mafters were iheltered ; and joined forae troops
that were lent in purfuit of them : thus the poor
Spaniards were entirely routed, and the few that
furvived, by efcaping to Cuba, took their laft
farewel of a country, their fond attachment to

which,

■'.ill:

>■)]'«■

tdb

HISTORY OF THE

1' ■'*?
hmm

, ■ ■ ■V,;M i:d

■■'■■. .id ;'iS

BOOK which, it is not poflible to refledl on, without
II* emotions of pity.

By the wile, fteady and provident adminif.
tration of D'Oyley, the affairs of the ifland began
at length to wear a more promifmg afped. The
army was now -become tolerably healthy. Some
fuccefsful efforts in railing Inaian corn, caflavi,
tobacco, an<r cacao, had given encouragement to
a fpirit of planting. The arrival of fevcral mcr-
chant Ihips, for the purpofe of traffic, contri-
buted ftill further to the promotion of induilry,
and, on the whole, the dawn of future profperity
began to be vifible.

But, as hath been truly obferved by a well-in-
formed author*, nothing contributed fo much to
the fettlement and opulence of this ifland in early
times, as the refort to it of thofe men called Bu-
caniers ; the wealth which they acquired having
been fpeedily transferred to people whofe induf-
try was employed in cultivation or commerce;
Of that Angular affociation of adventurers it were
to be wiihed that a more accurate account could
be obtained tlian has hitherto been given : I will
juft obferve in this place, that fuch of them as
belonged to Jamaica were not thofe piratical plun-
derers and public robbers which they are com-
monly reprefented. ASpanifhwar, commenced
dn thejulteft grounds on the part of the ^nglifh,
ftill prevailing in the Weft Indies, they werefiir-
niihed with regul?-r ' "ters of marque and repri-
fal. After the reiivi n of Charles II. the king
ordered that theyihouid receive every encourage-
ment and protedtion; nor, if we may believe Sir
William Beefton f, didhis majefty aifdain to b^
come a partner in the bucaniering bufine&. It

^^ .* European Settlements,
/f MS. Journal penet me.

receiv<

public]

(pecies

Peop

oi the

The coi

the deal

for fafet

of thofe

by their

narc'i to

fureplac

per whic

of people

ginning c

uaitjcd in

theandet
piiclth'at

w:«l'8 adl

[wbuldiho

Vol. I.

* The fav,
moft celebniK
>a elevated m
pot meafure
iwen them in
we Earl of jC
pointed deputy
'H proceedii
Mwasreceivec
M confer

wdeed

icieav/accul

[aiiant commas

Pttves, had n

T Some of t

, '^fle^I. are

lo iave remainJ

H Waite,

eneral Harrifc

' f'

11*

WEST INDIES.

i6i

^ell-in-

auchto

in early

led Bu.
having

le induf-

nmercei
it were
tt could
Iwitt
them as
jalplun-
re cona-
imenced

i:]5nglift».
ere fiir-
repri-
he king
lourage-
ievc Sir
Lntob^

iel)j. It
is

is indeed related that he continued to exa£l and CHAP,
receive a ftiare of the booty, even after he had IW.
publicly iffued orders for the fuppreiHon of this
fpecies of hoftility *.

People of all profefllons, and from all parts
of the Britifh empire, now reforted to Jamaica.
The confuiions which overfpread England after
the death of Cromwell, impelled many to feek
for fafety and auiet in the Plantations. Some
of thofe men wno had diftinguifhed themfelves
by their a^^ivity in liringing their unhappy mo-
narchto the fcaffold, coniidered this ifland as a
fure place of refuge. Forefeeing, from the tem-
per which began to prevail amongft all ranks
of people in England, efpecially towards the be-
gitining of the year 1660, that the nation was
uaitied in i|ts wilhes for the re-eftabliihment of
thjeandent frame of government, they hoped to
fiiid that fafety in a cblony compofed of Crom-
wefl's adherents, which they were apprehenfive
wbuld fhortly be denied them at home f.

Voii. I. M But

* The favbiir iextended b> the King to Henrx Morgan, the
I moft celebrated of. the EnffUfli Bueanier» (a man indeed of
an devated mind and invincible courage) arofe doubtlefs, in a
I great meafure, from me good tmdirfiMding that prevailed be*
Itween them in the copartnerfhipthat I have mentioned. When
Ithe Earl of Garlifle returned nom Jamaica, Morean ivas ap-
Ipointed deputy -governor and lieutenant general in his abfence ;
land, proceeding himfelf, at a fubfequent period, to England,
Ike was received very gracioufly, and had the honour of knight-
Ihood confe^d qn nim by his fovereign. I hope therefore,
indeed have good reaibn to believe, that all or moft of
he heavy acculations which have been brought againft this
gallant commander, of outrageous cruelty towards his Spanifh
iptives, had no foundation in truth.'
t Some of thofe men who had fat as judges at the trial of
Cluurlesl. are faid to have become peaceable fettlers here, and
|o have remained after the Reftoration unnoticed and unmo-
lefted. Waite and Blagrove are reckoned of the number, and
icneral Harrifon was earneftly prelTed to follow their exam-

i 1-

i6i

HISTORY OF THE

ri^Sii mid.

:'■■>

-' i^i

BOOK But altho' men of this ftamp were filently per-
II. mitted to fix theiufelves in the ifland, the ge-
neral body both of the army and people caught
the reviving flame of loyalty, and uncerely parti-
clpated in the national triumph on the king's re-
turn. The reflored monarch, on bis part, not
only overlooked their pad tranfgreffioins, but
prudently forbore alfo to awaken their jealoufy,
by enquiring after any of thofe obnoxious cha-
rad^ers to whom they had afforded protedliori.
To conciliate the affedlions of the colonifts,
whofe valour had annexed fo important an
appendage to his dominions, the king even con-
firmed their favojiirite General in his cojnmand;
appointing D'Oylcy, by a commiilion which bore
date the thirteenth of February i6^i, chief go-
vernor of the ifland. He was ordered, at the,
fame tiipe, to releafe t|ie army ffoim military I
fubordinition, to ere£l courts, of judicature, ana,
with the advice of a council^ to be e/effed by th\
inhabitants, topafs laws fuitable to the ^xigcAciesj
of the colony.

This memorable appointment of General D'Oy<
ley, with a council elefled by the people, may]
be coniidered as the firft eftablifhment of a re-i

gularl

gulai

Jifh J

creat<

of th(

f^ry o

readil;

thelor

dire£ie

giaciot

of cnc(

allotme

3s Wert

farther

ioimunit

quire. '

words fo

" and d«

' tural-b

' Jamaic;

FREE

Have

TENTS
SUBJECT

' fons /ha
to tranfi
any of
IJQn) fro
ries to

pie •, but, fuitably to his char&fter, he gloried in the i^omi

nious death that awaited him. After his execution, his chil'

dren fixed their fortunes in this ifland, where fome of his

fcendants, in the female line, are itill living^, in good credli

in the pariih of St. Andrew. It is repoitM alfo that the

mains of Prefident Bradfhaw were interred in Jamaica; a:

I obferve in a iplendid book, entitled MtmtAn of Thomas B

tist an epitaph which is faid to have been infcribed oh a ca:

non that was placed on the Prefident's grave; but it is, to

own knowledge, a modern compofition. Prefident Bradflia

died in London, in November 1659, ^^^ ^^^ ^ majniifici

funeral in Weftminfter abbey. A fon of Scott, theRegicii

Hxed himfelf in this ifland, and fettled the plantation calli—

Y S in St. Elizabeth. From a daughter of this man was dfl y^* being

Ccended the late alderman Beckfoid. ■P'eafant and

IT trade andc

As the read
at

^fa'ma Sept
roll Sc

WEST INDIES.

i€3

gular civil government in Jamaica, after theEng- CHAP.
lifh had become mafters of it ; but, in order to HI.
create full confidence of fecurity in the minds
of the inhabitants, further . meafures were necef-
fary on the part of the fovereign ; and they were
readily adopted. D'Oyley defiring to be recalled,
the lord Windfor was nominated in his room, and
direded to publifh, on his arrival, a royal and
gracious proclamation, wherein, for the purpofe
of encouraging the fettlement of the country,
allotments of land were offered under fuch terms
as were ufual in other plantations,, with fuch
farther convenient and fuitable privileges and
immunities, as the grantees fhQuld reafonably re-
quire. The proclamation then proceeds in the
words fallowing: — "" And we do further publilh
" and declare, that all the children of ourna-
« tural-bom fubjedls of England, to be born in
" Jamaica, shali^ from their respective

« BIRTHS, BE REPUTED TO BE, AND SHALL BE,
" FREE DENIZENS OF ENGLAND, AND SHALL
" HAVE THE SAME PRIVILEGES, TO ALL IN-
I" TENTS AND PURPOSES, AS OUR FREE-BORN

SUBJECTS OF ENGLAND; and that all free per*
I" fens ftiall have liberty, without interruption,
I" to tranfport themfelves and their families, and
any of their goods (except only coin and bul-
liqn) from anv of our dominions and territo-
ries to the faid ifland of Jamaica, &c */'——,

M2 Thefe

As the reader may be defirous of feeing this proclamation
at large, it is here inferted verbatim,

Dtcima Septima Part Patent turn de Anno Regni Regis Ca-
roU Secundi Tertio decimo. Car. 2di. lyio.

PR C L A M A C O N, ^r /A* encouraging of Plant-
\(rs in his Maje/fy*s ijknd of Jamaica in the Weft-Indies.

Wxx being fully fatisfied that our ifland of Jamaica, being
[pleafant and mod fertile foyle, and fcituate comodioull/
p trade and commerce, is likely, through God's blefling, to

bee

i !■

ill;' •

164

HISTORY OF THE

^i ,

'» i

U^^i

BOOK "^^^^^ important declarations have alwavs been
II. juflly confidered, by the inhabitants of Jamaica,

bee a greate benefltt and advantage to this, and other our
kingdomes and dominions, have thought fitt, for encourageing
of ourfubjeAs as well fuch as are already upon thefaidi^
land, as all others that fhall tranfport themfelves thither, and
refide and plant there, to declare and publiffa, and y/te doe
hereby declare and publiih, that thirtie acres of improveable
lands fhall bee granted and allotted, to every fuch peilon, male
or female, being twelve years old, or upwards, who now re-
fides, or within two years next enfuing, ftiall refide upon the
faid illand, and that the fame fhall bee aifigned and fett out
by the eovcmor and councell, within fix weekes, next after
notice mall be given, in writing, fubfcribed by fuch planter or
planters, or fome of them in behalfe of the refl, to the gover-
nor or fuch officer as hee fhall appoint in that behalf, fignify.
ing their refolutions to plant there, and when they intend to j
bee on the place : and in cafe they doe not roe thither, within
fix months then next enfuing, the faid allotment fhall bee j
void, and free to bee affigned to any other planter* and that
every perfon and perfons to whom fuch affignment fhall bee
made, fhall hold and enjoy the faid lands, foe to bee afligncd,
and all houfes, edifices, buildings and indofures thereupon to
bee built or made, to them and their heirs for ever, by and
under fuch tenures as is ufual in other plantations fubjeAto
us. Neverth^leffe they are to be obliged to ferve in 9xm\
upon any infurre^Uon, mutiny, or forraine invafion, and thatf
the faid afllgnments and allotments fhall be made and coo-
firined under the publique feale of the faid ifland, with povet
to create any mannor or mannors, and with fuch conveoienj
and fuitable priveledges and imunities as the mntee fhiU
reafonably defire and require, and a draught of fuch affign-
ment fhall bee prepared by our learned councell in the law(
and delivered to the governor to that purpofe, and that
fifhing»flnd pifcharies, and all copper, lead, tin, iron, coal
and all other mines (except gold and filver) whhin fuch
fpeflive allotments fhall bee enjoyed by the grantees therei
reicrving only a twentieth part of the produA of the faid mini
to our ufe. And we doe further publifh and declare, that
children of our natutall borne fubjeAs of England^ to
borne in J^amaica, fhall from their refpeAive births, bee
puted to bee, r,nd fhall bee, free Denizens of England; ai
fhall have the fame priveledges, to all intents and pur]
as our free-borne fubjeds of England^ and that all free

(«

Thit it a true l

I * His maje

« broad feal w

Jwith five pine.

Ipjum'd and cor

|«on in the orb

WEST INDIES.

165

as a folemn recognition and confirmation by the CHAP,
crpwn, of thofc rights which are inherent in, m*
and unalienable from, the perfon of a fubjedl oi
England, and of which, folong as heipreferves
his allegiance, emigration for the benent of the
ftate cannot, and furelv ought not, to diveft him.
Purfuant to, and in tnc fpirit of the proclama-
tion, the governor was inftrudied to call an af-
ferably, to be indifferently chofen by the people
at large, that they might pafs laws for their own
internal regulation and government ; a privilege,
which being enjoyed by fuch of their fellow fub-
jcAs as remained within the realm, it is prefum-
ed they had an undoubted right to exercife, with
this limitation only, that the laws which they
fhould pafs, were not fubverfive of their depen-
dance on the parent flate *.

To*

fons fhall have libertie without interruption, to tranlport
themfelves, and their families and an^r their goods (except on-
ley coyne and bullion) from any our doaiinious and territories
to the faid ifland of Jamaica, And wee doe ftridtly char^
, and command all planters, foldiers and others, upon the faid
ifland, to yield oDedience to the lawfull commands of our
right trufty and welbeloved Thomas Lord IVindfor^ now our
governor of our faid ifland, and to every other governor there-
of for the tyme being, under paine of our difpleafui'c and fuch
I pepahies as may be inflicted thereupon. Given at our courte at
Whitehall, the fourteenth day of December. P\ iptn. Regem,

7hit it a true copy of the original recorJ remaining in the Chafple of

the RoUs^ having bfe^ examined by me
\VERA-COPIA/ Henry Rooke, Cf of thi Rolls,

* His majefty was likewife pleafed to favour the ifland with
li broad feal with the following arms, viz. a crofs gules charged
Iwith five pine-apples in a field ardent ; fupporters^ two Indiana
Iplunt'd and condaled ', crejl^ an alligator vivant. The infcrip-
|tion in the orb,

Ecce alium Ramos porrexit in prbem

Nee fterilis eft crux.

W'^'..

■■m

S66

BOOK
II.

HISTORY OF THE

To thefe feveral teftimonies of royal juftice and
favour towards the new colonifta, mav be added
the additional fecurity obtained for them by the
American treaty, concluded and figned at Ma-
drid in the month of June 1670. Vox, after the
reiloration, doubts were raifed by the partizan^
of royalty, whether, as the elevation of Crom-
well was adjudged an ufurpation, the conquers
which had been made under the fandlion of hi^
authority, could be rightfully mai^tained by s^
kingly government ? Although nothing could
well be more futile than thefe fuggeftions, it was
nevenhelefs thought neceifary to guard againft
the conclufions which Spain might deduce from
them. This precavtion partly gave' rife to the
feventh article of the treaty above referred to,
which is conceived in the words following, viz,
" The king of Great Britain, his heirsi and fuc-
" ceflbrs, fhall have, liold and poflefs, for ever,
with full right of fovereign dominion, pror
perty and poffeifion, all lands, countries, if-
lands, colonies and dominions whatever, iitu-
ated in the Weft Indies, or a?iy part of Ameri-
ca, which the faid king of Great Britain an4
his fubje<Sl$, do, at this prefent, hold and pof^
fefs ; fo that in regard thereof, or upon any
colour or pretence whatever, nothing may or
ought ever to be urged, nor any queftion or
controverfy ipoved concerning the fame here-
after*."

Hitherto, it muft be admitted that the fove-
reign authority was properly exerted in defence I
of the juft rights of the crowp, and in fecuring to

its

* From this recital may be feen the folly of a very prevalent I
notion, namely, That the fovereigns of Spain, or fome of I
their fubje<5ls, ftiil keep up pretentions to Jamaica, or ciaimf
property therein, as not having been formally ceded to tiiel
cro'A'n of England.

€C

((

':m-

WEST I r DIES.

167

!e and
idded
)y the
t Ma-
:er the
rtizan^
Ciom-
iqucfts

of hi^
d by 5^

could '
, it was

againft
ce from
I to the
:rred to,

ing, >'iZ'.
and fuc
for ever,
3n, pror
itries, it-
er, fittt^
f Ameri-

^tain an4

and pot

ipon any

j mayor

teftion or

ime here-

Ithe fove-
defencc
tcuringtoi

its I

Ity prevalent I

lor fome of

la, or claim ^

leded to tk

itsdidant fubjedis the enjoyment of their f>ofIer- CHAP.
fions ; but unhappily Charles II. was a monarch III.
without fleadineis, and a man without integrity.
His general condu£l was founded in motives of
felfimnefs and deception. About the period
of the American treaty, a fcheme having been
formed* by him or his minidry for fubverting the
liberties of the people at home, it is the lefs won-
derful, that the privileges enjoyed by the colo-
nids abroad, fhould have been regarded by the
king with a jealoufy, which encreaiing with the
encreafe of their numbers, broke out at length in-
to a^ of open hoflility and violence towards
them.

, In the beginning of 1678, the ftorm fell on Ja-
maica. A new l^item of legiflation was adopted
for this ifland, founded nearly on the model of
thelriOi conflitution under Poynings's ad; and
the Earl of Carlifle was appointed chief governor
for the pprpofe of enforcing it. A body of laws
was prepared by the privy council of England,
among the refl a bill for fettling a perpetual reve-
nue on the crown, which his lordfhip was dired-
ed to offer to the aflfembly; requiring them to
adopt the whole code, without amendment or
alteration. In future the heads of all bills (mo-
ney bills excepted) were to be fuggefled in the firft
instance bv the governor and council, and tranf-
imitted to his msyefty to be approved or rejedled
|at home; on obtaining the royal c;onfirmation,

;hey were to be returned under the great feal in

he fhape of laws, and pafTed by the general af-
jfembly ; which was to be convened for no other

urpofe than that, and the bufinefs of voting the

ifual fupplies ; unlefs in confequence of fpecial

.rders from England.

If we only refledl on the diflance of Jamaica from
reat Britain, we may pronounce, without hefi-

tation.

}6I

HISTORY OF THE

'■ i'.W

BOOK tation, that it was iniDofilblc for tlie coloiw to
II. exill under fuch a conltitution and fyftem of go.
vemment. W hat mifcondudt on the part of the
inhabitants, or what i'ecret expectation on the
part of the crown, originally gave birth to this
projed, it is now difficult to determine. The
moft probable opinion is this.— In the year 1663,
the airembly of Barbadoes were prevailed on, by
very unjuuifiable means, as will hereafter be
{hewn, to grant an internal revenue to the crown,
of 4^ per cent, on the grofs produce of that iiland
for ever. It is not unlikely that the iteady refu-
fal of the Jamaica planters to burthen themfelves
and their poderity with a fimilar impoiition, ex.
citingtherefentmentof the king, iirft fuggeAed
the idea of depriving them of thofe conilitutional
franchifes which alone could give fecurity and va-
lue to their pofTeffions. Happily for the prefem
inhabitants, neither fecret intrigue nor undif.
guifed violenpe were fuccefsful. Their |allant
anceflors tranfmitted to their po(%erity their ef-
tates unincumbered with fuch 9. tax, and their
political rights unimpaired ^y the fyftem of go.
vemment attempted to be forped 01^ them. " 1 he
afTembly (fays Mr. Lon^, rejected the new con-
fiitution with indignation. No threats could
frighten, no bribes could corrupt, nor arts nor
arguments perfuade them to confent to laws thfit
would enflave their pofterity." Let me add, as a
tribute of juft acknowledgment to the noble ef.
ibrts of this gentleman's great ancellor, Colonel
Long, that it was to him, Jamaica was principally]
indebted for its deliverance. As chief judge
the ifland, and member of the council, he exert
ed on this important occaiion, the powers wit
which he was invefted, with fuch ability and for
titude, in defence of the people,,' as to baffle an
finally overpower every eflbrt to enflave them

" Hiftorical
late CJiief C
particulars o
Wgc — This
time, and cai
reader.

WEST INDIES.

169

)xxyto
of go-
of the
)D the
to this
. The
r 1663,
on, by
ifier be
; crown,
at ifland
dy refu-
emfelves
:ion, ex-
iiggefted
itutional
y and va-
le prefent
oy undif-
ir gftUam

[ their ef-
and their
;m of go-

m. "The
new con-
;ats could
arts nor
laws thit
,add, as a
noble ef.
>, Colonel
irincipallyj
[f judge of
heexeit
jwers will
ity and for-
baffle am
lave theml
111'

The governor, after dirinifling him from the pods CHAP.
which he had filled with fuch honour to himfelf, HI.
and advantage to the public, conveyed him a
(late prifoner to England. Thefe delpotic mea-
lures were ultimately produAivc of good. Col,
Loi)g, being heard before the king and privy
council, pointed out with fuch force of argument,
the evil tendency of the meafures which had been
purfued, that the Englifh miniftry relu^lantly
iiibmitted. The aflembly had their deliberative
powers reftored to them, and SirThonjas Lynch,
who had prefided in the ifland as lieutenant go-
vernor from 1670 to 1674, very much to the i'a-
tisfadlionofthe inhabitants, was appointed cap-
tain general and chief governor in the room of
LordCarlifle*.

It might have been hoped that allpoflible caufe
of future conteft with the crown, on thequeftion
of political rights, was now happily obviated ;
but the event proved that this expectation was
fallacious. Although the aflembly had recover-
ed the ineftimable privilege of framing fuch laws
for their internal government as their exigencies
might require, of which doubtlefs themfelves
alone were competent to judge, and although it
was not alledged that the laws which they had
pafled, as well before, as after the re-eftablifh-
ment of their rights, were repugnant to thofeof
the mother country, yet the royal confirmation
of a great part of them had been conflantly refiif-
ed, and flill continued to be withheld. It waa
indeed admitted, that the Englifh who captured

the

* I have fubjoined, as an appendix to this book, ** an
" Hiftorical Account of the Conititution of Jamaica,*' by a
late Chief Governor of diftinguiihed abilities, wherein the
paracul'ars of Lord Carlifle's adminiftration are detailed at
large.—- This hiilorical account is now publifhed for the firft
time, and cannot fail of proving extremely acceptable to the
I reader. * ' •

170

HISTORY OF THE

ii '*

k' ' ^'•'S.

.' i i|l

BOOK the illand, carried with them as their birth-right,
II. thelaw of England as it then flood; but much of
the Englifh law was inapplicable to the fituation
and condition of the new colonifts; and it was
contiended that they had no right to any ftatute.
of the Britiih parliament, which had palTed fub-
fcquent to their emigration, unlefs its provifions
were fpecially extended to the colony ty name.
The courts of judicature within the iiland, had
however, from neceflity, admitted many fucb
ilatutes to be pleaded, and grounded feveral
judgments and important determinations upoo
them ; and the affembly had pafled bills adopting
feveral of the Engliih ilatutes which dia not
otherwife bind the ifland ; but feveral of thole
bills, when fent home for the royal confirmation,
and thofe judgments and determinations of the
courts of law, when brought by appeal before
the king and council, though not dilallowed, re-
mained unconfirmed ; and in this unfettled flate,
the affairs of Jamaica were fuffered to remain for
the fpace of nfty years.

The true cauie of fuch inflexibility on the part
of the crown, was no other than the old flory of
revenue. For the purpofe, as it was pretenued,
of defraying the expence of eredling and repair-
ing fortifications, and for anfwering fome other
public contingencies, the miniflers of Charles II.
had procured, as hath been obferved, from the
affembly of Barbadoes, and indeed from mofl of
the other Britifh Wefl Indian colonies, the grant
of a perpetual internal revenue. The refulal of
Jamaica, to concur in a fimilar eflablifhment, the
punifhment provided for her contumacy, and the
means of her deliverance, have been already flat-
ed ; but it was found that the lenity of the crown
in relinquifhing the fyflem of compulfion, was
expected to produce the effeft which oppreflion

had I

'I }

WEST INDIES.

171

the part
ftory of
tenued,
repair-
ne other
larles II.
•rGfm the
moft of
the grant
reful'al of
nent, the
and the
eady (lat-
he crown
ion, was
ppreflion
had I

bad failed to accomplifti. The Englifti govern- CHAP,
ment claimed a return from the people of Jamai- III.
ca, for having dropt an oppreflive and pernicious
project, as if it had adiually conferred upon them
a pofitive and permanent benefit ; a claim which
all the Britifh miniflers, from the refloration of
King Charles to the reign of George II. very cor-
dially juftified.

The j^lTembly however remained unconvinced.
Among other pbjeftions, they pleaded that the
monev granted, by the Ifland of Barbadoes was
notonoufly appropriated to purpofes widely dif-
fereiit from thofe for which it was exprefsly giv-
en; ^nd they demanded fome pledge or fecurity
againft a iimilar mifapplication ; in cafe they
jhould fubjedt their country to a permanent and
irrevoeable tax. The miriifters refufed to give
^y fatisfadion in this particular; and finding
the afTembly were equally refolute to pafs their
jfupply bills from year to year only, as ufual, ad-
jviled the fovereign, from a fpint of vindiftive
policy, to wave the confirmation of the laws, and
tofuffer the adminiftration of juftice in the ifland,
to remain on the precarious footing that I have
Idefcribed.

Such was the a6lual fituation of Jamaica until
I the year 1728, when a compromife was happily
cfTedled. In that yeir the afTembly confented to
fettle on the crown a flanding irrevocable revenue
m£. 8,000 per annum, on certain conditions, to
which the crown agreed, and of which the fol-
I lowing are the principal :

ift. That the quit-rents arifing within the if-
lland (then eflimated at £. 1,460 per annum)
llhould conftitute a part ofliich revenue. 2dly.
[That the body of their laws fhould receive the
Iroyal aflfent. And, 3dly. That " all fuch laws
I" and ilatutes of England, as had been at any

** time

»': ^ -A

172

HISTORY OF THE

I Vi\

W ' r^

BOOK " time efteemed, introduced, ufed, accepted, or
Jl. " received, as la\v6 in the ifland, Ihould be and
continue laws of Jamaica for ever." The re-
venue adl,' with this important declaration there,
in, was accordingly paUed, and its confirmation
by the king, put an end to a conteft no lefs dif,
graceful to the government at home, thaA injuri,
ous to the people within the ifland.

I have thus endeavoured, with as muchbrevi,
ty as the fubjeiSl would admit, to trace the poll-
tic^l conftitution of Jamaica from infancy to ma^
turity ; but although its parentage and princi,
pies areBritifh, its outward form has been modi-
tied and regulated by various unforefeen events,
and local circumftances. In its prefent appear-
ance, and adual exercife, however, it fo nearly
refembles the fyftem of government in the other
Britifh Weft Indian iflands, that one general de>
fcription (which I referve for a fubfequent part
of my work) will comprehend the whole. A mi-
nute detail of local occurrences and internal po-
litics, would not, I prefume, be interefting to the
general reader*. ^,:

* In the year 1687 Chriftpphey Duke of Albermarle was
appointed chief governor of Jamaica. This nobleman was the |
only furviving fon and heir of general Monk, who had reftor-
ed Charles II. and I mention him principally as exhibitin| 4 1
ftrikinsinllance of the inftahility of human greatnefs. The!
father Had been gratified with the higheft rewards that a fove-
reign could beftow on a fuhje(Et; a dukedom, the garter, and]
a princely fortune ; and the fon, reduced to beggary by vice and
extravagapce, was driven to the neceility of imploring bread I
from James II. The king, to be freed from his importunil
ties, gave him the government of Jamaica ; where, dyingl
childlefs, a fhort time after his arnval, his honours were ex-[
tinguifhed with his life. The noble Duke lived long enough
however to colleA a coniiderable fum of money for his credi-l
tors; forentering into partnerfhip ^ith Sir William Phipps, I
who had difcovered the wreck of a Spanifh Plate fhip, wmthl
hadbe^n ftrandcd in 1659, on a fhoal to the north-eail ofl

Hifpaniola.r

among 01
—Having
iy, becaui
adage, fal^
member ii
this offem
Churchill,
vert the ifl
lution in
IHichefs a(
fpeaker of
in a high :
which the (
arrive at, c
nu&snities A
own beloved
of the Cou
In the n
earthquake
defcription
Philofophic
that the to>
to a rock ix
hy the wcig
pliiheditsth
defcription <
tanuwere :
theearthqui
an intended
manded by
perfon. Ac
three men
i>5oo land
<lfed of the
country as
their inftru^
to every fett
jn the moft
in cold bloo
tl»eir wives b
'trahfinitted .
cretary of flj

^ikii

WE ST INDIES.

J73

ed, or
be and
'he rC'
L there,
mation
»fs dif.
, injuri.

Hifpaniola, they fent out floops from Jamaica, provided with CHAP.

Ikilful divers, to fcarr' for the hidden treafure, and are faid
to have aftually i.H. :red twenty-fix tons of filver. The
conduA of this nobk governor on his arrival, affords many
curious inftances of the arbitrary principles of the times*,
among others, the following is not tKe lead remarkable.
—Having called an affembly, his grace diflblved them abrup-
ly, becauTe one of the members, in a debate, repeated the old
adage, falus populi fuprema lex. His grace afterwards took the
member into cuftody, and caufed him to be fined £.600 for
this offence. With his grace came over Father Thomas .
Churchill, a Romifh paflor, ient out by James II. to con«
vert the ifland to popery; but his grace's death, and the xrvo-
lution in 1688, biafted the good father's projetft. The
Du«hefs accoihpa:nied her huiband ; a circumftance which the
fpeaker of the affembly in his firft addrefs expatiated upon
in a hiffh flrain of eloouence. ** It is an honour (faid he)
which the opulent kingdoms of Mexico and Peru could never
strive at, andtven Columbus's gkofi would ie appeafedfor all the
\n£gnU'us he endured of the Spaniards^ could be but inovf that his
owH beloved foil was hallowed by fuchfootjleps !'* Their Honours
of the Council could not have gone farther.

In the month of June 1692, happened that tremendous
earthquake which fwailowed up great part of Port Royal A
defcription of it, dreadfully minute, may be found in the
Philofophical TranfaAions*, but it is not generally known
that the town was chiefly built on a bank of fand, adhering
to a rock in the feaj. and that a very flight concufiion, aided
by the weight of the buildings, would probably have accom-
pliihed its (wflniAion. I am inclined therefore to fufpeA that the
defcription of the fhock is much exaggerated. The inhabi-
tants were fcarcely recovered from the terrors occafioned by
the earthquake, when they were' alarmed with an account of
an intended inyafion by an armament from Hifpariiola, com-
manded by Monf. Du Caffe, the governor of that ifland, in
perfon. Accordingly, on the 17th of June 1694, a fleet of
three men of war and twenty privateers (having on board
1,500 land forces) appeared off Cow Bay, where ei^ht hun-
dred of the foldiers were landed, with orders to delolate the
country as far as Port Morant. Thefe barbarians obeyed
their inftruAions to the full extent. — They not only fet fire
long enouglil to every fettlement they came to, but tortured their prifoners
'or his credi-l in the mofl fhocking manner, and murdered great numbers
Uam FhippsI in cold blood, after making them behold the violation of
fhip« Mvhi(^4 their wives by their own negroes. Such at leaft is the accou!;t
ortn-eaft of I 'trahfmitted by Sir William Beeflon, the governor, to the fe-
Hifpaniol».l cretary of ftate. Unfortunately, the militia of this part of

the

III.

hbrevU
he poll-
r to ma-.
I princi,
jn modi-
1 events,
: appear-
6 nearly
he Other
aeral de-
uent part
}. A mi-
Lernal po-
ng to the

trmarle was
man was the
, had reftor-
xhibiting »
tnefs. TKe
that a fove-

garter.

and

• by vice and

poring bread

importuni-

Jhere, dying

irswere ex-

174

HISTORY Ot THE

BOOK the country had been drawn off to guard the capital ; whereby
II> the French continued their ravaees without refiftance, and
having fct fire to all the plantauons within their reach, and
feized about one thoufand negroes, Du CaiTe failed to lee-
ward, and anchored in Carlifle Bay, in the parifh of Vere.
This place had no other fortification than an ill contrived
breaft-work, manned by a detachment of two hundred men
from the militia of St. Elizabeths and Clarendon, which Du
CaiTe attacked with all his force. The Engliih made a gal.
lant refiftance; byt Colonel Cleyborn, Lieutenant Colonel
Smart, Captain Vafial, and Lieutenant Dawkins being killed,
and many others dangeroufly wounded, they were compelled
to retreat. Happily, at this moment, arrived five companies
of militia, which they eovernor had lent to their amftance
from Spani(h-town. Thefer, though they had marched thirty
miles without refrefhment, immeoiately charged the enemy
'with fuch vigour, as entirely to change the fortune of the.day.
The French retreated to their ihips, and Du Cafie foon after-
wards returned to Hifpaniola witn hiit ill-gotten booty.

** '"■♦^

, J " t

i'^M

■xi:^-

CHAP.

I *

Jama

about foi
land. It
diilance o
of Cuba,
, The Gulp
thagenaio
to the So
I five leagu<
The ce]
north latit
weft from
Jphical reac
though ten
jouscaufes,
I plained, is
I from Jauua
[nights are i
jlittle more
Ithe longeft
hry little t

wKerel)y
nee, and
ach, and
d to lee-
of Vere.
contrived
dred men
which Du
de a gal-
t Colonel
ing killed,
compelled
companies
amilance
Jied thirty
the enero/
of the .day.
foon after-

WEST INDIES.

CHAP. IV.

MITC'!'

Situation.^^'Cltmate, Face of the Country. -^^

Mountains, and advantages derived from them,
— SoiL-^Lands in Culture. — Lands unculti-
vated, and obfervations thereon.— "Woods and
Timbers, — Rivers and Medicinal Springs.—^
Ores.-'— Vegetable Claffes<i'—Grain,~Grajffes.'—'
Kitchen-tgarden produce, and Fruits for the Ta^
bie, &c, ^e,

Jamaica isfituatedm the Atlantic Ocean,
^bout four thoufand miles fputh-weft of Eng-
land. It has the ifland of^fpaniolay at the
diAance of thirty leagues, tonkeeaft : The Xfland
of Cuba, about tlie lame diftance, to the north :
TheGulph of ||pnduras to the weft; and Car-
thagena:, on the great continent of South America,
to the South, diftant one hundred and forty-r
five leagues.

The center of Jaihaica lies in about iS* 12',
north latitude, and in longitude about 76** 45'
weft from London. From thefe data the geogra-
phical reader will perceive that the climate, al-
though tempered and greatly mitigated by vari-
ous caufes, Come of which will be prefently ex-
plained, is extremely hot, with little variation
iVom Januaxy to December; that the days and
Qights are nearly of equal duration ; there being
little more than two hours difference between
the longeft day and the fhorteft ; that there is
HAP* I very little twilight; and finally, that when it is

twelve

176

HISTORY OF THE

r.'-!' '.,

«■(/

'i:

sii

BOOK twelve o'clock at noon in London, it is about
n. feven in the moi^iing in Jamaica.

The general appearance of the country dif.
fers greatly from mod parts of Europe; yet the
north and foiith fides of the ifland, which are
feparated by a vaft chain of mountains extend-
ing from eaft to weft, differ at the fame time
widely from each other. When Columbus firft
difcovered Jamaica, he approached it jon the
northern fide ; and beholding that part of the
country which now conftitutes the pariih of St.
"Anne, was filled with delight and admiration at
the novelty, variety, and beauty of the profpedt.
The whole of the fcenery is inaeed fuperlatively
fine, nor can words alone (at leaft any that I can
feleft) convey a juft idea of it. A few leading
particulars I may perhaps be able to point out,
but their combinations are infinitely various,
and to be underf^ood muft be feen.

The country at a fmall diftance from the fhore
rifts into hills, which are more remarkable for
beauty than boldpiefs ; being ' all of gentle ac-
clivity, and commonly feparated from each
other by'fpacious vales and romantic inequali-
ties; but they are feldom craggy, nor is the
tranfition from the hills to the vallies often-
times abrupt. In general, the hand of nature
has rounded every hill towards the top with fin-
gular felicity. The moft ftriking circumftances
attending thefe beautiful fwells are the happy
difpofitiou of the groves of pimento, with which
moft of them 'are fpontaneoufly clothed, aud the
confummate verdure of the turf underneath,
which is difcoverable in a thoufand openings;
prefenting a charming contraft to the deeper tints
of the pimento. As this tree, which is no lefs
remarkable for fragrancy than beauty, fuffersjio
rival plant to flourifti within its made, thefel

grovesi

WEST INDIES.

177

about

ry dif-
yet the
ich are
extend-
le time
>us firft
j3n the
: of the
h of St.
ation at
profpedt.
riatively
liat 1 can
r leading
oint out,
various,

theftiore
table for
entle ac-
orn each
inequali-
or is the
es often-
of nature
with fin-
iumftances

Vie happy
ith which

groves are not only clear of underwood, but CHAP,
even the grafs beneath is feldom luxuriant. The ^^'
foil in general being a chalky marl, which pro-
duces a clofe and clean turf, as fmooth and even
as the fineft Englifh lawn, and in colour infinite-
ly brighter. Over this beautiful furface the pi-
mento fpreads itfelf in various compartments.
In one place, we behold extenlive groves; in
another, a number of beautiful groups, fome of
which crown the hills, while others are fcattered
down the declivities. To enliven the fcene, and
add perfedlion to beauty^ the bounty of nature
has copioufly watered the whole diftrid. No
art of the Weft Indies, that I have feen) abounds
ith fo many delicious ftreams. Every valley
as its rivulet, and every hill its cafcade. In
ne point of view, where the rocks overhang the
:ean, no lefsthan eight tranfparent waterfalls
e beheld in the fame moment. Thofe only
ho have been long at fea, can judge of the
motion which is felt by the thirfty voyager at fo
inchanting a profpe6l.

Such is the foreground of the picture. As
le land rifes towards the centre of the ifland,
eeye, pafling over the beauties that I have re-
unted, is attraded by a boundlefs amphitheatre
wood,

Infuperable height of loftieft fhade.
Cedar; and branching palm : -

n immenfity of fbreft; the outline of which

atid theBehs into the diftant blue hills, and thefe again

iderneath,

[openings;
jeper tints
is no lefs

fuffersjaole prevailing charafteriftics are variety and
de, thefeiauty : in that which remains, the predominant
groveslVoj:,. I. ^ features

loft in the clouds.
I On the fouthem fide of the ifland, the fcene-
[, as I have before obferved, is of a different
In the landfcape we have treated of.

ture.

I7«

HISTORY OP THE

...!■■■ 'i-i 1" . ^SoV:

;^F.

■'i'e.

BOOK features are grandeur and fublimity. When I
II. iirft approached this fide of the iiland by fea, and
beheld, from afar, luch of the ftupendous and
foaring ridges of the blue mountains, as the clouds
here and there difclofed, the imagination (fornu
ihg an indi(lin6l but awful idea of what was con.
cealed, by what was thus partially difplayed) was
filled witn admiration and wonder. Vet the fen-
fation which I felt was allied rather to terror
than delight. Though the prolped before me
was in the highe{l degree magnihcent, it feemed
ft fcene of magnificent defolatibn. The abrupt
precipice and inacceflible cliff, had more the
afped of a chaos than a creation ; or rather feem*
ed to exhibit the effedls of fome dreadful convul-
fion, which had laid nature in ruins. Appear,
ances however improved as we approached; for
amidil ten thoufand bold features, too hard to be
foftened by culture, many a fpot was foon dif-L
covered wnere the hand of induftry had awakeii>l Ljg«
ed life and fertility. With thefe pleafing iuter-B jj^^

mountains (which nowbegantobevifible, crowaJj^j ;« ^

ed with woods of majeflic growth) combined tol^^j ^ ' j

foften and I'elieve the rude folemnity of theloMjjfy^ W^tl

tier eminences ; till at length the favannas at theBj|,g^ ;^ ^r"

bottom met the fight. Thefe are vaft plainjjimg ^ «

clothed chiefly with extenfive cane fields; dflttrodufl^

playing, in all the pride of cukivatioh, the verMjgp {^rl^

dureof fpring blended with the exuberance of auBjo^ ^^^

tumn, and bounded only by the ocean ; on whof"

bofom a new and ever-moving pidure flrikes thj

eye; for innumerable veffels are difcovered ii

various directions, fome crowding into, and othei

bearing away from, the bays and harbours m

which the cpaft is every where indented. Sucj

a prolpeCt of human ingenuity and indufiry, eta^tn m th

ployed in exchanging the fuperfiuities of tiiHiffet«nce Lui

Olr not more ^

IS nat

44"
onlj

In the 01
lenoometer J
MtJw of Dil

w: Ihav

4iA

r--fi

WEST INDIES.

^ben 1
ea, and

Old World, for the produflioiis of the New, CHAP,
opens another, and, I might add, an alniolt un« ^^*
trodden field, for contemplation and reflexion.

Thus the mountains of the Weft Indies, if
not, in themfelves, objefts of perfeA beauty, con-
tribute greatly towards the beauty of general
nature; and furely the inhabitants cannot xeHeSt,
but with the deepeil fenfe of gratitude to di-
vine Providence, on the variety of climate, fo
conducive to health, ferenity ana pleafure, which
thefe elevated regions afford them. On this fub*
jeA I fpeak from adual experience. In a mari-
tinie fituation, on the fultry plains of the fouth
fide, near the town of Kingftoo, where I cliiefly
refided during the fpace of fourteen years, the
general medium of heat during the hottefl months
(from Jtiiie to November, both inclufive) was
eighty degrees on Fahrenheit's thermometer*.
At a villa eight miles diftant, in the highlands of
Liguanea, the ithermomcter feldom rofe, in th^
afing inter-B hotteft part of the day, above feventy. Here theft
er rangeoBwa&a difference often degrees in eight miles;
le, crov/M and in the morning and evening the difference
imbinedtolwds much greater. At Cold Spring, the feat of
of the low Mr. Wallen, a very high fituation fix miles fur-
,nnas at theHilier in the country, pofTeffed by a gentleman who
aft plaintlhas tafte torelifh its beauties and improve its
fields; diflprodu^liotts, the^general flate of the theimome-
iti, the vcrBter is from 55 to 65". It has been obferved fo
ance of aiiBjow as 44°; fo that a fire there, even at noon day.

)U8 and
; clouds

(formp
vas con-
ftd) was
. the fen-
;o terror
efore me
it feemed
le abrupt
more the
ther feem-
il con"v\il-

Appear
siched; fw
bard to be
Ls foon dif-
ad awaken-

who{(
ftrikestl
icovered ii
f,andothei
rbourswit

lullry, ei
ties of ti
01

lis not only comfortable but neceffary a great

N 2 part

* In the other months, viz. from December to May, the
hermometer ravages from 70 to 80°. The night air in the

onths of Dicjemb«r »hd Janitai7 is fometimes furnr^fiiigly

Icool : I have Icnown the thermometer fo low at fun-rife as 69",

ten in the town of IGngfton ; but in the hotteil months, the

difference between the ten^perature of noon d^/ ajnd midnight

mot more tthan 5 or 6",

x8o

HISTORY OF THE

[} ■':-i^

' ' ■ -U

BOOK part of the year*. It may be fuppofed, that
II' afudden traniition from the hot atmofphere of
the plains, to the chill air of the higher regions,
is commonly produdlive of mifchievous efiefls
on the human frame; but this, I believe, is fel-
dom the cafe, if the traveller, as prudence dic-
tates, fets off at the dawn of the morning (when
the pores of the ikin are in fome meafure fhut)
and is cloathed fomiewhat warmer than mfual.
With thefe precautions, excuriions into the iip.
lands are always found fafe, falubrious, and de-
lightful. I will obferve too, in the words of an
agreeable writer f, that " on the tops of high
mountains, where the air is pure and refined, and

where.

* Cold Spring is 4,200 feet above the level of the fea. The^
foil is a black mould on a brown marl ; but few or none of
the tropical fruits will flourifh in fo cold a climate. Neither
the nefberry, the avocado pear, the ftar tipple, nor the orange,
will bear within a confiderable hei^t of^ Mr. Wallen's gar-
den ; but many of the Enelifh fruits, as the aprde, the peadi,
and the ftrawberry, flouriu there in great pertection, with fe-
veral other valuable exotics; among which I obferved a great
number of very fine plants of the tea-tree and other oriental
productions. The ground in its native ftate is abnoft ^tirelj
covered with different forts of thtfetniy of which Mr^ Wallea
has reckoned about 400 diftindt fpecies. A perfon viiitine
Cold Spring for the firit time, almoft conceives himfelf tran'
poned to a diftant part of the world} the air and face of the
oountry fo widely differing from that of the regions he has
left. Even tha birds are au flrangers to him. Among others,
peculiar to thefe. lofty regions, is ,a ft>ecies of the fwauow, die
plumage of which varies in colour like the neck of a drake;
and there is a very fine fon? bird called thej^wryr, of a black-
i/h brown, with a white ring round the neck. I viiited this
place in December 1788, the thermometer flood at 57° at fun-
rife, and never exceeded 64° in the hotteft part or the da/.
I thought the climate the moft delightful tha( I had ever expe-
rienced. On the Blue Mountain peak, 'which is 7,431 feet
from the level of the fea, the thermometer was found to range I
frdm 47^ at fun-rife to 58** at noon, even in the month of |
Auguft. See Med. Comment. Eding. 1^80.
t Brydone. *^ "^

TheT

:t:V.:

a I

WEST I N IT I E S.

281

ere of
igions,

is fel.
cc dic-

(when
e ftiut)
L mfual.
;hc iip-
ind de-
ls of an
of Viigh
led, and
where.

! fea. TK^
jjf none of
I, NeitKw
the orange,
alien's gat-
^ tKepeadi,
►n, vritK fe-
tved a g'Wt
her oriental
loft enrirelf
If. Wallea
rfon vifitinz
[mfelf tranf-
l face of Ae
ions he Ha*
none others,
IfwaHow.the
>f a drake*,
of a black-
vifued this
jn® at fun-
ot the day.

[deverexpe-

Liid to rang*
Lc month ot

where there is not that immenfe >yeight of grofs CHAp.
vapours prefliug upon the body, the mind a^s IV.
with greater freedom, and all th£ functions, both
of foul and body, are performed in a fuperior
manner." I wiih I could add, with the fame au-
thor, that ** the mind at the lame time leaves all
low and vulgar feutiments behind it, and in ap-
proaching the etherial regions, fhakes off it's
earthly aHedlions, and acquires fomething of cc-
leftial purity !"

To thefe inequalities of its furface, however,
it is owing that although the foil in many parts
of this ifland is deep and very fiertile, yet the
quantity of rich produAive land, is but fmall,
in proportion to the whole. The generality of
what has been cultivated is of a middling qua-
lity, and requires labour and manure to make it
yield liberally. In fine, with every prejudice in
us favour, if we compare Jamaica with many
other iflands of nearly the fame extent, (Sicily,
for inftance, to which it was .compared by Co-
lumbus) it muft be pronounced an unfruitful and
laborious country, as the following detail will
demonftrate.

' Jamaica is one hundred and fifty miles in

length, and o^ a medium of three meafurements

at different places, about forty miles in breadth.

Thefe data, fuppofing the ifland to have been a
level country, would give 3,840,006 Acres.

But a great part confifting
of high mountains, the fu-
perficies of which comprife

liar more land than the bafe

I alone, I conceive it is a mo-
derate eftimate to allow on

I that account 1-5 more, which is 240,000

The Total is

4,080,000 Acres.
Of

fSa

HISTORY 6f THE

j; ■ ■

BOOK Of thefe, it is found by a return of the clerk
II. of the patents, that no more than i>907)5B9,
were, in Noveniber 1789, located, or taken up,
by grants from the crown. Thus it appears that
upwards of one half the lands are conAdered
as of no kind of value, the expence of taking
out a patent being of no great account ; and even
of the located lands, I conceive that Uttle more
than one million is at prefent in cultivation.

In fusar plantations, (including the land re-
ferved fcr the purpofe of fupplyin«[ ftaves, tim,
bcr, and fire-wood ; or appropriatea for common
paflurage, all which is commonly two-thirds of
each plantation) the number of acres may be
ilated at 639,000 ; it appearing that the precife
number of thofe eftates, according to returns made
upon oath to March 1789, was 710, and an al-
lowance of 900 acres to each, on an average
of the whole, muft be deemed fufficiently libe*
lal.

Of breeding faims (or, a^ they j»re eommonly
called in the ifland, pens) the number is about
400 } to each of which I will allow 700 acres,
which gives 280,000, and no perfon who has in-
fpefted the country with an inquifitive eye, will
nUow to all the minor productions, as qotton, cof* :
fee, pimento and ginger, &c* including ev^n th<;
provifion plantations, more than one half the
extent affigned to the pens. The refult of the
whole is 1,059,000 acres, leaving upwards ofj
I three million an unimproved, unprodu£live wil-
demefs, of which not more than one fourth part]
is, I imagine, fit for any kind of profitable cul-
tivation ; great part of the interior country be
ing both impradlipable and inaccelfible.

]&ut, notwithftanding that fo great a part ofl
this ifland is wholly unimprovable, yet (I'uch is[
the powerful influence of great heat and conti«

nuall

even in t

W£8T INDIES.

l»3

le clerk

ken up,
:art that
ftfidcrcd
r taking
Xid cvcu
tic more
)n,

land re.
vtSy tim^
common
thirds of
may be
leprecife
irnsmade'
tid an aU
a average
mtly Ube.

iommonly
r is about
/oo acres,
[ho has in-
eye, will
►tton, cofi
ev^n th« I
half the
[nit of the
►wards of
j6livewil-
fourth part
liable cul- 1
>untry be

a part of
ret (Inch is|
land conii-
nuall

nual moifturc) the mountains are in general 06- CHAP.
vered with cxteniive woods, containing excellent ^^*
timbers, fome of which arc of prodigious growth
andiolidity; fuch as the lignum vit<£, dog-wood,
iron-wood, pigeon-wood, green-heart, brazilet-
to, an4 bully-trees ; mod oi vvhich fink in v/ater,
and are of a compadtners and impenetrability in-
conceivable by European workmen. Some of
thefe are necelTary in mill-work, and would be
highly valuable in the Windward Iflands. They
are even fo, in fuch parts of Jamaica as, having
been long cultivated, are nearly cleared of con*
tiguous woods ; but it frequently happens, in the
interior parts, that the new fettler finds the abun-
dance of them an incumbrance inftead of a be-
nefit, and having provided himfelf with a fuffi-
cicncy for immediate ufe, fets fire to the refl,
in order to clear his lands, it not anfwering the
expence of conveying them to the fea-cpaiVfor
the purpofe of fending them to a diAant mar-
ket. Of fofter kinds, for boards and fhingles^
the fpecies are innumerable ; and there are many
beautiful varieties adapted for cabinet-work,
among others the bread-nut, the wild-lemon, and
the well-known mahogany.

As the country is thus abundantly wooded, fo,
on the whole, we may aifert it to be well wa-
tered. There are reckoned throughout its extent
above one hundred rivers, which take their rife
m the mountains, and run, commonly with great
fapidity, to the fea, on both fides of the ifland.
None of them are deep Enough to be navigated
by marine vefTels. Black River in St. Elizabeth,
flowing chiefly through a level country, is the
deepeft and gentlefV, and admits flat-bottomed
boats and canoes for about thirty miles.

Of the fprings, which every where abound,
even in the highefl mountains, fome are medi-
cinal;

h ' 5'

I«4

HISTORY OP THE

.^J^:,-;?!

■^^l^f'?

F''^'

■■! ■ !y^

^"v^-.ti'

300lCcinal; and are faid to be highly efficacious in
II' diforders peculiar to the climate. The nioft re-
niarkable of thefe, is found in the eaftern parifh
of St. Thpmas, and the fame of it has created
a village ii; its neighbourhood, which is called the
i^ath. The water flows out of a rocky tnountain,
about a mile cliilant, and is too hot to admit a
hand being held underneath : a thermometer on
Fahrenheit's fcale, being immerfed in a glafs of
this water, immediittely rofeto I23^ It is fuU
phureous, and has beeA ufed with great advan-
tage in that dreadful difeafe of the climate called
the dry-belly-ach. There arc qther fprings,
both fulphureous and chalybeate, in different
parts of the country; of which however the pro-
perties are but little kiiown t9 the inhabitants ii^
"general.

' In many parts of Jamaica there is a great appeac-,
ance of metals ; and it is afferted by Blome, and
other early writers, that the Spanifh inhabitants
had mines both of filver and copper : I believe
the faft. But the induftry of the prefent poffef-.
fors is perhaps more profitably exerted on the
furface of the earth, 'than by digging into its
bowels. A lead piine was indeed opened forae
years ago, near to the Hope eftate, in the parifh
of St. Andrew, and it is faid, thej-e was no
want of ore, but the high price of labour, or
other caufes with which I am unacquainted,
compelled the proprietors to relinquifh their
'-rojeft.

Of the moft important of the prefent natural
produftions, as fugar, indigo, coffee and cotton,
I Ihall have occafion to treat at large, when the
courfe of my work fhall bring me to the fubje^l fpontaneou
of agriculture. It only remains therefore, at pre^ la/res of tb
fent, to fubjo'm a few obfervations on the vege- Beet in heij/
^afcile clafles of inferior order : I meanthofe which, If very qui(

though" ^

WEST INPltS,

185

LOUS in
noft re-
el parifti
credited
lied the
>untam,
admit' a
iet«r on

glafs of
It is fuU
i advan-
te called

fpriugs,
different;
rthepro-
itants \r\

itappeat,

ome, and

ihaliitants

1 1 believe

nt poffef-

d on the

into its

ined forae

he parifh

was no

ibour, or

quainted,

lifti their

^t natural

Id cotton,

^hen the

le fubjeft

at pre:

the vege-

^fe which,

though

thpugli not of equal commercial importance with CHAP,
the preceding ones, are equally neceffary to the lY-
comfort and fubfiftence of the inhabitants. Jf
^be reader is inclined to botanical refe^rches, he
is referred to the voluniii^ous coUedlions of Sloan^
and Browne,

Th^ feveral fpecies of graiji cultivated iri this
iflaiidar^, ift. Maize, or Indian corn, which com-
monly produces two crops in the year, and fome-
times thfee : it may be planted at any time when
there is rain, and it yields according to the foil
from fi fteen to forty bufhels the acre, zd\y. Gui-
ney corn, which produces but one crop in the
year; it is planted in the month of September,
and gathered in January following, yielding from
thirty to fixty bufhels an acre. ^dly. Various
kinds of calavances (a fpecies of pea); and laftly
rice, but in no great quantity, the lituation pro-
per for its growth being deemed unhealthy, and
the labour of negroes commonly employed in
the cultivation of articles that yield greater pro-
fit. ^ .

This ifland abounds likewife with different
kinds of grafs, both native and extraneous, of
lexcellpiit quality ; of the firft is made exceeding
good hay, but not in great abundance ; this me-
thod of husbandry being pradifed only in a few
parts of the country ; and it i$ the lefs necef-
liiiry as the inhabitants are happily accommodated
[with two different kinds or artificial grafs, both
lextremely valuable, and yielding great profufion
|of food for cattle. The nrfl is an aquatic plant

il|ed ScofsgrafSi which though generally fup-
pofed to be an exotic, 1 have reafon to think grows
fpontaneoufly in moft of the fwamps and mo-

aiTes of the Weft-Indies. It rifes to five or fix
feet in height, with long fucculent joints, and is
|f very quick vegetation- Frprn a fmgle acre of

thi«

186

HISTORY O^ THE

I ■' .-.' ;.T^? If.! "■■■ '1^

stm,

'■■Im

1 •:

BOO K^^^^* plant, jfive horfes may be maintained a whole
IL year, allowing fifty-lix pounds of gral's a-day to
each.

The other kind, called Guiney-grafs, may be
confidered as next to the fugar-cane, in point of
importance ; as moil of the grazing and breeding
farms or pens throughout the ifland, were origi-
nally created, and are ftill fupported, chiefly
by means of this invaluable herbage. Hence the
plenty of homed cattle both for the butcher and
planter ; which is fuch that few markets in Eu-
rope furnilh beef at a cheaper rate, or of better
quality than thofe of Jamaica. Perhaps the let-
tlement of moft of the north-fide parilhes is
wholly owing to the introdudlion of this excellent
grafs, which happened by accident about fifty
yeais ago ; the feeds having been brought from
tlie coaft of Guiney as food for fome birds which
were prefented to Mr, Ellis, chief-juftice of the
Ifland. Fortunately the birds did not live to
confume the whole flock, and the remainder be-
ing carelefsly thrown into a fence, grew and flou-

riffled, and it was not long'beforethe eagernefsBbeftowed a
difplayed by the cattle to reach the grafs, attrad-B^the am
cd Mr. Ellis's notice, and indpced him to colleftHguava, fvi
and propagate the feeds ; which now thrive iuBcuftard-ap
fome of the moft rocky parts of the ifland ; be-fcar-app]e
flowing verdure and fertility on lands whichBand its va'
otherwife would not be worth cultivation. Baiainmee-f

The feveral kinds of kitchen-garden produce,Band perha
as edible roots and pulfe, which are known in
Europe, thrive alfo in the mountains of this if- ^
land ; and the markets of Kingfton and ^paniftiyj " ^^^

lavQU

Tomv

growti

and In

the efc

ifldigci

tains, {

(a fpeci

potato©

fiflior 1

i'oned M

among ti

plantain

(illy pre

the nati\

ftaffof 1]

being cuj

for their

Of the

'led only I

IJryoaear

lconceiv(

Town are fupplied with cabbages, lettuce, car-
rots, turnipvS, parfnips, artichokes, kidney-beans,
green-peas, afparagus and various forts of Euro
pea a herbs, in theutmoft abundance. Someol
them (as the three firft) are I think of luperioi

iiavou

was carriej

™e lame fn
, t This fru j

b/UlJoa
*Jrmed that .
wncel/ gardj

'■' m

WEST INDIES.

187

lavoiir to the fame kinds produced in England. CHAP.
To my own tafte however, feveral of the native IV.
growtns, efpecially the chocho, ochra, Lima-bean,
and Indian-kale, are more agreeable than any of
the efculent vegetables of Europe. The other
indigenous productions, of this clafs are plan-
tains^ bananas, yams of feveral varieties, calalue
(afpeciesoffpinnage)eddoes, caiTavi, and fweet
potatoes, A mixture of thefe, ftewed with falted
filh or f;|lted meat of any kind, and highly fea-
i'oned with Cayenne-pepper, is a favourite olio
among the negroes. For bread, an unripe roafted
plantain is aQ excellent fubftitute, and univer-
fally preferred to it by the negroes and moft of
the native whites. It may in truth be called the
itaffof life to the former; many thoufand acres
being cultivated in different parts of the country
for their daily fupport *.

Of the more elegant fruits, the variety is equal-
led only by their excellence. Perhaps no coun-
try on earth affords fo magnificent a defert; and
I conceive that the following were fpontaneoufly
eagernefsBbeftowed on. the ifland by the bounty of natu-e;
• attra^-l^the annana or pine-apple, tamarind, papaw,
to coUeftBguava, fweet-fop of two fpecies, cafhew-apple,
thrive iuBcuftard-apple (a fpecies of chirimoyaf) coco-nut,
fland ; be-Bftar-apple, grenadilla, avocado-pear, hog-plum
nds whicHBind its varieties, pindal-nut, nelbury, mammee,
ion. ■mammee-fapota, Spanifh-goofberry, prickly-pew,

L produce,land perhaps a few others. For the orange, civil
known iaP

of this I -^ « rpjjjj fj.yjj^ though introduced into Hifpaaiola at a ver/

rly period, was not originally a native of the Weft Indies:

was carried thither from the Canary iilands by Thomas de

erlanga, a friar, in the year 1516. The banana is a fpecies

V -pyjQMtfthe lame fruit.

^S Ot ■ .j. tIjJj fjyjj J5 jjjg i)Qafi of South America, and is reckon-

SoWe OMjjjyjyjJQjj Qjjg ^^- ^j^g fined in the world. I have been in-

of (\lpcriOw)rmed that feveral plants of it are flourifhing in Mr. Eail'4

tiaVOU vincely garden, at the foot of the Liguanea mountiuns.

whole
day to

aay be
oint of
reeding
e origi-
chlefly
;nce the
;her and
s in Eu-
)f better
i the let-
irilhes is
exceUeni
lOut fifty
ight from
rds which
ice of the
ot live to
lainder he-
and flou

:. f

id Spaniftij
jttuce, car|
lney-bean8|

iBS'

HISTORY t>F THE

! ti.

V .(!-!■

BOOK and cbma, the lemon, lime, {haddock and its nii,
^ merous fpecies, the vine, melon, fig and pome-
granate, the Weit India iilands were probably iii.
debted to their Spaniih invaders. Excepting the
ftrawberry and a few of the growths of ^urop^an
orchards (which however attaint© no great per-
fedlion unlefs in the highefl mountains) the rofe<
nipple, genip, and fome others of no great valu^, I
do not believe that Englifh induflry had added
much to the catalogue, until within the laft twen-
ty years. About the year 1773 a botanic garden
was eftablilhed under the fan^ion of the Aifein.
bly, but it was not until the year 1 782 that it could
juftly boaft of many valuable exotics. At that
period, the fortune of war having thrown into the |
poileflion of Lord Rodney a French ftiip bound
from the iiland of Bourbon to Cape Francois in \
St. Domingo, which was found to have on board
fome plants of the genuine cinnamon, the ma&go |
and other oriental produdions, his lordihip,
from that generous partiality iffhich he always!
manifefted for Jamaica and its inhabitants, pre-
■fented the plants to his favourite iiland ;^thus
nobly ornamenting and enriching the country hisl
valour had proteded from conqueiV. Happily,!
the prefent was not ill befloweg ; the cinnamonl
may now be faid to be naturalized to the couutrv.l
Several perfons are eilablifhing plantations of it,|
and one gentleman has fet out fifty thoufandl
plants. The m^i^go is become almofl as commoal
as the orange; but for want of attention runs into
a thoufand feminal varieties. Some of them, ti^
my tafte, are perfectly delicious.

I fhall conclude this chapter, with an authentid
catalogue of the foreign plants in the public botaj
nical garden of this ifland ; lamenting, at the faiiij
time, that I am not able to gratify the readej
•with a more copious and extenfive aifplay, fron

the mag
£afl, £i
with ai]
his own
work ; —
the cauli
the fevei
a moil i
friends a
I timely gi
I the uncei

* Mr. E
[the foot of
lis perhaps ti
I the world.
I hear is prepa
jetninent and
Januica.

■d

• ; f c
I ' r

WEST INDIES.

189

I pome-
ably iiir
>ting the
.uropean
reat per-
the rofe-
tvalu^,I
id added
laft twen-
ic garden
le AffeniT
at it could

At that
n into the
lip bound
rancois in
e on board
the mafigo
i lordlhip,
he always
tants, pre-

Ld ;— thus
;ountry his|
Happily,

cinnamonl
le countrj.l

itions of it,j
thoufand]
las cominoD
In runs into
lofthem,t(i|

|n authentid

public botaj

atthefamJ

the readel

Ifplay, m

■ til

the' magnificent orchard of my late friend Hinton CHAP.
Eaft, Efquire, who had promifed to favour me ^V.
with an Hortus Eajienfis, to be prepared under
his own immediate infpedlion purpofely fortius
work ; — ^but much greater room have I to lament
the caufe of my difappointment, and mourn over
the feverity of that fate which fuddenly fnatched
molt amiable and excellent citizen from his
friends and the public, and hui'ried him to an un-
timely grave.— Such is the vanity of hope, and
the uncertainty of life * I

* Mr. Eaft died in April »792. His botanical garden, at
the foot of the Ligu^nea mountains, in St. Andrew's parifh,
In perhaps the moft magnificent eftabliHiment of the kind in
Ithe world. A catalogue of its contents I have the pleafure to
Ihear is preparing for the prefs by Do6tor Broughton, a verj
leminent and lejirned phyncian and botanift, now refiding jjB
Tamaica.

M&hV'i

u j:i ^

-rihh.

CATALOGUE

h '

^^^.■n$'

m-< h

t9B

HIitORY OF TKE

CATALOGUE

OF,

EXOTIC PLANTS,

IN T HE

Botanical Garden of Jamaica, 1792.

UNPILR THE DIREt:TlON O^

THOMAS DANCER, M.D. Island Botanist.

Garcin

Pandan
Spondic
Guilam

Mimofa

AT. B, Th(
bound fr
feoted to
donation
an obelii
pofe :

Oriental) Jfrtcatiy and Soutk-fea Tre^f, Shrubs, &c.

Laurus, CinnamO' DASSECdrondey ori

mum. true Ceylon Cin|

namon. rhefpeciJ
mens of JamaicaCin-
namon fenttoGreatl
Britain have been
deemed equal, if not| %/W»^
fupeiior, tothebcfl
Ceylon Cinnamon.]
Mango-Tree, fevera
varieties. mycas

Artocarpus. Macrocar- Jaack, a fpecies of tliF
pon. Bread Fruit; «y/VgDi|

feitatioj

Mangifera. Indica.

iiv

1792.

0TAN18T.

WSST INDIES.

Gdrcinia ?

Pandanus

Spondias

Guilandina

Moringa

Mimofa

Lebeck

ferution of Thum- CHAP.

berg, for the vari- IV.

0U8 ufes of the Jaack

and Bread Fruit.
A fuppofed fpecies of

Mangofleen.
Chinefe Hemp Palm.
Otaheite Plumb.
Moringay root ufed for

horfe-radilh ; faid,

but erroneoufly, to

be the Lignum Ne^

phriticum of the

fhops.
Bois Noir, Oriental

Ebony.

^ruhi W

JorondCf orl
[ylon Cin-I
'Thefpeci.

imaicaCin-
|iittoGreat|

lave beei

qualjifH
to thebcfl

tinnamon.

\e, fevera

Secies of tM

iit;«uiW«D^|
feitatiol

AT. B, The foregoing Plants were taken in a French Prize,
bound from the lile of Bourbon to St. Domingo, and pre-
fented to the Botanical Garden by Lord Rodney; -which
donation is commemorated by the following infcription oil
an obelifk in the Botanical Garden, ere^ed for uat pux-
pofe :

Perilluftri Viro
Rodney

Qui
Patriam Virtute ejus confervatam /

' Ornare atq. ditare

exoptans '-<

Cinnamomum
Flurefq. Stirpes Orientales
Quae hic vigenc

Largiebatur ^

A. D. 1782.

\S0pindus Edulis La'tJi,or Lee-ckeetChi-

nefe Plumb. Intro-
duced by Dr. Clark.
r/V/«DuHalde.
\Cycas Circinalis Sagoe. Introduced by

Dr. Clark. For an
account of the cul-
' tivation and prepa-
ration

/. m

r'\

■ ,•■'».

192

HISTORY OF THE

*Croton ?

Mimofa

Morus

Thuja

Dracana

Hedyfarum

Thaa

ration of the Sagoe,
, vide Forreft's Voy-

age to New Guiney.
Sehiferum Tallow Tree. Firft in-
troduced by Mr.
Pinnock. Introduc-
ed into the Garden
by Dr. Clark.
Nilotica ? Gum Arabic, produces
fine gum. Intro-
duced by Dr, Clark.
Another fpecies, faid to produce
Gum Arabic. In-
troduced by Mr.
Eaft.
Fapyrifera Paper Mulberry. In-
troduced by Dr.
Clark. Vide Coo\i\
Voyages, for an ac-
count of the man-
ner in which paper
and cloth are made
. . from the bark of

this tree.
Occidentalis Oriental Arhor Vita.
Introduced by Dr.
Clark. Firft intro-
duced into the coun«
try by Mr. Wallen.
Dragon Tree. Intro-
duced by Dr. Clark.
Moving Plant." Intro-
duced by Dr. Clark.
Tea. Firft introduced
into the country by
Mr.

Ferrea

Gyrans

Viridis

* Jfn Croton.

VoLt

'. !?- : m

Wampec

Ginkgo

Bilola

WEST INDIES. ,9,

Mr. Baker, ieVeralCHAP.
' , years ago.

Oha ' ' Ftagrans Chinefe Olive, with'

the flowers of which
it 18 faid the beft
teas are fcented. In-
troduced by Mr.
Eaft.
An unknown Genus of Fruit from
Chma. Sent to Dr,
Dancer by Sir Jo-
feph Banks, 1790.
Maidenhair Tree. A-
tree from Japan, pro-
ducing an excellent
nut. See an account
of it in Koempfer.
Introduced by Dr.

I Dancer, 1792.

miladelfkuf Aromaticusf Tea of the Circumna-

' vigators. Introduc-

ed by Mr. Eaft.
Botany-Bay Spice
Tree. Introduced
by Djf. Dancer,

Botany-Bay Plant.
Seeds fent to Dr.,
Dancer by Mr. Lee.
Heterofhylla Another Botany-Bay
Plant. Seeds fent^
by Mr. Lee.
Sinuata Another Botany-Bay
Plant. Introduced
l'. ■■ by Dr. Dancer,
^^ 1792-

O Kampferia

iitrojidera

htus-

SimiHs

iimofi

mkjia

VoL.L

■'1 *■

li'm it,

\ ■'Wl

BOOK Kampferia
II.

Curcuma

Pifer

HISTORY OF THE

Caianga

Cakngal. Medicinal
Root. Introduced
by Dr. Clark.
Longa Turmeric. Introduc-
ed by Mr. Pinnock.
Nigrum Sumatra Black Pep.
per. Sent by Dr.
Anderfon from the
Roytl Garden at
St. Vincent's, and
prefented by Mr,
Helton.
Amomum ? Gr, Taradifi Grams of Paradife, or

Guiney Pepper. In-
troduced by Mr.
Hibbert, from A-
frica*-
I . Cardamomum Cardamom Seeds of

the Shops. Intro.
, duced by Dr. Dan-

cer, 1792.
UmheUata Che* A valuable dye
from the £aft In-
dies.
Rubra Another Bail India
dye. Seeds brought
out by Lord Effing-
ham.
Mandarina Mandarine Orange,
Introduced by Mr
Eaft.
CoIa(gen,nov.)Jfricana An African Fruit, in.|

troducedbytheNe-

I groesbeforeSloane'sl

*^ -*^ time, called Bichey

" * - *"*/ -^ orBeflai.

Oldenlandia
Bafelia

* Citrus

t>.

-X

Citrus non eji.

WEST INDIES.

»M

[idanfinia Digitata

B, and
y Mr,

idife, or
per. In-
jy Mr.
otn A-

teeds of
Intro-

Dr. Daii*

iable dye
Eaft la.

India

isbrouglii

rd Effiiag-

Orange,
by Mr

5ytbel5e
xeSloane's
led Bichcy

mctnix

^ais

Aka (gen* nov») Africana Another African Fruit, CHAP.

introduced by the IV.
Negroes. **

"Baobab, Ethiopian
Sour Gourd, or
Monkey. Bread
• Fruit. Introduced
byMr.Eaft. (,,

DaSiylifera Date. Probably intro-
duced by perfon$
of the Jewilh Na-
tion.
Guinienjis Palm Oil. Likewife
introduced by the .
Jews.
momene Grandifora Choifeul Pea. Intro-
duced by Mr. Ke-
meys.
— Sejban Seiban. Introduced

by Dr. Clark. rr

'Jaj^onka Japan Rofe." Intro-

\ "^ .'VC/ t '^ » d\iced by Mr. Wal-

len.
Florida Introduced firft by
Mr. Wallen, after-
wards by Dr. Clark.
RoJaSinenJiS Chinefe Rofe. Intro-
duced by Mr. Pin-^
nock.
Mutabilis Changeable Rofe. i,w.\
Fopulneus £all India Mahoe. In-
troduced by Mr.
Eaft.
Syriacus Syrian Hibifcus, In-
troduced 'by Dr.
Dancer, 1702.
Introduced by Dr.
Dancer, 1792.
O 2 Rofa

'mellia
ardenia

Uifius

Wonia S^eciofa

■f

BOOK R9fa
11.

LftneJerum
Schinus

Baukinia

Caffia
CrotaUaria

Ckinenfe
Molle

HISTORY OF THE

Alhd Indica Eaft India White Rofe.

Introduced by ^r.

Eaft.
Introduced by Mf,

Eaft.
Soft India Maftich.

Introduced by Mr.

Eaft.
■I Seeds b^rought ou^by

Lord Effingham.
.11 > ' From St. Vincent's

Garden.
Abyjinica Crotall. Introduced

by Dr. Clark.
R^nda ChinefeHemp. I^eeds

birought out by

Lord Effingham.

Matanui

Acer

Sfiulus

.oiiC)

. if* •

European and North American
Trees, Shrubc, S^r. "^c.

Corylus
\AmygdaIus J>^

Q^ereus Rpbur

Fagus

Cerris^
Cqpanea

Ml -'■

. „,<ti'f

Fumik

Engliih Oak. Intro.!

duced by Mr. Wal.[

len.
Turkey Oak. DrJ

Dancer, 1792.
Chefnut. Firft int

duced by Mr. Wal]

len, fcveral yean

ago; byDr.Danceij

1792.
Chinquapin Chefnut

by Dr. Dancer, 1 79/
Piatani

I Q \.v' -

ma
mrus

fefpi/us
iorus

Cyi
Alhi

"' s

WEST INDIES.

Matanui

Acer

SJtuIus

;an

\CoryIus
\Amygdaius

lOka
\?yrut

'efpilus

ice

Orientalis Oriental Plane. Dr. CHAP.

Dancer, 1792. IV.

Hi/panic* Spanilh Plane. Dr.

Dancer, 1792.
Tfeudoplatan Sycamore Maple.
^Monmliens, Montpelier Maple.
Saccharina Susar Maple. Intro*

duced by Mr. Wal-

len.
ffippocajlan Uork Chefnnt. In->

troduced by Dr.

Dancer, 1792.
JPavik Dwarf HorfeChefnut.

Introduced by Mr.

Wallen.
Regia Walnut. Introduced

by Mr. Wallen.
JJha Hiccory. By the fame.

HazleNut.
Verjica Peach Tree. Introduc-
ed by Mr. Wallen.
Commun, Almond. By the fame.
Europaa Olive. Introduced by

Mr. Wallen.
Mahs Aaple, feveral kinds.

Introduced by vari-

rious perfons.
Cydonia Quince. Introduced

long ago by various

perfons.
Gertnanica Medlar. Introduced

by Mr. Wallen.
Nigra Mulberry, Introduce

ed long ago.
Alha ^ White Mulberry. Prcr

fentedbyMr. Loofe-
^ . " « ' ly.

Ruhus

L,LJ.£»

( ,

t98

BOOK Rubus
II.

Fragaria

Ttfachia
Prunus

Traxinus
Samhucus

Zanrus

Ca/y can thus

Ceratonia
Liquidamh
Sophora
Populus

HISTORY OF THE

Idaus Rafpberry. Introduc-

ed by Mr. Baker,
and others.
Sylvaticus Blackberry, two fpe-
qies. Introduced by
Mr. Wallen.

Strawberry, feveral
kinds. Mr. Wal-
len, and others.

Piftacia Nut. Intro-
duced iy Mr. Eaft.

Bird Cherry. Intro-
duced by Dr. Dau-
cer, 1792.

By Dr. Dancer.

Manna Afti. Intro-
duced by Dr. Clark.

Dwarf Elder. By the
fame.

Common Elder. In-
troduced by Mr.
Wallen.

Introduced by Mr.
Wallen. ,

Gum Benjamin; by|
Dr. Dancer, 1792.

Carolina AUfpice. In-
troduced by Mr. I
Eaft. '

Carob, or St. John'si
Bread. By the fame.]
Styraciflua Storax. By Dr. Dan-
cer, 1792.
Virginica Seeds fent to Dr. Dan-I
cer, by Mr. Lee. f
Tdcamahaca Introduced by CrJ
Dancer, 1792.

dpi

* Mahakh

J*adus
Ornus

Ehuius

Niger .

oajjafras

Benzoin

Floridus

Siliqua

roduc-
Baker,

WEST INDIES.

199

CiJIus Ldbdantf* Gum Ciftus. By Dr. CHAP.,

Dancer, 1792. IV.

Rhuf Cotinus Venus's Sumach. • By '

Dr. Dancer, 1792.
Radicans Poifon Oak. Ditto.
Vernix Vamilh. Ditto.
* Sumach Sumach. Introduced
by Mr. Eaft.

Xitnenia Acukat Introduced by Mr.

Eaft.

Myriea Cerifera Candle-berry Myrtle.

Introduced by Mr.
Eaft.

Magnolia Grandijlora Laurel-leaved Tulip.

Introduced by Mr.
Wallen, and Dr.
Clark,
Glauca By Mr. Wallen.

Iniodendrum Tuli^ifera Tulip Tree. Intro-
duced by Mr. Bar-
ret.

Chimanthus Virginica Fringe Tree from

North America. In-
troduced by Dr.

1 Dancer, 1792.

\NyJfa Tuj^eh Tupelo Tree from

North America. In-
troduced by Dr.
Dancer, 1792.
Judas Tree. Dr. Dan*

cer, 1792.
Viburnum. Dr. Dan-

ICereis

IVihurnum

^piraa

irhutus

SiUquaJl,
Tinus
Opulus
Unedo

cer, 1792.
Carolina Gelder Rofe.

Dr. Dancer, 1792.
Arbutus, or Straw*

berry Tree. Dr.

Dancer, 1792.

Arbutus

*«•

J „i

BOOK Arbutus
IJ^- Phiiacieij^kus

JRufcus
Lygeutn

H I 8T0 R y or THB

Andrachne

Sfartium

Jiahnia

Q^ercus

Tradefcantia yirginica

SyringQ, Vulgaris

• Perfica

I/[yrtus

Jafininum Officinak

Mock Orange. By
Mr. Wallen,

Akxandrin, Butchers Broom.

S^rtium The poor in Spain
manufadlure coats
with the materials
ofthis plant, which
refift wet, and hard-
ly ever wear out.
Dr. Dancer, 1792.

Scoparium Common Broom. Pre,

fented byMr. WaU
len.
Latifolia Dr. Dancer.
AngvJiifoHa Prefented by Mr. Wal.

len.
Stther Cork Tree. Introduce

ed by Mr. Eaft.
Coecifera Kermes Oak. By Dr.

Dancer, 1792,
Babylon* Weeping Willow. By
'^< Mr. Eaft.

Tariarica Honey fuckle, Mr.

Wallen.
Americana Upright American
^ ditto. By Dr. Daut

cer, 1792.
Virginia Spiderwort
By Dr. Dancer,
1792.
Lilac. By Mr. Eaft,

and Mr. Walleni
Perfian ditto. By Dr.

Dancer, 1792.
Myrtle UvtrdXi^^cit^MAnnona
Jafraine. ■%«#«

, Odoratr

Ko/a

Hyperici

Pfiraka
CoktcA
CupreJ/us
finus

South

\Smilax

■ 4 i.j Ml S

W E S T I N D I » S.

Odorat. > Introduced by Mr.
Azoricum ) Eaft,
Bda Eglenteria Sweet Briar. By Mr.

Wallen.
- MamofchatWhite Mofch Rofe.

By Mr. Wallen.
. Cinnamom, Cinnamon ditto. By

the fame.
Mufcofa Mofs Provence, Dr.
Dancer, 1792.
UiPfricum Bakaric, St. John's Wort, By

Wallen.
Monogyn, By Mr. Eaft.
fjbraka two fpecies. By Major Greene.

Coliited FruUfcens? By the fame.

Cuprejfus Sempervinns Cyprefs.
finus Cedrus Cedar of Lebanon.

By Mr. Eaft.
Tada Frankincenfe. By Dr.

Dancer, 1792.
Halapenjis Aleppo Pine. By Dr.

Dancer, 1792.
Bai/amea Canadian Bal&m. By
Dr. Dancer;, I792»

sot

f < ■:'

[South American and Exotic Weft
Indian Plants.

\Smiiax

innona

Sarfa Sarfaparilla. Intro-

duced by Zach. .
Bayly, Efq. in 1763,

Cheremoja Peruvian Sweet Sop.

Amara QjiafTia Bark, Medici-
nal. Sent from St.
Vincent's

• I

r> ■■ r

,:-ia-.;

[; t' ;} -^

™.'V,

BOOK
IV.

HISTORY or THE

Vincent's Garden.

Prefented by Mr.

Thame.
* Epidendrum Vanella Vanelloe.
Cafftne Taragua Paragua Herb. Intro-

duced by Mr. Wal-
•V len.

CaHus CoccineJifer Cochineal Opuntia,

or Nopal.

Tradefcantia Difcolor
Yucca Ahtfolia

Arundo

Honduras Spiderwort.
Introduced by Mr.
Shakefpear, 1778.
Adams's Needle, or
Dagger Plant.—
Brought by the
Rev. Dr» Lindfay,
'rom Barbadoes.
1772.
Filamcntofa Introduced by Dr.

Dancer, 1792.
Bamhu Bamboo Cane. Intro.
duced by Mr. Wal-
' ? len.

* This, I am informed, is fouud in many of the nountaint
of Jamaica, growing fpontaneottfl/.

■' y '

'AMA]

-Middle

tycf Mid

one town,

that of St.

capital of 1

land the ot

COUilt, fitus

ling-placej

tliere. iSf.j

'f the rive]

ind contain

C H A P.P<J about

Tee people

[Overnor or

lodated wi

s?;.:

WEST INDIES.

»oj

Jarden.
)y Mr.

Intro.
ir. Wal-

Opuntia,

iderwort.

i by Mr.

ecdle, or
Plant.-
by the

Lindfay, |
iarbadoes, I

by Dr. I
1792.

Lc. Intro. I
Mr. Wal.

CHAP. V.

Top9grapkical ilefcriptim.-^-^ Towns, viltageSy and
parijhes. -^"Churches f chunh-Hvings, and vefi
tries. — 'Governor or Commander in chief.-'-''
Courts of judicature. — Public offices. — Legijla*
ture and iaws.'''*Revemies.'^Taxes.^'Coins, and
rate of exchange. — Militia.' — Number of inha»
hitants of all conditions and complexions . --'-'»
Trade, pipping, exports and import s.-^-^Iieport
of the Lords rf Trade in i*]2>^.^Prefent Jiate

of the trade with Spanijh America. Origin

and policy of the aBfor eflablijhing free ports*
— Difptay of the progrefs of the ifland in cuU
tivation, by comparative fiatements of its inhn*
hitants and produdis at different periods.'~'Ap*
pendix, N^^L N^II.

[Jamaica is divided into three counties;
— Middlefex, Surry, and Cornwall. The coun-
ty of Middlefex is compofed of eight parifhe^,
one town, and thirteen villages. The town io
ithat of St. JagO'de-la-Vega, or Spanijh-Town, the
capital of the ifland. Moft of the villages of this
[and the other counties, are hamlets of no great ac-
;oiint, fituated at the difterent harbours and Ihip-*
ing-places, and fupported by the traffic carried on
here. St. Jago-de'la- Vega is fituated cu the bank s
f the river Cobre, about fix tniles from the fea,
nd contains between five and fix hundred houfes,
C H A P't^ about five thoufand inhabitants, including
*ee people of colour. It is the refidence of the
overnor or commander in chief, who is accom-
odated with a fnperb palace; and it is hert,

^ that

le mountainsl

HISTORY OFTHE

'■'< '!

(lii

'Vt'

BOOK thit the legiflatur.e is convened, and the Court of
IT. Chancery, and the Supreme Court of Judicature,

^ are held.

The county of Surry contains feven parifhes,
two towns, and eight villages. The towns are
thofe of Kingfton and Port-Royal: the former
of which is fituated on the north fide of a beau-
tiful harbour, and \vz6 founded in 1693, when
repeated defolations by earthquake and fire
had driven the inhabitants from Port-Royal.
It contains one thoufand fix hundred and fixty.
five houfes, befides negro-huts and ware-
houfes. 1 he number of white inhabitants in
the year 1788 was fix thoufand five hundred
and thirty-nine: of free people of colour

. three thoufand two hundred and eighty: of
ilaves fixteen thoufand fix hundred and fifty.

' nine ; total number of inhabitants, of all

complexions and conditions, twenty-fix thou,
fand four hundred and feventy-eight* It is a
place of great trade and opulence. Many of I
thie houfes in the upper part of the town arc
extremely magnificent; and the markets ^t
butchers meat, turtle, filh, poultry, fruits and
Vegetables, &c. are inferior to noti«. I can add
too, from the information of a learned and in-
gexuou| friend, who kept comparative regifiers
of morality, that fince the furrounding country
is becdhie cleared of wood this town is found to|
be as healthful as any in Europe.

Port-Royal, once a place of the greateft wealth]
and importance in the Weft Indies, is now te«|
duced, by repeated calamities, to three ftreetsJ
a few lanes, and about two hundred houfesj
It contains however the royal navy yard, for[
heaving down and refitting the king*s fhips ; the
navy hofpital, and barracks for a regiment ol
foldiers. The fortifications are kept in excelj

'.I ( ■ ■:>'. vi,:;:

^?\^:M

WEST INDIES.

20J

leat order, aud vie in ftrengtli, as I am told, CHAP,
with any fortrefs in the king's dominions. V.

Cornwall contains five parities, three towns,
and fix villages.-^— The towns are Savanna-la-Mar
on the fouth fide of the ifland, and Montego Bay
and Falmouth on the north. The former was
almoft entirely deftroved by a dreadful hurricane
and inundation of tne fea in 1780. It is now
partly rebuilt, and may contain from fixty to fe-
venty houfes.

Montego-Bay is a flourilhing and opulent
town: it co^fifts of two hundred and twenty-
five houfes, thirty-three of which are capital
ftores or warehoufes, and contains about fix
hundred white inhabitants. The number of
top-fail veffels which clear annually at this port,
are about one hundred and fifty, of which feventy
are capital ihips; but in this account are inclua-.
ed part of thofe which enter at Kingfton.

Falmouth, or (as it is mpre commonly called)
the Point, is fituated on the fouth fide of Mar-
tha-Brae harbour, and, including the adjoining
villages of Martha-Brae and the rock, is com-
fruits andBpofed of two hundred and twenty houfes. The
lean addlrapid increafe of this town and neighbourhood
d and in-lwithin the lad fixteen years is aftonifliing. In
e regifter$Bi77i,the three villages of Martha-Brae, Falmouth,
g country ■and the Rock, contained together but eighteen
s found toBlioufes; and the veffeis which entered annually
jat the port of Falmouth did not exceed ten.
.teft wealthlAt prefent it can boaft of upwards of thirty ca-
is now tc«lpital ftationed fhips, which load for Great Bri-
rce ftreetsSain, exclufiye of iloops and fmaller craft,
ed houfes.1 Each parilh (or precinA confifting of an union
yard, forlf two or more parifhes) is governed by a chief
{hips ; thAa^iftrate, ftyleli Cuflos Rotuhrum, and a body
egiment om juftices unlimitedf by law as to number^ by
t in excelAhdm feflions of the peace a|*e held^very three
leul ^nonthss,

Jourt of

icature,

jarlfties,
wns are
I former

a beau-
3, when
and fire
ft-Royal.
nd fixty-
id ware-
oitants in

hundred
>f colour
ighty: of
and fifty-
Qts, of all
-fix thou.
:, It is a

Many of

town arc
arkets for

80$

HISTORY OFTHE

. ■:T '

BOOK, months, and courts of Common Pleas to try ac-»
n. tions arifing within the parifti or precin6l, to an
amount not exceeding twenty pounds. In mat-
ters of debt not exceeding forty Ihillings a lin-
gle juilice is authorized to determine.

The whole twenty parilhes contain eighteen
churches and chapels, and each parifh is provided
with a redor, and other church officers ; the rec-
tor's livings, the prefentation to which refls with
ihe governor or commander in chief, are feverally
as follows, viz. St. Catharine /J.300 per annum;
Kingflon, St. Thomas in the EafV, Clarendon,
and Weftmoreland, ^(^.250 per annum; St. David,
St. George, and Portland, £.100 per annum; all
the reft £.200 per annum. Thefe fums are paid
in lieu of tythes by the churchwardens of the
feveral parilhes refpedlively, from the amount of
taxes levied by the veftries on the inhabitants.

Each parifh builds and repairs a parfonage
houfe, or allows the redlor ^.^o per annum in
lieu of one ; befides which, many of the liv-
ings have glebe lands af very confidcrable value
annexed to them, as the parifh of St. Andrew,
which altogether is valued at one thoufand pounds
ilerling per annum *. The bifliop of London is
laid to claim this ifland as part of his diocefe,
but his jurildidion is renounced and barred by
the laws of the country ; and the governor or com-
mander in chief, as fupreme head of the provin-
cial church, not only indufts into the feveral
redories, on the requifite teftimonials being pro-
duced that the candidate has been admitted in-
to prief^'s orders according to the canons of

the

.< !,

* In the year 1788 the alTembly pafled a law to prohibit
the. burial of the dead within ihe wails of the churches; and
as by this regulation feveral of the reftort were deprived of a
perquifite, an augmentation of £-%0 per annum was made to
ijioli of the livings.

WEST INDIES

■s m aa a fulpenfion Twi"*-'?™" ?^-^"'
mg entitled to his ftipend 4rL .'"""*«'■ be-
.l»n heihalUawlly X,™5 '"r '°"8" time
byficknefs. /"'""ate, unlcfs prevented

the freeholder.. Befides ,lfi?^«' »"°»»lly by

Mens. aSd allot &C«r,/^"fP°'"' ^*y

\^ public highways^* Tw/^f '.^ ^<=Pair of

Ner perfons. wL are JiiH *''",[* «<»»«»«

'flables, for the coUeflion h^fi > <»Ue<aing-con-

prochial taxes. ' ° '*"' "^ «he pubh'c and

A^Sr^auM'T^ f- Ae whole

keffingfimilar^uriSion in^v'' ^°''«' «
|ha of the feveral coum ofV^ • ?. '""'"^^ '»
h Pleas, and ExcSef |T ^"'=''' C»m-
N in the town of S? iSol*?''?; Britain) is
N of the county of fei^'*"^^*' 'he ca-
kday of each of the 1'"^' />l '^^ '"ft

Mis cx.urt. the chief juSc^ of. K*'';«'>' year.
k whofe fakry is on"y f ,?^ '^ '"»"'' P^'e-
Aes arifmg fi„j the nwii ' ''."* '''« Per-
>t£.3,ooo/.r aZu^ tk'! Ta'^ « '^°"h
hemlemen of the WmH ^ *"''*"»' J"dSes
h receive neither E Z""°°'>'j"»"^''.

I'd for their attendance ^hrL'^T^ °^ »"y
hm toconftituteaLJ J'"'s=''n«'ftbe»

K if the (r>5o/j /« ^^ • i:^^^*^; 'fom this
"».. or «p/ards,''f^- Jp^^^l^'^^of^,^,

veraor

,llM

!" •. '

flOfll

BOO
II.

HISTORY OF THE

K veraor and council, as acourt of error ; if fen-
teuce of death be paifed for felony, the appeal
is to the governor alone *.

Affize courts alfo are heldevery three months,
in Kingfton for the county of Surry, and in Sa-
vaima-la-Mar for the county of Cornwall. The
Surry court begins the laft Tuefday in January,
April, July, and 06lober. The Cornwall couit
begins the laft Tuefday in March, June, Septen.
ber, and December; each aflize court is limited
to a fortnight in duration. Thus have the inha*
bitants law-courts every month of the year, be-
fides the courts of chancery, ordinary, admiralty,
and the feveral parifti courts. The judges of the
ailize court a6^ without falary or reward, as well
as the aififtant judges of the fupreme court, anyi
one of whom, if prefent, prel^ies in the affize
rourt. No appeal from the latter to the former
.s allowed, but judgments of the aflize imme-
diately following the fupreme court, are confiJ
dered as of one and the fame court, and haveBufp^^f^^"®

"«« Penn,

an e

obtai
Th
cellor
high
great
ordina
letters
offices,
the lati

As i
veralgr

Vol.

*The

[ Eovernmer

'owj^ vit.

Salary

Fees in Ch
I fees of the
|6Weof C

The affej

mountains
Portable mar
M with 50
leep, &c.
*e of the
[overnoris,
"■n. mutton
s domeftic
*p«nce5 of a

* By an early law of this ifland (paiTed in 1681) free«
holders of known refidence are not fubje<ft toarreft and being
held to bail in civil procef^. The mode of proceeding is, to
deliver the party a fummons (leaving it at his houfe is deemeii
good fervice) together with a copy of the declaration, four-
feen days before the court, whereupon the defendant is boundj
to appear, the very next court, or judgment will pafs by de-,
fault. Twenty-ei8;ht days after the firft day of each couit]
execution ifiues ; for vChich there i^ but one writ, compre-
hending both ajleri facias and a capias ad fatisfaciendum ; bul
as no general imparlance is allowed before judgment, it it
enaf^ed that the eneAs le^'ied on, fhall remain in the defend-
ant's hands until the next court, to give him an opportunity of '"g equal to
difpoiing of them to tHe beft advantage ; and if he then faiW!^ 9i fees u
paying over the money, a venditioni exponas ifTues to the marV'^ons, &c.
ihall, to fell thofe, or any other goods, or take his perfooVPpofed alfo
The modern pra^ice is to make no levy on the executionw^^ of church
whereby the debtor obtains the indulgence of one term, oyieats.
court, after ^hich both his perfon and goods are liable undtflM B. A g(
the wiit pf venditioni exponas. f^jC'h^oo ft

I* V

:.; f I

WEST INDIES.

-!li'!|ii|f1

ap9

, if fen-
e appeal

montlw,
id in Sa.
U. The
January,
all co\m

Septem.
s limited
the inha-
year, be-
idmirally,
iges of the
:d, as well
K)urt, any

the aflizc [
the former I
fize imme.

are confi-l

an equal right in point of priority with thofe c H A P.
obtained in the grand court. V«

The governor or commander in chief is chan>
cellorby his office, and prefides folely in that
high department, which is adminiftered with
great form and folemnity. He is alfo the fole
ordinary for the probate of wills and granting
letters of adminiflration. From the firft of thefe
ofHces, he derives extenfive authority, and from
the latter coniiderable emolument ^.

As appendages of the fupreme court, the fe-
veral great offices, viz. the office of enrollments.

Vol. I. P or

* The profits and emoluments arifing annually from th^
government oi Jamaica may, I think, be ftated nearly as fol-

iows» v'lt. "^^.^ : ,

Salary ' iJ. — — £, 5,000

Fees in Chancery — — . — 150

Fees of the Court of Ordinary — — i,40(?

Share of Cullom Houfe Seizures — — > i ,ooq

The affembly have ■ urchafed for the governor's
and haveHufe, a farm of about 300 acres, called the Govern-
ail|iiieiit Penn, and built an elegant villa thereon.
Likewife a polink or provifion fettlement in the
n 168 1) freC'Imountains (which is alfo provided with a corn-
reft and beinglfoTtable manfion-houfe) and iloclced both proper-
)ceeding is, toHties with 50 negroes, and a fuificiency of cattle,
oufe isdeemtiBbeep, &c. From thefe places (which are exclu-
aration, fouT'lfive of the king's houle in Spanifh Town) the
dant is bound^overnor is, or oushtto be, fupplied with hay and
;orn, mutton, milk, poultry, and provifions for
is domeftics, creating a faving in his houfliold
xpences of at leaft ^^^ ' — ^ i.coo

Total in currency — £. 8,550

peing equal tO;^.6,ioo fterling; and this is altogether exclu-
r« of fees received by his private fecretary for militia com-
jiiifions, &c. Sec. ice. which are mot eaft/y aftertained. It is
bpofed alfo that money has fometimes been made by the
lie of church livings ; and vaft fums were formerly ri^iied by
Icheats.

\lf. B. A governor of Jamaica may live very honourably
rj^.3,000 fterling per annum. ,

iX9

HISTORY OF THE

J ill 'ill

BOOK or fccretary of the ifland, provoft-inaufhall-gene-
II. ral, clerk of the court (or prothouotary, cuftos-
brcvium, &c.) are held and fituated in Spanifh
Town. The firft i» an office of record, in which
the laws pafled by the legillature are preferved;
and copies of them entered into fair volumes.
In this office all deeds, wills, fales, and patents,
nmft be regiftered. It is likewife required that
all perfons (after iix weeks refidence) intendingto
depart this ifland, do aBix their names in thii
office, twenty-one days before they are entitled
no receive a ticket or let-pafs, to enable them to
leave the country. In order to enforce this re-
gulation, niafters of veflels are obliged, at the
time of entry, to give iecurity in the fum of i
£. 1,000 not to carry off the ifland any perfon
without fuch ticket or let-pafs. Truftees, attor-l
nies and guardians of orphans, are required to
record annually in this office accounts of the

nasi

du'ili

tprwa

fiteti

edfor

^a by

fler. :

ofRte.l

hWfh

jiuance
puties''

ihit fOii
the
wife hell
£yidepc(
years igi
teeaed^

produce of eftates in their charge ; and, by alateBconficferfi

ad, mortgagees in poiTeffion are obliged to regif*
ter not only accounts of the crops of each year,,
but alfo annual accounts current of their rcceipti
and payments. Tranfcripts of deeds, &c. froi
the office, properly certified, are evidences ii
any court of law, and all deeds muil be enroll
within three months after date, or they are d
clared to be void as againfl any other deed provi
and regiftered within the time limited ; but if m
fecond deed is on record, then the fame are v
lid, though regiftered after the three months,
is prefuincd that the profits of this office, whid
is held b) patent from the crown, and exercifeBapta in gei
by deputation, exceed £.6,000 fterling ^«r flM'i ilomina
///>w/. ftntienien

The provoft-marffiall-generil U an officer Prty-three
high racik arid great authority. — The name diolders, vi
notes a military origin, and doubtlefs the offiiihe? of StJ

1?! are tli

;^^?ral ai

Wcollec

V. ''/Vl.

Lat^eptpr<

QVi^at E

H not ]]
lunually,"

nc', tpthl
T'he legil

'<«*j; '

'mm'

,'/'

^ W E S T INDIES. 1,

was firft inftituted in thjs iHand before the intro- C
du'ftibn of civ^'ffQvcrnnient, and continued af-
t^wards thi^oagh" heccfflity.' It is now held by
pateiit iroiii the crown,' which is ufually grant-
ed for two liveis, ai^V) tl^e patentee is pehnitted to
^(i by depilityi who is commonly the higheft bid-
der. Thepowers and j^uthoriticp annexed to this
bjfic6 are variotts : ,th'^ ailing officer is in' fafil
hiihfh^riffof thevyhble iflahd his conti-

jiilance in officii aiid ferniitted to nominate de-
Duties' und^r^Wm'^ircVerV jiarilh or pre9in£!.
Hi8 ' legal ^receipts' haVe been Jtnown to exceed
t.%66o i^cThi^^ a^d it is fuppofed

1 ilijit fjbiiie of his dejputies maJce nearly as much. ,
The office o( cleric 6f the fnpreme court is like-
I wife held by paten't and exercil'ed by deputation.
I Evidence was ^iy ep to the houfe of aflenibly fome
1 years ^gp, tfcit it'sainnual "v^alue at that time ex

l-genc-
cuftos-
Sptnilh
n which
cferved;
^olnmes.
patents,
ired thai
ending to
es in thii
e entitled
e them to
:e this re-
•ed, at the
ie fvim of
any perfon
tees, attor-
reqnired to
ints of the
d, by a late

gedtoregif-- , . . V . . ,. «^, : .« . , ^ .

f each yeaT»al are thole or the regilter m chancery, receiver
leir tcceiptMgeneral and treafaref 6f the' iflahd, naval officer,
. gjc. fronB^pdcolleclproftheCuftom's for theportofKing-
Ividences i»pn« All thefe, ajppbintments, whether held by
I be enroU^latent br commjilioii,' are likewife fuppofed to af-
[they are defcrS ^;onfid^raHe emolument to perfons rcfiding
Ideea proveBn Great Britain. It is computecl on the whole,
but if vMU^ not lefs than jf. 30,000 fterling is remitted
lame are vsBnnually, by the deputies in office within the if-
months. ind, to their principals in the mother country,
jffice wbicB The legiflature of Jamaica is compofed of the
[nd exercifeBaptain general or commander in chief, of a coun-
trling i»<r flB'l Jlominated by the crown* confifting of twelve
lendeirien, and a houfe of aflembly containing
prty-three members, who are eleded by the free-
lolders, viz. three for the feveral towns and pa-
|(he?ofSt. Jago-de-la-Vcga, Kingfton, and Port

P 2 ' ».v : Royal,

Ian officer
'he name '
tefs the ofti

■ I i: i .

ftlft

,li

HISTORY OF THE

tm K-

■»

'■'t i , - ;,;

thecl

devlai

try ha

Thi

two hi

year I

ofwhii

quit-re:

grants <

raifeabi

is partii

obierve*

contmg<

aimtial :

BO'^OK Royal, and two for. each pf the other pariihes,
H» Th^ qualification required . in t^e ejedlpi:, is a
freehold of ten pounds, per annUm ip^ the pjitiih
where tl^c; ^ele^tion is made; and inr the repre.
fentative, a landed freejiold, of three hundred
pounds jper annum, in any part of the ifland,
or aperfonal effate; of three thoufaTid pounds.
In the proceedings of the general aJflTembly
they copy, as nearly as ; locaj circumftances
will admit, the legillatu^epf Qre^t Britain ; and
all their bills (thofe of i private nature excepted)
^have the force of laws as foon as the^governor's
afTent is p^tainedv ^he power of rejeSion how.
ever is ftill referred in the crown ; but until the
royal difapprobation is fignified, the laws mWSfl^^^^^

valid. ^ .•I'r.s ,^CW^^ ^

Ofthe laws thus paffed, the prm<?ipai"r^iit«^^'^e^^^

chiefly to regulations of local policy, to whicliB^'^!?^^' P

the law of England is not applicable, as the flavel

fyftem forinftance*; on which, and other cafej

the Englifh laws being iilent, the' colonial legiHa'

ture has made, and continues to make, fuch p:

vifion therein, as the exigencies ofthe colony ai

fuppofed to require ; and ' on fome occafiom

where the principle of the Englifh' law ha

been adopted, it has been fpund necefTary to al

ter and modify its proviiions, foasto adapt thei

to circumftances and fituation. Thus, in th

mode of fettingout emblements, the pradice

fine and recovery, the cafe of infolvent debto:

the repair ofthe public roads, the maintenance

' * Thus the evidence of a flave is not admiffible aj^
. \vhite perfon. Again, although by a very earl/ law of
iiland, Haves are coi^lidered as inheritance, and are accordiii
ly fubjeft to the incidents of real property (for as they goL
the heir, fo may the widow have dower of them, and thefiB"^0pnetOrs
viving huiband be tenant by courtefy; and this holds equaSvery thirt
whether flaves are pofTefTed in grofs, or belong to <i pl3'>(*''''lbnietinie«!
yet in refpeft of debts, flaves are coniidered as chattels, a"
the executor is bound to inventory them like other chattv'Ji-

WEST INDIES/

913

parishes.

tpi;, w a

;hepanih
he repre.

hujipred
he ifland,
i poupds.

aifembly
lumftances
itain; ^nd
: excepted)
governor's

^t untU the
^ laws arc

the clergy, and the relief of the poor, very great CHAP,
deviations from the praftice of the mother coun- V.
try have been found indifpenfably requifite.

The revenues of thisifland may be divided into

two branches ; the ont perpetual, by an adl of the

year 17 2S, called the revenue law, of the origin

of which I have already fpoken, and of which the

quit-rents cbnftitute apart; the other flKwwj/, by

grants of the legiflatnre. The revenue law may

raife about £,i zfioo per dttnum^ of which /.8,ooo

is particularly appropriated, as I have elSwhere

obferved, and the furplus is applicable to the

contingent expences of government, in aid of the

auntial funds. The governor receives £.2,500

m annum o\xx. of the £.8,000 fund. A further

Ifalary of £.2,500 is fettled upon him during his

1 1 Ifc^i^^^^^ i^ ^^^ iiland by a fpecial a6l of the legif-

'^^.^ J.SB^*^^^^» pafled the beginning of his adminiftration,

id is made payable out of fome one of the annual

nds provided by theaffembly. Theft at this time

ay amount to £.70,000, of which about £.40,000

saprovifipn for granting an additional pay to the

Hicers and foldiers of his majefly's forces ilati*

ned for the prote^ion of the ifland. Every

)mmiflioned officer being entitled to 20J. per

eek, and every private to 5^. : An allowance is

ilfo made to the wives and children of the fol-

8; which with the Britilh pay enables them

[0 live much more comfortably than the king's

oops generally do in Europe, '*.:j' -^ ^ ^' -

The ufual ways and means adopted for raifmg

e above taxes are, firft, a duty of 20j.per head

a all negroes imported ; feconaly, a duty on all

im and other fpirits retailed and confumed

ithin the ifland ; thirdly, the deficiency law :

^n aft which was intended originally to oblige all

^VjJ^^Broprietors of flaves to keep one white perlbn for

ia holds equaBvery thirty blacks ; but the penalty, which is

tQ a pUntari(il)metimes £. 1 3, at other times £.26 per annum,

as chattels,! 3. for

erchatteli'" >•

CI.

to which!
'astheflave
other cab.
jnial legilla-
e, fuchp
e colony ai
e occanoni
ifti' law hi
effary to all

adapt tki
bus, intbi

praftice
ent debto:
^intenaivce(

tffible againft I

Ltly law of _"

fd are accordin

}ras

A''i

f: h

ii- f

^r'!:'-

"■ IP I

HI ^f 6 k Y OF •iriiE

for each wh^te pei;Ton deficient of the numb^t
required^ is become fo jprbaii^ive a fource of re.
venuCi tliat the bill is how confidered ^sone of
the annual, fujpply bills: fourthly, a poll taif on
all, flaves, and ftock, and a ifate on rents and
\vhbel-carriag^s. Befides .t(hefe> occalional ti\
bills are palled by the; lc|iflature, ais n^'cefety
may. require. I have fubjimjqd in a note the ef.
timate of tfee contingent charges of th^ gpyerh.
m^nt Off this ifland oh ^he Jinnual funds for the
ye^r 1788^ and pf the way^'and means .jfer the
payment thereof*. . .. S,:, .:.,,-:, ^v:,;;:^^^^

* Eftimate bf the ordinary CoN'ri^GENT Chaaqes ofiht
iSovernment of JAMAICA in the annual fuf^s for the
yearjyH^y 'Uiz. ■ '';' '■ /^^ :'^ '^'^ -■

GorernprV addidaonlfalary: '.. • :fy/- £'i 2,^00 ■ i-i. — I
Sujbfiftenpe pf the Troops, and Hoi^ital ex-

pences "., ,i.:,, ," .. .-_ ' 41,300

Salaries to bl&cehbf the AflewWy, Print-

,.; ,2,306

iliilOi :iOO

ing, 8(,e. .
Clerk of the Grand Court
CkrtqftheQrptwfa - .rj-jtiimrr

Clerk to the Cominifjlioners of Fprti, Tf>
Surveyor to the Bath - » ^^w

Port Officeri and Waitert" ''' i'*i^:'^|-( ' 1,600
Maroon Negro Parties ''- f .

Superintendantai reiiding in the Maroon^

Town$ _ ,, ^,4; ■;■ -■ - • r : .

To the Engineer and Captain of different

Forts - - -

For the Support of the Botanic Garden
{Salary to, the Agent j -, -

To the Officers of the Troops for private

Supplying the Forts w^h Water , ' - ^ , j ^089
To the Commlflipnei's of the Forts '
Tp the Kingfton Hofpital

top

300

1,0(36

i»30p

1,606
iiSo

420 —

Carried pver

"^5,6co -
500 —

£.6ofi6g —

SundJ

TI
callec

bloou
Silver
and k
coin;
about
This,
ufualr
gives ^
Fron
and es
betwcei
the flav
nance

Sundry J)^

Fees, JV

Prifonej

ings, &c

Charges c

Conftab

nuffions.

Outflan^ni
Negro Dut
■Rum Duty
' I>ouble Dei
, groes
M-Tax

Pedua for
went 10 p

, ff> The o

J'cDcbt, wh

e of rt-
5 one of
[ t'ap^ _.on
jrits and

mai, ^^
aeceSity

e tKeel-

> gQvern.

is fertile

Sifer the

ft \u

The

WEST INDIES.

«i$

fUhds for the

II ^ * - •
1 '■'•'■' ■' ' i'

,300, - -
360 ' — -

100 — -

W -^ '

aoo "* ■
609 —

.obo —

t ..

,300 —

[,obb —
ti8o' '—
420 —

1.430 ""
;,o«9 -
i,€oo —

500 —

),869 -

Sundl

The current coins are Portugal pieces of gold, CH Ap.
called the half-johannes, valued in England at V.
56J. each ; thel'e pafs here, if of full weight, at
55J. Sptnilh gold coins current here, are, dou-
bloons at £. 5. 5j. each, and piftoles at z6s. 30'.
Silver coins are Spainilh milled dollars at 6s, 8^.
said fo in proportion for the fmaller parts of this
coin ; the loweft coin is called a bitty equal to
about 5 J. fterling. A guinea paffes for 32J. 6d,
This, however, is ionfideiably more than the
ufual rate of exchange, by which £, 100 fterling
gives ^. 140 currency. .

From the fituation of this ifland amidft potent
and envious rivalis, and the vaft difproportion
between the number of white inhabitants, and
the flaves, it may be fuppofed that the mainte-
nance of a powerful and well-diiciplined militia

V ^y» *■«■ ^ f t

Carried over - £-60yB6g — — •
Sundry Dema ; • the Public for Official
Fees, Medi ' ^ure and Gaol Fees of ;
Prifoners, Repairs of the Public Build-
ings, &c. &c. - - . , - 4,359 J 9
Charges of Collecting; viz. CoUeAing
Conftable's and Receiver Generd's Coin< * '
miffions, Reliefs, &c. 15 percent. - 9,783 6 —

■ " ■ ■

Ways an// Means. . i; j©

Outilan^ng Debts - £. 25,000 — — 1

j Negro Duty, computed at 6,000 — —

iKumDuty - - 14,000 — — ^iP' J
Double Deficiency on Ne-

jnroes - - 24,000 — —

iPoil-Tax , - • 67,000 — ■ —

■ « II

1 36,000 — —
[Deduft for prompt Pay- .)

ment 10 per cent. - 13,600 — —

122,400 — —

ITj* The overplus was applied towards dilcharging the Pub-
lllc Debt, which was eftimated at £\ 1 80,000 currency.

1 L\i/}

n:>..' m-

di6

HI8TORYOF THE

f-k'-i

• '*:.; . ,i.

B O K is among the firft objeds of the policy of the le-
11. giflature ; and accordingly all perfons from fif-
teen to fixty years of age are obliged by law to
enlift themfelves either in the horfe or foot, and
to provide at their oWn expence the neceffary
accoutrements ; but this law, I doubt, is not
very rigidly enforced, as the whole militia, which
is conipofed of three regiments of hotfeand four-
teen regiments of foot, does not confifl I con-
ceive of more than 7000 effe^live troops; neither
do the ufual employments and habits of life, ei-
ther of the officers or privates, conduce very
much to military fubordination.— However, iu
times of adnal aanger, whether from the revolt
of Haves, or the probability of invafion, no
troops in the world could na^s (hewn greater
promptitude br alacrity in fervice, than has been
difplayed by the militia of Jamaicd. In fuch
emergencies, the commander in chief, with the
advice and confent of a general council of war,
(in which the members of the aflembiy have
Voices) may proclaim martial law. His power is
then didatorial ; and all perfons are fubjeft to
the articles of war *.
^-* Fronij

* Soon after the above was written (the Author being at
that time in Jamaica) ihe lieutenant governor, by the advice
of a council of war, proclaimed martiallaw. This was in I
December, 1791, and it arofe from a notion very generally
prevalent in the iiland, that confpiracies and proje«s of re-
bellion were afloat among the negroes, in coniequence of the
diilurbances in St. Domingo. This apprehenuon induced]
a very Itri A obfervance of the militia laws; and the follow I
ing was the return of the Cavalry and Infantry to head qua>j
tors on the 13th of January, 1792, I

Total.1
County of Surry - 336 Cavalry 2,141 Infantry 2,477

Middlefex 375 2,647 ifi'^'

^- Cornwall 368 2,305 ■ 2,673

EfFeftives - 8,17^
Free negroes and men of colour included ; their number wi
4889. 'ihe Maroons are npt comprehended.

ii |:

WEST INDIES.

fil^

he le-

Din fif-

law to

>t, and

ceffary
is not

, which

id four-

l I con-
neither

life, ei-

Lce very

rcver, ill

he revolt

fion, no

a greater

has been

lu filch

with the

;il of war,

^biy have
power is
fubjeft to

^rora]

W being at
jy the advice
Thi* was in
ery ^nerally
rojeas of le-
luence of the
Ron induced!
the follow-
[i) head qua^l

Total.|
[antry 2,47'

2,6'

From the given number of nien able to bear c HAP.
arms in any country, it is ufual with political V.
writers to euimate the inhabitants at large ; but
their rule of calculation does not apply to Ja-
maica, where the bulk of the people confifts of
men without families. Europeans who come to
this ifland have feldom an idea of fettling here
for life. TBeir aim is generally to acquite for-
tunes to enable them to lit down comfortably in
their native country; and, in the meanwhile,
they conlider a family as an incumbrance. Mar-
riage therefore, being held in but little eftima*
tion, the white women and children do not bear
the fame proportion to the males, as iil Euro-
pean climates. From thefe, and other c&ufes, I
have found it difficult to afcertain with preci-
fion the number of the white inhabitants. I
have been informed that a late intelligent thief .
governor (General Campbell) computed them^
after diligent refearch, at 25,000 ; and I am in*
duced to believe, from more than one mode
of calculation, that General Campbell's eftimate

was near the truth. ^This computation wad

made in 1780, lince which time I am of opi-
nion, from the many loyal Americans who have
fixed tliemfelves in Jamaica, and other caufes,
this number is confiderably increafed. Includ-
ing the troops and feafaring people, the white
population may, I think, be fixed at 30,000.

The freed negroes and people of colour are
Icomputed, in a report of a committee of the
poufe of affembly of the 12th of November,
|i788j at 500 in each parilh, on an average of

lie whole; which makes 10,00 \ excluiive of

W black people called Maroons, who enjoy ti
limited degree of freedom by treaty. Theie, by

the

8,17^
lr number vt'i>l

■a

Jji'.i';':' ••? ■
M

«i9

HISTORY OF THE

4' •

^()^)^tlie laft returns that I havb feen, amount to
II. about 1400*. i3j:uc

Of negroes in a ftate of ilarery in this ifland)
theprecife number in December 1787, asafcer.
tained on oath in the rolls from which the poll,
tar is levied, was 210,894 : and as it mayanfwer
more ufefiil purpofes hereafter than the mere
gratification of curiofity, I (hall dfilinguifh the
numbers in each parifti, which are the follow,
ing:

St. Dorothy - •

St. Catherine - -

St. John
; St. Thomas in the Vale

Vere - - -

St. Mary - -

St. Ann - -

Kingilon . - -

St. Andrew - ' -

St. David

St. Thomas in the Eaft

Portland - -

V *' ■

St. George
St. Elizabeth
Hanover
St. James
Trelawney
Port-Royal
Weftmoreland
Clarendon

IS',

vr.

5^304
5.880

7>459

7.487

17.144

13.324
6,162

9.^13

2,881
20,492

4.537
5,050
13.280
17,612
18,546
19.318
2,229
16,700

H.747

it'

comr

moft

perfo;

the pi

of the

given

of a j

cealed

numbe

commi

leaft ; ,

10,000

importi

decrfeaf<

therefoi

may be

Whi

it<

Mardc
Negro

Total •— 210,894

fJie caufe h

one town to

ifie defcenda

!" t^e year

"ifo treaty,

"*6dom urid

ftndered wa

%men, vv(

It is generally fiippofed, and has been very confidentlB Jn Kinj
aiferted, thatthefe people have decreafed j but the faft is oth€«'""^3d of 6,1
wife. The miftake hasarifen from the circumftance that fomBj^S^ o^ tJie ^

of their towns have been deferted ; which is indeed true, b#" or returne

^nole.

P .8

luni to

nflahd>
IS afcer-
he poll.
^ aufvver
ae mere
juifh iKe
; follow-

WEST INlOlEJi.

It appears, however, from the report of a^
coiniriitte'e^ of the Jaflembly above cited, that in
inoft of the jparilhes It is cuftomary to exempt
perfobs not having more than fix negroes, from
the payment of taxes oh flaves, whereby many
of the negroes (efpecially in the towns *) are not
given in to the different veftries, and tte returns
of a great many others are fraudulently ,con-
cealed ; thus the tax rolls do not contain the full
number of flaves, which, in the opinion of th'»
committee, were at that time j;^o,ooc, at the
leaft ; and there is not a doubt that upwards of
io,ooc have been left in the country from the
importations of the laft two years, explufive of
decrfeafe. The wholt number of inhabitants
therefore, of all cofnplexions and <c6iiditions»
may be ftated as folIoVvs :

Whites • - ..•-.;• 30,000

Fi'ged negroes, and people of colour 1 0,000
Mardons - - - * - - - - 1,400
Negro flaves ----••- 250,000

ii§

'fotal

291,460

The

iio,894

tefaaisotbej

bancethatH
Indeed true, M

I til

I the caufe has been, that the negroes have only removed from
one town to another. |t is fulficiently .known that thev are
the defcendants of negroes formerly in rebellion, with\vnom>
in the years 1738 and 1739, Governor Trelawney entered
into treaty, which the AflTembly confirmed, and granted thfeih
freedom uiider certain limitations. The nithib^r that fur-
pndered was under 600. In the year 1770 they confiRedtjf
I885 men, women and children. In the year 1 773 they were
I1028 ; and ihey were inticafed in 1788 to 1333.

' In Kingfton, for inllarice, the real number is i6,659»

linftead ot 6,162, the number on the tax rolls. On an ave-

Iiage of tlie whole number of pariihes, the negroes not given

pn or returned may be reckoned at one feventh jxjrt of tK«

khole. - .

'.' 'ii;

''■'-''.'PM

%to

HISTORY OF THE

BOOK '^^^ ^^^^^ ^^ ^^^^ ifland will beft appear by
Ij, the quantity of (hipping and the number of fea-
men to which it gives employment, and the na-
ture and quantity of its exports. The following
is an account, from the books of the Infpe^lor
General of Gfeat Britain, of the number of vef-
feU of all kinds, their regiftered tonnage and
number of men, which cleared fronir the feveral
porta of entry in Jamaica in the year 1787, ex-
clufive of coafting floops, wherries, &c. y'lz.

Number
' of Veflels.

For Great Britain 242
Ireland « « 10

American States 133
Br. Amer. Colonies 66
Foreign WJndies 2a
Africa - - - i

Tonnage. Men.

1,231
13,041

6>i33
109

7»748

893

449

155

Tot*!

474 85*888 9,344

Itmuft, however, be obferved, that as many
of the veflels clearing for America and the fo-
reign Weft Indies make two or more voyages in|
the year, it isufus^l, in computing the real num*
ber of thole veflelsi, their tonage and men, to de.|
du^ one third from the offieial numbers.. With!
thi$ correction the total to all parts is 400 vef-
fels, containing 78,862 tons, navigated by 8,8451
saen*

The exports for the fame year are given oq|
the fame authority, as follows:-"

i>
^ J

e Co
J0«og

InfpedoJ

Chap. V.

WfeST IKDIES.

ftSf

/♦j'^'jj-

8 9'344
;hat as many I

is'

.\'i'jjr

ts is 40a
.ted by 8,845]

I are given

ft CO

2.S

tig
<T3

cJTS

II f^

J
1^

?f'0-V

». f

^*ini

-»■?*'

ri. I

"«s

i-i-n

. tn I • «■• •
\e 6 \o d •«

•a «l

tS^Zt

•h M *«

M t

'SISSN

« MM

k'g

M Q

M •• tfnt

7TTTT

M I • I •

O M «0 f«
t«0» m o»

;ri

00 '

a.
I

rnrr

•I 8 s ^

o
Id

■3

I
I

•^21 l-^l I

*• MM M I

«*00 WMO v>Q

, M r* 9\ c*» «*»\o

•«fnt«

inn

Si ,5

:^llll

;nn

^i 1 1 1

M I I I I

JCeo ON^M I
•^ c^ «*»

TTTrr

M -n ^ E <• .

> «
00

^0^

Infpedol

But

- ,;

^i* I'l

! ';;f>

U' I.

^:i

aa^ H I S T O K y Q F T H E ,

BOOK But it mud be noted, that a confiderable part

n< of the cotton, indigo, tobacco, mahogany, dye.

HT>^w90fl8, ^d mifcellanepus articles, ii(icludec| in

J. : the preceding account, is the produce ' of the

foreigp yf^ea Indies iiijported into Jan^ai<{a, part-

W up^er! the free-poft b.w, and parly in imall

,^ ' Brlttlk vefli^ls epiployqd 14 a contnpai|id tr^.

'■*• ' lie mtfe ,the Spanifti Ame|:iiBan terBtpri^s, pay.

ipent of which is H^^e chiefly ifi- Jpritiih ma-

'•' , i^ujfi^SUirfa andnegrqest and confider^ibl^ quan-

titles of l^uilioii, pbta|n^dby the fapiie me^ns, are

I • aaBually repiitte^ to iGreat ^rit^iin of, )y^ich no

' I precife a^cppius can be procured. | •» ' - '

U ' The Qeneral 4 cco^nf of Imports jntpjapiai-

1 j- ^a ^m ft^jj nearly a|s ^^9ws, viz. ; ; j

lit!:

II n

i I i

'Cll

T^-V

ttn

.*j .

^v«

.*■"

f*-

^ 1

1 1 :

.-..

1 . 1

(

^111

-U,-;. j

! ;,

' '

1
1 ■

i ■■

• b ^

■k

vift

1 -

! I

iZ i '"'*•

ri l,V

i I • j t. i

Chap.

^ i s i.

<s . .. •

dinnf
toa ]

Mlfo

f ion iA
tode

ftipif]
From the

20,000
From flu

rice, lu
From J/a
oufly fo
clufive <
ling the
[From the.
lawi &^

|y««o. I77f tc

I three years jg, I

t from reii
|y«r 1787;

?;.

■7 ^ .

<>,

IMPORTS

i'll

Chap. V.

WEST INDIES.

9^*t

IMPaHTS INTO JAMAICA.

ffom Grrof J9ri4KW.T BritUh manvr £f #. «t jf,
direct, accos^nigj faAures €86*657 ,a 3
to a return of the > Foreign mer-
InfpeAor Gene- j chandite *JhVjS $ t
ralTor 1787 - J

from luhmJ, It allow a moiety of the whole import
to the Briti/b Wi9^ Indies, con^ingjof jnaaufic-
tiw^ and if|t^ pproyiifiona t9 the amount of
£.%j'7,0QQ, ; >. - - ' - - ^ -

from Jjfmot S.US negroes *, at ^ .40 fterling each
^Iliit is "wMiy ^ Bxatifli trade carried on in
ihipt from Engbiv^ •> - . - -

From ihtBritipi i^oAmwm m ^Mwrirtf (including about
20,000 quintals of faltedcod firom Newfoundland)

From the Umted Statft^ Indian corn, >vheat flour,
rice, lumber, -Ibives, &c imported in Britifh Jhips

Ftom Madara unA'ltenmfii^ in iliips trading circuu>
oufly from Great Britain, 500 pipes of wine (ex-
dufive of jivines for re-exportation) at £.^0 ner-
ling the jpipe - - - -

From the 'i'breign Wtfi InJttet^ under the free-port
iaw^ &c. calculated on an average of tnree
years t •^,\..-a.-,', - , - - ' • -,

758.93a 5 4

138,500

aiS^-Soo — —

30,000 — —

190,000 — -^

15,000 — —
150,000 — — .

P4|^

fn-rinr

Total - ;^,2,496.23a 5 4

t Beins aawerfege of ibe m^c number imported and reeOned in the ifland for ten
lytats, l77S,to 1787, u returned by the Infpe6lor General. The import of the laft
1 chrec years i's much greater.

f From returns of the InfpeAor Cenersl. The following are the particulars for the
hear 1787;

PORTS

. Cotton Wool
Cacao
.. - ^tlc, viz.
" Aflis
^Horfes
Mules
Oxen
;i Sheep

-*.\"f toying Woods
lium Guiaoum
Hidc«
Indigo
Mahogany
Tortoife Shell
Dollani

194,000 lbs.
64,750 lbs.

585

*43

i,2oa No.

\ '

5,077 Toas.

'-■

' t

79 Barrels.

4,537 No.

■

4,663 lbs.

9,993 Planks.

65; lbs.

"S .

53,850 No.

Some

%\ ■■ ■ . ■

I- ''>p

HISTORY OF THE

BOOK Some part of this eftimate, however, is not fo
n. perfe£l as might be wifhed ; ioafmuch as in the
^'""y^^ accounts made up at the infpedor generaFs office
q£ goods exported from Great Britain, thev rec.
kon only the original coft, whereas the Britifh
merchant being commonly the exporter, the
I r r^ 'Whole of his profits, together with the freight,
infurance, and fadorage commiilions in the
iOand, fhould be iiaken into the account, be<
_ ,, > caufe the whole are comprized in one chsu'ge a-
*" " gainft the planter. On the Britiih liipply,, there,
fore, I calculate that twenty /«r c«»/. ihould be
' - 'added forthofe items; which makes thefumto.

tal;(J.i,648,oi8. 14*. 4^. fterlingmoney.
*"" After all, it is very poflible that fome errors

'.* *« ^ >^iaay liave crept into tne calculation, and the ba.
lance or furpliis arifmg from the excefs of the
exports, may be more or lefs th^n ap|!)ears by the
' ft^tement which I have given; but this is icon-
fideration of little importance in a national view,
inafmuch as theiinal profit arifmg from the whole Bumber wj
'- •^' iyi\em, ultimately rcfts and centers in Great Hremainino

" Jsf ifain ; ^a conclulion which was well illuf-P^

t^.i-. trat^d formerly by the lords commiflioners fori
trade and plantations, in a report made by thera|
on the ftate of the Britifh fugar colonies in the
year 1734; ^^ extrad from which, as it ferve^
«^^- rt>t * - likewife to point oiit the progrefs of this ifland
during the laft fifty years, I ihall. prefent to th^
reader.

" The annual amount (fay their LordlhipsJ Having
of our exports to Jamaica, at a>medium of fouin between!
years, from Chriftmas 1728 to Chriflmas 173A Americi
as it l\ands computed in the cuftom-houfe bookme, and o|
appears to have been - £«I47»^75' 2. wby the

■— Till Vol. I '

^TOC

Th
i

So I

ia
"Bi

cefs is

Jamaio

count

Spani/h

returnei

part to t

the peoj

are pure

the i/]an<

the acco

continent

their bala

bin Jam

f^OnQ

r The CuftJ
lerabJy lefs tl
fwal, about

I;!:lfe

i8 not fo
s in the
Vs oFBce
bey rec
e Britilh
ter, the
; freight,
in the
mnt, be*

cbvgca-
ly„tbere.

(hould be
ic (urn to-

jroe errors
nd the ba-
:efs of the
ears by the
lis is icon,
tionalview,

WEST INDIES.

The medium of our imports *
from Jamaica, in the fame

year, is - - ^ £;53M99 i8

So that the annual excels of
our imports^ in that period,
isnolefsthan - 391,824 15

tss

■Hi

■w-^m\

3^-

301,824 15 11^.

But it muft not be imagined, that this ex-
cefs is a debt upon Great Britain to the ifland of
Jamaica ; a pi^rt of it mud be placed to the ac-
count of Negroes, and other goods, lent to the
Spanifh Weft Indies, the produce of whicl^ is
returned to England by way of Jamaica; another
part to the debt due to our African traders from
the people of Jamaica, for the Negroes \vhich
are purchafed and remain there for the fervice of
the iiland ; a third proportion mud be placed to
the account of our Northern Colonies on the
continent of America, who difcharge part of
their balance with Great Britain by confignments
ji»«. ,.,,Jfrom Jamaica, arifmg from the proviiions and
theVholefcn^her with which they fupply that ifland ; the
Great|r^^^^^S> P^^ ^^ ^^e excels in our importations
Tom this colony, is a pront made ujpon our trade,
hether immeaiately from Great Britain, or by
ay of Africa; and laftly, it is a confideration
if great importance in the general trade of Great
ritain, that part of the fugar, and other mer-
ndize which we bring from Jamaica, is re-ex-
rted from hence, and helps to make good our
lance in trade with other countries in Europe.*'
Having mentioned the trade which is carried
um of fouBn between this ifland and the Spanifh territories
iftmas iT'^w ^™^'^ca, fome account of it in its prefcvit
oufe booklate, and of the means which have been adopt-
6t; 2* W^y theBritifti parliament to give it fbpport,
' '^* ThlVoL.1. Q^ may

I* The Cuftom Houfe iirices of goods imported, are coao
prably lefs than the real or mercantile prices'— perhaps, in
^eral, about one third.

s m

well \M

liflioners for

de by theml

.nies in thi

las it ftrve!

this iflani

lent to thi

Lordfhipsl

92$

HISTORY 6F tfiE

■If
jmi

Hook may not be unacceptable to lAy reader^. It is
I^- fufficiently known to have beeii fbrmetly an in-
tercourfe of vaft Extent, and highly advantage-
ous to Great Britain, having been fuppofed to
give employment, about the bcgintting of* the
prefent ceHtUry, to 4,000 toris 01 Englifh fnip-
ping, and to create an annual vent of Britifh
goods to the amount of one million and a half
in value. From the wretched policy of the
tourt of Spain towards its American fubjedis,
by endeavouring to comjpel them to truft folely
to the mother-country, for almoft every article
of neceflary fconfumption, at the very time that
fhe waji intajjable of fupplying a fiftieth part of
their wants, it is not futprifing that they had re.
courfe, under all hazards, to thofe nations of
Europe which were able and willing to anfwer
their demands. It was in vain, that the veffels
employed iii this traffic, by the Englilh and
others, were condemned to confifcation, and the
mariners to perpetual confinement and flavery;
the Spanifh Americans fupplied the lofs by veL -.
fels of their own, furnifhecl with feamen lo wellB^^^^^ ca
acquainted with the feveral creeks and bays, ajBj'*^"^,'^ ai
enabled them to profecute the contraband withK^P'^i^ed
facility and advantage. Thefe veffels receivedHj™'^ expi
every poffible encouragement in our iflandsB*^^^^ ado
contrary, it muft be acknowledged, to the ftr'n
letter of our adls of navigation ; but the Britii
government, aware thkt the Spaniards had litt
to import befides bullion, but homed cattl
mules, and horfes, (fo neceffary to the agricu
ture of the fugar colonies) connived at t
encouragement that was given them. The tradi
however, has been, for many years, on the.di
cline. Since the year 1748, a wifer and raoi
liberal policy towards its American dominioni
Teems to liavc a^uated the court of Madri

radent,
yfng op<
'orto-Ricc
'foviuce i
inds to b
lerate dut
'Oimerce
leafure
at the eflf
Such, h
vecheapi

- •;l

/ .

WEST INDIES.

a«7

i. It is
y anin-
vantage-
pofed to
g o^ the
Lifti fnip-
»f Britifli
nd a half
y of the
, fubjefts,
mil folely
iry article
r time that
Eth part of 1
ley nad re- !
nations of
r to anfwer
■the veffelsl
LngUlh and!
on, andtfccl

and the contraband traffic has graduall)r kflencd, CHAP.
in proportion as the rigour of the ancient regu- V.
lations has been relaxed. Neverthelefs, the in-
tercourfe with this ifland, in Spanifh vefiels, was
ftill very confiderable fo late as the year 1764.
About tnat period, directions were iflued by the
Englifli miniftry to enforce the laws of navi-
gation with the utmoft ftridlnefs ; and cuftom-
houfe commiflioas were given to the captains
of our men of war, with orders to feize all fo-
reign vcflels, without diftindlion, that fhould be
found in the ports of our Weft Indian iflands;
a meafure which in truth was converting our
navy into guarda-coftas, for the king of Spain.
In confequence of tnefe proceedings, the Spani-
ards, as might have been expected, were deterred
from coming near us, and the exports. from Great
Britain to Jamaica alone in the year 1765, fell
ftiort of the j^ear 1763, £.168,000 fterling.

A wifer miniftry endeavoured to remedy the
mifchief, by giving orders for the admiifion of

f? r W^^B^P*^^^ veffels as ufual; but the fubjed matter
il?ll (JlwliW^^S canvalTed in the Britilh parliament, the
n wp ^jjj^^^^^g ^^^ intent of thofe orders were fo fully
xplained, that the Spanifh court, grown wife
rom experience, took the alarm, and immedi-
tely adopted a meafure, equally prompt r^nd
rudent, for counteradling them. This was, the
lying open the trade to the iflands of Trinidad,
orto-Rico, Hifpaniola, and Cuba, to every
rovince in Spain, and permitting goods of all
_inds to be fent thither, on the payment of mo-
the *g"*^^JB[erate duties. Thus the temptation to an illicit

The trad!
on the <i<

men to well!
ind bays, a!
rabandvfitli]
els receiv
)ur iflands
totheflrii
the Britii
_sbadlittli
med cattl

til
liv(

fer and mofl

dominionj

of Madrid

mmerce with foreign nations, being in a great

eafure removed, there was reafon to believe

at the eflfedl would ceafe with the caufe.

Such, however, is the fuperiority or compara-

ve cheapnefs of Britiih manufactures, that it is

<o^2 probable

228

HISTORY OF THE

B O o IC pi'obable the trade would have revived tc a cer-

'i':,P

"i. Ii

■n^ii'''y

t ■■■.,: I

I i

li^r.l

with n
feverit
lion o
niftry,
the Ten
be exp
turally
neither
evident
dence a
Thel
with the
carried <
contrive

tain degree, if the Britilh miniftry oC 1765,
aft^r giving orders for the admiiTion of Spanifh
Veflels into our ports in the Weft Indies, had
proceeded no further. But, in the following
year, they obtained an adl of parliament for
opening the pons of Jamaica and Dominica, to
all foreign veflels of a certain defcription. The
motives which influenced the framers of this law,
were undoubtedly laudable ; they juftly con-
fidered the recovery of the Spanilh trade as a
matter of the utmou confequence, and conclud.
ed that the traders would naturally prefer thofe
ports in which their fafety was founded on law,
to places where their prefervation depended
only on the precarious tenure of connivance andBoF this p
favour. Other oftenfible reafons were affignedj opinion,
in fupport of the meifuie ; but the jealouAr of
Spain was awakened, and the endeavours of tiiej
Britilh parliament on this occafion, ferved onlyi
to encreafe the evil which was meant to bil
Tedrelfed. By an unfortunate overfight, thi
colleftors at the feveral Britilh free-ports wereBcambrics,
inftru£ted to keep regular accounts ot the emrAHilbanioL
of all foreign veflels, and of the bullion whicMvenels fr(
they imported, together with the names of th|of the fre
commanders. Thefe accounts having beei
tranfmitted to the comniiliioners of the cuftomi
in England, copies of them were, by fomi
means, procured by the court of Spain, and thi
abfolute deftrudioii of many of the poor peoplBiii^ed too,
who had been concerned in tranfporting bulIioAe import
into our illands, was the confequence. This iijoreign ifla
telligence I received foon afterwards (having «ine com
that time the diredlion of the cuftom-houfe in Wdmitted ;
maica) from a very refpeAable Spanilh merchanfte reveni
who produced to me a letter from Cartha^Jarge, as o
na, containing a recital of the fad, accompani Jerells, it

anfwered
iave bci
refpe6ls,
niged ags
liatroduiSi

the vari

here no c

Jties of bi

rlcet, an

Wll

Wi;ST INDIES.

«29

c a cer-

Spanilh
lies, had
bUowing
ment for
lixiica, to
on. The
[ this law,
iftly con-
trade as a
i conclud.
refer thofe
id on law,

depended
ivance and

with many ihocking circumilances of unrelenting c H A P.

feverity in the Spaniih government. Informati*
lion of this being tranlmitted to the Britiih mi-
niftry, the former inftruitions were revoked, but
the remedy camo too late;-— for what clfe could
be expected, than that the Spaniards would na-
turally fhun all intercourfe with a people, whom
neither the fafety of their friends, nor their own
evident intereit, was fuihcient to engage to confi-
dence and fecrecy?

The little trade, therefore, which now fubfifts
with the fubjedls of Spain in America, is chiefly
carried on by fmall velTels from Jamaica, which
contrive to efcap^ the vigilance of the guarda*
cojias. But althQUgh, with regard to the revival

^ ot this particular branch of commerce, I am of

jJ-J^gMopinion, that the free-port law has not fo fully '

iealoufy ofBaflf^^'^ ^^^ expedlation of its framers as might

ours of tneBhiv* been wilhed; its provifions, in other

ferved onlyBrefpe^s, have been ver)r beneficial. It has been

eant to beHirged againft it, that it gives occafion to the

•rfight tJi^tro*^^^^^^ ^^ French win^s, brandies, foap^

norts' weMwn*l^"*^s» and other prohibited articles from

f the entiflHi^^^^^i^ > and there is no doubt that fmall

lUon whicl|v^*^ls ^^om thence frequently claim the benefit

mes of tlBpf 'l^c free-ports, after having fmuggled aihore,

nthe various creeks and harbours of this ifland,

rherenocuftom-houfesareeilabliihedjlargequan-

ities of brandy, to the great prejudice of the rum

rket, and other contraband goods. It may be

iving heei
[the cuftoffii
by fora
an, andthl

poor peopW^ged too, that the permiiHon given by the aft to
unJt bulhofrs '^portation of certain of the proqu^s of the
. This iijoreign iflands, is hurtful to the growers of the
s* (having v^^c commodities in Jamaica. AU this is
-houfe in jMdmitted ; but, on the other hand, conlidering
(h merchaij'ie revenues and commerce of the empire at
kn Cartha^W^gc, as objeds of Superior concern to local in-
^^,Qjnpani*reils, it cannot be denied, that the woollen
\sm and

,-•)(-■!

230

HISTORY OF THE

Ii^i:l

BOOK and cotton mantifadlories of Great Britain are of
n. too great importance not to be fupplied with the
valuable materials of indigo and cotton-wool, on
the eafieft and cheapeft terms poflible. The
quantities of thele articles, as well as of woods
for the dyer, imported in foreign bottoms into
the free-ports, are very confiderable. This fub-
jed was thoroughly inveftigated by theBritilh
Houfe of Commons in 1774 (when ^^^ *^ would
have exT ir ■<)); and it being given in evidence
that thi ty thoufand people about Manchefter
were employed in the velvet manufadlory, for
which the St. Domingo cOtton was beft adapted;
and* that both French cottoa and indigo had
been imported from Jamaica at leaft thirty per|
cent, cheaper than the fame could have been!
procured at through France^the Houfe, difreJ
garding all colonial oppofition, came to a refolu-
tion, " that the continuance of free-ports in
Jamaica would be highly beneficial to the)
trade and manufadures of the kingdom."]
The a<ft was thereupon reneiived, and has fmcej
been made per]^ctual.

But the main argument Vfh\ch was originallyj

adduced in defence of the eftablifhment off

free-ports in Jamaica, was founded on tliej

idea that thofe ports would became the greatl

mart for fupplying foreigners with negroes. Itl

was faid, that in order to have negroes plenty in

our own iflands, every encouragement muft

thrown out to the African merchant, to indue

him to augment his importations, and that no

encouragement was fo great as that of an oppoflpaJ^'^'^i!,"

tunity of felling part of them to foreigners foMj^g^J *

ready money ; a temptation, it was urged, whiM^jy .1

would be, as it heretofore had been, the meanm^jji^ r '

that a number would be imported fufficientbotl«3jjj.j '

ioy the planter's ufeand for the foreign demandlj^jjjj^^ f

aiir

H- ^,,:

•|?K

WEST INDIES.

231

ife»

'\n are of
with the
wool, on
LC. The
of woods
:oins into
This fub.
he Britifti
aft would
evidence
lanchefter
laory, for
ft adapted;
ndigo bad
thirty per
have heen
oufc, difre-
to arefolu-
•ee-ports in;
cial to tk!
1 kingdom.";
id has fineej

origiflallyj
liftittient of
eel on M

and it was added^ that at all events the French CHAP,
would deal with us, if the Spaniards would not. ^•

Whether it be a wile and politic meafure at
any time to permit Britilh fubje6ls to fupply
foreigners with African labourers, is a queftiop
that may admit of diipnte. J mean, at prefent
to confine myfelf pit^ly to a recital of fa£U; and
it is certain that the very great demand for

negroes in the Ceded Iflands, for foipe years after
the a^ firft tQpk plaice, affedied the Jamaica im-
port in a high degree; and in 1773, a circum-
ftance occuirred which was thought to render a
renewal of the free-pon law a nieafi:^re of iiidif- •
penfable neceffity. I^ that year the Spanifli
Affiento Company at Porto-Rico obtained per-
miflion to remove their principal faftory to the
Havanna, and to purchafe Slaves in any of the
neighbouring iflanas^ tr^fporting them to their
own fettlements in SpafiifJn yeflfels. It was eafily
forefeen, that Jamaica^ frxun Its vicinity to the
chief cdonies in Spain, in which negroes were
pioft in 4eniand, would engage a preference
from the purchafers ; wherefore, that encourage-
ment might not be wanting> the Britifti parlia-
jQient not only reiiewed ttie free-port law, but
, alfo took off the (Juty of thirty fhillings ftcriing a
I head, wh ich, in the former a6i, was exa<^ed on the
the greaiB exportation of negroes, and laid only a duty of two
Itl (hillings a,nd fix-pence, in lieu of it. The refult was
—that the import for the next ten years, exceeded
that of the ten years preceding, by no lefs than
22,213 negroes : and the export furpafl'sd that of
the former period,- to tlie number of 5,952. Such
f an opporjpart, therefore, of this encreafed export, as
reigners fojjvent to the fupply of the Spanifti colonies, we
rged, wbidBmay attribute to the free-port law ; for it i,s pro-
1, the m^^^bable, from the circumftances dated, that the
fficientbot«ancient contraband fyftem is nearly at an end.
gu denjandiiniike manner it may be (aid of the importation
aai 3 of

V ■

icgroes
kes plenty 11
lent mnft "
|t, toindu

md that w

■ ,i

aji

HISTORY OF THE

h€ '■■■

;■ : ' t

B O O K of foreign mdigo and cotton, that if it be not
.H. made in foreign veflels, it will ccafe altogether;
and thus, inftead of infringing the navigation
a^, as fonie pcrfons contend, the mealure of
opening the ports is ftridily confonant to the fpi-
ritofthat celebrated law;. for, byfurnifhing an
augmentation of freights to Great Britain, it
tends ultimately to the encreafe of our iliipping.
Having now, to thebeft of my jridgraent and
knowledge, fumiftied my readers with furhpir.
ticulars as may enable them to form a tolerably
correft idea of the prefent trade and productions
of Jamaica, Iftiall conclude with a concife difplay
of its progrefs in cultivation at different periods.
for a century paft.

By a letter, dated March the 29th» 1673, rVom
the then governor, Sir Thomas Lyn'rh^ to Lord
Arlingion, the Secretary of State, it appears,
that the ifland at that time contained 7,768 whites,
and 9,504 negroes ; its chief produdlions were
cacao, indigo, and hides. " The weather (ob-
ferves the governor) has been feafonable, and the
fuccefs in planting miraculous. Major General
Bannifter is not now very well, but by the next, k
fends your lord/hi^ a pot offugar, and writes jou
itsjlory" It would I'eem from hence, that the
cultivation of fugar was then but juft entered up-
on, and thatBlome, who aflerts there were feven-
ty fugar-works in 1670, was mifinformed. So
late as the year 1722, the ifland made only eleven
thoufand hogfiieads of fugar, of fixteen hundred
weight.

From that tim^ I have no authentic account
until the year 1734, when the ifland contained
7,644 whites*, 86,546 negroes, and 76,011 head
of cattle. The value of the impofts from this

ifland

* The circumftanceof thedecreaie of the white inhabitantsj

for the firft iixty years, may appear ftrange. It was owing.j

wkhottt doubt, to the decline of the privateering trade, which

gav<: fit 11 employ meat to the fir It adventurera.

To Great BHi
ToNorthAm

(conti'nuet

oCrratBritaii
« North Ama

WEST INDIES.

SS3

ifland to Great Britain, about this period^ were CHAP,
ftated (as we have feen) by the Commiffioners of ^*
Trade, at £.539,499. 18. ahfterling. Of the par-*
ticulars Ihave no account. In the year 1739,
the export of fugar was 33,155 hoglheads.

In 1744, the numbers were 9,640 whites,
1 1 2428 negroes, and 88,036 head of cattle. The
exports at this period, were nearly about 35,000
hogfheads of fugar, and 10,000 puncheons of rum,
r:iclufive of fmaller articles. The whole might
oe vvorth £. 600,000 fterling.

In 1768, the whites were fuppofed to have
been 17,000. The number of negroes on the
i.aX rolls were 166,914, and the cattle 135,773
head. The exports (the value of which coula
not be lefs at that time than 1,400,000 (lerling)
were thefe.;

To Great Britain and Ireland
I To North America — —

Total —

{(continued J

Itic account!

containedl

),oix ^eadl

from thisi

iflandl

Ite inhabitantJl

[t was omm

trade, whicn|

ro Great Britain and Ireland
lo North America — —

Total •—

Exports FAOM Jamaica, 1768,

Hhds.
Df Su-
gar, of
i6cwt

Puns of

Rum,

of 110

gallons.

Bags of Bags of
Pimen-'Cinger,
tOj of of7oibs.
100 lbs.

BagsofBagsofJXt
Cot- Coffee, '"f^*

ton, of of ^

aoolbs.,oolbs.j^^S-

S4,i8i

1,580

11,147

4.4*4

13,116

7S«

•»55»

6x0

a,2ii

»5*

a,7ia

4^35

5S»76»

»5.SS»

13*854

3ii7>

2,463

4,203

4.03s

Feet of
Mahoga-
ny.

Tons of
Tons of Nc. g^ -

Ebony.

Hides.

Mifcella.

neous

Articles.

443,920
424,080

120

201,960

j,287

£. *. ^•

Value
unknown.

868,000

120

201,960

2,287

Cultivation,

i;) •

i: ,*

' a

■ >' ; '•

;. t^

-L.m

4134 HISTORY OF THE

SOOK Cultivation, in all parts of Jamaica^ was now
II- makinga great and rapid progrefs. In 1774^ the
exports were confiderably increased : The follow-
ing account of tliem is extracted £rom the books
of office, kept within the iiland.

Exports from Jamaica^ 1774,

To GrMt BrHaIn and Ireland
To North America ——

Total •— »

(continued)

Hhds. of

Sugar, of

1 6 cvvt.

Punsof

Rum,

iiogals

Bagsof Bamls
Cfoftee, of Ihdi-

Of fi0,0P

loolbt. joolb*!

Bass Of
of^&lb».

Bags of
Pimento,

ofioolbs.

7«.J44
1,960

»7.548
8,7X6

3,684
»^86J;

«7-
■I

»,J48

579

»3»797
55*;

7*i3«4

a6,»74

•.547

««'

»»9»7

»4f349

To Oreat Britaio and Ireland
To North America — —

Total — —

CaAuof

ditto, o(
300 lb«.

276
47

3*3

Bags of

Cotton Malaf-

ofaoo
lbs

a,ox»

a,2io

Hhdsoi

fes,

60 gals.

Tonsol
Log-
wood,
and
Fuftich

ip86
A6

i,caq |j3I3

Feet of

Maho>

gany.

^,p8«»

ia9,a8o

Hidfs.

;656
8,<36

9,191

ridiai
ing 7,

ternii:

began

whict

reftoi

withoi

on th<

plants

at Tea,

produc

and cc

To fill

ger of

— nole

fpace oi

througlj

ble vifii

Since th

favoural

1790, w

be thank

Provider

and may

of fortiti

ways all

I convert

The amount of the fum total, according to theH ♦ The
prices current, including the fame allowance foiB^efted fince
mifcellaneous articles of which no precife accounB'"'"*^ pl^nt
can be obtained as was allowed by the InfpeftoBJ^^ fliin ed
General for the year 1787, maybe fairly ilated M'j]^^^ 921?!
two millions of pounds fterling.

pfcount, the

ffisveolitain
K'iept in th

^fm

ras now

t follow-
le books

f 1774-

of I Bags of
T« iPimento,

»8 I 13»797
79_l 55*

l»7 I »4f349

West indies*

ftSS

ding to the

lowance fod

cife accounti

e Infpefto^

rlyftatedi

But Jamaica had now nearly attained theme- CHAP,
ridian of its profperity * ; for early in the follow^ V.
ing year, the fatal and unnatural war whidhhas
terminated in the difmemberment of the empire,
began its deftru£^ive progrefs; in the courfe of
which, the blamelefs inhabitants of this and the
reft of the Britifh fugar iilands, felt all its effedh
without having merited the ilighteft imputation
on their condu6l. Their fources of fupply for
plantation neceflaries were cut off, andprote£iion
at fea, if not denied, was not given; fo that this
produce was feized in its way to Great Britain,
and coniifcated without interruption or mercy.
To iill up the meafure of their calamities, the an-
ger of the Almighty was kindled againft them ;
—no lefs than five deftruftive hurricanes in the
fpace of feven years, fpread ruin and defolation
throughout every ifland I The laft of thefe terri-
ble vifitations in Jamaica, happened in 1786.
Since that time, however, the feafons have been
favourable; and the crops of 1788, 1789 and
1790, were confiderable. May the inhabitants
be thankful that it has thus pleafed the Divine
Providence to remember mercy in judgment ;
and may paft misfortunes teach them thofe leffons
of fortitude, frugality, and forefight, which al-
[ways alleviate afflidions, and fometimes even
I convert them into bleflings.

Nothing

* The greateft improvement which Jamaica has mani*
Ifefted fince 1774, ha? been in the encreafed number of its
I coffee plantations. In that year^ the export of coffee, as
we have feen, was 654,700 lbs. In 1780, the crop having
been IJiipped before the hurricane happened, the export was
735,392 lbs. For the three laft years, of which I have any
account, the export was as follows :

1788 - 1,035,368 lbs.

1789 - 1,493.282

1790 - 1,783,740
have obtained this account from the books of the naval olS-

itrjcept in the illand.

n«

1'**' 'r i# • •

I.; if 4:,' J:i'>.' .

: ■■ " -!

^ 1 4 ,

.' ^iM

^^^ffi^'l

-3

1 .'S

'■tP

l^^^^^B

HISTORY OF THE

Nothing now remains but to flate the value of
this ifland, confidered as BritiAi property; of
which the eftimate is formed as follows :— 250,000
negroes, at fifty pounds fterling each, make
t^velve millions and a half; the landed and perfo.
nal property to which thefe negroes are appurte-
nant (including the buildings') are very fairly and
moderately reckoned at double the value of the
ilaves themfelves ; making twenty*five millions
in addition to the twelve million five hundred
thoufand pounds I have ftated befor«^; and, in
fbrther aadition, the houfes and property in the
towns, and the veiTels cmployea in the trade,
ire valued at one million five hundred thoufand
pounds more ; amounting in the whole to thirty-
nine millions of pounds uerling.

APPENDi:

^'4

alue of
rty; of
i5o,ooo
/ make
dperfo-
ippurte-
irly and
le of the
millions
hundred

WEST IKDIES.

APPENDIX TO BOOK II.

APPEN-
DIX.

NUMBER I.

A Return of the mtmber of Sugar Planta-
tions in the liland of JAMAICA, and the
Negro Slaves thereon, on the 28th March,
1789, diilinguiihing the feveral Parilhes.

Pariihof St. Mary
— — St. Ann«

St. John - - -
St. Dorothy - •
St. Thomas in the Vale
Clarendon • - -
Vere - - - - .
St. Catharine - •

l^g

Negroes

thereon.

30
21
IS

12,065
4,908

3.7»3
1,776

5.327
10,150

5.479
408

:£•

Total in the County of Middlefex • - 344 43>6aC

Pariihof St. Andrew ^

— — St. George - - -

— — Portland . - -

—— Port Royal - - -

— — St. David - - -

St. Thomas in the Eaft

— — Kingfton. * - .

IpPENDl^

Total in the County of Suny

Parifhof irelawney • •

-i St. James - '

— Hanover - -

Weftmoreland •

St. Elizabeth •

iS9a7.3J7

Total in the County of Cornwall - - 30*7157.835

Total in Jamaica

« 710

i 28,79!

N U M B £ R

«5«

•'(

HISTORY OF T H£

NUMBER n.

An Hijiorical Account of the Omftitution of Ja-
maica; drawn ti^ in l^6^, for the information
of its Majtfifs Minifitrsy by his Excellency
William Henry Lyttelton ♦, Gwemor and Com-
mander in Chief of that IJland.

■!

■%

It It does not appear that there was any form of
civil government eflabliihed in the iiland of Ja-
maica before the Reftoration; vrhe^ Colonel
D'Oyley, who had then the chief command un-
der a commiflion from the Lord Proteflor, was
confirmed in that command by a commiflion
from king Charles, dated the 13th of February,
1661.

His commiflion, which recites the king's defire
to give all prote6lion and encouragement to the
people of Jamaica, and to provide for its fecu.
rity and good government, empowers him to
execute his trufl according to fuch powers and
authorities as are contained in his commiflion
and the inflru^ions annexed to it, and fuch as ■quorum.
fhould from time to time be given to him bvl ^he foi
his majefly; and according to fuch good, ju(t,B'J'e oaths,
and reafonable cufloms and conflitutions asl^airs and
were cxercifed and fettled in other colonies ;B^nheil]a|
or fuch other as fhould, upon mature advicel ^he ii
and confideration, be held necefikry and properV^pance vil
for the good government and fecurity of the if-B^^ifters,
land, provided they were not repugnant to thej^^'gioii,
laws of England. Bj'ff^t hav<

Itfem.

The fei

Created Lord Weftcote, of the kingdom of Ireland, vSgwav tn
1776. . ■ / ^"

couni

feople

inftru

with f

the mi

ande:K

with t

out ne^

orders

the ii]a

articles

The

ed, and

The t

council,

cntly, b

planters,"

niently

or more

Secretary

pointed

council,

execution

WEST INDIES.

•19

t of Ja-
irmation
xcelUncy
ind Com'

form of
ad of ]a-

Colonel
imand un-
edtor, was
lommiflion
February,

ing'sdefirc
lent to the
or its fecu.
;r8 him to
)owers and
commiflioQ
d fuchaJ
him bvi
good, juft,
itutions a$
colonies;
ure advice

It further emjpowers him to take unto him a APPEN-
council of twelve perfons, to he ekSled by the ^^*
uopU according to the manner prefcribed in the
tnnru£lions ; aiid, by the advice of anv five or
more of them, to conftitute civil judicatories,
with power to adminifter oaths ; to command all
the military forces in the ifland, and put in force
and execute martial law; to grant coinmiflions,
with the advice of his council, for the finding
out new trades ; and to do and perform all other
orders which might conduce to the good of
the iiland. The inftrufiions confift of fifteen
articles :

The firft dire£ls the commiifion to be publiili-
ed, and the king proclaimed.

The third regulates the manner of eledling the
council, eleven of which to be chofen indiffer-
ently, by as many of the officers of the army,
planters, and inhabitants, as could be conve-
niently admitted to fuch ele^ion, either at one
or more places ; which faid perfons, with the
fecretary of the ifland, who was thereby ap-
pointed always to be one, were eflablimed a
council, to advife and aflifl the governor in the
execution of his truft, and five were to be a
quorum.

The fourth and fifth articles direft the taking
the oaths, and fettling judicatories for the civil
jiffairs and affairs of the admiralty, for the peace

f the ifland, and determining controverfy.

The iixth direfts the governor to difcoun-

d DroperB^'^*^*^® "^^^^ ^^'^ debauchery, and to encourage
*^f the iiw"^^^^'^» ^^*^ Chrillianity and the proteftant
'^ °t to thi^^Sio*J> according to the church of England,
lan Bnight have due reverence and exercife among

llhem.

iThe feventh diredls the fortifications at
I of Irelatid, iijigway to be completed, and empowers him to

compel.

S40

HISTORY OF THE

BOOK compel, not only foldiers, but planters, to work
n. by turns.

The eighth dire£ls him to encourage the plant-
ers, and to afTure them of his majefty's protedli.
on: and, by the ninth, he is to eaufe an accurate
furvey to be made of the ifland.

By the tenth it is direded, that the fecretary
flull keep a regifter of all plantations and the
bounds thereof; and that all perfons ihall be
obliged to plant a proportionable part thereof
within a limited time.

The eleventh and twelfth dire6l all encourage,
ments to be given to fuch negroes and others as
ihall fubmit to th^ government, and to merchants
and fuch as ihall bring any trade there, and
forbid monopolizing.

The thirteenth direfts, that any veflel which ,
can be fpared from the defence of the ifland, i
ihall be employed in fetching fettlers frcm any
other colonies, and that nq loldiers be allowed nnd a rea
to depart without licence. B^ornied.

The fourteenth relates to the keeping of the^
(lores and provifions fent to the ifland : and the!
fifteenth direfts the governor to tranfmit from!
time to time, a ilate of the ifland, and all his|
proceedings.

In 1662, Lord Windfor was appointed goverJ
nor of Jamaica, by commiifion under the great]
feal ; which, beiides containing the fame power

as thofe contained in Col. D'Oyley's commiffionBenth

The tei
their
nder the
^^andtof
The del
orthod^
a duty

^ expirat
The thirl

direds, that, in cafe of Lord Windfor's dyii
or leaving the ifland, the government ihall dc
volve on the council, or any feven of them, anq
appoints a falary of two thoufand pounds /i|
ann. payable out of the exchequer.

His inftru6lions coniiil of twenty-two article
The firft directs the publication of his coi

miflio^

r^ :' :: . ■ : •■

kUh

anil

erty

''IS, and t
'nters to
pous buijJ
I he fevej
Jf'^ent to

W E S t 1 N D I E s.
miffion; andthefecoDfJ tj,- . *»•

ftruaions, or the inftrnA- /"^^ ^o the in.

BUT IT APPEARS, THAT I^E nr. " ^"PP^^'ed !
THEM HIMSEIF. ^ OOVErno* NAMED

1 „T?« tWrd, fourth, fifth fi«h Jo

Ujtjces relate to theadminS; »°^ J^venth
W'lhmg judicatures, andZo^W? ^^r"*''"' ^fta-
my of the adjacent ifles! '""^''''"K «" the fecu-

opiamei^'^'tfvi ^rs^r '° ^ ^--

colonies. /« Jamaica from the other

J The ninth dircifts T/^« «

|W as a royal demefol ^^''•""^oftheif.

H a regifter kept "f fu' //"'^^ «° bemadt
|formed. ^ °* all grants, and a militia

nerthegreatfeal, ™d "not!''"" bygranfs-
Hand to the gover;,or7forTs "lV°f °° ""^^
I The eleventh relates fnVk °'*" "'^•
"Orthodox miniftry: and the M??/??"r»">f
,^ » duty of five * JcJ/, '„ 'T.^'^^ eftablift-
N«pirationofCu7;„^P°°''"«Pon5 after

lThethmeenth,fourteemh fifi ,. "
hh articles contain gene«frf-™A^' "''^ ^^^
N I'.berty and freedom of tradj f"^^">'^^ as ,o •
hards) afliftance t"the Sf ?' "'l^ '^e
K and the fecurity ofZt^'"i''« ?'«««-
pters to refide in bodies fnt"' ^X obliging
b^buildings "'°S«''". and in 2on.

j'tie feventeenth diredls ,h„

I officet

Jit*

HISTORY OF THE

•. 'S

BOOK officjesftiall be held by deputy; aud gives a power
II. to the governor of fufpenliou or removal, ia cafe
of bad behaviour.

The nineteenth empowers %hfi governor to
grant royalties and manora, or lordihips, to con*
tain lef3 than five hundred acres.

The twentieth empowera the governor, with

*^dvice of the council, to call aflemblies, to make

laws, and, upon imminent neceflity, to \e^y mo.

ney ; fuch laws to be in force two years, and no

longer, unlefs approved of by the crown.

See the proclamation of the, 14/A of December, \
1 66 1, uponwhich the people of Jamaica ham
itpon anybccafon laid fo much Jirefs*

This proclamation was publifhed by Lord
"Windforupou his arrival; but nothing elfe ma-l
terial arifes out of his {hort a^miniflration worthl
notice, for he ftaid but two months, and left tUl
ifland, and the execution of his commiihoD, to|
Sir Charles Lyttleton, who ha(d been appointe
lieutenant governor; and who governed with th^
advice of a council ijftwelve, appointed by hiu
I'elf, and called an affembly that made a body o|
laws, anxongil which was one for raifing a 10
venue.

Nothing, however, which appears to be mate
tial, as to the form of the conftitution, occurre
during his adminiilration, which continued aboij
twenty months; when he was fuperfeded byth
arrival of Sir Thomas Modyford, who was ^^t^^^^
pointed governor in chief by a commifllon uudB"^ ^<^f*

the great feal, which empowered him either w/^^^'s, uj
conftitute, by his own authority, a privy-coun«!!°'
gf twelve perfons, or to continue the old one, a™"'* <^ini
to alter, change, or augment it as he thought \^m^ ^^ on<

p«|°"^ofthJ

fjri4-qr

' '^EST INDIES

eaendtotake wav!°'' ff'^^d they did Z ^P™^'-
goods or chattels, and "h«^K« ^'"' °'" freeholds

,."^!«'a« further empoXe^ 5'PP'^''*«on.
hf'fcphne .11 military Cerl** r'""'''"^ '">c!

|ron. the lord high admh-al m *:^"" «'«vi
Mcatton,; to%ftab4 ;> ;° "^ '^"^ ''nd
hfoghs, and villages "^'' '"^''^' 'owns

Key,, andtee»recoK.n "^""'- '« t^ke
Rrfuch moderate quSentsr^''-'' "^ '''°J«.

hfabe terms of cultWuL^'''^ J^' > "^^ to
We under the feal InH 1 ' ,'"}d grants ftf
N and valid a«ai?ft the crowf'^' ^^'^ '°b"
Nons for finding out new t«7 ' '° ^'""' "^"m-
Kes, except ,,f„d4°f7«des; to pardon all

b#;^fc:rrrc;'^''>-<^-eof ■

fbhflnng general affemWi:,^'^%"'«hod for
P «» call fueh affemWier ;. 1^"" ''"« to
h«>«fe«t to pafe a?"'::;°^«\^^. «nd with
»» h.m a negative voice "T^i^f ''""• ''efcv-
Kcafions, to lew money Th "/?° '""'■"- '
f tend to takin* awa v ,^ ^" , ^^^^ '^ws not

felof.SfamembrrTan/toT"- '"r''"'^' °

outof the ewhe^uer ^'' ""»"'"' P^}'-

• ■ ihe

i^%&m

244

HISTORY OF THB

■I

BOOK The inftruftions, which confift of twenty arti-
II. ' cles, relate to the encouragement to be given to
planters to come from the other colonies ; to the
allowance fettled upon himfelf and the other of.
iicers; and extend to moft of the points contain.
t*d in Lord Windfor's inftruAions ; but dircdl,
that thie meafure of fetting out the 400,000 acres,
as a royal demefne, ihall be fufpended; that no I

itiot
iirine
ihouii
was a
niflrai
Ini
and Si
_ vemor
duties ihall be laid in the ifland upon the import I poirers
or export of any goods for twenty-one years, norP '
ihall any duty be laid here upon the produce 01]
Jamaica for five years.

By thefe inftruAions it appears, that the crownj
allowed two thcufand five hundred poinds peis
annum for the I'upport of government ; and what|
was wanted, over and above, was to be mada
good by a duty on ftrong liquors, either madfl
or imported, to be levied by the authonty of thj
governor and council.

In July, 1664, Sir Thomas Modyford iffu
writs for electing two aflembly-men for each pi
rifh; which aflembly met m 06lober folio

ing.

It does not appear that this affembly fat abo
a month or two before they were diffolved ; bu|
during their feflions, they pafled a body of law
which was tranfmitted to the lord chancellor,
be laid before the crown ; but, not being coi
firmed, they would have expired at the end
two years; but (as I find it afTerted by lot On the
Vaughan) the governor continued them info
to the end of his ad minifi ration, by an order
council. I cannot, however, find this oider
on record, but, after that time, a great many
dinances of the governor and council, in the
ture and form of laws ; in fome of which it v
declared, that they Ihall continue in. force u
. - r . ' . /i : ' auot

"appoinl
mmng

•"imiiKon,)

id any o(

PP the el

to caJjf

WEST INDIES.

24s

nty arti-
given to
s; totk
other of-
i contam-
)Ut direft,
pco acies

atiother affembly was called, and then to be con- APPEN
firmed, altered, or repealed, as that affembly ^^^•
(hould i?e convenient: but no other affembly
was callevi during Sir Thomas Modyford*s admi-
niftration.

In 1670, Sir Thomas Modyford was recalled,
and Sir Thomas Lynch appointed lieutenant-go-
jf^^hatBolvemor and commander in chief, with the fame
the import ■ powers as Sir Thomas Modyford had.
years, norB On the ift of December, 1671, he iffued v/rits
produce oiBfor calling an affembly, to confift of two perfons •
Ifor each parifh ; which met on the 8th of Jariua- '
ttthecrownBry, and fat till June following, when the go-
povjids peiHvemor diffolved them, after having paffed a bo- '
' 1 -M^ Qf }j^g^ which were tranfmitted to England,
ittt were not confirmed.

In May, 1673, Sir Thomas Lynch called ano-

ler affembly ; but, upon their refuting to grant

loney for the fortifications, he diffolved it after

itting only a few days; and, in January foilow-

ig, upon confideration that two years were al-

loft expired fincc making the body of laws, and

lat his majefty had not been pleafed to fignify

lis royal confent to them, a new affembly was

lied, which met the i8th of February, and,

the 14th of March, a new body of laws was

ed, which were tranfmitted to England; but.

It being confirmed by the crown, expired at

ic end of two years.

at the endB

rted by Lo«On the 3d of December, 1674, Lord Vaughan
them in fows appointed governor of Jamaica. A council,
)V an orderBnfifting of twelve perfons, was named in the
th^soi'der^inmiflion, with power to him to expel or fuf-
rreat matiyfcd any of them, and, in cafe of vacancies, to
fcU ii^ thetBup tne council to nine. He was alio empow-
which it w to call affemblies, according to the ufage of
I in. force uAifland; and, with the council and affembly,
auotl - vo

and what
to be mad
either madi
tionty of till

iyford iffui
for each pi
ober foUo

[bly fat abo^
iffolved;bu]

idyofla\\1

shancellor,

being col

246

HISTORY OF THE

, If

I 1 1''

B O O K *^ pafs laws, which laws were to be in force for
11; two years, unlefs the crown's pleafure' was in
the mean time fignified to the contrary, and no
longer, except they were approved and confirm-
ed within that time. In the pafling of thefe laws,
the governor v.as to have a negative voice, and
to diflblve any affembly, as he ftiould' think pro-
per.

Upon Lord Vaughan's arrival in his Govern-
ment, he called an affembly, which met on the
26th of April, 1675, and pafTed a new body of
laws.

It does not appear when this affembly was dif.
folved; but, in March, 16715^7, writs were iffu.
ed for a new affembly, which met on the 26th of
that mouth; and, having paffed feveral other
laws, they were diffolved on the 26th of July:
and the laws paffed by both affemblies having
been tranfmitted to England, the council took
them into their confideration, and, after frequent
deliberations upon them, and many alterations
propofed, they were referred, with the council's
obfervations upon them, to the attorney-general
to conlider thereof, and to form a new body of|
laws for the good government of this ifland.

With thefe laws, the council took intoconfi.
deration the ftate and conftitution of Jamaici
and made the reports upon it hereunto annex-
ed, vide Doc u ment Sy No. i, 2.

Thefe reports having been confirmed, a co
miflion paifed the great feal, conftitudng Lon
Caxlifie governor of Jamaica, by which, and b
tha inflrud'ons annexed thereto, {vide No. 3, 4.
the forui of government propofed in the cou
cil's re|5ort was adoi-ied and eftablilhed.

Upon Lord Carlifle's arrival in his gove
ment, he found the people very much dilfatis
ed with and avcrle to his new form of gover

inenti

*'^'39, w.

^ laws in
femor of
|as been
lat, in 1*7

™6tions, ]

[law confii

'ufpenfic

h and, i

.^i'i*#ii^^

WEST INDIES,

ment ; as will better appear by his letters, v:fie appen-
No. 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, lOi DIX.

Thefe letters and papers being taken into ccn-
fideration by the council, as alfo a report theve-
on by the committee, the council, on the 4th of
April, 167^, made the order, No. 11 ; and, on
the 28th ot May following, the annexed report,
J\fo. ):2, was prel'ented to his majefty, and, being
approved, was tranfmitted to the Earl of Carlifle,
with the annexed letter, No. 13.
Upon receipt of thefe papers, the Lord Car-
le communicated them to the afTembly, who
prefented an addrefs in anfwer to the report of
the 28th of May ; which addrefs was tranl'mitted

eral other
hi of July:
lies having
mncil took
er frequent
I alterations
je council's
aey-general

16, 17, 18, 19, 20.

On the 5th of March, 1679-80, the council took

into confideratiou the letters received from th<

rl of Carlifle; and the annexed extrads (No.

I to 38, inchiftve) of their proceedings will fhew

iheir leveral refolutions and directions in confe-

aence thereof.

It is impoflible, at this diftance of time, to

lew body ofBudee what motives could have induced the coun-

ifland. Bilj^fter they had Ihewn fo much firmnefs and

into confi-Befolution to fupport the rights of the crown, by

of ]amaicaMftabUlhing in Jamaica the Irifh conftitution, to

^ve the point up, as it appears they did by the

nexed explanatory commillion to Lord Carlifle,

£1. 39, which contains tlie lame power of mak-

g laws in alTembly as is now given to the go-

lich, and biBemor of Jamaica, and which, from that time,

W iVo. 3) 4'Mis been minutely the fame; excepting only,

the counpat, in 17 16, the governor was directed, bv in-

uftions, not to pafs any laws that fliouJd re^'cal

law confirmed by the crown, without a clauis

fufpenlion, or ifirll tranfmitting the draft of a

of governlll; and, iii- 1734, ^^^^ limitatiox; was ex\Quded

men! I^<>

into annexH

ned,
uang

a cor
Lord

led.

Ihis gover
\i di'lfatisii

^rm

"'I .

:A'

S48

HISTORY OF THE

BOOK to all Uws for repealing others, though fuch re.
II* pealed law ihould not have been couiirmed by
the crown*.

'^ * Neither of thefe orders are enforced^ except in the cafe of
]^rivate bilU, the aifembly "having conftantlir refufcd to admit
lufpending claufet in any public ad, and ue crown has long
fince riven up the point. It is impoifible to ouit this Hifto-
rical Account, -without lamenting that its able and accom-
pU^ed author fhould have committed himfelf as he has done
in the concluding paragraph; The wicked attempt to intro.
<iuce an arbitrary form of government, he ttrxM/uMorting the
juji rights of the erovon^ andfeems very lerioufly to lament that
the privy council had not firmneis and refolution to perfift io
their projeft.

■*»..

./*

1 !S

; I
I

DOCUMEK

Eh*
Ifereiice to
Jtion the pr
Imaica, parti
jas they nov

pcommend
Iwhom your
fUtute gove
2I meeting
oft humbT
For your foy
The firft
^«d by us
or the civiJ,
PPon taking
t"yefty's haf
niethods -,

1 %,

fuch re.
rmcd by

WEST INDIES.

DOCUMENTS

ANNEXED TO THE

HISTORICAL ACCOUNT.

a49

>CIIME151

, N U M B |£ R I.

The Right Honourable the Lords of the Committee
for Trade and Plantations having this day prefented >
to the Board the enfuin^ Report; viz.

May it please your Majesty, ';

I W £ having, according to the truft repoied in us in re- APPEN-
ference to your majefty*s plantations, taken in confldera- DIX.
tion the prefent il;ate and government of the ifland of Ja- <
maica, particularly fuch matters as, from the nature of affairs
as they now ftand there, we have judged neceflary to be
recommended to the Right honourable the Earl of Carlifle,
horn your majeftv has been pleafed to nominate and con-
fute governor of the faid ifland ; and having, after feve-
il meetings, agreed upon the following particulars, -wt
it humbly crave leave to lay them berore your majefty,
for your royal determination.
The firft point that did occur moft worthy to be confl-
red by us was, the power and manner of enading laws
r the civil, military, and eccleilaftical government ; and,
ipon taking a view of what has been pra^ifed flnce your
'ajefty's happy reftoration in the legiflative, we find, that
e me^ods and authorities for the naming and ordaining

the

-.,: :i:i^

P^K

,,,,i

pi ''

' f 1 ■

t$* H I S T O R Y O F 1 H r<

K the faid laws have been only fuch as were dire£lcd by your
royal commiflion unto your ni:»jefty's feveral governors, or
prefcribcd by the inftru<^ions given them from time to
time ; and that as the conflttution and exigeiKy of aftairs
have often changed, fo your majedy has thought fit vari-
oufly to adapt your royal orders thereunto; and, by the laft
CommifHon, given unto the Lord Vaughan, your majcfty
was pleafcd to empower his lordfliip, whh tiic advice of
your majefty*s council, from time to time to fummon
eeneral aflemblies of freeholders, who have authority, with
the advice and confent of the governor aixl council to
make and ordain laws for the government of the ifland;
which laws are to be in force for the fpacc of two years,
^cept in the mean time your majefty*s pleafure be fig-
niiied to the contrary, and no longer, unlefs they be con-
firmed by your majefty within that time. Having, there-
fore, dire«Sted our thoughts towards the confequences and
- effedts which have been produced, or may arife, from

this authority derived unto the faid freeholders and plant*
ers, which we obferve to have received a daily increafe
by the refolutions they have taken, lefs agreeable to your
«iajefty*s intention, we do moll humbly offer our opini-
ons, that the laws tranfmitted by the Lord Vaughan, which
are now under confideration m order to be enaded by
your majefty, may be entrufted in the hands of the Earl
of Cai lifle, who, upon his arrival in the ifland, may offer
thiioi unto the next aflembly, that they may be conCented

r/'n^ wntok as laws originally coming from your majefty; and
.y ' th^i, for the futurei' no legiflative aflembly be called with-

.^ WjC your majefty's fpecial directions } but that, upon
emergencies, tne governor do acquaint your majefty by
letters, with the neceffity of calling fuch an aflem-
bly, and pray your majefty's confent and direftions for
their meeting j and, at the fame time, do prefent unto
your majefty a fcheme of fuch a(fts as he fliall think fit
and ueceflary, that your majefty may take the fame into
confideration, and return them m the form wherein your
Hiajefty fliall think fit that they be enabled j that the go«
vcrnor, upon receipt of your majeftv's commands, fliall
; then fummon an aflembly, and propoie the faid laws for
their confent, fo that the fame method in legiflative mat
ters be made ufe of in Jamaica as in Ireland, ac
cojding to the form prefcribcd bv Poyning's law j and

;\'r.t1lt.il\'^ viim ;--i.>..*i.-i. tna()|

a publji
appropr
niention
the faid
right of \
altered a
Wed
that no I
from the
fliat none
out fuflici
of ail cl;
tcfpe<aive
And w
venienr, t
l^ituted b
N'on, thatj
l*ru<aions
aMfhority i
jiiave pow(
F juii a
¥ ^e CO
"ided, or
ruft, may
trembly.
. A"d wh<

pe of yo
Nd out 1
icouragem
I" 'uch mj
i-ijefty's oti
^'^"1 thence

P?^4}:-

WEST INDIES.

til

\ by your
;rnors, or
[I time to
of affairs
I fit vari-
by the laft
if majefty
advice of
a {ammor\
ority, with
council to
the iflai^^i
two years,
"ure be fig-
ley be con-

vmg>

there-

tliaf, therefore, the prefent ft vie of enacting laws, By tht APPEN<
^ivernor, council, and reprefentatives if tht commons of- DIX.
fcrnbledy be converted into the ftyle of. Be it ena£led by*
the king*s moji excellent majejly, by and with the con/ent
of the general ajpmbfy.

We are further of opinion, that no efcheats, AneS)
forfeitures, or penalties, be mentioned in the faid laws
to be applied to the public ufe of the ifland } and that
your majefty do inftrud your governor to difpofe thereof
for the lupport of the government. It is alfo our opi«
nion, that in all laws for levying of money, and raifmg
a public revenue, the claufes whereby the faid levies are
appropriated unto the public ufe of the ifland, w'
n\ention made of your majefty, or unto your i
the faid public ufe, are fo far derogatory to youi
right of fovereignty, that they ought to be, tor i ,.
altered and made agreeable to the ftyle of England.

We do likewife offer it unto your majefty as neceflary,
that no minifter be received in Jamaica without licence
from the right reverend the lord biftiop of London ; and
that none having his lordfliip's licence be rejedled, with-
out fufHcient caufe alledged ; as alfo, that in the diredtion
of all church affairs, the minifter be admitted into the
rcfpedlive veftrics.

And whereas it has upon fome occafions proved Incon-
venient, that the members of die council have been con-
ftituted by your majefty*s commiiHon ; we are of opi-
, that, for the future, they be only named in the in-

any

■ for

ure|

nion.

quences and
f arife, from
rs and plant-
laily increafe
cable to your
er our opinl-
lughan, which
,e enaaed by

of the Earl
[id, may offer

be confented

caUed wiA- Bfti'u<^ions of the governor ; for the ftrengthening of whofe
that upon Hsufhority under your majefty we do offer, that he may
maiefty by ■'iave power to fufpend any of the faid members, if he
affem- ^^ juft caufe, without receiving the advice and confent
of the council j and alfo, that none of the faid fo fuf-
nded, or by your majefty 's order difplaced, from that
fl, may be permitted to be received into the general
iFembly.

And whereas nothing can contribute more to the wel-
litre of your majefty's ifland, than that all means be
found out for the increafe of trade ; we do offer, for the
icouragement thereof, that a mint be allowed in Jamaica,
II fuch manner that no prejudice do arife unto your
^ajefty*s other dominions, or that what bullion is brought
om thence may be coined here in England; provided

that

direftions for
prefent unto
lall think fol

(the fame intoj

1 wherein your
; that the go'l

Immands, ihalll
(aid laws tor|
riflative mat-
Ireland, acJ

la's law i m
'«=' that,!

\%y

.^1^

# ' > ,

IMAGE EVALUATION
TEST TARGET (MT-3)

.*^%

1^^

1.0

1.1

11.25

IA&|28 |2j5
Ui Uii 12.2

2! 144 ■"
g ■;£ IIP

•yui.

114 il.6

Photographic

Sciences

Corporalion

-^-V

33 WIST MAM STRHT

wnsTn,N.Y. USM

(71«)t7a-4S03

2S«

HISTORY. OF THE

■ t .■^' '.i

•i' hMrk

BOOK that all fuch coins mzy bear your majefty's royal fuper-
II> fcription, and not be impofed in payment eifewhere.

AU which, f^c.

Finch, ».
Danby,
Worcester,
Essex,

Fauconberry,
Craven,
. H. Coventry.
' Tho, Dtlmax,

His majefty, taking the (ame in confidenu
tion, was pleafed to approve thereof) and
did order, that the Right honcrable Mr.
Secretary Coventry do prepare a commif-
iion and inftru^lions for his majefty's royal
fignature, for the Earl of Carhfle, accord-
ing to the tenor of the (aid report.

N U M B E R n.

At the Caurt at Whitehall^ the isth of Fehruary,

1677-8.

Present, the King's Moft Excellent Majefty in Council

Upon reading this at the board, a report from
the Right Honourable the Lonls of the Com-
mittee for Trade and Plantations, in the words j
following:

May it pleafe your Majefty,

HAVING received on the 12th of Januarv laft .
from the Right honourable Mr. Secretary Coventry, a
draft of a commiflion and iuftru£tions tor the Earl of]
Carlifle, whom your majefty has ajmointed to be your
governor of Jamaica ; and having, after feveral additions!
aqd alterations, remitted the fame unto Mr. Secretary!

' Coventry,

Cov

youi

unto

Jowe

If]

oil ii

bead

holdei

weJJ

your

fufpeni

2d.

the 16

Wy be

direftic

fervice

rebeliio

jcfty's J

aflembjj

occafion

3^. '

Of Jamai

Ijcen im|

ment, e>

all judge

inconven

J'our maj

elefted u

the oaths

My'sgo

^«l of th<
out takin

Wha

[prepared a
m of (
land to offi
fcnt; Wh
«ftoration,
plantations
»nder the
K^^urma

al fupcr-

r.
9lmax.

confidcra-

wreof J an^
, arable Mr.
a commif-
ijcfty*s royal
ifle, accord-
trt.

Fthruary^

y in Council

report from

of the Com-

in die words

-Im

WEST INDIES.

25S

lary laft ^
Coventry, '>

\t the Earl ot
to be jrour

feral aoditions

[r. Secrctaryi

Coventry,]

Coventry, on the 2d inftant, we crave leave to offer toAPPEN-
your majefty the moft material points which did occur DDC.
unto us upon peruial of the iaid draft} which are as fol-^
loweth:

ift. As we are of opinion diat all members of coun-
cil in J^aica may, for the more eaiy paffing of laws,
be admitted into the aflembly, if duly.ele(^ed by the free-
holders ; fo we cannot but advife your majefty, that as
well the members of the faid council lufpended by
your majefty's governor, as the members difplaced by
your majefty, may be rendered incapable during which
fufpenfion of being admitted into the ailembly.

2d. That although your majefty has, by an order of
the 1 6th o^ November laft paft, thought fit that no aflem-
bly be called without your majefty's 'elpecial leave and
dire£tionsi we think it very important, ifor your majefty's
fervice and fafety of the ifland, that m caie of invaHon,
rebellion, or fome other very urgent neceflxty, your ma-
jefty's governor itiay have power, with the confent of the
aflembly, to pafs a£ts for raifing of money, to anfwer the
occafions arillng by fuch urgent neceffities.

3d. That whereas hitherto, within your majefty's ifland
of Jamaica, the oaths of allegiance and fupremacy have not
been impofed on perfons that bear any part of the govern-
ment, except the members and officers of the council, and
all judges and juftices ; fo, for the prevention of future
inc(xiveniencies, and greater affurance of loyalty towards
your majefty, we are humbly of opinion, that ^1 perfons
eleded into the aflembly fhall, before their fitting, take
die oaths of allegiance and fupremacy, which your ma-
jefty's governor (hall Commiflionate fit perfons, under the
feal of the ifland, to adniinifter unto them, and that, with-
out takin? the (aid oaths, none fliall be capable of fitting,
although »ede().

We have likewife, puriuant to your majefty's orders,
prqared a body of laws, fiich as the Right honourable the
Laid of Carlifle may be empowered to carry widi him,
laod to offer unto the aflemblv of Jamaica for their con-
mx. Whereas we do not find fince your majefty's happy
reftoration, that any laws tranfmitted from your niajefty's
jdantations have been confirmed by your majefty, either
under the great feal of England, or any other fignification
|of your majefty's pleafure (the atSt of four and a half per

ant.

'I i'

i; ^■

f, .

|l !.

r , .

ftS4

HiStbRY 6t f ftE

•ms."

•tro'

l>nfift' v*v4}-

B O K iem/> in the CharMbee iflands only excepted, which vnA
II. confirmed by the order of council) and die intended me-
tholi of ena6tihg TaWs in Jannaica hath not as yet been put
in pradicej we humbly crave your mawefty's royal deter*
mtiMon, whether die laid laws fliall pi& only by order of
your matjefty ih council, or under t}» ei^at feal of Eng-^
l^idi that utc may accordingly be enabled fidy to prefent
them unto your royal view.
All which, ^Tf.

His Majerty.was pleafed to order, that ^3[r.

Secretary Coventry do prepare Lord Carlifle's
• to]iimii«oh and inftruaions concerning thefe

rhatters accordingly : and as for the laws of

the faid ifland, his majeily, by ai? order of
V the b6ard> hath been pleated this day to de.

claire Bis' pleafure, that diey (hdl pais under

the great feal of England.

. . , .,.. fVifiiri

v.- "-.:, NUMBER HI. > s»f^ fAufm\,

Extr^^ of'KAig Charles the Second* s Onkmipfn' A thi
.:■ Earl of CarUJle,

^'. AND we do' hereby give and grant unto you, with die
advice and cpnfept oT the fald council, full power and au-
thority, frorii time' to time, as heed (hall require, to fum-
mon or call' general affemblies of the fre'<^holderS an4 plant-
ers widiin the (kid ifland, and other the teVritories under your
goverrimenf, in- (uc^ manner "■^o'^-^oxm as hath been for-
merly pradtifed and ufed in .'^c. \ ifland of Jamaica.
• And our v^ill and" pleafure ..^ Ui^t the perlbns there-,
upon duly eiefte'd, and Having before their fitting taken
the oaths of allegiance and fuprem'ady> (which you itjaHj
commifliohate'fit perfovis, under the ieal of our ifland,' to
adminiiler, and widiout taking which none (hall be ca-J
pable of fitting, though elected) (haill be called* and held
the general aufmbly of the fald ifland of Jamaica, and'
cither the territories thereon' depending; and mall have full [
power and authority to agree and cenfent unto all fach

(latutes

WEST IKDIES;

led me-
been put
fH dcter-
r ordeir of
of Eng*
o prefcnt

that IJir,
dCarViflc's
rningthefe
llie laws of
x^ order of
[ day to dc-

pais under

«4 -t; I'.utJllU

V I ■

iijpon to thi

■■ti'.

ftatutes and ordinances for the public peace^ well£ire> and AP?EK«>
good government of the laid ifland> and other the territories htX%
thereon depending! and the pec^le and ii^bitants thereo<^><i» "i" *' w y
and fuch others as (hall refort thereuntO) and for the be^
nefk cf Qur heirs and fucCeflbrS) as having been by you^
with advice and confeafi of &e faid council, framed and
trai^mitted unto uS) in order to be here enaded, by our
giving our confent thereunto^ ihail be by us j^provei
and remitted unto you under our great feal of England i
which faid ftatutesi laws, and ordinances, are to be by
yov framed as near as conveniently may be to die laws
and ^atUtcs of our kingddm of England. t^^ ly

And w«.(^o hereby, neVerthelefs, authorife« aVK^ ttii^
power ypw, in cafe of invafion, rebellion, or fom^ very '
great neceffity, to pa(s an z&. or a£b, by and widi the con*
I fent of the general afTembly, without tranfmitting the fame
Ifirft to us, to raife mcMiey within the (aid' idand, and the
territories within your government, to anfwer the occa*
fions ariiing by fuch urgent neceflities*
I And we give you likewife full power, from time td
I time, as vou (hall judge it neceiTary, to diflblve oU gene*
jral aiTemDlies, as aforefaid«

NUMBER IV.

htra^ if King Charks the Sennd*s Infirul^Unt ti th
Earl of Carlijk,

AND whereas by. our commiffion we have directed

kit, for the future, no general a(rembly be called with*

t our (^cial diredUons.; l>ut thiat> upon oecafion, you

acquaint us by letter with the neceffity of calling uich

affembly^ and pray our confent and directions for their

xting \ you (hall, at the fame time, tranfmit unto us,

|i^ the advice and content of the council, a draft of

cha£b as you ihsdl think fit and necdTaryto be paflfed,

at we may take the fame into our connderation, and

jtum them in the form' we (hall think fit to be enad*

|: in and upon the receipt of our commands, you (hall

pni'ummon an affembly, and pr>opofe the faid laws for

W confent.

And

tj6

HISTORY OF THE

r-.-.!tf|

III, ii^ft:

"{yi: In

(•■^

BOOK And accordingly we have ordered to be delivered unto
n. you herewith, a certain body of laws, for the ufe of our
'faid ifland, framed in purfoance of o^r laws tranftnitted
unto us by former governors, with fuch alterations and
amendnMnts as we nave thought fit, with the advice of
our privy-council here ; which, upon your arrival in our
faid ifland, you (hall ofFer unto the next aflembly, that
they may be confented to and enaded as laws originally
coming from us.

We are willing, neverthelefs, that in cafe of tnvafion,
rebellion, or feme very urgent neceffity, you pafs an ad
or ads, with the content of the general aflembly, with*
out tranfmitting the fame firfl unto us, to raife money!
within the faid ifland, and the territories depending ther^
on, to anfwer the occafions arifmg by fuch urgent necef.
fities.

And you fhall tske care that the prefent flyle of enaft.
ing laws. By the governor^ toutuily and reprefentatives A
the commons affimbledi be converted into the ftyle of, Bt A
gnaSted by the ting's moft excellent majejiyy by and m\n
the cmfent of the general ajfemkly.

NUMBER V.

ExtraSf of a letter from the Earl of CarliJU to Mt\
Secretary Coventry,

I HAVE fpoken with feveral of the council, and k
fbme of them much diflatisfied at the alterations in
laws and n::anner of pafling them, particularly at the la
part of the claufe irt the militia bill : ** but that in
^ things he may, upon all occafions or emergencies,
^ as captain-general and governor in chief, according :
<* and in purfuance of aJi the powers and authoriti^
^ given unto him by his majefly's commiffion ; any thin
*' m this cafe, or any other, to die contrary in anywij
<< notwichftanding^* which they are jealous of, left
thereby they fhall make it legal to execute all inflrudio
that either are or fhall be fent to me, or any o^er fuc
ing governor ; which (cruple might eaflly be avoided,
that the great feal being affixed to the laws, I have

po«

I Mir.

iwia,:.

WEST INDIES.

»57

power to make alteration, which I might have done both APPEN-
to their iatisfiiAion and the prefervation of the king's DIX.
riehts. The aA for the revenue, too, I fear will not
without difficulty pafs ; but I (hall endeavour all I can to
bring them to pafs, for which I have greater inducements than
my being here, without any hopes from the prefent ftate
or the treafury, which is exhaufted and in debt for their
new fortifications.

of invafion,
1 pafs an 7&
fembly, with-
, raife money
)ending thcr^ I
urgent necef-

ftyle of enaft-
prefentathes <j
fftyle of, BtjM Sir,

N U M B E R VI. .

0^ of a letter to Mr, Secretary Coventry from the Earl

ofCarUfe.

St, Jago. xitb September^ 1678.

: ityle or, at «
^, by and witi

:arli]U to Mr\

;ouncil, and fin
iterations in *^
larly at the la
l^but that in
emergencies, 1
iief, according
\ and authoritid
iffion; any M
Wary in anywj
lous of, left tff
all inftruaio

ly oier fuccci
be avoided,

llaws, 1 have
po«

THE aflembly met on the 2d inftant^ and, I find, are
diflatisfied with the alteration of the government, that
queftion whether they will pafs any of thefe laws : they
ive objections againfl feveral of them; as the ziEk for the
venue that is perpetual, and may be diverted; they are
led at the expreffion in the preamble, that the revenue
raifed by the governor and council ; and though they
[Ot deny it to be truth, yet they fay that council was
leded by the people, and, though continued under the
le of a council, yet was in eS(?£fc an affembly or re-
fentatives of the people.

I have given into their hands a copy of that a£b and

lurteen more, and gave them liberty to compare them

ith the original. The adt of militia and fome others I

by me, till I fee what they will do with thofe they

e. All the adts are not yet tranfcribed ; for but one

can write at a time, and they are bulky ; but I have

ugh to keep them employed. The fpeaker came to me

Saturday, to defire liberty to adjourn for a few days,

iich I confented to, and they adjourned till Thurfday

raing. Lieutenant Colonel Beefton is fpeaker, who I

immended to them upon Sir H. Morgan's aflltrances

he would behave himfelf well. He hath the general

lute of an honeft and difcreet gentleman, though he

ed the order about the privateer, at which fo much

OL. I. S o^ence

v'k.

»5«

HISTORY OF THE

WW'rt

1 1

1r ■::■., ' ■ *:

b^k'':^iB£il

III-

B O O K ofFence was taken; but I am fatisfied he was no further]
II. faulty, than in complying with the diredlions of the af.
fembly: and I the rather propofed him (whom they had a I
mind to choofe) to gain the point quietly of recommend.
ing, which my Lord Vaughan, I am told, negledled tol
do.

The affembly appointed a committee to compare thefel
laws with their former : it is faid they difFer in manyl
things, efpecially from thefe laws laft fent from Lordl
Vaughan, which are moft ufefully framed for their pre.|
fent benefit.

Popular difcourfes here as well as in England ; and
find a few men's notions have taken fuch place with
leading men of the affembly, that they rather fet themJ
felves to frame arguments againft the prefent conftitutio
than to accommodate things under it. I cannot yet tell
you what courfe I (hall take to remove this difficulty]
but I will dp the beft I can. 1 find one of the coundl
more faulty in this than any man in the ifland, but
unwilling to name him till I have tried the utmofli
reclaim him.

. Whilft we are here bufy about fmall matte.r£, I doulj
your hands are full of greater, and may therefore foi]
ws. Y^e hear the French and Dutch are agreed.

^ I am. Sir,

Your moft humble Servant,

CARLISH

NUMBER VII.

ExtraSi of letter from the Earl of Carlijle to the Commih
* 24th Oiiober^ 1^78.
My Lords,

I H A V£ met with the difiiculties here I forefaw,
could neither avoid nor prevent, in England. The ga
ral afiembly meeting on the 2d of September laft, 1 1
commended and fent to them the feveral bills I broui
over under the great feal of Engfand, for their confentj
be eiia<Sted ; but being much diifatisfied at the new m

"Pyfalel

N, to wa
l^iiomas

*59

^EST INDIES.

P6 any one of aK.^JJ^"? '>m Aey wo'SdC'^^''-
pared an addrefs, with a bS^T ■ ™'„'^' ""H but prr.
«l-er «ron|; !,•,„'„„ Sro^i' °', ™Pf "P"- wines ^^J
oce Aereo? in ftch tem,° 'K' ™ *»" S""-* me ^
I to pafs It : but afterward* rt, • ™ ?' *as not ft for m.
« dinged in n,y S*a,t,"«;f *! %'« of enSin"^
ments to this biii; d,e publcSeceffi?. '™?\<'*e'- amenii
mg contraaed manr dibii L? *'"» °'^ "» 'land, ha»
l^es already due?4„'^^„f^ '?: ''''"'ficaUons idlkl

jihm. My earneft ftit ,„ all to^Lm^? "' ^ *''<''»«<
l*afe to haveme in your thouSf '"*'VP» "s. that you'll
Itacolony under your lordftS^o"' **Pfrfent date of
Ifdm which 4 beeIucX"^t"''°"''^°'«»'= «-
^my<=?»"'iflio„ and inftruSs ' JJ-IT'™'' S'"" me
PiiMS of perfons eenerall., jin-^ ? ?™'™ may qui.> .u.

fayniay be difpatchcd fpeedSywhen'K'^'"? Coventry, I
H'ps, and received /a^o^eT,?^°T^''^^°^« /«"'
pecs without delay, bein J^ ;„ ''^ P*"^'^ trough all

luch wanting toward^' thelfp;oVo^^^^^^^ ^""f '> ^° very
r this ifland. '"PP^*^^ of the good government

N U M B E r" vm.

% Lords, •

FORTNIGHT a^o T

' what terms I had parte? with^T ^-^ .^" ^^^0""^
h thoroughly confidfred of wL n'-'^"^^^'- ^ '^^ve
p conduce ti his maJeTv'cfn • ""^ht m this place
h better expedient^tS to S''ri'°"'^ "^^ t'hinfc
K to wait upon your orShts H ^'"■";' ^'•- ^t-
po.asL,.ha^d.y£^^7^^^^^^^^

S 2 ' ^^^°"g^

i6o

HISTORY OF THE

'■■-'"i:}

"'^^M,

BOO K enough acquainted with all my proceedings fince my arri.
II. va], lo as perfe£tly able to fatisfy your TordHiips in any
thing you may deiirc to know concerning the place, and
to lay before you all the fcveral intereils of his majcfty re-
lating to it.

My Lords, I find that the prefent form appointed for
the making and paifing of laws, confidering the diftance
of the place, is very impracticable, befides very diffaftefdi
to the ferife of the people here, as you may oblerve by the
aflfembly's addrefs to mc ; and if your lordlhips will pleafe I
to move his majefty to fend me a general iiiftrudtion to
call another aflembly, and to re-ena£t and make what laws I
are fit for this place, I could then order the matter to con.
dude efFeftually to his majefly's fervice. I have, by Mr. J
Atkinfon, fent you the drafts of fuch bills as are the moftj
fundamental, and chiefly concern his majefty's intereftJ
and I do afTure you, that I will not id any material point^ •
vary from them. He will, when your lordlhips order himB ?" ^"^"^
to attend you, lay them all before you, and, I believe," """"" *
give your lordfliips fuch thorough fatis^6lion, that you will
refl afTured that what I defire is for his niajefly's ferviq
and that I fhall be enough enabled by it to fettle even
thing upon fo good a foundation, that neither his majeJlj
nor your lordlhips will ever repent of having made ani
deference to my opinion : in it, my lords, much fuccel
depends upon the difpatch, and of tne circumftances AlrJ
Atkinfon will give you an account. His bufinefs
wholly to attend your lordlhips, and, I believe, he wi
always be in the way. He has prayed me to intercede wit(
your lordlhips, to excufe what errors he may commit, ;
naving been a Weft-Indian for thefe eight years paft,
do on his behalf beg that ^vour of your lordlhips; bij
hope that he will prove fo difcreet, as to give your lordl
Ihips no manner of offence. I thought it the readied a
belt way to have all things rightly underftood, and do ho
that ilTue will be produced from it.

I am, your Lordlhips'

Moft humble) and obedient fervant^

CARLISLl

St. Jago dt la Fega^ Ntv, 15, 1678.

NUMBEl

WEST INDIES,

tet

e my arri-
ips in any
place, and
majcfty re-
pointed for
:hc diftancc
:y diffaftefdl
ilerve by the
s will pleafe
nftruftion to
Ice what laws
matter to con-
have, by Mr.
5 are the moft
fty»s intereft}'
material point
bips order himl

NUMBER IX.

BxtraSi of a liter from the Earl of Carllfle to Mr, Secretary

Coventry.

ON the 2d of September laft, the general affembly APPEN-
met; but under fo much diflatisfadtion, from the new DIX.|
frame of government, and their lofing their deliberative
part of power in framing, altering, and amending laws,
that they fpent near a fortnight very uneafily about fome
0^ the laws, and would have begun with the bill of reve-
nue to have thrown that out flrft, as a mark of their dif'
I jlowing the new method of government, being fo highly
incenfed that they were near queftioning the king's power

i'li

and authority to do it ; infomuch, that I, taking the main-

„., ^lenance thereof to be in mv charge, and finding fome of

ind, 1 l>^^'^'Mthe council equally difgufted at the change of goverrunent,
n, that you will™ juj forefeeing that it was like to encourage difcontent in
ijefty's ferviceM^g {dTembly, to take them ofF, and leave the affembly upon
to fettle cycrB^eif . humour by themfelves, I thought it abfolutely
tier his majeft*,^e(fjiry to put this queftion to each of the counfellors, in
iving ma'l^ ^'■thrfe words : *' Do you fubmit, and confent to this prefent
;, much fucceMu fof^ ©f government which his ma^eftv hath been pleafed
cumttances Mi^m (q order for^ this ifland of Jamaica r" To Which the
bufinefs
he VII

Lis

)elieve,

to intercede wt^

[may commit,

years paft>

lordihipsiM

Igive your U

t the readieft i

J and do ho

Icrvant,
RLlSLl

NUMBE

ief-juflice. Colonel Long, refufed to anfwer, widi two
lore. Colonel Charles Whitfield and Colonel Thomas
reeman. The chief-iuflice, being a man of very
reat influence upon the afTemblv, I prefently fufpend-
I, and gave the other two Hefs dangerous) till morning

confiwr on it ; and then the chief-juflice fent to me his
ibtniffion under his hand, and Col. Freeman fubrqitted ;

t Col. Charles Whitfield, otherwife a very good man,

ent away into the country.

The afiembly received and examined all the laws I
irought over, and drew up their reafons againfl pafling

lemj of each, many were very frivolous, and the beft
;, becaufe they were not compared with and amended
the \zSt laws of my Lord Vaughan's, now with you,

id received fome two days before my coming away, the

et then flaying in the Downs, and my departure much

lefled upoQ the expe^tion of war. Thefq reafons againft

the

i i

a6s

HISTORY OF THR

..j :

l':s

BOOK the revenue bill I anfwered individually} but no means

or endeavours either I myfelf, the council, or both could
ufe, would prevail with them to pafs any one of them \ and
I look upon this to be their chief reafon, that by not pall-
ing them they might the better Hiew their diflike (>f that
new way of government; though they urge this for their
enjoying a power of altering and amending laws, the ne-
ceifity of changing them as often as occafions do require,
and the diftance from this place is fo great, that before the
king's approbation can be obtained to a law, and returned
hither, it may be fit for the public good either to lay that
law afide, or much to change and alter it ; and, indeed,
in this part of the objedion I think they are in the right,
for that they will want temporary laws till the colony be
better grown: and, upon thorough confideration of the
whole matter in this part, I am of opinion it is very ad-
vifeable and requifite that there ibould be leave and power
from the king to make laws (not relating to his majefty's
power or prerogative) to endure for fome term till his royal
approbation may be had therein } and of this I do carneitly
entreat your care.

Having ufed all methods pofHble with the feveral niem<
bers apart, and jointly with the body of the afTjmbly, for
the paifing the laws, I was, after many conferences and
debates, and feveral adjournments, fruftrated, and they
threw them all out. Afterwards, in a full body, by the
fpeaker they gave me the indofed addrefs, and preiented
to me a bill for a public impoft, prepared without giving
me notice thereof, in fuch terms and forms as was not fit
for me to pafs it in ; but at laft in fome part confented to
fuch amendments as I and the council thought Ht, chdng*
ing the ftyle of enacting as dire6led in my inflrudionsJ
but reftraining it to one year, -from a fear that, if they
(hould have made it perpetual, they (hould be aflembled no
more, but be governed by governor and council as the
were in Col, D*Oyley*s time, when they enabled laws, noi
only for the revenue but other cccafions, by governor an(t
council, and fome part of Sir Charles Lyttelton's time,
appears by our council-book upon the place } and Sii
Thomas Modyford had an inftrudtion to continue thii
revenvie by order of governor and counCiil, the aflembl
in his life-time pafling it perpetual ; and in Sir Thorn:
Lynch's time the afiembly made it perpetual, but, fo|
want of the king's confent, they both are fallen; b

noi

^\I0\

WEST INDIES.

26]

n^eans
ath could
hem ', and

not pafl-
:e of that
i for their
-s, the ne-
[o require,
before the
id returned
to lay that
ind, indeed,
n the right,
e colony be
ition of the
: is very ad-
e and power
tiis majefty's
, till his royal

1 do carneftly

noWi the aflfembly fay, they are of a better underftand- APPEN

mg than to zivc the reins out of their own hands.

To this bill, the ifland's affairs being under great pref-
fures from public debts contratSted for the new fortifica*
tions and (alaries already due, I gave the royal aflbnt} and
then, beins the nth initant, I diflblved them.

Which having done, and not being fatisfied with the
behaviour of the aflcmbly in their proceedings in relation
to the government I flood charged with, mofl of them
being in military trufls, I put this queflion to each of
1 them : " Do you fubmit to this form of government which
I" his majefly hath been pleaf^d to order for this ifland of
« Jamaica?" to which feveral of them neither gave me a
dutiful nor chearful anfwer} fome did, and at this fome at?
Inuch difTatisfied.

NUMBER X.

May it pleafe your Excellency,

WE, the members chofen by his majefly's writ to be
he general affembly for this his ifland of Jamaica, do,
Kith a great deal of thankfulnefs, acknowledge the princely
m which his majefly hath been ever pleafcd to have of
his his colony, and of which your excellency hath like*
irife given to us very late and frefh afTurances : and, in
nedience to his majefty's commands, we have perufed the
Kveral bills which your excellency fent us ; and, having
Illy examined the matters contained in them, we could
Dt give our confent to any of them, there being divers
^ndamental errors, which we particularly obferved, and
1 caufe them to be entered in our journal ; and from the
nfideration of them, we cannot but refle£i, and do hum-
jybeg your excellency to reprefent unto his mofl facred
piefty, the great inconveniencies which art like to re-
Hind unto this hrs ifland by this method and manner
[pafling of laws, which is abfolutely impra^icable, and
" not only tend to the great difcouragement of the pre-
lit planters, but likewiK put a very jfatal flop to any
ther profecution of the improvement of this place,
kre being nothing that invites people more to fettle and
nove their family and flocks into this remote part*

DIX.

'tf ft

*64

HISTORY OF THE

i f

BOOK the world, than the aflurance they have always had of
H. being governed in fuch manner as that none of their
rights would be loft, fo long as they were within the do-
minions of the kingdom of England : nor can we believe
that his majefty would have made this alteration, had he
been truly informed of his own interefts, and of that which
Is proper and natural for the conftitution of this ifland.

My lord, you that are now our governor, and here
upon the place, cannot but diftin^uim both, and plainly
fee that which, at great diftance, is impoflible to be known,
being always diftinguiihed with the falfe colours of intereft
and defien. It is to you, therefore, we addrefs ourfelves;
and do humbly beg you to aflure his majefty, which we
dp ^om the bottom of our hearts unfei^nedly declare, that
we are his true, faithful, and loyal fubjedls. In the next
place, fir, we humbly beg you to lay before his majefty
the true condition of this ifland, and the feveral circum.
ftances wherein it ftands : the fttuation and natural advan-
tages of the place will very probably, by God's bleffing,
in a very ihort time, make it very confiderable. It were
pity, therefore, that any ftop in its infancy Oiould be put
to It, which may hinder its future growth, and difappoint
thofe hopes which his majefty halh ever had, and which
-will no doubt of it come to pafs, that, if this ifland be
encouraged by good government and wholefome laws, itl
will ef{e<^ually ferve very many interefts, both of hisj
inajefty's crown and the nation's trade.

oir| the prefent form of the government, as it is noi
appointed, has thefe plain and maqifeft inconveniencii
in it;

ift. That the diftance of this place renders it impoflibli
to be put in practice, and does not in any manner fall undei
the fame confideration as Ireland does, from which we coj
elude, the example is taken.

2d. Th^ nature of all colonies Is changeable, and coi
fequently the laws muft be adapted to the infereft of tl
place, and muft alter with itt

3d. It is no fmal} fatisfat^ion that the people, by theil
reprefentatives, have a deliberative power in the making
laws ; the negative and barely refolving power being ni
according to the rights of £)nslifhmen, and pradtifed t>
where but in Uiofe commonweuths where ariftocracy pn
vails.

4th. Tl

Thus
our real
thorougl:
arife to t
tdat man
may be
excellenc
m in the
m //land
other clair
K unfeid
m media
nd the U
And we
WI forth
eirs and 1
Kiti and]
a real d
vice to
'n all oci
iionies of

f *

WEST INDIES.

16 f

^ had of

of their
n the do-
we believe
on, had he
that which
5 ifland.
, and here
and plainly
5 be known,
rs of intereft
fs ourfelves;
y^ -which we
dedare, that

In the next
e his niajefty
jreral circum-
latural advan-
rod*s Weffing,
able. It were
{hould be put
and difappoint
lad, and whidi

this ifland be
efome laws, it

both of m

as it isnovi
nconveniencic

grs it impoflible

anner fall unde

which we CM

cable, and cor
i intereft of tt

4th. This manner of form of the government brings APPEM-
all things abfolute, and puts it into the power of a gover- BIX.
nor to do what he pleafes, which is not his majeftjr's inte-
reft, and may be a temptation, for even good men to com*
mit great partialities and errors.

5m. The method which ha9 been always ufed, both in
this ifland and all other colonies, in the making of laws^
was a greater fecurity to his majefty's prerogative than the
prefent form ; for a governor durft not confent to any thing
againft his interefl: ; and if he did, the (ignification of the
king's pleafure determined the laws, fo that his majefty had
thereby a double negative.

Thus, fir, we have truly laid before your excellency
our real fenfe ; and do hope that your excellency, being
I thoroughly (atisHed of the mifchie^ which will certainly
arife to this place from the reafons we have given, will in
that manner reprefent our condition to his m^efty, that he
may be thereby induced to give an infbruaion to your
lexcellency, to pafs fuch laws as are municipal and fit for us,
land in the fame manner which has ever been pra^ifed in
[this ifland and other his majefty's colonies ; we having np
lother claim in it than to exprefs our duty to the king, and
jour unfeigned fervice and gratitude to your excellency,
jibr mediating that which is fo much for his majefty's

ind the ifland's interefh
And we do here like^ife prefent unto your excellency

ibill for the raiflng a public impofl unto his majefty, his

|ieirs and fuccefllbrs, for the fupport of this his govern-

nent ; and do hereby beg your excellency to accept of it
a real demonftration of our loyalty to our prince anc)
vice to your excellency, with afl!urance that we fhally
on all occaflons, be ready to exprefs fuch further tefti-

JDonies of the fame as nay be fuitable to our duty and

Wiance*

people, by theij

In the making^

lower being n(^

and pra6tifedn

ariftocracy pr<|

4th.

NUMBER

li|h:i

^iw\l

BOOK

II.

HISTORY OF THE

NUMBER XL

/ .

■f :

At the court at TVhltehally /^h of Jpril, 1679.

Present, the King's Moft Excellent Majefty in Council.

Whereas the Right honourable the Lords of the
Committee for Trade and Plantations did this
day make report unto his Majefty in Council,

THAT having, in purfuance of his majefty*s order,
conildered the prefent ftate and conftitution of Jamaica,
and the government thereof, as it is fettled by his majeily's
command, their lordihips fee no reafons Avhy any altera-
tions fhould be made in the method of making laws ac<
cording to the ufage of Ireland, for which their lordihips
are preparing reafons to evince the neceifity and legality
of the fame. And that whereas a (hip is now lying in the
Downs, bound for that ifland, their lord/hips advife, that
the Right honourable Mr. Secretary Coventry do, by this
conveyance, inform the Earl of Carlifle of his maiefty's
pleafure herein, with dire£fcion$ that all things be difpofcd I
to this end ; and that, in the mean time, the prefent laws
ena£fced by Lord Vaughan be continued by proclamation,
or otherwife, until his maiefty's pleafure be further known;
as alfo that his lordftiip do, by the firft conveyance, fend [
fend over an authentic copy of the adl for a public impo '
lately enabled there, according to his lordihip's inftruftions I
for matters of that nature. ' ^

His majefty, having thought fit to approve there-
of, was pleafed to order, as it is hereby or-
dered, that the Right honourable Mr. Secre-
tary Coventry do fignify his majefty*s pleafure!
unto the Earl of Carlifle, according to the!
faid report.

NUMBE

N unto b

WEST INDIEl

267

APPEN.
DEC.

NUMBER XII.

'1 '.' :,; „«»HK

679.

n. Council.

ards of the
yflS did this
in Council,

sftv's order,
of Jamaica,
ais majefty's
y any altera-
ng laws ac-
leir lordlhips
r and legality
V lying in *c
)S advife, that
iry do, by this
his majefty's
as be difpoW
gprefentlaw
proclamation,
irther known;
iveyance, fend
public impoft,

At the Court at Whitehall^ the iSth of May, 1679.

I Present, the King's Moft Excellent Majefty in Council.

Whereas there was this day read at the Board
a Report from the Right honourable the Lords
of the Committee for Trade and Plantations,
in the words foUlqwing j viz.

&^-: t

May it pleafe your Majefty,

WE have, in obedience to your majefty's crmmands,

ttered into the prefent ftate of your majefty's ifland of

[amaica, in order to propofe fuch means as may put an

■ to the great difcouragement your majefty's good fub-

s there lie under by the unfettled condition thereof, oc-

ifioned by the refufal of the laws lately offered by the

1 of Carlifle to the aftembly for their confent ; at which

oceedings diftatisfaffcion appears to have rifen in the

icr following :
By the commiffion granted by your majefty unto the
rd Vaughan and feveral preceding governors, it was

^ ir royal pleafure to entruft the aftembly of Jamaica with

^s*Uvftrn£tionsHpower to frame and. enadt laws, by the advice and con-
nt of the governor and council ; which laws were to
intinue in force for the fpace of two years, and no long-
but fo it hath happened, that your majefty, finding ther
onveniencies which did attend that power and manner
making laws, 1)y the irregular, violent, and unwarrant*
ikftv's pleafuieHIe proceedings of the afTembly, was pleafed, with the
cordine to Aejvice of your privy council, to provide, by the Earl of
lifle's commiftion, that no laws fhould be ena£fced in
ica, but fuch as, being framed by the governor and
ncil, and tranfmitted to your majefty for ]pour royal ap-
ibation, were afterwards remitted to Jamaica, and con-
unto by the afTembly there i and, in purfuance there-

UMBEM of>

[approve there-
is hereby ot-
jlc Mr. Secre-
jetty's f
:ording

ill

1 1

B^wr

n:-:i^ ■

z69

HISTORY OF THE

If- . ■« -•■»,i.

■■. :V

BOOK 0^9 ^c ^^^^ <>f Carlifle carried over a body of laws under
the great feal of England ; which laws, upon his lord-
ihip*s arrival there, have been rejected by the general af.
fembly, upon grounds and reafons contained in an ad-
drefs to your m^efty's governor, and in divers letters
received from his iordihip in that behalf.

ift. In the firft place, we find, they are unfatisHed with
the daufe in the militia bill, whereby it is provided, that
the governor may, upon all occafions or emergencies, aft
as governor in chief, according to and in purfuance of all
the powers and authorities given unto him by your ma-
jefty*s commiffion i fearing that thereby they fliall make it
legal to execute all inftrudions that either are or fiiall be
fent your majefty*s governor.

adly. They have Tikewife rejefted the bill for raifing a
public revenue, as being perpetual, and liable (as they tiy)
to be diverted.

3dly. It is objected thsit the (aid laws contain divers]
fundamental errors^

4thly. That they were not compared with, and amended
by, the laft laws fent over by Lord Vaughan.

5thly. That the diftance of the place renders the prfrl
fent method of pafling laws wholly impradHcable.

6thly. That the nature of all colonies is changeable, ai
confequently the laws muft be adapted to the intereft
the place, and alter with it.

ythly. That thereby they lofe the fatis&£lion of a delij
berative power in making laws.

8thly, That this form of government renders your
vernor abfolute.

9thly. That by the former method of enabling lawj
your majefty's prerogative was better fecured.

Thefe being the obje<9;ions and pretences upon whici
the afTembly has, with fo much antmofity, proceeded tJ
rejeft thofe bills tranfmitted by your majefty, we caniicf
biit offer, for your majefty's information and fatisfaftioa
fuch a fliort anfwer thereunto as may not only givej
teftimony of the unreafonablenefs of their proceeding
but alfo furnifli your governor, when occafion fliall fer
with fuch arguments as may be fit to be ufed in juftil
cation of your majefty's commiffion and powers grantf
untahim.

Ift.

aws under
i his lord-
neral af-

/ers

an ad-
letters

itisfied with
ovided, that
gencies, aft
luance of a\\

Uour ma-
l make it
e or (hall be

for raifing a |
(as they lay)

:ontain

divers

WEST INDIES.

iSPr':^'

lffl

J and amended]

nders the pr^|

icable.

:hangeable, andj
the intereft

aion of a de

•nders your;

enafting ^
kred.

Ices upon wWcl
m proceeded ti
lefty, we cannc
and fatisfaftioi
lot only give
leir proceedin]
:afion (hall fcry
. ufed in juft"
powers gwn'

ift.

t(t. It is not Mrithout the greateft prefumption that diey APPEN*
go about to queftion your majefty's power over the militia DIX.
ui that ifland, fince it has been allowed and declared, even
by the laws of this your kingdom, that the fole fupreme go-
verment, command, and difpofition of the militia, and of
all forces by fea and land, and of all forts and places of
ftrength, is refidine; in y^our majefty, within all your ma*
jefty's realms and wminions.

2d. The obje^ion made againft the bill for the public
revenue hath as little ground, fince its being perpetual is
no more than what was formerly offered by them unto your
majefty, during the government of Sir Thomas Lynch, in
die fame meafure and proportion as is now propofed ; nor
can it be diverted, fmce provifion is thereby exprefsly
made, that the fame fhall be for the better fupport of that
government ; befldes, that it is not fuitable to die duty and
modefty of fubje£ls, to fufpeft your inajefty*s juftice or
care for the government of that colony, whofe fettlement
and prefervation have been mo^ particularly carried on by
pur majefty's tender regard, and by the great expence of
your own treafure.

3d. It cannot with any truth be faid, that thefe laws con-
tain many and great errors, nothing having been done
therein but in purfuance of former laws, at divers times
enaded by the aflembly, and with the advice of your ma-
jetty's privy-council, as well as the opinion and approbation
of your attorney-general, upon perufal of the fame.

4di. To the fourth obje6lion it may be anfwered, that,
lif any thing had been found of moment or importance in
le laft parcel of laws tranfmitted by the Lord Vaughan,
ur majefty's tender care of your (ubjefbs wel&re would
ve been uich as not to have fent thole bills imperfi;£b, or
fedive in any neceflary matter.

5di. As to the diflance of the place, which renders (as
ley lay) the prefent method of making laws altogether
ipradicable, your majefty having been pleafed to regulate
i fame, by the advice of your privy-council, according
the ufage of Ireland, fuch care was taken as that no law
jght be wanting which might conduce to the well-being
the plantation, and that nothing might be omitted which
all former governments had been thought necelTary ; nor
it likely that this colony is; fubjed to greater accidents
' your kingdom of Ireland, fo as to require a more

frequent

III,

I'-:

«?•

HISTORY 6F the

y*L

ywm'-:"M

■t ' (■

BOOK frequent and fudden change of laws in other cafes than fuch
H. as are already provided for upon emergencies, or in other
manner than is directed by your majefty's commiffion ;
whereby the inhabitants have free accefs to make complaints
to your governor and council, of any defeat in any old
law, or to give reafons for any new one, which, being
jhdodeiled by the governor and council into form of law,
and tranfm\^ted unto your majefty, if by your maieftjr and
council found reafonable, may be tranfmitted back thither
to be enabled accordingly.

6th. It vms fufficiently apparent unto your majefty, that
laws muft alter with the intereft of the place, when you
were gracioufly pleafed to lodge fuch a power in that go.
vernment, as might not only, from time to time, with your
majefty*s approbation, and by the advice both of your
privy-council here and of the governor and council therei
enable the affembly to ena(5t new laws anfwerable to dieir
growing neceilities, biit even, upon urgent occaflons. to
provide, by raifuig money, for the fecurity of the ifland,
without attending your majefty's orders or confent.

7th. It is not to be doubted but the aflembly have en-*
deavoured to grafp all power, as well as that of a delibe-
rative voice, in making laws j but how far they have there. ,
by intrenched upon your majefty's prerogative, and exceeded
the bounds of their duty and Ibyalty, upon this pretence,
may appear by their late exorbitant and unwarrantable
t>roceedings during the government of the Lord Vaughan,
in ordering and figning a warrant unto the marflial of the
ifland, your majefty's officer of juftice, for the ftopping
and preventing the execution of a fentence pafTed, accoro-
ing to the ordinary forms of law, upon a notorious pirate
and difturber of your majefty's peace: and they have fur*
ther taken upon them, by virtue of this deliberative pow*
er, to make laws contrary to thofe of England, and to im-
prilbn your majefty's fu^eftsj nbr have they forborne toj
raife money by public adis, and to difpofe or the fame ac-
cording to their will and pleafure, without any mention I
made of your majefty, which has never in like cafe beeni
praftifed in any of your .majefty's kingdoms. How far,!
therefore, it is fit to entruft them with a power which theyj
have thus abufed, and to which they have no pretenfion off
right, was the fubje<9: of your majefty's royal commiffion,
when you were pleafed to put a reftramt upon thofe enormi-|
. . ' - . tie

..IHilliipW^'*^

WEST INDIES.

371

; than fuch
Dr in other
)mmiflion •,
complaints
in any old
lich, being
rm of law,
maieftyand
)aCK thither

that

ties, and to take the reins of government into your <mn APPEN-
hands, which they, in exprefs words, aeainft their duty DIX.
and allegiance, have challenged and refufed to part with, * " v **.

8th. It cannot with any truth be fuppofed, that, by the
prefcnt form of government, the governor is rendered ab- "
folate, fince he is now, more than ever, become account-
able unto your majefty of all his moft important delibera-
tions and anions, and is not warranted to do any thing but
according to law and vour majefty's comihiffion and in-
ftru&ions, given by advice of ^our privy>council.

9th. And whether your ma^efty*s prerogative is preju-
diced by the prefent conftru£lions, is more the concern-
ment o/your majefty, and fubjedl of your own care, than
of their confiderations.

Liftly, and in general, we humbly conceive, that it would
be a great fatisfaaion to your fubjeds there inhabiting, and
an invitation to ftrangers, when they (hall know what laws
they are to be governed by, and a great eafe to the planters •
not to be continually obliged to attend the aiTemblies to re-
tmA old laws, which your majefty has now thought fit, in
a proper f(mn, to afcertain and eftablifh ; whereas the late
power of making temporary laws could be underftood to
be of no longer continuance dian until fuch wholefome
laws, founded upon fo many years experience, fhould be
agreed on by the people, and nnally ena^ed by your ma-
jefty, in fuch manner as hath been pradifed iii either of
Sur majeft^y's dominions to which your Engliih fuhje£ls '
ve tranfplanted diemfelves. For as they cannot pretend
I to further privileges than have been granted to them, either .
1 by charter or fome folemn a^ under your great feal, fo^
having from the firft beginning of that plantation b^en
governed by fuch inftrudlions as were given by your ma- ^ .
I jefty unto your governors, according to the power your
I majefty had originally over them, and which you have by
Ino one aiithtntic aft ever yet parted with, and having '
Ley forborne to ■never had any other right to aflemblies than from the per- -

)f the fame ac-Bmiffion of the governors, and that only temporary and for
it any nientionHpfQ|,j|^jQ^^ -^ -^ ^^ 1,^ ^^^j^j.^^ j^^^ ^^^ (j^q^j^ pJ.gC^JJJg ^^

like cafe bccnK)rovoke your majefty, by pretending a right to that which
Ims. How f^f>Biath been allowed them merely out of fevour, and difcou-
Iwer which *ey»age your majefty from future favours of that kind, when
10 pretenUon oi»yi,at your majefty ordered for a temporary eKperiment, to
[yal commiflion»B"ee what form would beft fuit the fafety and intereft of the
jnihofe e»o"^'n|fland, ftiall be cohftrued to be a total refignation of the
*"^ * power

tie

^'1^

37»

HISTORY OF THE

I ^

'i;

(I,

BOOK power inherent in your majefty, and a devolution of it to
II. themfelves and their wills without which neither law nor
^ m,y, I ^j^)ygrnnw!ntt the efl[ential ingredients of their fubfiftence
and well-^ing) may take place among them.

Since, thbt^fercrit is evi^nt, that the aflembly of Ja.
maica have, without any juft grounds, and with lo much
animofity and undutifulnefs, proceeded to reje<^ the marks
of your mMeftjr's favour towards them, and that your
majefty's re/olutions in this cafe are like to be the meafure
of refpedfc and obedience to your royal commands in other
colonies; we can only offer, as a cure for irregularities paft
and a remedy againlt all further inconveniencies, that your
majefty would pleafe to authorize and empower your go-
vernor to call another aflembly, and to reprefent unto them
the great inconvenience and expediency of accepting and
confenting unto fuch laws as your majefty has under your
great feal tranfmitted unto them; and that, in cafe or i«.
nifal, his lordfliip be furnlflied with fuch powers as were!
formerly given unto Col. D*Oyley, your nrft governor of I
Jamaica, and Hnce unto other governors, whereby his lord*]
ihip mav be enabled to govern according to the laws of]
Englana, where the different nature and conflitutioncfl
that colony may conveniently permit the Banc; and, ia[
other cafes to a^, with the advice of the council, in fucii|
manner as fhall be held neceflary and proper fpt the goodj
government of that plantation, until your majefty's furthc^
orders ; and that, by all opportunities of conveyance, th
governor do give your majefty a conflant and particulai
account of all his proceedings, in purfuance of your u
ftru<%ons herein.^

All which is moft humbly fubmitted, tfe.

Upon reading of which report, and full debate there
upon, his majefty was pleafed to approve the famej
and the Right honourable Mr. Secretary Coyenti
is hereby dire£led to prepare fuch fui^le orders i
inftrudions as may anfwer the fevenl parts
advices contained in the (aid report

I Extra/,

af:

I lord/hip,
jofthe J
jvember,
UMe t
jvcrnmeni
fflu'tted

1} '

1 ^

a >

NUMBEl

1 T'.M-.'

WEST INDIES.

on of it to

icr law nor

fubfiftence

nbly of Ja-
th lb much
a the marks
id that your
; the meafurc
uids in other
ridaritles paft
les, that your
wer your go-
>nt unto them
accepting and
tas under your
in cafe 01 re-
owers as were
rft governor of
ler&yWs lord-
to the laws of
confkitutionof
fygtiC't and, in
•ouncU) infuchi
jr fpr the goo
iiajcfty*sfurth(
:onveyance,
t and particuli
nee of your u

ill debate there
)rove the fame]

hretary Coyenti
Etable orders anj

feveral parts

},(rt ^futhwi

NUMBER Xlir.

Extras of a letter from the Committee to the Earl of Carltjle,

AFTER our very hearty commendation unto your APPEJj-
llordfhip, we have received two letters from you, the one DIX.
of the 24th of Odtober, the other of the 15th of No-
Ivember, 1678 j both of which gave us an account of the
Idiftafte the affembiy had exprefled at the new frame of go-
Ivernment, and of their throwing out all the bills tranf*
linitted under the great feal ; and your lordfhip having
herein recommended unto us the fpeedy difpatch of the
kills fent to Mr. Secretary Coventry, for paffing them
brough the oifices here, we did (hereupon take the fame
nto our confideration ; but finding that they contained
claufes as we had formerly (your lordfhip being pre-
nt) difallowed in the laws enaded by the Lord Vaughan,
imoft prejudicial to his majefty's rights and prerogative,
of them appropriating and difpofing of the quit-rents
ithe fame terms as was formerly done, fo much to his
ni^sfty's diffatisfaftion j another, declaring the laws of
England to be in force, which claufe (your lordfhip can-
jot but remember) was poltponed here, upon very ferious
liberation i befides divers other particulars, altogether
itto.be pafled by his majefty: we have, withal, perufed
feveral letters whic!?. your lordfhip had written to Mr.
lecretary Coventry, in relation to your government : and
Ifor the laws, we could not advife his majefty to proceed
bny other manner, than by giving power to call another
Icmbly, and to offer unto them the fame laws your lord-
lip carried over, as being the moft ufefully framed and
tied for the good of the ifland and his majefty*s fervice;
1 that, in cafe of refufal, you might be enabled to govern
[cording to commifTioiis and infVru<Stions given unto for-
er governors, as your lordfhip will more fully underfland
our report unto his majefty, and the order of council
preupon to which we refer your lordfhip, as fetting forth
large the grounds and reafons inducing the rcfolutions
< majefty has now taken.

jjUMBElVoL.I.

NUMBEjS^

474

HISTORY Of t H E

w/r

l>- r y::\^:.

hadtol
I ftfe thej
The
Idered t
Idebate,
■lord's aj
land is tJi
[for moiii
(to appoir
Itbe accoi

htraff of,

NUMBER XIV.

Extrail of a letter from the Earl of Carlifie to Mr.
Secretary Coventry,

St. Jago ie la Vega^ y^th Aug. 1679.

BOOK YOUR packet by Captain Buckingham, having in«j
II. clofcd his majefty's letter of the ^ift of May laft, andi
order in council of die 28th of May, 1679, together witi
the animadverdons of the council upon feveral points
the 22d of May laft, and two letters from yourfelf, I reJ
ceived the 26th Inft. at night. The next morning I rea(
them in council. The aflembly then having fat fome feva
days, to renew the bill for a revenue, the laft being ju
expiring, I fent for the general aflembly, and read the 1
der of council and the king's letter thereupon to the
which I hope -will have fome good efFe£t ; but they a
in as. good time fo much contrary to their expectation. I
herewith fend you a copy of their addrefs thereupon, whi(j
they prefented to me the 28th ; and finding them netti
and warm, I thought it difcretion to let them take timej
di^eft their thoughts ; and, having continued die revem
bill for fix months longer from the ift of September nei
I pafTed it, and then prorogued them till the 28th of Od
ber following.

NUMBER XV.

Cofy of a vote of the AJfemblyy Aug, 22, 1679.

DIE VENERIS, Wh I pre

J8A of n
THE committee appointed to examine Mr. MartMof their hi
accounts reported, that Mr. Martyn, appearing bAfeives off
them, faid, that my lord had ordered him to come andRng them
them, that, both from the king and from my lonV Arft meei
was not obliged to (hew his accounts to the a/Tembly Mk
that he had given them unto my lord, and his excellj

giving

WEST INDIES.

\Jle to Mr.

Aug. 1679-

n, having in«l
aylaft, and a
^ toecthcrwii
tetu points

yourfclf, 1 K'
norning I rw
g fat fome lev

laft being j'
and read the

reupon to tb
. but they ci
rcxpcftation.

hereupon, whi
ing themnetti

lem take time

ued the rev©
September m

;hca«thofO(

had told hijn, that, if any of the afTembly had a
fifc them, they might fee them there.

The houfe, conftdering the return of the committee or-
dered to infpe£t Mr. Martyn's accounts, re-afllimed that
idebate, and thereupon did vote, that notvirithdanding my
lord's anfwer by Mr. Martyn to that Committee, it was
and is their undoubted and inherent right, that as all bi.lls
for money ought and do arife in their houfe, fo they ought
to appoint the difpofal of it, and to receive and examine all
l^e accounts conceriiinc; the fame.

Pera Qpia,

ROWI.ANP PoWjELL»

878

mind to APPEN-
DIX.

NUMBER XVI.
xtrail of a Utter from the Earl of CarVtJle to the Commhtet^,

St. Jago de la Vega^ l$th Sept. 1679.

My Lords,

YOUR lordfliips letters of the 3»5th of March, 4th

April, and 31ft of May laft, I received on the 26th of

, as alio your lordfliips orders and reports to his

jefty, touching the laws and government of Jamaica;

idi I communicated to the council (the ailembly then

ing to continue the revenue bill, expiring the 2d of

itcmber) on the 27th of Auguft ; and afterwards, the

le day, I communicated, the council being prefent, his

icfty's letter of the 31ft of May laft, and your lord*

order and report of the fame date, to the affcmfety;

ich came to me as feafonably as they received them

ifedly, making me the next morning the enclofed ad-

1 upon which, having paifed a bill of import for fix

idis, I prorogued them, by advice of the council, till

JuSth of 0<ftober next, hoping in that time they would

Mr. Martfl*)^ their heat, and, upon recolle£iion, better bethink

^"^^ j.J„pr bwfelves of their duties and allegiance, and upon my

^f come andWig them again the laws, which I propofe to do upon

f m mv ^orW fifft meeting, better demonftrate their obedience by

he affembly j J'y giving their cojifent that they might be cnaci-

ind his excellf

22i

/s.

lb^q^

,,1

But,

' ,""' ■It:' ' ' f

17«

^'Mi^^*'"'

'■•lii^-

■;f|

IPi'

'Ifil!' ■■

II:,
If /.

i¥ ■

■!■' « I -..If

■:-. Mi'^i

HISfORY OP THE

But| from what I can I^arn from the chief leaden
among them, I find the fame averfenefs as formerly, aver-
rine that they will fubmit to wear, but never confent toj
make chains, as they term this frame of government, fori
their pofterities; fo that I fcarce expedt better fuccersij
of which I have writ at large .to Mr. Secretary Coventry,

NUMBER XVII.

Extras of a Utter frm the Ear! of CarliJIe to Mr,
Secretary Coventry,

Sir,

St. Jago do la Fega^ 2^4 Nitvembery 1679. |

THE afTembly meeting on the ^8th of Qflober, I, wii
the council, went -to themj commjtnded the council's
port of the ,28th of M^y* and his majefty's letter of
31ft of May laft, to be read again to them } prefled
very much to confider how much it imported at
juntSture for the intereft of die iflandi thatithey ihould
-thefe laws I brought to them jinfler the great feal of I
land, or at leaft part of them } defiring that any one
more of the aflembjly would there and men argue the
fonablenefs of their obje^tioi), which none of them
undertake.; and fo I left the body Qf laws with them,
having the laft felfion pailed a vote, that the raifingmi
and difpoGng of it, was the inherent right pf the aiTei
(of which 1 had no acca»int, either from the memi
their fpeaker, in fourteen d^ys a&erw;irdf, they prcfui
it to be their privilege that their -proceedjrigs ihouli
.kept fecretfrom me) I then appointed andfvvore thei
clerk, which before ufed to be, of their own cbpice;
this they are very uneafy under.

They proceeded to read over the body of laws ;
(landing the great care, pains, and trouble I had
• with them, both apart individually as well as aflembli
gether, they threw out and rejected all the laws, agai
hering to t^ieir former reafons, rather than admittii
honouring .thofe. from their lordihips /or rules of
-cnce.

reveni

better

to be J

asal/b

oouncii

6vour

mouflv

(chieflj

fincc mj

dienThe

ncwfraii

Ipealcer,

m) refu

ind has i

iffliWy, b

aUreis:

Ifc's own^

loiles off

loft need

Upor; ft

wfcnt^

chief-j

TCfl I J

C) and

i have ai

cil, pi

'trail of A

UyU
^im of

I thereupon prefently, with the, council, framed a Pope you

WEST INDIES.

177

:hief leaden {
merly, aver*
er confent tol
^ernment, fot|
clter fucccfsi
ry Coventry,

revenue indefinite, and fent tHaf to fhem : but that had no APPEN-

better Aiccefs jf and they then attended me with the addrefs, DIX.

to be prefented to his majeftv, which I herewith fend you i

as alia th' humble deftfe of juftification of lih majcdy's

council thereupon, which I and they earflr^ftly defirc your

isvour in humoly prefenting to his majefty, being unani-

tnouflv Agreed to by all the council : bu^ Col. Samuel Long

(chieNjuftice of the iilandy whom I have found all along

I iince my arrival here to be a moft pertinacious abettor and

dieriflier of the aiTembly's ftubbornnefs in oppofing thi»

new frame of governnfeifty having had a hand, being, their

ipealcer, in the leaving the Icing's name out of the revenue

bill) refufet to join \nt\i the council in this their genuine a£t»

and has fufltctenCly pofleiled himfelf of the opinion of the af-

jembly, by advifing and aififting them in the framing of their

aidrefs : thii^irig their refolutions to be as unalterable a»

bis own< he is withdrawn to his plantation, fome thirty

loiles off from this town, where at this jundiurc we have

loft ncc'd of council.

Upor; ferious and deliberate confideratron of alT which, I

;ve fent him his quietus } and appointed Col. Robert Bvnd-

''- chief-juftice in his place, of whofe fidelity to the Icme's

reft I have many proofs, having formerly executed the

;e, and was now one of the judges of the fupreme court.

I have alfo fufpended Col. Long from being one of the

unci], purpofing, by the advice of the council, to bring

riend him, with fix more of the afiembly, to attend the

' I and council in England to fupport their own opinions,

ons, and addrefs, wherein they are not ordinarily pofi-

^ve; and this I do from the council here unanimoufly agree-

{,diat there is no other nor better expedient ibr the'fet*

iment of this goverment to a general confent.

Oftober,I,wil
the coundVj-
iy's letter of
smi preffedtl
imported at
It they (hould
Treat feal of Ei
I that any one'
ien argue the-
ne of them"

with them.

the raifing

ht pf the alTe

ti the memb(

di, they prciut

:eedings ^i;'
andfv/orethei

own cbpice*,

y ^^}*^j had*''"''^ "f^ letter from the Earl rf Cartijle to the Committee,

FtSetwt'^fl St>7''i^dekVega,2idNov.ibn^

,r than admitti| j^^ ^^^^^^

for rules l^jj^ j. ^^ ^^ ^^^^ ^^ September laft to your lordftiips
I .. ffamcdaW''*P^ 70^ ***ve received} and what I therein fent your

NUMBER XVIII.

rj9

HISTORY OP TME

BOOK \ord(h\pii) as my conjecture in profpeCt, fince the general

II.

have

affembiy's meeting, on the 28th of O^ober laft,
found to be no vain prophecy.

Upon the aflembly's meeting on that day, I, with the
council, went to the place where they were met, and again,
in the prefence of the council and the afTembly, commanded
to be read your lordfliips report of the 28th of May laft paft
made to his majtfty, as alfo his majefty's commands to my.
felf of the 31ft of the famej and thereupon offered to the
aflembly the body of laws brought ovd under the great feal
of England for their confent } at the fame time declaring
to them the great expediency it would be to all the officers
of the ifland, and reafon to perfuade his majefly they were
another people than re[)refented at homej that it would in-
duce the king to gratify them in what was neceflary; and
ihat, otherwife, they could not appear but in great con.
temptj to; the lefiening of the ifland's intereft in his royal
favour : and what I urged in general to them at their meet.
ing, I had not been wanting to prefs to them apart indivi,
dually before it : then fwore them a clerk of my appointine^,
which they took not well, alledging it was their right tOj
choofe their own clerk. I told them, no } for that the king
did grant by patent the clerk of tlie parliament, fo that
they were nneafily over-ruled. The reafon of my doiiii
this was from their having an opinion that the votes of tin
houfe fhould be kept a fecret from me, and their paffing
vote the former feffions, that to raife money, and difpofe ol
the fame, was a fight inherent in the aflembly, of which
had no notice, in fome fourteen days after, from any
them or their fpeaker.

I much lirged the whole aflembly freely to argue, in t
prefence of the council and their own meir. ^rs, for thi
reafonablenefs of the matter commanded by the king, thatB''°Mr gen

being
they
purfus
no an/
their a
by read
Thii
tenant-
lone of
oldfran:
|fliated, i,
>[esas
jname oui
pthishi
[tlie addre
ift. \^
ommenc
lown, a
cfore, in

Sir Thorn
rial by a i

2dly. t

tiai Jai
^'liich is h(

ml for
tual defc(
on foot
upon go
3%. Ai

myafi
It; as

upon their difcourfing it openly and freely, they might bethj
better convinced of the neceflity of their being dutiful therein
ijut none of them, in myprefence and the council's, would unj
dertake it; fo we left them, and the body of laws with ther
Some days they fpent in reading over again the body
laws under the great feal left with them; but rejedledtli
many arguments I had laboured with them, and thrc)
the laws out again : whereupon they appointed a committc|
to draw up an addrefs, to be prefented by me to his majeftyi
their behalfs : and in that time, with the council, I drew a
of revenue individually, and gave it myfelf to their fpeaker
'|>ut that bill had no better fuccefs, but was rejedcd alfo.

■■ ■ ' ^ ' ■ :' ' '■ yp(j

fo much
charge
"■ge ther<
lountiiig

idred poi
['•t pounds
"ig> nor
[much anti
^h occaflol
revenue bl

the general
laft, have

[, with the
t, and again,
commanded
Vlay laft paft
lands to my-
)ffered to the
the great feal
i\e declaring
ill the officers
;fty they were
it it would in-
leceffary, and
in great con-
;ft in his royal
1 at their n\eet.
ti apurt indivi.
my appointing,
J their right to
■or that the king
•liament, fo that]
rt of my doin[
the votes of thi
i their paffing
y, and difpofe ol
,bly, of which'
er, from any

WEST INDIES.

1 to argue,

ler

inA(
rs, forthi

y the king, M
heymis^htbethi

or dutiful therein!

ncil's, would un]
laws with thei
crain the body
but rejeaedtl
and threw:

Upon ihis, on the 14th inftant, the fpeaker and aiTembly APPEN-
being fent for to attend me in council, to (hew caufe why DIX.
they did reje<Sl the bill of revenue fo framed by us in '
purfuance of his majefty's pleafure therein, they gave me
no anfwer; but, by their fpeaker, defired to prefent to me
their addrefs, the fpeaker contendirfg to give it its due accent
by reading it himfelf, a copy whereof is here fent inclofed.

This addrefs is founded greatly upon the advice of Lieu-
tenant-Colonel Samuel Long,chief-juftice of the ifland, and
one of the king's council, who principally contends for the
old frame of goverment, of whom the afTcmbly is highly opi-
ifliated, and efleem him the patron of their rights and privi-
leges as Engliihmen, who had a hand in leavmg the king's
iname out of the revenue bill, being then fpeaker, and denies
not his having a hand in framing and advifing fome parts of
Ittie addrefs, whioh in whole is not truth j Ifor,
ift. Whereas they alledge, that the civil government
mmenced in my Lord Windfor's time; it is generally
nown, and recorded in our council-book, fifteen months
tfore, in Colonel D'Oyley's time, and will be proved by
Sir Thomas Lynch, >yho then himfelf had an occafion of a
[rial by a jury, the foreman of which was Colonel Byndlofs.
idly. They alledge the readincfs of governors to ufe
tial law, particularly in Sir Thomas Lynch's time;
ivliich is here contradi6fced, for there was only an order in
iincil for the putting it in force upon condition of any
ilual defcent or invanon, and not otherwife j neither was
ion foot really all this time htre, as I am credibly inform-
lupon good enquiry.

3dly. As for its being in force in my time, it was not
my affciStion, but the council advifing and their defir-
iti as alfo the putting off the courts till February, in
io\if generally of the planters. Then, for their alledg-
jfomuch to be do^ie during the martial law, wholly at
: charge of the country; that it is done is true, but the
arge thereof they would clog the revenue bill with,
Counting to twelve hundred and twenty-eight pounds,
en, communibus annisy the bill of impoit; is but fifteen
ndred pounds; of which twelve hundred and twenty-
kht pounds there is not yet made payment of one far-
ing, nor any pr.Tpe£t how it may, fince the revenue is

nted a com Bjj^^^j^ ^^^^.j^jp^^^j f^.^^^ ^^ ^ant of money in the trea-

tohismajefty

,cil,ldrewabi

'to their fpeikei

[rejeacdalfo^

ly, occafioned by my Lord Vauglian's letting fall the bill
I revenue bcfprg hi$ departure.

'NUiMBER

Ml,

-Iv

186

HiSTdRY bt T it fi

K u M 3 j: ?; XIX,

Ytf A« Excellency Charles Earl of Carlifiey eaptain-genera}^
govermry and commander iti chief of his majejifs ijland I
of yamaicoy ^e.

%he humble addr^fs of the ajemhfy of this his majejlfs
iflandy in anfwer io the report of the right honourable
the lords of the committee of trade and flantationi^
made to his majejly*s council; which we entreat his
excellency may be humbfy prefented to his moJifacnciX
majejly and his council,

WE, his majefty's moft loyal and obedient fubjcds, the
^iTembly of this his ifland of Jamaica^ cannot without in4
finite grie]f of mind read the rdport made to his majefty b
the rigbt honourable the lords of the committee for tradi
dtnd plantations ; wherein) by the relation^ made by theii
lordmips unto his majefty, they have reprefented us as
people full of animofitV) iinreafonable, irregular^ violeni
undutiful, and tranfgrening both the bounds of duty an
loyalty J the bitternefs of which -chara^ers were we in
leaft part conifcious to have deferved, we fliould, likejol
have faid, ** Beholdy we are vile : what /hall we anjwer?
f* will lay our hands upon our mouths"

' But, I'dft our filence ihould argue our guilt) we fhall,
adl hun^ility^ endeavour to make appear we have always di
meaned ourfelves as becometh goQd and obedient fubje^!
and thofe who acknowledge and are truly fenfible of i
many favours received fi-om his majefty ; the truth of whii
refting o^Iy on matter of faA being related, and the fall
colours which hidierto have been thrown on us being wail
ed oft^, we fhall not doubt but his majefty will foon entertai
a better opinion of hiis fubje^s of this ifland. ■ In the|

We muft, therefore, humbly beg that his majefty winotice ths
with patien(ie be pleafed to hear the account of our prito the go^
ceedings ; which ttuly to manifeft we muft be forced ■" thing
look back (b fer as Sir Charles Lyttleton's and Sir ThQDi|(( ftandind
Modyford's entrance upon their goyernment :

entfubjcasjthej
not without inJ
3 his majeftybJ
imittee for tradJ
5 made by theij
irefentcd us as i
•regular) violentl
unds of dutyanj

s were we inii
{hould, Vikcjd

WEST INDIES.

itt

ent:

At which time, we humlly conceive, the ifland began ^pp£jj^

re^ly to take up the form of a civil government, and*- DJx.

wholly to lay aflde that of an army, which, until that time,

was deemed the fuprcme authority i when after, upon their

feveral arrivals^ by order from his majefly, and according

to the method of his majefty*s moft ancient plantations,

they called affemblies, and fettled the government of the

ifland in fuch good form> that, until his excellency the

Earl of Carlifle's firft arrival, his majefty thought not fit

to alter it, though feveral governors in that time were

changed, which muft neceflarily infer the goodnefs and

reafon of it, as well as the fatisfediion of the people (fince,

from that time, they betook themfelves to fettle planta-^

tions) efpedally the merchants, by which means the eftates

here are wonderfully increafed, as is evident by the great

number of (hips loaden here by the induftry of the plants

er ; and the fatisfadlion they received by thofe wholefome

laws then began^ and until that time continued, the change

of which laws we had no reafon to expe^, being done or

iiich mature deliberation from home.

But to return to anfwer : the firft thing their lordfhips
are pleafbd to accufe us of is, prefuming to queftion his
majefty's power over the militia j which, how much they
are mifinformed in it, will hereunder appear: but we muft
firft repeat the claufe againft which, we humbly conceive,
we had jufl reafons to tak^ exceptions, which' claufe is
asfollowethi . " ,:1

** Provided always, and it is hereby further enafted and

^ declared by the authority aforefaid,' that nothing in this

" a£t contained be expounded, conftrued, or underftood,

*• to diminilh, alter, or abridge, the power of the gover-

I '^ nor or commander in chief for the time being; but that

I '^ in all things he may, upon all ocoafions or exigencies,

'( ad as captain-general and governor in chief, according

" to and in purfuance of all the powers and authorities

h given to him by his majefty's commiflion; any thing in

r this aft or any other to the contrary in any wife not-*

!« ftanding."

In their lordfhips obfervations, in which they take np
I notice that the power given by that claufe extends as well
Ito the governor as captain-general, nor of the words *< any
I*' thing in this a6t or any other to the contrary notwith-
li^ ftanding," which words, being plain, need no references to

• - ■ ' expoynd

', *\

i'4

■ ' til

It '

Sfl

HISTORY OF THE

K J

ill: '

BOOK expound them, being confeiited to) there is no occaftoji
U. of making any other Taw, becaufe that makes all the powers
and authorities given by his majefty's commiffion, and, by
that commiilion, the innrudlions which ihall be after given
to him, fhall be law, though it be to the nulling of any
|)eneficial lawj made either here or in England, by which
we are fecured both in life and in eftate; the like of which
was never done in any of his majefty's dominions what-
foever, and is in efFed to em£k will to be law, and will
be conftrued (we fear) to bind us by the old rule of
Jaw, that every man may renounce his own right: and
if their lordihips had been pleafed to have as well re-
membered the other claufes of the a61t of the militia, we
c.tnnot think diey would have faid we had queftioned his
majefty's power over it, for no aft of England gives his
majefty the like power over the militia as ours doth j for,
on any apprchenfion of danger, the general with his coun-
cil of officers have power to put the law martial on foot
for what time they pleafe, and to command us in our own
perfohs, our fervants, negroes, horfes, even all that we
have, to his majefty*s ferviee; which having been fo often
put in pra6Hce will need the lefs proof: but how readily
and ~ willingly we have obeyed, and in that feith is beli
juftificd by works, it will not be amifs to inftance feme
times, and what hath been done in thofe times, by the
charge and labour of his majefty's fubjefts here, under
the feveral governors ; none of which have left unexperi-
mented the ftrength of his majefty's^ commiflion, and the
virtue or force of that aft^ upon the leaft feeming oc-
tpalionf

\ In the government of Sir Thomas Modyford, in the
years 1665 and 1666, the whole ifland was put under law
martial for many months together ; in which time, by
the inhabitants and their blacks, Fort-Charles was made
clofe, which to that time wanted a whole line, and aifo
the breaft-work at Port-Royal was built, with a very
iinall charge to his majefty.

In the time of Sir Thomas Lynch, in the year 1673,
the law martial was again fet on foot; Fort-James built
by the contributions of the gentlemen of his majefty's
council and aftembly, and feveral other of his majefty's
good fubjeds in this ifland, which amounted to a very
confiderable fuin of qpioney ; a breaft-work thrown up at

Old-

^■i

Old

on a
Ii

bilit'

alfo^

mane

Span

belon

in fai

two \

tain, 1

of hii

her.

Int
chiefi
time F
James,
LaftJ
prefent
for aboi
its pJatl
breaft-w
height, ;
that caiTi
all whfc
and brie
Neitl
his majei
on them
occafions
militia
duty as
that ever
Iguifted
put by th
To anf
inue, whe
veral mei
[niembers
[aiTenibJy j
f'^Sy they
■■gain fcfit
d counc

WEST INDIE $.

■Ylk

) occafioA
;he powers
n, and, by
after given
ing of any
, by which
:e of which
lions what-
r, and -will
old rule of
right; and
as well re-
militia, we
leftioned his
:id gives his
:s dothi for,
ith his coun-
irtial on foot
s in our own
all that we
been fo often
: how readily
t faith is bell
inftance feme
times, by the
5 here, under
left unexperi-
iffion, and the
feeming oc-

Idyford, in the
[put under law
rhich time, by
[\es was made
line, and alfo
with a very

the year 16731
art- James built
^ his majefty's

bis majefty's
lited to a very

thrown up at
Old*

99$

Old-Harbour and feveral other places j and guns mounted APPEN-
on a platform placed at Port-Morant. DIX.

In Lord Vaughan's time, tliough there was no proba-
bility of war, yet he wanted not the trial of his power
alfo in the militia, and our obedience to it; for he com^
inanded out a company of the inhabitants in fearch of a
Spanifli barqua longa^ who was faid to have robbed a floop
belonging to this upon the coaft of Cuba: he, likewife,
in favour of the royal company, commanded out to fea
two vcflels, with a company of the militja and their cap^
tain, from Port-Royal, to feize an interloper riding in one
of his majefty's harbours, and there by force feized
her.

In the time of Sir Henry Morgan being commander ii|
chief, we were again put under martial law j in which
time Fort-Rupert, FortrCarlille, and a new line at Fortf
James, were liuilt,

Laftly, in his excellency the Earl of Carlifle*s time (the
prefent governor) the law martial was again put in force
for about three months ; in which time Fort-Morgan with
its platform, and another line at Fort- James, and the
breaft-work reinforced very confiderably in thicknefs and
height, and new carriages were made for the guns, thofe
that came out of England not being fit for land fervice ;
all which fortifications are fubftantially built with ftone
jnd brick, at the charge and labour of the country.

Neither have we ever been wanting in due refpeft to
his majefty's governors j the militia having always waited
on them to church, in their progreiTes, and on all public
occafions ; and we may fafely affirm with truth, that no
militia in his majefty's dominions undergo the like military
duty as his fubjedls in Jamaica; ias is evident to all men
that ever fet foot in Port-Royal, which cannot be diftin-r
guifhed from a garrifon, either in time of peace Of v/a^v
but by their not being paid for their fervice. ' ' Y^'i

To anfwcr their lordfiiips objections to the bllj of reve-
Inue, wherein his majefty's name was left out, there are fe-
Jveral members of this afTcmbly now fitting who were
Imembers when that bill pafTed three times in form in the
laflembly ; and, upon the beft recolle<9:ion of their memo-
Iries, they are udly perfuaded and do believe the bill was
again fent down with that amendment from the governor
nd councilj accol-ding as it palled at the lafl \ but, /hould

\ i;

iii4

lllfStORY OF tftE

i-A't^t':!

i: i"ifv

if 6' 6 k it have rifen in the aflemfely, thev are very unfortunate if
II. they mull bear the cenfure of all miftakes that iftay
happen irf pVel*entingf Jaws to bt paiTed,^ when borii" the
governor ana his toQncil lave their nbgatiVef voices, and
which. Had eithef of them madi^ ufe of in this pointy
iirould have been readily con^nted' to by the afFembly, as
<hey had formerly dbhe, bbth under thjc government of Sir
Thomas Modyford arid Sir Thomas Lynch, before whofe
time it had been' raffed without mentioning his majefly's
nanfe, a'nd that without check v and we always concluded
the governor's name in the enading part to be of the fame
tffeS as hts majefty's is in Englahd, Whom, itt this parti-
tuizTi he feems rather to perfonate than reprefent: for
ifirhich rea(oris we liope,- it ought not to liave Been im-
puted to the aflembly as their crime altogether, being con-
ferited unto by his majefty*s governor without any debate,
and Al applied by the act whereby it was raifed, to the
^ery hatit pvAAit ufe his majefty direfts ; ahd We arc cer-
tairi rio inftariCe can' be given of any money difpofed of to
any prlvafe ufe, birt was always iflued by the governor's
Warrant, for the paymfent of his own and other his genera}
tffH6ers falaries in this iftand) with fome fmall contingent
thar^eS of the government.

Their jot^ips alfo affirm, that the aflembly offered
thi^ bill^ iri the fame meafure and proportion ais it is now
tiropofedi to Srr ThomaS Lynch: in whith their lord-
lliips are ihifinformed j for his majefty's inftrudions
Werej that the laws fhould be in force for two years
ihd no longer, which their lordfhips alio acknowledge
Jn the prior part of the report ; fo that the aflembly need-
ed not to have expreflfed any time^ and the particular ufes
fliereiri aii{k>inted«

But had their l6rd(hip$ kndvm how great funis of mo<
fief haire beefn raifed here, and how fmall a |iart hath
been applied to his majefty's fervice for the defence and
flre'rigthenirig the iflancfj we humbly conceive their lord-
mips would have been of opinion^ that we have no rea-
fon to bar ourfelves to perpetuity, and pa(^ the faid adt
ivithout limitation of ufes or time; nor can we be fol
prefumptuoUs as to imagine the king can be hindered froml
ih^kihg fuch life of his own money as he (hall think fit,|
fthd apply it where he finds moft necclTary. I

in ten

tied,

rtunafe If
that iftay
[ both" the
rolces, and
this poinli
Qfembly, as
tient of Sir
sfore whofe
is majefty's
i concluded
of the fame
t this parti-
prefent: for
re been im-
, being con-
; any debate,
aifed, to the
[ -We arc ccr-
difpofed of to
le governor's
er his general
ill contingent

jmbly offered
I as it is now
(jh their lord- ,
s inftruftions
for two years I
acknowledRc!
[affembly need-
particular ufes i

W £ 8 T I K B I f: :S. ft^

Jt is very true the laws contain many and great errorSj J^.V9^^
9S their lordHiips may fee by the aflembly's journal ; fo that DIX.
were the affembly as n:xuch petitioners to his majefty fqr '
this new form as they are tc be reflored to their old, above
half the body of thcf? law;, .wjthput .amendment, wqi^l^
never be reafonable.t? pafs.

As, to inftance fortie few amongft mgny : in ^the adl.fQr
preventing damases by fire, a fingle j^flice of, the peace
h^tji .power of life aid death.; and the aft qf the .in,il.iti?i
emppw^rs.the govcrnpr and council to levy a tax on ,the
jvholc iflandj ^uid in the aft direfting the marfhal's proceed-
ings,, there h a plaufe that makes it felony for any perfon tp
conce?] Wis own goods, left in his own pofTeffion, after exe-
cution levied by that 1^^, fo that a m^n may be hanged for
being poor, whicl^ though inconyepient, wasneyi^r t^l the:^
accounted capital ; with Qth^i;s^too Ipng to be repeated.

Apd whereas their ,lordfhips are pleafed to fay, that there
is nothing impecfeft or defeftive in thefe bills tranfmittc^
hither ; yet we humbly conceive, that no notice being ,takei[i
in this body of laws how or in what nature we are to make
ufe of the laws of England, either as they h^ve .reference ,19
the prefervation of his majefly's prerogative qr the,fubjefts
rights, we ought not in reafon to cgpleit^tto thqfe bills; ^91^
nothing appearii\^ to the contrary^ the governor is le^ f ^
lil>itum, to ufe or xqfufe as few or as i^umy as he pleafesj an^
iiich as fuit with his occafionsi there being no uireftiqns i^
them how to proce^^ according to the laws of Engl^jl,
either in caufes crimi^l or teidamentary, and in many other
£afes which concern tfie quiet of the fubjeft, Jjoth in l^e
;md eftate.

We conceive alfq, tha^, wbatfoeyer is faid .to die con-
.tra^r by their lordfhips in anfwer to the diftance of places,
this very lafl experiment is fufficiently convincing of the
truth of that allegation; fmce it is a yearfmce this mpcjql
came over and was debated, and before their lordfhips re-
port c^ame back, notwithfl&\iding one qf the advices w^i^
home by an exprefs. Andj

Whereas their Jordfhips f^y, we cannot be .fulye^jfp
more accidents than his majefly's kingdom of Ireland^ ^p
that we objeft, that advice and anfwers thei^ce may be ha^
in ten or fourteen days, and that kingdom is already /q^-
tled, our plantation but beginning. But further, yre caiie

89$

HISTORY OF rut

•:•■/#:

B O O K not Imagine that Irifh model of government was, in pf-ln*
II. ciploy ever intended for Englifhmen : befides, their lord-
ships cannot but know, that that model was introduced
amongft them by a law made by themfelves in Ireland, and
fo confequently bound them, which, being now generally
known to all thofe who remove thither, they have no caufe
to repine at, that being their choice to live under it or ftay
from it, and was made for the prefervation of the Englifh
againft the Irifh fadlion. As there is not the fame caufe,
fo there is not the fame reafon, for impofing the fame on
us, unlefs we did it ourfelves, who are all his majefty's
iiatural-born fubje<Sts of his kingdom of England; which
is the reafon the parliament give, in all their adts concern*
inff the plantations, for obliging us by them to what, and
with whom, and in what manner, we may trade, and im-
pofe a tax on us here in cafe of trade from one colony to
another; and it is but equity then, that the fame law fhould
have the fame power of loofing as binding.

His majefty giving a power, on urgent occadons, to
ralfe monies the old way, only fecures the king's officers
their falaries, which elfe they had been difappointed of;
the aft of the militia which was heretofore confented to,
ever providing, that, on alarm or invafion, the commander
in chief (hould have unlimited power over all perfons,
eftates, and things, neceffary on fuch urgehcies.

As to the 7th, the aflembly fay, they never defired any
power but what his majefty's governors afTured them was
their birth-rights, and what they fuppofed his majefty's
moft gracious proclamation allowed them : alfo, his majefty
was gracioufly pleafed to write a letter to his governor
Sir Thomas Lynch, after the double trial of one Peter
Johnfon, a pirate, fignifying his diflike that any thing
fhould be done that (hould caufe any doubt in his fubjedls,
in not enjoying all the privileges of fubjefts of the king-
dom of England, or to that effedl.

But as to the obftrufting of juftice againft Brown, the
pirate, what they did, though not juftifiable in the manner,
was out of an aflurance, that we had no law in force then
to declare my lord chancellor of England's power and our
chancellor's here equal, in granting commiftions in pur-
fuance of the ftatute of Henry the eighth ; which alfo his
majefty and council perceiving, have, in the new body of 1
laws, lent one to fupply that want ; and if they, not med-
dling

WE^T INDIES.

zti

in prin*
eir lord-
troduced
land, and

; no caule
it or ftay
e Englim
tme caufe,
; fame on
majefty*s
ndj which
s concern*
what, and
ie, and im-
; colony to
jlawftiould

ccafions, to
ng*s officers
jpointed ofj
:onfented to,
» commandef
all perfons,

Ics.
. defiredany

•ed them was
AS majefty's
), his majefty
[his governor
lof one Peter
,t any thing
his fubjeas,
of the king-
Brown, the
J the manner,
, in force then
lower and our
[Tions in pur-
ivhich alfo his
, new body of
tiey, notmed-

dling with the merits of the caufe, endeavoured to preferve APPENT-
thc form of juftice, and juftice itfelf, and, after denial of DIX.
feveral petitions, joined with the council, were led beyond
their duty (for which they Mrere ftiarply reprimanded by the
then governor) they do hope for and numbly beg his ma-
jefty's pardon.

And as for the z&. upon which he came in, it arofe not in
the affembly, but was fent from the couikiI, to be confent-
td to by them, which was accordingly done.

And as to the imprifonment of Mr, Thomas Martyn,
one of their members, for taking out procefs in chancery in
his own private concern againft feveral other members, and
of the council, the affembly then fitting, and for other mifde-
meanors and breach of the rules of the houfe; they hope it is
juftifiable, the king's governor having affured them, that
they had die fame power over their members which the
houfe of commons have, and all fpeakers here praying,
and the governors granting, the ufual petitions of fpeakers
in England.

Seeing the governor hath power to turn out a counfellor,
and turning cut incapacitates him from being an affembly-
man, no counfellor dares give his opinion againft the go-
vernor, under danger of lefs penalty than lohng that which
he thinks his birth-right : alfo, a governor being chancellor,
ordinary, and admiral, joined with his military authority,
lodges fo great a power in him, that being united and ex-
ecuted in one perfon to turn it totum in qualibet parie^ fo
diat he may invalidate any thing done under his ofvo corn-
million.

There is no doubt but, by this new way, it is in the a£-
fembly*s power to confent to and perpetuate fuch laws as are
wholly of benefit to them, and leave unpaffed all that may
bethought moft neceffary for his majefty j which advantage
they not laying hold on, hope it will be an evidence they
arc careful of his majefty's prerogative, as it is the duty
of every good fubjedi to be.

It is without controverfy that the old form of govern-
ment, which was ordered fo like his majefty's kingdom of
England, muft of confequence be of greater encourage-
ment to all his majefty's fubjc^ts, as well at ftrangers, to
remove themfelves hither. Upon his majefty's proclama-
tion in my Lord Windfor's time, and by thofe gracious
inilru£tiom given to 3ir Thpmas Modyford, all or mofl;

part

History of th£

V. 'ti\

' 'it'

I i

> ■

BOOK part of the fugar plantations have been fettled; and the
IL major part of the faid planters being fuch who arrived
^ here and Settled upon the general liking of the model
firft conftituted, and in belief that they loft not any of
the privileges of his majefty's fubje&s of the kingdom of
England by their removal hither, and having by no ad,
as. we believe, either provoked his majefty or forfeited our
rights, or ever defiring or attempting to leflen or quef-
tion his majefty's prerogative, the prefervation whereof
we ever deemed the beft means of preferving our own
privileges and eftates, we (hall prefume to hope fur the
continuance of his majefty's favour, which i$ impolTiblc
for us ever to forget

And whereas their lordfliips are pleafed to offer their ad<-
vice to his majefty, to furnifli his governor with fuch
{>owers as were formerly given to Colonel D'Oyley and
others, in whofe time the then accounted army was not
dift)anded, but fo continued till Lord Windfor's arrival,
who brought over the king's royal donative and order to
fettle the civil government: we hope their lordfhips intend
liot that we are to be governed by or as an army, or that
the governor be empowered to levy any tax by himfelf and
council; fince his majefty having difcharged himfelf anid
council, by an z^ of parliament, of any luch power over
any of his majefty's fubjeils of his kingdom of Englanc^i
as we undoubtedly arc, it will b? very hard to have any
impofition laid on us but by our o«vn confents; for their
lordftiips well know, that no derived power is greater
than the primitive. ''^

. However, if his moft gracious m^^efty fliall not think
Jit to alter iihis model, but we are to be governed by the
.governor and council, according to their lordftiips advice,
yet we humbly befeech his majefty to do us the grace to
Believe, that we are fo fenfible of^our duty and allegiance,!
that our fubmiftion to and comportment under his ma-l
jefty's authority fhall be fuch as that, we hope, he, in hisj
due time, will be gracioufly pleafed to reftore unto us ourj
( ancient form of government, under which it hath hither-,
to pleafed God to profper us: ending with our hearty
prayers for his majefty's long and happy reign over u^J
and moft humbly begging his majefty's pardon of all oyB
errors and miftakes, and a gracious interpretation of thii
^ur ^fwer; proteftin^ from thp bottom of our hcartsj

thj

'•'.i'M. ,,.

; and the
lo arrived
the model
lot any of
ingdom of
by no aft,
)rfeited our
n or quef-
jn whereof
g our own
^ope for the
1$ impoffiblp

>fFer the'ir ad^
,r with fuch
E)»Oyley and
rmy was not
id&r's arrival,
e and order to
,rd{h?p3 intend
army, or that
byhimfelfand
himfelf ani
jh power over
Jn of England,
,rd to have any
fents; for their
,er is greater

(hall not think
governed by the
)rd(hips advice,
s the grace to
and allegiance,
under his ma-
Ihope, he, inhis
>re unto us our
it hath hither-
,ith our heartyj
reign oyer u?,
jardon of all o^i
)retation of tw
of Qur hearts]
th;

that iftirt iMd refolve to die his majefty's true, loyal, Al*^)IK«
and obedient flibjedb. DIX.

A true copy.

Rowland Powell, C7. Cmc.

NUMBER XX.

\jht humble dejire and jufiificatim of the members of hit
m}ejiy*s teunciif to his Excellency the Governor in

iii'jiinUi

Jatnetca,

THE alteratioi^ of the frame of government in this hi*
Imajefty's ifland of Jamaica unto that of his kingdom of
' (land, which his majefty, the bef^ and greateft of kings,
' gracioufly commanded us to fubijnit urtto and own,
his m^efty's truly loyal and dutiful fubjeiSbs. hitherto
iveand yet do, by a willing readinefs, and ready wiliing^
fs, declare our entire d)edience and hearty conformity
:reunto, becaufe his maiefly commands.
And although his m^efty's great perfpicuity and truly
lyal prudence is beft able to determine what government
the flttbfl: for his flibjeas in this ifland, yetj with all
tfubmiffioh, in all humility, we beg leave to reprefent
his majefty the ^reat inconVeniehce attending the pre^
It frame, iri tranunittiiig our kws honie.
The vaft diftance of plate will of neceflity require a
expenCe of time, between the iirfl framing our laws
e and the trah^itttng and return' of them hither
in ; fo that, before they can be pafled into laws by the
ibly here, there will probably as great caufe arife to
as there were at fitft to make them.
And, with all due fubmifRon, we judge it even impoffi-
to adapt laws to the prefent conflitution, fo as not to
it of often and great alterations ; for, according to our
erience hitherto, we hav6 found urgent occasions
[alter and amend the laws, that have more immediately
:erned us here) at the leafl every two years ; and we
lot forefee but we (hall lie under the fame neceiSty
i fo that if his majefty gracioufly pleafe to take it
01. 1. U into

iiliii.

290

HISTORY OF THE

mh::

Anc

lima

Rece
i679-»

BOOK into his princely confidcrat.^n, and either reftore to us our
II. former power and way or method of paffing laivs, or at leaft
remit tliat p;;rt of the prefcnt method of making laws which
only concerns us here, as they may pafs without tranfmitting
the fame, we hope, by our prelent fubmiflion and entire
obedience to all his hws here, his majefty will be a glo.
rious prince and his fubje£ls here an happy people.

And whereas the gentlemen of the aflembly, in their
addrefs to his majefty read here in council the 15th of No-
vember, 1679, do declare, that as to the bill of revenue
wherein his majefty's name was left out, that there are
fcveral of the members of their alTembly now fitting who
were members when that bill pafled three times in form in
the aflembly, and, upon the bed recollection of their me-
mories, they are fully pcrfuadcd and do believe the bill
was again fcnt down with that amendment from the gover-
nor and council, according as it pafl^ed at the laft : we, thcj
gentlemen of his majefty's council here prefent at the paf.
hng of the bill, do moft humbly ahd with all ferioufnefs
aver and declare, that we were lb far from Confenting thi
faid bill fhould pafs without his maiei^y's name in it, thr
we do not remeniber it was ever debated or mentioned j
council } and further, that to the beft of our refpe(Siiv|
knowledge, it was read t^hree tinies, and pafTed the council
boardj with his majefty's name in it : and we are the rathi
induced to this our confidence, becaufe we find the origin
a<^ was razed, and, by the ^thcn fpenker's own hand, ii
terlined } and moreover, the feveral amendments of ^e ii
bill, that were made in council, were all taken notice of
the minutes in our council-bookS) and no mention
of this i and the gentlemep of the aiTembly do produce
thing out of their journal to juftify the reflections uj
us i therefore it is to be prefumed they cannot.

And we do further humbly and unanimoufly deci;
we never did at any time, either jointly or feveraljy, m
any complaint to the aflembly, . or any of them, of
power given by his majefly to his excellency our prefij
governor to fufpend any of his majefty's council m
Tor as , we have hitherto yielded all due obedience j^
fubmiffion to his majefty's royal will and pleafure cBl!^? ^^^*
cerning us, fo we hope we (hall approve ourfelf^lP ^c^j
fuch, and, as in duty bound, ever pray for his majelW"'^" ^''d

F<^ips th

Ion
rcii

'AMAICA

ince Ru,

«•<' Pre/Ic

d PrivyA

fim of I

iofBri/

V.')i^

^'*i!'w«iP

WEST INDIES.

991

long life, and that he may profperoufly and triumphantly A PPEN;.

reign over us. DIX.

This was unanimoufly agreed to in council by the ' * V '■*
refpe^tive members thereof who were prefent at
the paffing the bill of revenue : Colonel Thomas
Ballard9 Colonel John Cope, Colonel Robert
Byndlofs, Colonel Thomas Freeman, Colonel
William Joy, Colonel Thomas Fuller, John
White, Efquirej

And confented to by the whole council, excepting
Lieutenant-Colonel Samuel Long.

Received from the Earl of Carliile, 26th February,

1 1679-80.

U if

NUMBER XXI.

Extra£l of an order in counciL

of them, oil

lAMAICA.

bellency our pte(
tv's council nei
[due oVdience

At the committee of trade and plantations, in the
council-chamber at Whitehall, the 5th of March,
1679-80,

mm u'

pee Rupert,

prd Prefident,
ird Privy-Seal,
rquis of Worcefter,
III of Bridgwater,

Present,

Eiirl of EfTex,

Ml. Hyde,

Mr. Secretary Coventry,

Sir Leolin Jenkins.

lA LETTER from the Earl of Carlide to the corn-
tee, dated 23d of November laft, is read, wherein his
and pleaiure '•■dlhip acquaints the committee, that, having called the
approve o^^V'^Mincil and aflembly together, he had caufcd their lordftiips
y for his tnaj^mjrt of the 28th of may to be publicly read; which their
^dlhips think to be difagreeable to the dire<^ons of the

u *"*

■\J

report.

' t,

i ."fMi-r

t^l

HISTORY OF THE

BOOK report, which was on!y prefented to his majefty for his in-
^I* formation, and in order to furniih the £arl of Carlifle,
when occafion ihould ferve, with fuch arguments as might
be lie to he ufed in jufti/ication of his majcfty's commii*.
fion and inftm^ons; and their lordfhips particularly take
iiot}ce> that it Mras neither neceflary nor convenient for him
to expofe his inftru^ons to the afiembly : and as to the
ckrk of the afftmbly, which his Ibrdftiip had appointed,
the committee does very mucli approve his lordfhip's pro-
cR.^din^s therein, and will defire him to continue die fame
method for die future.

And whereas Colonel Long is reprefented to have a hand
in leavine out the king's name in the late bill of revenue,
»id in munin? and advifmg the addrefs of the aiTembly
now tranfmitted to his majefly } their lordfhips will report, i
that the Earl of Carlifle mav be ordered to fend him to I
England, to anfwer what is laid to his charge.

'rhe addrefs of the aiTembly of Jamaica to his majefty,]
in anfwer to a report of the committee approved on the]
28th of May lait, being read, dleir lordfhips obfervr, thatj
there are many falfides and mifiakes contained therein.

Firll, it is alledged by the afTembly,^ that the ifland took]
up the civil form of government in the time of Sir Thonui
Modyford and Sir Charles^Lyttelton ; whereas it is certain
that Colonel D'Oyley hsui a commiffion, foon after
majefly's refloradon, to govern by die-civil power.

As to their denial of having left out his majefly's ;
in the revenue bill, it is evident, by die juftification 1
the council, and afTurance of the Lord Vauehan, that 1
bill pafled the governor and coumril with liis maje
name, which was afterwards left out, or erafed, as
be fuppofed by die interlineadon that yet appears up
the original bill.

And whereas it is faid, that their lordfhips are mifij
formed, in affirming that the afTembly had before
fared the bill of revenue in the fame meafure and prj
pordon as is now propofed, fince the law? were to
In force for two years, and no longer: die afTemV
have quite forgotten, or pretended to be ignorant]
the powers femed by his maiefly's commiffion t*) L p . -1
Thomas Lynch, wherebv the laws were to be in fMj'^^^^oci
for two years, and no longer, unlefs confirmed by F " "'^ '*'^*^
majefty widiin that time; fo diat the bill tranfmittedl

the 9tf:
to diini

WEST INDIES.

i9S

■or his In-
f CarVitte,
s as might
's cominii-
:ularlytakc
ent for him
[id as to the
i appointed,
dfhip's pro-
vue die feme

Sir Thomas Lynch wanted only his majefty's approbation APPEN-
to render it perpetual. , DIX*

The aflembly further mentions the great fums raifed in
Jamaica, which had not been employed to his majefty'«
fervice ; but does not inftance the mifapplication of any
part of the revenue by any of the governors.

It is alfo to be obierved, that the law fbi preventing
damages by fire, of which they complain, was firft made
by them ; as alfo the z£k diredine the marfhal's proceed-
ings cannot be but very reafonable, and for the advamage

of the planters, ftnce it gives them the ufe of their goods
after execution, and enables them the better to pay their
debts.

And whereas the aflembly complains, that there is no
law tranfmitted to them for afcertaining the laws of £ng-
bd: it is thought reafonable, that his majefly (hould re-
tain within himfelf the power of appointing the laws of
England to be in full force in that ifland, as he (hall find
neceflary.

The delays and length of time, alledged by them in re-
ference to the model prefcribed by his majefly, were
ied therein, ■^olly occafioned by the refra£lorinels of the aflembly, and
It the *ft^J^°° Hnot by the diflance of places, or other reafons.

o have a hand
11 of revenue,
F the affembly
as will report,
o fend him to |

'tohismajcfty,
)provcd on the
psribferve,**"'

pofSirThoma
reas it is certain]

foon after "^
U power,
s matefty's

juftiiication
aughan, that
lijh his m

erafed, as

^et appears

Irdflxips aw mifij
L had before
■ leafurc and pfl
vrere to

I law?

the afferoi

What they obiefl concerning Ireland, in reference to

[Jamaica, is frivolous ; fince the Englifh there have right

)^£ fame privileges ^ thofe of Jamaica, and are bound

)by ads of parliament in England, as well as the inha-

[litants of Jamaica.

To the 7th objection it is replied, that nothing has

en done to take away their enjoyment of all the privi-

ges of Englifh fubje£ls, fmce they are governed by the

im and flatutes of this realm.

Their unwarrantable proceedings in obflrufting of juf-
ce againfl Brown the pirate is confefTed, and his ma-
jfty's pardon prayed by them.

I Their lordfhips thinlc the imprifonment of MartVn, and

I articles preferred againfl him, altogether unjuftiliable,

bt only as he was His majefty's colledor, but as the

lembly ought not, by the pretenfions of privilege, to

be igr^orai^^ Belter themfelves from iuftice, there beingjio fuch ufagc
ommiffion w ■3jf|jajQgs anj other plantations.

re to ^« !"
onfirmedoy

tranfinitted'

c
IblU

In the 9th place, it is altogether erroneous in the aflem-
to think it is, by the prcfent model, in their own

power,

li;-'';^

'J +

i . it' "

«5+

HISTORY OF THE

BOOK power, to accept fuch laws as are wholly of benefit to
II. themfelves, and to reject fuch as are moft neceflary for his
'majeftvj fince the governor yet retains a negative voice,
after the confent of the aflfembly.

And whereas they very much infift upon his maiefty's
proclamation in my Lord Windfor's time : his majefty has
not in any inftance withdrawn the efFe£ls of his promife
to them, nor impofed feveral rules and inftru&ions that
were prefcribed in Sir Thomas Modyford's commiffion
and inftru£tions, whereby he had power, with the advice
of the council, to raife money on ftrong liquors : and the
aflembly can as little believe they have not provoked his
majefty to keep a ftri£t eye upon them, after their feveral
unwarrantable proceedings during the government of the
Lord Vaughan, and fince of the £arl of Carlifle,- by their
votes and otherwife.

In the lafl place, it is ^fely infmuated by the afTembly,
that the government remained under an army in Colonel
D'Oyley's time ; fince it appears plainly by his commiffion
that it was otherwife provided, and that the martial law I
was then laid afide : fb that, upon the vt^ole matter, tl
have reafon to beg his majefty's pardon for all their errors I
and miflakes.

The juflification of the council of Jamaica, in anfwerl
to the imputation of the afTembly, of their leaving out thel
king's name in the revenue bill, is alforead; and to bej
made ufe of by the governor, to difprove the allegationsj
of the afTembly in their own behalf.

NUMBEl

benefit to
fary for his
itive voice,

is maiefty's
majefty has
his promifc
uftions that
commiflion
;i the advice
lors: and the
provoked his
• their fevcral
nment of the
liflej by their

y the aflembly,
ny in Colonel
his commiffion
Ke martiallaw
,lc matter, they
all their errois

fcaica, in anfwetl

leaving out thel

cadi and tobel

the allegationsl

WEST INDIES.

NUMBER XXIII.
Extract of an order in council.

Jamaica.

W^'

■]ff:'.,

APPEN-
DIX.

At the committee of trade ■ and plantations, in
the council-chamber at Whitehall, Monday
the 8th of March, 1679-80,

Present,
Lord Privy- Seal, Earl of Bridgewater, Sir Leolin Jenkins.

THE Lord Vaughan attends, concerning the charge

againft Colonel Long, of Jamaica, for razing out the king's

name in the a£l of revenue ; and declares, that he is very

confident that the bill came up from the aflfMnbly to the

council with the king's name in it, and that it was not put

I out by the council, nor by his privity; and that when Mr.

Martyn came to Jamaica with the king's patent to be col«

leAor, his lordfliip then fent for the adt, and perceived the

I interlineation to be in Colonel Long's hand ; and that his

I lordfhip does abfolutely agree with the council of Jamaica,

in die matter of their juftification.

NUMBEl

ii>5: <CC

-..1

■J^i ■' ■:';■'';;, "t'l

NUMBER

^6^

HISTORY OF THE

NUMBER XXIV.

H.,1 .

1 f^

ExtraSi 9fan order in council.

Jamaica.

At the committee of trade and plantations, in the
council'<:haml>ef at Whitehall, Thurfday the
Iith of March, 1679-80.

Present,

. IfOrd Prefldent, Earl of Bridgwater,

Lord Privy-Seal, Sir j^eolin Jenkins.

Macquis of Worcefter,

THEIR lordfhips take into confideration the ftateof
the government in Jamaica, and agiee to refer the queries
following to Mr. Attorney and Mr. Solicitor General, for
their opinions therein ; v/z.

J ft. Whether, from the paft and prefent ftate of Jamai.
CI, his majefty's fubje^s inhabiting and trading there have
a right to the laws of Engird), as^ngliflimen, or by vir«
tue of the king's proclamation, or otherwife ?

ad. Whether his majefty's fubje£ts of Jamaica, claiming I
to be governed by the laws of England, are not bound as |
well by fuch laws as are beneficial to the king, by appoint-
ing taxes and fubfidies for the fupport of tht government, I
as by other laws, which tend only to the benefit and eafe of
the fubje<a ?

3d. Whether the fubfidies of tonnage and pound^e
goods that may by law, or fhall be diredtly carried to Ja>
maica, be not payable, according to law, by his majefty's I
fiibjec^s inhabiting that ifland, or trading there, by virtue of I
the ai^s of tonnage and poundage, or other a6ts made in|
England ? I

4th. Whether wine or other goods, once brought into]
England and tranfported from thence, upon which the re-'
fpe^ve abatements are allowed upon exportation, accord-i
ing to law, the fame being afterwards carried to Jamaicul
and landed there, ihall not be liable to the payment of the

.1 ,

/■^

ft «

WEST INDIES.

«97

full duty of tonnage and poundage which it ihould have APPEN-
paid if confumed in England, deducing onlv fuch part of DIX.
the (aid duty as (hall not be repaid in England upon ex-
portation oi the faid ^Qods from thence ?

Which queries were accordingly tranfmitted to Mr.
Attorney and Mr. Solicitor General, with a paper con-
taining the paft and prefent ftate of Jamaica, in rela-
to the government.

uon

ions, in tbe
hurfday the

IS.

I the ftate of
X the queries
General, for

tate of Jaraal*
^ng there have
en, or by vir-

laica, claiming
not bound as

»g> ^y app**^"^"

fc government,
efitandeafeof]

and pound^e
carried to Ja*
/ his majefty's.'

re, by virtue oil

. afts made ml

NUMBER XXV. ,■

Itttttr to Mr. Forney and Mr. Solicitor GentraL "'■■•
Council'chambery nth Marcby 1679.8a

Gentlemen,

THE right honourable the lords of the committee for
Itrade aiid plantations, upon confideration of the affairs of
]]ainiJc9y have ftated the queftions following ; vis.

[Here wen recited the queries Jiattd in the
preceding number.}

To which queAions their lordfliips defire your anfwer in

Titin^, with all convenient ipeed: and, for your infer-

lation,, I have inclofed a paper^ containing a fiart account

)athe faji and prejent Jiate of the gwernment in 'Jamaica\

ud in cafe you ihoiud require any fiirdier iatisfadfcion

|)r.rein, or touching the queries referred unto you, I ani

dered by the lords of the committee to attend you at any

q( Qr place you (hall think fit to appoint, ^"' ;j

I am, with all relpe^, gentlemen, &f.

.brought into
1 which the re-l
Station, accord-l
fied to Jamaicil
[payment oHhej

X ■-- '

NUMBER

\ i:^

.■!

'T ' '' ^'T

u >^

299

HISTORy OF THE

BOOK

II.

NUMBER XXVI.

Extra/f of an order in council.

Jamaica.

At the committee of trade and plantations, in the
council-chamber at Whitehall, the 27th of
April, 1680.

Present,

Prince Rupert, n^i
Lord Prefident,
Earl of Sunderland,
Earl of Effex,

Vifcount Fauconberg,

Mr. Hyde,

Mr. Secretary Jenkins.

MR. Attorney and Mr. Solicitor General having like^
wife acquainted the committee^ that, upon conilderation of I
the four queftions concerning Jamaica, referred unto themf
the I ith of March, they did find them of fuch difficulty]
and moment as to deferve the opinion of the judges: itisj
agreed that they be accordingly referred unto the judges jj
upon whom Mr. Attorney and Mr. Solicitor General arel
deilred to attend with them ; Mr. Attorney ^aving firftl
delivered his opinion, *< that the people of Jamaica have!
<' no right to be governed by the laws of England, but!
«< by fuch laws as are made there, and eftabliflied by hisf
" majefty's authority." But whereas Mr. Solicitor Ge-j
neral doth deliver his opinion, that the word ^ dominion,"!
in the aft of parliament for tonnage and poundage, majrl
feem rather to imply the dominion of Wales and BerwicJcl
upon Tweed only, than to extend to the plantations ; m
more especially, as Mr. Attorney alledges, fince the iflanda
of Guemfey and Jerfey are not concerned in that zSti
their lordihips order the two firft queftions only to bfl
fent unto the judges, without any mention to be mada
of the two laft, which particularize the a£t of tonnag^
and poundage. < ^ r "

NUMBE

rhV'

WEST INDIES.

NUMBER XXVU.

References to the judges about Jamaica,

199

APPEN-
DIX.

< ■ y^ ■ ^

I 'i"

CouHcil'cbambery T.'jth Jprili l68o.

Gentlemen,

kl having Vike-

confiderationof

>rred unto them

F fuch difficulty

kie judges: itisj

into the judges;,

tor General are

ley "saving firft

/ Jamaica have

)f England, but

tablifhed by his|

[r. Solicitor Ge-

rd ** domiiuon,"!

"l poundage, may

les and BerwcW

plantations-, and

I fmce the iflands

led in that aft

cions only to b

[on to be mad(

aft of tonnag<

I AM commanded by the right honourable the lords of
die privy-council appointed a committee of trade and fo-
reign plantations to ilgnify their defires, that you attend
his majefty*s judges with the queftions following :

ift. Whether from the paft and prefent ftate of Jamaica,
his majefty's fubjefls inhabiting and trading there have a
right to the laws of England, as Englifhmen, or by virtue
of the king's proclamation, or other wife ?

2d. Whether his majefty's fubje6ls of Jamaica, claim-
ing to be governed by the laws of England are not bound
is well by fuch laws as are beneficial to the king, by ap-
pointing taxes and fubfidies for the fupport of the govem-
Iment, as by other laws, which tend only to the benefit

d eafe of the fubjedl ?

Which queftions their lordfhips defire his majefty's

judges to confider and anfwer in writing, and to return

le opinions to the committee with convenient fpeed.

I am^ with refpe6^ Wf«

A '

hlM

^■l!'

UUMBE

NUMBER

I '' ) if'

«*-

300

BOOK

11.
\ . ^^, ,J

HISTORY OF THE

NUMBER XXVIII.

Order to the judges about the quejiion of Jamaica,

At the court at Whitehall, the a3d of June, 1680,

Present,

His

Prince Rupert«
Archbp. ot Canterbury,
Lord Chancellor,
Lord Prefident,
Lord Privy-Seal,
Duke of Albemarle,
Marquis of Worcefter,
Earl of Oflbry,
Lord Chamberlain,
Earl of Sunderland,
Earl of Clarendon,

Majefty,

Earl of Bath,

Lord Bifliop of London,

Mr. Hyde,

Mr. Finch.

Lord Chief Juftice North,

Mr. Coventry,

Mr. Secretary Jenkins,

Mr. Chancellor of the £x. I

chequer,
Mr. Goddphin.

Jama

LofdP

MR.
' Colonel
I dered hi
Jgiren to
had tak
ittend tl
Mant.

IT is this day ordered in council, that Mr. Attorney
and Mr. Solicitor General do attend his majefty's judges,!
and delire them to ailemble with all convenient fpeed, and,!
being aflembled, to confer with them concerning this quef-[
tion; v/z.

Whether, by his majefty's letter, proclamation, or com<
miifions, annexed, his maiefty hath excluded himfelf fromf/iiMAiCi
the power of eftabli£hing lav/s in Jamaica, it being a con-
quered country, and all laws fettled by authority therel
being now expired ?

And that, upon receiving the opinions of his majefty'si
judges, under their hands in writings they do report thej
fame to the lords of the privy-council appointed a com.
mittee for trade and foreign plantations.

Prince I

lord

Marquil

N U M B £

THE
ontainins
onfifting 1

ticking's

*l^..

WEST INDIES.

3o«

APPEN-
DIX.

Jamaica.

NUMBER XXIX.

ExtraSi of an trdir in i' ...cih

At the committee of trade and plantatioos, in
the council-chamber at Whitehall, the 7th of
September, 1680,

Present,
Lord Prefident, Marq. of Worcefter, Mr. Sec. Jenkins. '

MR. Secretary Jenkins acquaints die committee, that
I CcJonel Long, of Jamaica, had fome days before furren-
dered himfelf to him, upon a bond of ten thoufand pounds
^ren to the Earl of Carlifle to that purpofe ; and diat he
had taken his fecurity for the like fum, that he would
attend the firft council, on Friday next, being the lOth'
inftant.

IJamaica.

of his majefty'sj
ly do report thcl
jpointed a com-l

U M B E

NUMBER XXX.

Copy of an order in council, * ' '

At the committee of trade and plantations, in
the council-chamber at Whitehall,

Present,

Prince Rupert, Earl of Clarendon,

Lord Prefident, Earl of Bath,

Marquis of Worcefter, Mr. Secretary Jenkins. ,

THE Earl of Carlifle is called in, and delivers a paper
ontaining a charge againft Colonel Long, which is read,
onfifting chiefly in three points ; viz. That he had razed
he king's name out of the ad for raifing a public revenue ;

- . . that

•I

■^W%

$0*

HISTORY OF THE

£OOK that he had granted an habeas corpus, being judge, for a
II. perfon condemned by law ; and had oppofed the lettlement
of the country puriuant to the kine's orders.

And his lordihip declaring, that he had nothing more to
iay againft Colonel Lon^ than was contained in that paper,
only referving to himfelf the liberty of explaining what he
had therein mentioned, Colonel Long is called in^ and the

Eaper read to him; whereupon he poiitively denies that
e had done any thing to the bill without the directions of
the aflembly ; and that he believes the razure happened, in.
afmuch as the clerk of the ^mbly had tranfcribed the
bill pafTed in Sir Thomas Lynch's time, which was now
blotted out by the agreement of the governor, council, and
aflembly, and the words written in his hand were only ad.
ded to make up the fenfe, which otherwife would have been
wanting, which he did as fpeaker of that aflembly from
whom he had directions j which is confirmed by the let-
ters of Major Molefworth, Mr. Bernard, Mr. Afhuri^,
Mr. Burton, and of the clerk of the aflembly.

As to the granting an habeas corpus, he declares he d
not know the perfon was condemned ; and that it is ufual
for the judges to fign blank habeas coipus\ which die I
clerk gives out in courfe.

And that he never oppofed the king's orders, other-
wife than by exprefBng his opinion, that they were not j
for his majefty's fervice, nor the good of the country.

.^ih)^^^

['A^'jL

■•■, ..XIm

«t

NUMBE

ill

idge, for a
: tettlement

ling more to
1 that paper,
ling what he
1 inv and the
f denies that
directions of
happened, in-
anfcribed the
ich was now
, council, and
were only ad-
luld have been
affembly from
^ by the let-
'Mr. Afhurft,

>ly,
declares he did

that it isulual

uj's, which Ae I

Jamaica.

\q «tyffi«

N UMBE

WEST INDIES.

NUMBER XXXL

ExtraSi of an order in council.

At the committee of trade and plantations, in
the council-chamber at Whitehall, Tuefday
the 1 2th of October, i68o,

303

i ,1 APPEN-
DIX.

v.%

Prince Rupert,
Lord Prefident,
Lord Privy-Seal,
Marquis of Worccfter,
Earl of Sunderland,
Earl of Clarendon,

Present,

Earl cif Hali&x,
Vifcount Fauconberg,
Mr. Hyde,
Mr. Godolphin,
Mr. Secretary Jenkins,
Mr. Seymour.

THE Earl of Carlifle attending, acquaints die commit-
tee, that the a^ for raifmg a public revenue will expire in
March next, and that the government will be left under very
great neceflSties, in cafe the king do not give Sir Henry
Morgan leave to pafs a temporary bill, until the full fettle-
I ment of affairs (hall be agreed on, which is like to take up
I a confiderable time ; and therefore propofes that the order
I in council, dated \X\z 14th of January laft (which is read)
forbidding the governor to raife money by any other z&. or
I order whatfoever than by the bill tranfmitted by his majefty,
which the aflembty will not be willing to pafs until the go-
vernment be entirely fettled in fuch manner as may be
more agreeable to them than the Irifh model, be fufpended.
His lordihip proceeds to give an account of his tranfafSlions
[with the aflenibly to perfuade them to. pafs the revenue
Ibill, and reads the objedtions of the afTembly, and his an-
Ifwer to them ; where©f, and of the council-books, his lord-
llhip is defued to give i. tranfcript to the committee.

There having been two laws read w ch were entered
Ithereiii, the one made by Colonel D'Oylcy and the coun-
Itil, for raifing impofts on liquors, the other by Sir Charles
Lyttelton and his council, being a fupplemental adt to the
ibnner :

And his lordihip acquainting the committee, that, as for
licences of taverns he had fet them on foot before he paiTed
)ny bill of revenue :

1!|'

304

HI8T0RT OF TfiE

port of the government.

And the committee is appointed to meet again on this
buiineft on Thurfdiy, at nine o'clock in the mornin? ;
when Colonel Long} and the other aflembly-men lately
Come over, are fo attend.

Jamaica.

NUMBER XXXIL

At the committee of trade and plantations in
the council-chamber at Whitehall, Thurfiiay
the X4th of Oaober, 1680,

Prince Rupert^
Lord Prefident,
Lord Privy-Seal,
Marquis of Worcefter,
Earl of Clarendon,

P R B s B N T,

Earl of Eflest,
Earl of Halifiix,
Vifcount Fauconberj;,
Lord Chief Juftice North,
Mr. Secretary Jenkins.

THE Earl of Carlifle attends, and produces an entry In
the council-book of Jamaica, of a law pafled by Colonel I
D*Oyley and the council, for railing a public revenue,!
and of another paflfed by Sir Charles Lyttelton and tbel
council, being a fupplemental ai^ to the former, bothi
which are inde.^nite, and not determined by the commiffi*!
ons of Colonel D'Oyley or my Lord Windfor, whofedeJ
puty Sir Charles Lyttelton was. I

After which. Colonel Long and Mr. Afhurft are called!
in (the other gentlemen of Jamaica bein(r in the country)!
and being afked, Why they were not willing that a perpeT
tual bill of revenue (hould pafs in Jamaica ? they made anJ
-fwer, that they have no other way to make their aggrievJ
ances known to the king, to have them redrelTed, than b)[
the dependance of the governor upon the aflembly, whic
is preferved by pafling temporary bills of revenue;
that, a perpetual bill being pafled, all the ends of goveri
nicnt would be anfwereJ, and there would be no furth
need of calling afTemblics. To which my Lord of Carlill
. - ' , replie

rep

on J

and

quit

byo

nue

willii

may

Aips

two li

tchon

iMica

it is tl

^ firu

""isdi^

Upoj

Chief J

Mondai

ift. ^

during i

kud 15

by the Xi

majefty*j

jlusdivei

' d» fonni

2d. M

Ittyothei

jrepealed

JCharlcs 1

pey are r

Mm
tra
veil
nei

iiiljiWW'^it

WEST INDIES.

505

lordftilps,
perpetual
o the fup-

(in on this

morninRi

•men lately

tlantttions
all, Thurftay

replies, that^ notwithftanding any wEi for raifing an impoft APPEN-
on liquors (hould be pafled in that manner, yet the neceffities DIX.
and contingencies of the government are fuch as to re-
quire the frequent calling of aflemblies, for raifing money
by other means, and doing public Avorlcs, the prefent reve-
nue coming far ihort of the expence of the government.
Their lordfliips tell Colonel Longr, that, in cafe thev be
willing and pafs the aA of revenue indefinitely, the king
may be induced to fettle other perpetual laws, which they
(bail propofe as beneficial to them.

The gentlemen of Jamaica being withdrawn, their lord««
(hips enter upon a debate concerning a continuance of the
two laws made by Colonel D'Oyley and Sir Charles Lyt-
telton before mentioned, and btwfar the Enrli/h laws and
nutbcdt 0f gwtmnunt §ught to takt place in Jamaica % and
it is there alledredy ^ that the laws of England cannot be in
^ force in another country^ where the con/ittution of the place
« is different from that of England**

Upon the whole matter, the committee defire my Lord
Chief Juftice North tfo report his opinion in writing, oA .
Monday next, upon the queftion following } viz,

ift. Whether the king, by his proclamation publiihed
during my Lord Windfor's government, his nmejiy*s letter
iatsd X5fA offanuarjy 1672-3, or any other ad, appearing
by die laws ot England or any laws of Jamaica, or by his
Lices an entry iAHinajefty*s commiflions or innru£lions to his governors,,
^(A by Colonel! has divefted himfelf of the power ht formerly had to alter
Dublic revenu(,H die forms of government in Jamaica r
telton and thel 2d. Whether any a£t of the alTembly of Jamaica, or
e former, bodiB any other ad of his majcfly or his governors, have totally
„ the commiffi'Brepesded the ads made by Colonel D'Oyley and Sir
inidfor who(ede*ICbaHes Lyttelton for raifing a public revenue, or whether

■(he* arp nnw in fnrre ?

IX,

conberg,
uftice North,
y Jenkins.

iihurft arecallei
in the country)|
[ing that a perpe-
? they made an-
:e their aggrieV'
sdreffed, tbanb^
affcmbly, whi<
I of revenue-,
ends of govci
jldbe nofurtl
Lord of Car >'
repiK

[they are now in force ?

Memorandum^ HU majcAy beinz prefent, my Lord
Chief Juftice North was added to the committee.

Memorandum, Colonel Long having mentioned Tome
tranfadions of my Lord v aughan's during his go-
vernment, his lordihip is to be fummonra for the
next meeting.

Vol, h

NUMBSR

firiSTdRY OF THE

Jamaica.

>-;iv.

NUMBER XXXIir.

At the committee of trade and plantations^ in
the council-chamber at Whitehall, on Mon-
day the 1 8th of Od^ober, 168O, ,

Present,
Lord Prefident, Earl of Halifax,

Lord Privy-Seal, Lord Vifc. Fauconberg,

Lord Chamberlain, Lord Chief Juftice North,

Earl of Eflex, Mn Secretary Jenkins,

Earl of Clarendon, Mr. Seymour.

MY Lord Chief Juftice North having acquainted the
committee, that he had confidered of the two queftions
propofed by their lordfhips; and that, although fome fur-
ther time would be requifite for him to give in his anfwer,
yet, in refpeft of the hafte that was neceflary for fettling
the revenue, his lorddiip undertakes to return his anfwer
at the next meeting upon the fecond queftion ; wherein his
lordfhip is defired to take to his ^ftance fome other of his
majefty's judges ; viz.

Whether any aft of the affembly of Jamaica, or any aft
of his majefty or his governors, have totally repealed the
afts made by Colonel D'Oyley and Sir Charles Lyttelton,
for raifing a public revenuej or whether they are now ih
■force?

n-'m

NUMBEl

ntatiortSj in
1, on Mon-

Lcquaintcd the
two queftions
ugh fome fur-
. in his anfwer,
ary for fettling
urn his anfwet
)n i wherein his
me other of his

WE 1ST IHTDIES.

NU MB E R XXXIV.

-APPEN-
DIX.

Jamaica.

I .. * m A T

Attire cqmmittjee pf ti^de and plantations, in
' the council-chamber at Whitehall, on Wed-
nefday the 2oth oif Oaober, i68o»

Lord Prefidcfhfi-* j , i '\ Lord Chief Juftice Norths
Earl of Sunderknd,' ' '^ Lord Bifhop of Londo^^-t
Earl of Bridgwater, ' Mn Secretary Jenkins, ^^ ,
Earl of Elfcx, ''^^ ^^ Mr. Seymour. t

Earl of Halifax, «« jpmn^-wi "to itr3

MY Lord Ghief Juftice North having delivered his
opinibn iii wilting upon the qUeftion recommended to him
at the laft meetihg, Colonel 'Long, Mr. Beefton, Mr.
Afhurf^^ and other planters and merchants of Jamaica,
together with the Earl of Carlifie», are called in, and his
lordfhip's opinion is read to th<*m; whereby his lord(hip
concludes, that the a£fc of revenue made in 1^663,
by Sir Charles Lytitelton is yet*ih force, as being riot
repealed by any fubfequent acts, which were limited to
the term of two years by his majefty's commands. But
Colonel Lone objects, that there was a law made by Sir
Thomas Modyford, which declares all laws palled at Sir
Charles Lyttelton's aflemblies void, for want of due form
in the writs, and other particulars: whereupon they arc
bid to withdraw; arid whereas my Lord Chief '"J"^*^®
North was not prefent when tl/is objetftion was made, their
lordfhips think nt that he be acquainted therewith, and de-
fired to renew his opinion ; and the gentlemen of Jamaica
I are alfo dedred to be ready with the objeAions they have
to make to his lordfhip's report, »t the next meeting,
which is appointed for to-morrow at three in the after-
noon.

»tf«

NUMBER

I '.tm\\yi-

W:"fi'

hVJ

BOOK

BISfTOItY OF THZ

Jamaica.

NUMBER XXXV.

At the comoHttee of trade and piahtadons, ki
the council-^hatnber at Whitehall, Thurfday
. 2ift of Odpber> x68o,

PftESENT,

.f^■^:

Prince Rupert^
Xord Prefident,
Marquis of Worcefter,
Earl of Bridgwater,
Earl of Clarendon,

Vifc. Fauconberg,
Mr- Hyde,

Lord Chief juftice North,
Mr. Secretary Jenkins.;

lU :i

THE lords being met to confider the bufinefs of J»»
maica, order the proclamation publiflied in my lord Wind.
Tor's time to be read: and thereupon their,, lordfliips ex.
prefs their opinion, that hiji majeny did thereby iflfue and
fettle the property <^ the idbabitants, hut not the govtm-
meiii andfhrm : tnence thefe queftions did arife; vix,

I ft. Whether, upon the conflderation oi the commiifioa
and inftrudions to Colonel D'Oyley, and Sir Charles
Lyttelton, and i!tit anftitutim of the ijland thereupon^ the^
aas of omncil made oy Colonel D'Oyley and Sir Charles j
Lyttelton were perpetual laws, bindmg to the inhabitants i
of theifland?

2d. Whether, fuppoiing thofe laws good and perpetual,
any of the fubfequent laws, or the prpclan>ation in mv
Lord Windfor's time^ have taken away the jforce of thslc I
laws?

And becaufe the gentlemen of Jamaica made divers oh. I
je^ions againft the validity of thofe laws, as being made
\y the eoverttors and council without an afiembly, and I
againft t^e perpetuity of the^, as beinz repealed by fub-j
lequenc laws ; their Jordfiiips do thererore think it moitl
conducing to his majefty's fervice, that Colonel Long,!
Major Beefton, and Mr. Afliurft, do attend my Lord Chieff
Juftice North, in order to explain to his lordlhip what is|
chiefly expe^ed by them, whereby they may be induce
to fettle the revenue for the fupport of the government, td|
the end matters may be brought to an accommodation.

NUMBEl

\-/

ipif^.-li?f^

WE ST INDIES. *^

itiitXons ^
J Thurfday

2c North,

^inefs of Jah
lylordWiiwl-
lordlhips ex-
;^y iffuc and
ifft the govtrn-

rife ;*««•_
the commimoa
d Sir Charles
thtreupon^ the
ndSirCharleil
the inhabitants]

Id and perpetual,

(\ation ii
ke force of

3»^

APlPEN.
DIX

NUMBER XXXVL

Jamaica,

At the committee of trade and plantations, in the
council chamber at Whitehall, Wednefday the
27th of 0£lober, 1680,

}?11E9BNT,

Lord Privy-Seal, Earl of Bath, Mr. Chancellor of
Earl of Bridgwater, Earl of Halifax, the Exchequer,
Lord Chamberlain,

... f
MY Lord Chief jufticc North reports, that he lias
been attended by the gentlemen of Jamaica, who have
declared themfelves willing to grant the king a perpetual
bill for the payment of the governors, and another bill for
the payment of contingeacies to continue for feven years,
provided they may be reftored to their ancient form of
paffing lav/Sj u may be afiured of fuch of the laws of
England as •/ concern their liberty and property.
Their loi^^a^s take notice, that the revenue of Jamaica
wiH expire in March nex^ dire6l a letter to be prepared,
for the approbation of the council, empowering Sir Henry
Morgan to call an ailembly, and to endeavour the paiEng
i temporary bill, with their confent, for the revenue; and,
in cafe of dieir refufal, to raife the fame in fuch manner as

ation m in|f ■ j^^ ^een done by former governors.

,ade divers ob

as being made

,1 affeinbiy, aiji

^repealed by f"^'

- think It mo«

Colonel Lon&
d my Lord Chid

Memsrpjntltmt At the council on the inftant, %

fraught of the aforementioned letter was read.

And upon reading the petition of the planters, mer*

uits, and inhabitants of Jamaica, praying to be reftored

their ancient method of making laws, £e lords of th4

imniittee are ordered to meet de die in irVm, ^ntil they

. .... _ .all have agreed on fqph a method for the making of

lorolbip wha* l»ws, and the fettlement of the government, as they (hall

may be "^'**"^™fc<l moft convenient for hit majefty's fervice.

may
gove

rninent,t<i|
;ommodation.

NUMBER

Ztm

HISTORY OF THE

<' J-

I '

BOOK
II.

S- •

NUMBER XXXVIL

Jamaica.

At the committee of trade and plantations, in the
council-chamber at Whitehall, on Thurfday the
28th of Oftober, 1680,

Present,

Priiice Rupert,
Lord Privy-Seal,
Lord Chamberlaih,
Eari of Bridgwater,
Earl of Sunderiandj
£arl of Clarendon,
Karl of EiTex,

Earl of Hali^,
Vifcount Fauconberg,
Bilhop of London,
Mr. Hvde,

Lord Cfhief Juftice North,
Mr. Secretary Jenkins.

§" THEIR lordlhips having confidered that part of the
' letter from the council of Jamaica, dated 20th May laft,
that; concerns the laws, and haying read the petition of the
merchants and planters of Jamaica, prefented in council
on the as alfo a paper prepared by Mr. Blackwayt,

concerning the manner of making laws in Jamaica, their
lordfhips, upon full confideration and debate of what may
beft conduce to his majefty's fervice, agree, that theprefent
method of making laws in Barbadoesy as fettled hy the commif'
fion of Sir Richard Duttony be prdp^jkaunto his majejiy in
council: and that powers be drawn up for the Earl cf
Carlifle, with inftruflions fuitable to that fcheme; and
with refpcdl to the prefent circumftances of Jamaica, and
that the aflembly may be the more eafily induced to grant
a revenue for the fupport of the government, their lord-
ihips are of opinion, that his majsfty^s quit-rents, and the
tax on the wine-licences, as well a^ all other levies which
now are or (hall be made, be appropriated to the fupport of j
the government, and to no other ufp whatfoever.

Chpy

tm -?«;

NUMBER

IWHE

lefirft ,

r ^vinj

WEST INDIE jl.

mberg,
don>

iftice "North,
Jenkins.

at part of the

iOth May lait,
petition of the

ted in council
_r. Blackwayt,
Tamaica, their

te of what may
ihatthtpreM
>d hy the commij-
his majeh "'
tor the Earl c
it fchemej and
Lf Jamaica, and
Uduced to crant
ent, their lorj-
•rents, andthc
ler levies wmch,
:othcfupportof|

foeveri

NUMBER XXXVIII.

Extra£i of an ordtr in councii
Jamaica.

At the rcmmittee of trade and plantations, in the
counciUchamber at Whitehall, on Saturday the
30th of O^ober, j68o,

Present,

Prince Rupert, Earl of Clarendon^

Duke of Albemarle, Earl of Eflex,

Lord Chamberlain, V ifcount Fauconberg,

Earl of Bridgwater, Earl of Halifax,

I Earl of Sunc^rland, Mr. Secretary Jenkins.

COLONEL Long and the other gentlemen of Jamaica
I attend, and are acquainted with the reiblutions of the conif
mittee to report to his majefty, that they may enjoy thst
jiune method of making laws as is now appointed for
iBarbadoes; with which the gentlemen exprefs thcmfelves
Ivery wellfatisfied.

311

APPEN.
DIX.

NUMBER XXXIX.

Vfj-

NyMBERj

Cfipy cf powers to the Earl of CarUJlefor making favfs,

Charles the Second, by the grace of GoJ, king of
England, Scotland, France, and Ireland, Defender
of the Faith, &c.

To our right trufty and right well-beloved couH^
Charles Earl of Carlifle, our captain-general
and governor in chief in and over our ifland of
Jamaica, and other the territories depending
thereon; and to our deputy-governor and com-
mander in chief of our laid ifland ; and, in cafe
of their death or abfence, to pur council of
Jamaica,

WHEREAS, by our royal commiiHon bearing date
he firft of March, in the thirtieth year of our reign,
pe having thought 6t to conftitute and appoint you,

Charles

31*

H I STO R y OF THE

■ j-P ,'',■

ymm-nx '':

r''

II'S:

sj'^a;:. ■ .^!

BOO K Charles Earl of Carlifle, captain-general and governor in
IL chief in and pver pur ifland of Jamaica, and the territories

«" 4^v""*' 'depending thereon, thereby commanding and requiring
you, or in your abfence our deputy-governor, or our
council, to do and execute all things belonging to the faid
command, and the truft repofed in you, according to the
feveral powers or diredions granted or appointed you by
Jie (aid commiflion and the mftrud^ons therewith given
you, or by furdier powers and i|iftru£lions to be granted
or appointed you under our fignet and fign manual as by

our (aid commiifion (reference being thereunto had) doti)

more at large appear : and whereas it is neceflary that good

and wholefome laws and ordinances be fettled and eftaUidi.

ed for the government 'anH fupport of our ifland of Jamaia :

we do herroy eive and grant unto you full power and au«

thority, with the advice and con(ent of the faid council,

from time to time, as need ihall require, to fuduifion or call

general aflemblies of the freeholders and planters within

the (aid ifland, in manner and form as is now pif'adifed in

Jamaica, And our will and pleafqr^ is, that (he perfons

thereupon duly defied by the major part'of the frediolder^

of the refp<i^ive pari(hes and places, and fo returned (hav*

' ing, before their (itting, taken the oaths of allegiance and

fupremacy, which you fliall commiffionate fit perfons, un-

/ der the public feal of that ifland, ^o adminift^r, and>\vithout

taking which none (hall be capable of fitting, though ckSt-

ed) mall be called and held the general aiTembly of ourj

ifland of Jamaica ; and that they, or the major part

them, (hall have full power and authority, with the advii

and confent of yourfelf and of the council, to make, conJ

ilitute, and ordain laws, ftatutes, and ordinances, for the!

public peace, wel^re, and good government of the fai(

ifland, and of the people and inhabitants thereof, and fuel

other as (hall refort thereto, and for the benefit of ourheii

and fucce(rors } which faid laws, ftatutes, and ordinance:

are to be (as near as conveniendy niaiy be) agreeable to thi

laws and ftatutes of oi^r kingdom of England : provided

that all fuch laws, (latutes, and ordinances, of what naturi

or duration what(bever, be, widiin thriee months, orbythi

firft conveyance after the making the fame, tranfmitted uni

us under the public feal, (or our allowance and approbatic

of them, as alfo duplicates thereof by the next conveyance

and in cafe all or any of them (being not before confirmei

by us) (hall at any time be diialiowed and not approved, ani

W i: i T T N D I E S.

(o fignified by us, our heirs or fucceflbrs, unoer our or APPEN-
their fign manual or Hgnet, or by order of our or their DIX.
privy-council, unto you, the faid Earl of Carlifle, or to the '
commander in chief of our faid ifland for the time being,
then fuch or (o many of them as fliall be fo difallowed and
not approved (hall from thenceforth ceafe, determine, and
be utterly void and of none effed, any thing to the con-
trary thereof notwithftanding. And, to the end nothing
may be pafTed or done in our faid ifland by the faid council
or aflembly to the prejudice of us, our heirs or fucceflbrs,
we will and ordain that you, the faid Charles Earl of Car-
lifle, fliall have and enjoy a negative voice in the making or
paffing of all laws, ftatutes, and ordinances, as aforefaiu -
I and that you fhall and may lilcewife, from time to time, at
you fliall judge it neceflary, diflfolve all general aflTemblies,
asaforefaid; any thing in our commiflion bearing date as
Uorefaid to the contrary hereof notwithftanding. And our
I will and pleafure is, that, in cafe of your death or abfence
ifrom our faid ifland, our deputy-governor for the time bc-
ling exercife and enjoy all and angular the powers and au-
Itiiorities hereby granted unto you, or intended to begrant-
jtd you. the faid Charles Earl of Carlifle ; and in cafe he
|likewife happens to die, or be abfent from our faid ifland*
vt do hereby authorize and empower our council of Ja«
uca to execute the powers hereby ^iven you, until we
declare our further pleafure therein.

Givfn at our court at fFhitehali^ this %dday ofNo*
vernier^ in the thirty-fecondy*ar »f our retgn.

• '* ^ ■ - - ■ ■■

I M

J.J

!^.ii^

'j^uo ryti-

4 i

r '

KmCT

\tary\

m.
mrel

pofel

[ 315 ]

VHl

HISTORY.

Civile AND COMMEkCUL,

Of TKK

iBritifli Colonies in the Wqft Ii^^es,

lv/'"i...

BOOK IIL

ENGLISH CHARAIBf AN ISLANDS*

CHAP. r. ' .

B A R B A D O E S.

M Arrival of the EngUJh at this Ijhnd, — OrU
|]f/», progrefi, and termination of the. Froprie-
vary Government*-'— ^Revenue granted to the
|Cr(W» of /^iper centum on all Produce exported
'how obtained, '-^Origin of the AS of Naviga- * :
fion.-^ituation and extent of the Jfland.'—Soil
tnd Produce,--^Population. — Decline, and Caufes
mreof-^Exports arid Imports*

HE Ifland of3arbadoes, of which I now CHAP.
pofe to treat, was probably firft difcovcred I-
[the Portuguefe in, their voyages from Braiil ;

and

31*

^i»i'V.'

.'■PfV'.";^

HISTORY OFTHE

K and from them it received the name which it ftill BTrca
retains^. It was found without occupants orlj"'^
claimants. The Charaibes, for reafons altogether ■''i'^ ^

Coi
id I

G .4 ■;

unknown to us, had deferted it, and the rortu.
guefe, fatisfied with the fplendid regions they
had acquired on the Continent, feem to have
confidered it as of little value. Having furnifh
cd it with a breed of fwine for the benefit ofl
fuch of their countrymen as might navigate the|
fsme track, they left the idand in all other re<
jjpeAs as they found it. ^

Of the Euglifh, the firft who are known ti
lave landed in this ifland, were the crew of
ihip called the OJive Blojfonii bound from Lob
don to Surinam, in 1605, and fitted out at theex
pence of Sir Olive Leigh, whom Purchas ftil
• 2 worfhipful knight of Kent.* Finding it wit!
out inhabitants, they took poffeflicm of the coui
try, by fixing op a crofs on the fpot where Tawft
Jewjk was afterwards built, with this infcriptioi
•* James King of England and this ifland ;" bi
ihcy began no fettlement, nor made any co:
derable ftay in a country entirely uninhabiti
and overgrown with woods; yet it furnifhi
ihem with frelh provifions. They found pij
pigeons, and parrots, and the fca abounded wi
filh.

Some years after this, si fliip of Sir Willi
Conrteen's, a merchant of London, returnii
from Brafil, was driven by ftrefs of weather i
to this ifland, and finding refrefliments on
the mafter and feamen, on their arrival in Ei
land, made io favourable a report of the beau
and fertility of the country, that Lord Ley fi
lerwards Earl of Marlborough, and Lord HiJ^ent

TreafurB|«'(as
j'cularl
It U laid not to have Wen noticed In an/ fea-clnrt ffie Ear.
fore the jrear 1(00. Bag thai

hi,,

WEST INDIES.

3»7

i.-^i,wft;iiBT>**f°'*') immediately obtained from KingCHAP.

' ant» orli*"^ *^* ^""^ * ^^*"' °^ ^^*^ ^^^^""^ ^^ ^'"^^^^* *•
'^^?toffCtherB*'^^ ^** ^^^" ^'^ perpetuity.
\ \\ Partu.B Courtcen himrelf was a man of extenfivie views
^ . ^ thevt^ ri^gnificeiit projefts. He immediately he-
^^to hiic-Bp (probably under the patronage of Marlbo-
^"^ lugn) to form ideas of eftablilhing a colony La

diftant but promifing territory. Having en*
id about thuty perfons, who undertook to
:le in the iiland, and fnrnilhed them witk
Is, proviiions and necefiaries of all kinds for
ilanting and fortifying the iiland^ he appoint-
William Deane their governor, und fent theaa
py in a ftiip called the WUl'mm and Johtiy com-
indcd by John Powell. I'hey arrived iafc
the latter end of the year 1624, and laid the
nidations of a town, which, in honour of the
ivereign, they denominated Jam e s-To w n ; ani
began the firit Englifh fettlement in the
idof Barbadoes.

For fonie time previous to this, it had become
ionable for men of high rank and diAindion
engage in fea adventures, proclaiming them-
Ives the patrons of colonization and foreign
rce. In the lifts of thofe who cooiribut-
to the Britifti fettlements in Virginia, Ne\r
igknd, the Bermuda Iflands, and other places
the New World, may be found the names of
y of the firft nobility and gentry of the
doHL Among others who diftmguifhed
(elves in fuch putfuits, at the time that Bar-
Iocs was thus planted by a private merchant,
James Hay, Earl of Carlifle. This noble-
was at tHat jundlure engaged in the efta-
ent of a colony in the iiland of St. Chril'-
TreafuiB" (as we ftiall hereafter have occalion more
■icularly to relate) and, either not knowing
yfea-cha^ff^ Earl of Marlborough's patent, or con-
xn a»7 B^g ^^^ jj^ interfered with his own preten-

fions.

iring furniih
c benefit of
navigate ihej
all other re-

.^
re known n
he crew of
ad froml/)B
[ out at then.
Purchas
indingitvfii'
^ of the com]
t where 'Jam
his infcriptio!
is iiland ;" bi
lade any coi
ly uninhabiti
IX it furniihi
ley found pij
abounded vi'

ofSifWillia
|don, returns

of weatherij
iftiments^ on

arrival in Bn
of thebeai'i

,t Lord LeyJ
and Lord Hi(

? ^'mp-'Trf

318

HISTORY OF THE

.^■*-

■i-'v^^i

; ■' W

,i-

]■

BOOK fions*, he applied for and obtained, inthefiift|
IIL year of Charles I. a warrant for a grant, by !«.
ters patent under the great feal of EngUndJ
of all the Charaibean Iflands, including alio

J tries,
J band
the I

i£ngla

Barbadoes ; but when the grant came to be ac Jthe i
tually pafled, the Earl of Marlborough oppoi:^" "
cd it, on the ground of priority of right. TW
difpute between thcfe noble lords continued foj
a confiderable time; at length the contending
parties thought it prudent to compromife th]
matter, and, on the Earl of Carlifie's undertak
ing to pay the annual fum of £.300 to the Ea^
of Marlborough and his heirs lor ever, Marll
rough waved his patent, and, in confequencei
this arrangement, on the. 2d of June 1627, tl|
Earl of Carlifle's patent pafTed the great feal, wl|
thereupon became fole proprietor f.

Durii

* It is faid that Ke had obtained from James I. a gni
«r yrarrant for a grant, under the ff^^t feal, of all the CI
raibean Iflands, whichthe kin? ereaed into a province by
^ame of Cartiola^ on the modelof the palatinate of Durhii\

t Among other claufes in this grant are the foUowii
•* Further know ye, that we, for us our heirs and fuccefllj
liave authorized and appointed the faid Jamtt Earl of d
and his heirs (of whole fidelity, prudence, iuftice, and
dom, we have great confidence) for the good and happ^Bf'o'n of
vernment of the faid province, whether for the public f^l"*i our i
rity of the faid province or the private utility of ever/ ii^'"« that tJ
to make, ere<fl, and fet forth, and under his or their fiW*''6'7fubJ
to publifh, fuch laws as he the faid Earl of Carlifit oS'^'k or xi
Iteirs, iv'tth the confentf qffenty and approbation of tie fru'i^^^ <»fief
I'Uants of the faid province^ or the greater part of them ^ /if/rW°'""heir|
to be called f and in fuch form as he or they in his or theirf '^ ^g/i
cretion ihall think fit and beft. And thefe laws muft all
for the time being, that do live within the limits oti
faid province, obferve; whether they be bound to f^
irom thence returning to England^ or a>ny other our 1
nions, or any other place appointed, upon fuch impofi
penalties, imprifonment, or reftraint that it behoveth, aij
<iuality of the oifence requireth, either upon the boa
death itfelf, to be Executed by the faid ^awwEarl of Ci
and by his heirs, or by his or their deputy, judges, ]u

Kbd
and to
«; and]
all th^
*"n, aiid
wAetiier

"°". vexal
'»", anyl
"otwithit/

in l^c fiift
it\t, by lei

WEST IKDI&S.

319

During this conteft about the difpofal of conn» CHAP.
tries, moft of which were at that time in the ^'
t' i-ngli^^iB^'^^* ®^ ^^^^ proper owners, the Charaibes ; '
lud\ng alloBtbe man, who alone had the merit of annexing
e to be aclthe plantation of Barbadbe^ to the crown of
u«b oppofllngland feems to have been fhamefully negledl-
rkbt. ThKi. The Eairl of Marlborough, having fecured

lontinucd foi
g coniend'ra
npromife t\il
e's underta'
lo to the Eai
ever, Mar\i
;oiifequeiice(

ui\e i6zi, ij
great fea\,wll

James

f/f ofl

live limits 4

bound w W

other OUT!

,pon fucH irnpo^

iin
Ibe

any

ijiftrates, officers, and minifters, according to the tenor
idtrae meaning of thefe prefents, in what caufefoever, and
Udifttch powerastohim thefaid garnet ^zrl of Cariyitf or
'ihelr, ihallfeein beft; and to difpofe of offences or riota
arfoever, either by fea or land, i^heihcr before judgment re-
or after remitted, freed, pardoned, ar forgiven ; and
kdoindto perform all and every thing and things, which.
idiefulfiUingof juftice, courts or manner of proceeding in '
tribunal, may or doth belong or appertain, aUhough
ipief} mention of them in thefe prefents be not made, yet w»
! granted fixll power by virtue of thefe prefents therein ta
Ude-, which laws fo abfolutely proclaimed, and byftrength
[ti^t fupported as they are granted, we ^vill, enjoin, charge,
I command all and every fuojeft and liege people of us, our
trtandfucceflbrs, fofar as them they do concern, inviolably
[letp and obferve, under the pains therein expreffed; fo aa
litnftanding the aforefaid laws be agreeable and not repug*
ktunto reafon, nor againft it; but as convenient and agree-
le as may be to the laws, ftatutes, cuiloms, and rights of our
Worn of England," — ** We will alfo, of our princely grace,
lus, our heirs and fucceflbrs, ftraightly charge, make, and
in, that the faid province be of our allegiance, and that all
jererjfubjeft and liege people of us, our heirs and fucceflfors,
ight or to be brought, and iKcrir children, whether there
or afterwards to be born, become nadves and fubjedls
our heirs and fuccelTors, and be as free as they that were
in England i and fo their inh'.:ritance within our king-
of England^ or other our dominions, to feek, receive,
hold, buy, and pofTefs, and ufe and enjoy them at his
and to give, ieli, alter, and bequeath them at their
re; and alfo freely, quietly, and peaceably to have and
all the liberties, franchifes, and privileges of this
lorn, ahd them to ufe and enjoy as liege people of Eng»
whether born, or to be born, without impediment, mo-
ion, vexation, injury, or trouble of us our heirs and
fors, any ftatute, a(^, ordinance^^ or piovi^fo, to the con-

nv»S™

Inotwithilandinj;.'

■u , ■-

m.ii^:'

^■:.:

««•

Hl^STORY OF THE

BOOK to himCelf and his pofterity, the gratification I
III. have mentioned, deferted him; and the Lord
Carlifle, having done him premeditated injury,
, became his irreconcileible enemy. Courteen,
however, found a friend in William Earl o
Pembroke, who r^prefented his cafe in fuch i
light to the King, as to obtain a revocation o:
Carlifle's patent, and a grant to himfelf in tru:
for Courteen.

But the hopes of this worthy citizen were ol
fhort continuance. The Earl of Carlifle was, ai
that juncture, abfent from the kingdom, a cir^
cumllance which gave fome colour to his chargi
of injuftice and precipitancy in the proceed!
On his return to England, he complained that
had been condemned and deprived of his propei
ty unheard; and the monarch on the throm
who feems, through the whole of his unforti
nate reign, rather to have wanted refolution
purfue the right path, than fagacity to difcei
it, trod back his ground a fecond time ; for, ui
able to refift the clamorous importunity of
worthlefs favourite, he adtually annulled t
grant to the Earl of Pembroke, and, by fecoi
letters patent to the Earl of Carlifle, again refti
ed to him the privileges of which he had hii
felf, a ihort time before, deprived him.
. Thus by an a£i of power, which its repugna
cy and abfurdity alone, rendered illegal, tl
Earl of Carlifle again found himfelf lord paS^is da
mount of Barbadoes; and in order completeiylpaf^j^
ruin all the interefls in the colony of his coniAf f^^
titor, he proceeded to diflribute the lands ■^oi. j
fuch perfons as chofe to receive grants at
hands on the terms propofed to them. A foiSond For:
ty of London merchants * accepted ten thou vj«*, and

,'^oniprizj

aci

. * The names of thofe merchants -were Marmaduke 6|
4on, William Perkin, Alexander Banifter, Robert Whe

... Ed

■".?'%

VOT ^^,

idir

WEST INDIE S:

tiftcaiionl
, the Lord

ted imh
CoMrteen,

am ^arl

acres, on conditions which promifed great ad-
vantage to the proprietor; but they were allowed
the liberty of fending ott a perfon to prefide
over their concerns in the colony, and they made
choice for this purpofe of Charles Woolferftone,
g \Xi fuch al who repaired to the ifland, accompanied with
evocation oiBfixty-fourperfons, each of whom was authorized
ifelf '^ tTuWtotake up loo acres of land.

Thefe people landed on the 5th of July, i6z8,

at which time Courteen's fettlement was in a very

promiiing condition ; but Woolferftone declared

|it an incroachment and ufurpation, and, being

pported by the arrival of Sir William Tufton,

ho was fent out as chief governor by Lord

rlifle, in 1620, with a force fufficient for the

intenance of his preteniions, he compelled

e friends of Courteen to fubmit ; and the in-

refts of the latter were thenceforth fwallowed

and forgotten *,

The fads which I have thus recited have been

ted fo often by others, that an apology might

neceffary for their infertion in this work, were

not, tLat by comparing one account with ano-

ler, I have oeen enabled to correal fome impor-

int errors in each. And the claim of the Earl

Ciirlifle having originally introduced and

ablilhed the very heavy internal impofition

their grofs produce, to which the planters of

k and fome of the neighbouring iflands, are

felf *lo^^ paBthis day liable; I have thought it neceffary to

Q^pletelyB particular and minute, in tracing the claim

^ of his cofliMlf from the beginning. In what manner it

L the lands WoL. I. Y produced

,_ grants a^l ,

7^ ° ^ {oiBond Forfter, Robert S win nerton, Henry Wheatly, John
tneni. . ^{Mrfes, and John Farringdon.

itedtentn J^ln this year, Sir William Tufton gave 140 grants of
**"» comprizing in the whole 15,872 acres, and on the 23d
, V- gB^^ruary* 1630, he paffed divers laws, and amon^ others
^atmaduK Wor j^viJing ji^g i^aod into fix parilhes.

Lcity
time *,

izen v?«e
irlifle was, ai
icrdotn, a cir
to his chatgi
le proceedii
.lained that
, of his propel
>n the thioii«
jf bis nntoiti
a refolntion
to difcc
for, \ii
^portunityof
if annnlled tl
aud,hyfccji
fte, again leU
ch he had hii
Idhiro
ch its repugni
[red iiiegaV

CHAP.
I.

i."fi

4% '

52*

HISTORY or THE

BOOK produced the burthen in queftion, and how Bar.
III. badoes reverted from a proprietary to a royal I
government, I fhall now proceed to relate. [
The adminillration of Sir William TuftonJ
the firft governor appointed by Lord CarlifieJ
proving difagreeable to his lordfhip. Captain!
Henry Hawley was fent over in 163 1 to fuperj
fede him. Tufton refenting this meafure, pro]
. cured the fignktures of fome of the planters tq
a petition complaining of Hawley's condui
; Hawley conftrued this petition into an aft oj
mutiny on the part of Tufton, for which he had
, him tried and condemned by a court-maniaj
.and with very little ceremony caufed him tol
ftiot to death ; a proceeding univerfally exclain
ed againft as a mofl horrid and attrocious muij
der. Hawley, however, though recalled on thj
account, not only cfcaped punilhment througj
the intereft of his noble patron, but wasfw
afterwards fent back again as chief govemoj
in which capacity he remained till 1638, wm
he was driven from the country by the unit^
voice of all the inhabitants; who however pq
mitted his brother William Hawley to ad
commander in chief until a governor ihoul(l|
nominated at home. He was fucceeded by i
jor Hunckes, who, leaving the ifland in 16^
appointed Philip Bell, Efquire, his deputy,
Bell, in 1645, was appointed chief governor!

* During the adminldration of this gentleman, manyl
liUaTjr laws were pafied; among others the following: I

ift. " j4u all for the continuance and obfervation of|
adls and ftatutes not repealed/' which Aft recites thatt
were divers and fundry good and wholefome laws, ftati
and ordinances provided, enabled, and made, aiHgned,!
agreed upon, by and with the afTent, confent, and appi
tion of the governor, council, and freeholders out oUI
pariih of the ifland, intituled Ji Gemral JJfembly for iha\

4/ ^ ^

WEST INDIES.

32%

d how Bar
to a royal
relate,
ani Tufton,'
ord CarlifteJ
lip, Captain!
,31 to fupei.
neaiurej pro
^e planters K
;y's condiK
ito an aft 01
whicl»liek(

court-ffi*'^^^'
fed Hro ^o"
jrfaUx exclaii
attrocious m
recalled on tW
hment tlirouj
wasu

But the condudl of Hawley, thus violent and CHAP,
bloody, and the fupport which he received from I.
the proprietor, had alienated the minds of the'
new fettlers from power thus delegated and abut
ed; and the proprietor's authority loft ground
every day. In the mean time, the civil war in
England caufed many people, of peaceable tem-
pers and difpofitipns, to take refuge in this ifland;
and the confequent ruin of the King's affairs in.
duced a ftill greater number, many of wluim had
been officers of rank in his fervice, to follow their
, example. The emigration from the mother coun-
try to this ifland was indeed fo great during the
I commotions in England, that in 1650 it was com-*
Iputed there were 20,000 white men inBarbadoes>
[half of them able to bear arms, and furnifhing

Y 2 even

tfe tk9edt made^ and chofen. And it is thereby enaAed, that

loneof thofe laws fhall be altered, or an/ thing added to

lem, without the confent of a like General Jljfembly. And

t ever/ parifh ihould have ty/o reprefentatives at leaft, to

elected by the freeholders.

id. " An addition to an Aft intitled, " An A61 for fettling
le eftates and titles of the inhabitants of this ifland to their
ifieffions in their feveral plantations Avithin the fame :" it is
[(rein recited, that in a claufe in the firft adt it is ordained,
at all the inhabitants of this ifland, that were in quiet pof-
lion of any lands or tenements by virtue of any warrant from
ly former governor, or by conveyance or other adl in law,
jmihem who had the fame warrant, fliouldhave, hold, and
;hief gO^^''^ ^joy the fame, as their free ejla.e : and, as fome fcruples had
ice arifen, whether an eftate for life or inheritance might
conftrued from the fame, for want of the words their heirs ;
cntlema^' maniHthe intent the fame might be more fully explained, and all
1 he following- ■putes of that kind for the future aboliflied, it is enafted,
1 1 Q\jfervatioT\ oiBt by the words as their free efiates, was meant, the whole
[Aft recites that tlB/fa« J ifl/&^r«/a«ttf of the refpedive plantations within this
Llefome laW» ^^"■"'l. fo that by fuch poifeflion in manner as by the faid adl
R made, aiTign^Btpreffed, the faid inhabitants are thereby adjudged and
f f-gjjt * and apP^Wared to have and to hold their lands of right to them, to
I holders out of «Bofe of or alienate, or otherwife to defcend, or be coafirm-
^//efflt/j fo*' *''"'' B" ^^^ heirs for ever.'

1, but

chief govemoi

till 1638, y^}

^y the uniii

10 however?'

awley to aa

pernor (hould

cceeded by

iiland in w

his deputy

HISTORY OF THE

:>r"v;

t ^

BOOK even a regiment of horfe to the number of one

in. ttpufand.
Vmr^j*' « Thefe adventurers," fays Lord Clarendon,
planted without any body's leave, and witjiout
being oppofed or contradided by any body.'^
The cafe feems to have been, that the governor
for the time bemg granted lands to all who ap.
plied, ov receiving a gratuity for himfelf j and
the claim of the proprietor, whether difputed in
, the iflr d, or difregarde^ amidft the confufiqns at
home, was at length tacitly and filently relin.
quifhed.*

The colony, left to its own efforts, and enjoy,
ing an unlimited freedom of trade, flourifhed be-
yond example. In the year 1646, however, the j
then Earl of Carlifle, who wasfon and heir of the
patentee, ftimulated by the renown of its wealth!
and profperity, began to revive his claims as he-f
reditary proprieto^r; and, entering into a treaty
with Lord Willoughby of Parham, conveyed to
that nobleman all his rights by leafe for twenty-l
one years, on condition of receiving one half thj _
profits in the mean time ; but juftlv apprehendBno objc
ing that the refident planters mignt difpute hiBliabitan^
pretenfions, he very readily concurred with Lorij
Willoughby in foliciting a con:miflion for thelaJ
ter, as chief governor, under the fanclionofre
gal authorityf .

This, though an abfolute derelidlon of thj
proprietaryfhip, was alked and obtained; an|
the Lord Willoughby, thus commiflioned, en
h> :• :-,::: barko

* Lord Carlifle had originally flipulated for an annualtj
bute of forty pounds of cotton wool from each perfon whoM
lands under his grant.

t When this application was made, the King was ini,
hands of the parliament; the comniiiFion therefore, with!
Majefty's privity and approbation, waj figucd by the Pi;
flf Wales, at that time in Holland.

WEST INtilES.

: of one

arendon,
t without
y body."
governor
L wKo ap-
nfelf-, and
lifpnted m
)i\f»iiions at
;iitly re\*m-

and enjoy-
onriftied be-
kowever, ik
Ldheiroftk
of its wealtli
claims as k-
; into a treaty]
[ conveyed
for twenty

325

Lg one

haUth

pprebend-

dispute

ed witV> ion
ion ibr the\at|
{an6iion of

luaion

o{ t\

hmi

obtained; m
ffioned, er

bavki

TVT\ua\tl

t;d for a^-i a
h pfctib

tac

ke King was !>;

ijRcd by

p„ w

barked for his government ; and, in confiderati- CHAP,
on of the royal appointment, was received by the
inhabitants, who were warmly attached to the
King's intereft, with refpecl and obedience. It
leeais probable, that, at his firft coming, he faid
nothing of his leafe from Carlifle ; trufting rather
to future management for the re-eftablidnnent of
that lord's pretenfrons, than to an open avowal
of them on his arrival. ^ We are told, however,
by Clarendon, that he obtained from the plan-
ters a promife of a contribution to the proprie-
tor; but before it was carried into efte6l, the re-
igal authority was abolifhed in England, and Bar-
badoes reduced to the obedience of the new re-
public, by whom another governor was appointed.
On the reftoration of Charles II. and the re-
Icilablifhrnent of the royal authority over all the
Briiifli dominions*, Lord Willoughby, who
liad eight or nine years of his leale unexpired,
applied to the King for leave to return to his
government of Barbadoes. To this application
jno objeftion would have been made by tlie in-
labitants, if his lordlhip had confidered himfelf
lerely as reprefentative of the crown ; but his
coiiiie6^ion and contra6t with the Earl of Carlifle,
Krebythis time fufficiently underftood by the
planters, who faw with aftonilhment that they
fere regarded by ihofe great lords as mere te-
nants at will of their poffeflions. They Iblicited
lerefore the King's fupport and prote^iion.
They pleaded," fays Clarendon, " that they

were

I* On the 1 8th of February, 1661, his Majefty honoured
Wn gentlemen of Barbadoes with the dignity of baronet-
K, in confideration of their loyahy and fufterings during
I civil war : They were, Sir John Colleton, Sir James Mo-
jbrd, Sir James Drax, Sir Robert Davers, Sir Robert Hack*
I Sir John Yeamans, Sir Timothy Thornhill, Sir John
pam, Sir Robert Legard, Sir John Worfum, Sir Johiji
Iwdon, Sir Edw/n Stede, Sir Willoughby Chamberlayne.

\lo^

itK
thePi".^

3*6

HISTORY OF THE

' ■ Wi

BOOK were the King's fubjefls; that they had repaired
in. to Barbadoes as to a defolate place, and had by
their indnftry obtained a livelihood there, when
they could not with a good confcience ftay in
England ; that if they fhould now be left to thofe
lords to ranlom themfelves and compound for
their eftates, they inuft leave the country, and
the plantation be deftroyed, which yielded hir,
Majefty fo great a revenue." Rcfpedling the
charter granted to theEarl of GaiilV:, th^yin.
filled pofitively that it was void in law; and the/
made two bumble ])ropoiitions to the King,
cither that his Majel^y would give them leave to
inftitute in his namcv but. at their owi co'i, a
procefs in the Exchequer for trying the validity Hendea^
of tlie earl's patent ; or that he would It;., .e t hofe ■ fettle f
v/ho claimed under it (for the fecond Earl ofBances
Cariifle dying in the interim, had bequeathedH'*'^ ^^

; ^

f ^1

¥'.

pr(

his
"a
not

" w

dept

wou

i/Ian(

iafiil.

made

fort!

and t]

for tl;

^ ,

hb. lights in the Weft Indies to the Earl o:
Kinnoul) to their legal remedy, abfolutely de
nying that either the late or former Lord Carlilli
had fuftaiued the fmalleft expence in fettling thi
colony.

Inftead of confenting to either of thofe mo;
xeafonable propofitions, the King ordered enqui
ry to be made into the feveral allegations anii
claims of the parties concerned, by a committefcewife
of the privy-council ; before whom fome of thBeaun
planters being heard, one of them, in ordeBomproj
more readily to induce the King to take the fov«BeLoi'd|
reigaty of *^he ifland into his own hands, ofierecfceivin^
in the name of the inhabitants, to confent, imk du
that cafe, to lay an impofition of fo much in twired
hundred on the produce of their eftates, oiBattime
of which his Majefty's governor might be hiBbyth
nourably fupported, and the .King difpofe of tBTo iati,
overplus as he ihould think fit. To a monaJperpet
of Charles's difpofition, this Was too temptingj difficu|

propofiti#ve bee

ii^^i

WEST INDIES.

347

[ repaired
id bad by
ere, wbea
ce ftav in
jft to tnofe
pound for
untry. and
yieldt:d bio
reding t\ie.

wj'andibey
> tbe King,
icm leave to
owa C0'\, a
r r.be valiiuy
i(ilfeav^etbofe

propofition to be refifted. We arc informed that CHAP*
his Majefty received the offer very gracioujly; ^*
" and the next care of the committee," adds thc^

noble hiftorian, who was himfelf of that body,
" was to make fome computation, that might be
depended upon, as td the yearly revenue, that
would arife upon the impofition witliin the
ifland." But the planters, when called up the
next day to give fatisfadlion in this particular,
infifted that Mr. Kendall, the perlbn who had
I made the oiFer, had no autho'-ity to undertake
them, or the inhabitants within the illand;
land the utmoft they could be brought to promife
for themielves was, that they would ule their
[endeavours with their friends in the ifland, to
Ifettle fuch a revenue on the crown as the circum-

a\ r\ oiB^''^^^^^^^^® colony would admit of, which they
'^^ \\Jm^^ ^^^ aflembly alone was competent to deter-

d bequeathed
3 tbe lEarl 0'
abfolutely de.

r Lord Carlifli
in fettling tb

of tbofemoll

lordered enquv

negations aw

me.

The profpedl of a reveniie, though ftidant

d uncertain, brought forward the creditors of

Earl of Carlifle, the patentee, who was

debted, it feems, at his death, in the fum of

^.80,000, and they had no hopes of being paid

lut from the profits of his Weft Indian poffef-

ions. The heirs of the Earl of Marlborough

^^^g_ikewife put in their claim for the arrearage of

y a *^^"^^| ^Ae annuity of £.300, granted under the original

'^^ "™^ mpromife which I have before mentioned ; and

iLord Willoughby infifted at the fame time on

;eiving a moiety of whatever profits might

°*' fent ft^*^ during the remainder of the term yet \m-

con ) M-jygjj jjj jjjg leafe. The other moiety, during

at time, and the whole in reverfion, was claim-
by the Earl of Kinnoul.
To fatisfy thefe feveral claimants, and fecure
perpetual revenue to the crown, was a work
difficulty, and its accomplifhraent feems to
ive been the fole aim of the King's minifters ;

3»t

HISTORY OF THE

BOOK by whom, after i tedious but partial invcfti-
III. gation (coofidering the colony as wholly at the
King's mercy) it was finally ordered, that the
Lord Willoughby fhould immediately repair to
nis government, and infift on the grant and
ef Abliftiment by tlie aflembly of a permanent
.- ..d irrevocable revenue of four and a half per
cent, to be paid in fpecie, on all dead commodi.
ties, the growth of the ifland, ihipped to any
port of the world ; the money arifing therefrom
to be applied as follows :

Firil, towards an honourable and immediate
provifion for the Earl of Kinnoul, who, it was
alledged, had facrificed his fortune in the King's i
fervice, and who covenanted, on fuch provifion i
being fecured to him, to furrender the Carlifle]
paten^ to the crown.

Secondly, towards fatisfa6lion and full dif.|
charge of Earl of Marlborough's annuity.

Thirdly, it was ftipulated that the furplus]
fhould be divided equally between the credi^
tors of the Earl of Carlifle and the Lord WilJ
loughby, during the term yet unexpired of hii
lordlhip's leafe. On the expiration thereof
the remainder, after providing' £.1,200 pea
annum for the King's governor for the tiin^
being, was ordered to be paid among the faid
creditors till their demands were fully fatisiiecj
and difcharged.

Fourthly, on the extin6lion of thofe fevera
incumbrances, it was ftipulated that the wholi
revenue, fubjed to the charge of y(|. 1,200 pe
annuin to the governor, ihould be at the difpofaj
of the crown.

On thefe terms it was underftood that the prd
prietary government was to be diffolved, ani
that the planters were to jonfider themfelv(|
as legally confirmed in pofle ffion of their eftate

3*9

^^Sr INDIES,
and to carry into effef^ t\,^ • 3*

which the W arfantmeT?"' P°'«. •» CHAP

of the whole bufmc"s cSt'"v'=r"'"fi°'i
feffes that the gram to Car^n " '""''^'f «>n.
U«. The Ki4 the^foreSTr'"'^^"^ ''y
geat obligatioifm obtainU , r''*'" r^^' "^
M»?y of the planters hSTeen^hr^J^' °^ '«•
their native country in confZ! ''''S"' '» quit
ons in fnpport of the °^!?"f°^; °f theexer.
«v,l war: by the late fctSen? t[' ''""°« *«
a regard expreffed towfn^s eve tv-^''' P*^'"''«I
fcrned but their own ■ Z) ^f ^ """^^ con-
TI7 met with, both ferT-- I '""^ "hich

P?loforaugme„tbgthe tr^dlT" ''^"'«'-
fcmmon of the parent Cbv r?"^' "^^
bbours, was a demand nf , ^ '''^"' recent

ey ftated wouWaTounttHf "''"''' ^^*
^' Clear profits of Hieireft^! ? P*' ««- »«

But their comnlaim/ :r*\^°'' e^er.

e^unavaiC^'fei^?';^-" funded,

Hy employed w "1 ?'^u"' """"^ ^nt waa
MFarmer, who ledThi """ ?° f^bmiffion.
farreftedandTentp1£P^«^'",<>P5»fition.

iupport

'■

If > *i fS „

S8«>

HISTORY OF THE

,;^.

km'-

BOOK Support could be expelled from the people at
in. home, whofe privileges lay proflrate at the feet
of the reftored monarch, the aflembly pafled an
a6l for the purpofes required of them ; and their
pofterity ftill bear, and it is apprehended will
long continue to bear, the burthen of it *.

The

* I have thought it may he fatlsfaf^ory to the reader to
have an opportunity of peruling the AA at large, vrhich I
therefore &bjoin, premliing, that the claufe which exempts the
lands called the 10,000 acres, and alfo thit vrhich fiipulates
for the building a feflions houfe, and a p* Jon, and providing
for aH other public charges incumbent on the government,
out of the monies to be raiied by the Aft, have been equally
difre^arded by the crown. The feilion houfe and prifon were
Hot nnifhed until the year 1730, and the expence (upwards of
/'.5,ooo) was then defrayed by a fpecial tax on the inhabi*
tants; and there was raifed by other taxes no lefs a fum than
/". 19,44. I/. 4</. in three year* (viz. from 1 745 to 1748) for I
the repair of the fortifications.

An ACT for fettling an Impoft on the Commodities of I
the Growth of this Ifland •, paiTed the 1 2th of Septeni' I
ber, 1663. — N» 36.

WHEREAS our late Sovereign Lord Charles the'Firfl, ofl
bleifed memory, did, by his letters patentunder the neat feall
of Eqgland, grant and convey unto James Earl of Carliilef
and his heira for ever, the propriety of this ifland of Barha-j
does : And his facred Majefty that now is havine by purchafcj
invefted himfelf in all the rights of the faid Earl of CarliileJ
and in all other rights which any other perfon may ciain
from that patent, or any other; and thereby, more immedi^
ately and particularly, haih taken this ifland into his royaj
proteflion. And his moft excellent Majefty having, by lettei
patent under the great feal of England, bearing date tli
twelfth of June, in the fifteenth year of his reien, appointej
his Excellency Francis Lord Willoughby of Parham, captair
general and chief governor of Barbadoes, and all the Caniq
bee Iflands, with full power and authority to grant, confin
and affure to the inhabitants of the fame, and their heirs,
ever, all lands, tenements, and hereditaments under
Majefty 's great feal appointed for Barbadoes and the reft
the Carribbee Iflands, as, relation being thereunto had,

people at
at the feet
f palTed an
and their
•nded will

•it*.

The

WEST INDIES.

The condudl of the Lord Chancellor Claren-
don in this affair, who indeed appears to have

been

3SI

and doth more at large appear. And whereas, by virtue
of the faid Earl of Carlifle's patent, divers governors and
agents have been fent over hither, with authority to lay our,
fet, grant, or convey in parcels the lands within this iflarld,
to fuch perfons as they fhould think fit: which was by them,
in their refpedlive times, as much as in therr lay, accordingly
performed. And whereas many have not tneir grants, war>
rants, and other evidences for their faid lands, and others, by
reafon of the ignorances of thofe, want fufficient and legal
words to create inheritances in them and their heirs, and
odiers that never recorded their grants, or warrants, and
others that can make no proof of any grants or warrants they
tver had for their lands ; and yet have been long and quiet
poifeflbrs of the fame, and bellowed great charges thereon.
And whereas the acknowledgment of forty pounds of cotton
per head, and other taxes and compoiitions formerly raifed to
the Earl of Carliile, was held very heavy : For a full remedy
thereof for all the defeats afore-related, and quieting the pof-
feflions and fettling the tenures of the inhabitants of this
e Commodities of Hilland; Beit enadled by his Excellency Francis Lord Wil-
i2thof Septem*Hbughby of Parham, &c. his council, and gentlemen of the
*!mbly,

the reader to
large, which I
icH exempts the
which ftipulates
, and providing
He government,
ve been equally
and prifon were
nee (upwards of
; on the inhabi-
i lefs a fum than
74Stoi74«)^«

|affembly, and by the authority of the fame, that, notwith

andine the defeats afor^-related, all the now rightfiil pofi'ef-

Ts of lamds, tenements, and hereditaments v/ithin this ifland,

iccording to the laws and cuftoms thereof, may at all times

pair unto his Excellency for the full confirmation of their

ates and tenures, and then and there fhall and may receive

:h full confirmation and affurance, under his Majefty's

1 feal for this ifland, as they can reafonably advife or

£re, according to the true intent and meaning of this A6t.

d be it further enaAed by the authority aforefaid, that all

' every the payments of forty pounds of cotton t>er head^

all other duties, rents, and arrears of rent which have or

jht have been levied, be from henceforth abfolutely and

7 releafed and made void ; and that the inhabitants of this

f Pa^ami'^captaiBand have and hold their feveral plantations to them an4

and all the CanilBeir heirs for ever, in free and common foccage, yielding and

carles the •Firft.ol
inder the great feall
Earl of CaiMi
IS ifland of Batk
WvingbypurcM
IdEariof Carbfli
perfon may claw
kby, rtioxt immedt
and into his loy
y having, by lettr

bearing date
IS reign, appom<

to grant,

confin
aid^their heirs,
kaments under
koes andtheretti
[thereunto had,

lying therefore, at the feafl of St. Michael every year, if
fame be lawfully demanded, one ear of Indian corn to
Majefty, his heirs and fucceffors, for ever, in full and
difcharge of all rents and fervices for the fiiture whatfo-
', in confideration of the releafe of the faid forty pounds,

aiid

«*

HISTORY OF THE

BOOK been the pcrfon chiefly confultH h> it, was aF-
III. terwards thought fo juftly reprehr^'ibie, as to

give

and in confideration of the confirmation of all eftatcs in
this illand as aforelald, and in acknowledgment of his Ma-
jelly's grace and favour in fending to and appointing over
us his faid Excellenc/, of whofe prudence and moderate go>
vernment we have heretofore had large experience, and do relt
mofl afTured thereof for the future. And, forafmuch as no-
thing conduceth more to the peace and profperiiy of nny
place, and the protc(flion of every fingle perfon therein, than
that the public revenue thereof may be in fome meafure pro
portioned to the public charges and expences ; and alfo wel
-weighing the sreat charges that there mull be of necel'
fity in maintaining the honour and dignity of his Majell/i

!'■■■'; y

-y 'W-

t '

tliat
fame

forftl

forth
pnti

full CO

I fuch c(

K ^

jtlieeai

Prov

authority here; the public meeting of the fefUons, the often Hje/ly, o
attendance of the council, the reparation of the forts, M;lnod gn
building a fejjlons houfe and a prifon, and all other public eharnn^miit yeai
incumbent on the government ; do, in confideration thereof, gireli'MimooA
and grant unto his Majefly, his heirs and fuccelTors for ever, '
and do moil humbly defire your Excellency to accept dide
our grants; and we humbly pray your Excellency that it nxfl
be enat^ed, and be it enadled by his Excellency Francis Loi
Willoughby of Parham, captain general and chief governoi
pf this ifland of Barbadoes, and all other the Canbbee l{\
lands, and by and -with the confent of the council and thi
j;[entlemen of the aiTcmbly, reprefentatives of this iilani;!, am
by authority of the fame, That an impoft or cuftom bi
from and after publication hereof, railed upon the aati
commodities of tnis ifland, after the proportions, and i
panner and form as is hereafter fet down and appointed
that is to fay, upon all dead commodities of the growth
produce of this illand, that Ihall be ihipped off the fan
ihall be paid to our Sovereign Lord the King, his heirs a
fucceflbrs for ever, four and a half in fpecie for every i\
fcoire.

And be it further ena^ed and declared by the authorij
aforefaid. That if any goods before-mentioned, on vim
the faid cufiom is impofed, and due, by this adl, Ihall \
any time hereafter be fhipped or put into any boat or otl
veffel, to the intent to be carried into any parts beyond i
feas, the faid impolition due for the fame not paid, cod
pounded for, or lawfully tendered to the coUeAors or thj
flepuiies, or not having agreed -with the commillioners

tie mere

isfathei

», AJ

and I

tions:

lln 1684J
"rand hi

^£' 6,0c

WEST INDIES,

it, was af-

Vble, as to

give

333

aU eftatcs in
^t of Vis Ma-
ppoiniing over
[ moderate go-
^cc, anddorell
rafmucH as no-
ofperuy of any
jn therein, iban
ne meafure pro-
.g • and alio well
ft_'be of necel-

of his Majefty'j
ieffions, the often

of the forts, iht
ther public char^'t
ition thereof, givt
uccefforsforJ^tr

ticyto accept thelel
ellency that u miy!
ency Francis Lor
,nd chief goveri«.i
rtheCanbbeett

xe council and th(
o?thi5iflan(J,an(

oft or cuftom
;d upon the aatt'
•oportions^ and «
J and ippowted
of the growth
ed off the iai
his heirs v
for every fr

give occafion to the eighth article of his im-CHAP.
pcachmcut by the Houl'e of Commons in the I*

year

tltat purpofe to be appointed, or their deputies, for the
fame, according to the true intent and meanine of the faid
aft, that then, and from thenceforth, fhall the »id goods be
forfeit, the moiety thereof to be to our Ibvereign lord the
kiog, and the other to him that fhall inform, feize, and fuf
for the fame in any court of record within this ifland ; which
grants are left to your excellency's own way of levying, in
tuU confidence and aifurance that your excellency will take
fuch courfe for the collecting and gathering of the faid im-
poft, without any charge, duty or fees, as may be moft foi
the eafe of the people of this ifland.

Provided neverthelefs, That neither this aft, nor any thin^

therein contained, fhall extend or be conftrued to bar his ma-

jeil/, or his faid excellency, from his or their right to an/

[laiui granted, or any incroachments made upon the iea, fince

ithe year one thoufand fix hundred and fifty, or to any land*

mmonly called or known by the name of the Ten Thoufand ^cres g

k merchants land, granted by the late Farl of Carlifle, of

is father, unto Marmaduke Rawden, Efquire, William Per-

ins, Alexander Bannifler, Edmund Forfler, Captain Wheats

and others their afTociates, on certain covenants and con>

Provided alfOf that the growth and produce of the faid

aons:

, mentioned in the preceding provifof he not liable to any tax ^
tjlf or euflomf impofed by this a8 ; any thing in the fame feem-
to the contrary not with/landing.

And be it further enaaed, by the authority aforefaid, That
e a61 made the feventeenth day of January oile thoufand fix
indred and fifty, intituled, An a£t importing the cuftoms
ipofed and granted by the council, and gentlemen of the
"embly, to the Ri^ht Honourable Francis Lord Willoughbf
Parham, Lord Lieutenant General of the Province of Car-
ila, and Governor of Barbadoes *, as alfo, his lordfhip's
nfirmation of the right of the inhabitants of this ifland
their feveral eftates, with the tenure and rent thereon cre-
led, be, and is from henceforth repealed, made void, fruf-,
IV A.g authonB>te, of none effedt to all intents, conftrudtions, and pur*

intioned, on ^K*fe5 whatfoever.

ly this aft, ft»alli

\v parts beyondiBin 1684, *^^ alTembly of this ifland propofed to farm the
e not paid, coMir and half per cent, for eleven years, for the annual rent,
^"^colleftors or thj^f. 6,000 fterling, to be paid into the exchequer •, the go-
commiffionetsl vernox

?P'
ang

secie

i».

334

HISTORY OF THE

ii'

:..>:

BOOK year 1667. From his anfwer to that article, I
III. $ave colle6lid (chiefly in his own words) great
^art of the account that I have given j and there
cannot be a ftronger demonftration of the ten-
dency of power to pervert the judgment, and
cloud the faculties of the wifeft and worthieil
of men, than the juftification he has offered.
He even claims great merit in not h'aving advifed
the king to poffefs himfelf of the whole ifland
of Barbadoes, without any regard to the plant-
ers or creditors concerned in the ifiiie.

The profecution of this great ftatefman, how.
ever, on this account, was of no advantage to
the fuffering planters ; for in this, as in many
other cafes, the redrefs of a grievance, and the
punifhment of its author, were objefts of very
diflind confideration. Thofe who fought the
ruin of Clarendon, had nothing lefs in view than
the removal of oppreflion, from fubjedls fo re-
mote as thofe of Barbadoes.

In thus tracing the origin, progrefs, and teNlp]ant(
mination of the Proprietary Government inthislof the

^^^flproted

vernor and council concurred, and it was agreed that £. 7)0(X)B ^ ^
currenc7 per annum fhould be raifed by a tax of twenty-onAcsufe,
pence per acre, on all lands amounting to ten or more acreslapowc

The towns and traders to be taxed £. 500 fterling. An afl^""
pafTed March 19th 1684, for this purpofe, and was feni
home ; but the lords of the committee for trade and planta
tions reported, that the commiflioners of the cuftoms v.iti
whom they had advifed, were of opinion that they could maki
no eftimate of the duty, until they had experienced the p:
duce thereof, under the then management, for one year
leaft; and that the commiflioners appointed for managi
the (aid duty in Barbadoes, had affured them the duty woui
be worth from £. 8,000 to £. 10,000 per annum. So theai
was repealed.

- This propofal to farm the four and a half per cent. dut» jj^g /
was made in confequence of Governor Button's ^'ignify'"?Bn/J
the council and affembly, on his arrival in 1680, that h's'^m./i-i
jelty was inclined to commute the tax, for a reaibnable reu««^'^'^e 1
pence. ' ,

1
t

n
S
w
re
e£
as
me
an(

r
J

the

%ov

afle^

bug

clara

unfo

fonei

narcJi

cutorj

|£nglii(

(dies ;

'he mc

ManI

ited tj

ircl

WEST INDIES.

t article, I
ords) great
■ and there
of the ten-
gment, and
id worthieft
has offered,
ving advifed
whole ifland!
to thepUui-

le. I

:efman, how-
advantage to
, as in many
ince, and the!
bjeas of very!
lo fought tkl
sin view thml
fubjeas fo re-r

33S

greedtKat;^-?''
tax of twenty-ow
ten or more acres
jfterUng. An ai
,ofe, and was b
,r trade and planu
f the cuftoms v;ijl
lat they could mak
:peiienced the pK^
u for one year
anted for manag"
hem the duty wou
^ annum. Sotheaf

Ihalf pet cent, dut

lutton's iienifying

V 1680, that his n

• areafonabler*'

ifland, I have purpofely chofen not to break the CHAP,
thread of my narration, by recording any inter- !•
mediate events of a nature foreign to that fubjedl.
Soon after the eilablifhment of the Common-
wealth in England, circumftances however arofe,
refpeaing this colony, which have produced fuch
effeas on the general commerce of Great Britain,
as cannot be overlooked in an hiflorical and com-
mercial furvey of her Weft Indian plantations,
and of which I Ihall now give fome account.

The reader has been fufficiently apprized of
the attachment of the Barbadians to the regal
government. One of the firft afts paiTed by the
affembly, after the arrival of the Lord Wil-
loughby for the firft time, (1647) was a de-
claration of their allegiance and fidelity to the
unfortunate Charles the Firft, at that time a pri-
foner to the army ; and on the death of that mo-
narch, the popular refentment againft his perfe-
cutors ran fo high in this ifland, that the few
planters who were fufpedied to be in the intereft
of the parliament, thought it neceflary to feek
protedion in England.

To punifli fuch itubbom defenders of a ruined
caufe, the parliament refolved, in 165 1, to fend
|a powerful armament for the redudlion of all the
Englilh colonies in America and the Weft In-
|dies ; but particularly Barbadoes, at that time
he moft important and hoftile of them all.
Many, indeed, were the motives which infti-
ited the parliament to this determination. From
the beginning of the commotions in the mother
luntry, the planters, having no other means of
mveying the produce of their lands to Europe.
lad employed in this neceflary navigation, many
|f the ihips and feainen of Holland; and at this
mfturctho Engliih government entertained very
iftile intentions towards thefubjv^ds of that re-

r^- public.

sja

HISTORY OF THE

>j *

' I.

"l,

J^ OOK public. The redudion of Barbadoes would at
III. once punifli the colonifts, and enable the Engiilh
parliament to deprive the Dutch of fo profitable
an intercourfe with them ; it would alfo enrich the
treafury of the new government, by the confifca-
tion ox many valuable fhips and cargoes in tlje
harbours of that and the other iflands. The par-
liament had reafon likewife, it was faid, to ap.
prehend that Prince Rupert, with a fquadron of
the king's fhips, was about croffing the Atlantic,
to fecure all the Englifli American jpofreflions for
Charles the Second.

Ayfcue, who commanded the parliament's
forces employed in this expedition, arrived at
Barbadoes on the i6th of 06lober, 165 1, and
fucceeded at length in bringing the iiland to ca. |
pitulate * : But this was not effeSted without
great difficulty ; for he met with fo ftout a refif. I
tance, as determined his employers at home imme-
diately to enforce a fcheme they had projedledal
ihort time before, of altering the whole fyftem of I
the Barbadian commerce; by prohibiting by anadj
of the commonwealth, all foreign ihipping froml
trading with the Englifh plantations ; and notl
permitting any goods to be imported into Engj
land, or any of its dependencies, in any otheJ
than Englifti bottoms ; or in fhips of that Eu-j
ropean nation of which the merchandii^e inw
ported was the genuine growth and manufac^

ture

* Ayfcue agreed, among ether things, that the govenn
ment fhould confift of a governor, council and alTcmblyl
according to the ancient and ufual cuftom of the ifland
The affembly to be chofen by a free and voluntary ele&.\oi
of the freeholders of the ifland, in the feveral parifiies. Thi
no taxes, cuiloms, impofts, loans or excife, lliould be laiiW ,
nor levy made on any of the inhabitants of this ifland, wiiB'^C lo\
out their confent in a general affembly ; and that all la«|>Oi..

that had been made hj general aflembliw, not repuj
t]^ iavrs of England, ftiould be good.

■uant I

.' 1

WEST INDIES.

337

would at
he EngUfti
profitable
tcarichthe
\t confiica-
goesin tlje
, The par.
laid, to ap.
fquadron of
he Atlantic,
offcifions for

ture. And thus arofe the famous navigation a£l CHAP.
of this kingdom ; for, immediately after the ref- I-
toration, its provifions were adopted by Charles
the Second, with this addition, that the mailer
and three fourths of the mariners, ihould alfo
be Engliih fubjeds.

Whatever advantages the general commeree
and navigation of England may have derived
from this celebrated law, it muft be allowed
that its original framers were actuated by no bet-
ter motives (as a great writer* hath obferved)
than thofe of punifhinr the planters, and clip-
ping the wingp of the Dutch, ^he inhabitants
of Barbadoes, juftly confidering the law as a
chaftifement infliftea on them by the common-
|wealth for their loyalty to Charles the Second,
ere filled vvlth amazement and indignation,
iQ finding its provifions adopted and confirm-
on the reftocaiion of that monarch. By the
egulrtions of tiais ad, and the eitablifhment of
hole fyftem otwe internal duty on their produce, of which I
itingby *^}^^^^ve fo largely fpoken, they thought themfelves
eated with a rigour which bordered on in-
atitude, and they predided the decline of their
pulation, agriculture and wealth, from the ef-
fts of thofe meafures. How far their predie-

parliament's
u, arrived at
;r, 1651, and
ifland to ca-
jfted without
' ftout a refil-
ithomeimrae-
adprojeaeda

ihipping from

[ions ; and H

ried into Eng.

in anyotki

of thati.u.BQQs j^^ve been accompliihed, a comparative
jrchandii'-e w\mtg ^f ^f^^ ifland at different periods will de-
and nianufacMjnftrate ; with which, and a few mifcellaneous
ture^ifej-va^iQus, I {hall difmifs my prefent account.
Barbadoes is fituated in 13° 10' N. ia-r and
longitude 59** W. from London. It is about
lenty-one miles in length, and fourteen in

^ ^^.„ ., , Jfadth, and contains 106,470 acres of land,

eral pariil^es- '^"Mft of which is under cultivation. The foil
ife, il^S^^^'^ j^jSthelow lands is black, fomewhat reddifh in

f this ifland, wm, „ ,

and that allU*0^" 1. Z. tne

.,, that the govern

Incil and alTembl)

iom of the _ifla™

voluntaty e

:le£tioi

si«

HISTORY OF THE

P:'

BOOK the (hallow parts; on the hills of a chalky marl,
III. and near the fea generally fandy. Of this
variety of foil, the black mould is beft fuited
fmc thi cultivation of the cane, and, with the
aiii of manure, has given as great returns of I
fa^r, in favourable feafons, as any in thcf
Weft Indies, the pcinie iands of St. Kitts ex.
cepted.

Ihat the foil' of this ifland is, to a greatl
degree, naturally fertile, we muft ueceflarilyl
admit, if we give credit to the accounts v. hichf
are tranfmitted down to us, of i*^*- ancient popu.j
lation and opulence. We are affured thatj
about the year 1670, Barbadoes could boaft of
fifty thoufand white, and upwards of one hunj
dred thoufand black inhabitants, whofe labours
it is iaid, gave employment to fixty thoufand
tons of fhipping *. I fufpcd that this accoumij

niuci

* The earlieft planters of Barbadoes v^exe. fometimes :
preached with the guilt of forcing or decoying into Have
the Indians of the neighbouring continent. TheHiAoryj
Inkle and Tarico, wWch the Speaator has recorded for thed
teiUtion of mankind, took its rife in th^s liland ; but happj
this fpecies of H^verj' has been long iince aboliihed : and pi
haps fuch of my readers as have fvmpathlzed with the unfoi|
nate Yarico, may not be forry to hear that (he bore her 1
fortunes with greater philofophy than they have hitherto I
cied. The ftory was firft related by Ligon, who (after pn
ing poor Yarico's excellent complexion, which, he fays, ^ttynn".^*^
•* a bright bay," and her fmall breafts " with nipplei« P ^ ^*j

porphyrie") obferves, that " Ihe chanc't afterwards to
" with child by a Chriftian fervant, and being very
" walked down to a woode, in which was a pond of
** and there, by the fide of the pond, brought herfelfe a-
'* and in three hours came home with the childe in hen
" a lufly boy, frolicke and lively." The crime of Inkle
merchant, however, admits of no palliation ; butitisridj
lous enough to hear Abbe Raynal (willing to improve
Addifon) afcribe to it an intended revolt of all the N(
in Barbadoes, who, as he affertSy moved hy indignatioj

' ' ii

,884
•gflieal
igs off

ion of aJl
i?Jit befJ

le to fayj
* kvsl

[lalky marl,
Of this
beft Suited
4, witli the
: returns of
iiiy in the
5t. K-itts ex.

WEST INDIE*.

lAttch

exagger.ited. It cannot however be CHAP,
doubted, that the inhabitants of this ifland
havt decreafed with a rapidity feldom known in
any other country. I have now before me
authentic return;? of the immber of its whites in
1724, and of its. ijiegroes in 1753; the former
confifted of no more thsu eighteen thoufand two
hundred and ninety-five, the latter of fixty-
nine thoufand eight hundred and feventy. In
1786 the numbers were fixteen thoufand one
hundred and fixty-feven whites, eight hundred
and thirty-eight free people of colour, an^*.
fixty-two thoufand one hundred and fifteen ue-
groes.

It appears too that the annual produce of this

ifland (particularly fugar) has decreafed in a

much greater proportion than in any other of

tthis accounuB the Weft Indian colonies. Poftlethwayte ftates

mucBthe crop of fugar in 1756, at 22,769 nogftieads

of 13 cwt. which i.6 equal to 19,800 of 15 cwt.;

and the author of the European Settlements, pub-

lilhed in 1761, calculates the average crop at

25,000 hoglheads. As the author fir ft quoted,

gives a precife number, it is probable his ftate-

ment wns grounded on good authority. If fo,

the ifland has uUen oif nearly one half in the

nual growth of its principal ftaple. On an

iverageof eight years {from 1740 to 1748) the

xports were 13,948 hogftieads of fugar, 15 cwt.

,884 puncheons of rum of 100 gallons, 60

glheads of melafles, 4,667 bags of ginger, 600

gs of cotton, and 327 gourds of aloes. The

Z 2 . * v' -^ > exports.

, to a great
ft ueceffarilyl
counts v.hiclil
ancient pop\i.|
affured thatJ
could boaft ofl
s of one \m\
wbofe laboW
fixty thoulani

^er« fometimes
coying into flav
J, theHiftojy
recorded for the
Ifland-, but ha
aboUihed: and
ed with the unki
tat (he bore her I
ey have hitherto li
on, v'ho (after 1)1
which, he fays,
5 « with niPP'**'
k'i afterwards to
Ind being very
ras a pond ot
krouehtherfelfea^

,ec\ildeinhet|

the crime ot Ijm
.tion-, butitisti^

filing to improve
ok of all the Ne

k's monftrous cruelt/, vowed with one accord the deftruc-

on of all the Whitei ; but their plot was difcovered the

Iglit before it was to have been carried into eflFeit. The

)}lMe Ph'tlofophique has a thou&nd beauties; but it grieves

/ed by indignatjoMe to fay, that in point of hiftorical accuracy, it is nearl/

^"Bn i level with the Hiftor/ of Robitffon Crujct.

34»

HISTORY OFtHE

n6
toi:
thoi

of }^

indu:
the (

BOOK exports, on an average of 1784, 1785 and 1785,
III. had fallen to 9,554 hogfheads of fugar, 5,448
puncheons of rum, 6,320 bags of ginger, 8,331
ba§8 of cotton ; exclufive of fome fmaller
articles, as aloes, fweetmeats, &c. of which the
quantities are not afcertained.

Tljat the dreadful fucceifion of hurricanes,—
with which it has pleafed the Almighty toB^J*"
vifit this, and the other Weft Indian iflands, I , "^^
within the laft twelve years, has contributed B*'*^^^
to this great defalcation, cannot be doubted. B^"''*'
The capital of this ifland was Icarce rifen froniB)' ^*"
the afties to which it had been reduced hjW^^*
two dreadful fires, when it was torn from its^^^**^
foundations, and the whole country made a I'ceneBJ"? ^^^
of defolation, by the ftorm of the loth of Odo "^ '^ ^^
ber 1 780, in which no lefs than four thoufam
three hundred and twenty-fix of the inhabitanti
(blacks and whites) milerably periftied ; an
the damage to the coi:intry was computed ai
£.1,320,564. 15 J. fterling.

It might have been prefumed, however, froi
the favourable feafons which have been expe-
rienced for the laft three or four years, that thi
profpedl was at length beginning to brighten
but although, fince the failure of their fugi
plantations, the inhabitants have found fomi
refource in the cultivation of cotton, it d
not feem probable, that anv encouragement j
capable of ever reftoring this ifland to its anc
ent fplendour and opulence ; unlefs it be ri
lieved from the heavy impofition of 41 per ca
on ihel" exported produce, of the origin
which I have fo largely treated. It is to
hoped, that an enlightened minifter will one di
arife, who will have the courage and virtue mr^ *^
fignify to the fovereign, that it is neither !"''* ^°
coming the dignity, nor confift ent with the d

racli

WEST INDIES.

34X

; and i^Se,
jgar, 5>44^
Qger, 8,331

ra£ler of the common father of all his (ubjefls* CHAP.

to infift on a tribute from apart of them, which*

though nominally granted by themfelves, ivs^s

'" f — affurcdly obtained by fraud and oppreffion, and

me ."JJ*"^^ I of whicn the continuance is a check to honeft

vrhicn ^"^ ■jnduftry, and perhaps the immediate caufe of

Htbe decline of this beautiful and once valuable
hurricanes, l^j^^jjy^

Almighty toB jjarbadoes is divided into five diftrias, and
dian ^™^^ Bcleven parifhes ; and contains four towns. Bridge*
, contnbmedB ^jj^ q^Ij^3 or Charles Town, St. James's (former,
be doubted.* . ^^^^^^ j^^ Hole) and Speight's Town. Bridge-
ce rifen iromK^^jj^ ^^le capital, before it was deftroyed by the

reduced py»j.ggQf i»y65^ confiftedof about fifteen hundred
torn from i^^Kj^fes, which were moftly built of brick; and

made alceneK |g ^jjj ^^le feat of government, and may be
loth of ^!r^°'ftned the chief refidence of the governor, who
four thoulaivM pj.Q^jjgjj ^j^jj ^ country villa called Pilgrims,
he itihabitant^j^jj^gj ^j^yjjjj ^ nj^g ^f j^ . jjis falary was

ifed by Q^eenAnn from twelve hundred to
thoufand pounds per annum, the whole
which is paid out of the exchequer, and
larged to the account of the four and a half
cent. duty. The form of the government
this ifland fo very nearly refembles that of
aica, which has already been defcribed, that
is unneceffary to enter into detail, except
obferve that the council is compofed of
elve members, and the aflembly of twenty-
mo. The nioft important variation refpedts the
It of chancery, which in Barbadoes is
iftituted of the governor and counci/, whereas
Jamaica the governor is fole chancellor,
the other hand, in Barbadoes, the gover-
fits in council, even when the JditLcf are
ng in a legiflative capacity. This, in Ja-
and y^/^^^ijica would be coniidcred improper and un-
is neither m coniiitutional

t with the cl-
racll

periftied; ana
5 computed ai
1

however, froi

ve been expe

years, that tl«

r to brighten

of their fug:

e found fomi

otton, it di
couragement

nd to its am
mlefs it be n

of 4 P'J.''
the origin

d. It is to

ter will one di

'i i

I \i

34a

HiStORY OF TfiE

BOOK conftitutional. It may alfo be obferved, that
^^^* the courts of grand feflions, common pleas and
exchequer, in Barbadoes, are diftinft from
each other, and not, as in Jamaica, united
and blended in one fupreme rourt of judica-
ture.

I ftiall clofe my account of Barbadoes with
the following authentic document : .

i-'U)

\' ?,

'J' ■

.iR'j:>

f- t:

io".

t.'^'M

.:&

O
O
O

WEST IIYDII&S.

l^lS

•« MM I M

O M rs Q t<>60
0« M M m

[inw

■*7r

» r8 —

«* t« '^M S

•^ A * M ««

t» M

* «» ^ ^

O « M H

«n t» ts CO «r>
00 «»»«««»•

rvvo"ri ^'1
M « 00 g>oi

•» ^ M

TTTTT

CO '

}

i '

Si S S "^ g -s

343

T J

fii

344

HISTORY OF THE

CHAP. II.

♦f

Grenada and its Dependencies.

Firfl difcovery, name and inhabitants, — French in-
vafton and ejiablijhment in 1650. — 'War withy
and extermination of the natives* — This ijland
and its dependencies conveyed to the Count de
Ceriiiac.-^Mifconduff and punijhment of the de-
puty governor. — The colony reverts to the crown
of France. — State of Jthe ijiand in 1700. — And
again in 1 762, when captured by the Englijh.'-^
Stipulations in favour^ the French inkaoitants.

^^Firft meafures of the Britijh government

Claim of the crown to levy a duty of 4J per
cent, on produce exported.^-Arguments for and
ohjeHions againfl the meafure.—Decifion of tk
court of hinges bench on this important quefiion,
"—Strifiures on fome pofitions advanced by the
lord chief juflice on this occajion. — Tranfa^im
within the colony. ^Royal infirud ions in favour
of the Roman Catholic sapitulants,-^Intemal\
dijfentions. — Defencelefs Jlate. — French invaftm
in i^*jg.^Brave defence of the garrifon. — UnA
conditional furrender. — Hardjhips exercifed to-
wards the Englijh planters and their creditors,
— Redrefs given by the court of France. — Gn-
nada, &c. reflored to Grefit Britain by the peactl
of 1783. — Prefent,fiate of the colony in re/pedl
to cultivation, productions and exports ; govern-
ment and population*

G- ' -, ^ ' : \ . ^v-

RENADA was difcovered by, and received!
its name from, Chriftopher Columbus in hisl
third voyage, in the year 1498. He found ill
pofTeffed by a nume/ous and warlike peoplej
■ ■-. v -^ \ >v \ r amongft

IIPIIP4

'Pi\

WEST INDIES.

34$

lench

Dof-

ade

iiitand-

amongft whom it does not appear that the Spa. CHAP
niards ever attempted to force a fettlement. n.
Thev had a nobler prize to contend for on the
continent, and a centuiy elapfed before the other
nations of Europe conudered the regions of the
new world as countries, wherein all men might
fcizeonwhat fuited their convenience, without
any regard to the proper inhabitants. Thus the
Cnaraibes of Grenada happily remained in peace-
ful obfcurity until the year 1650, when the ava-
rice and ambition of a reltlefs individual de-
voted them to deilrudlion.

Thisperfon was Monf. Du Parquet, t^
governor of Martinico, nephew and h*
nambuc, of whom memorable mentio
in the annals of St. Chriitopher. Notw 1
ing that the French eftablifhment in Martinico
was itfelf of recent date, and that a great part of
that ifland dill remained uncultivated; and aU
though another eftabliihment was, at the fame
Itime, begun by the fame nation, in the large
,d fertile ifland of Guadaloupe, yet fuch was
k rapacioufnefs of this people, that upwards
^- ^f two hundred hardy rumans were eafily col-

^rench in'^^P^mSLed by Du Parque':'s encouragement for an at-
yflf r//o»«-"^"* ■anpt on Grenaaa; and it is apparent, from
s exerctfed to- Kg nature and magnitude of the preparations,
their credttorum^^^'j^ ^^^^ confidered as an enterprize of diffi-
iTrflwce.—G^'-fcty and danger.

lin by the P^^^jM The hiftory of this expedition, which took
polony in r#*"Blace in June 1650, is related at large by Father
:ports ; ^o-uerw- Jy Tertre, whofe account exhibits fuch a mon-
rous mixture of fanaticifm and knavery in the
ndud of its leaders, as cannot be contem-
nd receivedHated without indignation and horror. Al-
umbus in hisMoagh it is evident that the French had not the
He found iifcalleft juftifiable pretence for this invafion,
arlike peop^el we find the commanders adminifteiing the
. amongfti - ' - holv

es.

^French iri'

,Wdf with,
•This ijlani
he Count dt
nt of the dt-
to the crown
1700. — And
he Englijh.-
fi inkahitants,
overnwent'-'
\ty of 44 per
nents for and
)ecifton of tk
rtant quejiion.
vanced by iht
-.TranfaSiim
ions in favour \
yifs, — Jntern&l]

.^^lir

IMAGE EVALUATION
TEST TARGET (MT-3)

1.0

1.1

I^IM |25
£ Ufi 12.0

MH^^B

1 [1.25 III 1.4

6" -

Photographic

Sciences
Corporation

13 WIST MAM STIHT

WltSTn,N.Y. 145M

(71*)t72-4S03

J4«

HISTORY OF THE

Hi ^

I ' > i

>}'

:.j"

BOOK holf facrament, in the mofl folemn manner, to
11^* all the foldiers on their embarkation ;. and again,,
' on their landing, Du Parqnet, caufing a crofs to
be ere£icd, compelled them to kneel down be.
fore it, and join in devout prayer to Almighty
Cod, for fnccefs to their enterprize.

This commander feems however to have Had a
few fcruples of confcieace concerning thejuf.
tice of hi$ proceedings; for, having been re.
ceived and entertained with the utmou kindnefs
and cordiality by the natives (contrary to his ex.
pedation, and perhaps to his wiihes) he thought
it neceflary to afied fome little regard to mode-
ration, by pretending to open a treaty with the
chief oiF the Charaibes for the purchafe of the
country. He gave the natives (obfer . es Du Ter- 1
tie) fome knives and hatchets f and a large quanti-l
tyqf glafs beads i hefides two bottles qfvr&ndyfirl
the chief himfetfi and thus (continues he) was

a
h
c

lo
ral
cu
dit
clu
Ch
fon
war
felv
rilh(
teen
the

the ifland fairly ceded to the French nation bvi
the. natives themfelves in lawful purchafe! AM

ter this notable tranfa^tion, it is not wonderful

that the French ihould coniider the refufiil ofg \^^
the poor favages to confirm the agreement,
contumacy and rebellion.

Du Parquet, having thus eflablifhed a colon;
in Grenada, and built a fort for its prote£lioi
left the government^f the idandto akinfmai
named LeCompte, a man, according to DuTer^
tre, who poiTeiled very fiiigular talents for g(
verument ; and was remarkable for clemency a\
humanity. We find this gentleman howevei
eight months afterwards, engaged in a moi
bloody war with the Charaibes; in the prof<
tion of which he authorized fuch ads of cru(
ty as furnifti a portrait of him very diffen
fi'om that which the hiftorian has exhibit
On receiving news of the revolt of the nativ

pnzi
teft,
|pla(
|lelv<

leM
lofl

the
root
ing
longi

i'>'

WEST INDIES.

347

Du Parquet icnt a reinforcement of three CHAP,
hundred men from Mariinico, with orders to ^^*
extirpate the natives altogether; butLeCompte
feems not to have wanted any incitement to
aftsof barbarity; for DuTertre admits that he
had already proceeded to-^urder, without mer-
cy, every Charaibe that fell into his hands ; not
fparing even the women and children.

Of the manner in which this humane and ac-
compliihed commander, and his civilized fol-
lowers, condu£led hoftilities againft thefe mife*
rable people, we may form an idea, from a cir-
cumftance that occurred in one of their expe-
ditions, of which the reverend hiftorian con-
dudes his narrative as follows: " Forty of , the
Charaibes were mafiacred on the fpot. About
forty others, who had efcaped the fword, ran to-
wards a precipice, &om whence they call them-
felves headlong into the fea, and miferably pe-
riftied* A beautiful young girl of twelve or thir- .
teen years of age, who was taken alive, became
the objeft of difpute between two of our of-
ficers, each of them claiming her as his lawful
prize; a third coming up, put an end to the con-
left, by Ihooting the girl through the head. The
place from which thefe barbarians threw them* ;
felves into to the fea, has been called ever fmce .

^ k Mome des Sauteurs, * Our people (having

rding toDi TerBloft but one man in the expedition) proceeded in

" talents fot goBthe next place to fet fire to the cottages, and

for clefnencj flijroot up the provifions of the favages, and, hav-

lueman howcveBing deflroyed, or taken away, every thing be-

agcd in a mojlonging to them, returned in high Jpir its,'* {bien

; in the profeoB/o^^Kjf j

Jch a6ls of crw By a feries of fuch enormities, the whole race
L very diffej^of Charaibes that poflTeflfed Grenada in 1650, was
n has exhibit^ fpccdily

It of the nauv£

Leapcrs HilJ,

jtianiier, to
'y and again,
ag a crofs to
el down be-
to Almighty

If* • J

have nad a
ning thejuf.
ring been re-
moft kindnefs
raty to his ex-
es) he thought
gard to mode,
•eaty with the.
iirchafe of the
jfer.fisPuTei.
a large quanti-
,5 of mndypr
Ltinueshc) ws
rench nationhv

1 purchafe 1 AM
. not wonderttt
r the refuUl oil
e agreement,

blilhcd a coif
>r its protcaioi
d to

kinfn

!i!i

■■'il

34«

HISTORTOP THE

BOOK fpeedily exterminated, and the French, having
IIL in this manner butchered iill the natives, proceed-
ed, in the next place, to maflacre each other.

> The particulars of this civil conteft may, with-
out injury to my readers, be omitted. I ihall
therefore only oblerve, that the fupreme authori-
ty of Du Parquet and his lieutenant, was at
length eftablilhed in Grenada; but the expence
which had attended the plantation from its outfet,
and the maintenance ot the force which Du Par-
quet had been compelled to furnifh in fupport of
his authority, had fo greatly injured his fortune,
as to induce him to look out for a jpurchafer of all
his rights and poiTeflions in this iuand and its de-
pendencies. In 1656 fuch a purchafer offered in
the Count de Cerillac, to whom the whole was
conveyed for 30,000 crowns.

The condud of Cerillac towards the inhabi-
tants of his newly acquired dominion was highly
injudicious and opprefiive. He appomted a go-
vernor of fo arrogant and rapacious a difpofition,
and fupported him in his extortions with fuch
obftinacy, as to compel the moft refpedable of
the iettlers to quit the country and feek for fafe-
ty under a milder government. At length the
people that remained took the adminiftration of
juilice into their own hands ; by feizing on the
perfon of the governor, and bnnging him to a
public trial. The criminal was condemned to be
hanged; but he plead 'I Me birth, and de-
manded the honour of dcr ition. His requeil
would have been granted, but unluckily an ex-
pert executioner in the bufmefs of beheading
could not readily bs found ; the judges therefore
compounded the matter with his excellency, by
conienting that he ihould be ihot, and he fuffered
in that mode with great compolure.

Some

>'i

:h, having
5, proceed-
1 other,
may, with-

mcauthori-
at, wa$ at
the expence
(initsoutfet,

lich Du Par-
nfupportof
. his fortune,
rchaferofall
Ld and its de-
fer offered in
le whole was

s the inhabi-
►n was highly
pointed a go-
L a difpofition,
ons with fnch
rcfpcftablc of

' feek for few-
it length the
uiniftration of
.feizing on the
ging him to a
' idemned to be
•irth, and de-
His requelt
iuckily an ex-
of beheading
lidges therefore
lexcellency, by
' tnd he fuffered

Some

WEST INDIES.

349

Some years after this, Moniieur de Cerillac, CHAP,
the proprietor, receiving, as it may be fuppofed, I^*
but little profit from his capital, conveyed all his
rights and intereft in Grenada, ike. to the French
Weft-Indian company ; whofe charter being abo-
lifhed in 1674, the ifland from thenceforward be-
came vetted in the crown of France.

Under the various revolutions and calamities
which had thus attended this unfortunate planta-
tion, it may well be imagined that cultivation had
made but little progrefs in it ; but although order
and fubmuJion were at length introduced by the
eltabliihment of the royal authority, various cauf-
es concurred to keep the colony m a ttate of po-
verty and depreflion for many years afterwards.
Even fo late as 1700, if Raynal has been rightly
informed, the ifland contained no more than 251
whites and 525 blacks; who were employed on 3
plantations of fugar, and 52 of indigo.

After the peace of Utrecht, the. government of
France began to turn its attention towards her
Weil Indian pofTeffions. Grenada however, for
many years, partook lefs of its care than the reft«
It had no conttant correfpondence with the mo-
tlier country : fome oppreflive regulations of the
jfarmers-general ruined the cultivation of one of
itsftaples, tobacco: and the planters had not the
jmeans of obtaining a fupply of negroes from
Africa, fufficient for the pui^ofe of cultivating
fugar to any extent. Thefe inconveniencies led
tliem into a fmuggling intercourfe with the Dutch :
larefoiirce which at length changed their circum-
lances for the better ; encreafed their numbers

Ld occafioned a great part of the country to be
fettled, infomuch that when, in the year 1762,

he fortune of war made the Engliih matters of

m and the rett of the French Charaibee Iflands,

'renada and the Grenadines are faid to haye

yielded

..»;,;■•

.»(:,

' ,11. 1 .

8SO

HISTORY OF THE

i»i,'.j

' - '^% W

r4 i

B OOKyicl^^ annually, in clayed and mufcovado fu.

in.

gar, a quantity equal to about i i,ooo hogfheads
of mufcovado of 15 cwt. each, and about 27,000
lbs. of indigo.

Grenada furrendered on capitulation in Febru.
ary 1762, and, with its dependencies, was finally
ceded to Great Britain by the definitive treaty of
peace at Paris on the loth of February 1763;
St. Lucia being reftored at the fame time to
France. The chief flipulations in favour of the
inhabitants, as well by the treaty, as by the arti-
cles of capitulation, were thele; ifl. That, as
they would become by their furrender, fubje^s
of Great Britain, they fhould enjoy their proper-
ties and privileges, and pay taxes, m iike manner
as ike reft of his Majejifs fubjeSs of the other Bri-
ttflf Leeward IJiands, 2dly, with refped^ to reli-
gion, they were put on the fame footing as the in-
habitants of Canada, viz. liberty was given th<
to exercife it according to the rites of the Romi
church, as far as the laws of Great Britain permit'
ted. 3dly. Such of the inhabitants of Grenad;
as chofe to quit the ifland, ihould have liberty fc
to do, and eighteen months ihould be allowi
them to difpofe of their effefts

The ifland and its dependencies being thus befloft
come a Britiili colony, oneof thefirft meafurelall
of government was to ilTue a proclamation uiidcllui<
the great feal, bearing date the nth. of O&obelters
1763, wherein, amongft other tlnnffs, it is dclderi
clared " that all perfons inhabiting m, or refoiflroya
iug to, the ifland of Grenada, might confide ilthen
the royal protedion for the enjoyment of tiBAou
benefit t>f the laws of England, with the riglwoins
of appeal to the king in council, as fully as tlviQg.i
inhabitants of the other Britiih Colonies I Wj
America under the king's immediate govevhat
ment." — ^It alfo fets forth, « that the king,

((

dai
fer

wai

did

and

moi

whii

ctllj

quel

ionii

the«

({

((

lett^

/■

" WEST IN DIE & 35^

^ letters patent under the great feal, had given CHAP.
^ expreft power and diredlion to the goyemor, as II.
** fooaas the ftate and circumftances of the colo- '
** ny would admit thereof, with the advice and
« confent of the council, and the reprefentatives
** of the people, to make, conftitute, and ordain
«< laws, natutes, and ordinances for the good go-
** vernment thereof, as near as may be agreeably
*< to the laws of England, and under fuch regula-
« tions and reftridlions as are ufed in the other
«* Britiih colonies."

This proclamation was followed by another,
dated the 26th of March 1764, inviting purcha-
fers upon certain terms and conditions.

The governor thus faid *-c have been appointed,
was general Melville, ^/hofe commiflion however
did not bear date undlthe 9th of April 1764,
and the aifembly which he was directed to fum-
mon, met for the firft time in 1765 ; previous to
which, the Britifh inhabitants were irreiiftibly
called to the difcuflion of a great conftitutional
qaeftion ; of which it is proper I ihould now give
fome account.

Thequeftionarofe from the information, that

the crown, conceiving itfelf entitled by the terms

Wnff thus beB^f the capitulation to the duty of 4^ per cent, upon

ftrft meafuJ*^! produce exported from tne newly cedea if-

"^f mation unS^«*> as paid at Barbadoes, &c. had iffued let-

h of OfitobSters patent, bearing date the 20th July 1764, or-

\\) it is dM^ering and directing, by virtue of the prerogative

|t9in^8, ^^ jgfjroyal, that from atfd after the 29th of September,

ing in, ^^jjj^^gjthen next eniiiing, fuch duty or import in fpecie,

^"^ mcnt of tp^ould be levied in Grenada ; in lieu of all cuf-

We have feen, in the hiftory of Barbadoes, in
hat manner the inhabitants of that iiland be-

tfcovado fu.
50 hogftieads
ibout 27,000

ion in Febru.
58, was finally
itivc treaty of
bruary 1763;
fame time to
favour of the
asbythearti-

ift.That, as
ender, fubjeas
,y their proper-

in tike manmr
\fthc other hi-
irefpe^^toreli.
footing as the in-
was given th
esoftheRomi
t Briiain permit-
ants of Grenadj
dhaveUbeny{(
buld be allow

!he"^firftm«a^^

nl, as fully as H
Fitifh Colonies
.imcdiate goveij
that the king, '

- .1 •■■'■■

l! i'

I 1

! f-

le fubje£t to the dutv in queftion ; and to what

purpofes

|5«

HISTORY OF THE

:|.

IHt'

E|';

WW-

» *

,^ 'lli'*5!

BOOK purpofes the money was exprefsly ftipulated to
ni. be applied ; but, unjuftiiiable as were the means
by which that impoiition was originally eftablifh.
ed in Barbadoes, the grant was, apparently, the
grant of the people themfelves, by their repre.
fentatives in their legiflative capacity. Even
Charles the II. in whofe reign the grant pafled,
though a rapacious and unprincipled monarch,
did not openly claim the right of laying taxes by
his own authority in a colony which had an af-
fembly of its own, competent to that purpofe.
The king was ready enough to overawe, or to
corrupt the members which compofed that alTem-
bly; but he left them the form and femblanceat
lead, of a free government.

In defence of the prefent meafure, it was urg.
ed that Grenada being a conquered country, the
king was invefled with the power of putting the
inhabitants under what form of government he
thought beft ; that he might have granted them
what terms of capitulation, and have concluded
what articles of peace with them he faw fit; and
further, that the aflurance to the inhabitants of|
Grenada, in the articles of capitulation, thati
they fhould enjoy their properties and privileges
in like manner as the other his Majefty's fubjdSlsH
in the Britiih Leeward Iflands, neceffarily im-Pots o:
plied that they were bound to fubmit to the fami
confequences of their being fubjedls as were ifu
mitted to by the inhabitants of thofe iflands
one of which was the payment of the dutyii
queilion. It was faid therefore that the demarn
of this duty was moil reafonable, equitable am
political ; for that it was only putting Grenada
as to duties, on the fame footing with all the BrSonaJ
tifli Leeward Iflands. If Grenada paid more, ippi.
would be detrimental to her, if lefs, it would bl
detrimental to the other Leeward Iflands. ■ * ^^

fO.

Itati
efts;]
on
Jepj
l6fi

id(
ear

ftipuUtcd to
rc ibc means
illy eftablilh.
parently, tbe
' their repre

WEST INDIES.

33)

icity.

Even

On the other fide, it was contended, that the CHAP^
letters patent were void on two points, the firft n,
was ** that although they had been granted be"
fore the proclamation of the 7th of oSober 1763,
yet the king could not exercife fuch a legiflative
power over a conquered country.".r-The fecond
point was, << that although the king had fuffioit
eat power and authority, before the 7thof0^o*
ber 1763, to do fuch a legiflative a^, he had di-
vefted himfelf of fuch authority previous to the
jletters patent of the 20th of July 1764,''
The crown however perfifting in its claim, and
e inhabitants in oppofing it, ilTue was joined
a the arguments that I have dated, and the
eftion was at length referred to a folemn adf
idication before the judges of the Qourt of
ig's Bench in England *.
The cafe was elaborately argued in Weilmin*
r^hall, fourlbveral times; and in Michaelmas
1774, Lord chief juftice Mansfield prot
luaced judgment, againji the crown. The con-
Dence was, that the duty in queftion was abo*
led, not only; in Grenacia, but alfo in the ced*
iflands of Pominica, St, Vincent, ai^d TQ«q

* * ftv^s fubjeflsB^ ■'"y ^ reafonably fbppofed that the inhabi-
ajeity ^jj^Bats of all thefe iflands had fufi&cient caufe for

^^^\q the famcl^wtion ait a verdift fo favourable to their in-
mit i.,m-ftg. bm tijg circumflances on which the de«» f

a was founded, and the do^rines which '
e promulgated along with it, became ch6 fub-
6f much animadvemon ; and indeed (if I may
de my own opinion in fuch a cafe) they
ar to me to be of a dapgerous and unconfli^
nal tendency.
PL. I. A a The

grant pafTed,
led monarch,
tying taxes by
ch had an af-
that purpofe.
overawe, or to
fed that allem.
Ldfemblanceat

are, itwasurg.
jd country, the
,r of putting tk
government he
ve granted them
have concluded

he faw fit; »m
le inhabitants oti

pitulati

tion,

that!

;asaswerefot
>f thofe iflandsj
i of the duty in
Ithat the deman^
. equitable and
iutting Grenadil
with all the B13
ida paid more,
llefs, it^ould

d Iflands.

* The cafe is relate.d at large in Cowpex's Report).

."4

SS4

' 1

HISTORY OF THE

The noble and venerable judge who pro.
nounced the opinion of the Court, refted the
determination folely on the circumibmce that
the proclamations of October 1763, and March
1764, were of prior date to the letters patent;
obferving that the king had precluded nimfelf
from the exercife of legiflative authority over
Grenada, before the letters |>atent were iffned.
" Through inattention, he faid, of the king's
fervants, in inverting the order in which the in.
ftniments ihould have pafTed, the laft ad was
contradi&ory to, and a violation of the iirft, and
on that account null and void." But, althougjil^
the noble lord confined the mere legal queftion|in
to a narrow compais, he judged it neceilary, ai
the fame time, to enter on a wide and extenfivi
field of difcuflion in fupport of the regal authi

it
0i
k

th]

rity over ccmquered countries; maintatnioi

abc
bet^

ion

lothe
irefi

du
^lain

'* that ic is left to the king to grant or refufe

capitulation; — if he refufes, and puts the ink^fupr
hitants to the ftuordy or otherwifi extermimti
them, all the lands belong to himfelf. If he
ceives the inhabitants under his prote6^ion,
grams them thdr property, he has a powi
', to fix Jitch terms and conditions as he thinks ^
:^#ir/r rlfc may (faid the noble judge) yield up'thi
conqueft^ ori retain it, on what terms heplea^
and change part, or the whole, of the law,
politicali form of its government, as he fees heJiMi »
In reply to an obfervation, that no adjudgi
cafe, in point, badbeen adduced, the noble loi
declared that this was not to be wondered
" inafmuch as iio queftion was ever ftarted
fore, but that the king has a right to a legijlati
<z«Mori/y over a conquered country ;" and he qui
ed an opinion of the crown lawyers in 1722,
jrefpeft of Jamaica. The affembly of that ifl;
being refraftory, it was referred to Sir Phil

Yorl

%e
A I

ed
0^

atu

innej

veri]

%k\

I'crfa

»c who pro*
rt, reftcd tk
mftancc that
. and Maid I
letters patent;
.\uded himfclt
ttthority over
tt were lUxied.
of the king's
1 which the in.
be laft *ft ^"

WEST INDI7. S.

8SS

Yorkc and Sir Clement Wearge to know «* what C H A P^
could be done if the aflemblv fhould obftinately I^*
continue to withhold all tne ufual fupplies."
Thev reported, that " if Jamaica was ftill to be
conndered as a conquered i/landt the king had a
right to levy taxes upon the inhabitants; but if
it was to be confidered in the fame light as the
other co/onies, no tax could be impofed on the in-
habitants, but by an ajfemhiy of the ijlandy or by
ina& of parliament*
It is impofiible, I think, not to perceive,

u ncccllary, ai
le and extenfivi
the regal auihf
maintainiDi
or refufe

ss;
grant

about that period, broke out into a civil war
between Great Britain and her colonies ; in the
progrefs of which, it is believed, this noble per*
fon diftinguifhed himfelf as an adlive partizan,
^^ _ tad a powerful advocate for the unconditional

S**«/i M< iniflBfunrcmacy of the mother country. I might
m^t ex/erwina((Botherwife be chargeable with great arrogance in
mlelf* 1^ hcwBprefuming to differ from fuch weight of authorj-
-^ but furely it will be permitted me to examine
doArine maintained on this occafion, by the
of thofe cafes, which the noble judge himfelf
duced in its fupport. In fuch an examination,
ilain argument and common fenfe may fupply
he fubtleties of legal refinement, and the wan;,
r ns it fees heJiMi profeflional learning.

^ protcAion
he has a powi
as he thinh ff
dge) yield up tb

t terms hemp
le, of the law

that no aMe
;d, the noble loi
be wondered
, ever ftarted
[ht to a legist
try;" and he qu'

iwyersin i7W»
iblyof thatillai

The cafes chiefly relied on by the learned
iidge, were thofe of Ireland, Wales, Berwick
id New York ; in all which places it was af*

ted that the king, after their conquefl, had, of
own authority, exercifed the powers of le-

Uature, by introducing an alteration of their
^nner laws, and eftablifhing a new fyflem of
l>vemment over the inhabitants. ** No man

red to Si^ Pbiljbferved his lordfhip, in the cafe of Ireland,)
Yoi wer faid that the change in the laws of that coun-

■|-

('I

A a 2

try

35«

HISTORY OF THfi

r 1,

\i^%

i
t

t/i

be
am

BOOK try wis made bv the parliament of England: no
HI. man ever faid the crown could not do it."

With the utmoft deference however to the fen-
timents of this great and enlightened lawyer, I
prefume to think that the oueftion was not fim-
ply, Whether the crown alone, or the parlia-
ment of England, had the right of exercifing
the authority contended for? — I will even admit
that the i|;iterpofition of parliament was unnecef-
fary. Still however the main queftion remains
to oe anfwered, - which is, to what extent may
the royal prerogative in fitch cafes be exerted? Did
the noble judge mean to afTert that conqueft de-
ilroys all the rights of the conquered, and that
the king, in changing their laws and form of go.
vcmmcnt, has a right to prefcribe to them, mt
werely the Englijh conjiitution ; — ^but any other
fyflem, ho thinks beft? If fuch was the opinion,
it may be afhi^med that the cafes which his lord-
ihip adduced in fupport of his argument, war^
rant no fuch conclufipn.

Xhe firft cafe >y#s that of Ireland. « The faft,
fays the noble lord, comes out clearly to be, that
Ireland received the laws of England by the char-
ters and commands of Henry II. King John and
Henry IIL".,, , ,

Of Wales, the ngble lord obferves " that thc^
ftatuteof-Wales(i$5£dward I.) is certainly noKfP!
more than regulations made by the kinz in hhMx *
council for the gQverni^ent of Wales, and thar"
the king governed it as a conqueft'^^ but let ui
bear on this fubjedl the learned judge Black
{lone. " This territory, obferves Blackftone
being then- entirely re-annexed (by a kind of feo«r»
dal refumption) to the dominion of the crown oBj '
England, or, as the ftatute of Rutland expreflew "
it, terra Walliae cum incolis fitis, prius '"^^'.MK, a3
feodali Juhjeda^ (of which homage was the lign*^'^ '

Jtical

(hi

tionsf

|0 mtl

WEST INDIES.

357

k'-^ ■•'^

ngland; no

it."

;r to the fcn-
ed lawyer, 1
\vas not fim-
r the parlia-
of exerciftng
II even admit
yita unnecef-
.ftion remains
nt extent may

exerted? Did

1 conqueft de-
ered, and thai
nd form of go-
,e to them, not
-but any other
ras the opinion,
which his lord,
argument, war.

jam in proprietat is dominium total iter et cum inte- CHAP.
gritate converfa (/?, et coronae regni Angliae tan- !!•
^am pars corporis ejufdem annexa et unita. But
thefiniihing ilroketo their independency, was
given by the (latute 27 Henry VIlI. c. 26. which
at the fame time gave the utmoft advancement to
their civil profperity, by admitting them to a
thorough communication of laws with thefuhjeds
of England, Thus were this brave people gra-
dually conquered into the enjoyment of \rue li-
berty; being infenfibly put upon the fame footing,
and made fellow citizens with their conquerors,^*

Another cafe was that of Berwick, which, ob-
ferved the noble lord, " after the conqueft of it,
was governed by charters from the crown; with-
out the interpontion of parliament, till the reign
of James I.'* The noble judge would have
ftated this cafe more fairly, had he faid that
Edward I. at the requefl of the inhabitants, con-
firmed to them the enjoyment of their ancient
laws ; but that " its conftitution was put on an
Inglijh footing, by a charter of king. James."

"""' V ™Thele are the very MTords of Blackftone. \^ .

nd by the ^^^'M The cafe next quoted by the learned judge wfs

King John a^^Bthat of New York, which was conquered from
, Ithe Dutch in 1664, and, like Wales, remained

rves " that tneBjjj pofleffion of moft of its former inhabitants.

is certainly noB., y^- Charles II. (obfcrves the noble judge)
the king tnhn^ »- - -^ - - - - '- ^^

id. " The faft,
rly tobe, that

[changed the form of their conftitution and poli-
Itical government ; by granting it to the duke of
York, to hold of his crown under all the regula-
rons contained in the letters patent," — So far is
but what followed ? This duke of York
^ ^afterwards James II.) was a man whofe priuci-

of the crown oj||gj^£g^^^j^j^gjjj vv^ere inthe higheft degree re-
u^and expreuemygjjjjjj^ ^^^ inimical to thole of the Englilh
, prius regt ./"^■onftitation. Accordingly he attempted at firft
jje was the Wmi introduce into the newly acquired country,
^''1 afyftem

'ales, andthai|
un-r but let us
A judge Black
tves Blackftott
Ibyakindoffi

S5t

HISTOKT OF THS

m ' 1

,!.

BOOK % fyftem little confonant to Britilh freedom; but
in. he was difappointed and defeated. He was com<
pelled, much againft his inclination, to allow the
people to choofe deputies to reprelent them ia
■the legiflature; and thefe deputies a^lually voted
" that all the ordinances wnich had been made
by the governor and council, before the people
were admitted to a fhare in the legiflature, wee
invalid, becaufe they werepajfed in a manner n-
fugnant to the conjtitution of England!**

From this recital, it is I think evident that the
noble and learned judge miilook the gift of the
queflion; or rather confounded together two
things which are totally diftin£t and repugnant
in their nature; for he appears to have confider.
ed the prerogative in the king, of extending to
his newly acquired Jiibjeffs, the bendits of tk
Ehglijh conjtitution, as equivalent to the right of I
rulmg them by whatever conftitution or fyftem
of government hepleafes; or, by none at all.

It would feem then that, if the cafes whid
have been adduced prove any thing, they provel
that the crown neither has prefcribed, nor couldj
prefcribe, any form of government incompatible
with the principles of the Britiih conftitution, to
any colony or territory whatever, whether at
quired by conqueft or fettlement ; — and good auj
thorities are not wanting in fupport of this doi
trine. " The king of Great Britain (fays an e:
cellent writer *) although at the head of a fri
ftate, may, in his own right, hold other ftati
linder a form of government that is not free;
he does, for inftance, the ftates of the eledorau
of Hanover. He may too even as king of Gn
Britain, by virtue of his prerogative and as g(
neralillimo of the empire, hold a conquei

ftaii

» Mr. Eftwick.

he CO
Ith

765.

leedom ; but
He was com-
I, to allow the
Blent them in
iftually voted
lad beea made
>re the people
giflature, were
I a manner rt'

landr '

vident that the
the ^j/? of the
together two
and repugnant
\ have confider*
of extending U
hen^ts of th
L to the right of
tution or fyftei
y none aifili*
he cafes wWchI
,mg, they prove'
•ibed, nor could
:nt incom]^atible
iconftitution,to
er, whether a&|
.,^and good au-
port of this dor
[tain, (fays an e:
head of a in
,ld other ftat(
'tis not free-,
>f the cleaorat<
as king of Gn
ative and asg'
[id a conqncn
' ftati

WEST INDIES.

S€9

fiate(for the time being) under a form of go-CHAP«
vernment that is not free ; that is, under military II*
Itw : but, in the inftant that fuch conquered date'
is, by treaty of peace, or otherwife, ceded to
the crown of Great Britain, in that inftant it im*
bibes the fpirii of the conftitution, it is natura-
lized ; it is ailimilated to the government, it is
governable and to be governed by, and under all,
thofe powers with which the governing power of
king, lords and commons is inveiled by the con-
ftitution ; but it is not governable, neither is to
be governed, by any powers which the govern-
ing power of king, lords and commons does not
poflefs from the conftitution : as for example, it
cannot be governed on the principles of flavery ;
becaufe the governing power of king, lords and
commons is appointed by the conftitution to go-
vern on the principles of liberty." Surely it is
a propoiltion abfurd and monftrous on the very
&ce of it, to fay that a limited monarch, in a
free ftate, may govern any part of the dominions
of fuch a ftate in an arbitrary and tyrannical
manner. A body of fubje6is fo governed, would,
if fufficiently numerous, be fit inftruments to
enflave the reft !

The intelligent reader will admit the vaft im-
Iportance of this queftion, both to the prefent age
and to pofterity ; and perceive how greatly the
leareft interefts of men, who, in the contingen-
ics of war, ftiall hereafter fall under the Britiih
ominion, may poflibly be concerned in its dif-
ffion. To fuch readers no apology will be ne-
y for the detail which I have thought it my
luty to give on a fubjed of fuch conftitutional

itude. I now return to tranfadlions with

he colony.

It has been ftated that the firft afTembly met in
765. At that time none of the French Roman

Catholic

tl!l-

i;'i

* . i iW''

K:.-..sy;

i€b

HISTORY OF THE

r « '

* . i,

i.'i

,. «*. is! .1 .J HV." 1

dOOlt catholic inhabitants claimed a right, or even ex^
ni. prelTed a defire, of becoming members, either of
the council or afTembly : but in 1768 the gover.
nor received inftrudions from the crown, toad*
mit two of them into the council, and to declare
others to be eligible into the afTembly, on taking
the oaths of allegiance and fupremacy. The go.
Vernor was dire^ed alfo to include the names of
certain perfons of this delcriptiou, in the com-
mii&on of the peftcci

Thefe initm^ions, and the meafures which
Wete taken in confequence thereof, gave rife to
violent commotions and party di vinous in the
colony, which, being embittered by religious
controverfy, continue to divide the inhabitants
to the prefent hour. It were highly unbecoming
in me (a (Granger to the ifland) to flatter the pafli-
ons of one party or the other; and I fhou'cl rea-
dily confign all the circumftances to oblivion,
. but that it is my duty as an hiflorian, to ftate
without prejudice fuch particulars as may, ini
their confequences, afl'edl the general welfare of
the colony) that the errors of one age may ferve|
as a leiTon to the next«

Theoppofition that was given by the Britiflil
inhabitants to the appointment of any of the Ro-
man Catholic capitulants to feats in the legifla*
ture, arofe, I believe, originally from an idea]
that the royal in(lru6^ions in this cafe were in di-
red violation of the teft aft of Charles II. which!
requires " that all perfons enjoying any place ofl
trufl or profit fhall, in addition to the oaths ofl
allegiance and fupremacy, lubfcribe a declarationf
againil the do£trine of tranfubflantiation in thel
facrament of the Lord's fupper." By the king's!
inftrudlions, above cited, his Roman Catholicl
fnbjefts of Grenada were declared eligible with-[
out fubrcribing to this declaration.

Liberal!

t I
J

WEST INDIES.

Si«

or even ex-

rs, either of
8 the gover-
rown, toad-
id to declare
y, on taking
:y. The go-
the names of
in the com-

Eftfurcs which
', gave rife to
vifions in the
I by religious
he inhabitants
[y unbecoming
latter the pafli-
i I ihouK- rea.
to oblivion,

Liberal and enlightened minds at this day are c H A P.
not ealily reconcilea to he do^rine that an adhe- II.
rence to mere fpecula; * opinions in matters of ^
faith, ought to drive kiiy loyal fubjed from the
fervice of his country, or deprive a man (other*
wife entitled) of the enjovment of thofe honours
and difllnftions, the diitribution of which the
wifdom of the laws has affigned to the fovereign*
Much lefs will it be thought that fuch a man is
unworthy of that confidence which his neigh-
bours and fellow citizens, who are befl acquaint-
ed with his principles and virtues, and are thern-
fdves of a different perfuafion, fhall think fit to
repofe in him. At the fame time, it mufl be ac-
knowledged that the recent and then depending
claim in the crown, to lay taxes on Grenada by
its own authority, gavethe inhabitants juftcaufe
of appreheniion that the royal inflrudions in the
Iprefent cafe were founded, in like manner, on a
\orian, to f^ate ■pretenfion to legiilative authority, fubverfive of
r« as may, in Btheir own colonial afTembly*
leral welfare of ■ On the other hand, it was alledged that the
. Me may ferveBieft aft was never meant to extend to the Britifh
' Plantations ; that it was confined, both in itslet-

bv the BritilhHerand fpirit, to the kingdom of England and the
any of the Ro«Bown of Berwick ; and though it were true that
in the legifla-ftis the praAice of the courts of Grenada to adopt
from an ideawoth the common and flatute law of England, it
cafe were in di-fcs contended neverthelefs, that the adoption
larlesU* which Bould extend only to fuch t)f the Englilh fla-
- any place ofBites as were applicable to the peculiar fitua-
lo the oaths ofBon of the colony. It was urged that the aft
2 declaratioali queflion originated in an age of religious
ntiation in thcBtnzy and fanatic violence. The authority of
By the king'sBftory was adduced to prove that it was particur
oman CatholicBrly promoted by a worthlefs individual, from
d eligible with-limofity to the Duke of York, who was obliged,
■ confequence of it, to refign the great office of
Liberal! Lord

J'. A ■ >>

L^' y

l6t

BOOK

HISTORY OF THE

Lord High Admiral. A law thus founded and
fupported, inflead of being confldered as fuited
to the circumilances of a new and infant colony,
ought, it was faid, to be ctpunged from the
Engliih flatute book.

What influence thefe, or other confiderations,
had on the Britifh Miniftry, I prefume not to
fay. It is certain that the king refufed to re-
voke his inftru£lions; in confequence whereof
the mod: zealous of the proteftant members of
the afTembly declining to attend, it was fel.
dom that a houfe could be formed. Public
aifairs foon fell into the utmoil conjufion, and
in this ilate of fadion and perplexity, the ifland
continued, until its re-capture by the French in
1779.

On this occaiion, charges were brought againil
the French inhabitants which I will not repeat,
becaufe I have no other evidence to fupport
them than the mutual reproaches, and reciproallg^Jy
accufations of the parties. The complaints in. I the iJ
deed which were loudly made on the part of thelo^bi^
French, of an ufurpation of their deareft rightsli^tt^
by the prevailing &dion, feemed to imply thatluofo^
they relied rather on juftification than denial.

The French miniftry however required noi
other encouragement for attacking this ifland,
than the defencelefs ftate in which all the Bri*|
tifh fettlements in the Weft Indies were at thai
junfture notorioufly left. The hopelefs and de-
ftrudive war in North America had drawn to ii
vortex ail tlie powers, refources, and exertioni
of Great Britain. Already had Dominica an&tj \^
St. Vincent become a facrifice to that unfortuf q ^j^
nate conteft; when it fell to the lot of Grenai'
to experience her fhare of the general misfor
tune.

£
0:
b(
of

fei

tif

ffle]

dgy

whi

him

the,

Inak

of n

andt

batt
hew
over

th<
pitu

'fan

le lat

pe pr
IsinJ

WEST INDIES.

a^s

ounded and
red as fuited
iant colony,
ed from the

)nfiderauon8,
efume not to
efufed to re-
ence whereof
t members of
I, it was fel-
icd. P^^^ic
X)nfafion, and
dty, theifland
the French iQ

aronght againft
f/'iM not repeat,
Qcc to fupport

On the zd of July 1779, a French aniianiexit» CHAP,
confiding of a fleet of 25 fhips of the line, 10 II.
frigates, and 5000 troops, under the cor^.mand
of the Count D'Eftaing, appeared off the har-
bour and town of St. George : the whole force
of the ifland was compofed of 90 men of the
48th regiment, 300 militia of the i(land» and 150
feameu from the merchant ihips; and its for-
tifications coniifted chiefly of an entrenchment
which had been haftily tnrown up, round the
fummit of the Hofpital hill. This entrench-
ment the Count D'£{laing invefted the next
day, at the head of 3,000 of his befl forces,
which he led up in three columns, and after a
bird confli^ and the lofs of 300 men carried
the lines. Never did fo fmall a body^ of men
Ibiake a nobler defence againft fuch mequality
of numbers. The governor (Lord Macartney),
and the remains of his little garrifon, immeai-
and reciprocal! ately retired into the old fort, at the mouth of
complaints in-Bthe harbour ; which however was wholly unte-
the part of thelnable, being commanded by the Hofpital-hill
ir deareft rightsHbattery, the guns of, which having been moft
d to imply^^^^Bwifortunately left unfpiked, were now turned
in than denial Hagainft them. At day-break, the French opened

I battery of two twenty-four pounders againft

he walls of the old fort. In this fitilation, the

;overnor and inhabitants had no refource but

the hopes of obtaining favourable terms oi*

pitulation ; and herein they were difappoint-

Their propofals were fcomfully rejeded,

d fuch hard and extraordinary terms offered

I Dominica anSnd infifted on by Count d*£ftaing, as left them

o that unfortumo alternative but the facrifice of their honour,

lot of Grenaw an unconditional furrender. They embraced

general misfotfte latter ; and it muft be acknowledged that

"le protediion which was offered to the help-

fs inhabitaats of the town, and their property,

not

;r required nol
ting this iflandJ
tich all the Bn-
lies were at that^
lopelefs and dcj
Ihad drawn tor
and exertioni

HISTORY OF THE

)

Tt Ml

inl
fai
etc
he
ut

BOOK not only while the treaty was depending, but ^Ifo
III. after the furrender of the iflaud at difcretion,
reflected the higheft luftre on the difciplifie, as
well as humanity of the conquerors. Protec-
tion and fafe-guards were granted on every ap.
plication, and thus a town was faved from plun.
der, which by the ftrift rules of war, might have
been given up to an exafperated foldiery.

It is to be lamented that the fuhfequent con-
du6l of the French government of Grenada, to-
wards its new fubjedls, was not quite fo gene-
rous. By an ordinance of the Count de Durat,
the new governor, they were enjoined, under
the penalty of military execution and confifca-
tion of property, from the payment, direftly or
indireftly, of all debts due by them to Britiih
fubjedls, refiding in any part of the Britiih do-
minions ; and by another ordinance, the prohi-
bition was extended to fuch.debts owing to the
fubjefts of the united provinces of Holland, asl
were guaranteed by any of the fubjefts of Great|
Britain. The Count D*Eftaing had inferti
claufes to the fame effe6l, in the form of capi
tulation which he had tendered to the garrifon^
and it was thofe prohibitions that induced th J^''^
Britiih inhabitants, with an honeft indignatioi
to rifque the confequence of an uncondition;
furrender, rather than fubniit to them. Witl
the virtue and integrity that it is to be hop
will for ever diftinguifh the Britiih chara^ei
they confidered no facrifice fo great as the vil
olation of that confidence, which had beenr^
pofed in them by their friends and creditors m^^^'
Europe. But the ordinances went ftill fiirthej* "
By the regulations which they contained, it ww^ §»^°
enadled that all the el^ates belonging to EngliJ*'/
abfentees, Ihouldbeput into the hands of cef ^ /^
tain perfons to be nominated by the governiw'^*^

caiir

letoj
iven,
le re
ved
ore
min
Grei

I'. hJ '

ling, but ^Ifo
It difcretipn,
lifcipUtie, as
ors. Protec.
on every ap-
ed from plun-
r, migVithave
diery.

WEST INDIES.

361

called confervators ; and the produce be paid CHAP.
into the public treafury. Thus was plunder ^^'
fan6iioiiea by authority ; and the abfent propri-
I etors were not the only viftims. Thefhameful
facility with which every French claimant waa

S' ut into ^ poffcffion of eftates, to which the
ighteft pretenfion was fet up, gave the refi-'
I dent planters reafon to apprehend, that the only
indulgence they were to expeft, wa^ that which

ibfequent con- Ipoiip^emus promifed Ulyffes, of being devoured

; Grenada, to
quite fo gene-
)nnt deDurat,
ajoined, under
and confifca-
ent, direaiyor
Lhemto Britilh
the Britifhdo.
mce, the ptoE
owing to the

tts

the lafl,

Moft of thefe injurious proceedings, and va-
rious ads- of perfonal oppreffion, inflifted on
Ithe conquered Ihhabitants of Grenada, were,
y them, imputed to the too great influence
ith the governor of their late fellow fubjedls
d neighbours, the French planters ; and it is
luch eaiier to account for, than to juftify their
londudl. Let it be remembered however, to the
- ^ , «B'*^^°^'^ °^ ^^^ French nation, that thefe nefa-

of ^®"*"p' Kous proceedings were n.o fooner made known
ubjeas ot ^"Jm the court of France, than they were difap-
S r *^ If J,S«>ved and reprobated. The appointment of

infervators was aboliihed, and reftoration or-
lered to be made of the ellates of abfent pro-
ctors, Redrefs was likewife very generally
yen, by appeals in the laft refort, to fuchof
le refident planters as had been illegally de-
lved of their poffeflions. But it was not long,
fore the ifland itfelf reverted to the Britilh

le form of capi-|

to the ga"^^<»;.
hat induced tn^
left indignation
n unconditioni
to them, ^^^ttl|
is to be hop
ritifti charaaei
1 great as the v

immion;

I Grenada and the Grenadines were

, —^ »«• « ...^ reftored

ich had be^^'^a Great Britain, with all the other captured if-

^^^ AMI Ctb*^^ '^^ ^^^ ^^^ ^^^^^* (Tobago excepted) by
/ent ftill w ^g general pacification which took place in Ja-
contained, it»j^^^ 1785 ; af pacification upon which, what-
nging to ^|J2 jer may be its general merits, it is impOiUble
le hands 01 ^mthatthc EngUlh fugar planters (except per-

'y "^^ 8°'! J . • haps

iit'i,;'

3^6

HISTORY OF THE

?,r?

I', 1 1 '?W?*1ffi?,

BOOK haps thofe of tHe ceded iiland) mud refle£l wim
III. grateful fatis&^lion. It might indeed have been
wilhed, by thofe who have at heart theprcfem
repofe and future profperity of mankind, that
fome falutary regulations had been framed, at
the fame time, fcr preventing the revival of thofe
unhappy national animofities among the white
inhabitants of Grenada, of which I have fo large-
ly fpoken, and which, I am forry to be inform,
ed, were renewed on the reitoration of the if.
land with additional force and aggravated vio.|
lence. It is not my intention however to enterl
into any further detail on the fubje£t. As a friendl
to the intereftsof humanity, independent of re^l
ligious opinions, and locality of birth, I ihaUl
rejoice if means can be found to reftore to this!
little community that peace, confidence and udi.|
nimity, without which its inhabitants muft
a ruined people, and a prey to the firft invi.{
der.

Having thus, as I conceive, fufficiently treate
of the hiftOrical and political concerns of thiij
valuable colony, I fhall conclude with a ihon
difplay of its prefent flate, in refped of foilj
population, produdlions and exports, premifu
that many of thofe little iilands which are calle
the Grenadines, no longer appertain to the go
vemment of Grenada. By an arrangement oj
the Britifh adminift ration, which has taken efj
fe6i fmce the peace, a line of divifion pafTes ii
an eail and well diredlion, between Cariacoa
and Union ifland. The former of thefe, m
fome fmaller iOandA fouth of it, are all that ai
now coniprifed in the Grenada govemmeotj
Union Iiland, with all the little iflands adjoin
ing, to the north, being annexed to the gover
ment of St. Vincent.

Grenad

' HE

ift rcflcawithl
eed have been
irt theprefent
mankind9 that
len framed, at
evivalofthofe
long the white
Ihavefola^g^
f to be inform* I
ition of the if.|
aggravated vio-l
wever to enter!
jea. As a friendl
lependent of 1*1
f birth, I M
to reftore to thisi
fidenceanduDkl
ibitants muft W
3 the firft in^i-j

[fficiently treat!

concerns of thii

ide with a ihoi

refpeft of foil

ports, premifi

which are call

Brtain to the gi

arrangement ol

^h has taken ef

divifion paffes i

etween Cariacoi

of thefe, ani

, are all that ai

da govemmeni

Ic iflands adjoif

|d to the gpvcr

Grenai

WEST INDIES.

3«7

Gi^oad;. ^^>ntains about 80,000 acres of land; CHAP,
•f whiish although no lefs than 72,141 acres II.
paid taxes in 1776, and may therefore be fup-
pofed fit for cultivation, yet the quantity ac-
tually cultivated has never exceeded 50,000
acres. The face of the country is mountainous,
but not inacceflible in any part, and it abounds
with fpringa and rivulets. To the north and
the eaft, the foil is a brick mould ; the fame,
or nearly the (ame, as that of which mention
baa been made in the hiftory of Jamaica. On
the weft fide, it is a rich black mould on a fub-
jiratum of yellow clay. To the fouth, the land
ia general is poor, and of a reddifti hue, and
the fame extends over a confiderable part of
the interior country. On the whole however,
Grenada appears to be fertile in a high degree^
and by the variety, as well as excellence, of ita
returns, feems adapted to every tropical produc-
tion. The exports of the year 1776, from Gre^
|sada and its dependencies, were 14,012,157 lbs.
[of mufcavado, and 9,273,607 lbs. of clayed fu-
r; 818,700 gallons of mm; 1,827,166 lbs. of
ifiee, 457,7 19 lbs. of cacao, 91,043 lbs. ofcot-
0, 27,638 lbs. of indigo, and iome fmaller ar-
icles; the whole of which, on a moderate com-
lutation, could no; be worth lefs, at the ports
f ihipping, than ^. 600,000 fterling, excluding
;eight, duties, infurance and other charges. It
leferves to be remembered too, that the fugar
as the produce of 106 plantations only, and
lat they were worked by 18,293 negroes, which
as therefore rather more than one hogfhead of
ufcavado fugar, of i6cwt. from the labour of
h negro, old and young, employed in the
Itivation of that commodity ; a prodigious re^
n, equalled, I believe, by no other Britilh if-
4 in the Weft Indies, St. Chriftopher's ex-
cepted.

$61

HISTORY OP THE

tm-'^'^r

if ■■

S/^«

Vr^^-

It' •* t ''9

w .

mar'.

1 "?

0|{'

BOOK ccptcd.— The exports of 1787 will be given
ni. hereafter : they will be found, except in one or
two articles, to fall greatly fhort of thofe of
1776 ; a circumdance for which I know not
wholly how to account.

This ifland is divided into fix pariihes, St.
George, bt. David, St. Andrew, bt. Patrick,
St. Mark, and St. John ; and its chief depen.
dency, Cariacou, forms a feventh pariih. It is
only fmce the refloration of Grenada to Great
Britain by the peace of 1783, that an ifland law
has been obtained for the eftablifhment of a pro*
teftant clerp[y. This ad pafTed in 1784, and
provides ftipends of £. 330 currency, and f^. 60
for houfe rent per annum, for five clergymen,
viz. one for the town and pariih of St. Georffc,
three for the other five out pariihes of Grenada,
and one for Cariacou. Beiides thefe ilipends, there
are valuable glebe lands, which had been ap'
propriated to the fupport of the Roman cath(k|
lie clergy, whilil that wsts the eilabliihed reJ
ligion of Grenada. Thefe lands, according toj
an opinion of the attorney and folicitor gene-
ral of England (to whom a queilion on this point]
was referred by the crown) became veiled in his
Majeily as public lands, on the reiloration of|
the ifland to the Britifh government, and I be-
lieve have fince >been applied by the colonial le-
giflature, with the confent of the crown, to thel
further fupport of the proteAant church, withl
Ibme allowance thereout (to what amount I ami
not informed) ^ for the benefit of the tolerated|
Romifh clergy of the remaining French inhabi-j
tants. I

The capital of Grenada, by an ordinance 0^
governor Melville, foon after the ceilion of tha
country to Great Britain by the peace of ParisJ
is called St, George. By this ordinance, Engj

f/f

IT. t? •

ill be given
-pt ift one or
of tbofc of
1 know not

narifhes, St.

bt. Patrick,
chief dcpen.
pariih. It i»
lada to Great

an iftand Uw
mcnt of a pro-

in 1784? J^^
ley, tnd^.6o
ive clergymen,
of St. Georffe,
^ of Grenada,
;ftipends, there
I had been ap-
» Roman cat^o.^
' cftablilhcd re

W£8T INI>I£S.

liih names were given to the feveral towns and c
parities, and their French names forbidden to
be thereafter ufed in any public a^s. The French
name of the capital was Fort Royale. It is fitu-
ated in a fpacious bay, on the weft or lee fide of
the ifland, not far from the fouth end, and poi^
fefles one of the (afeft and moft commodious har-
bours for (hipping in the Englifh Weft Indies,
which has been lately fortified at a very great
ezpence.

The other towns in Grenada, are, properly
fpeaking, inconfiderable villages or hamlets,
which are generally fituated at the bays or {hip-
ping places in the feveral out parifties. The pa-
rilhtown of Cariacou is called Hilllborough.
Grenada has two ports of entry, with fepai^^te
ibliihments, and diftind revenue officers, in-
jendent of each other, viz. one at St. George,
ihe capital, and one at Grenville bay, a town
id harbour on the eaft or windward fide of the
d. 'The former, by the 27 Geo. III. c. 27. is
it a free port.

*» ^^*^ -^Qr cene-B, Whether it be owing to the events of war, to
iolici , ^g^Q-^j^^Bomeftic diiTentions, or to calamities infiided by
^ ^^ fted m hisB"^ ^^'^d of Divine Providence, I know not, but
'"*^ yf ration aim *PP^*^^ ^^*^ ^^® white population of Grenada
rcuo _, "^d the Grenadines has decreafed confiderably
ice thefe iflands firft came into pofleflion of the
lifh. The number of white inhabitants, in
year 1771, were known to be fomewhat more
a 1600; in 1777 they had decreafed to thir-

Iment, and\^-
thecoloiiiailc
to tnc

c crown, .
.t church, with

at *^^^ igjatedt hundred; and at tjiis time they are fuppofed
*^^b® , inhabw '® ^^*^^^^ ^^^ thoufand, of which about two
Frenc m^^^ ^^^ ^^^ ^^^c to bear arms, and incorpo-

I A' ance oB^ ^^to five regiments of militia, including a
Ian ordin ^^Mipauy of free blacks or mulattoes, attached to'
ic celuon . m. There are likewile about <oo regiilarl
peace of rj"»oi. I. B b uoops

lordinance, Wf ^

"»..

I'f I

"IT"*

HISTORY or THE

If y : ^

'■^,:

BOOK troops fVom Great Britain, which are fupported |,'|
III' on the Britifh eftablilhmcnt*.

The negro flavea have alio ddcreafed. By the
laft returns preceding the capture of the iiland in
1779, ^^y ^^^^ ftated at 35,600, of which 5000
were in Ciiriacou, and the fmaller iflands. In
1785 they anMranted to no mbre than 23,926 in
rhe whole. The decreafe was owing partly to the
want of any regular fupply during the French , _
ffovernment, and partly to the numbers carried K [
from the ifland by the French inhabitants, both
before and after the peace. It is alfo to be ob*
ferved, that of the African cargoes fold at Gre-
nada, fome part (perhaps a fourth or fifth) are
exported to the neighbouring French and Spanilh
colonies.

The free people of colour amounted in 1787,
to 1,11.5. 1'^ prevent the too great increafe
this mixed race, every manumiffion is, by an aftj
of this ifland, chargea with a fine of one hund
pounds currency, payable into the public tret'
fury. But this law has neither operated as a pro
duSive fund, nor as a prohibition; for it is ufu
ailly evaded b^ executing and recording a£b oMq^^
manumiffion m Tome other ifland or governmei
where there is no fuch law. The evidence of ai
free coloured people, whether bom free or mt
numitted, is received in thecourts ofthis iilam
on their producing fufficient proof of their fn
dom ; and fuch free people are tried on criini:
charges in the fame manner as whites, withoi

diflinai

>* Befides the regular troops which are fent from GkK /
Britain for the prote^ion of Grenada, there are initsgarrff ^^'
fon three companies of king's negroes, which came fromAmvI Ms
rica, w:here they ferved in three capacities, as |>ioneers, ai
ficers and light dragoons. In Grenada they form a compai
of each, and are commanded by a lieutenant of the regu^jie cut
having captain's rank. I^SA^

iheiftatiott
i which 5000

WEST INDIES.

8^t

|i(lin£lion of colour. They are alfb allowed to CHAP^
oflefs and enjoy lands and tenements to any 11.
nount, provided they are native born fubje^g
rcapitulan , and not aliens.
I The governor, by virtue of his office, ischan-
tUor, ordinary and vice admiral, and prefides

mbcrs ,

abitattta, both
aUo tobeob.

.8 fold atGrc

b or fift^) *;

LchaxidSpamih

hi on the arrival of every new governor, to
ptiaue during his government. In all cafes of
Heace beyond twelve months, tl^e falary ceafet
I determines.

The council of Grenada coniifts of twelve
ubers, and the aifembly of twenty-fix.. The
vers, privileges and fundions ot both thefe

the public tteamteeltate, ot ftlty acres, is a qualification to
Ti rated asaproMireprefentative for the parifhes, and a free-
fP^y^Qj \i 18 ufuBi, or life eftate, in fifty pounds houfe rent in
[ 'rding a&soBOeorge, qualifies a reprefentative for the
\?L^ tfftvernmenBQ. An eftate often acres in fee, or for life, or a

d or governmei
B evidence Ota

irtsofthis.iflau^'

of ten pounds in any of the out towns, gives
lefor the reprefentatrves of each pariih ref-
tvely; and a rent of twenty pounds ^^ra»n«m
^f of their frecBng out of any freehold or life eitate in the
' • ed on crimiiuKf St. George, gives a vote for a reprefen-
^'[Lhites witbo\»efor the town.

^\ftin£tio»e law courts in Grenada, befides thofe of

;ery and ordinary, are, firft, the court of

' feflionsof the peace, held twice a year,

March and September. In this court the

Bbz firft

dito^^°
from Gre<

•te fent ,
.here are in "s |:*

L as t»ioB«"'» *',
they fotm a com^

he currency of Grenada, or rate of exchange, is com-
mper cent, worfe than fterling.

S7»'

HISTORY OF THE

I,; ..:C''P''-3' .1

BOOK Hrfl perfon named in the commiflion of the peace]
III. prefides, who is ufually the preiident or feniorin
council.

2dly, The court of common pleas. Thiscour
confifts of one chief and four afliftant jufticei
whofe commiffions are during pleafure. ThJ
chief juftice is ufually appointed in England,
profeflional man, and receives a falary of £.(
j>er annum. The four afliftani juftices are uluallj
appointed by the governor from among the gen
tlemen of the ifland, and a£i without falary. I

3dly, The court of exchequer. Thebaronsij
this court are commiilioned in like manner as il
the court of common pleas. But this court i
lately grown into difufe.

4thly, The court of admiralty, for trial of j
prize caufes of capture from enemies in war,
of revenue feizures in peace or war. There isoij
judge of admiralty and one furrogate*

Laflly, The governor and council compofelopa

court of error, as in Jamaica, for trying alli
peals of error from the court of common pleas.]

Although there is no law of Grenada decla
an adoption of the laws of England, yet it!
been always the pradlice of the courts, to coij
derboth the common and ftatute law of Engla
to extend to Grenada in all applicable cafes,
btherwife provided for by particular laws of I
ifland. So in like manner the pradlice < ?the cod
in Weftminfter Hall, and authentic reports]
adjudged cafes there, are reforied to, when [
cedents and authorities are wanting in the ifla
In the cafe of its Jiuve laws, it may be faid '
truth and juftice, that the affembly of this illj
have fhewn a liberality of fentiment whichj
flefts the higheft honour on their charadlers,!
as legiflators and chriftians.

Ituai

ach.
Icl

: HE

WEST INDIES.

S9i

I have now furniftied the reader with all the ia*c H A P.
formation I have coUeded concerning the paft II.
hiftory and prefent ftate of the ifland of Grenada,
and if it (hall be thought deficient or uninllruc-
tive, the fault is not in the want of materials,
but in the workman. Something however re-
mains to be obferved concerning fuch of the Gre-
nadines as are dependent on the Grenada govern-
ment, the chief of which are Cariacou and Ifle
Ronde. The former contains 69 13 acres of land,
and in general it is fertile and well cultivated ;
The baronsiBproducing in feafonable years a million of pounds
Like manner as ilof cotton for exportation, belides corn, yams,

otatoes and plantains fufficient for the mainte-

ance of its negroes. The cultivation of fugar

as been found lefs fuccefsful in this iiland than

tton, though it ftill continues to be made on

plantations. I(le Ronde contains about 500

roaate* M"^^ of excellent land, which are wholly applied

^council coinpofeHopafturagc, and the cultivation of cotton. It is

for tryitig allBtuated about midway between Cariacou and the

'{ common pleaAorth end of Grenada, about four leagues from

f Grenada declai™ch.

England, yeiitM Iclofe my account of this colony, as of Barba-
he courts, to coiBoes, with an authentic return by the Infpedlor
tutelawofE»g^waeral of Great Britain, of the exports from
npUcable cafes, wenada and its dependencies, for the year 1787;
[rttcular laws of •ntaining alfo an eftimate of the aftual value of

on of the peace]
lent or feniori

jas. Thiscoui
ifliftant jufticei
pleafure. if
i in England,
afalaryof«
iftices are ulualli
I among the gei
thout falary

But this courti

tty, for trial of 1
lemies in war, a
,war. There i80i|

praaicec 'fthecoii
Authentic reports]
torted to, whenf
wanting in the ifla
it maybefaid|^
femblyofthisifll
fentiment which|
Iheir charaaers,

feveral articles of the Britifh market :

,! ■

K (, it

S74-

BOOK

III.

iv.

* !'

HISTORY OF THE

•^

•£ u.

2 S sj c3

3f oj 3 ...•

*« '■^ 'C **»
^•5 S-a

w'15^

n
V

y Q

"^1

r- «,5

.0 *.-r

u e

00 .
q« G

J2 o

li I

D .3

to 4)

J- «- w

3 rj O

>i U

^ 5 s

e « «»

Total Value

according to the

current Prices in

I«ndon.

H M 0«« to

^*"l 1 1 1

^ 1 2 ** 1

•^1

Indi-
go-

Cotton.

g o «

£ « « 1 «

00
00

.. . 1

m
«

1 ||8

Rum.

. 6 <1 *

6
»♦

0-
VO

Sugar.

1 **^i n

r; t« « W

'o
1

Shipping.

g On ^ (-1 «

. NO n to O <«■

c n r^ «^NO t^
{^ CO NO r« M

ir> t^ t^ O ^
O NO ^ «n ««

To Great Britain
Ireland —
American States
Br. Amer. Cols.
Foreign W. Indies

THE

»». «^ 1^ "> ^

I I

to • .^

if*

WEST I N I? I E S.

a7S

Miciti lizvii nii-id- 0'A~- ' ■.■■ -"nf '!f97^,UiJ:y^ ' , ■ ',«<!■ -.-CHAP.

St. VINCENT and Its I>EPENDENeiES,

AND

DO MI NIC A.

Kir

it ?ajj:jDiTC!3

■^

i9»nh i;.s iri :■,'

N--U- k.r. ,

;>wiw eb'.

^mvjt^qr

1 1 HE «;ivU liiftory of tteiq I/lands may be
compicifea withui. s^ narrow cpmpafs ; for the fo-
vereignty of them having beeQ long- an objed of
difpute between tbe crowns, of Great Britain and
France, the rightful pofleflbrs, the Chariubes, V
deriveci that fecurity from^ tbe reciprocal envy
ind avarice of the contending parties, whicn
;hey might h^ive expedled in.vai^ from their juf.
ce and humanity. As both St. Vincent and
ominica were included, with many other Iflands,
the Earl of Carlifle's patent, it is not wo?ider-
1 tl[iav aitt^^p^ \fere made, at different times,*
ibring theo) -under the Engliih dominion. Thefe
tempts thi^ Freuch conftantly oppofed, with de-
^, it wftf Jigged, fecretly and furreptitioufly to
capy th^ Iflands themfelves; and their conduct
wards t^eCharaibes on other occaiions feems to
ilify the ^ggeltion.

But,

! V

!f7<

HISTORY OF THE

', f

ob K But, whatever might have been their motives, |
IIL they exerted themfelves with fuch effc^ thati
the Engliih were compelled to relinquiih all hopes
of obtaining thefe liknds by force; — for by the I
treaty of Aix la Chapelle (1748) St. Vincent,
Dominica, St. Lucia and Tobago, were declared
neutral, and the ancienjt propnetors (fuch as re-
mained of them) were at length left in unmoleil.|
cd poffeffion.

The difputes and hoftilities which thefe atJ

tempts of the Englifh on the one hand, and re.|

iiftance of the French on the other, gave rife to,|

in this part of , the worl^, are no longer intereft.l

ing, and therefdre need not be brought again to|

temembrance. The injuftice and depravity of]

mankind are at all times fubjeds of unpleafiDgl

fpeculation ; but the fubfcqucnt condud^ of botbl

nations, refpe^ting the Iflands which they hadf

declared neutral, is too remarkable, to be oven

looked, even if hiftorical prec^iion'did not,

■ in the prefeiif cafe'it doies, require'taie to relatf|

the circumftances attending it. '' ^'■' r'

• "*'The freaty of neutraKty was no fooner lioaj

eluded, than both Eifglilh and French appieaire(j

diCatisfied with the irraAgemdnt whibh they Ha

■made. The latter feem iibt to have confidere

; until it M^as too late, that by reftrtdiing the Engj

lilh from the occupancy of fhofc countries, or

the ground of right ih a third party, they preJ

eluded themfelves at th^ fame trnie. Thie Engj

lifli, on the Other hand, difcovfered that 'by acj

ceding to the compromife, they had jl^ven lip S

Lucia, an Ifland worth all the reft, And to whicl|

it muft be owned we had fome colourable pretc

iions, founded On a treaty entered iirto withthj

Charaibbean inhabitants in 16^4, fixhundredi

whom attended an armament ^that wars fent tli

the

*•■,

WEST INDIES.

their motives,
h effe^ that
quiih all hopes

.. for by the

')' St. Vincent,

^ere declared

or8(fu€hasre.

.ft in unmoleft.

vhich thefe at-
e hand, and re
icr

thcr bv Lord Willoughby, and adually put the
Engliui publicly and formally into pofiefiion.

Both nations being thus alike dilfatisfied wit'

an arrangement which left nothing to either, it

niay be fuppofed that on the conclufion of the

war which broke out a few years afterwards, a

very different ilipulation took place. The French

no longer pleaded fcruples on behalf of the Cha-

raibes, but very corclially concurred with the

Engliih in dividmg the fpoil. By the 9th article

of the peace of Paris, figned the loth of Februa-

**ffave rife to,l ry, i*J^3i the three Iflands of Dominica, St. Vin-

^'onlerintereft'Bcent, and Tobago, were affigned to Great Bri-

hrouffht again toB tain; and St. Lucia to France, in full and pcrpe-

d clepravity oMtual fovereignty; the Charaibes not being once

^ of unpleafingBmentioned in the whole tranfadtioUf as if no

condua of botlilfuch people exifted. ^ . ^

hich they hadB They were m truth reduced to a miferable rem-
lf\le to be oveMMnt. — Of the ancient, or, as they were called
■ - ™^y the Euglilh, K//ow Charaibes, not more than

hundred families furvived in 1763, and of all
eir ancient extenfive poiTeflions, thefe poor
!ople retained only a mountainous diitrid^ in the
land of St. Vincent. Of this Ifland and its de»
dencies I fhall now treat, referviog Dominica
a feparate fedion.

STf
CHAP.

fifion didnot^
uire'trie to^ ^*"^'

f -tT-fX

*«i.;

:W^'

fthatwaslent^j

Section

•-'»»

. :■ ' ■■■;■ > . 1 . ,

37«

BOOK

lU.

HIStORY Ot T'HlEi

•V"'

\ -..U' _•

Section !i

ii;;-

'ki ■■sv

Ijfev^* •>■ If

?'^ ■■■I- ' V / '

*, )3

ST. V I N C E NT. &c.

Yt^." j;^c

''..•n

''■■^•■f¥?l> ui '-ll-i'

iij;

aiaX

^^. ** THE Spaniards (fays Do£loir Campbell) be.|
flowed the name of St. Vincent upon thisif^
land, becaufe they difcovered it upon the 221
of January, which in their calendair is St. Vin^
cent's day, but it does not appear that the]
were ever, property fpcaking, in pofieflionol
*^ it; the Indians being very numerous here,
« account of its being the rendezvous of theij
•^ expeditions to the continent." Xlnfiwrtunatel]
however, neither their numbers, nor the natui
ftrength of the country, exempted them froi
i hoiUiity« What avarice had lioi vain attieiiipti
accident accomplifhed, by procuring .aiii
bliihment among them for a race of peoplj
whom, though at firft beheld by the native CI
raibes with contempt or pity, they have fini
found formidable rivals ana mercilefs conqi
rors. Thefe people have been long diftinguil
ed, however improperly, by the name oftBdiff
Black Charaibes.

Of the origin of thefe intruders, and theiraBalai

cient connexion with the native Charaibes, tlon

beft account that I have been able to find is ifltrool

fmall treatife of the author above quoted, (DoWof t]

deratir

ti
d
e(
ti
li
na
bi

liii

iiai

for

dui

occ

wei

Hti

WEST INDIES.

S19

ivr

i> lii

.>ia>^

derations on the nature of tli« Sugar-trade," CHAP,
which being equally authentic and curious, I ^^^'
Ihall prefent to my readers ientire ; and with the
lefs fcruple, becaufs ii eoafifts chiefly of an offi-
cial paper which cannot be abridged without
injury.

" In 1672, King Charles thought fit to divide
thefe governments, and by a new commiflion ap-
pointed Lord WiUoughby Governor of Barba-
does, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, and Dominica; Sir
William Sta^ileton being appointed Governor of
the other Leeward Ifles, and this feparation has
fubfifte»i ever fince, the fame iflands being con-
ftantly inferted in every new Governor's patent.
On the demife of Lord WiUoughby, Sir Jona^
than Atkins was appointed Governor of Barba-
does, and the reft of thefe iflands, andfo continu-
ed till 1680, when he was fucceeded by Sir Rich-
ard Dutton, who being fent for to England in
1685, appointed Colonel Edwin Stede Lieute-
nant Governor, who vigoroufly afTertedour rights
by appointing Deputy Governors for the other
Iflanas; and particularly fent Captain Temple
hither to prevent the French from wooding and
watering without our permiffion, to which they

had been encouraged by the inattentioA 6f the

oi peoplB former Governors; perfifting fteadily in this con-
^* CbBduft, till it was fignified to him, as we have had

or Campbell) be.
ent upon thisil-
i it upon the 22(^
aendatisSt.%.

appc»r Otiaf the]

tumeious n«f \<^
ftdervous 6t m

rs, nor the nawi
Bipted them troi
Iji vain attemptp

a race o

1, -v^g XiatlVe^DVUUU, nil 11 w«a uvutitcu lu mm, aa wc uavc imv*

Py^^,- v-ve Moccafion to ranark before, that the King had fign-

thcv have tin«occauontoranarK ociorc, inaime jvmgnaungu-

* r<nlefs conqiBed an aft of neutrality, and that commiffioners

^^ ^j^^ftinguiB were appointed by the two courts, to fettle all

^ he name of iM differences relative to thefe Iflands."

^ ■ « Some years after, a fhip from Guinea, with

, and their ■ a large cargo of flaves, was either wrecked or run

. ^Ql^j^jaibes, «lt)n fhore upon the ifland of St. Vincent, into the

^^V^f to fi^^ ^* i Jwoods and mountains of which great numbers-

Quoted, (Do4of the negroes efcaped. Here, whether willing.

^^ a impartial colly or unwillingly is a little unceruia, the Indians

anau y ^.^,M fuffered

love

deratil

38o

HISTORY OF THE

h'-t^Mk:':^^

fiim:r:'

*;;r/

BOOK fuffered them to remain, and partlv by th^ accef.
m* fion of runaway flaves from Barbacioes, partly by
the children they had by the Indian women, they
became very numerous ; fo that about the begin-
ning of the current century they conftrained the
Indians to retire into the north-weft part of the
ifland. Thefe people, as may be reafonably fup.
pofed, were much diflatisfied with this treatment;
and complained of it occafionally both to the
Enelifh and to the French, that came to wood
and water amongft them. The latter at length
fuffered themfelves to be prevailed upon to attack
thefe invaders, in the caufe of their old allies;
and from a perfuaiion that they fhould find more
difficulty in dealing with thefe negroes, in cafe
they were fuffered to ftrengthen themfelves, than
with the Indians. After much deliberation, in
the year 17 19, they came with a coniiderable
force from Martinico, and landing without much
Oppofition, began to burn the negro huts and de-
ilroy their plantations, fuppofing that the Indi-
ans would have attacked them in the mountains,
"which if they had done, the blacks had probably 1
been extirpated, or forced to fubmit and become {
ilaves. But either from fear or policy, the Indi*
ans did nothing, and the Negroes fallying in the I
night, and retreating to inacceffible places in thej
day, deftroyed fo many of the French (amoi'
whom was Mr. Paulian, major of Martinioue,!
who commanded them,) that they were forced toj
retire. When by this experiment th^ were con-
vinced that force would not do, they had recourfel
to fair means, and by dint of perfuafions andl
prefents, patched up a peace with the Negroes asl
well as the Indians, from which they rec^ive(l|
great advantage."

" Things were in this fituation when Captain

Uring came with a coniiderable armament to takd

?/ ' " i / pofleflioa

►»■■ -■,

/ •

bytlieaccef.
es, paitlyby
women, they
>utthcbegm-
mftrained the
eft part of the

lafonably fop-
his treatment;

r both to the
»me to wood
ittcr at length
upon to attack
leir old allies;
ould find more
legroes, in cafe
hemfelves, than
deliberation, m
a confiderable
igwithontmucli
gro huts and de-
g that the Indi-
I the mounuins,
ks had probably
mit and become
olicy, the Indi.

esfallymgl^*'
ible places in the

French (amonglt

of Martinique,

V were forced toi

ntthcywerecon.

they had recourse

■ pcrfnafions and
Ith the Negroes as

h they received]

ion when Captajfl
armament to tak

- poffemoi^

WEST INDIES.

pofleflion of St. Lucia and this ifland, in virtue
of a grant from our late fovereign King George I.
to the late Duke of Montague. When the French
had diflodged this gentleman, by a fuperior force
from St. Lucia, he fent Captain Braithwaite to try
what could be done at the Ifland of St. Vincent,
in which he yras not at all more fuccefsfiil, as
will beft appear from that gentleman's report to
Mr. XJring, which, as it contains feveral curious
circumftances relative to the country, and to the
two independent nations who then inhabited it,
belongs properly to this fubjeft, and cannot bup
prove entertaining to the reader. The paper is
without date, but it appears from Mr. Uring's

3«i

CHAP.
III.

memoirs that this tranfa£lion happened in the
fpring of the year 1723.'

"THE REPOR T.'*

" Inpurfuanceof a refolution in council, and
your order for fo doing, the day you failed
with his Grace's colony for Antego, I failed
with the Griffin floop, m company with his
Majefly's fhip the Winchelfea, to St. Vincent.
We made the Ifland that night, and next morn-
ing run along ihore, and faw feveral Indian
huts, but as yet no Indians came off to us, nor
could we get aftiore to them, by reafon there
was no ground to anchor in. Towards the
evening, two Indians came on board, and told
us, we might anchor in a bay to leeward, and
when we were at anchor they would bring their
general on board . Here we came to an anChof
in deep water, and very dangerous for the
' floop. One, whom they call General, came
onboard, with feveral others, to the number of
twenty-two. I entertained them very hand-

" fomely,

HISTORY OF THE

■I.

■,J ■»,',,;(;.;-{«.

BOOK" fomely, and made the chief fome trifling pre-
III. « fents, but found he was a perfon of no confe-
quence, and that ^they called him Chief to get
lome prefent from me. Here two of the Indi-
ans were fo drunk, they would not go alhore,
but ftaid on board fome days, and were well
entertained. After this, little winds and great
currents drove us off for feveral days ; but at
laft, we came to an anchor in a fpacious bay,
to leeward of all the Ifland, the draught of
which I ordered to be taken by our furveyor,
for your better underftanding the place, being
the only one where a fettlement could be made.
The ihip and (loop were fcarce come to anchor,
before the ftrand of the fhore was covered with
Indians, and among them we could difcover a
white, who proved to be Frejichman. i took
Captain Watfon in the boat with me, with a
Frenchman, and immediately went afhore. As
foon as I came amongil them, I afked them,
why they appeared all armed ? For every man
" had cutlailes, fome had mufquets, piftols,
bows and arrows, &c. The;' with very little
ceremony inclofed me, and carried me up the
country about a mile, over a little rivulet,
where I was told I was to fee their general. I
found him fitting amidft a guard of about a
hundred Indians, thofe neareft his perfon had
mulquets, the reft bows and arrows, and great
filence. He ordered m^ a feat, and a French-
man flood at his right hand, for an interpreter:
he demanded of me, what brought me into his
country, and of what nation ? I told him Eng-
lifh, and I was put in to wood and water, as
not caring to fay any thing elfe before tlie
Frenchman ; but told him if he would be pleaf-
ed to come on board our Ibips, I would leave I
Englifhmen in hoftage for him and thofe he

« ftiould

((

€C

WEST INIXIES*

383

no conie-
:hiefx.o get
f the Indi-
go aihore,
, were well
8 and great
ys; but at
acions bay,
draught of
I furveyor,
)lace, being
lid be made,
ic to anchor,
overed with
tddiftovera
nan. Uook
hme, with a
ntalhore. As
: alked them,
>r every man
luets, pifto^.
ith very Me
ed me up the
little rivulet,
ir general- I
:d of about a
lis perfon had
W8, and great
,nd a French,
in interpreter,
rht me into his
*told him Eng-
and water, as
»lfe before tk
ouldbepleaf-
1 would leave
and thofe k
« lhouW|

Ihould be pleafed to bring with him; birt I CHAP,
could not prevail with him either to come on m*
hoard, or fuffer me to have wood and water.
He faid he was informed we were come to force
a fettlement, and we had no other way to re-
move that jealoufy but to get under fail. As
foon as I found what influence the French^
man's company had upon them, I took my
leave, after making fuch replies as I thought
proper, and returned to my boat under a guard.
When I came to the fhore I found the guard
there were increafed by a number of Negroes,
all armed with fufees. I got in my boat, with-
out any injury, and went on board to Captain
Orme, and told him my ill fuccefs.
" Immediately after, I fent on ftiore the ftiip's
boat with a mate, with rum, beef and bread,
&c. with fome cutlafTes, and ordered a French-
man who went with the mate, to delire the
guard to condu6^ them to their general, and to
tell him, that though he denied me the com-
mou good of water and a little ufelefs wood,
neverthelefs I had fent him fuch refrefhments
as our fhips afforded. Our pepple found the
Frenchman gone, and that then the Indian get
neral feemed pleafed, and received what waa
fent him, and in return fent me bows and ar^

rows.

" Our people had not been long returned be-

[fore their general lent a canoe, with two chief

j Indians, who fpoke very good French, to thank,

rae for my prefents, and to afk pardon for his,

refufing me wood and water, and afTured me

jl might have what I pleafed ; and tliey had orders

to tell me, if I pleafed to go alhore again, they

vereto remain hoftages for my civil treatment,

fent them on board the man of war, and with

lapt. Watfon went on Ihorc. I was well receiv-

1, and coudufted as before. But now I found

>^ ; '" the

*!'

3*4

HISTOKT OP THE

C«

BOOK

ni. "

!::■ .;

■ r!
: I.

■■ii

«(

«
<c
((
M

«
«
«
c<

((

the brother of the hief of the Negroes wa3
arrived* with five hundred Negroes, mofl arni.
ed with fuzees. They told my interpreter
they were aifured we were come to force a fet.
tiement, or elfe they would not have denied
me what they never before denied any Engliih,
viz. wood and water: But, if I pleafed, I might
take in what I wanted under a guard. Find.
ing them in fo good a humour, I once more in.
troduced the defire I had to entertain them on
board our (hips, and with fome difficulty pre-
vailed with them, by leaving Captain Watfon,
on fhore under their guard as a hodage. l|
carried them on board the King's fhip, when
they were well entertained by Captain Orme,
who gave the Indian General a fine fuzee ol
his own, and to the Chief of the Negri
fomething that pleafed him. Captain On
afTured him of the friendship of the King
England, &c. The Negro Chief fpoke excel
lent French, and gave anfwers with the Frem
compliments. Afterwards I carried them oi
board the Duke's iloop, and after openi
their hearts with wine, for they fcorned ti
drink rum, I thought it a good time to tell thei
my commiflion, and what brought me on thi
coaft. They told me it was well I had n
mentioned it afhore, for their power could m
have prote£led me; that it was impoffible; thj
Dutch had before attempted it, but weve gi
to retire. They likewife told me two Freac|
floops had, the day before we came,
amongil them, gave them arms and ammi
uition, and allured them of the whole fori
of Martinico for their protedion againil
They told them alfo, that they had drove
from St. Lucia, and that now we were come
endeavour to force a fettlement there ; ai
- •'- " notwithftandii

I
Gi

of.
vol

[#hi

'Sue

oft

H£

WEST INDIES^

St|

<' ootwithftanding all our precious preteiiceSyC HA P.

« when we had powcir, we (hould cnflavc them; ^^^•

|«< but declared they would trull no European! ;

l« that they owned themfelves under the protec-
tion of the French, but would as foon oppof^
their fettling amongft them, or any a£l of foro^
from them, as us, as they had lately given an
ejtample, by killing feveral; and they further
told me, it was by very large prefents the
French evdr got in their favour again; but
they refolvcd never to put it In the power of
any European to hurt them. The)^ advifed
me to thihk what thci^ faid was an siSt of friend-
iHp. This being all I could get from them,
I difilniiTed them with fuch prefents as his
Gnce ordered for that fervice, with a difchaige
of cannon, and ireceived in return as regular

, yoHies of fittall ftiot as I ever heard. In the

jp of the T^i^S'jBii^ht the Winchelfea drove from her anchorsi

ihief fpo^^^^' flwhicn as Iboh as I perceived, and hid receiv-
swiththeJrencF . . i- , .

carried thcmoij
^d after opeM

. ihey ^co^^fVJ
>d time to tell tM

me on the

Negroes wa8|
oes, moft arm.
tny interpreter I
gioforccaVet.|
3t have demcdl
edanyBngVilh.
pleafcd,lmigk
[guard. Find.
1 once more in.i
ttertainthemonl

^c diftcuUy pre
Captain WatM

as a boftage.

V Captain OrmeJ
a a fine fuwe ofl
o^ the .HegioH
Captain P"

ougbt
well

I had nii|

led Captiiin tVktlon from thie ihore, I got under
Ififl, and flood to the man of war."
ISuch is the hidory of a very weak and fruit-
uatteinpt which wai thade^ tinder the autfipri-
[of the Britifh Govcmmdit, t^^ obtain poucf-
lof this Ifland in the year 1723: an interval

it power could n<
it, but weve g.

forty years iucceeds, m which I find no oc«
rcnce in itf hiftory that dcfervei recital. The
latry becai^^b a tlieatre of fav^gfe li<^lities be-
' '"' ' 1? (M^ ^^^ l^egroes and the Charaibes, in which
id me two ^'^f^M believed that the former were generally vic-
; we catne, °*j6iiS; it is ^^rtkin that they proved fo in the
arms *^" *"J^m tKei^r ntimbers, in 1763- beiM computed at
>f the whole ? Jtlioufand; whereas of the yellow or native
teflion agaii" "Mraibes, there were not left (as hath already
they had drove m ^^^^^^jj^ ^^^^ ^y^^^ ^^^ hundred families,
,^ we were ^°" Jmbft of ttief^, jf t im rightly informed, are
tnent there ; *"Mhls time exterminated. It is however worthy
« notwitbftandil^,. t. ^^ ^^

I f

HISTORY OF THE

3 O O K of remark, that the African iatradfcrs hav« adopt.]
Ill- ed moft of the Charaibean manners and cuftoms;!
among the reft, the pradice of flattening thel
foreheads of their infants, as defcribed in thef
firft part of this work, and perhaps it was chid
from this circumiUnee that they acquired the ap
pellation of the black Charaibes.
' The firft mctafure of the £ngli(h govemi
in refped to this Ifland, after the peace of Paris
v/as to difpofe of the lands — ^I dare not fay i
the beft advantage; for no lefs than 24,000 acre
being more than one-foorth part of the whol^
countiy, were gratuitoufly afligned over to t«
individuals *i The remainder was ordered to I
fold for the benefit of the public, and 20,5
acres were accordingly difpofed of by an^ioni
the fum of ^.i62,854« ^i<^* 7^* ftcrlii^f^
nearly one half the country was judged unfiti
^y profitable cultivation, thefe grants and:
comprehended all the lands, of any kind of <
lue, from one end of the Ifland to the other. Tl^

commiffionei

i+i tf-i_

^ f Mr. Swinburne nad twentj thoidand acres, and
ral Monckton four thouiand.

t The Lords of the Treafurj fixed a minimum,
which no land could be fold, which was j^.5 fterling pen
for every acre of cleared land, and twent/ fliilUngs for <
acre in wood, and the principal conditions of iale were thcl
" that ever/ purcbafer fliould pay down twenty per cent.!
the nAtpU purchafe mone/, together with fix pence fterii
Tj^r acjre, for the expenceof furveying the land, and that |
remainder of the purchafe money fliould be fecured b/ boii
to be jfsid bjr equal infUlments in the fpace of five yej
next aflf r ^9 d4(e of the nam. That eadi purchafer M
keep da th^ lands fo by mm purchafed, one white inao,l
two white IV^ci't for every hundred acres of land, asitf
came cleiii^ for the purpofe of cultivating the fame; oq
default tlwlfii^ or non-payment of the remainder of the]
chafe mopBy, the lands were to be forfeited to the croi^
Some of t^t lands fold extravagantly hi^, as far at
pounds it«^jQ||; per acre.

coi

in PI

iff' .:

H£

WEST INDIES.

3«7

lave adopt.l commiflioners indeed were direfted not to furvey CHAR.
4 ciifton>8;l or difpofe of any of the lands inliabited or claim- m*

^flattening tUM ed by the Charaibes, until they Ihould receive

sfcribcd m ^
psitwaschieB

^ircdthcai

; peace of Pari
Jarc not lay
^jaa 24,000 aa
art of tiiewbol
jacd oyer to it
V^asordctedto

iblic, and^?^.!
iofbyauam

d. fterlU^t*
asjudgeduiA

ife^tsand

of any kind of

itotbeotbcr-ll

j^nd acres*

and

led a iniitt»""*' ^
.r.cftcrUngF

Iwatwenty per ce..

5^eUBd,andtW
the foace of JivM

ft«onand,«
Lvadng the fame ,
VoTfeitatotUe«

further inftrudlioris from the crown; but as it
was impollible to afcertaiii how far the claims of
thefe people extended, the furvey alone was
poftponed, and the fales were fufitered to pro-
ceec, to the amount that I have mentioned; no
doubt being entertained by the feveral purcha-
sers, that the Britifti Government would ratify
the nGts of its commiffioners, and put them into
poffeffion of the lands which they had bought,
[without any regard to the claims of the Charaibes
|of either race; which in truth were confidered
IS of no cOnfeqUeiice or validity* .
By what arts of perfuafion the Britifti govern-
lent was induced to give its fandioh and fup-
lort to the meafures which followed, it is now
[felefs to enquire; but pofterity will learn with
idignation; that the fates and allotments I have
lentioned, gave rife to a war with the Charaibes,
i the courfe of which, it became the avowed
itention of government to exterminate thofe
liferable people altogether, or, by conveying
lem to a barren ifland on the eoafl of Africa,
infign them over to lingering deflrudlion. By
ipeated protfefts and reprefentations from the
lilitary ofHcers employed in this difgraceful bu-
lefs, and the dread of parliamentary enquiry,
Iminiflration at length thought proper to defiit,
id the Charaibes, after iurrendering part of
eir lands, were permitted to enjoy the remain-
T unmolefled, and they pofTefs them, I believe,
this hour.

|0n the 19th of June 1779, St. Vincent's fhared

'■ common fate of moft of the Britifh Weft In-

in pofTefTions, in that unfortunate war wijh

lerica, which fwallowed up all the refgurce*

Cc 2; - of

\'i

^<f

3«S

HISTORY OF THE

B 6 O K of the nation, being captured by a (mall body of i
^^^' troops fromMartinico, confifiing of only four hun.
drcd and fifty men, commanded by a Lieutenant
in the French navy. The Black Cliaraibes how.
ever, as might have been expedled, immediately
joined the enemy, and there is no doubt that the
terror which feized the Britifh inhabitants, from
an apprehenfion that thofe people would proceed
to the moft bloody enormities, contributed to
the very eafy viftory which was obtained by the
invaders; for the Ifland furrendered without a
ftruggle. The terms of capitulation were favou.
rable, and the Ifland was reftored to the domini-
on of Great Britain by the generaljpacificatioiii
of 1783. It contained at that time nxty-one fu.j
gar eftates, five hundred acres in coffee, twol
hundred acres in cacao, four hundred in cottoi
fifty in indigo, and five hundred in tobacco,
fides land appropriated to the raifing provifioiui
fuch as ]^lantains, yams, maize, &c. All the
of the country, excepting the few fpots that
been cleared from time to time by the Charail
retained its native woods, and moft of it, I
lieve, continues in 'the fame ftate to the pref(
hour.

St. Vincent's contains about 84,000 aci
which are every where well watered, buttl
country is very generally mountainous and ru
ged; the intermediate vallies, however, arefe
tile in a high d^ree, the foil confifting chii
of a fine mold, compofed of fand and clay, w
adapted for fugar. The extent of country
prelent poflfefled by Britifli fubjeds is 23/
acres, and about ais much more is fuppofed to
held by the Charaibes. All the remainderB' *^'^
thought to be incapable of cultivation or i|
provement.

/Pb;4.

rmattbodyof
mlyfourViun.
raUeutcnant
Viaraibeshow.
, immediately
doubt that the

WEST INDIES. 389

The Ifland> or rather the Brxtii^ territory with: CHAP.
in it, is divided into five parifhes, of which on- KL
\y one was provided with a church, and that was '
blown down in the hurricane of 1780: whether
it is rebuilt I am not inifojrmed. There is one
town, called Kingfton, the capital of the Ifland>
doubt tnaiiiicM^j^j ^jj^ j-^^^ ^f j^g government, and three vil-

labitauts, *'°2Biagea that bear the name of towns, but they are

wouldF^^^^Biaconfiderable hamlets, confiding each of a few
contnbuted tOBj^^^^^gg ^^^^^

obtained by tncB j^^ ^j^^ frame of its government and the admi-
lercd Witnout iBj^f^tion q£ executive juft ice, St. Vincent feems
tion were tavou.^^^ ^j^^^. -^^ ^^ refpeft from Grenada.—The coun-

il confift of twelve members, the affembly of

'eventeen. The Governor's falary is two thou-

nd pounds fierling, one half of which is raifed

ithin the Ifland, the other half is paid him out

(f the Exchequer of Great Britain.

The military force confifts at prefent of a regi-

mt of infantry, and a company of artillery,

at from England ; and a black corps raifed in

iC country— but provided for, with the former,

in the Britiih eflablifiiment, and receiving no ad-

^tional pay from the Ifland. The militia con-

8 of two regiments of foot, ferving without pay

any kind.

The number of inhabitants appears, by the lad
urns to Government, to be one thoufand four
drcd and fifty Whites, and eleven thoufai^d
]ht hundred and fifty-three Negroes.
Ofthelabourofthefe people I have no other
8 of ihewing the returns, than from the In-
[or General's account of the exports from
Ifland for 1787, a table of which, as in
cafe of the other liknds, is fubjoined. In
istabk, however, I conceive is comprehended
produce of the feveral Iflands dependent on
St. ViAC^t GoYcmment, viz. Bequia, con-
taining

dtotbedoinini-1
leraVpacificatioii
iinefixty-oiietu.|
s in coffee, tviol
andred in cotton
•d iti tobacco, w
raifiUgP^ovifion

few fpots that M
by the Charajj^
I moft of it, 1
ate to the prete

arew

>ut 84.^° f"
watered, butti

intainous and

however,
II confifting chv
fand and clay, ^
Ut of country

fubjeas IS J3^
:eisfuppofedto

\ the remainderi

cultivation or

1 f

39*

HISTORY OF THE

BOOKtaining 3,700 acres; Union, containing 2,1501
III. acres; Canouane, containing 1,^77 acres; and
Muftique, containing' abdut 1,200 acres*; the
Negroes emiployed in the cultivation ipfthefe If. I
lands (in number about it40o) bei^g, I believe,
included in the 11,853 before mentioned.

* There are likewife the little iflots of Petit Martinique,
jpetit St. Vincent, ^illeireay, j|n4 Ballffeau, each of vrhi(]||
produces a little cotton. >• • • -

^y} '$ii.-Mu

itaining 2,150!
<'1^^ acres ; and
50 afcres*;'the
xionofthefelf.
lei^g, I beli^vej
Btioned.

,f petit Martiniqml
feau, each of yi^l

.►4

WEST INDISd.

^i^

S55-4'

:»^a

v%:

39c

■ ■> i

HISTORY OF THE

Segti^n n.

D O M J N I C A.

t]
tl

^'i

«m .1

■■■■ . (■■■- i .f ;, ■,

1' '• : ' ' '$'■'; "■/'ail

ani
cui
^e
and

THE Iftand qf |)oinmica was fo named by
Chriftopljief Colvmbus,' FfoiA the circumftance ofi
its beihg 4ifcovered'b)r him on a Sunday *. Mv
account' of it will be very brief, for its civil
hiftory,' litethat of St. Vincent, is a mereblank
previous to the year i759> when by congueft it
tell uider the dominion of Great Britain, aadi ^,
was aitetwards confirmed to the Britiftl crownMj^
by the'tieaty of peace conclbded at Paris inF«M,rhi
bruary 1763, ' * " •"

NotWithf^nding that Pominicahad, until th
time, beeii confi^d^red as a neutral iCl^d, man;
of the fubjedts of j'rance hid eftablifl;ied coft
plantations, and other fettlements, in varioi
i parts of the country; and it reflets honour 01
the Britifh ^djmii^iftration, that thefe jpeople wei
fecuredin their jpoCteilions, on qondition of tafc
ing thei baths or a^egiance to his Britaniiic M*
)Q^Y atid paying afmalji quit-rent f. ^ Theref

iat

* November 3d, 1493. *

f The crown graiited them leafes, fome for fourteen, aa
ethers for fr^rtj^; yeaifs, renewable at the expiratidn tljereo
with conditions'in evfery leaft^ " thit the pofTeflbr, Vs heii
or afiign$, iJjoMlid pay to his Majfefty, hh' Hem orfuccel
foTS, the fum 6f twci ihillin^? fterlipg per'itiii'ulrh, for evd
acre of land, of whfch the leafe Ihbuld coihint.** And fifl
theV, " that the/ ibOuld not C<$U o'r difpofe of their lana
' ': ' witlia

fithou
indej

e'l

C A.

pf the cultivable lands vrei^ q^dered (o fe ibid C0 A?,
on the fame conditions as ^l^ofeof Si;, vinceu^ P'*
by commifiioners uoininated for that pui^ofe, ^
and no lefs than 96,344 acr^s (comprelhendiog
one half of the ifland) were jictordingly^ difpofeq
of by audiou, in allotments from fifty to one
hunared acres, yielding the fum of £.512,092;.
uj. iflf. fterling |nqn^ *,.

It does not hbwey.^ appear that the purchafef;
tlius made Ipy British fubjeds have anfwered
the expedation of the buyers ; for the French
inhabitants of Doniinic^ are ftUl more numerous
s fo named byl than the EngUfli, and pqflefs the moil valuable
^circumllance oil coffee plantations in the liiUnd,^ the produce of
Sunday *• My ■ which Ijias hitherto been found its moft import-
ief ft>^ ^^^ civilBj|iit liable. They differ but little, in manners,
is a mereblanklcufbms, and religion, from the inhabitants, of
n by ciouqueft ifldie other French Iflands in the Weft IncUes,
reat Britain, andBancl their priefts have been hitherto appointed
he BntithcrownMbyfuperio'^inMartinico; to the government of
-~ * '-^^ ^hicn Ifland, and to the laws of their own na*
ion, they conlider themfelves to be amenable,
lamfprrvhiftoricaljuftice obliges me to obfe]rv<?,
:hat the liberal condud of the Britifh government
iwards thefe people, after they became adopt;ed;
ibjedls, did not meet with that gratefiil return,
m them, which, for the general interefts o£
ankind, ought to be religioufly manifefted on

edatPwis mF«j
until tk

icahad,

tral ifl4»^ "^'S'
ftabliftied coi

cuts, in vario'

efle45^<>^°^'^°'
thefejpeop^e/ei

condition of takWjich occafions

Ihis Britannic Ma-
■rentt/^^^^^^

the exertli6n tM
t per'4^«uln. for «^"

At the commencement of the hopelefs and>
^ye war between Great Britain and her

Colonies,

nthout the confent or approbation of the governor, or c<Hn«
pi^r in chief of tfasc Ifland, for the time being." This

lilgence however did not extend to more than three hun-

1 acres uf land occupied by each French fubjeA.
'* 1^0 perfon was allowed to purchafe, dth^r in his own .

ae 01 m the name of; otl^ers m truf^ for hitti, more than
Keltundfed acres, if in ippuunica, or iiye hundred: acrci!

in St. Viwtftt.

%94 . HiafTpl^T aw THE

BOOK Clonics in North AiijieRca, the ifimd of Dt>.
III. minica was ina floiiriihiiigfitnatloD. Tlieport
of Rofe«u having been declared a frcc^portl^
a£l of parliamenty wasieforted to by tiacusg vei^
fds fiom moft pait» of tbe ibf^gn Weil iDdics^
as wcil as from America. The Fsendtatnd Spa-
niards purehafed f^eat imrabcfs of Negroes there
^iT the fopply of their iettlementa^ together wttb
▼adft quantities of the mcrchaiKfiae aid manafac.
tnres of Great Britaia ; pajnouoc for all whicb
was made chiefly in biillioBy ioci^o^ aitd cottozi,
and completed ia moles and cattle; articles of
prime neceffity to the planter* .

Thus the iflandy though in itfelf certaiskrysot
fo fertile as feme cKhers of lefs extenit in its
neighbonrhood, was becoming Tery rapidly i
coiony of confiderable importance; bot mtwr-
kunately it wanted thatpFOtefUon, which alone
could give its pc^fcffionstkibility and valne.

To f hofe who reeolle^l the frantic ragie^ whb
which all the facolties and means of Great Eii-
tain were diredled towards^ and appfied in, t^lie'i
fnbjngation of America, the ntter diln^rd wlmb
was manifefted by the then adnnmftratkm to*
wards the fectirity of this and the other Britiih
iilands in the Weft incfies, may not perhaps bej
matter of fnrprite ; but it will hereafter be icaree<
Wbelievedy that the whole regalarfiMrceallotted^l
during the height of the war, for the prote^'dn
of Dominica, conMed of fix olEcers and nine'
ty-fonr privates ! This fl^meful negle^ was t
more remarkable^ as this ifland, from its lo
fituation^ between Marrinioo, and Gaadalou
IS the beft calculated of all the pofieflkms

Great

* Itaieatt is fiilia free-ptnt. Bat therefinfltonsaod]
galations of the hite a A are lb vied, tbat foreigners hast i
ancouragemem to reibn to it, and, fince fan» late feiwn
<:onfider the law as a inare to invite them to niiiu

* t

]

m
itj
Pa

\^
th(

hoi

int

tini

con
cioi

WEST INDIES.

Sand ofDi*-
,. Thcpoit

free-part by

>D^ and Spa-
NegiacstlKTe

.andmaanifac-
fbrall witkb

•a, and cotton, |
lie; aiilclcsol

[f certmxiTy^?
$ extent in iw

rce;l5at tmior-

m, whkli alone

andval«e.

Gre^t-Britain in th^t part oFthe world, for fecmlaig CH A F.
to her the dominion of the Charaibbean lea. A t£
few fhips of war ftationed at Prince Rupeatis'
Bay, would effedlually ftoj) all intercourfe of th^
French fettlements with each or> t, as not a vcS^
fel can pafs, but is liable to capture by Ihipsx^iz-
ing off that bay, and to windward of the iiland.
This indeed was difcovered >vhen it was t;09
late.^

It is probable that thi§, and th^ other circuin-i
ftances" which I have recounted, nainely, the
growing profperity of the colony, and the cri-
minal inattention of the Britifh Miiiiftry towards
its fecuri'ty, had already attraded the vigilant rar
|)aciournefs of the French government ; but it is
jifferted, that many of the inhabitants withia
the colony, who had formerly been fubj efts of
France, fcrupled not, on the firft iijtimalion of
hoftilities having been commenced in Europe;
in the year 1776, to invite an attack fromMar^
^_ tinico. Propfs of this may not perhaps eafily

l^ap^Hedl in,. ^B))e made, biit it is certain that their fubfequent

rdifteg'^^^^H''^^^^^^ S*'^® ^^^ much caufe for fuch a I'uijpir
[Bfltttftrajtian w-lpon.

the other BhwbB On Monday, the 7^h of Septeniber, in that:
.V notpcrhaips^Byear, a French armament,' confifting of a forty-
reaftef be fc2i«-Hgun Ihip, three frigates, and a;bout thirty fail of
ilar^ceslloitedjKrined floops and fchooners, having on board up-
»r the prote^i<ttBwardsof two thoufand regular troops, ^nd a law-
ifBcers and nine-Blefs banditti of volunteers, about half that num-
lnegleftwa&*^J'^''> appeared off the ifland, under the command
. 1^^ f the Marquis de Bouille, governor of Marti-
ico, and general of the French Windward Weft*
idian Iflands. Part of the troops having fooa
fterwards landed without oppofition, the enemy
TOceeded to the attack of Fort Calhacrou, thi
hief defence of the iiland, and in which a de-
cement of the regulars was ftationed. This

ranticrage;.

witli

a$af Great Bii.

foBtt late lew-

tt{>TUVA»

■'1?1M - »»<>

HISTORY OF THE

vm.

•^OOK^ort was built on a rock, about three hundred
III. feet in perpendidilar height, furrounded on
three fides by the fea, and was coniidered fo
very defenfible, that it was fuppofed a few hun-
dred men, well provided, would maintain it
againft as many thoufands. Great therefore was
the aftoni/hment of the ]£ngliih in the town of
Rofeau, in perceiving, by the French colours
flying on it, that this fort had furrendered with-
out reiiflance ; but, ftrange as it may feem, the
cafe appeared afterwards to be, that lome of the
French inhabitants had insinuated themfelves
into the fort a few nights before, and having in<
toxicated with liquor the few foldiers that were
thereon duty, had contrived to fpike up the
cannon. ,

Having thus made themfelves mailers of Fort
Caihacrou, the enemy landed their whole force
about noon, and began their marcl. for the town,
which was defended by Fort Melville, and three
other batteries ; but unfortunately thefe batteries
were ill provided, and worfe manned. The whole
number of the militiadidnot exceed one hundred;
for but few of the French inhabitants thought
proper to aifemble, and of thofe that made theirl
appearance, many withdrew themfelves againj?
and were no more feen until after the ifland hi|i'
furrendered.

The fmall force however that was coUedled,
behaved with that fpirit and gallantry, whicl
give room to lament that they were not bett
fupported. Three times was tne enemy drivi
out of Fort Loubiere, of which they had po;
feiTed themfelves inth^ir march, and twice weri
the colours which they had, hoilied. thereon fh(
away. Their commiilary genea-al, and upwardi
of forty of their foldiers^ iyere killed, and d ^

Bouilji J'l

fled

'^!*»4ii

lirce hundred
rrounded on
confidcrcd fo
ed a few hun-
d xnaintam it

therefore wa»
n the town of
i*rench colours
rendered with-

may feem, tk
aat iome of the
ted themfelves

and having in.
Idiers that weic
fpike up tk

WEST INDIES.

S^7

Bouill^ himfelf had a very narrow efqipe ; his CHAP,
fword being (hot away from his fide. HI.

But gallantry was unavailing againft fuch fu-
periority of numbers ; for about two thoufand of
the French having (hortly after gained poiTeflioii
of the heights above Rofeau, this laft circum-
ftance determined the fat6 of the ifland. The
bravery of the inhabitants, however, obtained
for them very honourable terms of capitulation.
Befides being permitted to march out with all
militarj^ honours, they were allowed to retain
their civil government, and the free exercife of
their religion, laws, cuftoms, and ordinances ;
to preferve the ^dminiflration of juftice in the
fame perfons, in' whom it was then veiled *, and
^to enjoy their poiTeflions, of what nature foever,
ft matters of FortHynmolefted; a privilege alfo which was exprefsly
heir whole force ■ojtended to abfent as well as refident proprie-
iTcV. for the town, liors.

De Bouill6 having thus completed his con*
eft, departed for Martinico, leaving the Mar-
is DUcnilleau rommander in chief of Domi-
iica, whofe condud, during four years that he
Qtinued in the ifland, is faid to have been fd
antonly oppreflive and tyrannical, that we are
& to wonder at the patient long-fufTering and
abearance of the people under his government,
fubmitting to it for half the time.
His firft meafure was to difarm the Englifh in-
ibitants, and diflribute their arms among the
aaway negroes, with whom he at^ually enter-
"~ ' ' iv^ ^^^^ ^'^ engagement for their afliflance, if
h they ha^ V^TOHted. He iffued a proclamation, forbidding
h, and twice ^ver•lgEngli(h to alTemble together more than two in
[fted thereon "^jBplace, under the penalty of military execution,
(ral, and^P^.^'^ J and

klllf.Q') \. 'iiB * It was ftipulated that the members of the council ihould
l^^ ™nftitute a court of chancer/, the powers of which were
d ftlely in the governor befoie the fuzreader.

•Iville, and three
'lythefe batteries
ied. The whole
ed one hundred;
abitants thought!
e that made theii|
hemfelvcs again,
er the ifland W

lat wa« colle6ledJ
gallantry, whicK
were not bette*
» enemy drive

■■ ■, i

19t

IrtSTORT dF THE

tOOE9nd he commanded the centinels to fhoot theni

HE.

ifth^ypafled in greater numbers. He ordered
that no lightii fhould be feen in their houles after
nine o'clock at night, and '.h^t no Engliih perfon
fhould prelbriie to walk the flreets after that hour,
Irlthout ik. candle knd lanthcrii. Mr. Robert
How, an Ehglifti riierchsiht, aind owner of a Ihip
then in the bay, attempting to go on board his
bwii vefTel after that hour, was fhot dead in the
attempt, kiid the centinel who killed him was
raifed to a higher Nation in his regiment for hav.
ing thus (as the governor expfefled it) done his

So very apprenen^ve was this governor that
the Englifh inhabitants were forming defigns to
rctiike the ifland, that, every letter of thejrs was
iyperied for his ihrpedlioii before it was delivered.
And, deeming this meafure infufficient to fumlL —
liim with (he knowledge of their private tranfac.|pe
tions, he adopted the practice of going himfelf in
dilguife, or employing others who better knewj
the Englifh language, iii order to liften at thei
doors and windows in the night-time, to the con
Terfation which pafled in ddmeftic intercourfe.

He repeatedly threatened to fet fire to the tow
of Rofeau, in cafe the lilamd ftiould be attacked,
and, though this was never attempted by thi
Englifh. forces, yet that town was fet fire tobj
the French foldiers, who, there is every reafoJ
to fuppofe, did it by the governor's private or|
ders. This fuppofition was flrongly corrol
lated by his behaviour on the night of that mela
choly event, at which he himfelf was prefenttl
beft part of the time, like another Nero feei
ingly diverted with the fcene, and would notaJfEi
low his foldiers to affift in extinguifhingthe flain(
(fave only in houfes that belonged to the Frem
inhabitants) but permitted them to pillage t
fofferers.

A. Til

Du
hi

ou
1
[u
u

ine

,te

lar

'MI'-

m ■■

to ftioot xhem
He ordered
;\r houles after
Engliih perfon
after tbai hour,
Mr. Robert
owner of a fhip
3 on board his
hot dead in the
killed him was
igimeiit for hav.
jffed it) ddnehii]^

[s governor that
►rmingdefignsto
icr of tbejrs was
. it was delivered.
Efficient to fumilh
ir private tranfac-
►f going himfelf in
who better knew]
to liften at theii
:-time, to the con.
jftic, intercourfe.
Tet fire to the tow
Lould be attacked]
ftttempted by tb
[was fet fire tobj
e is every realoi
rnor's private or|
ftrongly corrobi
light of that melai
Telfwasprefenttl
Lother Nero feei
and would notal
icuifhingthefia\TK
iged to the Freiu
,em to pillage t

A ■" -" Till

West ikdib&

This fire liappened the cv«nuig of Ealler Sun- CHAP,
day, iT^Zf by which upwutU of five hundred ^^
hotiiesvircreconfiiinediiiafiewhouins; andavall'
{fOMSXtity of rich merchandize and efieds defbrojr-
ed, to the value of two hundred thoufimd pounds
fterling.

WhBe the wretched inhaibitants were thus
gnnnu^ under domeftic defpotifin, they had no
relbuices from without. Their trade was entire-
ly cut off, inlbmuchj that duiing five yeaniUicI
three months, the time that the ifliuid of Domi-
niOL was in pofleiHon of the French, it was re-
jofted to by no veflels firoto Old France, nor was
any of Us produce cxpoited to that kingdom^
bat pan of it was fent in neutral bottoms to tlie
Dutch Ifland of St^ Eullatius, before its capture by
Admiral Rodney; andfioir.t'oaice it was export^
edtoEng^d, lindcr the moft extravagant ex-
pencesand lofs to the proprietors.

Other parts of their produce were feat in
Dutch veflds, which were engaged for the purpofe
hi £nglandj to Rotterdain; and after the break-
out of the war with the Dutch, the produce
Dominica was Sent und^ imperial colours to
df where the fugar ibid fix>m fix to eight
oimds llerling the hogfhead.
Thefe accumulated dillrefles ended in the ah-
fohite ruin of many of the planters, and we are
Turedl, on good authority, that no lefs than
\y fugar plantations were, in confequence
eo( thrown up and abandoned by the pro-
netors. At ien^h howei'er the day of delive-
ice arrived; for, in the month of January
783, Dominica was rellored to the government
f England. The joy which, on this event, ani>
itedthe bofom and enlightened thecountenance
every man, whom painful experience, under
arbitrary government, had taught to fet a right

value

1»

HISTdJlT OF TH£

4$ '.'

, k '. if,*'.-

BOOK value on tUe BtitOh conilitution, nmy !^ ^on-
J?Jr.^ ceived, bitit cannot be defcribed. The inhabi-
' lariti wtfc HOW teftored to the ftill enjoyment of
tbeir tiitidet jpHvil^ies, undera civil ^ablifii!.
inc^t, ^ilar to tbofe of tbe other Britiih colo.
nies in the Weft Indies, which being hereafter to
Hkietctihed, at Ien|^h, it idunnece^Tary to enlarge
tm^ in t&is fllace, ^:ice^t to bbferve, that th^
l^^tive anthbriti Of this iOand is veited in the
mtiMiiti^& &M3, a cotincil of tui^elve gentle.
&4 ^^ ^^ ^^ly .<^^ nineteeii metnbers*.
Thdfew Obfcrvation^tnerefbie whifch foUloW, con.
^rnih)^ iti j^r^ft^tftate aiid jpr^^idilis, will
<*oncbid^ my ac&tmt.

I^oniinicra cbntk^ss i2i6^6 ietHs of 1ahd| «uu
& diVjdled intotfei piitilhca. The tb\i^ of Rci
ii^au is at t^r^fent the capiital 6ii%t i&kii, and »
fitnaited in theparl^ pf $t. George, beififf 4M
feven leagues from PH&be Ktipeirt'S bat. it is oi I
ApOfni of land oniSe S.W. Me of the liland J
iKrnklh fojrms two biys, viz, Woodbiridge's bay
to Ws ior^h, aiid Charlbtte-vitl^ b^y to the

j^bfdau is a^b^t iUl£ a mile in li^gth, Mmt
Chaflbtle-vilfeVb RbiSaii river, and, i&ftly twdK
furlongs in breadth, biit kfs in ^oine j^arts, Be.Bh
in| of a Vei^ ii:t^lir figji^e. It cbhuins .QotBia
inoretyiilve bntt^edhptiiTes, at<!hifiVe of tbeT
cbttk^es b^^^^d b^ n^oes. Bef<^e its capJ

V^i6 by \M fmc% It contikiii^d tif Ward4 of
thbtiiand.

Thi's iMd is t^^efey.illIife Aiiles iji len^h, an
icnayb^r^ibnidllhte^n miles iti breadth. It cor
imi i^ hiih s&'^d ittj^^ed inountaitis, iHteripc

m ^iih £& nmi, ihd i£ ^^er^l they %eai

* Tk^ ^verfaot'k iLhiy is oiie dioufand two liaai
jp<>Utd» fteriing per annum, exduTive of hit fe«s of office.

Uh
m

^^ST INDIES
be fertile. Several of »i, ' 4oi

imminguilhed volcano-, „k"?"°'»in» contain cw*»

hhefe mountains alfo iffi,. (S-f ^ ""'phur. From ^—
temeof which are funw j"** °f hot wate?
I»e ia the cafe of S^c^^,Pf<^^ greaT v£

i wear, toive g, tX??'°"^«' «o»w!
«»• Towards the^.S^*°?thenK,un:
«7«llies, it is adeen M^T *"** « many of
-.^ |«dfeem,teU S^'^^^^ rich na^iv/
, »I1 the articles of Wdt ?„!f *° *^ cultivation
per ftratum is in foml „ *° '"^"ce. The
r. in others a fti^7S* J ^^""^ or brid^
«s veiy ftony. " '"^«:c> but it is in moll

Um afraid, however th,, »i.
'feland is but a very fmln *' Entity of
;^. there not beZ'Sol^'tSf "JS' °^'he
iMions at prefent S. f ^ '"*" >^fiF fuear
fe«ed tbat'^^n av^^J^r"'""' "»'« i^»
f"". thofe fifty planuS'.*'"* ^^" «'"h
«%morethai three th°°? ^? .»<>' P«>duce

^' This is certI5 a ve^°f ^^f^^'^'^ of
iM article for fuch .n I^ 5"*" quantity
.ferthenumberof fSJf^=°fi^? Mand. o^
Ner cultivation a& """i**"" « Pre-
kes of canes »\ch«f only one h\«,.

, the woods of nnm.V: . v ^ '-'Oftee

hone. ^oeroVShte^tr -^-^ ^"^S o1
P«' It IS pr^cifely the fam. ? • '" «°°^°«f» to anr

Felt Indies being a fmaller fn • '"'' ^^^ »«i^'e bee

til

'f i

' %

I' 't i

■P^

»! 1
I
J

4C2

BOOK

III.

HISTORY OF THE

Coffee feems to aufwer-better than Sugar, there i
being fomewhat more than two hundred coffee
plantations in Dominica, which in favourable years I
have produced three millions of pounds weignt.

A fmall part of the lands are alfo applied to the]
cultivation of cacao, indigo, and ginger ; but I|
believe that mod of thefe articles, as well as o{
the cotton, which are comprehended in the exJ
ports, are obtained from the dominions, of fo.|
reign ftates in South America, and imported mf
this ifland under the free-port law.

The number of white inhabitants, of all de
fcriptions and ages, appear, by the laft returns tj
government, in 1788, to be 1236; of free no
groes, &c. 445, and of flaves 14,967. There arj
alfo from twenty to thirty families of the ancie
natives, or Charaibes, properly fo called. The
are a very quiet, inoffenfive people, fpeak a 1
giiage of their own, and a little French* but no
of them underftand Englifti*.

Such is the information which I have
lefted concerning the civil hiftory and prefcj
(late of Dominica, for moft of wiiich I am
debted to a late publication by Mr. Atwo
Nothing now remains but to fet forth the pa
culars and value of its productions, which
(hall adopt, as in other cafes, from the returnj
the Infpeftor General for the year 1787.

* A late writer gives the following account of thefe ptod
" They are of a clear copper colour, have long, ileek, bl
hair: their perfons are fhort, ftout, and well made, butT
disfigure their faces by flattening their foreheads in infij
They live chiefly by fifhing in the rivers and the fea, o
fowling in the woods, in both which purfuits they ufej
bows a nd arrows with wonderful dexterity. It is faid thejfj
kill the fmalled bird with an arrow at a great diilanci
transfix a fiih at a confiderable depth in the fea. TliejiJ
play alio very great ingenuity in making curious wrougJul
niers or baJQcets of filk grafs, or the leaves and bark ofti

'>. *

THE

than Sugar, there I
ro hundred coffee
n favourable years
■pounds weight. I
alfo applied to thel
and ginger; butlj
Lcles, as wellasofl
jhendcd in the exJ
: dominions, of ib.|
and imported intflT
law.

ibitants, of all dc
y the laft returns tJ
1236; of free nel
14,967. There arj
lilies of the anciea"
lyfo called. Th^
people, fpeakal
le French, but-

which I have
hiftory and prefc
of which I am
n by Mr. Atwi
> fet forth the pi
oduaions, whk
J, from the return
e year l^^'^^

ig account of thefepeo]
ir, have long, fleck, b
:, and well made, but
heir foreheads in w
I rivers and the fea,
ich purfuits they ufe
xterity. Itisfaidthe]
ow at a great diftan(
pth in the fea. The;
iking curious VTOur
s leaves and bark of

'^E'T IKDIES.

rf;i

'^4

HISTORY OF THE

[•-f ^lii#iT<^^

O^.OK

.■xilfllt Vrr.r^.

H A P. |V.

1^ . ^•l «-4«^aUf*«4*i*^^ *W»A»Aa^i^^Mli^

... «■' «a

.? t::' 1

Leeward Charaibhean Jjland Gtkfernikeni,' comprt'
hending St. diriftofheifsi Ne'Ois, Antigua, Mont-
ferrai, dtrdthe Virgin IJlands.^^CivilHiAory aid
Geograpkicdi lTeJkriptt.(m of each. — TdW^ of Ex-
ports from, kfkh Ifland fof 17^7; \and an
Accoimt of the Mpney arifihg from the Duty
of Four ind u ilaif- per (knt.-^^Obfervatiom
concefnirig mk Detline of thije IflUndfy which
conclude tke%r Minor j* ^

HErSE' feveral tdandd, finte the year 1672,
haveconftitutedone diftiudgo'^emmeiit; thego.
vemor being ^'^Captain General of the Leeward \
Charaibean Iflhnds, He Vifits ^ch pccai&onally,
but hi» chief feat of refidence is Antigua ; the |
govemiient of each iilandy in the abfence of the
govern<lr-gerieral, being ufually adminiflered by j
a lieutehant-gdvemor, whofe alithority is limit- 1
ed to that particular ifland ; af^d where no lieu-
tenant-governor is appointed, jthe frelident of
the council tripes the command I fhall treat of I
them fdp^rate^; and afterwards combine, in[
a concife fiimaiary, thofe circiimftances which j
are cominon to them all.

Theii civil hiiftory will bt Ih^t ; for inj
this part of my fubjedt I have but little toj
add to the recital of Oldmixon, and other!
writers, who have preceded me; and where!
novelty is wanting, brevity is Jndifpenlibly re-,
quifite.

Section

ilB

WEST INDIES,;

40s

CHAP.

IV.

1*^

: if

^fnenU compre-
inmua, Mont-
iviimoryand

^Tahlf of hx-

Zrn the Duty
l^Obfirvattom

which

Section I.

ST. CHRISTOPHER'S.

''■f .>■

. the year 1672,
emmemrtbego.

•fl/ of the Uewf

lach pccaEonally,

is Antigua; the

,e abfence of the

admimfteredby

ithofity IS lim^t.
d where no lieu
the t>rerident
1 {hall treat ot

ds combine, in

THE ifland of St. Chriftopber was called by
its ancient pofleffors, tbe Charaibes, Liamuig^,
or the Fertile Ifland. It was difcovered in
November, 14.93, by Columbus himlblfi who
[was fo pleafed with its appearance, that ht
Ihonoured it with his own Chriftian name. 3ut

was neither planted nor ppfTdTed by the

Lve
[xon

ipaniards. It was, however (notwithftanding

hat thie general opinion afcribes the honour

f feniority to Barbadoes,) the eldeft of all the

Iritifh territories in the Weft Indies, and, in

ruth, the common mother both of the Englifti

nd French fettlements in the Charaibeaa

ads. The fa£l, as related by an hiftorian *

whofe induftry and kno'vledge I have been

largely indebted in my account of St. Vin-

t, was this : " In the number of thofe gentle-

len who accompanied Captain Roger North, jii^

voyage to Surinam, was Mr. Thomas Warner,

jho making an acquaintance there with Captain

iomas Paint on, a very experienced feaman,

)ii, ana ^J^gj Ae latter fuggefted how much eafier it would

^ j --'^ |.t»u. jg.«tofiY, and prcferve in gopd 0. 4er, a colony

,^-,f«enliDi> ■ ^^^ ^^ ^^^ ^^^ ^^^^^^ defpifed and defertcd

imftances

which

{bort; .for
but little to
nd other

||ndifpeaf^^4'
SfiCTtoti

Dr. Campbell.

i 5

'f «

406

HISTORY OJ THE

BOO It by the Spaniards; fhan on that vail country, the
in. continent, where, for want of fuificient autho-
rity, all things were fallen into confuhon; and
he particularly pointed out for that purpofe
the ifland of St. Chriftopher. This gentleman
dying, Mr. Warner returned to England in
'620, refolved to put his friend's proje£i in
execution. He accordingly aflbciated himfelf
with fourteen other perfons, and with them took
his pafTage on board a ihip bound to Virginia.
From thence he and his companions failed from
St. Chriftopher's, where they arrived in January
1623, ana by the month of September fol.
lowing had raifed a good crop of tobacco,
whirh they propofed to make their ftaple
commodity." It has been fhewn. in a former
chapter, that the firft adual eflabliihment in
Barbadoes, took place the latter end of 1624.

By the generality of hiftorians, who have
treated oi the affairs of the Weft Indies, it is|
zffeI\^ed that a party of the French, under thi
command of a perfon of the name of D'Efnam-
buc, took pofTellion of one part of this Iflam
on the fame day that Mr. Warner landed 01
the other ; but the truth is, that the fii
landing of Warner and his afTociates, happern
two years before the arrival of D*Efnambuc
who, it is admitted by Du Tertre, did not leavi
France until 1625. Unfortunately, the Englii
fettlers, in the latter end of 1623, had thci
plantations demoliihed by a dreadfiil hurricam
which put a fudden ftop to their progrefs.
confequence of this calamity, Mr. Warner n
turned to England to implore fuccour ; and |iay
was on that occafion that he fought and obtaim
the powerful patronage and fupport of ]t
Hay, Earl of Carlille. This nobleman caufedBhe
ihip to be fitted out, laden with all kinds |fou

neceflarii

in
an
re

fel
oil
oni
111
wo

(t country, tlic
fficicnt autho-
onfufion; and
r that purpofe
riiis gentleman

England m
id's projea m
belated bimfelf
with them took
ind to Vimnia.
ions failed from
rived in Januaiy

September fol-
rop of tobacco,
,ke their ftaple
»wn. in a forma
'eftabliftimentinl

;r end of 1624.

.rians, who have

Weft Indies, n u

French, under tk

lame of D'Efnam-

art of this Iflan^

\rarner landed 01

is, that the

fociates, happeni

1 of D'EfnambucI
•rtre, didnotlcavi
.ately, the Eng^ii!

■ i623» ^^^}^^
LJreadfiil hurricaw
their progrefs.
' -, Mr. Warner
^e fuccoiir ; and
fought and obtaini
fupport of ]*n
nobleman caule(l|
with all kinds I
jieceflan(

WEST INDIES.

407

neceflaries. It was called ihe Hopewell; and CHAP.
arrived at St. Chriftopher*s on the i8th of May IV.
1624; and thus he certainly prelerved a fettle-"*
ment, which had othcrwife died in its infency.
Warner himfelf did not return to St. Chrif-
topher's until the year following. He was then
accompanied by a large body of recruits, and
D'Efnambuc arrived about the fame time; per-
haps the fame day. This latter was the captain
of a French privateer ; and, having in an engage-
ment with a Spanifti galleon of fuperior ftrength
been very roughly handled, he was obligeu,
after lofing feveral of his men, to feek refuge in
thefe iflands. He brought with him to St. Chrif-
topher's about thirty hardy veterans, and they
were cordially received by the Englilh, who
appear at this time to liave been under fome
apprehenfions of the Charaibes. Hitherto War-
ner's firft colony had lived on friendly terms
with thefe poor favages, by whom they were
liberally fupplied with proviiions; but having
feized on their lands, the confcioufnefs of de-
ferving retaliation made the planters apprehen-
five of an attack, when probably none was
intended. Du Tertre relates that the French
and Englifli receiving information of a projeded
revolt, concurred in a fch ^le for feizing the
confpirators beforehand. xordingly they

fell oh the Charaibes by n.gat, and, having
murdered in cold blood from one hundred to
one hundred and twenty of the ftouteft, drove
all the reft from the iflanc? except fuch of the
Iwomen as were young and handfome, of whom,
lays the reverend hiftorian, ihey made eon-
ibincs and flaves. Such is the account of a
ntemporary author, PereDu Tertre, who relates
;hefe tranfa^ions with perfedl compofure, as
bunded on common ufage, and nor unwarrant-
able

WM *''

40a

HISTORY OF THE

.V,

' <. i
• ' \

.■k

4 w »

BOOK able in their nature. He adds, that fuch of the
^^^* Charaibes as efcaped the maflacre, haying given
the alarm to their countrymen in the neighbouring
iflands, a large body of them returned foon after-
wards, breathing revenge; and now the confli£i
became ferious. The Europeans however, more
from the fuperiority of their weapons, than of their
valour, became conquerors in the end ; but their
triumjph was dearly purchafed ; one hundred of
their number having been left dead on the field
of battle.

After this exploit, which Du Tertre calls a glo.
rious vi6lory, the Charaibes appear to have quit-
ted altogether this and fome of the fmall iflands
in the neighbourhood, and. to have retired fouth*
wards. The two leaders, Warner and Defnam-
buc, about the fame time, found it neceflary to
return to Europe for the purpofe of foliciting fuc.
cour from their refpe&ive nations; and bringing
with them the name of conquerors, they feverally
met with all poflible encouragement. Warner
was knighted by his fovereign, and through the
intereft of his noble patron fent back as governor I
in 1626 with four hundred new recruits, amply
fupplied with neceifaries of all kinds; while
Deihambuc, under the patronage of Richlieaj
(the minifter of France) projedled the eftablifh-'
ment of an exclufive company for trading to this I
and fome of the other iflands. That minifter
concurred with Defnambuc in opinion, that fuch
an inflitution was bed adapted to the purpofes of |
commerce and colonization; — an erroneous con-
cluiion, which Defnambuc himfelf had foonabuD-|
dant occafion to lament; for the French in gene-
ral either mifunderilood or difapproved the pro^l
jeSt, Subfcriptions came in reludantly, and the!
fhips which the new company fitted out on thisi
occrfon, wqfe fo wFctQhedly fupplied with pro-j
' "^ " ~ " " vifionsl

ii->..

•^

at fucb of tlic
having given
; neighbouring
led loon after-
ow the conM
lowever, more
as, than of their
end; but their
3ne hundred of
sadon theneld

WEST INDIES.

409

vifions and neceifaries, that of five hundred and CHAP,
thirty-two recruits, who failed from France with IV.
pefnambuc, in February 1627, the greater part
periihed miferably at fea for want of food.

The Englifh received the furvivors with com-
^ IGion and kindnefs; and for preventing con-
tefts in future about their refpedtive limits, the
commanders of each nation agreed to divide the
whole ifland pretty equally between their foUow-
A treaty of partition for this purpofe was

lers.

reduced to writing, and figned, with many for-

[malities, on the third of May 1627 : it compre-

lended alfo a league defeniive and ofTenfive ; but

his alliance proved of little avail againft the Spa-

i(h invaiion in 1629, the circumftances whereof

havaelfewhere related. Yet furely, unj^ftifia-

ileasthat attack may be deemed, if the condu6^

fthe new fettlers towards the Charaibes was fuch

Du Tertre relates, we have but little caufe to

iment over the miferies which befel them. The

iind exults in the chaftifemeut of cruelty, even.

hen the inflruments of vengeance are ascrimi-

il as the objects of puniihment.

It may now be thought that thofe of the two

itions who furvived fo deftru£live a florm, had

Qt moderation and forbearance in the fchool

^ adverfity ; and indeed for fome years they ap-

for*trading to this Bar to have lived on terms of good neighbour-
That minifterMod with each other; but at length national ri-
ipinion, that fuch fcy and hereditary animofity were allowed their
w the purpofes of Bl influence, infomuch that, for half a century
n erroneous con-Berwards, this little ifland exhibited a difguftful
elf had foon abun'Bne of internal contention, violence and blood-
e French in gene-led. It is impoflible at this time to pronounce
approved the pro^fc certainty, whether the French or the Eng-
lluSantly, ^'^ theft were the firft aggreflbrs. It is probable that
fitted o)it on thisfc natioij would lay the blame on the other,
applied witbpro'lp are told that in the firft Dutch war, in the
^'^ vifiowl reign

ertrecallsaglo-
>ar to have quit-
the fmall iflands
tve retired fouth.
ner and Defnam-
d it neceffary to
.offolicitingfuc-
as; and bringing
)rs, they feverally
ement. Warner
and through the
back as governor
recruits, amply
all kinds; while
age of Richlieu
edthe eftablilh.

1 j

410

HISTORY OF THE

iilf ', I

BOOK reign of Charles H. the French king declaring for
in. the United States, his fubje6ls in St. ChriHo.
pher's, difdaining an inglorious neutrality, at.
tacked the Englifh Planters, and drove them out
of their polTeflionsi which were afterwards, by
the treaty of Breda, reftbred to them. In i68^
in confequence of the revolution which hadta.
ken place in England the preceding year, thej
French Planters in this ifland, declaring them.]
felves in the intereils of the abdicated monarcL
attacked and expelled their Englifh neighboui
a fecond time, laying wafte their plantation
and committing fuch outrages as are unjuflifiabli
among civilized nations, even in a time of op
and avowed hoftility. Their condu£l on this 00^
dfion was deemed fo cruel and treacherous, th
it was afligned by King William and Q^een Mi
among the caufes which induced them to decli
war againft the French nation. Even fortui
herfelC inclining at lengtli to the iide of juflii
from henceforward deferted them; for, a:
they had continued about eight months fole mi
ters of the ifland, the Englifli under the commai
of general Codrington, teturning in great foi
not only compelled the French inhabitants toft
render, but adlually tranfported eighteen h
dred of them to Martinico and Hifpaniola. It
true that reparation was ftipulated to be mi
them by the treaty of Ryfwick in 1697 ; but
again breaking out between the two nations
1702, the French planters derived but little
vantage from that claufe in their favour. Thi
had however, in 1705, the gloomy fatisfaftii
to behold many of the Englifli poUefiions agi
laid wafte by a French armament, which
mitted fuch rav^es that the Britifli Parliami
found it neccflary to diflribute the fum
£' 103,000 among the fufferers, to enable t

0:i

¥),s.

Qg declaring for

in St. Chrifto.

neutrality, at

WEST INDIES.

4««

to re-fettle their pl^tations. Happiljr, this was CHAP,
the l&ft exertion of national enmity and civil dif- ^^*

^ ^ cord within this little community; for at the

d^ve them outi peace of Utrecht, the ifland was ceded wholly to
afterwards, byB the Englilh, and the French poffeflions publicly
them. ^» i689,Bfold for the benefit of the Englifti government,
n which hadta-Bln 1133* £.80,000 of the money was appropriat-
ceding year, tkBiiidas a marriage portion with the princefs Anne,
declaring theifrB who was betrothed to the Prince of Orange,
dicated monarcMSome few of the French planters, indeed, who
fflilh neighbounBconfented to take the oaths, were naturalized,
^8 . ^—-''•^'""•■jiid permitted to retain their eflates.

Suchwas the origin andprogref&of theBritifh
ftabliihment in the Ifland of St. Chriftopher.
he circumftances which attended the French in-
afion in the beginning of 1782, when a garri-
}n of lefs than one thoufand effedlive men (in-
iluding the militia) was attacked by eight thou-
ind of the beft difciplined troops of^France, fup-
irtedby a fleet of thirty-two Ihips of war; the
infequent furrender of the ifland, after a moft
igorous and noble defence; and its refloration
Great Britain by the general peace of 1783,
ing within every perfon's recolledion, need
iot be related at large in this work. I fliall there-
re conclude with the following particulars,
Mch I prefume are fomewhat lefs familiar to the
ineral reader, and their accuracy may be de-
nded on.

St. Chriftopherlies in 17* North latitude; it is

out fourteen leagues in circuit, and contains

,726 acres of land, of which about 17,000

\oomv laiia*— w^c* are appropriated to the growth of fugar,

& poflefliotis agttd 4000 to pailurage. As fugar is the only com*

^t which coBodity of any account that is raifed, except pro-

^^IBritVih Parlia'fiWons and a little cotton, it is probable, that

^ 'bute the ftiinRarly pne half the whole ifland is unfit for cul-

re?s to enable tb| tivation.

their Plantation
18 are unjuftjtiabli
in a time of opei
onduaonthi8«.
[ treacherous, thr
cnandQjieenMi
ed them to decli
m Even Torwi
the fide of jufti.

them; fo'' *'

,t months fole mi

under thecoma

ing in great fori

hinhabitantstofi

irted eighteen h,

dHifpaniQ^a- it

nlated to be mi

kin 1697 ;h^^

the two nations

.erived but little.

4«t

HISTORY OF THE

if^ i.'

BOOK tivation. The interior part of the country con.
III> fifls indeed of many rugged precipices, and bar.
ren mountains. Of thefe, the loitieil is Mount. I
Mifery (evidently a decayed volcano) which rifes
3,711 feet in perpendicular height from the fea.
Mature, however, has made abundant amendt
for the flerility of the mountains, by the fertility
ihehas bellowed upon the plains. Nq part of I
the Weil-Indies that I have feen pofTeiTes evenf
the fame fpecies of foil that is founcl in St. Chrif.
topher's. It i& in general a dark grey loam, fo
light and porous as to be penetrable by the flight.!
eft application of the hoe ; and I conceive it to I
be the produ6lion of fubterraneous fires, tliel
black ferruginous pumice of naturalifts, fineln
incorporated with a pure loam, or virgin moulll
The under ftratum is gravel, from eight to twelv(|
inches deep. Clay is no where found, except;
a confiderable height in the mountains.

By what procefs of nature the foil which I havtj
mentioned becomes more efpecially fuited to tb
produdlion of fugar than any other in the Wfi
Indies, it is neither within my province or abili<j
ty to explain. The circumftance however, is un^
queftionable. Canes, planted in particular fpots^
have been known to yield 800c lbs. of Mufcovi
do fugar from a fingle acre. One gentleman, u|
a favourable feafon, made 6,400 lbs. or four he
heads of fixteen cwt. each,/^r acre, on an avera
return of his whole crop. It is not however pr^
tended, that the greateft part, or even a vc
large proportion of the cane land, throughc
the iflana, is equally produftive. The gener
average produce for a feries of years is i6,c
hogiheads of fixteen cwt. which, as one-halfoDl|
of the whole cane land, or 8,500 acres, is annij
ally cut (the remainder being in young cane

nuned

rH2

WEST INDIES.

^jj J gives nearly two hogfheads of fixtcen cwt. p\
ic coun ry ^^ • M^^ fyj, jj^g whole of the land in ripe canes ; but

?*-^ft'ia Mount B«^^ ^^" " * prodigious return, not «qaallcdl

\ Jv^irhrifeiii'W^'^^ ^7 ^^y ^^^*' ^"^*^ country in any part

ino)whicUrUes|^^'^^ K^^^' ^" Jamaica, though feme ofthc

it trom ^jjjgj^ Jehoiccft lands may yield in favourable years two(

u he fertility ■^»08^***'* of fixteen cwt. per acre; the cane land

• y v/^ «art of BvWch IS cut annually, taken altogether, docs not

ield above a fourth part as much.

I am informed, however, that the planters of

it. Chriftopher's are at a great expence for ma-

lure ; that they never cut tatoon canes * 5 and

though there is no want in the country of fprings

id rivulets for the fupport of the inhabitants,

eir plantations fuffer much in dry weather, as

le fubftratum does not long retain moiflure. ^ ^

This ifland is divided into nine parifhes, and'

iQtains four towns and hamlets, viz. BafTeterre

iheprefent capital, as it was formerly that of

le French,) Sandy-Point, Old Road and Deep

ly. Of thefe, the two firft are ports of entry,

iblifhed by law. The fortifications confift of

larles-Fort, and Brimflone-Hill, both near

idy Point; three batteries at Ba^eterre, one

Fig-tree Bay, another at Palmeto-Point, and

e (mailer ones of no great importance.

'he proportion which' St. Chriftopher's con-"

ites, with the other iilands, towards an ho-

rable provifion for the Governor General, is

000 currency j^^r annum ; which is fettled on

1 by the affembly immediately on his arrival.
has befides fome perquifites; and in time of
they are confiderable.

ich ifland within this government has a fe-
te council, and each of them an aff rribly,

jhoufe of reprefentatives. In St. Chrifto-

pher's,

\Ratoon canes are ihoots from old roots, as will be full/
liined hereafter.

4t«

rr CHAP.
IV.

•?>?

4»4

rvAi ')>,^, ,

^ 4 i]

j fl '; ' if ) ,

■'^ 1

HISTORY OF THE

K pHer's, the council fhould confift of ten mem. I
bera, but it is feldom that more than feven are
prefent. ' The houfe of alTembly is compofed of
twenty-four reprefentatives, of whom fifteen I
make a quorum. The rsquiiite qualification is
a freehold of forty acres of land, or a houfe
worth forty pounds a year. Of the ele6lors, the
qualification is a freehold of ten pounds ^«ra».|
num.

The Governor of this, and the other iflands
in the fame government, is chancellor by his
office, and in St. Chriilopher fits alone. AtJ
tempts have been made to join fome of the
council with him, as in Barbadoes ; but hitherto)
without fuccefs, the inhabitants choofing ratherj
to fubmit to the escpence and delay of foUowinjI
the chancellor to Antigua, than fufFer the inJ
cdnyeniency of having on the chancery benchi
judges, fome of whom it is probable, firom theiil
fituation and connexions, may be interefted ioL
the event of every fuit that may come befoielj
them. ■(

In this ifland, as in Jamaica, the jurifdidion
of both the King's bench and pommbn pk
centers in one fuperior court, wherein jufticeii{
adminiilered by a chief juflice and four puiliu
judges. The chief is appointed by the crown
the others by the governor in the King's namej
and they all hold their commiifions during pie
fure. The office of chief judge is worth aboii
£. 600 per annum. The emoluments of theaf
Mant judges are trifling.

The prefent number of white inhabitants
computed at 4,000, and taxes are levied
26.000 negroes, and there are about three hu
dred blacks and mulattoes of free condition.

As in the other Britiih iflands in the neiglj
bourhood, all the white men from the age of

'^ifii

THE

ft of tea mem.
I tbanfevcnarel
is compofedo{
f whom fifteen I
; qosdification ul
ind, or a houfel
the eleaors, tlie
;a pounds ^«rfl««

the other iflands
hanccllor by his
: fits alone. At.
join fome of tk
Iocs; butbithem|
Lts choofing raik
delay of foUowy
tan fuffer the in.
le chancery bendi
robable, from tkii
ay be interefted in
may come beforf"

WEST INDIES.

¥S

teen to fizty are obliged to enlift in the militia, CHAP,
and in this ifland they ferve without pay.' They IV.
form two regiments of foot, although the whole
number of effedlive men in each regiment feU
dom exceeds three hundred ; but there is like-
wife a company of free blacks, and this, before
the late war, conftituted the whole of the mill*
tary force within the ifland ; the Britiih govern-
ment refiifing to fend them troops of any kind.
Of the wifdom of fuch condudl in Great Bri-
tain, the reader will be able properly to judge>
ivhen he is told, that the natural urength of this
ifland, firom the conSprmation and inequalities
of its furface, is fuch thatagarrifon of two thou-
fand.eflfe^ive troops, properly {up]^lied with am-
munition and provifions, would in all human
5>robability have rendered it impregxuible to the
brmidable iuvafion of 1782.
With St. Chriftopher's furrendered alfo the
ifland of Nevis; from which it is divided only
by a fmall channel, and of which I (hall now
give Ibme account.

:a, the jurifdiH

nd .<?omm6n plea
wherein jufticci

\ct and fourpuifr
Lted by the cm

In the King's nan
LiiTions during pie
idge is worth aboU
loluments of theaij

vhite inhabitants i

laxes are levied c

}e about three h\i

[free condition.

lands in the nci8

, from the age of t

Section

':• . 'P

' I (■

: ' -'^

"*• If w

A >'

\*-i * ,

4 'S; ^

#16

BO oft

H 1 8 'i' a R Y OF 'tnz

Section H.

N B V I S.

- TfelS beautiful little foot is nothing more
titan a fingle mountain, rinng like a cone in an
eafy afcent from the fea; the circumference of
its bafc not exceeding eight Englifh leagues. It
is believed that Columbus beftoWed on it the ap>
pellation of Nteves, or The Snows, from its re-
femblance to a mountain of the fanfie name in
Spain ; but it is not an improbable conjedure^
that in thoie days a tirhite fmoke was feen to ifiiie
from the fummit, which at a diftance had a: fhovv-
like appearance, and that it derived its name
from thence. That the ifiand was produced by
fome volcanic exploiion, in ages long paft, there
can be no doubt ; for there is a hollow, or cra-
ter, near the fummit, ftill vifible, which contains j
a hot fpring ftrongly impregnated with fulphur;
and fulphur is frequently found in fubftance, in
the neighbouring gullies and cavities of the
earth.

The country is well watered and theland in gene- 1
ral fertile, a fmall proportion towards the fummit of
the ifland excepted, which anfwers however for the
growth of ground provifions, fuch as vams and
other efculent vegetables. The foil is ftony ; the
beft is a loofe black mould, on a clay. In fome
places, the upper ftratum is a ftift' clay, which

' • requireij

H£

WEST iKDii:s.

417

nothing more
ke a tone in an
Lrciimfe'ence of
lifh leagues. It
vedonittheap.
tws, from its re-
tiefame namem
fable conjeaure,
wasfeentoiffue
ancehadafdow-

^erived its name
was produced by

long paft, there

hollow, orcra-

which contains

ted with fulphur;

in fubftance, m

cavities of the

dthelandingene-
lardsthefummitot
Irshoweverfortk

hich as yarns and
(bilisftony;the

a clay. In »e

ftiff clay, which

require*

requires labour, but properly divided vidpUl-CHAP.
verifcd, repays the labour beftowed upon it. IV.
The general produce of fugar (its only ilaple
produ^ion) is one hogihead of uxteen cwt. per
acre from all the canes that are annually cut,
[which being about 4000 acres, the return of the
iwhole is an equal number of hogfheads, and this
|was the average fixed on by the French govern-
ent in 1782, as a rule for regulating the taxes.
8 at St. Chriftopher's the planters feldom cut
[toon canes.

Thisifland, fmallasit is, is divided into ^ivc
ariihes. It contains a town called Charles-
own, the feat of government and a port of en-
y, and there are two other Ihipping places,
illcd Indian-Caftle and New-Caftle. The prin-
^pal fortification is at Charles-Town, and is
lied Charles Fort. The commandant is ap-
inted by the crown, but receives a falary from
eifland. ^ v

The government, in the abfence of the Go-
mor-Generaly isadminiileredby thepreiident
the council. This board iscompofed of the
efident, and fix other members. The houfe of
'emblyconfiftsof fifteen reprefentatives ; three
ireacnpariih.

the adminiftration of common law is under
guidance of a chief juftice, and twoafliftant
ges, and there is an office for the regiftry of
's.

he prefent number of white inhabitants iii
[ted to me not to exceed fix hundred, while the
oes amount to about ten thoufand ; a difpro-
ion which neceflarily converts all fuch white
as are not exempted by age and decrepitude,
a well-regulated militia, among which there
troop confifting of fifty horfc, well mounted
OL. L £ e and

It,;

■1. ■ I- h

^i^

HISTORY or 1:h E

A' 1 i^^

'^T

1v«

BObkand tooutred. Englifh fotccis, on the BritiM
in. eftabliffirai^ht, they hive ttoiie. f

the Enjgllfti firft eftabliffifiJ V.hfcmfelve's iu thij
ifland in theytkr 1628, tindter the proteaion an
cntou^agementof SllrThomis Warner. AmoD
' the diff^tent clafTe* of men, Whb Ibught to in
j)rove their fortunes in St. Chfiftopher*8 byth
patronage of that ent^rbrifin^ leader, it can hardJ
be preftittied that every individual experienced rf'
full gratification of his hopes and €kpe£latioii
In al) lb, ieties, there are many who Will confilj
them: elves unjulVly overlotlted and forgone
Of the companions bf Warner's earlieft voyage
it is probable that fpme would fet too high a vi
lue on their fervices, aUd of thofe Who Venture!
afterwards, many would complain, on their'a
val, that the beft lands Were pre-occupied.
■foften and temper fuch difcordancy and difquiJ
by giving full employment to the turbulent aa
feditious, feems to have been one of the m
important bbj^fts of Warner's p61icy . Motivl
of this nature induced him, without doubt, 1
|)iant a colony in ^tv\s at fo early a period ;
the wifdom and propriety of hi? firft regfilatic
.gave ftrength andftability to the iettlehient.

What Warner began wifely, was happily coj
pleted by his immediate fuccefTor Mr. Lak€,u
tierwhofeadminiftration Nevii: rofe to opuleii
and importance. " He Was a wife man,*' U
DuTertre, " and feared the Lord." Making tj
ifland the place of his refidence, it flourii
beyond example. It is faid, that about theyj
1640, it polTdted four thctifand Whites : foj
erfully are mankind invited by the'advantage
a mild and equitable fyftem of governrae
Will the reader pardon me, if I obferve a
fame time, that few fituations in life could
aftbrded greater felicity than that of liich a I

ver

^^ST INDIES.

livened by a variety of the mnft l^^®^ " ^^ e^i- ^"-^
peasin the world In flil„ ^^^ ^'^chantingprof.

f i-^ that h'e concmatef Jhe'^^^^ '^' '^^^'
niflered to the neceffitL fJ'^^'^^"^^^' ^dmi-

Icomfortsofthoufandsof hlAii *"8^eJited the
of whom looked up to him ,f^^^^^ ^"

Ither and prote^or ! If IJ Ji! ^^^'' ^^^'n'non fa,

farth. It muft have exifted i^ tA^.^''^ ^^7 on

fman, while he beffle'^rt^^^^^

fctude and approbation towalwfr?^"' ^^"•
lountenance, and whoft* V'warcis him m every

[old him thai he deTemd k""' "' '^' ^^"^ "^^

P^^UZ^'l^^^^ ^^^ -<^erwith
ow to give of AmigTia. ^'^'^''''''^ ^^^^ ^ *»

'■111

VI i

ilj'

!l/j

c 2

Section

:;,'/■

42*

BOOK

III.

HISTORY OF THE

' V^' ^

,i^c ^ v^

Section III*

ANTIGUA.

Ai^TlGtJ A is fituatefi about twenty leariiie^
to the eaftward of St. Chrlilopher's, and wi
difcovered at the fame time with tfc * ifiaiiJl
by Columbus himfe'f, who named it, from
church in Seville, Santa Maria de la AntiM
^Ve arc informed by Ferdinand Columbus, tr
the Indian name was Jamaica, It is a iinguli
circumilance, that this word, which in tl^
language of the larger iflands fignified a count
abounding in Springs^ fhould, in the diaM
the Charaibes, have been applied to an iilanj
that has not a iingle fpring or rivulet of freif
water in it.

This inconvenience, without doubt, as
rendered the country uninhabitable to the Chj
raibes, deterred for fome time the Europeaf
adventurers in the neighbouring iflands fro
attempting a permanent eAablifhment inAnj
gua ; but nature prefents few obftacles which t|[
avarice or induftry of civilized man will n|
endeavour to furmount. The lands were fouif
to be fertile, and it was difcovered that
erns might be contrived to hold rain-waterl

* The water thus prefen-ed is wonderfully light, pure,
'vholefome.

.'^Hfll

THE

WEST INDIES.

4tt

III.

U A.

30ut twenty ler?ic

e with thn* lili^^S
named it, froiui
laria de la Antig^
and Columbus, tW
:ca. ItisafinguJ
brd, which in i
fignifiedacount

in the dialea
pplied to an iil»
or rivulet otft<i

thout doubt, as
tbitable to the Chi
time the Europei
louring iflauds ti(
Ubliftiment m An
vobftacles which t

Uized man will n|
he lands were toui
difcovered that
o hold rain-waierj

londerfttllylisl^ttP^''

So early as 1632, a few Englilh families took up C HA P.
lands there, and began the cultivation of tobacco. ^^"
Among thefe was a fon of Sir Thomas Warner,
whofe defcendants ftill poiTefs very coniiderable
property in the ifland, one of them (Alhton
Warner, Efquire) having been, in 1787, prefix
dent of the council, and commander in chief in
ithe abfence of the governor.
But it was chiefly to the enterprifing fpirit and
ienfive views of Colonel Codrington, of Bar-
adoes, that Antigua was indebted for its grow-
ing profperity and fubfequent onulencCf This
entfeman removing to this ifland about the year
574, applied his knowledge in ftigar-planting
ith fuch good effed and fuccefs, that others,
imated by hi$ example, and affifted by his
idvice and encouragement, adventured in the
me line pf cultivation. Mr. Codrington was
me years afterwards nominated captain general
id commander in chief of all the leeward Cha-
ibean iflands, and, deriving from this appoint-
lent, the power of giving greater energy to
fs benevolent purpofes, had foon the happmefs
beholding the good effedls of his humanity
id wifdom, in the flourilhing condition of the
eral iflands under his government.
The profperity of Antigua was manifefled in
cxtepfive pcpulation ; for when, in the year
io, General Codrington commanded on the
edition againfl the French inhabitants of
Chriflopher's, as hath been related in the
cry of that ifland, Antigua furniflied towards
no lefs than eight hundred effedlive men : a
[Ota, which gives room to eftimate the whole
jmber of its white inhabitants at that time, at
jwards of five thoufaud.
r. Codrington dying in 1698, was fucceeded
his government by his fon Chriftopher; a

genUeman

■! ^^i

At9

HISTORY OF THE

BOOK gentleman eminently diftinguiihed for his attain.
in. ments in polite literature ; and who, treading in
the fame paths as his illuftrious father, gave the
people under his government the promife of a
long continuance of felicity. His adminiftra.
ton, however, terminated at the end of fix
uars; for in 1704 he was fuperfeded (I know
not on what account) by Sir William Mathews
who dying foon after his arrival, the Qjieeaj
wa« pleafed to appoint to the government of '
and the neighbouring iilands, Daniel Park, Efq.]
a man whofe tragical end having excited tiii
attention of Europe, and fumifhed a leffoal
for hiftory to perpetuate, I (hall be excufed foi
entering fomewhat at large into his condud am
fortune.

• Mr. Park was a native of Virginia, and wai
diftinguifhed for his excefles at a very early ti
of life. Having married a lady of fortune i
America, his firft exploit was to rob his wii
of her money, and then defert her. With tl
money he came to England, and obtained
return to Parliaoxent; but grofs bribery beiii|
proved againft him, he was expelled the houfc
His next adventure was to debauch the wife
A friend, for which being prof(pcuted, he quitti
England, and mad^ a campaign with the an
in Flanders, where he had the fortune to attri
the notice, and acquire the patronage of tl
Duke of Marlboroygh. — ^In 1 704, he attend
the Duke as one of his aides de camp, and
fuch, on the event of the battle of Hochili
having been fent by his Grace to England, wii
intelligence of that important vi^ory, he t
rewarded by the Q^ieen with a purfe of a thoi
fand guineas, and her pidure richly fet w'
diamonds, The year foUow'.ng, the governmi
pf |h^ leeward Iflands becDming vacant,
P,

^^'!|f'l||!k

THE

WEST INDIES.

led for his attain-
who, treading in
i father, gave the
the promife ofj

His adminiftra.

the end of fix'

Park, through tlje intereft pf his noble patron, CHAB.
was appointed to fucceed Sir William Mathews JV.
therein, and he arrived at Antigua ia July
1706.

As he was; a native of America, and his inte-

reft with the Britifli adminiftratioh. was bi?lieved

perfeded (I knowB ^^ b^ coniiderable, the inl>abitants of the Le^-

^ilUam M^^^^^B ^avd Iflands, who were probably unacquainted

.1 *u« Q^eeaB^ith his private char^dler, received him with

fojgul^ reipe^ and the affembly of Antigua,
even contra,ry to a royal inflruction, added a
thoufa^d pounds to his yearly income, in order,

,„ as it was exprefTed in tne vote, to relieve him

lall be excufed foiBfrom ^he ^jqpence of houfe-rent ; a provilion
ito his condu£l aiiflBwbich, I believe, has been continued ever fincQ

Hto his fuccelldrs in, the government,
• Virginia, and yifl The return which Mr. Park thought proper to
at a very early timBmake for this mark of their kindnefs^ was an
lady of fortune •vowed and nnreiirained violation of all de-
^as to robhis w^ency and principle. He feared neither God

lorman; and it was foon obferved of hi,m, as
{had formerly been of another deteftable tyrant,
ht he Jj^ared no man in his anger y nor wom^n in
'is luji. One of his firft enormities was to
lebauch the wife of a Mr. Chefter, who was

rrival, the
government 01 thw

Daniel Park, Efd

»aving excited tW

fumiftied a \m

;rt her. With ih

4, and obtained

grofs bribery beiB

expelled the houfd

lebauch the wife

of^cuted, he quittmftor to the royal African company, and the

,aign with the an
he fortune to attri
ie patvonage of tl
1 104, lie attend!
and

oft coniiderable merchant in the ifland. Apre-
lending that the injured hulband might meditate
venge, the worthy governor endeavoured to be
forehand with him, by adding the crime of
lurder to that of adultery ; for Chefter having
ut this time had the misfortune to kill a
rfon by accident, his excellency, who had
ifed i| common foldier to the office of provoft-
arihal, brought him to a trial for his life ;
efting his inftrument the provoft-marlhal, to
Ing, the governiajipjnei ^ jyjy ^f certain perfons, from whom
oming vacant, We doubted not to obtain Chefter's convidion;

and

704
esde camp
battle of Hochftj
e to England, ^'
ant viaory, he
Ih a purfe of a m
ure richly fet

nm'

HIS TORY OF THU

1...'

"'-r

BOOK and the execution of this innocent and injured
*^'' man would undoubtedly have followed, if the
evidence in his favour had not proved too
powerful to be overborne; fo that the Jury were
compelled to pronounce his acquittal.

Another of his exploits was an attempt to
rob the Codrington family of the iiland of Bar.
buda (of which they had held peaceable pof.
fefTion for thirty years) by calling on them to
prove their title before himfelf and his council;
a meafure which gave every proprietor reafon to
apprehend that he had no fecurit^' tor his pofl'ef-
fions but the governor's forbearance;

He declared that he would fuffer no provoft.
tn^rihal to a6l, who fliould hot at all timcj
fummoh fuch juries as he ifliould direct. He
changed the mode of ele^ling members to ferve
in the aflembly, in ordef to exclude perfons he
did not like j and hot beiqg able by this meafurej
to procure an'aflembly tohis wijh, he reftifedl
to call them togethei" even when the French
threatened an invafion.

He entered the houfe of Mr. Chefter, the
perfon before mentioned, with ah armed forcf,|/b
and feized feveral gentlemen (fome of them,
the principal men of the iftand) who were therCj
met for the purpofe of good fellowftiip, oa
fufpicion that they were concerting meafurej|
againft himfelf; moft of "whoih he fent by hii
own authority to the common Jail, and kepi
them there without bail or trial.

By thele, and a thoufand other odious am
intemperate proceedings,' the whole count
became a party againft him, and difpatched
agent to England to lay their grievances befon
the crown, adopting in ' the firft inftahce, al
moderate and legal means to procure his reViai
moval ; but from the delays incident to thSeai

bufinefs

h
m
in

life

[OV

lav

E'-liiW'JJJ*. ?,p

rut

cnt and injured
followed, it* the
\ot proved too
lat the Jury were |

littal.

t an attempt to I
le ifland of Bar-
1 peaceable pof-
ling on them to
and his council;
jprietbr rcafon to
iv 'tor to poffcf-'

•ance,

fnffeT lio provoft.

not at all times
lould dire^- He
members to fervel
xcludc |)erfons k
)le by tbis mcafurel
8 wim, be refufedl
wben the Frencii

Mr. Cbefter, the
an armed force,
, (fome of thew,
1) vrbo were there
jd fellowlhip, oa
►ncertiiig meafure^l
,in be fentbyk
\n Jail, and kepi

il.

otber odious am

,e wbole counr
ind difpatcbed
grievances befori
firft inftaiice, al
o procure bis
s incident to t
bufinels

WEST INDIES.

bufmefs, the people loft all temper, and began C H
to confider forbearance as no lontyer a virtue. ^
More than one attempt was iiiadc on thegpver-
nor's lifo, in the laft of which he was grievoully,
but not mortally, wounded. Unhappily thein-
rious and exafperated Hate of men's minds ad->
mitted of no compromife, and the raOi impetu-
ous governor was not of a difpofitiou to foftea
or conciliate, if occalion had oH'ered.

At length, however, inftruftioni^ came from
the crown direfting Mr. Park to refign his com-
mand to the lieutenant governor, and return to
England by the firft convenient opportunity; at
the fame time Commiflioners were appointed to
take examinations on the fpot, concerning the
complaints which had been urged againit hi^
condudl:. It would have been happy if the in-
habitants of Antigua had borne their i'uccefs with
moderation; but the triumphant joy which they
manifeft^d, on' receipt of the queen's orders,
provoked the governor into dclperatioij. He
declared that he would continue in the govern-
ment in fphe of the inhabitants, and being in-
formed, that a ftiip ^as about to fail for Europe,
il which he might conveniently have embanked,
e refiifed to leave the country. In the mean-
hile, tq convince the people that his firmnefs
as' unabated, and that he ftill coniidered him-
felf in the rightfiil exercife of his authority, he
iffiied a proclamation tp diflblve the aflembly. ,»
Matters were now coming faft to an ifliie. The
(Tembly continued fitting notwithftanding the
[ovemor's proclamation, and refolved, that,
aving been recallied by his Ibv^reign, his con-
buance in the governmei^t was ufurpation and
ranny, and that it was their duty to take
iharge of the lafety and peace of the ifland. On
.earing of this vote, the governor fecretly or-

' dered

A p.
V.

'^''•i .

416

HISTORY OF THE

'di\:

m-^

BOOK dered a party of foldiers to furround them; but
m* the affembly having obtained infornj* tiou of liis
intentions, immediately feparated to nivide for
their perfonal fafety. The enfuing tght, aad
the whole of the following day, were employed
in fummoning the inhabitants from all parts of the
ifland, to haften to the capital, properly armed,
to proted their reprefentatives. It was given out,
however, that the governor's life was not alined
at ; all that was intended, was to lecure his per.
fon, and fend him from the iiland.

On Thurfday the •^th of December 17 10, carlj
in the morning, about five hundred men appear.
ed in arms, in the town of Saint John's, where
Colonel Park had been making proviiion for re-
finance in cafe of an attack. He had converted
the government houfe into a garnfon,'and H
tioned in it all the regular troops that were in the
iiland. On the approach of the inhabitants how.
ever, his courage deferted him. The fight of «q
injured people, coming forward as one man, with
deliberate valour, to execute on his perfon that
punlOiment which he muit have beeii confcioui
his enormities well merited, overwhelmed hio
with confuiion and terror. Although he muii
have been apprized, that his adverfaries had
proceeded too far to retreat, he now, for the
nri\. time, when it was too late, had recourfe to con.
ceflion. He difpatched the provoft-marflial with aj
meflage, iignifying hisreadinefs to meet the aifem-
bly at Parham,. and to confent to whatever laws]
they ihould think proper to pafs for the good
the country. He offered at the lame time to dif^
mifs his foldiers, provided fix of the princip;
inhabitants would remain with him' as hoftagi
for the fafety of his perfon. The fpeaker of thi
affembly, and one of the members of the couii'
cil, unwilling to carry matters to the laft extn
mity, feemed inclined to a compromife, andpn

Itfe

♦ir^

and them; bnt
>rnn :'>a of Ills

ting Aftlit, and
were employed
nallpartsofthe

properly armed,
ft was given out,

. was not aimed
'oiecurcluaper.

mbcrn 10, early
ired men appear,
^t John's, where
rprovifioniorw.
Jlebad converted
garrifon,-andftv
P8 that were m the
rinbabitixiwhow.

The fight ot w
as one man, will

WEST INDIES.

427

pofed thcmfelves as two of the hoftages required CHAP.
by the governor; but the general body of the ^^*
people, apprehenfive that further delay might
be fatal to their caufe, called aloud for immedi-
ate vengeance ; and inftantly nurched forward
in two divifions. One of thefe, led by Mr. Pig-
got, a member of the afTembly, taking poflefliou
of an eminence that commanaed the government
houfe, attacked it with great fury. Their fire
vpa» brifkly returned for a confiderable time, but
at length the aflailants broke into the houfe.
The governor met them with firmnefs, and fhot
Piggot dead with his own hand, but received in
the fame moment a wound which laid him prof-
trate. His attendants, feeing him fall, threw
down their arms, and the enraged populace,
feizing the perlon of the wretched governor,
who was ftill alive, tore him into a thoufand
pieces, and fcattered his reeking limbs in the
ftreet. Befides the governor, an enfign and
thirteen private foldiers, who fought in his caufe,
were killed outright, and a lieutenant and twen-

n h^ P^'r^-^Q^Bty-fourprivates wounded. Of the peojple, thir-
ve "®®^,^^^ WinBty-two were killed and wounded, befides Mr. ^

)vcrwhehned huj
^though he muft
IS adverfaries bad

he now, for the
iadrecourfctocoa.1

,oft.marftialwuliai

[stomeetthcaffem.

Piggot. The governor's death inftantly put an
|end to this bloody conflidl.

Thus periftied, in a general infurredlion of an
linfulted and indignant community, a brutal and
|licentious defpot, than whom no fiate criminal
^as ever more defervedly puniihed. He was \l
Imonfter in wickednefs, and being placed by his

t to whate 'JoBjituation beyond the reach of ordinary reftraint,
afs for the g ^. » ^^^ ^^ lawful to cut him off by every means
e feme tim » p^^j^^ ** ^^ ^^^^^ ^^^^ ^^^^ tolhoot a wild
IX of the P, |v^ J)eaft that had broke its limits, and was gorging
th him as ^^^f^Mtfelf with human blood. " The people of Eng-
|The fp^**f „min»ind (fays an eminent writer*) heard with afto-

ipromvfe, and prof » Univerfal Hiftory. Vol. XLI.

'■1 m ,

A2%

HISTORY OF THE

X ,<

:i.^

BOOK nifhment of Park's untimely fate ; but thepublie
^^^' were divided in their fentiments; fome looking
upon his death as an tlH of rebellion agaiuft the
crown, and others confideriug it as a facrifice to
liberty. The flagrancy of the perpetration, and
eompallion for the man, at laft got the better."
In the latter affertion however, the writer is clear-
ly miftaken ; for the Englifh government, after
full inveftigation, was fo thoroughly fatisficd of
Mr. Park's mifconduft, as toiffue, much to its ho-
nour, a general pardon of all perfons concerned
in his death, and two of the principal adors
therein were even promoted fome time afterwards
t o fesats in t he council ,

From this period I clofe my account of the ci.
vil concerns of Antigua, finding uq occurrence
in its fublequent hiftory of fufficient importance
to detain the reader ; what remains therefore is
chiefly topographical, and i hope will be found
correS.

Antigua is upwards of fifty miles in circuin-
ference, and contains 59,838 acres of land, of
which about 34,000 are appropriated to the
growth of lugar, and pafturage annexed; its
other principal ilaples are cotton^wool, and to-
hacco; to what extent of cultivation I am not
informed; and they raile in favourable years
great quantities of provifions.

This iflaud contains two different kinds of
foil; the one a black mould on a lubftratum of
clay, which is naturally rich, and when not
checked by exceffive droughts, to which Anti-
gua is particularly lubjedl, very produdlive. The
other is a ftift' clay on a fiAftratum of marl.
It is much lei's fertile than the;' former, and
abounds with an iuirradicable kind of grafs in flu
iuch a manner, that many eftates confifting ofj
that kind of fail, which were once very profit-
;iblej are now lb impoveriih-jd and overgrown

III- J

rHE

butthepublie
; (o.me looking
lion againft i^e
as a facrifice to
•rpetration, and
ot the better."
c -writer i»clear-
irerntnent, after
ghly latisficd of
, much to its ho-
kons concerned
principal aaoK
etime^iftcrwards

cconnt of the ci-
[ig nQ occurrence
cient importance
lains therefore is
ope will be fonnd

miles in cireuin-
acres of land, of
nopriated to the
ige annexed; its
onrwool, and to-
ivation I am not
favourable years

lifferent kinds of
[n afubftratumof
and when not
, to which Ami-
/produdive. The
Mlratum of inarl.
khq" former, and
K kind of grafs m
lates confifting ot

fonce very profit-
Id and overgrow
^ wnh

WEST INDIES.

439

with this fort of grafs, as either to be convert- C H A P.
ed into pafture land, or to become entirely aban- IV.
doned. JExclufive of fuch deferted lan>J, and a '
fmall part of the country that is altogether un-
improvable, every part of the illand may be faid
to be under cultivation.

From the circumilances that have been relat-
ed, it is difhcult to furnilh an average return of
the crops, which vary to fo great a degree, that
the quanthy of fugar exported from this illand
in fome years, is £ve times greater than in others ;
thus in 1779 were ihipped 3»382 hogfheads, and
579 tierces; in 1782 the crop was 15,102 hogf-
heads, and 1,603 tierces; and in the years 1770,
1773, and 1778, there were no crops of any
kind; all the canes being deftroyed by a long
continuance of dry weather, and the whole bo-
dy of the negroes muft have perifhed for want
of food, if American veffels with corn and flour
had been <at that time, as they now are, denied
admittance*

It feems to me on the whole, that the iiland
has progreflively decreaied both in produce and
white population. The laft accurate returns to
government were in 1774. In that year, the
white inhabitants of all ages and fexes were
2,5^, and the enflaved negroes 37,808, and I
believe, that i7/x>o hog£heads of fugar of fix-
I teen cwt. are reckoned a good laving crop. This,
is one-half the canes only are cut annually, is
about a hoglhead of fugar per acre for each acre
that is cut. The produce of 1787 will be given
hereafter; and I believe itwasayearmorefavoura-
ble to Antigua, in proportion to its extent, than
I to any otlier of the Britilh iflands in the Weft
llndies.

Antigua is divided into fix parilhes and ele-
|veii diftri6ls, and contains lix towns and villages.

liflt John's (the capital,) Parham, Falmouth,

WiUoughby

€k{^' %\

43<>

HISTORY OF THE

1-1

BOOK Willoughby Bay, Old Road, and James Fort;
III. of which, the two firft are legal ports of entry.
' — ^No ifland, in this part of the Weft Indies,
can boaft of fo many excellent harbours. Of
thefe, the principal are Englifh harbour and
Saint John's, both well fortified, and at the for.
nier, the Britifh government has eftablifhed a
royal navy yard and arfenal, and conveniences
for careening Ihips of wan

The military eftablilhment generally confifts
of two regiments of infantry, and two of foot
militia. There are likewife a fquadron of dra-
goons, and a battalion of artillery, both raifed
in the ifland, and the regulars receive additional
pay, as in Jamaica.

It hath been already obferved, that the gover-
nor or captain general of the leeward Charai-
bean iflands, although dirededby his inftrudions
to vilit occafionally each ifland within his go.
vemment, is generally ftationary at Antigua : he
is chancellor of each ifland by his office, but
commonly holds the court in Antigua, and in
hearing and determining caufes from the other
iflands, prefides alone. In caufes arifing in An-
tigua, he is affifted by his council, after the prac-
tice of Barbadoes; and, by an adl of the affem-
bly of this ifland, confirmed by the crown, the
prefident and a certain number of the council
may determine chancery caufes during the ab-
fence of the governor general. The other courts
of this ifland are a court of king's bench, a
court of common pleas, and a court of exche-
quer.

The Icgiflature of Antigua is compofed of the
commander in chief, a council of twelve mem-
bers, and an alTembly of twenty-five; and it is
very much to its honour that it prefented the firft
example to the fifter iflands of a melioration of I

4 ""I

1 t «- ^.u.

Wr *'

WEST INDIES.

43^

the criminal law refpedling negroe flaves, by CHAP,
giving the accufed party the benefit of a trial by IV.
jury : and allowing in the cafe of capital convic-
tions four days between the time of fentence and
execution. And it is ftill more to the honour of
Antigua, that its inhabitants have encouraged,
in a particular manner, thf laudable endeavours
of certain pious men, who have undertaken,
from the pureft and beft motives, to enlighten
the minds of the negroes, and lead them into
the knowledge of religious truth. In the report
of the lords of the committee of council on
the flave-trade, is an account of the labours of
the fociety known by the name of the Unit as
Fratrum (commonly called Moravians^) in this
truly glorious puri'uit ; from which it appears
that their condud in this bufinefe difplays fucli
found jut^mcflt, breathes fuch a fpirit of genuine
chriflianity, and has been attended with fuch
emin£*:t fuccefa, as to entitle its brethren and
tniffionaries to the moft favourable reception
from every man whom the accidents of fortune
have invefted with power over the poor Afri-
cans ; and who believes (as I hope every planter
believes) that they are his fellow creatures, and
of equal importance with himfelf in the eyes
of an all-feeing and impartial governor of x\nc
univerfe. With an abridgement of that accoun: .
I (hall clofe the fubjei^ of my prefent diicuflion.
It is as follows :

" The church of the united brethren have,
ever fmce the year 1732, been a6live in pleach-
ing the gofpel to different heathen nations in
. , —many parts of the world, but not with equal
compofed of the ■(^.^,^^5 jj^ ^\\ places. The method here de-
of twelve mem* Ifcribed, and made ufe of by the miifionaries
y-five; and ^ ^* lof the faid church, in leading the negroe-flaves
rcfented the tiru ajj^ ^^^ ^^ Indies to the knowledge aad
^i;**r»tionotB o-^

James Fort;
orts of entry.
; Weft Indies,
iatbours. Of
, harbour and
and at the for.
s eftabliftied a
i conveniences

aerally confifts
ad two of foot
madron of dra-
ery, both raifed
iceive additional

, tbat the gover-
leeward Charai-
yhisinftruaions
d within his go-
•y at Antigua the
his ofhce, but
Antigua, and in
from the other
es ariling in An-
il, after the wc-
aft of the allem.
the crown, the
of the council
during the ab-
The other courts

king's bench, a
court of exche-

'!i;

a meliomion

the

pradice

43*

HrSTO R Y OF THE

BOOK pradlice of chriftianity, is followed, in alj
^^^* points that are not local, in all the mifiions of
^**^'"'"*^ the brethren.

After many j ears unfuccefsful labom', expe-
rience has taught them, that the rlai^ teftimony
concerning tlie death and paihon of Jefus Chrift
the Son of God, together with its caufe and
happy con fequences, delivered by a miffionary
touched with an experimental fenfe of it, is the
Tureft way of enlightening the benighted minds
of the negroes, hi order to lead them afterwards
ilep by ilep into all truth : they therefor-
make it a rule, never to enter into ar> extenfive
difcufiion of the dodtrines of God's being an
^ infinite spirit, of the holy trinity, &c. nor to
feek to open their underftaudings in thofe points,
until they believe in Jefus, and that the word of
the crofs has proved itfelf the power of God
unto falvation, by the true converfion of their
hearts. Both in the beginning and progrels
of their inftrudions, the miflionaries endeavour |
to deliver themfelves as plainly and intelligibly
to the faculties of their hearers as poliible; and
the Lord has given his blefling even to the nioft
unlearned, that went forth in reliance upon him, I
10 learn the difficult languages of the negroes, K'
ib as to attain to great fluency in them : one great p
difficulty arifes indeed from the new ideas and
words neceffaryto exprefs the divine truths loi
be introduced into them, but even this has been|
furmounted through God's grace.

As it is required of all believers, that theyl
prove their faith by their works; the brethreBJ
teach, that no habit of fm, in any land or place,!
nor any prevailing cuftom whatever, can beT
admitted as a plea for a behaviour not com
formable to the moral law of God, given unt(iB|jg
all mankind : upon the fulfilment of this, tbMg^

mjflionarifB y

! Aii

f*ll

H £

WEST INDIES.

433

alt

3wed, in
he miflionaof

miffionarics imlft every where: every thing that CHAP.
is acrounted det*ent and virtuous among chrif- IV,
tiano, is incal'^attid into the minds of the people ;
dru il ennefs, adultery, whoredom, forcery, theft,
anger and revenge, and all other works of the
flelh, as enumeratsd by our Lord and his Apof-
tles as proo-edinfj from the heart, being plain
proofs that man is cither unconverted, or again
fallen into heaihenifm and idolatry^ it follows
of courfe, tb-at any one guilty of thefe things is
put away from the congreg; tion, and not re-ad-
mitted before a true and fmcere repentance is
apparent, and the offence done away : bv.t it if,
not fufficient that the believers abftain from open
fcandal, their private behaviour in their families,
and in every occurrence of life, muft evidence
a thorough change of heart and principles:
indeed the believing negroes in Antigua, and in
other places where the brethren have miffions,
are fo much under the influence of their matters,
and of a variety of circumftances that attend
their being flaves, that it may perhaps leem
more difficult to effe^ a change of cuftoms and
even to the moft Jpradlices, and to enforce a fleady chriftian con-

du6t in all cafes amongft them, than amongft
free heathens ; and yet it muft be owned, to the
iraife of God, that this is vifible at prefent in
nany thoufand converted negroes.
The miflionaries, however, have frequent oc-
iions to fee with forrow, how deeply rooted
he habit of fin, and the tendency to excufe it, is
lie vers, that theyKQ the minds of the negroes; who, whenuncon-
rks; the brethreaB^erted, are particularly given to an unbounded
any land or p^accMjatification of every fenfual luft ; but on this
""" ^ cry account it becomes the more needful to
atch, and not to fuffer the leaft deviation from
le right path to remain unnoticed in the be-
evers. It has been before obferved, that bap-

laboujf, expe-
-UiA teftimony
of JefusChrift

its caufe and

Y a miffionaty
lie of it, is. the
enighted minds
Lhem afterwards

they therefor.;
ito an extenfive
God's being an
viiy, &c. nor to
sintbofepoints.

that the word oi
e power of God
ttverfiou of their
ing and i>rogrefs
anaries endeavour

V and -utelUgibly
s as polVible ; m

feliance upon him,
.s of the negroes,
ju them : one great
Ibe new ideas and
divine truths lo
^ven this has been

whatever, can
khaviour not coaj
, God, given H
[iment of. tins, j

^{:

Vol. I.

tifm

454

HISTORY OF T H E

^<Ty-

iii.-S''-,-- ■■

■■*iM

BOOK tifmis adminiilered to none, but to fuch in whom
m* a thorough converfion of heart is already per.
ceivable. A$ foon as they are confidered as
candidates for baptifin, they are fubjedl to the
difcipline of the church, by which if they of.
fend, and private admonition and reproof have
not the deflrea effe^, they are excluded from the
fellowlhip of the reft, though they may attend
public fervice, and every pieans is ftill faithfully
applied to bring them back.. Thus a com-
municant, in cafe of an offence given, is not
admitted to the Lord's fupper. This difcipline
has, by God's blefling, had fo good an efFedt,
that many a believing negroe would rather fuffer
the fevereft bodily punifhment than incur it. If
they confels their fins, and heartily repent, they
are willingly, and according to the nature of the
offence, either privately, or in the prefence of a
part or the whole of the congregation^ re-ai
. mitted to the fellowfhip of the church. The
believing negro*.'s are not fuffered to attend any
where, where the unconverted meet for the fakeK
of feafting, dancing, gaming, &c. and the ufual
plea of not entering into the finful part ofi
thefe diverfions, is never admitted, inal'niucb
as the leaft ftep towards vice and immorality,
generally plunges them by degrees into grofsj
fins. The hankering after the vain traditiom
of their forefathers, is confidered as a fiiHingol
from that love to the Lord Jefu& and his doc
trines, which once prompted them to forfakeal
ungodlinefs, and devote themfelves unto God,
and if they perfift in evil ways, the faithfulnefi
due to the reil of the flock on the part of th^hc
miffiottaries demands their feparation, left th
feduce others. ■{jj

The polygamy of the negroes has caufed nifo
. fraali embarralfment tQ, the, miflionaries. Tlig g

^ t followini

fuch in whom
I already per-
confidered as
{ubjeft to the
ich if they of.
\,d reproof nave
eluded from the

hey m^y. a"en^
is ftiU faithfully

Thus a com-
ce given, is not

This difciplme
> good an effect,
ould rJither Mer
than incur It. It
rtilv repent, they
, the nature of \k

the prefence ot a
agtegatiou re-ad.
the church, nt
red to attend any

WEST INDIES.

435

following is a fhort account of the brethren's CHA
manner of treating them in this particular: ^V.
When a negroe man or woman applies as aboie
efcribcd, to be baptized or received into thC'
ongrcgation, ftridt enquiry is made concernirg
:very circumftance attending his or her fituation
id connedlions in life. If it is found that a
an has more than one wife, the queftion arifes,
low the brethren have to advife him in this par-
icuUr : St. Paul fays, " if any brother hath a
ife that believeth not, and that is yet an
eathen, and ihe be pleafed to dwell with him,
bt him not put her away," i Cor. 7. 21; but

^m he fays, " a bifhop muft be blamelefs, the

Silband of one wife," i Tim. 3. 2. We read of

further precept in the holy fcriptures con-

rning this fubjeft ; the brethren therefore were

opinion, that the miffionaries fhould keep

idly to the following refolutions :

I. That they could not compel a man, who

^ d before his converlion, taken more than one

meet for the fakeBfe^ to put away one or more of them, without
&c. and the ufualfc or their conlent.

he ' finful part oMn. But yet, that they could not appoint
mitted, inai'niuckBch a man to be a helper or fervant in the
and immoraViiymrch; and

grees into grofsBlII. That a man who believeth in Chrift,
he vain traditionjhe marry, fhould take only one wife in mar-
red as a falling o»e, and that he is bound to keep himfelf only
efus. and his docMj^t woman, till death parts them.
themtoforfakealB

felves unto Godmhe inftances that a man has three wives are

the faithfulnelB; all miftreiTes muft of courfe be put away

the part of iliBhout exception ; befides this, the miffionaries

aration, left tb« no opportunity of inculcating mto the minds

'* * Mhe married people, how to walk in this ftat^

has caufed nBformable to the rules laid down in hcly wri^ji

roes

miflionanes

foUowinl

every deviation from ihcwi i^ feveiely cen-
F f 2 fured.

4S^

HISTORY OF THE

BOOK fured. If any baptized man leaves his wife,
/ ni. takes another, and takes one or more wives b6
fides the firft, or in cafe he has had two, an(
one dies, and he ihould marry another, he iii
excluded the fellowftiip of the church. Neithi
can the brethren admit of the heathenifh cuf
toms in courting a wife, but they expe6^, thai
m cafe a believer wifli to niarry, he do all thini^
in a decent and chriftian manner : it is of courfc
expeded that all baptized parents educate thi
children in the fear of the Lord, fhewingthei
a good example. If by a fi^e of negroes
auSion, or in any other way, wives aretoi
from their hulbands, or hulbands from thei
wives, and carried off to diftant iflands, thougl
the brethren do not advife, yet they canni
hinder a regular marriage with another pcrfc
efpecially, if a family of young children,
other circumftances, feem to render an heli
mate neceflary ; and, as is moftly the cafe,
hopes remain of the former ever returning,
certificate of baptifm is given to every baptL
negro, that muft thus leave the congregatioi
and there have been inftances, that by thi
godly walk and converfation in diftant par
they have caufed others to hearken to thi
word, and believe.

Thougli all the above injundlions are of fu|
a nature, that they not cnly war againft thi
heathenifh propenfities, but even againft w
fome might call excufable indulgencies ; yi
is a fa6i, that at this prefent time, fome thi
fand negroes in Antigua, and other iflands, fj
mit to them with willingnefs.

sr r

if-

'■¥i

i\. ^'

THE

ir€8 his wife, and
r more wives W
las had two, and
y another, he itl
church. Neitk.,
c heathenilh cu(.
they expe£l, that
y hedoallthina
acr: itisofcourfi
treats educate theii
x)rd, Ihewingik
fale of negroes 1
ay, wives are toi
ifbands from tW
tint iflands, thout
», yet they canw
iJith another perf(r
young children,
to render an kl|
moftly the cafe,-
• ever returning.
en to every baptu
^c the congregaiioi
ances, that by il«
ion in diftant p«
to hearken to tW

QJunaionsareoffjl
tly waragainftihl
It even agamft n
, indulgencies; y4

tent time, fometM
land other iflands, r

=fs.

WEST INDIES.

437

The number of converted Negro flaves under CHAP,
the care of the brethren, at the end of the year ^^^
1787, was, '

In Antigua, exaftly - -
In St. Kitt's, a new .miffion
In Barbadoes and Jamaica, a-

bout - -
In St. Thomas, St. Croix, and

St. Jaa, about - - .
In Surinam, about ...

Still living in the Weft Indies
land Surinam ....
las nearly as can be afcertained
Ifrom the lateft accounts."

54^5

- 80

100

10,000

- 400

16,045

Section IV.

MONTSERKAT.

OF this little ifland, neither the extent nor

e importance demands a very copious difcuf-

on. It was difcovered at the fame time with St.

Ihriftopher's, and derived its name from a fup.

}fed refemblance which Columbus perceived in

^e face of the country, to a mountain of the

(le name near Barcelona.

[The name was all that wasbeftowed upon it

^the Spaniards. Like Nevis, it was firft planted

a fmall colony from St. Chriftopher's, de-

ched in 1632; from the adventurers under War-

Z ner.

4S<

HISTORY OF THE

w ■

■I

' I

\iM IV'.i' ' '

BOOK ner. Their reparation appears ind^ to have
nr. been partly occafioned by local attachments and
religious diflenfions ; which rendered their fitu.
ation in St. Chridopher's uneafy, being chiefly
natives of Ireland, of the Romifh perfuafion.
The fame caufes, however, operated to the aug.
mentation of their nun^bcrs ; forfo p'anyperfons
pf the fame country and religion adventured thi-
ther foon after the firft fettlement, as to create a
white population which it has never fince poffef.
fed ; if it be true, as aflerted b\ Oldmixon, that
at the end of fixteen years there were in the ifland
upwards of one thoufand white families, confti.
tuting a militia of three hundred and fixty effec,
tive men.

The civil hiftory of this little ifland contains
nothing very remarkable. It was invaded by a
French force in 17 12, and fufTered fo much from
the depredations of that armament, that an arti-
cle was inferted in the treaty pf Utrecht for ap.
pointing commiflipners to enquire into the da-
mages ; which however were not made good to
tbe fufferers. It was again invaded, and with
jnoO: of the pther iflands captured by the Frencli
in the late war, and reftored with the reft.

"Nothing therefpre remains but tP furnifh the
reader with an accpunt pf its prefent ftate in re-
fpedl pf cultivatipn, prpdudions, and exports.

Montferrat is about three leagues in lengtlij
and as many in breadth, and is fuppofed to con-
tain about thirty thoufand acres of land, of whic'
almoft two thirds are very mountainous, or ve
barren. The land in cultivation is appropriate(Biy I
nearly as follows. In fugar, fix thoufand acrespte
Ip cotton, provifions, and pafturage, two thou«fti|
fand each. None other of the tropical ftaplewa
jire ra'fed. Its average crop from 1784 tp I'jimn

.tL»,a'.

v,-g5.A*"<'

j$'n\

' HE

nddid to have
ttachinenis and
dercd their fitu.
y, being chiefly
niih perfuafion.
aied to the aug.

L adventured ihi-
nt, as to create a
ever fince poffef-
Oldmixon, that
were in the illand
. families, coufti-
edandfvxtyeffec,

de ifland contains

was invaded by a

ered fo much from

ment, that an arti-

pf Utrecht for ap-

mire into the da-

U made goodto

avaded, and m\^
redbytheFrencli

ith the reft.

but to furnifh tkl
iprefent ftate m k-
'ns,atid exports.

leagues in length,

'8ofland,of^^'W
.untainous. or vei

WEST INDIES.

4Z9

were 2,737 hogfheadsof fugar of fixteen hundred CHAP,
weight, 1,107 puncheons of rum, and 275 bales IV.
of cotton. The exports of 1787, and their va-
lue at the London market, will be feen in a table
annexed to this chapter. They are produced by
the labour of one thoufand three hundred whites,
and about ten thoufand negroes.

The government is adminidercd in this, as in
the other iflands, by a legiflature of its own, un-
der the captain general. The council confifts of
fix members, and the aflembly of eight, two from
1 each of the four diftridls into which it is rl led ;
and the proportion which Montferrat coi tes

to the falary of the captain general is £. "t

mnum.

CTIO

N V.

VIRGIN ISLANDS.

OF the Virgin Iflands I have fo few particu-
rs to communicate, that I fear the reader will
cufc me of inattention or idlenefs in my
fearches. I have, however, folicited informa-
u. of thofe who I thought were moft likely to
ford it ; but if my enquiries were not flighted.

• — * anT)ropriate(«'y expedations were not gratified. Even in a

V°^ boufand acresWe hiftorical account by Mr. Suckling, the chief

ft e two thouBftice of thefe iflands, I find but little of which

tturag , ^^^ ftapJcan avail myfelf. It furnifties no particulars

hSa tP i78wncerning their extent, their cultivation, or their

1 ^ ..;«mm«,«^«« It is filent as to the number of their

prefent

from

weAmmerce.

|.H.''

IMAGE EVALUATION
TEST TARGET (MT-3)

1.0

1.1

11.25

I^|2j8 |2^

■so ■^~ IIII^H

^ Ui 12.2

S la ■ 20

•f !■■■

■ilteu

^U4

Photographic

Sciences

Corporation

^^ ^\ ^r\\

23 mn MAIN smn

WIUTIR,N.Y. UStO
(71«)t73-4S03

'4^

44«

HISTORY OF THE

^"i,

l-^^

.■■rir-ijr.-il'l' ^\ -J

BOOK prefent Engliih inhabitants. The author is even
ni. mifinformed as to the origin of their prefent
name ; for he fuppofes that it was beftowed upon
them in 1580, by Sir Francis Drake, in honour
of Qjieen Elizabeth ; but the fa£i is, that thefe
iflands were named Las Virgines, by Columbus
himfelf, who difcovered them in 1493, and gave
them this appellation, in allulion to a welUknown
legend in the Romiih ritual.

The Spaniards of thofe days, however, thought
them unworthy of further notice. A century af-
terwards (1596) they were vifited by the Earl of
Cumberland, in his way to the attack of Porto
Rico, and the hiftoriau of that voyage calls them
" a knot of little iflands wholly uninhabited,
" fandy, barren, and craggy." 1 he whole group
may comprehend about forty iflands, iflots, and
keys, and they are divided at prefent between the
Englifli, the Spaniards, and Danes. The Englilb
hold Tortola, and Virgin Gorda *, Jofvan Dykes,
Guana Ifle, Beef and Thatch Iflands, Anegada, |
Nichar, Prickly Pear, Camana's, Ginger, Coop,
cr's, Salt Ifland, Peter's Ifland, and feveral others |
of little value. The Danes poffefs St. Thomas,
with about twelve fmaller iflands dependent!
thereon, and the Spaniards claim Crab Ifland,!
the Green or Serpent Ifland, the Tropic Keys,]
and Great and Little Paflfage.

The firfl poiTeflTorsoffuch of thefe iflands as now!
belong to the Sritiih government, were a party off
Dutch Bucaniers who fixed themfelves at TortolJ
(in what year is not recorded) and built a foi^
there for their protedion. In 1666, they werei
driven out by a ftronger party of the fame advenj
turers, who, calling themfelves Englifli, pretende "
to take pofTeflion for the crown of England, ad

* Thii laft is likcwife tailed Pw^on^ and comiptli
SpanifliTowD. - -- ^*^ -

thJ

THE

le author is even
jf their prefem
IS bellowed upon
Jrake, in honour
iaais, thatthefe
es, by Columbus

n 'i493» f,^,^ «*^^
a to a well-known

however, thought
ce. A century af.
itedbytheEarlof
ne attack of Porto
t -voyage calls them
boUy uninhabited,
1 he whole group
iflands, iflots, and
prefent between the
anes. TheEngU(h|
da *,]ofvan Dykes,
1 inands, Anegada,
la's. Ginger, Coop-
, and feveral others
joffefs St. Thomas,
'iflands dependentl
claim Crab Ifland,
the Tropic Keys,

'thefe iflands as now!
lent, were a party of
iemfelvesatTortola|
d) and built a fon
Ell 1666, they wen
Wofthefameadvenj
fsEnglifli, pretended
m of England, aw

>eniufton; and corruptll

■ th(

ir1

WEST I H D I E S. ^i.

the Englifli monarch, if he did not commiflion
the enterprize, made no fcruple to claim the be^
uefit of it : for Tortola and its dependencies
were foon afterwards annexed to the Leeward
Ifland government, in a commiffion granted by
King Charles II. to Sir William Stapleton, and
Ihelieve that the Englifli title has remained ua-
impeached from that time to this.

The Dutch had made but little progrefs ia
cukivating the country when they were expelled
from Tortola ; and the chief merit of its fubfe-
quent improvements was referved for fome Eng-
lifli fettlers from the little ifland of Anguilla,
who, about a century paft, embarked with their
families and fettled in the Virgin Iflands. Their
wants were few, and their government Ample
and unexpenfive. The deputy governor, with
a council nominated from among themfelves, ex-»
ercifed both the Icgiflative and judicial authority,
determining in a fummary manner, .without a
jury, all queftions between fubje6l and fubjed ;
ana as to taxes, there ieem to have been none
laid : when money was abfolutely necefl'ary for
public ufe, itwasraifed, I believe, by voluntary
contribution.

Under fuch afy(^em, itwasimpofliblethatthe
Icolony could attain to much importance. It
|wanted the advantage of Englifh capitals ; but
Tedit is fparingly given where payment cannot
jeafily be enforced. The inhabitants therefore,
hofe numbers in 1 756, amounted to 1,263 whites,
d 6,121 blacks, reafonably hoped to be put
n the fame footing with the filler iflands, by the
ftablifliment of a perfed civil government, and
nftitutional courts of juflice among them; but
this eiqpedation they were not gratified until
he year 1 7 73. In that year, they preiented an hum-
le petition to the captain general of the Lee*

ward

44»

CHAP.
XV.

44«

HISTORY OF THE

III

BOOK ward Ifland government, requeuing his Excellen-
cy to unite with them in an application to his Ma-
jefty, for permiflion to eledl an aflembly of repre-
fentatives out of the freeholders and planters, in
order that fuch aflembly, with the governor and
council, might frame proper laws for their peace,
welfare, and good government ; pledging them"
felves, in that cafe, to grant to his Majejly^ his
heirs and fuccejforsy an impoji of four and a half
per centum, in fpecie, upon all goods and commo-
dities the growth of thefe ijlands, ftmilar to that
which was paid in the other Leeward Ijlands.
' Their application (thus fweetened) proved fuc-
cefsful. It was fignified to them that his Majefty,
fully confidering the perfons, circumftances, and
condition of his faid Virgin Iflands, and the ne-
ceflity there was, from the then ftate of their
culture and inhabitancy, that fome adequate and
perfe6l form of civil government ftiould be efta-
blifhed therein ; " and finally trufting that his
faithful fubjefts in his faid Virgin Iflands, who
ihould compofe the new afl*embly, would, as
the firft a^ of legiflation, cheerfully make
good the engagement of granting to his Ma-
jefty, his heirs and fucceflbrs, the import of
four and a half per centum, on all the pro-
duce of the Virgin Iflands, to be raifed and
paid in the fame manner as the four and a
half per centum is made payable in the other
Leeward IJlam:'* ' \ caufe his royal pleafure
to be fignified to tiir vernor in chief, that he j
fhould ifliie writs in his Majefty's name, fori
convening an aflembly or houfe of reprefenta-
tives, who, together with a council, to be com-
pofed of twelve perfons, to be appointed by the I
governor for that purpofe, might frame and pafs
I'uch laws as fhould be neceflary for the welfare |
and good government of the faid Iflands.

, Accordingly!

'iiiri:.

THE

nghtsExcellen-
cationtohisMa-
rembly of repre-
and planters, in
he governor and
'8 fot their peace,
; pudding them-
his Majejly, his
r four and a half
goods and commo-
s, fmilar to that
eward IJlands.
ened) proved fuc-
ithathisMajefty,
lircumftances, and
ands, and the ne-
tien ftate of their
ome adequate and
ent ftiould be efta-
y trufting that his
nrgin lllands, who
lembly, would, as
cheerfully make
inting to his Ma-
Tors, the impoftot
'n, on all the pro-
[ to be raifedand
U the four and a
lyable in the other
his royal pleafurc
in chief, that he
liefty's name, for
►ufe of reprefenta-
.uncil, to be coni-
; appointed by the
^ht frame and pals
fary for the welfare
'faid lllands.

Accordingly

WEST INDIES.

44a

Accordingly, on the 30th of November, 1773, CHAP,
the governor m chief of the Leeward Iflands, in IV.
obedience to his Majefty's order, iffued a procla-
mation for convening an affembly or houfe of re-
prefentatives of the Virgin Iflands, who met on
the ift of February following, and very honour-
ably complied with their engagement to the
crown ; the very firft a£l paffed by them being
the grant before mentioned of four and a half
per centum, on the produce of the colony for
ever. They afterwards pafled a grant of J^. 400
currency per annum, as tlieir proportion towards
the i'alary of the governor geueral.

Such wa5 the price at which the Virgin Iflands
purchafed the eftablifliment of a conftitutional
legiflature. If it be difficult to reconcile this
precedent with the dodrines which have been
maintained in the cafe of Grenada, it may per-
haps be faid (as I believe the fa6l was) that the
inhabitants of thefe iflands were unapprifed of
the rights which they inherited as Britifli fub-
jefts, when they voluntarily propofed to fubjeft
themfelves and their pofterity to the tax in quef-
tion for permiffion to erjoy them ; and their pof-
terity may perhaps difpute the authority which
their forefathers exercifed on this occafion.

The chief, and almoft the only ftaple produc-
tions of thefe iflands are fugar and cotton. Of
Ithe quantity of land appropriated to the cultiva-
|tion of either, I have no account, nor can I ven-
ure even to guefs, at the quantity of unimprov-
land which may yet be brought into cultiva-
lon : the exports of 1 787 will prefently be given,
nd I have only to add, that they were railed by
e labour of about one thou fa nd two hundred
hites, and mue thoufand blacks. v

HAVING

r&^«^

^4 i .

44^

BOOK

III.

HISTORYOFTHE

HAVING fo far treated of the fevcral if.
lands which conftitute what is called the Leeward
Ifland Government, as they ftand diftind from
each other, I clofe my account, as in former caf.
es, with an authentic Table of their Returns for
1787; after which, I ftiall, as propofed, offer a
few obfervations on circumftances which are com*
mon to them all.

■i^\'j

»-■.

iM'

- < ' '-v. - - -il ■

,;i. ■ C;'

■i': ' -f,

,(.i ,,ij^>

i>.*

•Kvi

•is *l"

.J.:*;

'■■■ .■ » -i " "1

^: i:

Ur^y ^il

r^l ' "■ '-rt-

l^>\

i;v

U '. •■*:

<ti

i^ii

THE

f the fcveral if.
led the Leeward
ad diftinft from
as in former caf-
heir Returos for
propofed, offer a
» which are com*

V; . -*■

:■■••--* Frvi^. •

,« L>

'^r-'i

'' M

446

HISTORY OF THE

BOOK «L I

III.

c a

'I ^^

I gco ^

•o t^

! o

>>u4 W

O 3 C

a <

^ u

c3 M

n CO

"^ Si H
<« i, *

^s go o

l; I— I .=

•ft o

F- ^ s
^ <r «*

|S5

c c

O M 4- 0«

O M trt On
00 « •«

■pT

•• l«t o \o ^

v«

«t O M o«

Jll I

VO O O O

=:: ^ M M q

M H

O "

TsTIT

r I I i I

•'MAI •*• I

. rt osvO I
U O

w 00 o i~-oo
* fO ^ t*

;§ "^

M O On VI N

^ t^ «rt t^e(0 O

B r«0O C^ O w

,0 M fN *

1;^ VIM M

15-S

*» P"^

«« ^ ^ ^^

M CO

S c

<»:5;<;§*

t^ OS VI M

M MM

M e«o o

H OS e»»0

p * »

7mm

to ^ l/tM

tnvo O O

M S

TTT
I I i
i IS.

I I I I

«0o»0

c»» r^

TTT
i t I

' o\va I

H H VI

t^ rt »» M
»»1 l^ w 00
M VI M lO

v» tn ^««0

VO^

Tsr

«o

•o

■foe

c 8 o "O > R

CO S

i^r

s i - 5 * •!»

= .o

<MI«(

• H E

PTT

►. os«^!

CO OvO _

•0 ♦•«2 \*Z

m "1

tnvC O O

^i t

IMP

M I O

-III

0\*<

o»>a

TS a r- I ^

Tie*'

■Tr"r»o

» I «

«. ;d .« •*»

;f j^WEST INDIES.

IN furveying thefe iflands colledlively, the C
circumftance that firft prefents itfelf to notice is
the burthen of the four and half per centum on
their exported produce, to which they are all
fubjeft equally with Barbadoes, and which,
though granted by their own aflemblies, was in
moft other cafes, as well as the Virgin iflands,
the price of a conftitutional legiflature, and a
communication of the common privileges of Bri-
tifti fubjedls.

It would without doubt be fatisfa6lory to the
reader to be fumilhed with an account of the net
produce of this duty, and the particulars of its
difoofal ; but no fucn information, to my know-
ledge, has of late years been given to the public.
The laft return that lam poffeffed of, is dated fo
[long ago as the year 1735. From thence it ap-
pears, that the whole money coUedted on ac-
Icount of this duty, both in Barbadoes and the
■eeward Iflands, in twenty-one years, (from
hriftmas 1713 to Chriftmas 1734) amounted to
^.326,529. 2J. 3^?*. fterling, of which it is fliame-
lultorelatethat no more than£. 140,032. 13J. 5fl?|.
as paid into the Britifti Exchequer ; upwards of
'. 80,000 having been retained in the Iflands for
[he charges of coUeding, and £.105,000 more, ex-
tended in Great Britain in the payment of freight,
juties, commiflions, fees of office, and other
aims anddedudlions*.

From the net money paid into the exchequer

account of this duty, th -* Governor General

thefe iflands receives a falary of £. i,aoo fterl.

ixclufive of the feveral fums granted him by the

colonial

I* Some years after this, a new mode of collecting the du-
M was, I believe, adopted, which rendered the tax more
oduAiv« to government.

447

'^',

;i|

h; i

;i '.
1'

; '

!
i'

' Id:

448

HISTORY OF THE

BOOK colonial aflTemblies*) and I believe that falaries|
III. are allowed from the fame fund to the lieutenant
general, and the feveral lieutenant governors. I
have been informed too, that the governors of
the Bahama and Bermudas iilands are likewifc
paid out of this duty. The balance whith re.
mains, after thefe and fome other dedudlions are|
made, is wholly at the king's difpofal.

But it is impoflible not to obferve, that al.
moft all the iilands within this government, asi
well as Barbadoes, have been, for many yearsl
paft, progreflivelyon the decline; and it is tnere-
fore probable that the prefent net produce of thisi
duty is not more than fufficient to defray the fe*|
veral incumbrances with which it is loaded. The)
negroes indeed have been kept up, and even aug.[
mented, by purchafe, becaule, as the lands have!
become impoverilhed, they have required a greatJ
er expence of labour, to make them any way pro-j
duftive ; but as the returns have not encreafed|
in the fame degree, nothing could have faved th«5
planters from ruin, but the advanced price
iugar in the markets of Europe.

It appears from authentic accounts laid befor^
parliament, that the import of fugar into Grei
Britain from all the Britifh Weft Indies (Jamaic
excepted) has decreafed, in the courfe of twemj
years, from 3,762,804 cwt. to 2,563,228 cwt.
The difference in value, at a medium price, canno
be lefs than ;{j.400,ooo fterling, and it will be founj
to have fallen chiefly on thofe iflands, which arj

fubje'

'^Mr..>.i-

. 'Hi

•Thefe grants are as follow: Antigua and St. ChriftJ
pher's £. 1000 currency each. Nevis £. 400. Montfcj
rat £. 400. Virgin Iflands £. 400. The uliial rate of ej
change is 165 per cent. Thefe fums therefore, added to ;^. 12
fterling, paid out of the exchequer, make his whole fala
J^. 3000 iter ling per annum.

t Beingthe average of two periods, the &rS^ from *773|
1775, the fecond from 178810 1792.

THE

ieve that falaries
I to the lieutenant
lant governors, ll
the governors ofl
ands are Ukewifej
Dalance whith re-
tier deduftions arc

iifpofal.

► obferve, that al.
lis government, asl
n, for many years
tnc; and it IS there.]
net produce of thisl
■nt to defray the fcl
:h it is loaded. The!
,tup, and even aii?.|
e as the lands have
^aVe required a greai.1
:e them any way pro.1
have not encreaiedl
could have favedthJ
; advanced price

[accounts laidbefotd
of fugar intoGreal
Veft Indies (Jamaia
thecourfeoftwemi

to 2,S63»223 c>M.f

ledium price, catind

.and it will be fH

Aq illaads, which a]
fubje"

I Antigua "and St. CHriftj

iNevis i;. 400. MonA
L The ulual rate ote
ItherefoTe, added to i..iif
Ir, make his whole fal^

Lds. the fipi^ fron^ »77'

WEST IIT D I E S.

449

Xubjefl to the duty in queftion; to the efTeAs ofCHAP.
which, therefore, the deficiency muft be chiefly ^V.
attributed; for being laid, not on the land, but'
on the produce of the land, it operates as a tax
on induflry, and a penalty which falls heavieft
on the man who contributes moft to augment the
wealth, commerce, navigation, and revenues of
the mother country. It is confidered by the plan-
ters as equal to ten per cent, on the net produce of
their eftates for ever. Under fuch a burthen,
which, while it oppreiTes the jcolonies, yield a
profit of no great coniideration to the crown,
they have been unable to (land a competition with
the Britifh planters in the other iflands, and have
been ftill more deprelTed by the rapid growth
and extenfive opulence of the French colonies in
their neighbourhood. Thus a check has been
given to the fpirit of improvement, and much of
that land which, though fomewhat impoveriihed
by long cultivation, would flill, with the aid of
manure, contribute greatly to the general returns,
is abandoned, becaufe the produce of the pooreft
foil, is taxed as high as that of the mofl fertile.

To the lofs arifing from a decreafe of produce,
accompanied with an increafe of contingent ex-
pences, mufl be added the ruinous effedls of cap-
ture in the late American war. The damages
fiiftained in St.Chriftopher's alone, by De Gra£e^s
invafion in 1782, from the deftru6lion of negroes
and cattle, and the burning of the ca.ies, were
eftimated at £. 160,000 fterling, which i'lm was
made up to the fufferersby a polUtax on theflaves,
of no lefs than forty (hillings. The annual taxes
for defraying the current charges of their inter-
nal governments, ii;^. ^^ ^^^ iflands, are alfo ex-
[ceedingly burthenfome ; befides parilh taxes for
the repair of the roads, the maintenance of the
:lergy, and t)he relief of the poor.

Vol. I. . Gg , But,

.1 I -

j • f-

1 ^ ,'

.My^^ir,. :'>.4

P"?

450

BOO

III.

•

:'i;'.; -l-v" ;;,S-',;j ,

•

1
*

'■■■' f?-^ :, ?^' ',

:■ l:-';'- 'I'M'' ■

•

■; .; 'i'

HISTORY OF THE

But, under all thefe and the other difcouraffe-
ments which are felt by the proprietors, the wealth
which ftill flows from thefe little dependencies
into the mother country, muft fill every refledl-
ing mind with furprife and admiration. An ex.
tent of cultivated territory, not eoual to one-
tenth part of the county of Effex, adding yearly
one million and a half to the national income, is
a circuihftance that demondrates beyond all ab-
flradl reafoning, the vaft importance to Great
Britain of having fugar iflands of her own. At
the fame time, it is both amuiing and in(lru£live
to confider how little the prefent returns from
thefe iflands are anfwerable to the hopes and ex<
pe6lations of their firfl European poiTeiTors; or
rather it affords an animated illuflration of the
wifdom of Providence, which frequently renders
the follies and weaknefles of man productive of
good. The firft Englifli adventurers were influ-
enced wholly by the hopes of opening a golden
fountain, flmilar to that which was flowing from
Peru and Mexico into Spain. The nation was
told of countries where the mountains were com*
pofed of diamonds, and the cities built wholly of
ingots of gold. Such were the dreams of Caoot,
Frobiflier, and Gilbert, and it is a lamentable
difplay of the power of avarice on the human
mind, to behold the wife and learned Raleigh be-
wildered in the fame folly ! Experience has at
length corredled this frenzy, and Europe is now
wife enough to acknowledge that gold and filver
have only an artificial and relative value; that
induftry alone is real wealthy and that agricul-
ture and commerce are the great fourpes of natio-
nal profperity.

The produce of thefe iflands however, though I
offuchvalue to the mother country, is raifed at
an expence to the cultivator, which perhaps is I

net

ijft. L.J M

«fr"'

H£

icr difcouragc-
tors, the wealth
e dependencies
I every reflefl-
ratlon. An ex-
: equal to one-
:, adding yearly
ional income, is
I beyond all ab-
►rtance to Great
of her own. At
g and inftruaive
ent returns from
he hopes and ex-
;an poffeffors; or
iluftration of the
•requently renders
lan produaiye of
aturers were inttu-
opening a golden
t vvas flowing from
The nation was
untains were com-
ics built wholly ot
dreams of Cabot,
it is a lamentable
ice on the human
earned Raleigh be.

Experience has at
'md Europe is now

ichat gold and filvet

elative value; that

\ and that agricul-'

[at fourpes of natio-

however, though

luntry, is raifed at

which perhaps is

net

WEST INDIES.

4««

not equalled in any other purfait, in any country CHAP,
of the globe. It is an expence too, that is per- Im-
manent and certain; while the returns are more
variable and tiuauating than any other ; owing
to calamities, to which thefe countries are ex-
pofed, both from the hands of God and man ; and
It is mournfiil to add, that the felfiOi or miflaken
policy of man is fometimes more deflrudive than
even the anger of omnipotence !

At the time that I write this, the humanity of
the Britifti nation is tremblingly alive to the real
or fidlitious diftrefles of the African labourers in
thefe and the other iflands of the Weft Indies:
And the holders and employers of thofe people
feem to be marked out to the public indigna*
tion for profcription and ruin. So ftrong and
univerfal a fympathy allows no room for the fo-
ber exercife of reafon, or it would be remember-
ed, -that the condition of that unfortunate race,
muft depend greatly on the condition and cir-
cumftances of their owners. Opp reflion towards
the principal, will be felt with double force by
his aependants, and the blow that wounds the
mafter, will exterminate the flave.

The propriety of thefe remarks will be feen
in fubfequent parts of my work, when I come
in courfe to treat of the flave trade and flavery ;
and to confider the commercial fyftem of Great
Britain towards her Weft Indian dependencies,
of which I have now compleated the catalogue.
Here then I might clofe the third book of my
hiftory, but it has probably occurred to the
reader, that I have omitted the two governments
of Bahama and Bermudas ; * to which indeed it

G g 2 was

* I h^ve alfo paiTed over unnoticed the fmall iflands of
AngutUa and Barbuda, as beins; of too little importance to
merit particular defcription. The former belongs to the Lee-
ward Ifland Government *, the latter is the private property of
the Codrington family.

V .1

il. -it

k'^'

:'^ili:'

•f^-

■•iH

453

BOOK

III.

H I S T o R y o r T H E

was my iuteiition, when I began my work, to
appropriate a diftinft chapter. An examination
of uiy materials has induced me to alter my pnr-
pole; finding myfelf poffeffed of fcarce any me-
morials concerning the civil hiftory of thofe
iilands, that are not given in the numerous geo-
graphical treatifes with which the flielves of the
bookfellers are loaded. To repeat therefore what
iiiay be found in books that are always at hand,
were to manifeft difrefped to the reader, and dif-
regard to myfelf. Oftheprejent ftate of the Bahama
iilands, I need not be alhamed to acknowledge my
ignorance, inafmuch as even the lords of the com-
mittee of council for the affairs of trade and plan-
tations, were unable to obtain fatisfa£toxy infor-
mation concerning it. To their lordfhips enquiries
as to the extent of territory in thofe iflands,— the
quantity of land in cultivation, — the number of
white inhabitants, — ^produdions and exports, &c.
the only anfwer that could be obtained from the
Governor was this, that it was impoffibk to a/cer-
tain any of thofe particulars at prefent. It ap-
pears, however, from the teftimony of other
perfons, that thefe iflands in general are rocky
and barren; that the only article cultivated for
exportation is cotton, of which the medium ex-
port is fifteen hundred bags of two cwt. ; that
the inhabitants (who in 1773 confifled of two
thoufand and fifty-two whites, and two thoufand
twp hundred and forty-one blacks) have been of
late years confiderably augmented by emigrants
from North America ; but of their prefent num-
bers no precife account is given.

Concerning Bermudas, Governor Brown is
more explicit. From his anfwers to their Lord-
fhips queries, it appears that they contain from
twelve to thirteen thoufand acres of very poor

land,

^ !

[•HE

L my work, to
inexaminatiou
alter my p^r-
fcarce any me-
tftory of thole
; numerous geo-
leftielvesoithe
t therefore what
always at hand,
: reader, and dif-
iteofthcBahama
acknowledge my
:lordsofthecom-
)f trade and plan-
fatisfaaory infor-
jrdfhips enquiries
Lhofeiflands,— the

L, ^the number of

I's and exports, &c.

obtained from the

impoffible to afcer-

\t prefent* It ap-

;ftimony of other

general are rocky

icle cultivated for

:h the medium ex-

of two cwt.; that

confined of two

.andtwothoufand

acks) have been ot

nted by emigrants

:heir prefent num-

[)vemor Brown U
^ers to their Lord- ^
they contain from
Icres of very poor
I land,

WEST INDIES.

453

land, of which nine parts in ten are either un- CHAP,
cultivated, or referved in woods for the fupply- IV.
ing of timber for building fmall Ihips, floops,
and ftiallops for fale; this being in truth the prin-
cipal occupation and employment of the inhabi-
tants; and the veflels which they furnifti, being
built of cedar, are light, buoyant, and unex-
penfive.

Of the land in cultivation, no part was appro-
priated to any other purpofe than that of raifing
Indian com, and efculent roots and vegetables (of
which a confiderable fupply is fent to the Weft
Indian Iflands) until the year 1785, when the
growth of cotton was attempted, but with no great
fuccefs, there not being at prefent more than two
hundred acres applied in this line of culture.

The number of white people of all ages in
Bermudas is five thoufand four hundred and fix-
ty-two ; of blacks four thoufand nine hundred
and nineteen''^.

Thus

* It were an aA of great injuftlce to the inhabitants of
Bermudaa, to omit the very honourable teftimony which Go-
vernor Brown has tranfmitted to Government, concerning
their treatment of their negro ilaves. " Nothing (he ob»
ferves) can better ihew the ftate of flavery in Bermudas than
the behaviour of the blacks in the late war. There were at
one time between fifteen and twenty privateers fitted out from
hence, which were partly manned by negro flaves, who be*
haved both as failors and marines irreproachably -, and when-
ever they were captured, always returned, if it Was in their
power. There were feveral inftances wherein they had been
condemned with the velTel and fold, and afterwards found
means to efcape; and through many difficulties and hard-
fhips returned to their mafters fervice, lu the ihip Regula-
tor, a privateer, there were feventy flaves. She was taken
and caried into Bofton. Sixty of them returned in a flag of
truce direAly to Bermudas. Nine others returned by the way
•f New York. One only was miflRng, who died in the
cruise, or in captivity."

Report of the Frivy Council on the Slave Trade. Part III.

,1 ':i!

. t

f I

4S4

KiSTORY OF. &e.

BOOK Thus it appears that the lauds become Icfe fcr-
in. tile as we recede from the tropics, and were
there not, as there certainly is, an unac^ounta*
ble propenfity in the greater part of mankind,
to underrate what they have in a^lual poileflion,
it would require but little effort to convince the
public of the vaft importance of our Weft Indi-
an dependencies; of which the progreflive growth
has now been traced from the firft fettlement.
What remains is to convey that convidion to
the Englifh reader. This then, after taking a
curfory furvey, for the gratification of curiofity,
of the prefent inhabitaii^s and the fyftem of agri-
culture, will be the chief endeavour of the fub*
iequent volume.

p.-

my / . > T »

W-'

THE END OF THP THIED BOOK.

fh:

'•■1

i^\'

•y.

mm I

&e.

jecomclcfe fcr-
ics, ancl were
in unaccoTinta*
rt of mankind,
aual poffeflion,
o convince the
our Weft Indi-
9greflive growth
firft fcttlement.
It conviftion to
, after taking a
ion of curiofity,
lefyftemof agri-
vour of the fub-

APPENDIX

T O

.--♦

VOLUME THE FIRST

lii-;

■y ^^

'r i;i

B.D BOPK.

^ Soon after the preceding pages were prints
edt the Author receruedfrom Jamaica the
Catalogue (mentioned in page 189 of this
wlumej of exotic plants m the very magni^
fcent garden of the late Hinton Eaft, Efq.
in that Ifiandy which being equally curious
and accurate, he has now the fatisfadlion
of prefenting it to his Readers entire*

...:h|

{■ »•

■:r

1 -

If ^ n^^ .

mi
111''
'oh '

Plantae numeroAffimx quibus obveftit globum tcrraquecr>.
Deus optimus maximus, funt totidem documenta in-
finite fapientiae, natae in gloriam fui Creatoris, et in
coinmodum hominis, cujus eft eas intueri.

AMCEN. ACAD. vol. vi. p. 40.

■i^'^i

*f%

e»

OS v^

«A

if'^t

iia

\bi Nl

t globum tcrraqucue.
idem documenta in-
\ fui Creatoris, et in
s intueri.
f^CAD. vol. vi. p. 40.

m'Si

' m

CO
b

^ <

JZi ^

3 8 S S i

HOi

^gpS

91
as S

^ fc *:

%■

Jii

Pi:

*»

J-

1
)

, '-^K

^ -

■Hi

■St.!'

.3- ^ "■

«» »^ir« t;

M 00

to M M

JT^^^r^.

2* -

-:S:5 .;S

•r«r

H M

« "2 »I? 45 * •* ►!? M

^ &3X^:^»;^;^H (SAti g

s; i

a **

«^C-

M H

•

•r«r

•?

?■

(§«w e

I
<

es^s^

'?:8a

()^<J

§111 11

l«^

5CQ

•TJ

e o js

^ IZJ

< I^

to t*

00 "I

-I

2^1

< »

a! •< ^

'^^^

< % *i

41 '

-< h 0)

« 5

e X

S."* »

^ Q, M

2 as a
« t» •«
►.wo

^f'CA 6<A^& i^^

^ 1

;

r J .

«0

•r-J

VAN

S*-S^!l

•■ X •*

'S*^

^=5^^

.C-iO"

o^tcr.cri?

g « S « "

IjT

's^^ ^SrVsa

^r»^»»»

ftSwSWKW W

» "S iS S ^^ > • •

|.-S 4S -S 5 -a 4 5"

I
H 2

t!
Il

^3 s

9 ,2 O

5 J*

£«WttP«^<i<^«

a rt b c S "
CO CO Hi] CO E-i Oi

> o r
S H s*

-3

2 2

S a"

p 3 (1

(« rt >4 OS .^ ^ S

M P

o 8

? p jj s

2 * 2 ^ »

2 M *l

U V

>s •« S u

M 2 >• O •(

«<5

•> Jl

6
J

o
>
z

(^U

5 5

•.l^siiii^ «i't§««5 §r<Soi«

« s *

S ;>

•< M
M

» o

« « »^

•» t^ t^ r^

00 « ■" ••

t^M

-^or4- r^-S"'

» w »

III!

«.«•

|5§5^ !2

Sis

o ■*

£r *J 4rf w "5 ,H

3-c-c «g«ia

-3

•» p.

s ^s fc

Sfr^U44 S3

a> H

b*C CL* 2 CO 2 3

«6S.SJ.,,;5 7.;a

,2ocJS2o3is2.5?

%M&

«G

«5s..rs4§o ^ ^'

^-*-

l3 B

^ a

IS &

(B y

W3,

I («

I vi C

-O [3

3 2

-^ffeSU,

>>4i

o o sy

(f,ii

f 'N

X M

" 2

M M

5-3

•^^

•1

» M

-4 a

2 '^

««

bcP^

CQ w

I 4> « rti

«l

a
•a

4> _.

^ U

^ 03 g = rt S

U ^ ,2i iS r ^ « S

3 "'S ej ►n S^^-?

fl Si

-J

^ «- S .S B "

*»5 tj 4-1 a " u

C8 w

JS "3 r^, i^ Cl.--

U: Pi< 00 £-1

»*> w

^8s

00 w w
00

-2»

1 I

*S g

;«;^i3;i ^e^i

I CO aO Q PQ PP CO >>

C «

2 JS

.6 S
%|

1.1

cQpq

» 5 ^

M g V M

•» « 5 ^ »

& s 5 2 s

;< O o ^ 88

•J M

2 s S s 5

< 5:

Q is

« %. -S

»'

"41 '4- 1*<

•i.li'^^

•5 J 5

fs3

iiJi:iimii.i§i.^iiiii

liifi

t/i

i» a o

8 '^

^^s

-So ^

•c8

ax»

-^fl *^ ^ ^
4» a 55 5 s 3 S* ^ fl S JS tS^jM g a ►» « ST S

O-

pqPQ

t^'da

Af •'■,

•s

■y

#t.-t

«*»

I—

v.-^

• ■

s=»

>■,.,

»— t
en

V—

H. ^

W 5s

«2 C *^

«3 So

c:)

2 3
O Uu

III

1>
oo

"00 ,cr "^

^ *?

2 ?»

•-a

i-g

I "so!

- . slSalSIII i

V O

PhOT

•2 'w 'S 1*1

rt e s c

i|||J5 2

«I|J!JI

•-3

ffS

iw;;? 5

•3

"V a ft

so^^^tiM

•3.

•4

I Si

flu

as-

i. . ' >

a .a V.

lirj-r.i^^ii.

1^ u as 2 o

p. -, w K S

°- ^ * s E

rl p <

5 *) S

<-' o 2

u •::; z

<] ot M

eH^Xf^H1 >wo

>
o

g-rt

•-3

.a*

fp s

-6 1

»» .»4 "3 '^ ,

•tJ «• 5 6 b

^.O. Q

a-s

"%%

i5|34^J

.•^tJ-f

^. >>.!:

S«S

pH «

fea

2. v -S^ S4 "S

h e -^t

l.if.r'Ss^^s.

U ««l -S j5

O •-' >- A

w » !£ S

S « * te

IS ^ T P <

SB H

5 u °

^:5

n ns '

•44

Oh 4^

O .53 ^

>> 'X

S S J:

< N U
CD

^ O ^ *^

o a '-O *-
Co o "

- 9r

ra O

" fc

•rj Ph

tC (u

^ w

O CI

g («

O u

*^ O

S «

v: «

^ to

> s ^

£ ** o

cs S

p
p

«j •'. „

£ gcg

M^ ctf

3 *^ »H

n 4-> •«

- S •--

e "

r « Ji
fcH — -O

# s s

O 10

i 2

s r

•S.-S

-- J2

f o 3 TJ s . X 2

SEN

« « .J.Sgg

u 3 a
£ fl S g

4^ u W (U Q

M Oh g i; ^

3^ „-3-°

1.2

^"2

.*ii

■Js ^^ '-3 3 C

'«-a,cQv2

W S< «« 2 ♦* "^

a
o

3 14

-^ <u .s §-3

SJ2

•sl.g

:?;ii

. 3 *" -" '^
S .,

> n

43 O

«5-3

3 3

tl -

oi ra •<

3 be ra

s ° ,

•r 1^ "C

p . "-a 3 _^
ra =^3 '''-'

«3

3
Xi

a -"n I-' rf 53 ^-2 ia

«3
-5 3 ««

6 S-S

Ow-C

o a

« _

2 S

^^ ra

>
O

rt^ b

o ra

Ih P

rt O

3
,3 --* w

P-I>M >H (A

ra '-' O •r'

S t:| S 2 S

fc^3

c
E o

c-^

■< O

^ S « s

h " W M

W Pm Oh V?

Hh 2

2 2

6 w .

.aw

•s '-' O
C ra *:;
O s c!

n ra S

ii till

■It.

(r>

V:>

,^ "^ M

5?^

C lO' S M

U rt*^^^

?; al M •>

A A P "'-I ?•-• -ri "H

<< 6

fl c«

VOSO

00 00

a a

CO tt

rt.B

C« ><

t^ V

u <u u <1> .u

«-. .^H t^ P

O 2

V W rt

.:«f

Q<!

•^

FQ ^

S i*

W ^'^

^ «

N «^ .2

o.g

w s

s«

^ s

> n
a V

O « g

«4 «

«> « .3^ ••-^ O Ji

rt ^ O £ « ."t rt

.S e« > w ^ w «;{ 5 V" r^

u .:

c- .-i

5 ?!

S >C!

■i li.

-V'

5- -^ ^

V 0|

B'M-

-^ J

# H-

•• <j

C fi

^^z;^

O < ^

^ 0)

^.'•^ II

d A

(Q a.

_2 ~

MM W

** 'St

p *
(4

O O l^
O\O\00
r^ i>. t^

rt nj rt

• * •

.oo

<l» t~«.

-pC-

• ^4 f

« 4* a

>^ V

O
CO

!I?M

N CQ rt

XI SP rt •"
U>>C0 03

^ o
rt

rt
u

a
o

u
>s

K
U
<U

'So
o

•I

CO ^

Q
Z

Ik
l<

<
hi

<
H

0(^

S o 2

" S 6

C3 o 5

Ji w P

r J2 rt

* S :^

rt a «

Co "

V <u

w ^ bo rt

-2 'i

:r5 rs rt ^^
•-§'-3 2L.3

c<t

O rt o t^ _

o rt ? a

3 a
S
3 «.S-*^*S 2

"^ ' ^ .« .* fti (Ik

.3 3 2

a> u

.. <u

« rt'

0.5

WW V3

o rt

^ o

• ^ rt rt

« CL-

««.5

a> bo
> 5

-^ go .-g
^ « ^ Si rt"

S a rt 3 rt

3 B 13 a,'n
o .a a n^ rt

O >5 «

o Ji"2 15 »^

^ 3 2- «. •!-!

c-«->

(1.5

M O

• PH I

13 JH

^ c

IP,

•" «a

bO u
rt •>

2*§

.M rt in

V T3

> <u a *<

3
rt

rt
u

rt "
,X) rt

rt r^
u

•J 2

4-1 . O

'♦4 -T- <U

P4ta

«>

.-4 "^ a rt rt rt

3 rt »H ^ (ij

C a rt "3 na

O rt O- rt 'r.

bOrri (3

3£

Ctf ^j

O " L3

bOrt-g

4-»

t*
u
3
U

0.2

1-5

rt rt "*

§•

* H-s S'S

S 3
3*

.-P rt

o^-^A

9 5

rt
rt i-D re

a ■' s

PU rt
u

a> 3 „ 'U vi

a-.S rt 5^

C rt rt ,5

3 4-1 »,. '

»^-?; Ji -'
Hh a> rt

« « « 1 -S -s "^

1» > « o
3 C ••• bC^-i rt

.5 -Q »-i S ^ ^ «

Tr5 «' ""^ s^iP 3

w '■-< a «o •"< Ml 4-1

rt „ rt

W.2 a

<« >~» l^

"' — O

(L)

> b

lO ••*
2 u
bo

T CU

^-B.S = §i;_-

cr" rt

N 3

3 '

" ?«.

rt C -f!

3 - bO

^ « °

<" <^ .2 rt *£! .2

I- a ;^ 1) «! S

re .-< rt ' ■

s «.- ^ rt

«
in

*-> V ti r~.

rt "rt c £ 4' ?i

,•.— «0"Srt>S
« rt ,±: 4<, re "^ g

« rt

— -u •— ^^

''3.-4

C c .5 tK -ri So s^

S 2.^-^2 rt « ^

i .2 o <o <u

-5 « (- ;< rt

3 -O

rt^

Of <u
Hoi

ITJ 4*

i!n:i

mki

o^
oo

CO E* t^

-5^

»" oo oo So 'iP'OO w 11

00
00

r^ t-^ t-, *^ t--

rH M »^ W 11

^^•^

a> 44 v

c ?! $=

'-^ ^^- g

lU <u

cr o

ecu

«tt *5 « ^ =ii

^ « i> « (U w

^ •> ^ :r2 ^ sD ;z3

C5 -ti rt «a « cB CO

Si -o

cs .«

<« *i

c W»*<W

Wr2w;3 ^^^ ^^W-5

,WKWKS I^SS SSffi-S

J) g

CIS

t/3 --3

<j <J <j

(i> V t]j

J 6 „

e/>

t: ? t:

CI a

^ (3

(«

I" I- a

.2 S3
o g

g 60

5 "

C H

« C5

c
0^ a*

O > «, q

"-M ;J (U

-J« rt

S'So

« 1— I > ts _2 o .S

<U (A

rt u q

3) Ri

Ph?'^'

■V o

c«

n •_"' '^ ••-'

3 5 «

« „ -a

(U •*-4 1-4

^ C«

oj CQ etf ^ '^

> q c u s

o «2 -2 2* m

o s:g3iS

3 c2

^ o

O f" »-• ^

ctf

f^pppqlz; to ►-; w u {J u M .«*}

?;« =13 w-s «<J^

c 2 3 J?

CO O

"B _c! '-K " « 3

S W -5 "-"

>>3

»-• Z. fl a>

CO <u

s: 3 „0 *' o

^ ;s a

^•5 --S 5

:-;'^

■a s -(V,"

(^ i^ *^

5 5 13

z; cTt

.K b

P. bO

ii S

_. Oh

M..

*j •— ' J

c« « «

o ^

Ph. «.-

Ph > CJ

ce a W

n3 w •«
« '3,2

»x%4si 2 r?

^ ^

« 3

ss--! --«

««

"th

• M ^

^ a .J

. 3 Ph .'SI
2 C^ . ^^1

-0

o£

iTrt "-g-S Ph .jsPI

2 s^.a g i o^

<n o

pas

e^u

fc*

=: g a"-a ^ j5 -S ^ - „

l^ 3.7; fS ■;: .S B 3 5

V. «•

5 erg c 3 a-3j

w -

•J ■< M

^ p^crw f<; <

r5 a

H o

S *^ °^ '<

* 5 ::?

^ s

O H - W W

^ ' < y y c/3 ^ p,

«0 , I

u
o

"• " «

c
o
u

a
g

3 ■-" We

u cC « C 5

o « »-. -o t:

<o « «

5 -^

.. o *-•

Oh
cc

'bO •

""5

^ 3
«<{

-0.2

S Ph

S
.5S

>'^

<«

! P

m O -

a-l*3«

S w 3 **
« ^^ o

ii i 1

a § s

-- m «-<

>= - -3 :2

.Ri"

i< 1
<j I

c
si;

. i-t TO '

3 ■'-'

^£
^ a

t«« t^

^^^

»c

(/}

(«

55 ^ -So

>-, w <u

- JM rt

OpQ

»-l

-S j »i -< t^ •! a

3 -4 O H - W «

< U y V2 f^ P^ '-'^

^2;

^ 5 c a

ft >■>

^%I

>*«i
^ •«

>'P,

Qi^

coUW ►-^

CiJ

V.1 -I ^ w

-cj JS

SI d

'2 .S

CJJ

f< ?. ^ ^ g^ d

2«.

s a 4>

CO « M
5 Q es

•S o

l=i

-^ s a

l-i

sllll

a ^ 5 15|

% s ^-^1

•A 14

:5 '^

2 "> S

^ o S

s"' S S

o. >i w

.rli

C ■« 2

T ^ •-•

►^ 2 Z

p Cfl »-l

U M U

^ h) a<

H
P<

O V

CB («

• rH (tt

Sh?

s •

!•-

bO
J2 bO

«<

ohs ad h iz

Vi -2 -5

«'!3

o
o t>o

Ih
4-1

U (J

^^ tJ

•^ 5i
.2 g

■'■§
Si

-a lis

oo *-

Hh»

f»^

rSf^^-t - -^'-^

W ^ V

1> . s

M 5

•■^ ^ ^

c'a

m a a
6 'i'n^

je jt ^^M .3 fc* v«

«>

^ KWN s ;^s;^S;iss aw

C/3

c/3

h ^ 5 o
«> flj ="

& eW

tSJ

l=! "^ 5s

S ? ^
o c

coco

f"l.

en ;$;

<«

So.

U §.2 2 0}

-Can

5 o.^ ^5

acoPco(3<

'^ rs"

«*

•3 J3

'So'Bo ^ S «

Q E

^^ z.

^*4 ■ *f*

s s

{S ^

£>

ttJ

*^ ^

V. .S

5.9

^ !S § S-i.SJ

.2.?

% I

R ^a

^'^

lis

« o

^^ S'^'^'S . 6«*3

s.>:.

w?=;

•^

rrt

2 S <d c«

;^:SS WW

«n

t>. t^ , tT', CT" *^ tu

o-^

'^'^

V o

r p^a

r«

8 aJ

S V

u n o
4» a»

'-S '■•-• «th a
V V « 8

' • • • "^

«> <u

«« ««a

a a

* «tt « J« .«« ct. «« «

Rt ra

WW ;ssw :^ wwss^www^ ^s ^s

if.i;i

'tio'So ^
WW ^

a
<

•CO

•^ .ji

e
o

is ■

^ ~ ** »i

Is.

n o

S •* S

«=2

>4
O

Q
M

«T5
•^ §

V ^

VI »' "» fs

"?>

« ^*

fl "^ ,5 o S-S I {S"* S'C 'E-a J3-C
aq O CO CO P^ cQ ^ HH M PC) 14 P^ UPQ

.«

.4>

14 a

>,«

^33t<

S§l'IJ««s'3

B O

rt ptf -J |yi 25 JH

S {HuWPp«iS;?r -

^•^

c a -.-

5»

I Q g

«
H
S5

-4
X

c«

a S ^
2 5 «^

M «^ at

ta) -

•4

:'i;i

1":1

.5 -^

t^ CO

^^^os^M - r2

r flT 5:* 5:* J::: t^

O *:U ^ ^ '^ «^^ a B

ctt«tt

U V V «J

V V

j2h«S

ett «« «a ^ « J? j< «S

mmmhm

« N 2

•■i"^

:S -S

^^ O

iiSwfii^fiawswffii^^w s:^ >

tz)

h HH «

-9

-J5

• - rt rt y

H'&ajSs&a S 3 - «

W ow w -w rf.rt ed T* nJ u

-^.S .fi .£ -s c c t: t: s

(4 u

13 e

oQl

c:)

"«•,

- S

•9 «o 2

9 S

3«

'S «S fS u J "^

.-? '.ri V"! ^^ ►^ ^

D ^ >H ;^

4) 4>

Si ,Ji o u o -^

C9 aprf ^^

y-ys73 t i'.

>sc«rt«i>>>«

rt a>

.'^ rt u

•J o CO j'f;;^H7-?j:.s*J s^ j _ is!!;
o ^

O^-d M ^

v (« 9 "^ O'

-3 fa s ^ -

^sg«^^3§^1^^S^ i1 31

-5 2 Q

«co

5^ S ^

^S.^

i^"^ -i «=^ i C-s 5 !>; So^

t*^

2i «

^•^ ^ h

CIS M

u s^ H u ;j

O '•I

p a>

or »H

^ e-

<».

;i.utf;

4.V

o a

9>
U

fQco

-a
(«
o

S u
**" «

« s
II

tJ4 u

5^ v3,

»A

«o

«0

00 r>, oo 00 , oo

^♦S"" "«^«S

<» 4j

41 V

« « ,«| « « <tt ^« «

WWP-W

tqallaijijl^w ^:^.

(/3

i«

«4

•a-s.g
a

I g S S(£i

•'^ -SI'S -S-i^-S-l -302

® S «

r^. ^ -S

:z; '^f2^3oo|2

S:z;c3;z;;z;cg»ijcSwWfq

O (4

«>

4) >^ ii o 4» is «»

u CLi

•a-g

"c «5 tJ
• ^ ^ X
bO

■i!

oo or-" M

^t-

-=3.p-

TJ g «

T P,

«3 « ctt^ «

4> V V V

P o o o 42

3 3 3 3 H

O - O O

HH »-^ ^"i S'S'S'S

> b;o a

« S? > Sf

*? «* •? **

04 a

^ ^«^15 S S § S §

y-B b

Tfi a s s -

^ «

§ I

? .5

o <

U .-I
u t-l

5 S^ 2^

»r*. ••-I

P IH

I- M

P. o

5 H

^ 9*

<u.

I H 5 S

•4
O

4,^

S e §

5.:^

^ 5

^ S

K M

2 2

•A

<!<<Jg<p^

« S 2 5 «

rt o f^ 5 i''

p S w ;5 u

f< M P4 > t.

•-H

« /

^^^H

^^■^■Ebk

a^^^^^^^

^^^JRiH^siK

MBH

JPR^'' } %<

•<*

^raB"^

i^^ if'^'i- ' '*

iji! '

^' ' ■"' ■!

lt?f'R''

4 ''

•— •
CO

H
Pi

•4
O

.•f

oo "^

«' — I rq

■ : i-i *r ">«

C3 G

«t

c c e c! e a

5 a> t>

H g S S

F^ i:. £•'2 OJ2 *-f?

ts •}! bo ? a 5s 5 .? 3 .5i st

« « 5 <: ^
S H e .5 -2 'S §

■<

^ ^ S 5S
g H -^ ^

* •"• a <!
O K 2 <

^ o S o

KJ H •$ -

t? '^

»*• f/^ r- i^oo M

•^ t--0O 00 00 ,

. i>. i^ 1^ r-, 4»

^C"« »- M « ^

• v« Vh (j; '-1^ r >

oo
OS »^
oo *-•

00 «^^

o r^

«*^

re W rt * r,

1^ hC P^ S »^ p

«4: ^ ►f* rtj*
rt , . M-i rj

W « oW

«>

V3W

ft.

??.

^ o ^.

p >^ ntri a *i n oi

"? "r ji ?s i'-a-H. c «

P' ra La -3 3 I- w u ,^

M H fvi >^ H t3 > H G

,u O

-^ ^

„ 2 Q «

? t S! ^

S^.s S » t' ^» -^

*• 5

a a

P
•i

H* J

2 n s :5

«- OS W < -" i«J k_

PQ W CO pq r" P^ '^

«< "

3 00 OO .

^ «< '^ u*
• • ^ c

oo **i^*S
«^ « u r-

»- H ^ -.

e: /h it5 -tj

o • w

S t«. t^ C-.CO »-*

J— t^ r^ t-^ r^ t^

M M »-l », W «

« « 13 j3 43 4*

« «tt e!c«c««a

(« w M rt n ,<*

(i) w wwww

<u i3 . . «
ti a <u V o

« rt * 55 ^

-a

. (3

FQ:/30PU

cti 12 ra <« a.

c« ^ " rt ra

CJ
O ^ 4J ft -^ M

(^ ^

« °rt fiti

(U JS

* « «

o S.5PS«js«i3

2-:^ ?.-S S

i-> o. rt -fl ^

•!- P

(^>^Ht>>HuP^S

H Co

«s S g fl ^

wo™ T?A **

b .*2 DO ^ <

B c a

§ S 2 -So g ^^ 5
pq O PQ M ua hH »:^ O

. 2 2 ^-S B 2 2 -Ij-wj

*s *< c

2^ «

Sid;

4>.

«^ 3)5

o
M-H'2

5 (n rt

'i !

ii!,

' I'ls

2 « «s Je ti*^ y

5 .^05 <3 S § e S .

a'5 S

^X-^

r^ ►- ^ ^' ^ '-7.

-1

?! 2 ^.

:; 7.

•J <

q p « CO fi5 r* P^ '^

P4
P.

M N «0

w o

» J* a

f* ^

?! S a;5

W ^

l-l
n

.fF'

/:^'

i/' -t

\;^

CO
CO

•s

Pc^

^•-Q^^

'£S

M OO 00 00 22

.ooaa,oooo«o

"*ty „ w « M «

00 00 00 00 00
OO 00 00 00 00

t^ t^ t^ f^ "^ ■=r- —

M M M « "• «§^l2f

«« «tt « « 4i=^ ^ «s *s «s « «

^. OOOOOOO^OOOOo

fl a

> U V

o « «

X p

i'Sij

■•^ ^ -T 41 CSV 8 g ^

«5-H^

n .<«

0,0 ttf

« y

pe^UEhS O (^ ^^0^6 ^^'^

\ • • •

ft "5 *^

S-^ «« S B B a S 3*6

•s^'§

S S"^

5JS

& Q S N

(3 •§

l,«^ '5 f ^ «>q ^ Jl? 1,

>*4

^
&

e\j O Ji Ji Ji ."i f t tt t* Jt f$ n vt ^ ««

««

^ a

00 »00 2a

^'?,'?.?-

•• 11 ■« *"

i« <i •« M

\XXXX
JOOQ5c5

X 0U Ok S* 04
M M M l« l«

•r

I-.

a
CO

t/3

C/3

•^ t^ ^ 1^ "t*

99 00

*< to t^ -N CO

E-^^^^i-^

tT.<r

•^

^.cr

f l*^^'!

R .

.cr'.cr

a u u o a u o a a a V »-

« «

:3:S -

^ -TS »*!

•*•« M

.S So*-' >-*

a o

C/D

< Q

>:^

«A

s«s

?3i: *:.

. . o

QJOO

'O ^ erf

'f'f't

«-" S g 8

«^

i< U4 «>4

-J Ah

o »- o

COPQPk

>J 2

tq s

•n §

« 2

o *^
ba (3

a«
2=2

pq ^

2 •

i -s - § -I

« is

C C 5 cp' Si

M
H

M
Pi

Q
2

fi.
<

S < ^

^ H >

< < o »J

O J <

t6 «

« 5)

> «

tA
•J
M

X
H

<',^^- . I

■>y*

TO . OO

- L-i M rl<

I— I

h
to

D
h

ffl

tJ tl "^ «

*^^13 "Vis

«*s

*»»

"-• ^ O N*

jx S « «

On 0\ M
oo CO 0\
i^ r» l>

Sr! ^ •'^

4> V V
(0 ctf cS

a,
8

-J

Oh
O

o
O

C 8

no -a

(«

t2 n O O W w

c > o
t-* coco

« o

** ^ •

g (U 4>

■ «■ » .

CO 03 CO rH •*{ W l-t W

rt a

^ o
o S

« 2

'W t; ^ ••3

o o o

S *-' ^

ns -d -^

•» * *

> Ih IH

5 « «"
Ji ^ ^

I o o

S' (^ (S3

^ PU

.4>

rQPH

jS^

M
<j

ua •»
o 2

Oh rt _« O
T3 Q

w ? ?5 ;z; jH ui w o

rt'C

•a o rt

3r«

-Is

Si « bO
4>.S c

•^ S» *? ^ « r**

p. is 1^

,.< CtJ u

S 3J ^

a; w 2

o -1 2

Z bS y

i-i o w 2 rl

ox '-«■»; r

Wo - o S C

X o -• ^ 2 <

^Q CO pHb^

•o

00 CO

V?« 1-1
4» . .

^^^

g « 4>

1-3 •• •>

«s

M iH VOMNOOOOOO'Mo"

00 . OO OO O\00 CO OOtX ~00 '

ft Vrt M>-ll-l««W ^►,p»dMHi

O^" o

<« « c« <*{ ett <tt t^ ^ « J c« cf

cs (V cj c8 m ns

WWWWWWqjC^W'^WW

H no H

cS («

W S {i?WWfii«WH:»pW«SW ft^

;swE«

•a o rt

CO
CO

•> ••

:3 «

a w.S c a c c3 rt o a 2 3 a „

V it
9 O

•s-s t

fe S qj -J rt Q. ^P

Q-t-n

V ••H

<L>

u u ti *^ bO
^ C ,<« ^ « «

H jet

fi<

o
h4

C «

« — 5 « '^

2 ,«^

'-^

r^-12

ssil I

■ 5 ^ "S "5 » ' <*

^ i

♦S « o

feo

*»

M 2
V. A

•4
o

•>

« S S^e^'S"

^ <A Z

" !x O

•«

M -4

U U9

o
u

O «

Vol. I.

*^ wo4:^

*5r

e ««

W M

« 9!

.•K"

««

Pi
O

•T3

^(^

n
P

•a

«ftM

00*0

M M

^•

•-a -^

• s^ s*^ as'

4> "^ 4»,

i i'' , :■'•

• •"•••

M CI to «^ irt

•1-3

^ .1

^
^

•c. li

) 2

rtt

•i;<

K 5

00 1^00

MM"

^*i?«.,

•s

S'*S-^^a-«5',

V V

^.<r

««

•S

4J ** S

■— < on

o O^

4^ S 'W p^

S 3 -

«11
o o o

<«

o o

fj 90^

a e o

^ et

-s-i

W 'S -s ^ S, K^

o Ji

c5n3

1,1

»..fc^

OJ 'tI

^s^'is'^iJ ^

-s-sj

^ p-i p 9 S S5 ^ ^ * «^ jg JS »S

!■§!

til ^r

OiJ o

2^ «!;:•§ Sta S

•1

11;

V M

<^f»i-<f(iPg

!»*•. V

§ §

§1

2 M

H ::;

•I

S*^^

z. »

1^ '^

5 H

^« « c^ . ,:^ ^^4 4

2 ^*

M ">

S '^

b ? tJ

Z ?< !•

1 a

:-^^i!'^\

€

V-

' 1*»

., •

- cj

< '■' ' :

o'-?- j- ^

st-t

t^ *^ ;u

. . . • «

4"* ♦* aa«

*r«a ca « ^

"rtctt

^§

■ jSwww^

*E^

wwww;^

;sw

Iswl^S

•

:*4

ctf

8
•-3

•9

h V «3

♦i « 'J

^ »- o S

3'i
"o o

<§

o**

•^

SJ S S-

Common Su
Dwarf Sun-1
Jerufalem A

American Si
Blue-bottle

Blue Cardin
Sweet Viole
Double-flow
Heart's-eafe
Garden BaUJ

»^

■. A

;> , i "<"•

«^

'ii'l

J ^.■.. :.

ssil i

141 J.s fi 1

•'^

i» 4 ^

i S 3

P H

. <

«5 2

N H

»4 n «s

•4 q

• 2 o

• .*-■•

•-a

SJ s &

V 3 ft »«

>•»•.

t-i
h

H
CO

H
{^

(ij

At
U

•s

•s
s

9,
00'

^
s

K«J

•^^
?

•§■•§•

e
O

■V

i
I

> »5

« s

«v.

!■<

* 5

;

>■ :fe

Il4. .

.4^

A .

«6

' M

?r«

(5* ^

X a

• i

6> •> °

■ll

«i Id

)«^

HP>9

I o

«<

t/3

(X4

6 Jzj

^ ♦

•>i

fti

. fi

•^

J*:

ti ti t*

•I'f .

^.gi

^ ^ <2 <« t* « «'

'^ «, u ^

*4 » ■ ■■■. ^ V

C Q H tt Q C

9 - ^ -

^^g'l-r^i:

«5^
^

MS5

»^ ^» i>H *>. r-.

»- ^>• t^ ^ c-

r^ t< t% j^ r-rtQ 00

« « M M •- oooe

t^ t«.oo

(U JU V S

*" i't'^

lip

IS 2^

•a

t«

«>

J-sli-tllla

8 * rt

s 4> o

iii:5|-if

oy «2 «3 !* § ?

•I

Q
M

^ H-lf

M
&1

(?..

»8

;* **

. \

H
co

C/3

«}

u s

HeO

,£

•si

e 5
«* «i j! o

§ Ilia.

^'M § « ^

«>

CO CO

•I

8
•s

« = 3 .

e jj"^

u
w

5?;

O
Q

P
u

9*
09

•a
6

<^ •^ r^

•« "^ w tS*
. • . w

•r

«>

•r

X o
X

I— I

f< 6

p 5

>,• 'WW

jj o o

V ^ »

S a> <»

V P

e^-g

^ ■

I -I

^ CO

^-^

fc^^V a,sS;ScSk ^J ^J I

2
1

Ji»

P
X

■<

Q
S3

D
O

114

S§ a

S s s ^ h s

S a> S S 3 O

s s a; 2^ fl^

► *«

•2 _•«

-**

s
I

"§•2 lis*

it I. ".-I
Is- i§

.S|g &S
i a ST o

si 1^ •^

•^ 6:6* .6^ i>h

»H
CO

»
h

,.«

g S-v.S fi S S Q '^

Hjiiill.

«5<3

s >